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Saying of the week
Spanish festivals: Día de la Hispanidad
This Friday, and every year on 12 October, one of the most patriotic Spanish festivals is celebrated in Madrid. Madrid’s streets are filled with Spanish citizens, brimming with national pride, as well as stunning parades and airshows above. But what is the Día de la Hispanidad and why is it celebrated?
Spanish festivals. Día de Hispanidad: History
The date of the 12th of October may ring a bell to many as the day that Christopher Columbus came across America, and this is the origin of Spain’s national holiday. On 12th October 1492, on his way to India, Christopher Columbus arrived at an island in the Bahamas, believing it to be India. In actual fact, Columbus had established the first contact between Europe and the Americas, triggering Spain’s colonization of the continent, and changing the way that the world was perceived. This significant day is the main root of Spain’s celebration today.
Centuries later, in 1935, the Second Republic of Spain wanted to celebrate the 12th of October as a public holiday, but it wasn’t until 1958, under the Franco dictatorship, that the day was officially celebrated as a national holiday. In 1981, after the fall of the dictatorship, a Royal Decree was published which declared the 12th of October a national holiday in a democratic Spain, now referred to as the ‘Fiesta Nacional de España y Día de la Hispanidad’, loosely translating to ‘Spain’s National Day and Day of Hispanic Pride’.
Spanish festivals. Día de la Hispanidad: Today
Nowadays, it is mainly celebrated in Madrid, where a great military parade takes place through the city’s streets. All sectors of the military take part, including the Navy and the Spanish Air Force, who perform a stunning aerobatics show above the many spectators. This parade is attended by the Spanish Royal Family, the Prime Minister, and other high-ranking officials, including representatives of Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities. This parade is broadcast on national television so that the whole country can feel a part of the celebrations.
Spaniards throughout the country enjoy the long weekend that is known as ‘puente de Pilar’, because the 12th of October is also the feast day of the country’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Pilar.
If you want to experience the next Día de la Hispanidad and the parade for yourself, you can start planning your trip now, combining it with your Spanish course in the capital of Spain. Head over to our website and take a look at Spanish courses that we offer in Madrid!
Is there a similar celebration in your country? Let us know in the comments!
Sophie Lauro
Learn Spanish, spanish culture, spanish festivals
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81. The Redner Group, 2K Games, and Duke Nukem Forever – a Q&A with Jim Redner
[Article first published as Q&A with Jim Redner: The Redner Group, 2K Games, and Duke Nukem Forever on Blogcritics.]
Videogame review ratings are, as with review ratings of all forms of media, pretty subjective. There have been games that have gotten mediocre reviews which I thoroughly enjoyed, and there have been games with fairly high critic reviews that I only thought were so-so. It’s the same grab bag you shove your digital hands into when visiting Rotten Tomatoes to check out a flick.
There are, however, certain titles (again, as there are in other forms of media) that completely polarize audiences with folks ending up completely on one side or the other of a “loved it/hated it” dichotomy. The Guitar Hero and Rockband games are a perfect example. I don’t know anyone who casually played them just for occasional kicks when they came out. Folks were either rocking out with their finest rock flourish, or throwing things at those dancing the dance of digital rock, asking them how they could destroy music this way.
After all the built up anticipation, we all knew that 2K Games and Gearbox’s Duke Nukem Forever was going to follow this same kind of line. I mean, the game was over a decade in the making. There was an army of loyal fans, with their yellowed, crinkled preorder receipts from way back when chomping at the bit to finally get their hands on a copy of DNF, while another faction wasn’t really buying into the excitement. As the release day got closer, reviews started rolling in, and unfortunately for 2K Games they weren’t good. After receiving a combined Metacritic score of 49 (for the Xbox 360 version), it was 2K Games’ outside public relations company, The Redner Group, that went on the offensive, sending out a few tweets that sparked a lot of controversy, with the following one seeming to be the harshest:
“too many went too far with their reviews…we r reviewing who gets games next time and who doesn’t based on today’s venom.”
It looked like TRG was threatening gaming media outlets that gave 2K games low review scores. The tweet was deleted shortly after, and replaced with an apology from Jim Redner and a tweet indicating that it was only The Redner Group, and not 2K Games, that was behind the message. Despite the tweet being deleted, gaming sites around the web immediately began reporting on media outlets being threatened with blacklisting for bad reviews. But not everyone was talking about threats from TRG. In a tweet yesterday, Eurogamer.net’s Tom Bramwell said “I feel sorry for @TheRednerGroup today. We are blacklisted by @2KGames and it seems to be standard practice.” He went on to mention that they had to buy Duke Nukem Forever to review it.
Everyone had something to say, but outside from a few tweets and a public separation with 2K games, I wasn’t seeing anything from The Redner Group. To get some clarity I contacted Jim Redner yesterday, who was gracious enough to take the time to answer a few questions for me. His answers paint a picture of an emotionally charged man with a passion for gaming who gets very personal with his project. He freely admits that yes, he made a mistake, and the whole situation could have been handled better.
Read what we had to say below.
Tushar Nene (TN): Did 2K Games have any part in the tweets originating from TRG’s twitter account?
Jim Redner (JR): No, 2K didn’t have anything to do with the tweets. They came directly from theRednerGroup. theRednerGroup is a small PR agency. In fact, it is just me. I work from a bedroom turned into an office. I hustle to get business and I have to compete with the bigger agencies. I am a 24/7 one-person agency. I hire freelancers to help out on occasion, but for the most part I do it all. I care for my clients and their projects. I work very hard to generate consumer awareness. It’s so hard to put so many hours and then see one story tear it down. I am so emotional[ly] tied to my projects and I acted unprofessional due to one review and it wasn’t even the lowest review. My tweet was plain dumb. I know how I should’ve handled [it]. 2K reacted as they should’ve. I actually offered to resign the account the night of the tweet because they needed to distance themselves from me.
TN: Did the tweet regarding reviewing which outlets would receive future 2K releases reflect 2K’s true sentiment, as EuroGamer.net’s Tom Bramwell has tweeted that they are now blacklisted?
JR: Actually, no. I don’t know much about EuroGamer and their standing with 2K. I can’t speak on their behalf at all.
I can speak to how I handled theRednerGroup’s US and Canadian media review policy. I look to support writers who have pre-launch provided coverage on the game or project that I represent. If you provide me with coverage, I will provide you with a game for review. Your pre-launch coverage and review generates consumer attention for both the game and your site. It is a symbiotic relationship. If you haven’t covered the game yet and ask for a review copy, I usually turn you down. I have a limited amount of copies to give out and I try to take care of the writers that have taken care of the game. It’s only fair. Of course I want everyone to review each game positively, but we all know that is not possible. Some games rock and some games don’t. We know well in advance of launch if a game is going generate high or low scores. Overall, we are never surprised.
Reviews are subjective. They are one person’s opinion of the game, and as you know, opinions are never wrong. I read every review. I don’t care if my game receives a poor review so long as the writer backs up the story in fact. I believe that writers have a responsibility to be ethical and fair in their reviews if they receive the game from the publisher. A writer can hate a game and say so. The responsible thing to do is to write the review in a fair manner and back up the review in fact. If they do that, I cannot and will not complain about the review?
Everyone has the right to say what they want, when they want. But, if you are going to be crass and outlandishly mean spirited, I have the right to no longer support you with content or games. Blacklisting is an ugly word. We don’t blacklist anyone. We pick who receives games and who doesn’t. We have limited amount to begin with. I think people believe that games are free for us when in fact we have to pay for them as well. A discounted price, but it still is very expensive. So why would I send a game to someone who I know is going to destroy or is capable of hate-filled stories? Where is the sense in that? If someone hits you every time you see them, would you continue to want to see them? Of course not.
I admire writers who can take a game and write solid reviews based in fact even though they would never play that game in their spare time. For instance, if someone hated sports and was told that they had to review a baseball game and then turned around wrote a well-founded review on it, regardless of the score, I find that impressive. I couldn’t do it. The vast majority of writers in this industry do that all the time and they do it well. There is a common misconception that publisher have to give games out for review. They don’t have to give games to anyone. In fact, they have as much right to refuse to send games out as writers have the right to publish whatever they want.
TN: What kind of response have you received from the community?
JR: The response from writers in the industry has been overwhelming supportive. They provided me with their opinion about my tweet, a lot of well thought out constructive feedback which I welcome. Some agreed and some disagreed but they were honest and open with me. I have tried to uphold several beliefs in how I work with people. I try to be fair. I try to be prompt and take care of the media I work with. I hope that I will be able to rebuild some of the faith I may have lost in the video game media community.
TN: What happens next for TRG?
JR: Since I am a single PR professional, I handle all aspects of a campaign. In order to compete with the bigger agencies with multi-offices and 100s of employees, I have work seven days a week from my bedroom/office. I have to be available all day and all night. I hustle. I work tirelessly and Duke Nukem Forever was my baby. Like a father protecting his son, I emotionally charge[d] when I posted that tweet. It’s hard to read outlandishly bad reviews that are really diatribes. Actually, it was just one review and it wasn’t even the lowest scoring review. It was just a mean spirited diatribe masked as a review. I should’ve had thicker skin.
My next steps are to continue my hustle. This has set me back and rightly so, but I will push forward and move on. theRednerGroup will survive this controversy in some form or fashion. I know what is important in life and I know what isn’t. I love the video game community. Much to the dismay of my future wife, I still play games. Go Borderlands! Call of Duty: Black Ops! I have played games since my next door neighbor introduced me to the Atari 2600. Asteroids, Centipede,Codebreaker. Though my tastes in games have changed over the years, my passion for them hasn’t.
Twitter is a pretty powerful tool. What was a vague idea years ago has turned into a media machine that’s being utilized by folks in business and entertainment to communicate with fans and each other, giving everyone all the latest news. Unfortunately, that kind of instant attention can be a double-edged sword; fame can become notoriety in a matter of a day. It’s just another illustration of potential problems that can occur that people never would have thought of in the pre-Facebook/Twitter era.
I’d like to thank Jim Redner again for answering my questions, and wish him and The Redner Group the best in moving past this situation.
Tags 2K games duke nukem duke nukem forever jim redner PR the redner group
80. could a little tech know-how prevent strangers from seeing you in the shower?
82. Interactive Advertising: NUads Mean Kinect is Open for Business
76. facebook’s failed google smear campaign was an idea that purely zucked
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GMU Library
Richard Ben Cramer
What it Takes: The Way to the White House
Mr. Cramer discussed the elements needed in a person to be elected president. He started the book in 1986 and examined the presidential candidates for the 1988 election. Mr. Cramer also described the process involved in writing over six years and with getting a 1000 page book published by Random House.
Program Air Date: July 26, 1992
BRIAN LAMB, HOST: Richard Ben Cramer, in your book “What It Takes: The Way to the White House.” is there any one thing that was a thread through the six candidates that you followed that would tell you what it takes?
RICHARD BEN CRAMER, AUTHOR, “WHAT IT TAKES: THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE”: I think there was, although I didn't set out to write a paradigm of a presidential candidate. There were some similarities, and, alas, similarities in the stories of their campaigns. I found out that the title What It Takes is kind of a double-edged sword because all of them start out thinking they have what it takes, but in the end they find out what it takes from them, and what it takes is that whole life that brought them to the point they could be candidates in the first place.
LAMB: When did you start this book?
CRAMER: The middle of 1986 is when I wrote the proposal. I was out there working by the end of `86.
LAMB: Who are the six candidates?
CRAMER: I had two Republicans, George Bush and Bob Dole, and four Democrats, who were Michael Dukakis, Gary Hart, Joe Biden and Dick Gephardt.
LAMB: You mention in the opening that Jesse Jackson just didn't quite make the cut. How come?
CRAMER: My final criteria for the list of guys that I profiled was that I wanted the people who got to the point where they made that last turn in the road, where they thought to themselves, "Not only should I be president, I'm going to be president. It's going to happen to me." When I saw Jesse making that turn finally and for one brief week, it was after the Michigan caucuses and everybody in the world wanted Jesse. So I couldn't slow him down long enough to give him a sense of the help that would be required. So much of the story in this book is internal, from behind the candidates eyes, that it really couldn't be done without their help. So when I couldn't get that kind of help from Jesse, I decided that it was better to leave him out and preserve the level of the book, rather than write about somebody that I didn't know as well.
LAMB: It's how many pages -- 1,000, 1,100?
CRAMER: A thousand forty-seven at last count.
LAMB: How did you get a publisher to put out that size book?
CRAMER: The size of the book wasn't really a problem once you got them involved with the idea. It was my idea from the first to try to write a real human story about these guys and try to let people connect with them in a visceral way so that they felt with them and exulted with them and felt their tragedy and their triumph. By the time I started feeding manuscript into the publisher, everybody was on board and they really weren't too worried about the length. The hard part was in the beginning, trying to sell a book like this. As I'm sure your viewers know, most books are signed up and contracted for before they are written. In this case, I had to go to a publisher, Random House, and tell them, "Well, look, I don't have Chapter One yet and I don't have an outline for you. I can't tell you who the characters will be yet. I can't tell you what the story will be, but you just give me all this money and I'll see you in four or five years. Don't worry. It'll be great." So once you sell a book like that, after that convincing them about the length is just a walk in the park.
LAMB: This book costs $28 to buy if you don't buy it in a discount store.
CRAMER: That's right, although it is being discounted, a practice of which I approve.
LAMB: Is it true that you got a half million dollar advance?
CRAMER: I can't contractually tell you exactly what the advance is, but you're not far wrong.
LAMB: I read that you'd spent it all, too, over that six years.
CRAMER: Oh, yes. Well, you know how it is. If you're following candidates in a campaign, you get on their plane, and what they're generally doing is they're dividing the cost of that charter flight by the number of reporters they're carrying aboard. In effect, the press is buying them that campaign flight. This doesn't seem to matter when it's Kay Graham's money or Otis Chandler's money, but when it's cash out of your own pocket, you begin to feel it. So you could say, in the immortal words of Jerry Lee Lewis, "I spent the hell out of it."
LAMB: Are you happy with this book?
CRAMER: I am. I'm happy with the way it came out because I've been able to see in the few weeks that it's been out that people are connecting with it, and they're getting a fresh look at these guys. They're finding out that they really didn't know them as they thought they did and that they really hadn't seen them as human beings in the same way that they do now that they've read the book, so that's very pleasing to me.
LAMB: As I was reading it, I kept saying -- and I feel clumsy trying to ask the question. How did you do this?
CRAMER: That's why it took six years.
LAMB: It's unfair to somebody who hasn't read this thing, why I would ask that question. Anybody who reads this book will have, I'm positive, the same reaction. How did you get the access?
CRAMER: You cannot overestimate my ignorance at the start of this process. I started out doing it as I thought Washington big-time political reporters do these kind of things -- calling up important people in Washington whom I had seen quoted in the papers or seen as talking heads on TV. I wanted to ask them about these candidates because I didn't really care that much about the campaign -- how did they win and how did they lose, etc. I really wanted to know these men, and I wanted to know what kind of life brought them to the point where they could be candidates. When I finally did force my way into a few of the offices of these important Washington figures and I started asking about the candidates, I found that they really didn't know these guys. They knew them in a kind of Washington way. They'd been in a couple of meetings with them or they'd been at a dinner party where this guy was the speaker or they had seen them on the floor of the House or Senate a few times, but they didn't know what made the guy tick. They didn't know why he was in politics. They didn't know what was driving him onward or what was the real reason that he was climbing to the top of the pyramid.
Eventually, after a period of months, I pretty much abandoned Washington. I went to the hometowns, and then I started talking to their schoolmates and their sisters and brothers and their mothers and fathers and aunts and uncles and cousins and their first employers and their Cub Scout leaders and their teachers and their law school buddies and college roommates. By the time I got back to the candidates on the campaign trail, I wasn't asking them how many points did they need in Iowa. I was asking them about their Aunt Lucy or their Aunt Gladys. She said they never would wake up in the morning when they spent a summer with her. Now they start their campaign days at 5:30 a.m. What got into these guys? So I was talking to them about life, not politics, and that started us on a different relationship.
LAMB: Who was the hardest? Who gave you the least access?
CRAMER: The hardest to get at was George Bush, by far, because he was already vice president. He was already living in what I call the "bubble," surrounded by guys in suits and in front of them a wall of secretaries and secretaries to secretaries, who are all awfully busy, you know, and awfully important, and you just can't get there from here. What I had to do was to follow my own route to the candidate, which is kind of new route or maybe a one-of-a-kind route, which is through the families. The real turning point with Bush came when George W. Bush, George Junior, brought me over to the residence for a backyard barbecue and horseshoes with the veep. Once the veep had drubbed me solidly in horseshoes, then I was on the map.
LAMB: How did you get to George W.?
CRAMER: Lee Atwater, the campaign manager, passed me into George W. I came in and my researcher came in, both of us with hair and not even as respectable as I look today, and George W. Bush sat back in his chair, put his cowboy boots on his desk and said, "Well, y'all aren't a couple of Y.R.'s, are you?"
LAMB: Meaning?
CRAMER: Meaning Young Republicans.
LAMB: How did you get to Lee Atwater?
CRAMER: Lee Atwater I got introduced to by a friend. I can't remember exactly how I first got to Lee, but I'll tell you how we got to talking was about Thomas Wolfe. Lee's from South Carolina, and he was reading Thomas Wolfe at the time and I had been reading a biography of Thomas Wolfe, so I gave him the book and then we started to talk. He was a fascinating guy, Atwater, and, I think, a man quite a bit misunderstood. I liked him very much, and he always proved to be a straight-shooter with me.
LAMB: Once you got to George W., meaning President Bush's son, and then to the president's backyard as vice president, how many hours do you think you talked to him for this book?
CRAMER: I don't think it was many, really. I would see him a lot campaigning, and that isn't really interview time. But what I wanted was the chance to be in the room. Especially at the beginning, I was much more interested in watching him do six other interviews where I'm just sitting out of camera range. Then sooner or later the equation changes a little bit because somebody says, "Well, you know, you really hit that agriculture question that time," and the vice president will say, "Yeah, that was better than the last time." You're in that discussion and you become a piece of furniture in the room, which is much more interesting usually than getting a 15-minute interview slot in the car going somewhere where you have five questions that you want to ask. I've never been much for asking that key question that opens the door to the psyche beneath. Plus I think these candidates are very outward-directed people. They aren't people who've spent 10 minutes thinking about themselves or how did they get the way they are. "Themselves" is the one thing they never have had to worry about. So asking them to explain themselves from the point of view of what really makes them tick is usually a waste of time.
LAMB: One thousand interviews?
CRAMER: Oh, easily, yes.
LAMB: One thousand interviews!
CRAMER: That was an estimate, but it's low.
LAMB: We've done three years of "Booknotes," and I've heard 150, 200. How do you know?
CRAMER: Well, you don't know. What I was doing was basically counting note files in my computer on an interview. What I would do is I would get an interview and then it would go as a separate file in the computer. There were literally thousands of those. So when I was asked to estimate how many interviews it basically boiled down to, I would say about a thousand, but that doesn't count all the little talks you have with advance men along the way and with workers in the various states as you roll in with the campaign because they aren't formal interviews where you sit down and take notes. Nevertheless, you're learning every minute. So it was a tremendous number of interviews and scenes that are written down at the time.
LAMB: How many chapters?
CRAMER: I'm not exactly sure. What is it, 130 or something like that?
LAMB: At least.
CRAMER: I think it's 130.
LAMB: It's in how many sections? It's 130 chapters with an epilogue.
CRAMER: Yes, it's in three books, and the first book is really Bush and Dole and how they came into politics, how their lives came from such different places to pit them face to face in 1988. The second book introduces the Democrats and continues with the stories of Bush and Dole. Then the third book begins this flooding tumble of the campaign where the past and present all seems to bump into each other.
LAMB: I want to get to some of the stories on some of the candidates, but I first want to ask you about your own background. Where were you born?
CRAMER: I was born in Rochester, N.Y., grew up there, and left at age 18 to go to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
LAMB: What did you study there?
CRAMER: Not too darn much, if the truth be told, but I did a lot of newspapering. We had a campus newspaper there, and that's really what I was most interested in. I came out as a liberal arts graduate, but it's hard to tell what they would have said my major was.
LAMB: How old are you?
CRAMER: I'm 42 now.
LAMB: Where do you live now?
CRAMER: I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in a small town called Cambridge, which is out in the lowlands, the swamps beside the Chesapeake Bay. I actually live on the Choptank River.
LAMB: How many different newspapers have you worked for?
CRAMER: I worked for two. I worked for the Baltimore Sun just after I'd gotten out of college, and after three and a half years there I went to the Philadelphia Enquirer, where I was mostly a foreign correspondent for about seven years.
LAMB: Where were you stationed?
CRAMER: The Middle East was actually my specialty.
LAMB: Where'd you live over there in the Middle East?
CRAMER: I started in Cairo, and then after Sadat made the peace deal with the Israelis and you couldn't get a visa in Cairo to save your life, then I moved the bureau first to London, then to Rome. Actually, to call it a bureau is to dignify it unduly. I was the bureau, and one suitcase was its furniture, so you could move that bureau pretty easily.
LAMB: Have you written any other books?
CRAMER: I had a book come out that was actually a magazine piece I had done that was put together with a lot of photographs and made into a little book about Ted Williams, but this is the first book I wrote as a book.
LAMB: Your name is listed as Richard Ben Cramer. What do people call you?
CRAMER: They call me Richard. I always know a newspaper friend by them calling me "Richard Ben." Ben is my middle name, but I only stuck it in as a byline because the Baltimore Sun used to put its bylines in this little bitty eight-point bold type, and the first byline they ever gave me once they had shipped me out to Anne Arundel County, which is south of the city of Baltimore, said, "By Richard Cramer, Annapolis Bureau of the Sun," and "Annapolis Bureau of the Sun" was so much longer than my name that I stuck the middle name in there, too, just to even it out. I found out then that people really remembered it. They thought I was some kind of strange Arab or kin to Richard Ben-Veniste. Whatever it was, it increased the memorability factor a lot, so I stayed with it.
LAMB: As you know, we read a profile on you by the Washington Post.
CRAMER: Martha Sherrill, a great woman.
LAMB: The profile went into what you've gone through in all this. We'd better get all that on the table. You thought you had a heart attack, liver cancer -- I don't know. You had every disease -- phlebitis.
CRAMER: Every stress-related illness that can be listed in a medical textbook, that's correct.
LAMB: Is there anything wrong with you now?
CRAMER: Not that I know of, but I'm not checking too hard for fear there might be something.
LAMB: Your back was so bad at one time you had to work on your back writing in the computer?
CRAMER: I actually had a little space pen. It's a byproduct of the NASA years, and it writes upside down. This brilliant man developed a pen that would write in weightless, zero gravity, so that's what I used. I was lying there on my back with a paper over my head.
LAMB: How long did you have to do that?
CRAMER: Only for a couple of weeks on and off.
LAMB: You got married in the middle of all this.
CRAMER: I got married and had a baby.
LAMB: First time married?
CRAMER: First time married, first time baby.
LAMB: Who'd you marry?
CRAMER: I married Carolyn White, who was an editor whom I met in Philadelphia and is an editor to this day consulting to a magazine in New York, Mirabella. She really was the full-time editor on this book. It would be even harder to lift were it not for her. In due time we had a daughter Ruby who lives with us out in Cambridge, Maryland.
LAMB: Hard to lift. I've been carrying this thing around, trying to read it.
CRAMER: My sympathies. I always tell my friends it's easier to read than it is to carry.
LAMB: You really don't know where to start. I want to ask you about the candidates in just a second. One more thing -- where physically did you write the book?
CRAMER: I wrote it at a word processor in my house in Cambridge. I have an upstairs office. I actually have two computers set up -- one with notes, one for copy. From those two keyboards this book emerged.
LAMB: Did you tape record any of your interviews?
CRAMER: I did tape some, yes.
LAMB: What have you done with all those tapes?
CRAMER: Actually we have a very happy ceremonial pitching out of all of the things we had lived with -- boxes and boxes of newspapers and there must have been 300 or 400 notebooks and hundreds of audio tapes.
LAMB: Threw them away?
CRAMER: Tossed them out, yes.
LAMB: Didn't save the tapes?
CRAMER: No. Got them out. You can have no idea how necessary psychically it was to rid the house of the book.
LAMB: Why?
CRAMER: Because it had come to dinner six years ago and it had never left.
LAMB: Did you ever think of abandoning the project?
CRAMER: No, you know, I never did. There were months at a time when I thought it might finish me and that it would not emerge as a book; it would never finish itself and come to any roundness or fullness as a story. But I never had the temptation to stop trying because it was driving me. It wasn't something that I had to force myself to do at all.
LAMB: A lot of the things I want to ask you about really -- I shouldn't admit this. I didn't finish this book. I wish I could. I like to finish them before I do the interview. This is right in the middle of the convention and all. It was impossible to get all the details on it. But there are lots of things, some of them are personal, but it just seemed it was new and it had an impact when I read it. Joe Biden's aneurysm. You've got material in there that goes right into the operating room when they opened him up. When did that happen in the process, and what impact did that have on his life?
CRAMER: You have to remember that Joe Biden had been forced out of the race in September of '87 by a series of revelations, which individually were kind of minor and almost laughable when you look back on them, but by the time they were digested through the great long snake of the Washington press corps, they seemed to constitute an elephant of a character flaw. So Biden had been drummed out, and he really didn't come out speaking again until the turn of the year 1988 -- the early part of that year. It was February, the first time he'd been out talking on a college campus. He went to the University of Rochester, as a matter of fact.
LAMB: Were you there?
CRAMER: No, I wasn't there. I was in New Hampshire with all the good members of the pack. Joe did his speech at the University of Rochester, and then as is his wont, he took questions for several hours. When he got back to his motel room, all of a sudden -- bang! -- he got hit like a brick hit him in the head. He was dizzy, he was nauseated, he could barely see, he didn't know what was happening to him. He thought it could have been a heart attack, but he didn't know what it was. He just knew that he could barely move. He didn't seem to have any will to do anything. He lay down on the bed. He just thought if he could get home he might be all right. He lay there awake in terrible pain all night and finally dragged himself to the plane the next day, got back to Wilmington, and they literally had to carry him up his stairs in his house in Wilmington. His brother called, fortunately -- Jimmy Biden, who's a guy who's got a nose for trouble and a nose for his brother's need, and said, "Look, no more schedule, no more anything, put him in the hospital right now today."
That very night through a terrible snowstorm they took him by ambulance down to Walter Reed where a surgeon, Dr. George, decided there was no time to be wasted. There was an aneurysm in his skull, and they had to open his skull and get at this aneurysm. I don't know if the audience will know what an aneurysm is. An aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of your artery, and if it should burst inside your skull, it's not that the loss of blood would kill you or anything like that, but the force of the blood coming from the artery would literally start pulverizing your brain tissue. I mean, it comes out like a fire hose. They didn't have any time to waste. They wheeled him into the operating room. Dr. George said it would be a matter of four, four and half hours. It turned out to be nine. The aneurysm burst right there on the table, fortunately outward, away from Joe's brain. It was a terrible mess and a critical time in his life. They literally gave him last rites there in the hospital, and fortunately, by grace of God, got him back together. He woke up. Being Joe he checked this all out himself. He counted the ceiling tiles in his room, multiplied them to calculate the area of the ceiling, spelled his name, spelled it backwards, tried to think how long he'd been out. He found out he could think, he could talk, he could move his limbs, and then it dawned on him that had he been campaigning in New Hampshire, which he certainly would have been had he not been forced out of the race, he would have been dead because he would have been up in the mountains. Up there, they never would have got him to Dr. George in time.
What it did for Joe was it reawakened in him his own sense of destiny -- that somebody up there has a plan for Joe Biden -- and made him feel a lot more sanguine about what had happened to him in that campaign.
LAMB: As I remember, you even had the details of the ambulance ride going to the hospital.
CRAMER: That's right.
LAMB: His wife was in the ambulance with him.
CRAMER: His wife and Joe, and I talked to his kids and also to Ted Kaufman, who is his closest aide and was right there at the hospital with them.
LAMB: You've got quotes from her saying some strong language to the driver.
CRAMER: Yes. You know, they had an ambulance from Wilmington, and they were going down to Walter Reed. The Wilmington ambulance guys didn't know where the heck Walter Reed was on the Washington Beltway. There were Maryland cops supposed to pick them up at the state line, and they never met them. It was the middle of a snowstorm. Bo Biden, the senator's oldest son, was riding shotgun in the lead cop car, and he had a ball cap on and a parka and the state cop who was leading them must have thought that Bo was some kind of federal SWAT team guy or Secret Service guy or something. They get into Maryland, and he turns to Bo, who was, I think, at the time about 18 years old, and he said, "Where are we going?" Bo said, "I don't know where we're going. You're the one who's supposed to know." So they just stopped by the side of the road, and finally Jill Biden, the senator's wife, who was riding in the back with Joe, started hammering on the back wall of that ambulance, saying, "I don't care what you know. Just get this damned thing going!" She saw her husband in peril of his life, lying there while they screwed around with the radio, and she was not going to have it.
LAMB: Is your version of this new and no one else had ever told it like this before?
CRAMER: Oh, I'm sure no one else has ever told it.
LAMB: I hate to do this because there's just not enough time. Sen. Bob Dole -- you write a lot about the bum right hand and arm as a symbol of his life.
CRAMER: It's not just symbolism. It has affected him every minute of every day of every year since his injury. A lot of people, even Washington people, don't know what Bob Dole has been through in his life. He was a kid who grew up in Depression dust bowl Kansas in a little town that knew poverty like we Americans don't know poverty anymore. Because he was such a kid of will and an extraordinary achiever, he had made a plan for himself that he would get to K.U., Kansas University, on a scholarship and he would become a doctor and he would thereby raise himself beyond all mischance of weather or want, beyond the dreams of all his townspeople, and he would live out his life there as a physician.
Then, as most young men did in those days, he went off to the war. He got terribly wounded by the Germans in the American invasion of Italy, and his whole right shoulder was shot away. He was paralyzed. He'd been a strapping young kid, a football player and a heck of a basketball player. That's how he got to Kansas University was on a basketball scholarship. By the time they shipped him home in a full body cast, he was 122 pounds on a 6' frame -- just bones, basically. Paralyzed, except for a little movement in his left arm, and completely without hope for himself. He had been reduced to a tiny little kernel of will that still burned inside him, and that's really what pulled him through. By grit and will he brought himself back from that injury, regained movement of all but the right arm and through a series of operations, he was, in effect, reconstructed so that the injury is not noticeable when he carries his arm in a certain way. By pluck and a lot of brains and constant effort, he became a lawyer, he became a politician. He won every race he ever ran, worked always harder than any opponent he ever found against him and brought himself to within an eyelash of the presidency. He, in the end, had it swiped out from under his nose by a pack of smart guys and big guys and Washington lawyers who spent all his money and left him marooned in New Hampshire. But it's a hell of an American story. There is no American story that is greater than Bob Dole.
LAMB: Did he give you good access?
CRAMER: Yes, he helped me a lot. But, as I say, there's not a lot of margin in sitting these guys down and saying, "Now, Senator, explain to me about your arm."
LAMB: You describe in his office, even during a holiday, what he does and where he sits and how he sits. There's a lot about the arm and how he manipulates it and all that stuff. Then you even have quotes when he picks up the telephone and calls people in his office that have worked for him for years. But the details of how he buys gifts for his people. Why did you think all that kind of stuff is important?
CRAMER: Because Washington has an idea about Bob Dole that he's some kind of snarler, that he's a grouch and a snarler and a bitter man. In fact, I found him to be a very honest guy, a real sweetheart to deal with. I think he's very tender inside. He's a man who literally experienced what it is to be without skin and to be helpless and to need people's goodwill.
LAMB: You call him the Bobster.
CRAMER: The Bobster, yes. You know, when he gets really happy out there, which is usually in front of a crowd and the band is playing and they're yelling his name, he really starts bouncing on the balls of his feet and swinging his good arm and he looks like one of these bandleaders from the '40s -- Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, one of these guys who didn't play an instrument but he got out in front of a band and kind of kept the time and brought you the action. That's Bob Dole when he's really cooking. There are a few people around in his orbit who have called him the Bobster, and I thought it was really apt because he's really a kid from the '40s whose life got stopped and diverted by that war.
LAMB: Martha Sherrill says in her Post piece that Elizabeth didn't care for this or she wanted a lot of changes.
CRAMER: Well, Elizabeth actually was worried about how she herself was presented. She's not a major character in the book in that it's about her. Certainly she reappears again and again, but she was very concerned about how she appeared in the book. I haven't said this yet, but I actually sent the pages to the characters involved in the book because I wanted them to read them and I wanted them to argue with me. You asked how did I get all these details. Well, one of the ways was by calling people up. Through all the years of writing, I would literally call the people up who were in the scene and read them that page word for word, and say, "Now, how does that strike you? Has that got it? Was that how that room looked? Where were you in the room?" If they argued with me at all, it always got richer because I would change things if they could convince me, but at the price that they tell me what really happened. So the tapestry always got more and more detailed. In Elizabeth's defense, I did invite the argument. But she's a ferocious lawyer and she was lawyering every word about herself, so that was something that didn't happen to me with other candidates.
LAMB: Did you talk to her yourself or did you have lawyers or researchers talk to her?
CRAMER: Oh, no, no, no. Certainly if she wants to talk to me, she talks to me. Mrs. Dole is not a woman to be denied or diverted.
LAMB: Michael Dukakis. The thing that I remember is your $9,500 plane ride with Kitty Dukakis.
CRAMER: That's certainly something I remember, too. As I told you, they just divide up the cost of the charter by the number of reporters, so I believe I was flying with maybe one other person on a Kitty Dukakis plane. I got this bill for $9,500 and I was the only guy out there who was using real money to pay for these things, so that's certainly something I remember. But it was the pleasure of flying with Kitty, that she was so good at what she was doing. She was really a great campaigner, and she loved her plane. She had the nicest plane by far to ride in, a little Gulfstream with about 12 seats. Beautiful service on it and good music and everybody was always in a cheerful mood. She really had constructed what I called the "better bubble." She was very talented at what she was doing. She was so excited about her new life and her new staff and the Secret Service and all the attention and people in every town yelling from the curbs, "Kitty! Kitty!" It was really too cruel and not handleable when it all stopped in one day, and she was back in her kitchen in Brookline and the phone wasn't ringing and there was no schedule and no staff and no Secret Service.
LAMB: I've got the book open to 1,026. This is the epilogue and you say, "The next morning with no limo attending, Michael happily set out on foot for the trolley." He's back in Boston. "Kitty Dukakis saw him off, then went to the liquor cabinet in the dining room, measured out four ounces of booze, drank it down and went back to bed to pass out."
CRAMER: So she did.
LAMB: How do you know that?
CRAMER: Kitty said that. She said it, among other places, in her own book, but she also has been very candid about what actually happened to her.
LAMB: I'm confused where I saw this, that you didn't even send the copy on Michael Dukakis to him because you knew he wouldn't read it?
CRAMER: Michael had a rule that he was not going over his campaign. He was not reading the books and such. I don't know whether I made the right call on that, but it seemed to me at the time that I would check that with his closest aides and the people who I thought were in a position to know without kind of sticking that in Michael and Kitty's face again. It's not a pleasant story because Michael blames himself utterly for losing a 17-point lead that he had four years ago at about this time. I have subsequently been told, to my surprise, that Michael is reading the book, and I think Kitty will read it, too, but I don't know exactly how they'll react to it. It's certainly not a pleasant story, but I hope I've given them their size and their innings during the thing.
LAMB: Is he honest?
CRAMER: Michael? Utterly, yes, but he doesn't know a lot about himself. He's not a guy who dwells in his inner realm. I have to tell you -- this isn't about Michael, but you were asking about whether you could sit down and talk with these fellows about themselves. I was hanging around the White House one night with Marlin Fitzwater, and Marlin says to me, "You want to see the president?" so I said, "Yeah, sure. Yes, definitely." So he says, "Well, come out to the diplomatic entrance. He's saying goodbye to Walesa." Lech Walesa was upstairs in the residence tying one on. So, sure enough, we get to the doors there and came first the dog, Millie, and then Bar and then . . .
LAMB: Bar?
CRAMER: Barbara Bush. And then came the president and Lech Walesa. Bush was all over him like a cheap suit, pounding him on the back and squeezing his elbow and saying, "Tell Denuta,"-- that's Walesa's wife. Bush was very pleased that he knew how to pronounce the wife's name correctly. "You have to tell Denuta we were sorry she couldn't be with us. She'll have to come next time. Thank you for having us in your apartment." Pounding him and squeezing him and just doing everything -- you know, pumping out goodwill from every pore. Finally he gets Walesa in the car and after that, of course, Bush can't just go to bed. He's at full throttle, so we have a walk around the Rose Garden there. It's Marlin and Barbara Bush and the dog and me and the president and Brent Scowcroft, who was along for the dinner.
LAMB: Got your tape running?
CRAMER: No, as a matter of fact, no. But the president always sees me as a friend of Junior's, a friend of George W's, because that's how I was introduced to him. So he asked me about George, and we're talking about George, who's the owner of the Texas Rangers ball team. I say, "He's awful busy trying to sign Ruben Sierra and he's building that new stadium down there and he's going a mile a minute." "Yeah," says the president, "you know, he visited and he was go-go-go every minute and talking about that team and that ballpark. He just couldn't sit still for a minute. Boy, I'm glad I'm not like that." Now, here is a guy who has spent 68 years -- or however many years on the planet; born, I think, in '24 -- and has never been able to sit in a chair for more than five minutes, and he thinks he's some kind of laid-back old guy. I mean, there is no point in trying to get these fellows to describe themselves in those terms.
LAMB: I also read that Mrs. Bush wasn't happy with this book.
CRAMER: After I had sent her the pages, she wrote me a note that she had to stop reading it because she found it hurtful. I subsequently heard that what really bothered her was when I started talking about all of Bush's advisers as "the white men in suits." She thought I was trying to make Bush look like some kind of racist when, in fact, it had nothing to do with race. I was talking about class or, better yet, American substitute for class, which is power and money. So I think her unhappiness was based on a misreading, but there you have it.
LAMB: I'll come back to the president. Who introduced you to Joe Biden?
CRAMER: A woman who had been very close to him and his first wife really provided my introduction to Joe. I found him to be utterly charming. I didn't see until later the real guts that underlay his charm, and I think that's what was missed about Joe Biden through his campaign. Everybody was willing to concede his charm and the brilliance of his oratory, but they thought he lacked some kind of substance underneath. I found him to be a very gutsy guy and a man of the most generous and largest human reactions. I thought he was a spectacular fellow -- still do think so.
LAMB: Who introduced you to Bob Dole?
CRAMER: Well, Dole was hard, but by the time I got to him I had met his whole family in Russell, Kansas, which is a wonderful town filled with wonderful folks who will open up their hearts and houses to you. So I had probably been to Russell more times than any non-Kansan on the planet and knew his sister Gloria and his brother Kenny and his aunt Gladys and had eaten fried chicken in their houses and knew the brownies the way he liked them and such. By the time I got to him literally through his office, through his press secretary, we had a lot to talk about because I knew something about where he was from.
LAMB: Dick Gephardt had an apartment in West Des Moines that you say takes an hour or something like that . . .
CRAMER: It's a good 40 minutes if you do it the way his campaign workers drove it, which is straight out Grand Street.
LAMB: Moved his wife and children and his mother out there?
CRAMER: So he did. He moved his whole family out there, including his 79-year-old mother, for the entire summer of '87; that is, the summer before the Iowa caucus. Then so devoted was his mother to the cause that she stayed anyway all the way through the caucus. She didn't come home after the summer. She just stayed in Des Moines, and she is a marvelous campaigner.
LAMB: Ninety-nine counties, and he went to all of them?
CRAMER: Every one of them.
LAMB: I can see Mrs. Gephardt in the car with the kids going from county to county. You say it got to be a thing where all they talked about was the last five counties they'd been to. That was the only reason for being there?
CRAMER: How many counties they'd been to and how many times they'd been to this county and such. You know, it gets to be kind of an endless round in that Iowa caucus. It was a little different this time because the first battleground was really New Hampshire. But when Iowa takes center stage, there are endless van trips through the cornfields out to the next county seat, which might be an hour away. The candidates are burning up sets of tires at an alarmingly rate just running their lives out to these counties so they could say they've been to all 99 counties of Iowa. That's an easy thing to say, but it's not an easy thing to do.
LAMB: Is Dick Gephardt any different up close than what we see as a candidate?
CRAMER: Yes, I think people misjudge all of these fellows. That's kind of the point of the book. The ordeal through which we put these guys tends to diminish them and demean them in the public view. We march them around in airplanes for literally years at a time with guys in suits around them handing them things, telling them where they're going and whom they're going to see and what they're going to say to those people. The poor candidate who may have had a life of considerable excellence that brought him to the point where he could run is cut off from every source of strength that he ever had. He never has a real conversation from one end of the day to the other. Every time he lands at an airport, there's another group of suits lined up there on the tarmac to meet him, to pump his hand and tell him he's doing great. Every time he looks out over a microphone, there are a thousand faces upturned to him, cheering his every line. Pretty soon he can't see the normal American life that he meant in the start to improve. He is so cut off from anything that we would consider the normal life of an American that they look like empty suits to us. In fact, they're nothing of the kind. It's the life into which we shove them, and it's the way in which we cover them.
You know, after years of covering these guys in terms that are not quite human, 50 percent of the American people stay away from the polls, and then the same pundits and columnists and reporters who have made them look like empty suits in the first place sit back and wring their hands and say, "Oh, woe unto American democracy. There must be something wrong with our candidates." It's kind of a no-win situation for the guy in the bubble.
LAMB: Who introduced you to Dick Gephardt?
CRAMER: His mother.
LAMB: How did you get to his mother?
CRAMER: I called her up and I told her exactly what I wanted to do. I had been introduced to the mother by the brother. I'll tell you how shockingly easy it is when you actually are willing to do the work. My researcher and I went out to Long Island to take Dick Gephardt's brother and his wife out to dinner. That's Don Gephardt and Nancy Gephardt. Don is Dick's older brother, his only brother, his only sibling. We went out for a long, wonderful dinner and we were talking about the household and Mom and Dad and how the family really worked, the school and the candy store on the corner and baseball games on the street. This was wonderful stuff. We were on our way back to their house to go look at family photo albums. This is pure gold, photo albums. So I said just by way of conversation on the way to the house, "Well, Don, have you been inundated by interview requests?" He said, "Well, the gal from the Long Island bureau of the New York Times called up. She kind of wanted to jump in case Dick was coming to town. But other than that, that's been about it." Now, everybody was writing their profiles about Gephardt, but they were calling up . . .
LAMB: A suit?
CRAMER: Yes. Not to be personal, but Norm Orenstein or Bill Schneider or one of these Washington quote machines who makes his living making comments about these guys, when, in fact, they don't really know Dick Gephardt. On the list of Gephardt knowers, surely Don Gephardt has to rank in the top five, but nobody's calling him because he's out of Washington. He's off somewhere. They didn't know where he was. It's not the kind of look at him that they really want to take, but as far as who really knows the guy, try his only brother, for instance. You'll find out something about Dick Gephardt.
LAMB: Who introduced you to Gary Hart?
CRAMER: I had to meet Hart on the campaign, actually. I had tried a number of ways to get to know him a little bit. I had been to Ottawa, which is his hometown, also Kansas, and had been out to Denver where there are a good many people who know him well. It turned out that it was actually easier to meet him on the road, so by the time I met him, I was interested to bounce some of the things I'd heard about him off him -- some of the things I'd heard in his hometown and such. He, for one, was instantly aware of what this project could be and interested in it because he, of all the candidates, had the most acute frustration at not being able to present himself in the way he saw himself or the way others who really knew him saw him. I think all of the candidates are terribly frustrated that they don't seem to be able to get themselves over to the American people in any shape or size like they see themselves.
LAMB: You quoted him. I wanted to ask you whether it was tongue-in-cheek or not. He said, "I probably shouldn't have done this at all. I should never have run for this."
CRAMER: No, I don't think it was tongue-in-cheek at all. After he was drummed out not only of the 1988 campaign but out of the political life of our country and made to look like a ridiculous Lothario, when, in fact, he's probably the most serious candidate we had in 1988, I think he thought that his life had been a mistake, that he should not have gone into politics in the first place. He was unable to make himself known, and it was a terrible heartache to him and remains so to this day.
LAMB: There's a lot I want to ask you about President Bush because he's the only one in this book that's still around in the campaign. Thirty thousand names on his Christmas card list, personal list?
CRAMER: That was before he was president. That's his personal list, that's right. You know, George Bush is a man who meant to become president by making friends, one at a time if need be. The Christmas card list was the embodiment of Bush's treasure, his friends all over the country, all over the world. Nobody ever dropped off. For years the reason nobody ever dropped off is because Barbara Bush kept those files, and Barbara Bush would never let anybody drop off the screen. When their children grew up and moved away from home, those children got cards of their own. When their friends would move their houses, those cards were written over. Some of those cards have been written over four and five times, kept in a gleaming four-drawer box file that went from home to home with the Bushes. You know, they've moved about 25 times. That is Barbara Bush's ferocity that she kept that.
LAMB: Let me ask you about a quick contrast. I got the impression that Bob Dole might have 200 people on his list.
CRAMER: With Dole it was always kind of a last-minute thing. Dole is a very generous guy and gives gifts that another man might call extravagant to all the people who have helped him during the year.
LAMB: People who work in the restaurants and doorkeepers . . .
CRAMER: In the Senate dining room, in the Watergate, the doormen and the garage guys and the janitors and everybody gets remembered by Bob Dole.
LAMB: How big are those checks? You imply they're big.
CRAMER: They're pretty serious.
LAMB: A hundred bucks?
CRAMER: Yes, three figures and up. You know, the barbers and the drivers and the doormen and everybody gets remembered by Bob Dole. In the case of his family, he is truly extravagant.
LAMB: But back to making friends. You gave the impression that President Bush literally concentrates on every person he comes in contact with and makes personal friendships with them.
CRAMER: Absolutely. It's all personal with George Bush.
LAMB: How does he do it?
CRAMER: He finds common ground. If he were sitting here with you, he would find common ground with you. Do you fish? Do you play tennis? Do you have kids? Do you go to church? Do you know so-and-so? What state do you come from? Oh, do you know so-and-so? Until -- click -- there's common ground. Then it will never leave him. He will never forget that you're, say, Fred's friend or you're in the church with Bill and Michelle.
LAMB: Is that how he got elected?
CRAMER: I think that is his life's method. That's not only how he got elected, that is how is trying to be president of a republic of 250,000 million people and head of a $1 trillion government and commander-in-chief of the world's lone superpower. It's all by effort of personal exertion and personal attention, and you can see it just about sapping him now. I mean, even George Bush, a man of the vitality of 10 men, is getting weighed down by the cumulative weight of the presidency and trying to go at it by personal exertion.
LAMB: How does he do the personal note-writing and all that?
CRAMER: By steely discipline. You cannot imagine what it is to get on your plane after another 16-hour day and instead of kicking back with a martini, which is not a drink unwelcome to the president, instead calling for your note paper and dashing off 10 or 12 thank-you notes to the people at the last event. He is absolutely disciplined about it. He's the most disciplined guy I've ever met on the planet.
LAMB: Does he have a system of people around him that make sure that notes are in front of him? Does he write the notes himself?
CRAMER: He writes many of them himself, and then he'll write something on cards to be sent out by the office for other people. Or he'll have pictures taken with scores of people during a day and then all those pictures will show up on his desk. He'll write a quick little note on the bottom of them -- sometimes very charming and intimate -- and off they go in the mail to be put on somebody's wall, and that person will never forget that instant with George Bush and will never vote for anyone who's running against George Bush.
LAMB: Is it sincere?
CRAMER: Absolutely. It is his life's method. There is nothing more sincere than Bush wanting to make friends. It's like an animal thing. It's his whole body is wagging.
CRAMER: Yes, I think he's honest. He's absolutely honest at what he's doing. A lot of people are down on George Bush now because they say he's cut off from American life and he's not doing enough about the recession and so on. You have to remember that George Bush ran on a platform of not doing very much that was different. He was a "stay-the-course" president. He promised he would do nothing. He's done nothing. As far as being cut off, you cannot live in the bubble for 15 years, as he has, and be expected to know anything about American life. The White House is the thickest bubble of all.
LAMB: Critics say you fell in love with all these guys and lost your perspective.
CRAMER: I did fall in love with all these guys. I happily admit it, and if I have my way, the reader will, too. But it's more than love. It's like a love affair. You love them, you hate them, you suffer with them, you exult with them, you wish they'd get out of your head, you wish they'd come closer. It's the most connected relationship you can have off of this subject.
LAMB: How many of these books have to sell for you to make some money?
CRAMER: Oh, I can come in just under Iacocca and make a few bucks.
LAMB: Do you expect to make money off this book?
CRAMER: No, I don't expect to make money, but if people read it and like it, I'll call that money in the bank.
LAMB: What's the best thing anybody's said to you so far?
CRAMER: Well, the best thing that anybody's said to me are reactions from the characters who are in the book themselves -- that they think it's the first time anybody's tried to write about them like they are.
LAMB: And what's next?
CRAMER: Well, if I have my way, I'm going to try to do nothing for a while. I don't know if my bank balance will permit this, but if it does, I'm going to do nothing until I have about $200 left, and then I'm going to look for work.
LAMB: Do you want to do another one of these books?
CRAMER: I'd like to do another book, but it won't be about politics. If I haven't said what I meant to say in a thousand pages, I'm probably in the wrong business.
LAMB: After all this was over, did you change any of your thinking politically?
CRAMER: I didn't change my politics, but I have a much different attitude about candidates as human beings and about their families and what they go through. I also have a lot less cynical view of the process itself. I think that these are extraordinary men who live lives of great striving, and this is their highest moment of striving and attainment. They bend everything in their lives and the lives of their dear ones to this one very public roll of the dice in which five out of six will lose. I ended up admiring them for it.
LAMB: Last question: What do you think of the white men in the suits?
CRAMER: I think they're not half as smart as they have the world convinced they are. If a true appreciation of their worth were ever available, they would be making a lot less money than they are today.
LAMB: Richard Ben Cramer is the author. This is what the book looks like. “What It Takes.” Thank you for joining us.
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The formation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland on November 30th 1736.
The appointment of the first Provincial Grand Master by Grand Lodge, Bro. Alexander Drummond the then Master of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. 12, in Scotland, with a commission to visit the Lodges in and around Greenock County.
Grand Lodge granted the first Charter to an overseas Lodge, and also to an overseas Province, “Gibraltar” which in 1924 was renamed ” Western Mediterranean “.
Bro. Colonel John Young of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment, appointed Scottish Provincial Grand Master for North America and the West Indies.
Scotch Lodge St. Andrew’s No. 102 constituted on the 17th November 1760.The first Scottish Lodge in Jamaica. It apparently originally met at Morant Bay in the Parish of St Thomas-in-the-East.
In May 1771 the Grand Lodge of Scotland addressed a letter to the Provincial Grand Master at Kingston, thus confirming the existence of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Jamaica, in 1771. No, further available records exist however, and it is possible that the only Scottish Craft Lodge in Jamaica, at that time, Lodge St. Andrew, constituted itself into a Provincial Grand Lodge when the need arose. In fact Bro. Archibald Edgar who was appointed Provincial Grand Master in 1780 and Bro. The Rev. Middleton Howard in 1788 were both listed as members of St. Andrew No. 102.
On the 20th November 1779, Bro. William Smellie, Master of Lodge St. Andrew 102, which apparently was then meeting in Liguanea, was given permission by the English Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Rear Admiral, Sir Peter Parker, to celebrate the Festival of St. Andrew at Half-Way-Tree on Tuesday the 30th November. This was the first recorded celebration of the Festival of St. Andrew in Jamaica.
Bro. Archibald Edgar was appointed Provincial Grand Master.
Bro. The Rev. Middleton Howard, Anglican Rector of the Church at St. Thomas in the East, Morant Bay, was appointed Provincial Grand Master. Nothing is in fact known of the operations of the Lodge of St. Andrew No.102, from the year 1779 when Right Worshipful Bro. William Smellie was last reported as Master, and the Lodge was subsequently erased in August 1816.
An interregnum, which described the period during which the Provincial Grand Lodge was theoretically in existence, but had no ruler, and there were no Scottish lodges, operating in the Island over this period.
First Book of Scottish Constitutions issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Bro. The Rev. William Godfrey Pollard Burton, Rector of the Church, St. Thomas-in -ye -Vale, Linstead, appointed Provincial Grand Master, in a revived Scottish Province, just prior to the charter of Lodge Elgin No. 415. Strangely enough, this Scottish Provincial Grand Master was a Mason from the English Constitution, and a member of Sussex Lodge, but was considered the moving spirit in the formation of Lodge Elgin.
Lodge Elgin was chartered on the 2nd December 1844 as no. 415. It met at Linstead and was later renumbered 344. It lapsed in 1864 and was erased in August 1881. The Charter was belatedly returned to Grand Lodge by District Grand Secretary and reported in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1916.
The Glenlyon Lodge No. 417,was chartered on the 1st December 1845, later renumbered 346. The Lodge was named after the then, 67th Grand Master Mason, George Augustus, Lord Glenlyon, the 6th Duke of Athole, who occupied the Chair, (1843-1864), the longest reigning Grand Master Mason. All the founders were members of the Royal Lodge, now 207 E.C. This is the oldest surviving Scottish Lodge in Jamaica, and along with the Royal Lodge No 207 E.C., which is the oldest surviving English Lodge, both these Lodges are working well.
The Glenlyon Lodge has the oldest Royal Arch Chapter outside of Scotland named after it, the Royal Arch Chapter having been chartered in 1846, one year after the Lodge was chartered. Twenty-five years ago on the 17th December 1971, the Lodge & Council and Cryptic Council attached to the Royal Arch Chapter were also chartered and were later consecrated on the 21st June 1972.
Bro. Dr. James Mc Fayden, a Lecturer in Botany, from Glasgow, Scotland working in Jamaica, was appointed Provincial Grand Master. Again, strangely enough, this Scottish Provincial Grand Master was also not a Scottish Mason, but another English Mason; a member of the Sussex Lodge, and although not a Founder Member of the Glenlyon Lodge, he quickly joined the newly-formed Lodge and energetically promoted Scottish Freemasonry.
Bro. Colin Campbell commissioned as Provincial Grand Master.
Bro. James Kay Fingzies commissioned as Provincial Grand Master.
Bro. Samuel Constantine Burke elected, not appointed as Provincial Grand Master.
Lodge Seville, chartered on the 3rd February 1873 as No.530 at St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann. The Lodge was constituted on the 2nd April 1873, and celebrated its Centenary on the 24th May 1973, a little delayed because of extensive renovations to its Lodge building. On the 29th July 1873, celebrations continued with a Divine Service at the Parish Church, St. Ann’s Bay, the guest preacher being Bro. The Most Rev. Dr. Allan Knight, Archbishop of the West Indies who was the then, District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Guyana. E.C. Two Jamaican Bishops, the Rt. Rev. John Cyril Swaby and the Rt. Rev. Herbert Edmonson, also took part in the service, Which the Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell attended as also the Custodes of the parishes of St. Ann and Trelawny and many prominent Masons from all over the Island. It was a record level of support by Church and State for the Craft.
On the 28th August 1993, the Lodge celebrated it’s 120th anniversary with the rededication of the newly renovated Temple, which had again undergone extensive refurbishment and improvement; the moving spirit this time, was Bro Derick Arscott Past Master. This Lodge has a Royal Arch Chapter chartered on the 19th June 1970, and a Lodge & Council and Cryptic Council chartered in 1979, named after it .
Lodge Caledonian, chartered on the 4th May 1874 as No. 554 in the Parish of St. Mary and is still working well, in Port Maria, where it meets in it’s own Lodge Hall. The date of its constitution is not certain but the Centenary was celebrated on the 3rd March 1974, at a Divine Service at the St. Mary Parish Church, which was attended by Bro. David Liddel-Granger of Ayton, the Grand Master Mason, during his visit to Jamaica. The guest preacher was Bro. The Rt. Rev. Orland Lindsay, the then Bishop of Antigua, and now Archbishop of the West Indies, his sermon “Come Let Us Build Ourselves A City”, was an acknowledged classic, and has been published throughout the world and in particular , Grand Lodge Year Book 1975. Bro. Herman N. Clare was the Master of the Lodge at that time, having been previously Master in 1955.
Lodge St. John chartered on the 6th May 1878 as No.623 and constituted on the 20th June 1878, is still working very well, though it has had its ups and downs. The prime mover in the formation was Dr. James Ogilvie, a Scotsman, whose Mother Lodge was Lodge St. John No. 20, in Lanarkshire Upper Ward, Scotland. In Jamaica he joined the Glenlyon Lodge No. 346 and then founded a Lodge named after his own Mother Lodge. The other Founders came from Glenlyon Lodge 346, Royal 207 E.C and Sussex 354 E.C. The Lodge celebrated its golden jubilee in 1928 and on the 8th March 1958 the lodge was visited by Bro. The Right Honourable the Earl of Eglinton and Winton, the Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro.Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary. They attended the Installation of Bro. Cecil J Sproul.
The Lodge celebrated its Centenary in 1978, with, a Rededication Ceremony on February 8th 1978 by the District Grand Lodge, followed by the Installation of Bro. Othneil Dumar Howe as Master, during the visit of Bro. David Liddell-Grainger of Ayton, the then, Past Grand Master. Celebrations continued on June 25th 1978 with a Family Thanksgiving Service, the first Divine Service held at the Lodge Hall, McGregor Square, conducted by Bro. Rev. Peter Mullings, the Anglican Rector of Ascension, Mona, and attended by a large Number of brethren and their families.
This Lodge also has a Royal Arch Chapter, which was chartered on the 19th June 1970, and erected on the 19th May 1971, named after it.
On the 5th December 1901, Bro.Dr. James Ogilvie commissioned as Provincial Grand Master. The Scottish Provincial Grand Lodge renamed the District Grand Lodge of Scotland in Jamaica, and Bro.James Ogilvie continued to rule as District Grand Master until 1911.(It is interesting to note that whereas, Provincial Grand Masters are members of Grand Committee, District Grand Masters are not.)
Lodge Imperial Service No.978 was chartered on the 3rd November 1904. The first Master appears to have been installed on the 6th October 1904 a month before the date of the charter but perhaps in Anticipation of it. The Lodge originally had a service connection, with its founders, from the Glenlyon Lodge No. 346 and Moore Keys Lodge No. 2519 E.C. and today, continues to maintain the highest standards.
22nd November 1911, Bro. The Hon. Edmund Archibald H. Haggart commissioned as District Grand Master.
Bro. Adam Roxborough commissioned as District Grand Master. The District, for many years, operated the Roxburgh Memorial Fund in his memory, which provided scholarships at the Secondary School level to relatives of Masons but this has now been amalgamated with other Funds operated by the District Scholarships Awards Committee.
Bro. John Hartley Duff commissioned as District Grand Master.
Bro. Stephen James Streadwick commissioned as District Grand Master.
Bro. Robert Gillies commissioned as District Grand Master.
Bro John James Mills, Past Master of The Glenlyon Lodge No. 346, commissioned as District Grand Master.
Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning No. 1427 Chartered on 6th May 1948 and constituted on 18th October, with Bro. William E. Ashman as the first Master. It has a most interesting history on the acquisition and construction of it’s Lodge Hall at Four Paths, Clarendon; and was the first Lodge in Jamaica ever to be visited by a Grand Master Mason, when on 7th March 1958, the Grand Lodge Deputation headed by Bro. The Rt. Hon., The Earl of Eglinton and Winton, Grand Master Mason accompanied by Bro. Dr. Alexander Buchan, Grand Secretary, laid the Foundation stone for the Lodge Hall at Four Paths. He reported to Grand Lodge, that, “The Master Bro. Ronald Carey, and the Brethren had made most careful preparations, and the proceedings were carried through without a hitch”. Bro. Carey is the Substitute District Grand Master, and a Founder Member of Lodges Wolmers and Middlesex. The building was completed and consecrated on the 18th October 1960.
The Liguanea Lodge No. 1479 was Chartered on 6th November 1952, and constituted on 23rd January 1953, with Bro. Llewellyn, (Leslie ) A. Henriques Snr. As the first Master. This Lodge was slated to meet at Mona, but never met there. Many distinguished Masons have been members of this very popular Lodge.
Lodge Wolmers No.1506 Chartered on 4th August 1955, and constituted on 27th September 1955, with Bro. Eric Vaughn Williams O.B.E., as it’s first Master. The indefatigable moving spirit was Bro. Jackson McLaren Wint and the two recommending Lodges were Glenlyon No. 346 and Imperial Service No. 978. Membership among the founders was composed mainly, but not exclusively, of “Old Boys” of Wolmers Boys School, and numbered, 21 Scottish and 25 English Masons. The Lodge is extremely active, emphasises research, education and charity, and is a subscribing member of the Quatuor Coronati (The Premier Lodge of Research) Study Circle. The Local Secretary for the Study Circle is Bro. Sterling Soares the present Secretary of the Lodge This Lodge now has a Royal Arch Chapter chartered on the 15th December 1995, and Constituted 29th March 1996 named after it; and is shortly to attach a Lodge and Council and Cryptic Council.
Bro. John James Mills’s informative, “OVERSEAS LETTER – Freemasonry in Jamaica”, published in the 1956 Year Book, at pages 68 to 70.
Lodge Semper Fidelis No. 1530 chartered 7th February 1957, and constituted 25th April 1957. The Lodge had over 20 Founders with the first Master being the revered Bro. Oswald St. Elmo Rutherford.
Bro. Alfred Augustus Grant, Past Master of Lodge Imperial Service No. 978, commissioned as District Grand Master.
On the 10th March 1958 Bro. The Right Honourable the Earl of Eglinton and Winton, the Grand Master Mason, attended the District Grand Lodge Communication, accompanied by Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary. This was the first time the Grand Master Mason attended a District Grand Lodge Communication in Jamaica. The Grand Lodge Deputation had previously laid the foundation stone for the Lodge Hall of Clarendon Kilwinning 1427 on the 7th March 1958 and attended several other Masonic functions in Port Maria and St. Anns Bay.
Lodge Elgin No.1562, chartered on the 6th August 1959, and constituted on the 2nd September 1959. There were 30 Founders and the first Master was Bro. Basil C. Sylvester, one of our Masonic historians, a Past Master of Lodge Seville, and author of the Scottish Masonic History. The Lodge now meets at the Masonic Building Davis Avenue, Montego Bay. This Lodge has a Royal Arch Chapter chartered on the 19th December 1975, and constituted on the 18th September 1976, named after it.
Lodge Mico No.1583, chartered 3rd August 1961 and constituted on 11th November 1961. There were 23 Petitioners, headed by Bro. John James Mills P.D.G.M. The first Master was The Hon. Glenville Hamilton Owen. Membership was drawn mainly, but not exclusively, from “Old Boys”, of Mico Teacher Training College. This was the first Lodge to use “The Modern Ritual” in Jamaica.
Bro. The Right Honourable Lord Bruce,Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary, attended a District Grand Lodge Communication in Jamaica.
Bro. Jackson McLaren Wint, Past Master of The Glenlyon Lodge, commissioned as District Grand Master.
Lodge Middlesex No. 1628, chartered on 3rd November 1966 and constituted on the 6th December of that year. There were 30 Founders, headed by Bro John James Mills, with the first Master being Bro. Lloyd Edward Johnson. The Lodge was constituted at 80 Hanover Street, Kingston, but afterwards met at a building in Spauldings, until it’s new Lodge Building was erected. The Foundation stone was laid on the 7th March 1974 by Bro. David Liddell-Grainger of Ayton, Grand Master Mason.
Lodge St. Michael 1634, Bahamas, was chartered on the 4th May 1967 and constituted on the 9th June 1967. Bro. Dr. Cladius R Walker was installed as the first Master.
In the month of February 1968 Bro. Major Sir Ronald Orr Ewing, Grand Master Mason accompanied by Bro. Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary, consecrated the new Scottish Temple at Mc Gregor Square and attended the District Grand Lodge Communication, there. He complimented Bro. Jackson McL.Wint, District Grand Master, and also Bros. Stanley N. Bryan and Albert George Chong (all now deceased), for their tremendous work in realising the dream of a Scottish Temple. Bro Robert E. McGregor of the Glenlyon Lodge had donated the land. By 1974 it accommodated all Lodges in the Corporate Area, as the Lodge Hall at 80 Hanover Street had, by then, been sold. This was the first occasion in the Masonic History of the Caribbean that a Grand Master Mason consecrated a Temple Building, in the Caribbean area.
Lodges St. John and Wolmers were the first Lodges to hold meetings in the new Temple, “despite inconvenience experienced by the unfinished state of the new building”.
District Grand Lodge received from Grand Lodge the gift of the Sword Bearer’s ceremonial claymore inscribed “15th February 1968 – from the Grand Lodge of Scotland.” It was dedicated on the 30th November with a presentation by Bro. Clevens L. Stuart P.M. of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning, who gave an interesting address on the Claymore; “The Scottish basket hilted, single or double bladed broadsword.”
An Electric Organ was also acquired and installed in the Temple through the efforts of Bros. Lindsay Bruce, A A. Phillips, Jacob E. Taylor and Dr. D.B. Hylton.
On the 28th May 1968, Lodges were advised by the District Grand Lodge, that the proper appellation for the District was “The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica Scottish Constitution”, and not, “District Grand Lodge of Scotland in Jamaica”. Concern, however, was expressed that the Banner still bore the name “Provincial Grand Lodge”. It was replaced in 1982.
Bro. Carcel Gilward Grant, Past Master of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning No. 1427, commissioned as District Grand Master.
Lodge John James Mills 1657 chartered on the 6th August 1970 and constituted on the 21st October 1970,The Lodge had 14 Founders with Bro Frank C. Wittaker, installed as the first Master.
On the 9th February 1978, both the Scottish and English Masons in full regalia marched, from Anderson’s Hardware (where the Lodge usually met), in Linstead, to Vanity Fair, where the Foundation Stone was laid for the new Temple. The land had been donated by Bro. Alexander A Samuels. The Temple was completed and consecrated on the 23rd October 1993 by the District Grand Lodge, and later that evening the then, Master Bro Dermoth G Bingham, one of the principal moving spirits in the completion of the Temple, installed his successor Bro Gladstone Lewars ll ,as Master. The Lodge now meets at its new and spacious accommodation. This is the only Lodge named after a Past Scottish District Grand Master, to date.
Lodge Columbus 1660, chartered 4th February 1971, and constituted on the 6th October that year by Bro. Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary, at McGregor Square, St Andrew. The Lodge then met at several places in Trelawny such as Duncans, and Discovery Bay, and finally at the Masonic Building, Davis Avenue, Montego Bay. Bro. C. Fitzgerald, was the first Master.
On the 17th February 1972, R.W. Bro. Dr. Aubrey Shervington Jacobs was installed as District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica, English Constitution, following the death of the incumbent, Bro. Dr. Francis Haddon Bowen.
On the 30th November 1972, District Grand Lodge celebrated its 200th Anniversary, at the Festival of St Andrew, highlighted by a presentation by Bro. Cecil Theo Wint, Hon. DSGW and PM of the Glenlyon Lodge, captioned “A Short History of The District Grand Lodge In Jamaica”. The Chairman of the Bicentennial Committee was the late Bro. Karl Winston Polack, P.D.D.G.M..
Lodge of St. Andrew No. 1684 chartered on the 7th February 1974, and constituted on the 6th March, by Bro. David Liddell-Grainger of Ayton, Grand Master Mason, assisted by Bro. E. Stuart Falconer, Grand Secretary, and a team of District Grand Lodge Office-Bearers. There were 27 Founders, the First Master being Bro. Karl Barrington Solely. This Lodge had many distinguished Founder Members.
The Lodge has a Royal Arch Chapter chartered in 1978, named after it.
Bro. David Liddell-Grainger of Ayton, Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro. E. Stuart Falconer, Grand Secretary, attended the District Grand Lodge Communication in Jamaica and among the brethren appointed to Grand rank was R.W. Bro. Dr. Aubrey Shervington Jacobs, District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica English Constitution, “for his promotion of the closeness and harmony between both Districts”. He was appointed to the high rank of Honorary Junior Grand Warden.
Bro. Lloyd Gilbert Wong, Past Master of Lodge Imperial Service, commissioned as District Grand Master.
The expanded District renamed the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Bahamas- Scottish Constitution.
Bro. Lt. Colonel Frederick William Seal-Coon published, “An Historical Account of Jamaican Freemasonry”. A work of great significance covering in detail every aspect of Jamaican Freemasonry.
Bro. Oswald Leo McDonald, Past Master of the Liguanea Lodge 1479, commissioned as District Grand Master.
Lodge St. David 1741 chartered on the 6th August 1981 and constituted in Nassau, Bahamas.
In the month of February 1982, Bro. Sir James W. McKay, Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro E. Stuart Falconer, Grand Secretary, attended the installation of Lodge St. John No.623 when Bro. John Augustus Griffiths, was installed as Master and they subsequently attended the District Grand Lodge communication.
The new Banner of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Bahamas was dedicated at the District Communication. It replaced the tattered and worn, time immemorial, Provincial Grand Lodge Banner, and was specially designed and fabricated, by Bro. Keith Barrington Jones. The unique Banner combined the Coat of Arms of Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Grand Lodge of Scotland and there are fourteen other Masonic symbols interwoven into the design. An impressive work of art.
Lodge De La Vega No. 1744 chartered on the 6th May 1982, and constituted on the 15th September 1982. It meets at the Masonic Building, Ellis Street, Spanish Town. The first Master was Bro. Louis Montgomery Goldson, with Bro. Dr. Barrington E.A. Miller, being the third Master.
On February 12th 1982, R.W. Bro Dr. Aubrey Shervington Jacobs District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica English Constitution dedicated the Masonic Building at 45-47 Barbados Avenue, New Kingston. All urban Lodges under the English and Irish Constitutions, at that time, were thereafter accommodated there.
Lodge St. Anne’s chartered on the 3rd May 1984, and constituted 2nd March 1985, in Nassau, Bahamas.
Bro. Justice Rudyard Owen Cuthbert White, Past Master of the Glenlyon Lodge No. 346, commissioned as District Grand Master.
On the 15th December 1984, Bro. J. M. Marcus Humphrey of Dinette, Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro E. Stuart Falconer, Grand Secretary, attended the District Grand Lodge communication and installed Bro. Justice Rudyard Owen Cuthbert White as District Grand Master.
Subsequently informal discussions commenced between the District Grand Lodge and the Scottish Craft Lodges in the Bahamas for the Erection of a District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas.
Lodge St Andrew No. 1756, chartered on the 2nd May 1985, constituted 2nd November 1985, and met at Freeport, Bahamas.
On the 18th September 1986, Bro Justice Rudyard O. C. White, District Grand Master, accompanied by Bro. Neville L. Gibbs District Grand Secretary headed a large deputation at the very impressive 250th Anniversary Celebration and Re-dedication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland at Islington, near Edinburgh.
In the month of February 1987 Bro. J. M. Marcus Humphrey of Dinette, Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro. Arthur O. Hazel, Grand Secretary, attended the District Grand Lodge Communication in Jamaica.
Bro. Prof. The Hon. Hugh Hasting Wynter, Past Master of Lodge Semper Fidelis, commissioned as District Grand Master. Shortly, thereafter, Grand Lodge approved the Petition for the erection of the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas.
On the 16th March 1991,Bro Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, accompanied by Bro. Arthur O. Hazel, Grand Secretary, attended the District Gra nd Lodge Communication held in Jamaica, after which they travelled to the Bahamas, having attended the Installation meeting of the Lodge of St. Andrew No.1684, the day before, when Bro. Victor E. Nugent was installed as Master.
On the 20th March 1991, Bro. Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor accompanied by Bro. Arthur O. Hazel, Grand Secretary, assisted by a strong Deputation from the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica headed by Bro. Prof. Hugh H. Wynter, constituted and erected the District Grand Lodge of the Bahamas and installed Bro. Roderick Eugene Inniss as the first District Grand Master.
Thereafter the District Grand Lodge was renamed “The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica” and dropped the appendant “and The Bahamas, Scottish Constitution”, while the English District was renamed, “The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands”. The Banner of the District Grand Lodge was changed.
On the 25th of July 1992 Bro Afeef Assad Lazarus was installed by Dr. Bro. Aubrey Shervinton Jacobs as District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands with authority over 21 Lodges. The number has now been increased to 23.
On the 1st February 1995, Bro. Dr. Barrington Earl Anthony Miller, Past Master of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning No. 1427, Lodge De La Vega No. 1744 and the Francis Haddon Bowen Lodge No.9238 E.C., was commissioned and commenced his term as District Grand Master. He was later installed in the month of May succeeding Bro. Prof. The Hon. Hugh H. Wynter O.J., C.D., J.P.
On the 4th February 1995, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Jamaica, Irish Constitution, was constituted, by Most Worshipful Bro. Darwin H. Templeton C.B.E. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, who also installed R.W. Bro. James Seivright Moss-Solomon as the first Provincial Grand Master with authority over 5 Craft Lodges. All three Ancient Constitutions then had Deputations of District/ Provincial Grand Lodges working in the Island. The Provincial Grand Lodge now serves 6 Craft Lodges.
R.W. Bro. Dr. Aubrey Shervington Jacobs, Past District Grand Master, published his book “JACOBS’ LADDER- One Man’s Climb in Freemasonry”, an excellent and well-received publication.
On the 19th February 1997 Bro. The Right Honourable, The Lord Burton, Grand Master Mason, accompanied by Bro. C. Martin Mc Gibbon, Grand Secretary, attended the District Grand Lodge Communication in Jamaica and went on to attend the Installation meeting of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning where Bro. Christopher Robert George Parcells was installed as the Master .The Grand Lodge Deputation was subsequently entertained by the Brethren in the Montego Bay area.
On the 7 August 1997, Bro. Dr. Barrington E.A. Miller, District Grand Master accompanied by Bro. Morris A Smith, District Grand Secretary, headed a large Visitation/ Deputation of Jamaican Freemasons, to the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland where they enjoyed a magnificent reception.
There are now 16 Lodges in the District. A new Lodge, the Jackson Mc L Wint Lodge, is soon to be chartered. It will meet at McGregor Square.
It is also a fitting to record at this time, that at the District Grand Lodge Communication, held on August 27th 1997, approval was granted for the formation of two new Lodges with the names Lodge of Portmore, to meet in Portmore, St Catherine, and Lodge of Stony Hill to meet at Stony Hill, St. Andrew. It is interesting to note that St. John’s Royal Lodge E.C., constituted in 1815, and held in the York Light Infantry Volunteers, met at Stony Hill, St. Andrew in 1816, however, it disappeared without a trace! Fate unknown!
As we look back on our 225th Anniversary, let our Ancient and Honourable Society continue its impressive and respected Masonic heritage in our Country both in the present and for the future.
Lodge Jackson McLaren Wint No. 1818, chartered on XXXXXXXXXXXXX, constituted XXXXXXXXXXX and met at McGregor Square, St. Andrew, Jamaica.
On the 1st February, 2000, Bro. Dr. Barrington Earl Anthony Miller, District Grand Master, was commissioned and commenced his second term as District Grand Master.
Bro. Dr. Barrington E.A. Miller died, leaving his widow Elaine and two sons. Bro. Frank Constantine Mitchell as Depute District Grand Master headed the District until he was subsequently elected District Grand Master.
On the 1st February, 2002, Bro. Frank Constantine Mitchell, Past Master of Lodge Imperial Service No. 978, was commissioned as District Grand Master and commenced his term as District Grand Master. He was later installed in the month of April.
Lodge Stony Hill No. 1820, chartered on XXXXXXXXXXXXX, constituted XXXXXXXXXXX and met at McGregor Square, St. Andrew, Jamaica.
Lodge Barrington Miller No. 1829, chartered on Ocober 28th, 2004 and met at Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Bro. Frank Constantine Mitchell died, leaving his widow Ivy, son and daughter. Bro. Col. Lemuel Augustus Lindo as Depute District Grand Master headed the District until January 2007, when Bro. Lloyd Rudolph Moore received his commission as District Grand Master.
On the 1st February, 2007, Bro. Lloyd Rudolph Moore, Past Master of Lodge Saint John No. 623, was commissioned as District Grand Master and commenced his term as District Grand Master. He was later installed on 16th February, by by a team led by the Grand Master Mason, Sir Archibald Donald Orr Ewing 6th Bart., M.A, Grand Secretary
David M. Begg and Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Ramsay McGhee.
Lodge Portmore No. 1834, was erected on 26, April, 2008. The Lodge Meeting Hall was consecrated in May, 2008 at Ham Stables, Portmore St. Catherine.
The number of Daughter Lodges increased to 20, with Lodges meeting in all but 4 of Jamaica’s 14 parishes.
The district for administrative purposes only was formally split into two divisions. Division I, for Lodges meeting outside of Kingston and St. Andrew and Division II, for those Lodges meeting within Kingston and St. Andrew and Portmore.
Bro. Lloyd R. Moore, Distict Grand Master, led a deputation to Grand Lodge which stayed on in Scotland for some 10 days to visit Sister Lodges.
The District Grand Lodge launched its website.
On the 1st February, 2012, Bro. Col. Lemuel Augustus Lindo, Past Master of Lodge Mico No. 1530, was commissioned as District Grand Master and commenced his term as District Grand Master. He was later installed on 25th February, by a team led by the Grand Master Mason, Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont and Grand Secretary David M. Begg.
During 2013, the District led a programme of interaction with its members and their families. Thus the activties such as the District Family Fun Day, Lectures and the Festival of St. Andrew were geared towards the family.
The Masonic and Allied Workers Provident Society was registered and launched in January 2014. The Society’s mission statement is “To encourage thrift and provide exceptional related financial services for our Members through prudent and best practices in customer service in our Fraternal community.”
On January 31, 2014, the Forward Tower at Freemasons’ Building was leased by the Scottish Masonic Association to improve its revenues. This culimanated the first phase of the redevelopment of Freemasons’ Building.
Lodge Coyaba No. 1842, the District’s Lodge of Research and Instruction was chartered February 5th, 2016. Thereafter a team of Hon. Grand Office-bearers led by Bro. Col. Lemuel Lindo, DGM, Hon. JGW, erected and consecrated the Lodge on April 18th, 2015. Lodge Coyaba was formed for the purposes of improving the research and training within the District. The number of Lodges in the District increased to 21 Daughter Lodges.
The District Grand Lodge visited the Grand Lodge of Scotland during the month of June 2015. An enjoyable and memorable trip was had by the District Grand Master and the Brethren and Ladies who accompanied him.
In January 2016, Phase 2 of the redevelopment began on Freemasons’ Building. This included the extension to the West Tower, the rehabiliation of the Main Meeting Hall, and addition of additional office space which replaced that formerly used bt the District.
Lodge Calabar No. 1844, chartered February 4, 2016, was erected and consecrated on 26, April, 2016 by a team of Hon. Grand Office-bearers led by Bro Col. Lemual Lindo, DGM, Hon. JGW. The Lodge was founded by predominantly Brethren who attended Calabar High School. Thus the school boy rivalry was now fully entrenched in Craft Freemasonry, with Kingston College Lodge No. 9469 EC and Lodge Wolmers No. 1506 SC already being in existence. The number of Daughter Lodges increased to 22.
On the 4th February, 2017, Bro. Errol Charles Alberga Jr., Past Master of Liguanea Lodge 1479, was commissioned as District Grand Master and commenced his term as District Grand Master. He was installed on that day by a team led by the Grand Master Mason, Charles Iain Robert Wolrige Gordon of Esslemont and Grand Secretary David M. Begg.
The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica (SC) along with the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and Cayman Islands (EC) and The Provincial Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Bahamas (IC) launched a major medical health scheme for the benefit of its members.
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Home > Video > Content
Vlog| A wonderland for 120,000 migrant birds to winter annually. Where is it?
Updated：2020-12-25 09:34:26
The blue sky and white clouds were reflected in the water, and the chirping birds were playing and dancing in the “clouds” both in the sky and water.
In this early December, we came to the Provincial Nature Reserve of Lashihai Plateau Wetland, located at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in northwest Yunnan’s Lijiang city, to visit this oil painting-like paradise for migratory birds. In 2004, the reserve was included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.
That day, we were shocked by the two numbers introduced by the staff.
10 square kilometers and 120,000!
The former one is the area of the Nature Reserve and the latter one is the average number of migratory birds that overwinter there each year. Roughly speaking, there are nearly 12,000 migratory birds inhabiting on one square kilometer of land.
Bar-headed geese, Tadorna ferrugineas, gray cranes... Actually, we couldn’t even name many of them. They were just lazily bathing in the warm sunshine. Experts said that many endangered migratory birds were also frequent visitors here.
Only the sounds of birds and wind could be heard.
In recent years, tourist activities have been cancelled in order to protect the wetland.
Such fine sunset! The tired birds were busy returning home, catching some small fishes and shrimps for dinner in the clear water.
I had to say: I sort of envy them.
Reporters: Wang Huan and Xiong Yan
Video: Li Wenjun
Translator: Wang Huan
Keywords: Vlog wonderland migrant birds winter
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Lynn Pasquerella
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Educating for Democracy in a Post-Truth Era
This talk will address how reclaiming the civic mission of colleges and universities as a central component of a 21st-century liberal education is essential for preparing students to thrive in a globally interdependent world.
The program is sponsored by the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues and co-sponsored by the departments of educational studies and Spanish & Portuguese. It is part of the Clarke Forum’s semester theme, Civic Engagement and the Liberal Arts. It is also part of the Clarke Forum’s Leadership in an Age of Uncertainty Series.
Lynn Pasquerella was appointed president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities in 2016, after serving as the eighteenth president of Mount Holyoke College. She has held positions as provost at the University of Hartford and vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Rhode Island. A philosopher whose work has combined teaching and scholarship with local and global engagement, Pasquerella has written extensively on medical ethics, metaphysics, public policy, and the philosophy of law. She is president of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the host of Northeast Public Radio’s The Academic Minute. A recipient of Mary Baldwin University’s Sullivan Award for outstanding service to humanity, Pasquerella serves as a member of the advisory board of the Newman’s Own Foundation and sits on the boards of the Lingnan Foundation and the National Humanities Alliance. Named by Diverse Issue as one of higher education’s top 35 women leaders, Pasquerella is a graduate of Quinebaug Valley Community College, Mount Holyoke College and Brown University. Pasquerella has also received honorary doctorates from Elizabethtown College, Bishop’s University, the University of South Florida, the University of Hartford and the University of Rhode Island.
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Brandon Bauer
AN602: Tsar Bomba, Single Channel Video, 03:21 color/sound
The work AN602: Tsar Bomba is a video of manipulated archival footage from the Russian AN602 Hydrogen Bomb Test. This test remains the largest artificial explosion in human history. The flash point of the explosion from the test footage has been slowed down and re-edited to pulsate and go through subtle color shifts before the footage resumes and the mushroom cloud appears. The video was devised with a desire to create a more nuanced, contemplative, and anti-spectacular image of nuclear weapons. The video visually and metaphorically addresses the limits of vision inherent in the development and deployment of these weapons.
Brandon Bauer is a Wisconsin-based artist. He uses art as a space for critical and ethical inquiry, discourse and dialog. His work explores themes of social justice, capitalism, consumerism, democracy, war and critical histories embedded in cultural ephemera. His work employs photography, video, collage, drawing, installation and collaborative produced projects. Brandon has exhibited work in the Aces(s) electronic media festival in Pau, France, The European Media Arts Festival in Osnabruck, Germany and at Project 101 in Paris among several other national and international venues. Brandon’s work has been produced in DVD editions, used as illustration for various editorial publications and books and has been published in poster editions.
brandonbauer.org
Byron Rich and Mary Tsang
Toby Kaufmann-Buhler and Lexie Stoia
Stephen Nachtigall
Copyright © 2016 Columbus, Ohio
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GM of Radisson Collection Tsinandali Estate: It's Time to Reinvent the Way Hotels Attract Guests
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National Bank of Georgia Sells $40,000,000
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Noxtton, Data Driven Marketing Pioneer in Georgia
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Berry Successful: A Farmer Boosts Profits & Positivity in an Adjarian Community
In the high-mountain village of Dioknisi in Khulo, people have cultivated potatoes for years, but one farmer, Guram Dzirkvadze, a self-taught agronomist, has completely changed the Dioknisi villagers' view on agriculture, managing to convince them that cultivating raspberries would be a much more lucrative and easier affair than cultivating potatoes. The enterprise has been a resounding success, with Guram himself becoming The Man to Know and consult on these matters in the entire Adjarian region; a farmer who sees the agricultural development of Dioknisi village in the field of berry, stone fruit and viticulture.
“Adjara is a land-starved region,” he tells us. “Potatoes are sown in wide fields, where each resident has a land area of 2000 - 2500 square meters. Therefore, it makes no sense to cultivate potatoes here. At the same time, it’s a cheap product, it cracks the soil, and it needs frequent irrigation. The raspberry and blackberry orchards give a rich harvest even in a small area, they do not crack the land and they help the bees. ”
Today, raspberry has already been cultivated on three hectares, and the business has connected many families in the village. The berries also gave them profit. Dzirkvadze's future goal is to create an unfertilized organic raspberry farm in the village, the product of which will enter the EU market in addition to the Georgian market.
“For three years now, I’ve been picking raspberries several times per season, including in December,” he says. “We don’t use any fertilizer; nature and the climate bring such a quality product. We had no idea these berries would ‘like’ this place so much. When I first planted raspberry, everyone was surprised, but in the first year, I realized that it was possible and would be a good source of income. This culture has radically changed the future of agricultural development in our region; here, potato planting has now been almost totally replaced by this. The difference between income and profit is huge, 15 times more profit. First, the cost is almost zero: it is planted once, and after that we need no nitrogen and as I said, no fertilizer. You do not need to sow, you do not worry about anything, and the demand for the product is huge.”
The whole village is involved, and we are told there is interest from neighboring communities as well.
I realized that if only I had raspberries, and it would not spread and expand, it would make no sense. Therefore, we also worked on saplings. We brought 15,000 saplings and distributed them at half price. In our village alone there are intensive orchards (up to 3-4 hectares), although saplings have been taken to other villages too. I’m sure that in a few years, my village will become the "center of raspberries".
Are people satisfied?
Why shouldn’t they be? The source of their income has increased; women, family members are employed, including kindergarten teachers and a number of people of different professions. They pick it, hand it over in the evening, and I take it to the market in Batumi. This year, we were able to produce 20-25 tons of raspberries in three seasons. With the help of the Czech Development Agency, we bought a refrigerated van, and we already transport the product to the market at a lower price. This is a big leap for us. I therefore thank the Czech Republic, the Embassy and the European Union.
Besides raspberries, you also have grapes, don’t you?
“Yes, we have a total of 10-12 varieties of table grapes. We have exemplary grape plots, and provide information on how table grapes can be developed. Among the varieties, we have Saba’s Pearl, Black Magic, Prima, and Italy. Therefore, I have grapes to bring to the market until the end of September. We have a plum orchard too. After setting up the orchard, I bought 40 apple and pear seedlings at the market. Then I asked for co-financing to add different varieties of plums and pears to the orchard. We also have local old varieties. We collected these crops all together and are still looking for old, good varieties. I hope that after seeing this fruit, people will be interested in them.”
For the Dzirkvadze family, it is important not only to produce, but also to change the local lifestyle and empower the economic situation of the local population. It is said that based on the support from the European Union, the population have at last been convinced that they can be employed in their own country and still earn a decent income.
“We already have a trend that young people want to study in the field of agriculture; that after gaining knowledge, the experienced ones return to their land. This makes me happy, because it will strengthen the village, and a strong village is a strong city and country,” notes the farmer extraordinaire.
By Vazha Tavberidze
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The average American spends 8 percent more time in their vehicles today than they did five years ago (1). The nation is also spending more money than ever their cars, with the average transaction price of a new vehicle now coming in at $36,000 (2). When you’ve invested so much money and spend so much time in your automobile, it’s essential that you have an ample supply of car products to hand so that you maintain your set of wheels. How do you store these car products safely and do they have a shelf life?
Car Washing Products
Car shampoo can be purchased in handy 500 ml bottles, or in supersize containers of 10 liters or more. You can usually bag a great deal when buying in bulk, too, however, you should be cautious about how many you buy as they don’t last as long as you might think. ASTM testing shows that once a car shampoo is opened it has a shelf life of just 18 months, whereas unopened bottles are good to use for 36 months (3).
If you wash your car with shampoo which has been stored for longer, then it’s unlikely to go as soapy when mixed with water. It may also thicken and start to go clumpy, which has the potential to ruin your car’s paintwork. You should also consider how you store car shampoo as containers should be kept upright on a flat surface. Stacking should be avoided to reduce the risk of spills.
Waxing is a crucial part of your car cleaning regimen as it protects your paintwork from the elements, as well as daily wear and tear from the roads. You might not think that this is important, but you could regret it when the time comes to sell your set of wheels. When it comes to storing car wax, it requires a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures.
Wax shouldn’t be stored in temperatures below 40F or in temperatures exceeding 80F. It must not be allowed to freeze either, as this can affect the composition of the wax and render it useless. Always ensure that the cap is firmly screwed on to avoid air particles affecting the chemicals within the wax and to prevent dirt and debris from entering the bottle. As a general rule, so long as the wax is stored in the appropriate conditions, it will have a shelf life of between two and three years.
The tires on your car require cleaning in order to protect them from turning brown and to stop the rubber from breaking down and potentially causing a blowout. Specialized wheel and tire cleaners are commonly used to keep tires spick and span, but to ensure they do their job right they need to be stored correctly.
Thankfully, it’s difficult to get wheel and tire cleaner storage wrong. As long as they are kept in cool, dry conditions and don’t freeze over, they’re good to use indefinitely. These cleaners consist of very few chemicals as they need to be gentle on tires to keep them in optimum condition, so very little care is required.
It’s becoming increasingly common for new cars not to come with a spare tire. According to the AAA, 36% of cars manufactured in 2015 didn’t have a spare, while 28% of 2017 models don’t have one (4). As a spare tire is a crucial component when you experience a flat or blowout, car owners are encouraged to keep one handy, even if it’s in their home.
It’s recommended that tires are placed in a moisture-free airtight plastic bag, before being stored away from sunlight in a cool, dry basement. Vehicle owners tend to keep tires in their garages, but the varying humidity in such an environment can take its toll. Where possible, tires should be raised off the ground and placed in a horizontal position as this reduces the stress on them (5).
Coolant and antifreeze are crucial products for your car as they keep the engine at a suitable temperature, whatever the weather. However, as these products contain ethylene glycol, which is poisonous (6) to both humans and animals, it is essential that it is stored safely and correctly.
You should always keep coolant and antifreeze in its original packaging and ensure that the lid is secure and firmly on at all times. It’s also wise to store these products in locations which are inaccessible to children and animals, such as the garage, secure shed, or in a locked cupboard.
Even if you don’t have children or pets, these guidelines should be followed to prevent other people’s loved ones from accidently coming into contact with any coolant and antifreeze kept on your property. After all, antifreeze has a shelf life of up to eight years (7), so it’s a product you could easily forget about.
Your car’s engine oil should be regularly checked and topped up as necessary to keep everything in full working order. Engine oil doesn’t have a strict shelf life, however, and it can be kept for years when the following guidelines are followed. One of the most important factors to consider when you’re looking to preserve the life of engine oil is the temperature in which you store it.
Ideally, the temperature should fall between 40F and 80F (8). Should the temperature deviate more than this, the viscosity of the oil will be impacted which will affect its performance. Other than that, engine oil should always be stored in cool, dry conditions, away from moisture sources.
Windshield washer provides drivers the opportunity to stay safe in all weathers, thanks to its powerful cleaning properties. Windshield washer typically comes in large containers, so you’ll never get through a whole container in one go. As windshield washer usually contains between 30 and 50 percent methanol (9), it needs to be stored safely.
It should always be stored out of reach of children and pets, and care should be taken to ensure the cap is always tightly screwed on to prevent any mishaps.
Additionally, it should be stored in a cool, dry place. By following these instructions, you can expect the windshield washer to last approximately three years.
Hydraulic fluid, or brake fluid as it is otherwise known, keeps you, your car, and other road users safe on the road as it keeps your car’s brakes in full working order. There are currently two types of brake fluid which drivers rely on; glycol-based DOT brake fluid and mineral oil.
Once the air tight seal on a bottle of DOT brake fluid is broken, it begins to suck in the moisture from the air which impacts its performance. It is, therefore, best to purchase the smallest bottle of DOT brake fluid possible to avoid waste. It’s also recommended that you discard any unused product after 12 months (10). On the other hand, mineral oil is non-absorbent and, in most cases, can be used indefinitely.
The average car has 16 external bulbs. To stay road legal, these bulbs should be replaced as soon as they blow, so it’s worth having a stock of bulbs for your car handy. Some drivers like to carry spare bulbs in their car, especially headlight bulbs as these are heavily relied on.
Furthermore, in some countries, including France and Spain, carrying spare headlight bulbs is a legal requirement (11). You’ll obviously need to take extra care when transporting bulbs around due to their fragile nature, so it’s a good idea to wrap them up securely in newspaper or, even better, bubble wrap, before slotting them snugly in a hard plastic or wooden storage box in your vehicle.
Meanwhile, any spare bulbs which you keep at home should be stored side by side, rather than stacked. Keeping them in a cupboard is recommended as this removes the risk of them falling from a shelf or being accidently stood on.
There are a number of factors which can cause the body work of your car to go rusty, including salt water and gritted roads. As rust can cause a car to look older than its years and affect its resale value, using products to protect against rust is crucial. One of the most common products you can use is a rust sealant. Rust sealants work by eliminating existing rust and forming a shield against moisture to stop any future rust from occurring.
As a general rule, these rust sealants have a shelf life of just nine to 12 months, so they need to be used fairly quickly after purchase. They should also be stored and applied to your vehicle away from direct sunlight, so opt for a shady spot when in use and a cool, dry storage space.
Once rust has been eradicated, you’ll need to touch up the paint work on your vehicle using a specialized automotive bodywork paint. To get the color to match the rest of the car, you’ll need to take good care of tins of automotive paint. Thankfully, a new, sealed tin can last a lifetime, but an opened tin requires some TLC.
Always ensure that you secure the lid fully and firmly once opened. Even the smallest gap will allow air, moisture, and debris in to the paint which will affect the color, application and consistency. While there is no set timescale as to how long automotive paint can be stored, it’s best to use your own judgement – if it doesn’t look right when you open it, then it most likely isn’t.
The Undercarriage
The undercarriage of your car faces a significant amount of wear and tear due to its close proximity to the road. Yet it remains one of the most overlooked parts of a vehicle, largely because it can’t be seen. Once the undercarriage is thoroughly cleaned with water, degreaser, and a brush, you’ll need to use a lubricant, such as WD40.
Lubricants work wonders in protecting the undercarriage from moisture and will also keep salt from the roads at bay. Just make sure you only use it on components such as nuts and bolts and not on any parts of the engine as this could cause damage.
Lubricants have a reasonable shelf life of around five years (12), which makes them a highly affordable and effective product. Store the product between 39F and 129F and, in most cases, you’ll find that it lasts even longer.
To adequately apply the majority of these automotive products to your vehicle, you’ll need to use cloths. Chamois leather is usually used to aid the drying process after washing a car, but to prolong the life of this cloth, it needs to be properly looked after. After each use, it should be washed in soapy water and left to dry.
However, drying needs to take place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures as hot and cold will destroy the leather (13). Once the chamois leather is fully dried, it can be folded up and stored away in a cool, dry place, ready for its next use.
All car owners need to take reasonable care of their car to prolong its time on the road. However, it’s important to note that the products required to provide this care all have their own storage instructions and shelf lives. Educate yourself on how these products work and understand the associated dangers in order to safeguard your vehicle, yourself, and others around you.
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The History of Classic Rock Radio
A look at the evolution of the classic rock radio format
Larry Rosin – Edison Research
Larry Rosin
Larry Rosin is the Co-Founder and President of Edison Research.
Some art is of its time, and other art is transcendently great. Hundreds of years from now, mankind will still be listening to Mozart, admiring Picasso, and reading Shakespeare. Similarly, it is likely that the works of Lennon & McCartney, Brian Wilson, Page & Plant, and others of their era will live on through the millennia. It is to Fred Jacobs’ credit that he was so early to appreciate the timelessness of what is now known as Classic Rock and to build a radio format for its preservation and appreciation. Classic Rock continues to gain new fans as new generations come along to recognize the greatness of this art.
© Copyright 2015 Media Strategies Inc. · All Rights Reserved
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← What Goes Into NBA Publicity?
Graduation — Now a 4-Letter Word →
NY Times Launches Digital Subscriptions
Posted on April 10, 2011 by mgingeri
In attempt to salvage lost revenues from online advertising, The New York Times began its digital subscriptions Monday, March 28, for full access to its website and mobile service content.
According to the Associated Press, the third-largest U.S. newspaper will now charge $15 every month, or $195 annually to read more than 20 articles a month on its website.
The current print subscribers will continue to have free access to all articles on the Web and the home page and all section fronts will remain free to browse at all times.
There are also ways to get around the subscription. Readers coming through search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing, will have five free articles per search service per day. So if one does hit its 20 free articles, it can always start with one of the hundreds of search engines out there.
In a letter to its readers, NYT publisher, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., wrote that the launching of the digital subscriptions will, “help ensure that we can continue to provide you with the high-quality journalism and substantive analysis that you have come to expect from The Times.”
It is unclear now how the public will react to The Times’ decision. Many people today, especially in the U.S., feel that access to fair and accurate news should be free.
Arianna Huffington made it clear that she thought that online news should be free, as she made The Times the butt of her April fool’s joke. In her blog post, Huffington joked that Times employees may, “choose to subscribe to see the rest of each word individually, or choose a package to access all words of more than six letters.”
So how do you feel this will all pan out for The Times? Will readers look to other sources of news once they hit the 20-article limit? Will search engines find an increase of news related searches?
This entry was posted in Limelight PR and tagged digital, digital subscriptions, New York Times, news, news access. Bookmark the permalink.
7 Responses to NY Times Launches Digital Subscriptions
amgraha2 says:
I think The New York Times is on its deathbed. Charging for online news will not result in a promising future. I think customers (those who use the Internet to read their news) will find other ways to get their news if the NYT begins to charge. If you can find it for free, why pay? Also, if people think they deserve access to free news, then inevitably that’s the way news will be provided.
tgierba says:
I don’t think print media will ever die, but I think charging for online information will do more harm than good to the NYT. Think about it like this, do you have a loyalty to a certain paper? I have a loyalty to NYT, partly because since I started my journalism career, it was free at school, and I grew to love the writing and how it reports. But if my school switched to say, the AZ Republic, then I would read that. I don’t think that there are enough die-hard fans for any publication to follow them though the extension of subscription costs. People will always go for free information first, and if there is no free information, they will go for the cheapest, not the one they were loyal to.
mgingeri says:
I understand why many people feel this way, but for the sake of quality print journalism, I am crossing my fingers that the Times will prevail. I guess only time will tell…
spaeprer says:
I think that because the NYT is one of, if not the most respected and reputable news sources, there is some method to this madness. As an avid NY Times reader, online, in print and on my iPad, I think that dedicated customers will sacrifice the subscription fee but I think that seldom and sporadic viewers will go elsewhere, because they can and because it will be free.
I think so too!
nkumarat says:
I think the NYT has loyal readers who will continue to pay for a subscription even though there are free news sources on the Internet. For example, Pandora offers free music, but you can only listen to a certain number of free hours per month, and if you exceed the amount you will have to pay and upgrade to Pandora One for unlimited access to online music. I know when I exceed the free amount, I just wait until the next month starts. Why pay for a service I get for free? I think this concept also applies to NYT. I think that people will turn to the Times and read as many free stories they can, but will look to other online news sources. I think a paywall is a good idea to make money that is lost in advertising, but there will be people who will only go for free things.
I agree with you on that, many people will always want free news but there are also people who respect the credibility of the NYT and will become online subscribers.
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GRAMMYs turn to Twitter to announce 2015 nominees
Posted on December 5, 2014 by Kurt
In recent years, nominees for the most prominent, cross-genre GRAMMY Awards have been announced on a primetime CBS special, with popular artists like Taylor Swift, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miguel, Keith Urban, and Lorde turning the nomination ceremony into a live concert performance. For its upcoming 57th season, the GRAMMYs, likely in attempt to keep up with evolving digital trends, made an adjustment to that formula, adapting the CBS broadcast into a holiday-themed concert special called A Very GRAMMY Christmas with only one award announcement: the prestigious Album Of The Year. As for the rest of the other 82 categories recognized by the Recording Academy committee, they were rolled out throughout the day on daytime television and radio properties and by a number of artists’ Twitter accounts.
Beginning at 8:30 AM Eastern, Pharrell and Ed Sheeran visited the set of CBS This Morning, announcing the nominees for Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Country Album, Best Urban Contemporary Album, and general field category Record Of The Year. Shortly thereafter, Ryan Seacrest announced the nominees for Best Pop Solo Performance. After announcing a few awards themselves on the @TheGRAMMYs Twitter account, announcement duties were turned over to popular artists such as Alanis Morissette and Jared Leto, as well as media personalities including Mario Lopez and Entertainment Tonight‘s Nancy O’Dell, all using Twitter’s native video function. A flurry of tweets from nearly twenty-five different outlets followed through 2:00 PM Eastern, at which point all of the nominations excluding Album Of The Year were posted on GRAMMY.com, which previously occurred at the close of the primetime nomination special.
This social media-fueled campaign is another step toward modernizing the awards process for the Recording Academy, in a field now expanding with awards shows from big players like MTV, Billboard, YouTube, and iHeartRadio that have taken advantage of creative social media usage. As Maura Johnston pointed out in the Boston Globe, MTV previously used Snapchat to preview this year’s Video Music Awards nominees, while Billboard partnered with Tumblr to provide nearly-instant GIFs of the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. By utilizing the well-followed accounts of popular media figures, the GRAMMYs are able to spread the news of their nominees across a much wider audience than could have been available through solely their own media channels.
On the other hand, the inability to pre-determine where nomination announcements were coming from made the hours-long process a bit difficult to follow at times. The official GRAMMYs Twitter account dutifully retweeted each announcement after it was made on Twitter, but attempting to find each tweet amidst the regular buzz and reaction of the Twitter newsfeed added a lot of noise to the stream. With no roadmap or direction from the GRAMMYs account itself, those interested had to wait for their account to retweet each announcement, then parse the tweet and watch the video announcement to get a grasp of the artists and songs nominated. While this was a great first step, the campaign could have potentially been improved if @TheGRAMMYs had laid out a timetable of which accounts would be making announcements and in what order. Additionally, regular announcements of who was announcing the next category’s nominees could have added potential followers for the artists and media personalities involved, as those interested would flock to their accounts in wait of the next batch of nominees.
The 57th GRAMMY Awards air on February 8, 2015 on CBS. A full list of the nominees is available here excluding Album Of The Year, which will be announced at the conclusion of tonight’s A Very GRAMMY Christmas CBS special.
Categories: Music, Social Media
Tags: GRAMMYs, Twitter
Artists: Alanis Morissette, Ed Sheeran, Jared Leto, Keith Urban, Lorde, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miguel, Pharrell, Taylor Swift
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Previously on Lost
Just another dean.co site
Category: Season 4
Previously on Lost Season 4
Post author By Dean Robinson
No Comments on There’s No Place Like Home
There is only one thing that I hate about Lost, and that is that its shown in the US before it is here in Australia. Its not Lost’s fault though, its the fault of the stupid television networks in this part of the world. As a result I download the latest episode as they a shown (and, yes, I watch it again when its on TV, especially now that its shown in HD), otherwise I run the risk of having the whole thing spoiled before I get to see it. Mind you, Channel 7 do a good enough job of spoiling major plot points in their “promos” almost every week.
So while I wait for the Season 5 premiere to finish, I’m going to have a look at a few questions that sprung to mind during my re-watching of the Season 4 finale over the past two nights. I think this might be a better format for my recap posts to take, since the “full recaps” were taking way to much time to prepare and write, which is why I only ever managed to get half of Season 4 done. Anyway, on with the questions.
Where is Claire?
She wandered off into the jungle one night, and since then we’ve seen her just once, in the cabin with Christian Shephard. The real question I guess is, is Claire dead? Its been reported that Claire won’t be seen in at least the first half of season 5, but that itself doesn’t mean she’s dead. I think that given we’ve seen her “appear” to Kate in a dream in the future that we can assume that she is dead at that time (the future), but I’m not convinced that she’s dead yet on the island. And if she is actually dead, who killed her? Zombie Ethan?….
Why did they choose Boone, Libby and Charlie for their story?
When the Oceanic Six front up to their press conference they name those passengers who “survived the crash, but died on the island”. The name Boone, Libby and Charlie. Why did they pick these three out of all the people that had died. Charlie perhaps because he was famous, but why Boone and not Shannon, why Libby and not Ana Lucia, Mr Eko, Dr Arzt, Jin etc etc. There would have to be a reason why. The second episode in season 5 is entitled “The Lie” so theres a chance that we might find out then.
Continue reading “There’s No Place Like Home”
Tags questions, recap, s4e12, s4e13, s4e14, Season 4
No Comments on The Other Woman
After the madness that was ‘The Constant’ this episode doesn’t venture nearly as far, in fact its all set on the island, including the flashbacks.
Juliet is sitting in a room, looks like she’s waiting for someone, a woman comes in and introduces herself as Harper. Juliet begins to explain that she doesn’t think that she needs therapy, Harper suggests that they just “call it talking” instead. We then find out Juliet has “been here a week” (at this point we still don’t know where “here” is exactly). Juliet tells Harper that she doesn’t really like being treated like a celebrity, or being the centre of attention.
There’s a knock at the door, and its Tom, we now know that we are on the island. This interruption ends their “talk” and as Harper leaves she says “Welcome to the island”. Tom takes Juliet to meet with Ben who is waiting outside one of the houses in the other’s village. Ben tells Juliet that it’s hers. She tells Ben that they shouldn’t have gone to all the trouble as she’s only going to be there for 6 months.
Current time, back on the beach and Juliet is setting up her shelter, Sun offers to lend a hand, then Jack approaches asking if they’ve seen Charlotte and Dan as they are both missing and their stuff is gone. Jin says that he saw them head off into the jungle.
The four of them set off to try and track down Charlotte and Dan. Once in the jungle Juliet begins to hear the whispers, and when she turns around Harper is standing behind her. Harper says “long time no see”, and tells Juliet that she’s there to deliver a message from Ben.
Continue reading “The Other Woman”
Tags recap, s4e06, Season 4
No Comments on The Constant
So… Its only taken about 6 months to get back to finishing this post, it was going to be tough to get it to make sense to begin with, but with a huge break in the middle of writing it it was even harder, sorry about that. Lets get on with it.
Des flashes back…then forward…repeat. Flashback? no, not really. Remember the episode ‘flashes before your eyes’ from last season, kind of like that only way better.
The episode picks up where we left Sayid and Des a couple of episodes back, they are on the helicopter and heading towards the freighter. Des is looking at the photo of him with Penny. Frank is looking at a map that Daniel drew for him, which he was told to follow very closely. Struggling to control the chopper Frank flies straight into what Sayid calls a “thunderhead”… we’ll call it a storm.
Des awakes, all clean shaven, and at an Army barracks. He says that he was having a dream, and that he was on a helicopter, and he was in a storm… hang on a second. We snap back to the chopper, and Des is freaking out, he’s got no idea where he is, what he’s doing, or who on earth Sayid is.
Continue reading “The Constant”
Flash Forward Season 4
He moved the Island
1 Comment on He moved the Island
So Ben “moved” the island, how about that. First lets go back to episode 9 “The Shape of Thing to Come”, remember that Ben wakes up in the middle of the Sahara Desert (presumably in Tunisia) wearing that jacket with the Orchid station emblem, and the name Halliwax on it, and with a cut on his right arm. When he arrives at the hotel in Tunisia he asks what the date is… its October 21st 2005. Right, ok.
Ben told Locke that whoever moved the island couldn’t come back. He didn’t say anything about traveling over 10 months into the future at the same time. When Ben ‘moves’ the Island its around day 100-101, which would be around New Year’s Day 2005. It seems pretty straight-forward that Ben ends up in the Sahara as a direct result of moving the Island, especially since he’s still got the cut on the arm (from when he fell down the ladder), and he’s wearing the jacket with the same name on it.
Continue reading “He moved the Island”
Tags s4e09, s4e14, Season 4
Eggtown
6 Comments on Eggtown
The episode begins with Locke cooking up some food which he takes down to Ben, who is now in the basement of the house Locke is living in. I guess this is/was probably Ben’s house, although I don’t know if its been mentioned or not. Locke tells Ben that they are the last two eggs, not sure why, is he trying to trick Ben. Ben has a go at Locke in an attempt to psych him out, it works and he definitely hits a nerve with Locke, who storms out taking the eggs with him.
Before we head off on the first flashforward, Sawyer is talking with Kate and asks her why she stayed, little elaboration is given. Now in the flashforward, Kate arrives to a rather large media frenzy, where is she arriving…a court house. In court one of the Lawyers rattles off the list of felonies for which she is being tried. I don’t think there was anything too surprising in there, I’d say we’ve probably seen just about all her crimes. Fraud, arson, armed robbery, theft, murder…you know the usual. Kate enters her plea of not guilty (even though she couldn’t be any more guilty if she tried), and when the prosecution try to have her remanded in custody because she’s a flight risk, Kate’s lawyer protests stating that she has on of the most recognisable faces in the world and is not a risk.
Continue reading “Eggtown”
2 Comments on The Economist
This week’s contestant on the magical mystery ride that is Lost is Sayid. He’s won a golfing holiday and a new job.
The opening sequence sees Sayid meditating, or something like that, before getting up and walking toward Naomi’s body where he puts his hand over her eyes and closes her eyelids. Why they hadn’t already done that I’m not sure. He removes a bracelet that she was wearing, on the inside is an inscription which reads “N, I’ll always be with you. R.G.”. This begs the question who is R.G., and how are they connected.
To the first ‘flash’ of the episode, and we see Sayid playing golf when he is approached my a man. After a brief talk Sayid reveals to this man that he was the recipient of a large amount of compensation, from a plane crash, and that he is one of the Oceanic 6, instantly this guy looks worried, why? As the man goes to leave Sayid calls out to him by name, “Mr Avellino”, and as he turns around Sayid shoots him and then leaves. Seemingly Sayid has gone bad since leaving the island, but why? And who exactly was Mr Avellino and why did Sayid kill him?
Continue reading “The Economist”
5 Comments on Confirmed Dead
Better late than never, but sometime you can not help these things. Onwards. The Losties all 324 of them are confirmed dead…really? but…but?
We open with a familiar scene to anyone who was following the Fund 815 ARG in the lead up to the premiere, we see two remotely operated vehicles (ROV) searching for something in the depths of the ocean. Low and behold what do they find but the wreckage of Oceanic 815 at the bottom of a trench.
There are a couple of inconsistencies between the way it played out in this episode and how it played out in Find815, but I think thats probably something to do with them being produced separately. After all they do say that it was the crew of the Christiane 1 that found it, so that fits, but in Find 815 there was only one ROV. At least I’m pretty sure there was.
Continue reading “Confirmed Dead”
Times are shifting…
3 Comments on Times are shifting…
I’ve already covered bits of this in a couple of other posts, but episode 2 “Confirmed Dead” adds some interesting points to my argument.
On the Island it is supposedly almost Christmas 2004, remembering that the plane crashed on the 22nd September 2004.
In Find815 the main character Sam made mention that he wouldn’t be home for Christmas (no year mentioned), which would lead you to believe that the expedition he was on was taking place around December/January. Originally I thought this was taking place at the end of 2007/start of 2008, to coincide with the “press release” from Oceanic stating that they would begin flying again on the 31st December 2007. Seemed to make sense that they would abandon the search, and then resume flying. Right?
Continue reading “Times are shifting…”
Tags Flash Forward, s4e02, Season 4
No Comments on The Beginning of the End
So Lost has finally returned, and now that the first episode has aired here in Australia I can fairly safely share my thoughts without spoiling things. This will be the case each week, so effectively I’ll be a week behind with my theorisations.
I don’t know about everyone else but I almost instantly picked up that it was Jack who was watching the TV at the beginning. Not sure why, maybe it was that he was having some sort of alcoholic drink early in the morning, or maybe because up to this point all season premieres had revolved around Jack.
Continue reading “The Beginning of the End”
Flash Back Season 4
No Comments on Blog Updates
Yes, I’ll be posting my thoughts on Season 4, but I’ll hold off at least until its aired here in Australia. I’m also planning to post my thoughts and observations from the 13 mobisodes, and the Find815 ARG that were happening over the past couple of months. All in good time.
Tags Season 4
The New Man in Charge
12 of my favourite episodes so far
‘Lost’ producers discuss emotional final season
The Lost Supper
Two free Lost wallpapers
Mummy Ninja on The New Man in Charge
Chiara on From Nowhere they ended up Lost
The Last Supper: 17 Of The Best Parody Illustrations | Truth Weekender on The Lost Supper
The Last Supper: 17 Of The Best Parody… | Bit Rebels on The Lost Supper
Kate Ashby on Eggtown
Find 815
Off the Island
© 2021 Previously on Lost
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Howard Books To Publish Sara Evans Memoir “Born To Fly”
Ray Remington: Acoustic Quarantine Sessions
Quarantine Catch-Up With the Bellamy Brothers
Rapid Fire Round: Adam Sanders
Video Premiere: Joshua- Sarah Morey
Legend’s Corner
Tomato Tuesday
Belmont Sessions
Home > 2019 > March
Rapid Fire Round: Alissa Griffith
by Jasmine Rochelle - March 29, 2019 March 29, 2019
"Who we are is a complicated thing. In every version of ourselves, we experiment with expressing our feelings, our sensations, or our singular perspectives on life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. We ache to impart our experiences to the world but mostly we just have something important to say and often times difficulty with which how to say it. We fall in love, we have regrets, missed opportunities, euphoric moments, cherished memories, impromptu dizzying
December Haze – Olivia Bandy
by Jasmine Rochelle - March 29, 2019 December 30, 2020
Our featured artists who participate in Belmont Sessions all have a unique talent for songwriting, but Olivia Bandy's ability is unparalleled. After reading a letter from a gentleman in the civil war to his father, which she found in the book her grandmother wrote (clearly, it runs in the family), she set his words to music. "Dear Father, I have the opportunity of writing a few lines..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdTgzlChxy4
Throwback Review: Loretta Lynn Sings
Artist: Loretta Lynn Album: Loretta Lynn Sings Year: 1963 Label: Decca In honor of Loretta Lynn’s upcoming birthday party at Bridgestone Arena on April 1, I’m taking a step back in time to the Queen of Country Music’s very first album. With two charting singles, Loretta Lynn Sings was released on December 9, 1963. In the issue dated December 21, 1963, Billboard reviewed the album, stating "Miss Lynn sings up a storm on this fine new album, on songs by
Rapid Fire Round: Kylie Rae Harris
“I just want to see the day you tell me that I did okay. God, I hope I’m still around twenty years from now.” In the closing track from Kylie Rae Harris’s self-titled EP, the singer-songwriter pens a note to her six-year-old, written a few months after her own father passed away. She notes that it’s a little surreal to be the same age as her parents were once -- an inevitable piece of the circle
“WE ALL COME TOGETHER” FOR JOHN BERRY AND MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2019) -- The Country Music community is rallying in support of fellow Grammy winning artist, John Berry, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for throat cancer discovered in January. A concert, silent auction, sponsor opportunities and more will be included as ways to donate. The concert will be held on April 23rd at City Winery at 7 pm. Tickets go on sale at 3 pm CDT today and will be available here. The benefit, “We All Come
Jump – Sarah Faith
Our latest Belmont Sessions artist is the sweet Sarah Faith! Educated in Business administration and Spanish at Alma College in Michigan with a Masters in Communications from Oakland University, Faith has been a fan of country music for the majority of her life. "I realized my love for music at a very young age; I can remember singing country in the back of my mom's car while we were driving around. I was always singing
Behind the Scenes with Jimmy Bowen
Bluegrass and Country artist Jimmy Bowen shares more than just a name with the famed producer who was active throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s in our industry; he shares a passion for the music, an innovative spirit, and an ability to reinvent himself to stay relevant in a constantly changing landscape. Jimmy Bowen, the legendary Bluegrass guitarist and singer, was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and found a passion for numbers and
SARA EVANS SURPRISES FANS WITH THE BARKER FAMILY BAND SIDE PROJECT
by Jasmine Rochelle - March 8, 2019 March 8, 2019
Nashville, TN — March 8, 2019 — Multi-Platinum entertainer Sara Evans got her start in music at the age of 5, leading The Evans Family Band with two of her siblings. Her solo career took off after signing with RCA Records, going on to score five #1 singles, including “Born To Fly” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” selling millions of records and taking home trophies from the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association. Family has
Holly Renee Allen – Ring of Fire
https://soundcloud.com/user-462816365/01-holly-renee-allen-ring-of-fire/s-11CXz Raised at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Holly Renee Allen is the embodiment of Red Dirt and Appalachian music. Allen was born and bred from generations of country and bluegrass musicians and was raised on The Beatles, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan. As Allen works on her fifth studio album, Appalachian Piece Meal, she pulls from her greatest influences; the musicians in
Jeannie Seely Surprises Carly Pearce at CMHOF
NASHVILLE, TN (March 6, 2019) – With nearly a decade of friendship stemming from their love of Country music and the Grand Ole Opry, frequent guest CARLY PEARCE and member JEANNIE SEELYnow share another special occasion – celebrating their inclusion into the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s new exhibit, American Currents: The Music of 2018. Both generations had a first look when Jeannie recently surprised Carly ahead of its official opening March 8, 2019 through February 8, 2020, where the two admired
Lula on Social Media
It is our Mission here at Lula 1892 to highlight and promote country musicians in Nashville and across the country, and to celebrate the history of country music and of Lula C. Naff.
Lula 1892
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Tech company, Possible PC, set to provide less-privileged children and homes with 500,000 computers to advance e-learning
Possible PC, an affiliate with Electronics Waste Management LLC, a recycling company based in Atlanta, GA, wants to advance e-learning by partnering with Organizations to provide computers and laptops for children and low-income earners who lack these basic gadgets at home.
This is the year 2021, and the digital divide is still a problem in America. Far too many Americans still don’t have access in their homes to the technology and affordable high-speed broadband they need to succeed in today’s economy. There’s a shortage of computers in many homes. Lending credence to this, USAFACTS, in its April 2020 report, postulated that more than 9 million children in the US lack access to a computer or internet.
Nelson Mandela once quipped that “History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”. Possible PC have made it their mission to make a difference in less-privileged children’s lives, bridging the digital gap by providing free and affordable computers.
The company, in collaboration with other organizations, is primed to provide 500,000 systems in homes, with the noble gesture of donating 75% of the computers for free while 25% will be sold online through the website for administration purposes. True to its mission of giving back to society, Possible PC will refurbish computers and donate for free, as well as sponsoring a child or family through its wish-list program, among other poverty alleviation schemes.
Possible PC’s wish-list is a simplified method for the less fortunate to access the company’s noble campaign. A request form is available at the company’s website, www.possiblepc.com, where names of families or children who need computers but can’t afford them can be inputted.
Speaking about their campaign, a company executive said: “We aim to empower communities and to help create a sustainable future for our planet. Our goal is to place thousands of computers and laptops to low-income families in need every month through our website, and our monthly give away community program.”
Possible PC is looking to partner with non-profit Organizations or institutions dealing with at risk youths and kids, low-income housing, counties and cities government, are requested to submit a proposal on the company’s website for consideration. Due to the high volume of computers given to the community each month, Possible PC has made calls for volunteers to lend a helping and make a difference in people’s lives. The company needs experienced personnel such as PC technicians, software installers, cleaners, and packers.
Possible PC provides consulting and end-of-life technology solutions for cities, state, and local governments as well as corporations and private organizations. From vendor procurement to choosing an asset tracking solution, Electronics Waste Management (a subsidiary company) of Possible PC has years of experience helping clients design sustainable technology reuse programs.
Company Name: Possible PC
Website: possiblepc.com
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Intangible Cultural Heritage - Changli Fok Song
Changli Fok Song
Translator：Yu Jing, Proofreader: Chen Xiaofeng
The traditional musical intangible cultural heritage Changli Folk Song was announced as “the First Batch of Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritages” by the People’s Government of Hebei province on June 6, 2006; as “the Second Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage” by the State Council on June 7, 2008; and as “The First Batch of Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritages” by the Qinhuangdao People’s Government on January 21, 2009.
Changli Folk Song is a kind of folk tune inherited by the people of Changli from generation to generation. It is a “sister art” of Changli Yangko traced to the same origin. And it has strong academic value, social value and artistic value.
The singing content of Changli Folk Songs includes four types: “Labor Story”, “legend”, “Love” and “Life”; and the singing forms include: “Yangko Tune, “Solo Singing”, and “Antiphonal Singing”.
Since the 21st century, Changli Folk Songs have been newly circulated and developed and have achieved outstanding achievements. On September 9th, 2006, the Changli Fisherman’s folk song “Changli Net Casting Tune” won the second prize at the 9th Invitational Tournament of National Fishing Song held in China Fishing Village, Xiangshan County, Zhejiang Province; in May 2009, Changli Folk Song participated in the recording of CCTV “Folksongs and China” program; On September 17th, 2014, two folk songs “Fish Song” and “Picking Cotton” selected by Changli County were awarded the First and the Third Prize respectively in the first Hebei “Chinese Dreams and Folk Songs” Contest; in November 2014, Changli Folk Song “Fishing Song” won the 11th “Yanzhao Stars Award” in Hebei Province.
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Mini-reviews: Prince Caspian, 88 Minutes, and more
nloding July 7, 2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Starring: Ben Barnes, William Moseley; Directed by: Andrew Adamson
Rating: ** 1/2 (two and a half stars out of five)
Summary: The Pevensie children are sent back to Narnia a mere year after returning back to war-time London. But more than one year has passed in Narnia — 1,299 more to be exact. There they find an exiled Prince (Barnes) who is struggling with his blood-thirsty uncle, King Miraz (Sergio Castellitto) who has long been scheming to steal the throne from the royal family. Caspian and the Pevensies join forces to fight the Telmarines and restore the land to the Narnians who have long been prosecuted.
Thoughts: Not nearly as good as the book, and, unfortunately, not nearly as good as it’s prequel (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)). The filmmakers relied on action and violence rather than politlcal intrigue and plot. The story felt extremely thin for how long the film was. The effects were astounding, as was to be expected, but fantasy epics with grand special effects are somewhat cliche these days. Prince Caspian failed to find something to unique to pull it apart from the rest of them. This is even more unfortunate because they are planning to continue turning the books into movies (see here); a brilliant director is attached, so hopefully that’ll help. In a word: Long, with weak storytelling, but amazing special effects and action mean you shouldn’t ignore it.
Starring: Al Pacino, Leelee Sobieski; Directed by: Jon Avnet
Rating: * 1/2 (one and a half stars out of five)
Summary: Jack Gramm (Pacino) is a top dog forensic psychologist. A man he recently sent to death-row is finally coming up on the big day and he’s maintained his innocence since he was caught. On this day, the final day of the murderer’s life, Gramm receives an incredibly threatening phone call telling him he has a mere 88 minutes to live. At first he blows it off as yet another side effect of his job. It’s immediately clear that the threats are real, though, and he begins an 80 minute long chase to save his life and find who’s conspiring against him (who he automatically knows is related to the murderer). And (what a surprise) 88 minutes has personal meaning to Gramm …
Thoughts: Way too cliche, predictable, and ultimately boring to be that good. I love watching Pacino on screen, and even a cliche’d murder mystery can be entertaining. This movie took itself way too seriously to accomplish much entertainment at all. Your list of possible suspects is immediately limited to three, only two of which are at all probable considering how strongly the script tries to implicate one early on. When you finally reach the end, you wonder why you even cared in the first place; the end is both predictable and utterly ridiculous. The best part is that the from the moment Gramm finds he has 88 minutes to live, that’s the remaining runtime — usually movie don’t stick to their own timelines, so I enjoyed that part. In a word: Predictable and thorougly unoriginal mystery.
Shoot ‘Em Up
Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti; Directed by: Michael Davis
Rating *** (three out of five stars)
Summary: Mr. Smith (Owen) is awaiting a bus when a pregnant lady runs by, followed by some thugs with guns who are obviously trying to kill her. Smith, ultimately a do-gooder, throws his food aside and saves her, the baby (which he delivers), and kills a bunch of guys. Then Hertz (Giamatti) shows up — the man in charge, who continually comes up with new ways to find (and kill) Smith. Smith in the meantime dodges these attempts and enlists the help of a lactating prostitute to help him care for the baby. To add to the plot, it does have a conspiracy going on … but that’s not really important.
Thoughts: A ton of fun. Fun, inventive violence that looks good; fun performances by Owen (who sort of relives his Sin City days) and Giamatti. The Subplot (ie, the reason why they want to kill the baby) is utter lunacy, but it is only there to further the violence. And I’m OK with that. Between this and Smokin’ Aces, I’d pick this. There’s not much to else to say, other than it worked wonderfully for what it was and what it wanted to be. In a word: It accomplished what it set out to do: great, strong violence with a great cast.
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds; Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Rating: ** (two out of five stars)
Summary: Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel (Piven) is a stage performer turned mafioso in Vegas. Then he turns FBI informant. And then he gets a $1 million bounty put on his head by his former Mafia boss. Several different people decide their going to try to get the bounty, including neo-Nazi’s, a nameless/faceless professional assassin, and other horrible, nasty people. Of course, the FBI is trying to prevent the assassination, and they have other interests for wanting to bring down this Mafia family.
Thoughts: Great action but not much else. I take that back; it has some good dialogue too. But after violence and some good dialogue, it doesn’t have much else. The ‘twist’ at the end is incredibly predictable if you accidentally think about the movie (as I did). The pace is quick and direct, and the violence just as it should be: way over the top. I couldn’t rightfully give it a top rating, as it’s just eye-candy, but it was definitely good eye-candy. In a word: Great, bloody, explosive violence; some good dialogue; nothing else.
Movie Reviews, Movies 88 minutes, chronicles of narnia, clive owen, Movie Reviews, paul giamatti, shoot 'em up, smokin' aces, violence
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Exhibitgrid
NCFM
Robert Ingham
Robert Ingham Designs
Bwlch Isa Cwm
Dyserth
LL18 5SF
Makers Email:
rdi@robertinghamdesigns.com
www.robertinghamdesigns.com
1958-60 Loughborough Training College. Teaching Certificate. Distinction in Crafts & Drama.
1960-61 Diploma of Loughborough College. (DLC) Distinction in Sliversmithing.
1963 City & Guilds of London Institute. Furniture.
1964 City & Guilds of London Institute. Advanced Furniture.
1964 Leeds College of Art. National Diploma of Design. (NDD) Furniture - Special Level.
1966 Leeds University. Diploma of Secondary Education, (Dip. Ed.) Professional Experience.
1961-71 Craft Teacher with Leeds Education Committee.
1966-76 Part-time Lecturer, Leeds College of Art.
1971-76 Own furniture-making business, Thirsk, Yorkshire. In partnership with his brother George Ingham.
1976-97 Principal of the School for Craftsmen in Wood, Parnham College.
1997 Running own workshop in North Wales
2000 Joined research programme, in an advisory capacity, of Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.
2006 Joined staff of the Joseph Walsh Studio, Kinsale, Ireland as a consultant on a part-time basis.
Member of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.
Judging shows and competitions: 'Wood for the Tree' for the lrish Crafts Council, 'Celebrating Boxes' at Tullie House, Carlisle, in collaboration with the Crafts Council.
Teaches regular Summer School in UK and USA
Ten pieces of furniture have been awarded Guild Mark by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Regular contributor of articles to "Furniture and Cabinetmaking" and judging their competition at the Axminster Show.
Work in private collections in the USA and Britain, including:
Sir Michael Colman
The Viscount Linley
Christopher Claxton Stevens
Mr and Mrs Iain Anderson
Mr Michael Appleby
Work featured in several books on modern furniture, including extensive feature in Betty Norbury's new book "Furniture for the 21st Century"
RECENT EXHIBITIONS:
British Decorative Art Christies London, 1992 & 1993
Decorative Art Today, Bonhams, London 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 & 1998
Society of Designer Craftsmen, Rufford 1997
High Flyers - 20 year of Parnham. London 1997
A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design, Cheltenham 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
British Work House, DaIlas 1997
Pritam and Eames, New York. 1997
Artizana, Prestbury, 1998 & 1999
Artifex, SuttonColdfield 1998, 1999 & 2004
Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool, 1999 & 2000
Society of Designer Craftsmen, Mall Gallery 1998, 1999 & 2000
Exhibition to launch Book "Furniture for the 21st Century", Banqueting House, Whitehall, 1999
Art in Action 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
Celebrating Boxes 2001 & 2002
Onetree 2001 & 2002
Furniture Society, Wisconsin USA 2002
Craft in Focus 2004, 2005, 2007 & 2008
‘Antiques for the Future’, Norman Adams Gallery, London 2006, 2007 & 2008
Design Week, Tatton Park 2006 & 2007
Bodelwyddan Castle Gallery 2008
Helfa Gelf ‘Art Trail’ Open Weekends 2008
Robert Ingham was born in India, his father being an officer in the colonial police, and was educated there till the age of eleven. At partition with Pakistan the family opted to return to England - a decision largely prompted by concern for the children’s educational future - to live in Yorkshire, his father’s family home.
Robert trained at Loughborough College, and at Leeds College of Art, followed by a degree at Leeds University. After several years teaching he set up a workshop designing and making furniture, in partnership with his younger brother George, who had arrived at this point through the more design orientated route of the Royal College of Art.
Together they ran a highly successful business in Thirsk, making one-off pieces and small batches.
Eventually they opted for independent careers, George to run his own workshop in Hemel Hempstead for a short time before moving to Australia to set up the furniture school at Canberra School of Art; and Robert, via a short spell in interior design and retailing, to Dorset to assist John Makepeace in setting up the school at Parnham, and thereafter to run it as Principal. George died of cancer in 2003 and Robert has dedicated his book ‘Cutting-edge Cabinetmaking’ to him, and a percentage of the sales go to a cancer charity in George’s memory.
During Robert’s tenure the school had gone from strength to strength, becoming internationally known, and producing a string of successful graduates, who are now the backbone of the British designer-maker elite.
In conjunction with his teaching, Robert has his own business, Robert Ingham Designs, and wearing this hat he makes one-off pieces to commission and for exhibition both in this country and abroad. Several of his pieces have been awarded Guild Marks.
He has exhibited in the States at Pritam and Eames Gallery, New York, and has important pieces in private collections in this country and America. He showed regularly at Decorative Arts Today at Bonhams, A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design, Cheltenham, and at the Society of Designer Craftsmen. He has also taught Summer Schools, both in this country and at Anderson Ranch Arts Centre in Colorado, and the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine.
He was Invited to join the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, been granted the Freedom of the City of London, and been made a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.
In 1997, after twenty successful and full years at Parnham, he gave up teaching in order to concentrate fully on his own work - setting up a workshop in North Wales, making pieces to commission, and small batches of very collectable boxes. The new workshop has been featured in several national magazines.
Between 2000 & 2005 he was on the staff of Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College on a research and advisory basis.
Consultant to the ‘Joseph Walsh Furniture Studio’ in Kinsdale, Ireland
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On environmental degradation and its impact on inequality in Asia and the Pacific
The smog that chokes Bangkok and Delhi, the recurring haze in Southeast Asia due to forest fires, and global episodes of heat wave are manifestations of man-made environmental degradation to which people in the region experience daily and can easily relate to. New evidence shows that the impact of environmental degradation, such as pollution, on human health is far greater than we had ever imagined. A landmark Lancet study finds that air pollution is estimated to claim over 4 million lives per year, mainly in developing countries in the region. In fact, parts of the Asia-Pacific region experienced the world’s sharpest rise in premature deaths as a result of ambient air pollution between 1990 and 2015. But does environmental degradation affect everyone uniformly?
The answer tends to be no in most situations, as highlighted by recent ESCAP research. The poor and marginalized tend to disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental degradation due to three main reasons:
First, they are more vulnerable to environmental hazards. Think of your neighbourhood street vendor, who is exposed to polluted air every day by the very nature of their job.
Second, people in vulnerable situations, often lack the means to protect themselves from the pernicious impacts of environmental hazards. The image of rickshawallas in Delhi covering their face with a cloth towel on a smoggy day flash before me. Evidence from China shows that people from low-income households tend to invest less in health-improving strategies in the face of pollution.
Third, research shows that low-income households depend more on natural resources for their income, compared to their richer counterparts. The lives of indigenous communities can be irreparably affected if the forests they depend on get destroyed. Further, environmental degradation has strong gender implications as shown by ESCAP research.
What do we get when we piece-together these facts? Pollution can be an important factor that exacerbates inequality, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The stark increase of income inequality over the years within Asia-Pacific is well documented. Recent research by ESCAP shows that between the 1990s and 2010s, market income Gini coefficient - the most widely used measure of income inequality- increased in four of the five most populous countries in the region, affecting over 70 per cent of the Asia-Pacific population. ESCAP research also shows that environmental factors such as air pollution, erosion of natural capital and continued impact of natural hazards were significant factors that contributed to burgeoning income inequality within countries since 1990s.
How should governments in the region respond to this reality? Of course, limiting environmental degradation itself and protecting ecosystems is the first-best solution. However, reversing the alarming trends in environment and air quality will take enormous resources and more importantly time. Continued exposure to the negative impacts of environmental decay can jeopardize the achievement of several SDGs in the region, including SDG 10 on inequality.
The good news is that we can begin addressing inequality now with targeted policies to disrupt the link between environmental degradation and income inequality. Examples of such interventions could involve regular health screenings and expanding insurance coverage in low-income neighbourhoods, ensuring access to justice to help subsistence-oriented communities defend the natural resources vital to their livelihoods, and providing subsidized access to equipment that will reduce exposure of poor communities to polluted environments (see more policies here). Recognizing and ensuring the right to healthy environment within constitutions would greatly bolster these efforts. The Environmental Rights Initiative launched by the UN early this year aims to further such a human rights perspective on environmental protection.
The theme for the 2019 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is ‘empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’ and SDG 10 on inequality will be reviewed in-depth. In this context, as countries prepare for the HLPF and review the progress made in SDG 10 in national contexts through their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), it is important to pay attention to the environmental dimension of inequality. To what extent is environmental degradation worsening income inequality? What policies can be taken to limit the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities? These questions should enter the national policy discourses.
Addressing environmental degradation can deliver an important co-benefit of reducing income inequality. The Asia-Pacific region, more than any other region, needs to capitalize on this co-benefit to simultaneously create a cleaner environment and a more equal society.
Related SDGs: Goal 3: Good health and well-being, Goal 10: Reduced inequalities, Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Arun Jacob
Environment Affairs Officer
Environment and Development Division
escap-edd@un.org
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Current festival
All Saints’ Church, Tudeley
Malling Abbey
St Marys Church West Malling
St.Peter and St.Paul’s Church, Trottiscliffe
Kent Music
Family Arts Campaign
Lizzie Ball
Violin/Vocals
www.lizzieball.com
“Lizzie Ball lit the place on fire with her solos” San Francisco Chronicle
Named as one of the most 50 inspirational women of 2018 by The Daily Mail ‘Femail at 50’ feature, and awarded an honorary degree from the University of Derby for her services and contribution to classical music, Lizzie is recognised increasingly for her refreshing and unique approach to classical music performance. Her creation of Classical Kicks, a unique brand of energetic reinvigorated classical music shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, has seen continued success. She is also known for her solo violin/vocal collaborations with numerous artists such as British violin superstar Nigel Kennedy (as a soloist with him and leader of his Orchestra of Life for 8 years), and legends Jeff Beck and Brian Wilson (as a featured frontline band member), Brit pop legend Bryan Ferry and more recently as lead violin for Ariana Grande and Hugh Jackman. Performance highlights include headlining at Madison Square Garden NY for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, several critically acclaimed US-wide tours, and directing the historical Palestine Prom for BBC Proms 2013 in the Royal Albert Hall. Her brand new co-production with Producer/Writer/Director Emily Blacksell Corrido-A Ballad for the Brave a musical and visual storytelling of the life and times of Frida Kahlo received widespread acclaim at its premiere alongside the V and A’s celebrated Frida Kahlo Making Her Self Up exhibition.
Lizzie is passionate about outreach projects and has given hundreds of workshops for various orchestras and projects over the years, involving visits to a wide range of establishments from private boarding schools to Pupil Referral Units, and loves working with young people. More recently Lizzie has been working locally with the brilliant Sheffield Music Hub on a number of projects, including an original commission for a piece for Electric violin and orchestra called The Lone Star in partnership with Hugh Sykes Charitable Trust. This piece was composed by Andy Smith together with the children of 6 schools of over 200 children in the Sheffield are in who all also participated in the concert premiere of the piece in December 2017 in Sheffield Cathedral. Lizzie has also become Ambassador for PRISMA, a charity founded by her colleague Morgan Szymanski to help children in need in Mexico by providing arts workshops to rural underdeveloped areas of Mexico. So far the project has reached over 15,000 children in just two years of existence.
Lizzie has been regularly director of the Mikroorkestra – a young and exceptionally talented group based in Vilnius, founded by accordion virtuoso, Martynas Levickis. Before lockdown in 2020, Lizzie was a special guest artist in an Arena Tour of Lithuania with Martynas and the orchestra, performing to audiences of over 20,000 in Martynas’ spectacular audio-visual production ‘Cinema Live’.
Sophia Rahman
“The piano concerto is full of detail and deftness. Sophia Rahman, known for her deep velvet playing in late-Romantic music, shows that she can be just as articulate when adopting a more brittle and brilliant style”. The Daily Telegraph
Sophia Rahman has recorded concertos with the Scottish Ensemble, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and twenty-five chamber discs for companies including Linn Records, CPO, Guild, Naxos, ASV, Dutton/Epoch, Meridian and Resonus.
She has acted as a class pianist for IMS/Prussia Cove for Kim Kashkashian, Atar Arad, Hartmut Rohde and, for the last six years, Steven Isserlis. Since 1994 she has acted as official accompanist for the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, and has also appeared for the Barbirolli International Oboe Competition and the Samling Foundation, as well as the 2013/14 inaugural Australian Cello Awards. She was a class pianist for the last few years of masterclasses given by William Pleeth at the Britten Pears School.
Together with colleagues Robert Plane (clarinet) and Philip Dukes (viola), she was Artist- in-Residence at Queen’s University, Belfast for eight years, where she developed her love of teaching. She is currently a guest-coach on the string Masters programme at the University of Limerick.
Alongside her touring schedule she has given masterclasses at conservatoires throughout the UK and in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Finland (coaching chamber music at Sibelius Junior Academy), Estonia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. She is also a member of Trittico with John Anderson (oboe) and Nancy Ruffer (flute). She has appeared in recital with Steven Isserlis, Thomas Riebl, distinguished wind players such as Karl Leister and Alex Klein, and also works regularly with her partner, the violinist, violist and conductor Andres Kaljuste.
Sophia Rahman studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School with Peter Norris, with additional guidance from Vlado Perlemuter and Louis Kentner.
She took a first-class honours degree in English from King’s College, London and completed her piano studies at the Royal Academy of Music with Alexander Kelly and Malcolm Martineau.
She was the winner of the Royal Overseas League’s Accompanist Award and the Liza Fuchsova Memorial Prize for a chamber music pianist in consecutive years.
www.sophiarahman.com
Sam Burgess
Sam is a stalwart of the UK jazz scene. As well as appearing on numerous film soundtracks such as ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ and ‘Hannibal’. Sam’s thumping, pounding, relentlessly driving bass lines have been heard accompanying the likes of Bob James, Billy Kilson, Gary Novak, Joe Lock, Dave Kekowski, Guy Barker, Dave O’Higgins, Pete King, Gareth Williams, Claire Martin, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, John Horler, Gwyneth Herbert, John Dankworth, The BBC Big Band and Robbie Williams. He is also a composer and songwriter for the film and pop genres, and a member of the Ronnie Scotts All Stars quintet and the James Pearson Trio.
Classical Kicks!
“Classical music lovers may also want to experience an evening which incorporates other genres. How often do we come across such eclectic nights? Not often enough, but Classical Kicks – the brainchild of musician Lizzie Ball – does just that. Ball is mixing things up superbly…” Fringe Opera
The creation of violinist and vocalist Lizzie Ball, Classical Kicks is a unique night of classical music performance which has an exclusive quarterly residency at the world renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, London. Hailed by Classical Music Magazine as “genre-bending”, Classical Kicks strives to bring the most talented, exciting and also diverse classical artists into the intimate and special space that is Ronnie’s Bar, and to maintain the best quality of musicians and musicianship, but most importantly within a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Classical Kicks also has an adapted touring version of its own unique brand of classical music which has featured in some great UK festivals including Henley, Music in the Garden for Dame Cleo Laine, and a performance for the English Speaking Union. Classical Kicks Records was formed in 2013 as a means to provide further promotion for exciting young artists and new ways of performing classical music, and released its first EP in the same year. Classical Kicks now runs a brand new series running at St.James Studio, which explores themes from opera and song to jazz and whiskey, in a more ensemble focussed bespoke manner, whilst Ronnie’s mash up of different ensembles and bands continues to be the flagship residency.
Previous artists who have performed include Thomas Gould (violin), Martynas Levickis (accordion), Aquinas Piano Trio, Barbara Barradas (soprano), Njabulo Madlala (bartione), Morgan Szymanski (guitar) and Machaca, G Project (cello and percussion), Filip Kowalski (viola), Bernard Gregor-Smith (cello), James Pearson (pianist and Artistic Director at Ronnie Scott’s), Blue Topaz Trio, Navarra Quartet, Sideris Wind Quintet, Una Palliser (viola/vocals), Classico Latino, Eclectica, Thomas Kemp (Violin), Adrian Bradbury (cello) and many more…
www.classicalkicks.com
Thomas Bowes
“…warm, contemplative and deeply rewarding performances.” Wholenote
Thomas Bowes is one of the UK’s most versatile and accomplished violinists – as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster and artistic director.
His concerto work in the UK, Germany and the USA has included performances of the Elgar, Walton, Britten and Szymanowski concertos. At the invitation of the late Lady Walton, Tom spent three weeks on Ischia studying the history and score of the Walton concerto. His subsequent critically acclaimed recording of the work (along with the Barber concerto) reveals a special connection to Walton’s music.
Tom undertook an extensive ‘Bach Pilgrimage’ in 2013, giving fifty concerts of the unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas of JS Bach in churches across mainland Britain and raising over £20,000 for various charities. His recording the works is due for release in early summer 2018 when he will be again be making a Bach Pilgrimage across Britain. Further Pilgrimages are planned for every year.
Tom’s partnership with his wife, the composer and pianist Eleanor Alberga, has played a significant role throughout his career. As the duo “Double Exposure” they toured extensively across the USA, made a ground-breaking trip to China in 1997 and gave regular performances and broadcasts in the UK. The Duo established a reputation for adventurous programming and regularly performed commissions and world premieres of American and British composers.
As an enthusiastic champion of the music of Eleanor Alberga, Tom gave the world premiere of her first Violin Concerto with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Joseph Swensen. A second Alberga concerto is in the midst of composition and a premiere is planned for the 2019/20 season.
Chamber music has been a major part of Tom’s artistic life – he was the founding leader of the Maggini Quartet – and between 2003 and 2016 he was the Artistic Director of the Langvad Chamber Music Jamboree in northern Denmark. More recently, with Eleanor Alberga, he founded the music festival Arcadia in north Herefordshire, England. Central to the ethos of both festivals is to bring fresh, authentic and vibrant music making to local communities and their audiences.
Equally at home in the commercial recording studio, Tom is in great demand as soloist and concertmaster and works closely with many of today’s most eminent film composers. Amongst numerous film credits are such hit-movies as the Bond films “Spectre” and “Skyfall”, The Hunger Games trilogy, “The King’s Speech” and “The Da Vinci Code”. Tom is privileged to own and play a violin by one of the great Cremonese makers – a splendid 1659 Nicolo Amati.
www.thomasbowes.com
Huw Webb
“…filigree or glitter, arpeggios or runs, virtuosity or sheer feeling, Webb is master of them all.” The Gramophone
Hugh has worked extensively in the contemporary music field and Javier Alvarez, Robert Keeley, Paul Archbold and Ian Dearden have all written solo works for him, with funding from The Arts Council of England. Classical CD recordings include Bax’s Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Harp with the Academy of St. Martin’s Chamber Ensemble (Chandos), a collection of Bach Flute Sonatas (Guild), Villalobos’ Quartet (Clarinet Classics), Bax’s Fantasy Sonata (Koch International) and the complete Spohr Violin and Harp Sonatas (Naxos). His most recent recordings are a CD of French Renaissance songs with the medieval group, Joglaresa and a recording of solo and chamber music by Nino Rota for Zitto Records.
From 2001 to 2012, Hugh Webb was principal harp of the Philharmonia Orchestra and now freelances as guest principal of the major London orchestras and is active in the film and television music worlds.
Hugh has composed a show for children based on Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen.
Miloš Milivojević – Accordion
“A hurricane of imaginative invention” The Times
Award-winning Serbian born Miloš Milivojevic is renowned for his versatility as a musician performing different genres including classical, tango and world music, which has ensured he is in demand internationally.
Miloš began his musical education in Kragujevac with Professors Milica Lazarević, Radomir Tomić and Vojin Vasović. He won first prize at the International Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo Italy, Diremose Prisen Denmark, Grand Prix France and Klingental Germany.
In 2002, Miloš was awarded a full scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) for Undergraduate,Postgraduate and Master degrees studying with Professor Owen Murray.
In 2004, Miloš made his debut at London’s Purcell Room as part of the Park Lane Group Young Artists Series to critical acclaim. In the same year, Miloš was selected to perform as soloist at the Foundation Awards Ceremony before HRH The Princess Royal at the University of London Senate House.
In 2007, Miloš became the first accordionist ever to win the RAM Club Prize open to all instrumentalists and in 2008 was selected to represent the RAM and subsequently won the prestigious Derek Butler London Prize at the Wigmore Hall – contested by students from all four of the London conservatoires. At graduation, Miloš was awarded a Distinction and the Vice Principal’s Special Prize at the Royal Academy of Music.
Miloš is an ambassador for the classical accordion and has premiered works and collaborated with British composers including Anthony Gilbert, Howard Skempton, Elena Firsova, Patrick Nunn, Ben Foskett, Julian Philips, Anna Meredith, Philip Venables, Bushra El-Turk, Errollyn Wallen as well as the UK premiere of Sequenza No.13 by Luciano Berio.
As a result of his diverse musical interests, Miloš has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at many prestigious classical and world music festivals across the UK, Russia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Serbia, Montenegro, Spain, the Canary Islands, Malta, Australia and New Zealand. Miloš enjoys performing with the London Tango Quintet, Kosmos Ensemble, AccordDuo and the Balkan group Paprika.
Miloš has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Sydney Opera House, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Purcell Room, St John’s Smith Square, St James’s Piccadilly, St Martin-in-the Fields, Kings Place, Snape Maltings, Jersey Opera House, Teatru Manoel Malta, Kolarac Hall Belgrade, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Powerhouse Brisbane and Forum Theatre Melbourne.
Appearances at festivals include: Park Lane Group Young Artists, Cheltenham, Aldeburgh, Jersey Liberation, Leeds International Concert Series, Norfolk & Norwich, Berio Festival, Oxford Chamber Music, Norfolk & Norwich, Machynlleth, Sounds New, Canterbury, Oundle, Auckland (New Zealand), Belef, Nomus, Exit (Serbia,) Grad Teatar (Montenegro), Camilieri (Malta), Womad, WomAdelaide Festival, Melbourne Festival (Australia), Edinburgh Fringe, Glastonbury.
Miloš regularly performs with acclaimed violinists David Juritz, Harriet Mackenzie, classical guitarist Craig Ogden, cellists Adrian Bradbury and Matthew Sharp and soprano Bibi Heal.
Miloš has also appeared with the London Mozart Players, Russian Virtuosi, London Sinfonietta, Filharmonika Orchestra, Chroma Ensemble, Chorus of Opera North and has worked with conductors including Zoltán Kocsis, Oliver Knussen, Brian Schembri, Paul Kildea, Christopher Austin, Gerry Cornelius, Toby Purser, German Clavijo and Duncan Ward.
Miloš has given live interviews and broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 – Friday Night is Music Night, BBC Radio 3 World Music on BBC 3, BBC Radio 4, Classic FM, ABC, Serbian national radio and television networks. His playing is featured on the award winning Bollywood movie ‘Barfi’ and he has performed tango live in front of millions on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing TV programme.
The versatility of Miloš’s playing extends to working with leading opera companies and he is regularly invited to perform with Opera North, most recently in their production of Mozart’s Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, Humperdinck’s – Hansel and Gretel and Donizetti’s Elixir of Love. In 2017 Miloš performed Brett Dean’s new opera of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Hamlet, with Glyndebourne Opera’s touring production.
In 2014, Miloš was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music ARAM for his contribution to music. Miloš is extremely grateful to the Burton Bradstock Festival for generous support towards his professional music career. He is an official artist and exclusively performs on Pigini Accordions.
Miloš’s debut solo CD “Accord for life” is available on Nimbus label.
http://www.milosmilivojevic.com
“For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable.” The Times
Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), award-winning choir Tenebrae is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision.
Under the direction of Nigel Short, Tenebrae performs at major festivals and venues across the globe, including the BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival, Wigmore Hall, Leipzig Gewandhaus (Germany) and Melbourne and Sydney Festivals (Australia). The choir is renowned for its highly-acclaimed interpretations of choral music ranging from the hauntingly passionate works of the Renaissance through to contemporary choral masterpieces, and is a dedicated advocate for contemporary composers, having worked with Judith Bingham, Ola Gjeilo, Alexander L’Estrange, Alexander Levine, Paweł Łukaszewski, Paul Mealor, Hilary Tann, Joby Talbot, Sir John Tavener and Will Todd. Tenebrae is also frequently engaged with the world’s finest orchestras, regularly appearing alongside the Academy of Ancient Music, Aurora Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia, and also curates an annual Holy Week Festival in partnership with St John’s Smith Square.
Tenebrae’s ever-increasing discography has brought about collaborations with Signum, Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, LSO Live, and Warner Classics. In 2012 Tenebrae was the first-ever ensemble to be multi-nominated in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine Awards, securing the accolade of ‘Best Choral Performance’ for the choir’s recording of Victoria’s Requiem Mass, 1605. The following year Tenebrae’s Fauré Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra was nominated for the Gramophone Awards, having been described as “the very best Fauré Requiem on disc” and “the English choral tradition at its zenith” (Richard Morrison, Chief Music Critic, The Times). In 2014 the choir’s recording of Russian Orthodox music, Russian Treasures, reached number 1 in the UK Specialist Classical Chart. In 2016 Tenebrae received its second BBC Music Magazine Award for a recording of Brahms and Bruckner Motets, the profits from the sale of which benefit Macmillan Cancer Support, and in 2018 it received a Grammy nomination for Music of the Spheres, its album of part songs from the British Isles.
‘Passion and Precision’ are Tenebrae’s core values. Through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to deliver dramatic programming, flawless performances and unforgettable experiences, allowing audiences around the world to be moved by the power and intimacy of the human voice.
www.tenebrae-choir.com
Jon Carnac
Jon Carnac regularly plays Guest Principal Clarinet with the country’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he has performed at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and 10 Downing Street with ensembles including London Winds, Soloists Of The London Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia Orchestra and the Belcea Quartet. He frequently broadcasts as a chamber musician and soloist on BBC Radio 2 and 3.
Jon’s commercial experience includes film scores, jingles and recordings with John Williams, Howard Shore, Burt Bacharach, Michel Legrand, Howard Goodall, Howard Blake, Jerry Goldsmith, Barrington Pheloung, Karl Jenkins, Wynton Marsalis and The White Stripes.
Jon is a passionate Arsenal fan, and holds a Season ticket for the Emirates Stadium!
Nigel Short
“Nigel Short’s superb musical sensitivity to phrasing and texture illuminates everything… the endless dovetailing of the musical lines, all within an overall architectural vision, is exquisitely sustained.” BBC Music Magazine
Award-winning conductor Nigel Short has built up an enviable reputation for his recording and live performance work with leading orchestras and ensembles across the world.
A singer of great acclaim, Nigel was a member of the renowned vocal ensemble The King’s Singers from 1994–2000. Upon leaving the group he formed Tenebrae, a virtuosic choir that embraced his dedication for passion and precision. Under his direction, Tenebrae has collaborated with internationally acclaimed orchestras and instrumentalists and now enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles.
To date, Nigel has conducted the Academy of Ancient Music, Aurora Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, English Chamber Orchestra, English Concert, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Scottish Ensemble. He has directed the London Symphony Orchestra alongside Tenebrae in a live recording of Fauré’s Requiem, which was nominated for the Gramophone Awards (2013) and since then, he has conducted the orchestra at St. Paul’s Cathedral as part of the City of London Festival. Other orchestral recordings include Mozart’s Requiem and Ave Verum Corpus with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and a new release of music by Bernstein, Stravinsky and Zemlinsky with the BBC Symphony Orchestra described as a “master stroke of programming” (Financial Times). Recent guest conducting appearances include the BBC Singers, Leipzig’s MDR Rundfunkchor and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble.
Nigel has vast recording experience having conducted for many of the world’s major labels including Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, LSO Live, Signum and Warner Classics. In 2018, he received a Grammy nomination in the category of ‘Best Choral Performance’ for Tenebrae’s album of parts songs from the British Isles, Music of the Spheres. As a Gramophone award-winning producer, Nigel works with many of the UK’s leading professional choirs and vocal ensembles including Alamire, Ex Cathedra, Gallicantus and The King’s Singers.
James trained at the Royal College of Music, London. Since graduating with a first class degree, he has gone on to perform with many leading orchestras such as the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Concert and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras.
James is heavily involved in the west end, performing in the musicals Made In Dagenham, Guys & Dolls, I Can’t Sing! – The X-Factor Musical, The Bodyguard, Priscilla – Queen Of The Desert, Imagine This, Spring Awakening, Menopause The Musical, Jerry Springer The Opera and High School Musical. He has deputised on Aladdin, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Miss Saigon, Shrek The Musical, Singin’ In The Rain, Dirty Dancing, La Cava, Closer To Heaven, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Cabaret, Porgy & Bess, Ragtime and The Fantasticks.
He has also backed top artists such as Hayley Westenra, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kerry Ellis, Adam Guettel, Jason Donovan, Andrea Bocelli, Boy George, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Young, Altered Images, Pepsi & Shirlie, Midge Ure, Brother Beyond, Kid Creole, The Real Thing, Marti Webb and Lee Mead.
www.jtpercstudio.com
Una Palliser
“Bewitching…” Songlines Magazine
Una Palliser has toured as a solo violinist and backing singer on Shakira’s Sale El Sol world tour. She performed with Take That on the Beautiful Wold Tour which won the Best Live Act at The Brit Awards. She has toured the USA, Europe and the UK with Patrick Wolfe including performances on the Arcade Fire and Amy Winehouse tours. Una has toured Europe with the Gnarls Barkley’s Band and with her electric string quartet, Siren. Siren have performed as a headline act in South Korea, Japan, Dubai and throughout Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland and have supported Girls Aloud and Rod Stewart.
Una also regularly performs as guest solo violinist and singer with BBC Radio 3 World Music Award winners, Terrafolk, including as a soloist with the Slovenian Symbolic Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London and the Snape Proms, Aldeburgh. She regularly tours with the band of Full Circle and features as a singer/violinist on “Still Resist The Storm.”
Una’s latest project “Una and the Balkan Bears” is a collaboration with some of Eastern Europe’s most virtuosic musicians. They have just completed tours of Ireland and the UK to critical acclaim including performances at Baltimore Fiddle Fair and Ronnie Scott’s, London.
As a string player, Una has worked and toured with Sir Colin Davies, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Thomas Ades, Arvo Pärt, Maxim Vengerov and Vladimir Ashkenazy and has recorded with The Killers, Brand New Heavies, Mr.Hudson, Paloma Faith, Carl Barat, Aled Jones, Tony Christie, Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers, Shapeshifters, Gwilym Simcock, All Angels, Nicky Spence, and Peter Kay.
She has also performed live with the Bueno Vista Social Club, P Diddy, Elbow, Mica Paris, Sandy Shaw, The Noisettes, Ladyhawke, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Amy Winehouse, Stereophonics and many others.
As a singer, Una features on the Specsavers advert singing her arrangement of the Irish folk tune “Mo ghile mear” and is the vocalist on the ITV primetime show, Love on a Saturday Night presented by Davina McCall.
Una was the solo vocalist on the film Eva – voted Best Foreign Film in the Long Island Film Festival and screened at the National Film Theatre, London and the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Gabriella Swallow
“Expansive…” The Independent
Gabriella Swallow has emerged as one of the most versatile and exciting cellists of her generation. She studied at The Royal College of Music with Jerome Pernoo. She was awarded the coveted Tagore Gold Medal and performed the Hugh Wood Cello Concerto in her final year. As a soloist, Gabriella went on to make her South Bank debut with the London Sinfonietta in the world premiere of ‘About Water’ by Mark-Anthony Turnage. In the same year she performed Paul Max Edlin’s Cello Concerto with the South Bank Sinfonia, which firmly launched her place as a leading performer of contemporary music. This has led her to commission and work with many of the major living Composers of today.
In 2013 she made her Wigmore Hall debut with the soprano Ruby Hughes and in the same season performed at the La Jolla SummerFest in San Diego, the Aldeburgh Festival with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and the Cambridge Jazz Festival as a member of the Gwilym Simcock Quintet.
Gabriella is the string curator of Music Orbit’s string night ‘Strung Out’ and performs frequently at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club ‘Classical Kicks’ night curated by violinist Lizzie Ball and at Gabriel Prokofiev’s Nonclassical club nights. As a recording artist, she has recorded all the chamber music of Hugh Wood for Toccata Classics with the London Archduke Piano Trio, which was released to critical acclaim in 2009. 2012 saw the release of ‘Ivr d’amour’, a disc of Massenet Songs where she appeared with soprano Sally Silver and celebrated pianist Richard Bonynge for the Guild label and also soprano Lucy Shaufer’s debut disc ‘Carpentersville’ for ABC Classics where Gabriella features as a soloist. This CD was launched with a concert at The Aldeburgh Festival 2013.
In 2010, she co founded the duo ‘G Project’ with percussionist Genevieve Wilkins. They made their debut with a sellout concert at the Forge in Camden and continue to perform regularly in the UK and Europe. Alongside her classical career she regularly crosses over in the fields of jazz and pop and is a sought after session musician appearing on many movie and television scores. She has recorded with many of the leading Jazz musicians on the UK scene including Ian Shaw, Barb Jungr, Liane Carroll, Guy Barker, Laurence Cottle, Pedro Segundo, Graeme Flowers, Jannette Mason and Claire Martin OBE. She has performed and recorded with Skunk Anansie, Sade, Dionne Warwick, Charlotte Church and has been a member of Judith Owen’s band since 2007.
This year she continues her collaboration with Gwilym Simcock’s Quintet – whose members include the outstanding violinist Thomas Gould – on a UK tour beginning at King’s Place, London.
Gabriella is also a passionate broadcaster and arts commentator and has been a regular guest on BBC 4’s coverage of The Proms, Radio 3’s In Tune and Music Matter. She has been a guest speaker at the Bath Literary Festival and The Battle of Ideas.
Gabriella plays a cello by Charles Harris Senior built in 1820 and an electric cello by Starfish Designs.
www.gabriellaswallow.com
Daniel Grimwood
“He has all the virtuoso velocity and firepower, and then some.” BBC Music Magazine
Pianist Daniel Grimwood is a performer of international renown, combining an exceptional talent, rare versatility and refinement, with an inquisitive personality.
With a repertoire ranging from Elizabethan Virginal music to the works of living composers, he enjoys a solo and chamber career, which has taken him across the globe, performing on the most prestigious concert platforms, including the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room in London, Saffron Hall, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Symphony Hall Birmingham, the Sage Gateshead, the Three Choirs Festival, the Rachmaninoff and Gnessin Halls in Moscow, the Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as venues in Germany, Austria, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Estonia, Taiwan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman.
His musical interest started as a 3-year-old playing next door’s piano, and from the age of 7 he was performing in front of audiences. His training continued with Graham Fitch at the Purcell School, where he also studied violin, viola and composition, giving him a broad appreciation of classical music, and later with Vladimir Ovchinnikov and Peter Feuchtwanger.
Although primarily a pianist, he is frequently to be found performing on harpsichord, organ, viola or composing at his desk. Grimwood is a passionate exponent of the early piano, and has given a recital of Chopin’s Etudes on the composer’s own Pleyel piano.
As a solo recording artist his growing discography ranges from Scriabin on Somm Recordings to Algernon Ashton, a world premiere recording on Toccata Classics. His discs of Liszt and Chopin, performed on an 1851 Erard piano, received a unanimous chorus of praise from the press; the Liszt album was Daily Telegraph CD of the week and Editor’s Choice in Gramophone Magazine. He was the first artist to record on the Edition Peters Sounds label, the complete Fauré Nocturnes album was released to excellent reception in The Sunday Times, which was followed by a disc of solo piano works by Adolph von Henselt, described as “a blizzard of dazzling pianism” by the Observer.
Daniel Grimwood regularly performs on live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, and has been featured in BBC Four’s TV documentary series “Revolution and Romance”. His media work continues with performances and video masterclasses in the “Piano Masterworks” collection on Tido Music, a new iPad app launched in 2016.
www.danielgrimwood.co.uk
Tom Pigott-Smith
“Full of passion… I’m sure he’ll make a great impact” The Strad
Violinist Tom Pigott-Smith was a Scholar at the Royal College of Music where he studied under Itzhak Rashkovsky winning all the major prizes. On leaving, Tom went on to win the Myra Hess Award, enabling him to make his Debut at the Wigmore Hall to critical acclaim. He has since played at countless Music Festivals as recitalist not only in standard repertoire but giving World Premieres by composers including Huw Watkins (Tom’s duo partner for several years), Judith Bingham, Jean Sibelius and Anthony Payne whose Storm Chorale was commissioned for and dedicated to him.
Tom continues to perform regularly, leading several ensembles including Continuum and Chamber Domaine with whom he has recently performed Bach Double and Sibelius’ Suite for Violin and Orchestra at Music@Malling. As well as regular chamber music including leading Errollyn Wallen’s Ensemble X in recordings and live, Tom often sits guest principal in major orchestras (recently RPO on tour with Zuckerman and several operas at ENO.) Tom has guest led the Heritage Orchestra at the Barbican, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra and regularly leads the RPCO. He has also been lucky enough to lead orchestras live for Shirley Bassey, Squeeze, Kylie, Jeff Beck, Sparks and many others.
In 2006 Tom translated several of Pablo Neruda’s poems which he then set to arrangements of music by Astor Piazzolla for the concert which reopened the Union Chapel, Islington. The poems were read by Charles Dance and the music performed by Tom’s group, Soundstage. The programme has been performed several times with success.
Tom continues to enjoy a very wide ranging career in all spheres of musical life.
Brian Elias
“…[Electra Mourns] stole the show as a moving study of madness and remorse.” The Daily Telegraph
Bombay was Brian Elias’s first home; he lived there until he was sent to school in England at the age of thirteen. By then he had already composed a fair amount – or rather improvised, as it was not until the need arose to make parts for school performances that Elias began properly writing his ideas down. He still has fond memories of a youthful Flute Sonata and a music-theatre piece based on MR James’ ghost story Lost Hearts. In 1966 he entered the Royal College of Music, officially studying composition under Humphrey Searle and Bernard Stevens, though it was the experience of ‘moonlighting’ with the composer Elisabeth Lutyens he found most stimulating. Under Lutyens’s influence, Elias produced a Webern-like cantata La Chevelure, which made a promisingly positive impression at its first hearing in 1968. After leaving the RCM, Elias spent a few years in New York where he studied briefly at the Juilliard School, New York.
On his return to England he produced a modest number of small-scale works, culminating in the unaccompanied choral Proverbs of Hell, based on William Blake. This and a revival of La Chevelure gave Elias the confidence to tackle larger-scale structures. The first significant product was Somnia (‘Dreams’, 1979) for tenor and orchestra, based on words by the hedonistic Roman writer Petronius, followed in 1982 by the song cycle At the Edge of Time. Then in L’Eylah (1983), he at last felt free to write a large, abstract orchestral work. L’Eylah was greeted with enthusiasm by audience and critics at its BBC Proms premiere in 1984. By now the broad features of Elias’s mature style were fully in focus. A fastidious and imaginative craftsman, he was also beginning to show the impassioned urgency and capacity for sustained compelling invention that remain evident in his work to this day.
Geranos for chamber ensemble (1985) confirmed his growing confidence and mastery, as did Variations for solo piano of 1987 (composed in homage to Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C minor) and the vividly atmospheric Pythikos Nomos (‘The Law of the Python’, 1987-8) for alto saxophone and piano. But even these were surpassed by Elias’s next major work, an orchestral song cycle Five Songs to Poems by Irina Ratushinskaya (1989), commissioned by the BBC. The dark intensity and lyrical eloquence of Elias’s settings fully matched the power of the Soviet dissident Ratushinskaya’s poetry. It is an extraordinary demonstration of creative empathy from a composer brought up under very different political conditions, at the same time showing Elias’s exceptional skill in finding and responding to the musical qualities of the Russian language. Five Songs to Poems by Irina Ratushinskaya was such a success at its London premiere that it was toured by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and repeated at the 1991 BBC Proms. Then in 1992 came one of Elias’ greatest successes, The Judas Tree, a riveting forty-minute score written for the Royal Ballet and choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with designs by Jock MacFadyen. The Judas Tree has remained securely in the Royal Ballet’s repertory, and it has been taken on tour to France, Germany, Russia and the USA. Although written to be danced, The Judas Tree is scarcely less impressive performed purely as an orchestral work. Not only is the material strong and vibrant, the score is proof of Elias’s capacity to sustain a gripping musical narrative over a long time scale.
For all his achievement as a composer of large-scale works, Elias has not forgotten his early liking for music of a more intimate scale and manner. Two of his most recent successes include Three Songs (2003) on poems by Christina Rossetti for alto voice and harp, and a piece for solo clarinet, Birds Practise Songs in Dreams (2004).
Elias has never been a prolific composer, and all his work – from ambitious orchestral scores to the tiniest instrumental pieces – is executed with meticulous care. Yet the result is music that never sounds merely ‘careful’. The House That Jack Built is bold, dazzlingly inventive and full of dancing energy. Elias’s basing of much of the material for The House That Jack Built (2001) on perhaps the simplest and most memorable of all playground chants also means that one doesn’t need a degree in musicology to follow its many ingenious developments – the process is clear for anyone who has ears to hear. In 2004 Elias was commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival to write A Talisman, which was performed by the National Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta and Paul Putnins, and scored for bass-baritone and small orchestra. It is based upon Hebrew text inscribed on a silver 19th century amulet which was given to Elias by his late mother.
Elias is the recipient of two British Composer Awards; the first in 2010 for the orchestral work Doubles, which was commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the second in 2013 for Electra Mourns. This piece, a setting of Sophocles in ancient Greek, was written for Susan Bickley (mezzo soprano) and Nicholas Daniel (cor anglais) and first performed with the Britten Sinfonia at the BBC Proms in 2012. Elias’ String Quartet, composed in 2012 for the Jerusalem String Quartet, was premiered at Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 2013. The piece was performed and broadcast by the EBU at the Zeist Festival in Holland in 2014 and received its London premiere at the Wigmore Hall in 2015.
In spring 2017 a recording of Geranos, Electra Mourns and Elias’ vocal music was released on the NMC label. The release coincided with the premiere of his Oboe Quintet by Nicholas Daniel and members of Britten Sinfonia. Leonard Elschenbroich and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales gave the premiere of his Cello Concerto at the 2017 BBC Proms. The following autumn The Royal Ballet staged a revival of The Judas Tree as part of its Kenneth MacMillan anniversary celebrations.
© Stephen Johnson – updated by Brian Elias
www.brianelias.co.uk
Daniel Kidane
“Daniel Kidane’s Metamorphosis were strong and expressive.” The Independent
Daniel Kidane’s music has been performed extensively across the UK and abroad as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 3, described by The Financial Times as “quietly impressive” and by The Times as ‘tautly constructed; and “vibrantly imagined.”
Daniel began his musical education at the age of eight when he started playing the violin. He first received composition lessons at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and then went on to study privately in St. Petersburg, receiving lessons in composition from Sergey Slonimsky. He completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the RNCM under the tutelage of Gary Carpenter and David Horne. Currently, he is undertaking a doctoral degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, supervised by Julian Anderson.
Recent projects include the premiere of his orchestral work Zulu by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; a new work for the CBSO Youth Orchestra, which is inspired by Grime music; a chamber work for the Cheltenham Festival which draws inspiration from Jungle music and a new type of vernacular; a song cycle commissioned by Leeds Lieder and inspired by the poetry of Ben Okri; and a new piece entitled Dream Song for the baritone Roderick Williams and the Chineke Orchestra which was premiered at the reopening of the Queen Elizabeth Hall in April, 2018.
This season Dream Song receives its US premiere with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra under Thomas Dausgaard. His piece Woke was premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Last Night of the Proms in 2019.
Recent commission for Michaela Petri (recorder) and Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord) were released on CD and premiered in the UK at Wigmore Hall. Works for members of the London Symphony Orchestra, which have focused on multiculturalism, and an orchestral work for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, motivated by the eclectic musical nightlife in Manchester, also received critical acclaim.
Stevie Wishart
“Stevie Wishart’s Eurostar: A journey in sound between cities (2016), the evening’s most experimental work, explored improvisation using vocalise, with whooshes, whines and a whole variety of modern loco impressions: motion in poetry.” The Guardian
Stevie Wishart is a composer, performer and improviser. She explores medieval and contemporary extremes, using voices, ancient technologies such as the hurdy gurdy, and electronic music technologies of our own time.
Stevie’s music explores medieval and contemporary extremes, using voices, ancient technologies such as the hurdy-gurdy, and emerging technologies of today. She studied composition at York University with Trevor Wishart, improvised and aleatoric music with John Cage in Edinburgh, postgraduate studies in early music (violin and voice) at the Guildhall, London and with a Vicente Cañada Blanch JRF at New College, University of Oxford, and through many collaboration.
She has composed for modern orchestras and vocal groups and for her own group, Sinfonye. As a composer she works acoustically with music notation, sometimes combined with improvisation, sometimes using computer music systems, and sometimes using all these elements.
The challenge of creating music for a wide range of contexts is important, such as composing for productions by Michèle Noiret (Théâtre National de Bruxelles) and Wayne McGregor, a large-scale choral work for a Proms commission with the BBC Singers & Sinfonye, and for the designer Philippe Starck. With the support of a Visiting Music Fellowship at the University of Cambridge she is currently composing a Double-Bass Concerto for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, London.
Exploring music’s unique ability to express new ideas on a level which transcends other routes of communication motivates her work as a composer (and improviser).
Stevie Wishart studied composition and electronic music at the University of York with Trevor Wishart and Richard Orton, as well as improvised and aleatoric music with John Cage and David Tudor in Edinburgh. She continued postgraduate performance studies in early music (baroque violin and voice) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Diploma in Advanced Performance) and with a Nuffield Foundation award and a Vicente Cañada Blanch Junior Research Fellowship at the University of Oxford (Degree of MLitt) for research into medieval musical iconography.
Invited for a number of composer residences and fellowships, she has presented her work at IRCAM in Paris; the Institute for Music and Acoustics in the ZKM (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie) in Karlsruhe, Germany; the ADK, Akademie der Künste, in Berlin, and Mills College in California. She received a Wellcome Trust award to develop her compositions using musical gestures and sound-to-control computers, and to work at the University of Cambridge with the neuroscientist Ian Winter on audio processes based on the physiology of the ear.
She is currently a Visiting Music Fellow at the University of Cambridge with the AHRC Research Centre for Musical Performance as Creative Practice (CMPCP).
Stevie Wishart’s Cantata for the Seasons was given its world premiere at Snape Maltings in April 2014. Other major projects include a Concerto Grosso, a double bass concerto, commissioned for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, which premiered at London’s Southbank Centre, a solo piece for piano for Joanna MacGregor, a choral piece for Ex Cathedra, and a new piece for the Dunedin Consort for the 2019 BBC Proms.
www.stevie-wishart.com
“…superbly conveyed by Thomas Kemp who conducts with unerring perfection.” Musicweb
Thomas Kemp is an acclaimed conductor renowned for his innovative programming and passionate advocacy in concerts, opera, ballet and recording. The Guardian recently commented: “…an extraordinary performance… with a fluency that came over brilliantly under the baton of Thomas Kemp.”
Thomas is the Music Director of Chamber Domaine, which is at the forefront of ensembles focusing on 20th and 21st century music. He regularly directs Chamber Domaine in festivals and concert series in the UK, Europe and North America including Edinburgh, Cheltenham, City of London, Huddersfield Contemporary, Wien Modern, The Proms, Aldeburgh, Vale of Glamorgan, Kuhmo and Brighton Festivals. The ensemble has made regular appearances at Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre and have had residencies at Bargemusic, New York; The Schoenberg Centre, Vienna; The Victoria and Albert Museum and Gresham College, London. Thomas has a distinguished discography with the ensemble including world-premiere recordings of Benjamin Britten, Jean Sibelius, Frank Bridge, Arthur Bliss, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Arvo Pärt, Henrik Gorecki, Ned Rorem and Judith Bingham.
The Times recently praised the ensemble for its “superb artistry…with pungent playing from Chamber Domaine under the baton of Thomas Kemp.” A recent recording with the ensemble of the Mozart Flute Quartets was YLE Recording of the Year.
Thomas is regularly in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras and ensembles in the UK and Europe. Forthcoming engagements include guest conducting with The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, RTE National Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a tour of an interactive production of Stravinsky – The Soldiers Tale with Chamber Domaine.
An acclaimed exponent of late nineteenth and early 20th century repertoire, recent engagements include groundbreaking concerts in the UK, Europe and Asia with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducting the 1925 film version of Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier. Thomas was a featured artist at the Oxford Lieder Festival conducting Mahler and Strauss with the OAE and outstanding vocalists Toby Spence, Dietrich Henschel and Louise Alder. The Spectator commented “It’s supremely, exhaustingly virtuosic writing…the OAE conducted by Thomas Kemp gave their all…” Seen and Heard praised the performances for their “marvellous sweep.”
The critical edition of Der Rosenkavalier prepared for these performances will be published in 2020 by Schott. .
Thomas has worked with many of the world’s leading contemporary composers and has given numerous world and territorial premieres including Judith Weir, Thomas Ades, Judith Bingham, Charlotte Bray, Arvo Part, Ned Rorem, David Horne, Huw Watkins, Brian Ferneyhough, Alexander Goehr, Mark Simpson, Magnus Lindberg, Danny Elfman, Brian Elias and Mark- Anthony Turnage. Forthcoming projects include six commissions to run alongside performances of Bach – Brandenburg Concertos which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2021.
He made his operatic debut in a new production of Cosi fan tutte for Opera Holland Park with the City of London Sinfonia to widespread praise. “Cosi fan tutte was conducted with real shape and nuance by Thomas Kemp…Altogether this was the most original and idiomatic attempt on this ungraspable work London has seen in a long time” Opera Now.
Thomas is the Artistic Director of Music@Malling – an international festival that promotes the works of contemporary composers alongside classical, jazz, world, film and vocal music. Founded in 2011, the festival is held each September in historic venues in and around West Malling, Kent and has a year around outreach programme that engages hundreds of young people from across the county in creative activities. In 2019, the festival had 30 events and profiled the music of Alexander Goehr. Music@Malling was recently featured the annual international roundup of The Best Classical Concerts in The Artsdesk.
From 1989-92, Thomas read music at St.Catharine’s College, Cambridge and went on to study violin and chamber music at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where from 2000-2014 he worked as a professor. He has given masterclasses, conducted and coached ensembles in conservatoires and universities worldwide.
From 2003-2007, he studied conducting at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm with Jorma Panula, Paul Magi and Alan Gilbert winning the prestigious conducting award from The Swedish Academy.
Thomas has enjoyed an international career as a soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician with many renowned orchestras and ensembles and has led many recording sessions for TV and film in London.
The Strad recently commented: “He displays a remarkable variety of tone in playing that’s lyrical yet assertive, and there’s a real sense of sincerity to his glowing interpretations.”
www.thomaskemp.eu
Chamber Domaine
“A virtuoso stunt of technique and imagination…exuberant commitment.” The Times
Under its artistic director, Thomas Kemp, Chamber Domaine has become internationally recognised for its virtuosity and its ambitious and distinctive approach to programming – illuminating the music of the 20th and 21st Centuries. A project based orchestra, its programmes feature outstanding musicians that bring passion and commitment to a diverse repertoire that makes the music of today come alive whilst placing it into its historical context. In a recent review The Times praised the ensemble for its “superb artistry.”
Chamber Domaine has worked with many renowned contemporary composers and has given World and territorial premieres in numerous concerts and recordings that span nearly two decades including highly acclaimed recordings of Mark-Anthony Turnage, Ned Rorem, Judith Bingham, Arvo Part, Jean Sibelius, Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge and Mozart. Forthcoming recordings include Stravinsky, The ensemble regularly collaborates with leading figures from across the arts world to create unique and culturally significant events.
A trailblazing ensemble, Chamber Domaine are in demand at leading festivals and concerts series in the United Kingdom, Europe and North America including Brighton, Aldeburgh, Cheltenham, City of London, Edinburgh, Brighton Festivals and have regularly appeared at The Wigmore Hall and Southbank Centre. The ensemble has developed groundbreaking residencies at The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Imperial War Museum, The Arnold Schoenberg Centre, Vienna, Gresham College, London and Bargemusic, New York.
Since 2011, Chamber Domaine has been the resident ensemble for Music@Malling giving concerts and delivering a year-around outreach programme that has engaged thousands of young people from across Kent in creative activities – building audiences from scratch and introducing new music to new audiences.
The ensemble has a distinguished and highly acclaimed discography, winning international plaudits and receiving many broadcasts Worldwide. Recent plaudits include Recording of the Year with a disc of Mozart Flute Quartets from YLE – The Finnish Broadcasting Company. Forthcoming recordings include releases of Stravinsky – The Soldier’s Tale and work by Judith Weir and Alexander Goehr.
With its innovative programming, collaborations, outreach and recording, Chamber Domaine is in the vanguard of music-making today: a flexible and dynamic ensemble that brings music alive and creates new audiences.
www.chamberdomaine.com
Richard Harwood
“An articulate musician with zest, spontaneity, technical assurance and a lovely sense of line…a major talent.” BBC Music Magazine
Since his concerto debut at the age of ten, the award-winning English ‘cellist Richard Harwood has performed concerti and chamber music in major venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall, Musikverein (Vienna), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Alte Oper (Frankfurt), Thomaskirche (Leipzig), Auditorium du Louvre (Paris) and Alice Tully Hall / Lincoln Center (New York).
As concerto soloist, Richard has worked with conductors such as Mark Wigglesworth, Case Scaglione, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Michele Mariotti, John Wilson, Okko Kamu, Marko Letonja, Douglas Bostock, En Shao, Shuntaro Sato and Yehudi Menuhin, and with numerous orchestras including The Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, RTÉ National Symphony, RTÉ Concert, Auckland Philharmonia and the Ural Philharmonic.
As chamber musician, he has collaborated with the Jerusalem and Endellion Quartets, Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, Olivier Charlier, Guy Braunstein, Benjamin Schmid, Alena Baeva, Ilya Gringolts, Pekka Kuusisto, Vilde Frang, Chen Halevi, Julian Bliss, Martin Roscoe, Peter Donohoe, Gottlieb Wallisch and Julius Drake, among others. Richard was cellist of the Sitkovetsky Trio from 2014-2016.
He is regularly heard on BBC, having made his BBC Radio 3 debut at the age of thirteen with a live recording of the Elgar Concerto. He has also given live performances on other radio networks including Classic FM, Radio France, MDR, RTÉ and Radio New Zealand.
Richard’s discography includes a debut disc for EMI Classics; recorded with pianist Christoph Berner, Composing Without The Picture (Resonus); a solo album of concert works written by film composers, and Christopher Gunning’s Cello Concerto recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. On screen, Richard can be seen and heard in Phil Grabsky’s 2009 documentary In Search of Beethoven and is regularly featured as a soloist on movie soundtracks, most recently in Patrick Doyle’s score to Kenneth Branagh’s Murder On The Orient Express.
Contemporary music is important to Richard and he’s premiered solo works written for him by Dominic Muldowney, Martin Butler, Christopher Gunning, Alex Heffes, Fernando Velázquez, Benjamin Wallfisch and given the European premiere of David Horne’s Zip with the composer at the piano. In recent years, he has developed a close association with Judith Weir and regularly performs her Unlocked for solo cello.
Richard was appointed principal cellist of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the beginning of 2018. He has also been a principal of the John Wilson Orchestra, and guest principal at the London Symphony and RTÉ Concert orchestras.
Richard began his studies with Joan Dickson, before continuing with other eminent teachers such as Steven Doane, David Waterman, Heinrich Schiff (University of Music and Dramatic Art, Vienna) and Ralph Kirshbaum (Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester). He complemented his studies by taking master classes and lessons with Mstislav Rostropovich, Janos Starker, Steven Isserlis, Boris Pergamenschikow, Miklós Perényi, Bernard Greenhouse, Valentin Erben (Alban Berg Quartet), William Pleeth, Zara Nelsova and Ferenc Rados.
He has won many major awards ever since 1992 when he became the youngest ever winner of the Audi Junior Musician Award. Richard won the 2004 Pierre Fournier Award and, in that same year, also became the first British ‘cellist ever to be awarded the title “Bachpreisträger” at the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition, Leipzig 2004. Among many other accolades, he received the special “mention” prize from the jury at the Rostropovich Competition, Paris in 2005.
Richard enjoys teaching and has given masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Bruckner University (Linz), in addition to other teaching and summer course coaching.
Richard plays a ‘cello by Francesco Rugeri, dated 1692.
www.richardharwood.com
Adrian Bradbury
“Bradbury is wholly alive to these touches of colour and character…nicely capturing the physical thrill of Piatti’s often spectacular fireworks as well as the wholly fitting bel canto warmth of Bradbury’s more lyrical playing.” The Gramophone
Adrian Bradbury was principal cello in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain before winning scholarships to Churchill College, Cambridge (where he read Veterinary Science and Music) and then to the Royal Academy of Music. After further study in Berlin he developed an international career in chamber music as the cellist in Composers Ensemble (winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Award, 2002), Jane’s Minstrels, Trio Gemelli, Touchwood Piano Quartet and Chamber Domaine, giving world premieres of solos, duos, trios and quartets by Thomas Adès, Judith Bingham, Tansy Davies, Dai Fujikura, Hugh Wood and John Woolrich.
Adrian is a regular guest principal player with orchestras including London Sinfonietta, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera and Welsh National Opera and is Cello Tutor for the National Youth Orchestra of GB.
His research into ensemble synchronisation, in collaboration with Professor Alan Wing, was published by the Royal Society and led to invitations to curate the ‘Music and Brain’ series at the 2010 Aldeburgh Festival and to appear as speaker on BBC Radio 4’s ‘PM’ and ‘Today’ programmes and as soloist on BBC Radio 3’s 2015 ‘Why Music?’ weekend.
Together with pianist Oliver Davies, Adrian has recently recorded the complete operatic fantasies of the 19th Century cello virtuoso Alfredo Piatti on the Meridian label which have received excellent reviews.
www.musicianscience.org
Deborah Pritchard
“A work that takes one’s breath away.” The Gramophone
Deborah Pritchard won a British Composer Award for her solo violin piece ‘Inside Colour’ in 2017. She has been broadcast by BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, released commercially by NMC, Signum and Nimbus and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, London Sinfonietta, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Singers, Manchester Camerata and the English String Orchestra.
As a synaesthetic composer she has worked with numerous visual artists including Maggi Hambling, Hughie O’Donoghue and Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thorarinsdottir. Her violin concerto ‘Wall of Water’ after the paintings by Maggi Hambling was performed at the National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing Theatre and held to critical acclaim by Gramophone as a ‘work that will take ones breath away’. She also paints music and has been commissioned a series of ‘music maps’ for the London Sinfonietta, described in The Times as ‘beautifully illustrated…paying visual homage to those wonderful medieval maps of the world.’
She studied composition with Simon Bainbridge for her MMus Degree in Composition at the Royal Academy of Music and was awarded her DPhil from Worcester College, Oxford where she studied with Robert Saxton. She currently teaches composition tutorials at the University of Oxford. She was composer in residence at the Lichfield Festival, 2016 through the Sound and Music Embedded scheme and her work features in the ‘Hitting the right note: Amazing Women of the Royal Academy of Music’ exhibition on display at the Royal Academy of Music.
www.nmcrec.co.uk
Joseph Phibbs
“Six beautifully restrained impressionist essays which comprise an affecting journey.” BBC Music Magazine
Joseph Phibbs was born in London, and studied at The Purcell School, King’s College London, and Cornell University. His teachers have included Param Vir, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, and Steven Stucky.
Described by BBC Music Magazine as “one of the most successful composers of his generation”, Phibbs’s works have been championed by some of the world’s leading conductors, including Edward Gardner, Gianandrea Noseda, Sakari Oramo, Vassily Petrenko, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Alexander Shelley, and Leonard Slatkin. Rivers to the Sea, the first of several large-scale orchestral works composed in recent years, was premiered to acclaim in 2012 by the Philharmonia Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen, and has since received numerous performances in the UK and abroad, winning a British Composer Award in 2013.
His most recent large-scale work is a Clarinet Concerto, a three-way commission between the soloist, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Malmo Symphony Orchestra, and first performed in 2017 by Mark van de Wiel and the Philharmonia Orchestra under Edward Gardner. A recording was released recently on Signum, attracting critical acclaim in The Sunday Times, Classic FM, Classical Source, and elsewhere. It was recently selected by The Sunday Times as one of the 100 Best Albums of 2019. He has also composed concertos for Evelyn Glennie (Bar Veloce), Sarah Williamson (Concertino for clarinet, strings, and harp), and Nicholas Daniel (Towards Purcell, a concertante work for oboe, horn, harp), as well as Evian Variations (Dacha Savoyarde) for cello and orchestra, premiered under Laurence Dale at the 2013 Evian Festival.
Other orchestras to have performed and commissioned his works include the London Symphony Orchestra, Washington Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Symphony Orchestra, for which he has written five works to date, including In Camera, Lumina (Last Night of the Proms), and Partita, for which he received a Koussevitzky Music Foundation Award.
His instrumental music includes three string quartets, the most recent receiving its premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2018 by Belcea Quartet, before coming to the Wigmore Hall earlier this year. String Quartets 1 and 2 were commissioned by Piatti Quartet and Navarra Quartet respectively, and are performed regularly throughout Europe, with No.2 featuring at this year’s Three Choirs Festival. A work for viola and piano, Letters from Warsaw, has been performed extensively by its commissioner Krzysztof Chorzelski, on whose family background it is based.
Additional chamber works have been performed and commissioned by London Sinfonietta, Chroma, Orchestra of the Swan, Britten Sinfonia, Tamsin Waley-Cohen, Michael Chance, Katya Apekisheva, Iestyn Davies, Tim Mead, James Boyd, and Andrew Matthews-Owen (Richard Thomas Foundation commission), and have appeared at festivals including Aldeburgh, Three Choirs, Cheltenham, Spitalfields, Tanglewood, and Hampstead Arts. Over the last decade he has been closely associated with the Presteigne Festival, for which director George Vass has commissioned numerous works, including (jointly with Nova Music Opera and Cheltenham Festival) the chamber opera Juliana, to a libretto by Laurie Slade.
Large-scale choral works include Rainland (commissioned and premiered by Phillip Scott), Tenebrae, and Choral Songs of Homage (commissioned by Aldeburgh Music Club for the Britten centenary). His unaccompanied choral works are performed regularly, and include Nesciens Mater (commissioned and recorded by The Sixteen/Harry Christophers), a Missa Brevis, and the carol ‘Lullay, Lullay, thou lytil child’ (toured by The Sixteen/Christophers last Christmas). Night Songs, was recently released by Chromium Music Group.
Future commissions include a concerto and a set of piano pieces for Tomoaki Kimura, a Cello Sonata for Guy Johnston, jointly commissioned by Wigmore Hall and 2021 Hatfield House Festival, a string symphony for Basel Symphony Orchestra, and a Bass Clarinet concerto for Malmo Symphony Orchestra. He is currently writing a Violin Sonata, commissioned for the 2020 Presteigne Festival to be premiered by Chloe Hanslip.
From 2008-2018 Phibbs was a director of The Britten Estate Limited. He has held teaching positions at Wells Cathedral School (2009-2010), King’s College London (2011-14), and Cambridge University (supervisor, 2014-15), and currently teaches composition part time at The Purcell School.
His works are published by Ricordi London (Universal Music Publishing Group) and Boosey and Hawkes.
www.josephphibbs.com
Matthew Sharp
“Extraordinary cellist, virile baritone, compelling actor – astonishing.” The Daily Telegraph
Described by The Times as a “virtuoso of the arts,” Matthew Sharp is internationally recognised as both a compelling classical artist and a fearless pioneer. His adventures in and through music and across disciplines are ‘unrivalled’ and ‘unprecedented’, balancing provenance and vision in a unique and potent way.
He studied cello with Boris Pergamenschikow in Cologne, voice with Ulla Blom in Stockholm and English at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was taken to Jacqueline du Pré when he was 12, Galina Vishnewskaya when he was 18 and studied chamber music with the Amadeus Quartet. He performs at major venues and festivals worldwide as solo cellist, baritone, actor and director.
Matthew has appeared as solo performer with the RPO, LPO, RLPO, CBSO, Orchestra of Opera North, SCO, EUCO, ESO, Manchester Camerata, Orchestra of the Swan, Orchestra X, Arensky Chamber Orchestra, and Ural Philharmonic.
In opera, he has performed principal roles for Opera North, ROH, Almeida Opera and Mahogany Opera Group, amongst many others.
In theatre, he has performed principal roles at the Young Vic and National Theatre Studio, collaborated with Kneehigh, Complicité and, most recently, with legendary illustrator and film-maker, Dave McKean.
He has recorded for Sony, EMI, Decca, Naxos, Somm, NMC, Avie and Whirlwind and appeared in recital as both cellist and singer at Wigmore Hall, SBC and Salle Gaveau.
As a director (music, theatre and opera), he has written, conceived and directed shows for Opera North, BBC, Breakthru Films, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and West Green Opera. His own music and theatre works have toured to major festivals in Europe, India, China and the US, including Glastonbury, Latitude, Wilderness, Mumbai LiveLit, Philadelphia Live Arts and NCPA, Beijing. In addition, he has given over sixty world premieres by composers from all walks of music – including the title role in Sir John Tavener’s The Fool and Errollyn Wallen’s Cello Concerto – at festivals from Sydney to Toronto, Sao Paulo to Delhi.
www.matthewsharp.net
Simon Speare
“… proved to be a brassily exuberant concert overture … Skilfully layered, neatly tailored, it did what it needed to do in five minutes, then stopped. If only all new music were so concise”. The Independent
Simon Speare was born and brought up in Cornwall. He studied composition with Simon Holt at City University, London. His music has been widely performed by professional and amateur performers in the UK and abroad and broadcast on national radio and television.
Head of Composition and Contemporary Music at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, he also teaches composition at The Purcell School. His students have won many national and international awards including this year’s BBC Proms Inspire competition and a number of his students have developed successful careers as composers.
He has lectured and examined at Universities and Conservatoires and is an experienced leader of workshops, devising and leading education projects in schools for leading orchestras and education authorities. He was a lead composer on the award winning SPNM Sound Inventors project and has recently helped to develop the Go Compose project for Sound and Music, both aimed at pre-university aged composers.
He was Composer in Association with London Concert Choir and Composer in Residence at the Centre for Young Musicians, London. He is currently collaborating with the author Tony Bradman on a music-theatre piece for children. He has devised and presented a contemporary music show on Resonance FM and been a judge for the British Composer Awards. Married with a son and daughter, he has often dabbled in rock and pop music and lives in East London.
www.simonspeare.co.uk
Eleanor Alberga
“This music will enhance anyone’s life: if you’ve ever wondered if good string quartets are still being written, here’s proof that they are.” The Artsdesk
With her 2015 Last Night of the Proms opener Arise Athena! Eleanor Alberga cemented a reputation as a composer of international stature. Performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Chorus and conducted by Marin Alsop, the work was heard and seen by millions.
Her music is not easy to pigeon-hole. The musical language of her opera Letters of a Love Betrayed (2009), premiered at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury stage, has drawn comparisons with Berg’s Wozzeck and Debussy’s Pelleas, while her lighter works draw more obviously on her Jamaican heritage and time as a singer with the Jamaican Folk Singers and as a member of an African Dance company. But the emotional range of her language, her structural clarity and a fabulously assured technique as an orchestrator have always drawn high praise.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Alberga decided at the age of five to be a concert pianist, though five years later she was already composing works for the piano.
In 1970 she won the biennial Royal Schools of Music Scholarship for the West Indies which she took up at the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying piano and singing. But a budding career as a solo pianist – she was was among the 3 finalists in the International Piano Concerto Competition in Dudley, UK in 1974 – was augmented by composition with her arrival at The London Contemporary Dance Theatre in 1978. Under the inspirational leadership of its Artistic Director Robert Cohan, she became one of the very few pianists with the deepest understanding of modern dance and her company class improvisations became the stuff of legend. These in turn led to works commissioned and conceived for dance from the company, most notably the piano quintet Clouds (1984). Alberga later became the company’s Musical Director, conducting, composing and playing on all LCDT’s many tours.
The orchestral works, Sun Warrior (1990) written for the inaugural Women in Music Festival and her dramatic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1994) for large symphony orchestra and narrators, premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in 1994 with Franz Welser Möst and the LPO, helped build her growing reputation. In 2001 she was awarded a NESTA Fellowship for composition.
2001 also saw the completion and premiere of a highly praised first Violin Concerto, written for Thomas Bowes and commissioned by The Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Joseph Swensen. A second violin concerto entitled Narcissus was premiered in 2020. Also written for Thomas Bowes, it was premiered with the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra in Wroclaw, Poland and conducted by Joseph Swensen.
Chamber music, both in the more traditional form of three String Quartets and a Piano Quintet, and for more unusual line-ups, abounds. An unfolding series of Nocturnes – notably, Shinning Gate of Morpheus and Succubus Moon – featuring horn and oboe respectively with string quartet, is an expanding project. Works for voice have more recently come to the fore with a luminous setting of George Herbert’s The Glimpse and most recently the song cycle The Soul’s Expression to poetry by George Eliot, Emily Bronte and Elizabeth Barret Browning; both premiered by the baritone Jeremy Huw Williams.
Other recent works include Awed Light its Chant Entrances for Chorus and piano. It was commissioned by and premiered at the 2019 Dartington Festival with Joanna MacGregor and the festival chorus to text by the poet Alice Oswald. 2019 also saw the completion and premiere of the first portion of a large tripartite piano sonata Seraph. Entitled Presence, it was performed by Alberga herself at the 2019 Arcadia Festival.
Alberga now lives in the Herefordshire countryside with her husband the violinist Thomas Bowes and together they have founded and nurtured an original festival – Arcadia. In 2019 a prestigious Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award was presented to Eleanor for composition. This year she is to receive the honour of ‘Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music’.
www.eleanoralberga.com
Nick Barr
“…gloriously forthright and vivid.” Musicweb
Prior to entering the Royal College of Music in 1984, Nick Barr played with the European Community Youth Orchestra and, whilst still studying, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the London Symphony Orchestra. His professors at the RCM were Frederick Riddle and Roger Best.
In 1988, he won scholarships from the Countess of Munster Trust and the Royal Society of Arts to study in Salzburg with Thomas Riebl.
As a busy freelance session player, Nick has recorded over 300 soundtracks for films, including Gladiator, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.
He was a founder member of the Lyric Quartet making frequent radio and television appearances and many recordings, including the complete quartets of Dohnányi, Ginastera, Michael Nyman and Gavin Bryars.
He has appeared as Guest Principal with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and English National Opera and works and records regularly with Chamber Domaine.
Nick is a passionate philatelist and enjoys Japanese tea rituals, yoga and the theatre in his spare time.
He plays a Charles Boullangier dated 1878.
Michael Price
“If Michael Price and David Arnold did not exist, it would be necessary for Man to invent them. Their contribution to ‘Sherlock’ is immeasurable. Thrilling, cheeky, sinister, playful and simply world-class…The music’s not bad either.” Mark Gatiss – Writer
Michael Price is one of the UK’s most sought after composers. His critically acclaimed debut album on Erased Tapes Records, Entanglement, released in April 2015, was described as ‘gorgeous’ by Rolling Stone, as ‘a neo-classical treat’ by Uncut, and Clash remarked that ‘the emotional clout of this music is quite staggering’. A new album, Tender Symmetry, was released on August 31st 2018. This ambitious musical project takes in a series of iconic National Trust locations across England as its inspiration, turning them into unlikely recording spaces.
Michael’s work for film and television has been also widely recognised, winning an EMMY award in 2014, and Royal Television Society, Music&Sound, and Televisual Bulldog awards as well as a BAFTA nomination and 2 further EMMY nominations for the critically acclaimed BBC series Sherlock, which he scores with David Arnold. Other recent TV projects include the 4th season of BAFTA-winning crime drama Unforgotten and the BBC’s new Dracula adaptation, created by Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss.
Prior to achieving acclaim as a composer himself, Michael enjoyed significant achievements as a music editor on a number of blockbuster films such as Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Richard Curtis’ Love Actually, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men. As a music editor, Michael has been nominated for 4 MPSE Golden Reel Awards, winning in 2001 for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Michael’s first film experience was as musical assistant, co-producer and arranger to the late Michael Kamen, with whom he collaborated for 5 years. During this time Michael worked on a number of prestigious projects including X-Men, Band of Brothers, The Iron Giant, Metallica – S&M, and live concerts around the world. Michael has also arranged or written additional music on a number of major film projects, including Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Having studied there as an undergraduate, Michael has recently been appointed Visiting Professor of Composition on the Tonmeister Course at the University of Surrey, and is a full member of BAFTA, BASCA, MU, PRS and ASCAP.
www.michaelpricemusic.com
Ann Beilby
“Outstanding playing…” Seen and Heard
Ann is deeply passionate about the unique voice of the viola, highlighting the instrument in a more soloistic context, and in particular, the way in which it flexes between roles within the string quartet repertoire. Hailing from Sydney where she made her solo Opera House debut at age 18, Ann has had a career spanning solo work, chamber music, and as a principal player. She spent 10 years as a founding member of the Cavaleri Quartet, and has over the years established a uniquely sensitive, virtuosic and insightful approach. In 2019, Ann joined her colleagues Tamsin Waley-Cohen, Emma Parker & Nathaniel Boyd as part of the Albion Quartet, who are cultivating an exciting presence on the world chamber music stage, both on stage and as resident artists for Signum Records.
A prize winner at several competitions on an international level for her quartet and also as a soloist, including the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, Hamburg, Paolo Premio Borciani & Osaka International Chamber Music Competitions, Ann has appeared in many of the great concert halls of Europe & U.K., has performed in many major festivals, has performed on many varied commercial discs, and is regularly found in the recording studios of London working on scores for many high profile recording artists & composers alike. She loves the unique variety of her musical life in London, and is comfortable within a vast number of musical landscapes, from her home in the Albion Quartet to appearing on stage with the artist Björk. She plays on a wonderful modern viola by English make David Milward, commissioned by her in 2010.
“There is no way to talk about the music of Mark-Anthony Turnage without straight away mentioning the powerful presence – unmistakable, unabashed – of jazz, with expressive effects simultaneously wild and needle-sharp, noir and blue. Less immediately obvious, perhaps, is how Turnage, in drawing his basic vocabulary from the other side of the fence (and there still is one), is able to create music in ways thoroughly in line with the classical tradition, even if resolutely and necessarily new. Jazz gives him an alternative handle on a venerable engine”. Paul Griffiths, The Gramophone
A composer of truly international stature, Mark-Anthony Turnage is among the most relevant communicators and creators of today. His orchestral and operatic music is often forthright and confrontational, unafraid to mirror the realities of modern life, yet its energy is exhilarating. With his flair for vivid titles, and his complete absorption of jazz elements into a contemporary classical style, Turnage produces work with a strong appeal to an enquiring, often young audience. At the same time his music is capable of expressing deep tenderness, especially emotions associated with loss.
Born in Britain in 1960, Turnage studied with Oliver Knussen and John Lambert, and later with Gunther Schuller. With the encouragement of Hans Werner Henze, he wrote his first opera for the Munich Biennale festival, Greek, which received a triumphant premiere in 1988. The many ensuing productions worldwide established Turnage’s international reputation. The important works that followed, Three Screaming Popes, Kai, Momentum and Drowned Out, stemmed from a four-year period as Composer in Association with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle, from 1989 to 1993.
Three years later Blood on the Floor was commissioned by Ensemble Modern. Written for John Scofield, Peter Erskine and Martin Robertson, it demonstrates Turnage’s ability to draw inspiration from the unique sounds of particular performers, often working in close collaboration. Turnage’s major work in the late Nineties was his second full-length opera, The Silver Tassie, premiered in February 2000 to exceptional acclaim at English National Opera, where he was Composer in Association. It won both the South Bank Show and Olivier Awards for Opera in 2001. The new century also brought Turnage’s appointment in 2000 as the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s first Associate Composer culminating in a major Turnage weekend at the Barbican in January 2003.
In the autumn of 2002, Sir Simon Rattle conducted Blood on the Floor at one of his first concerts as Chief Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, attracting a largely new, younger audience to the Berlin Philharmonie and generating the Berlin Philharmonic’s first major education project. Rattle and the BPO commissioned Ceres, an ‘orchestral asteroid’ to accompany Holst’s suite The Planets, which received its premiere performance in 2006. Other significant works following the turn of the new century included Bass Inventions, premiered by the bass player Dave Holland in Amsterdam in 2001, and Scorched, co-written with John Scofield for jazz trio and orchestra, premiered in 2002 with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and Big Band, conducted by Hugh Wolff.
The trumpet concerto From the Wreckage was written for soloist Håkan Hardenberger, who brought it to the 2005 BBC Proms after its Helsinki premiere. Of the London performance, The Times’s critic wrote: ‘this was outstanding: a kind of rebirth piece in which the music begins hellishly but gradually picks up a bluesy swing as the soloist rhapsodically spirals higher and higher. I was mesmerised.’ Hardenberger has since performed the concerto over 20 times in 10 countries.
Working with the London Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2004/05 season led to Mark-Anthony Turnage’s appointment as its Composer in Residence between 2005 and 2010. The residency was celebrated with Turnage’s first violin concerto, Mambo, Blues and Tarantella, written for Christian Tetzlaff and the LPO with Vladimir Jurowski and premiered at the Southbank Centre in 2008, with subsequent performances in Stockholm and Toronto from the co-commissioning partners. A final new work to celebrate the residency, Texan Tenebrae, was premiered in London in 2010 and three Turnage discs were released on the LPO’s own label.
Turnage was also appointed Mead Composer in Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 2006 until 2010 for whom he wrote two new works, From All Sides and Chicago Remains, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Bernard Haitink respectively. Turnage has previously written for other major American orchestras: Scherzoid was a New York Philharmonic/London Philharmonic commission, while his viola concerto On Opened Ground was commissioned by the Cleveland Orchestra for Yuri Bashmet.
2009 brought the premieres of A Constant Obsession commissioned by the Wigmore Hall for the Nash Ensemble and Mark Padmore and Five Views of a Mouth for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and flautist Dietmar Wiesner, while Hammered Out at the 2010 BBC Proms and Twisted Blues with Twisted Ballad written for the Belcea Quartet were works completed before Turnage took time out to write a third opera. Anna Nicole, with text by Richard Thomas, was premiered at The Royal Opera in London in Spring 2011 in a production by Richard Jones attracting a sold-out run. Further stagings have followed in Dortmund, Nuremburg and at the BAM Next Wave festival in New York and the opera has been released on DVD by Opus Arte.
Turnage wrote two ballet scores in 2011/12: UNDANCE for Sadler’s Wells, a collaboration with Wayne McGregor and Mark Wallinger, and Trespass for the Royal Ballet Covent Garden as part of its Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 project, choreographed by Alastair Marriott and Christopher Wheeldon. Recent concertos include works for cellist Paul Watkins, pianist Marc-André Hamelin and jazz drummer Peter Erskine while in Spring 2013 Turnage was featured composer with the London Symphony Orchestra, culminating in the premiere and recording of a new work Speranza, also performed under the baton of Daniel Harding in Boston and Stockholm.
The orchestral work Frieze was premiered under the baton of Vasily Petrenko at the BBC Proms and Passchendaele was composed to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Strapless was premiered at the Royal Ballet Covent Garden in 2016 with choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, while his opera for family audiences Coraline, based on the dark fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman, was staged by The Royal Opera at the Barbican Theatre in 2018, travelling on to Freiburg, Lille, Stockholm and Melbourne. Recent Turnage scores have included the orchestral work Remembering, conducted by Simon Rattle in 2017 with the London Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic, and the double violin concerto Shadow Walker for soloists Vadim Repin and Daniel Hope with the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, toured to four European countries in October 2017. His setting of Ukrainian texts for soprano and orchestra, Testament, received first performances in 2018 conducted by Kirill Karabits in Bournemouth and Weimar and his song cycle Refugee, written for tenor Allan Clayton and Britten Sinfonia, was premiered in 2019. His 60th birthday is celebrated in 2020.
Much of Turnage’s music is recorded on Decca, Warner Classics, Chandos and the LPO and LSO labels, while Scorched, on Deutsche Grammophon, was nominated for a Grammy. Turnage is Research Fellow in Composition at the Royal College of Music, and is published by Boosey & Hawkes. Works written before 2003 are published by Schott. He was awarded a CBE in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday honours.
The Marian Consort
“…exemplary performances…perfect blend without a note out of place.” MusicOHM
The Marian Consort is a Gramophone Award-nominated vocal ensemble, recognised for its innovative presentation of a broad range of repertoire. Led by founder and director, Rory McCleery, The Marian Consort performs across the UK, Europe and North America, and features regularly on BBC Radio 3.
Praised by The Scotsman for ‘performances that glow with golden purity and soul’, the group is composed of the very best singers performing one to a part, allowing clarity of texture and subtlety of interpretation that illuminates the music for performer and audience alike.
The Marian Consort’s repertoire encompasses music from the fifteenth century to the present day, with a particular focus on exploring lesser-known works. TMC is committed to creating new music, and has commissioned leading British composers including Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Gabriel Jackson, Cecilia McDowall, and Matthew Martin.
The Marian Consort is a pioneer of projects which move beyond the confines of the traditional concert, bringing music of the past to today’s audiences. TMC has toured Breaking the Rules by musician and playwright Clare Norburn, a concert drama exploring the life and crimes of Carlo Gesualdo, to LSO St Lukes, Lichfield, Buxton, Cheltenham, Bath and Lammermuir Festivals, garnering five-star reviews.
The Marian Consort collaborates with ensembles including the Carducci Quartet, Berkeley Ensemble, Rose Consort of Viols, Illryia Consort, the Choir of Merton College, Oxford, and Ludus Baroque, in repertoire ranging from Byrd to Monteverdi and Arvo Pärt to Michael Berkeley. TMC has released ten recordings to critical acclaim, praised for ‘precision and pellucid textures’ (The Times) and for ‘drawing the listener in by quiet persuasion and musical intelligence of the highest order’ (The Guardian).
Recent performance highlights include concerts in the Bascule Chamber underneath London’s Tower Bridge; a debut performance in Estonia at the 24th Kuressaare Chamber Music Days; a residency at the Cambridge Early Music Festival; a concert at the Misteria Paschalia Festival, broadcast on Polish National Radio; and a UK tour to celebrate the group’s tenth anniversary. The Marian Consort made its inaugural tour of the US and Canada in October 2018, and will tour Japan in autumn 2021.
www.marionconsort.org
James Pearson
“Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions” Sunday Times
James Pearson is one of the country’s most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb.
James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks. Classic FM broadcast his concert of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. He was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. Earlier this year, the James Pearson Trio was invited to play a four night run at New York’s Birland Jazz Club. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums.
Amongst the many artists James has worked with are Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, Kevin Spacey, John Wilson, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.
He is the Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott’s, London.
www.jamespearsonmusic.com
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Living & Entertainment
Tag / smashing pumpkins
By PMarvelOn 10th February 2019 10th February 2019 In NewsLeave a comment
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan reunited with his iconic stolen guitar after 27 years
Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan reunited with his “lost love” guitar that was stolen 27 years ago.
“It’s an incredible story. Miracles can happen,” Corgan says of the wild tale that brought the Stratocaster back to him. “It’s a happy day”. By Kory Grow for RollingStone.com
Billy Corgan with his long-lost guitar. Photograph by Dan Prakopcyk for RollingStone.com
About a year after Smashing Pumpkins issued their debut, Gish, a thief stole Billy Corgan’s favorite guitar. The band had just finished a gig at Detroit’s Saint Andrew’s Hall in June 1992 when a friend who was acting as a roadie told him, “Somebody just walked out the back door with your guitar.” It hadn’t even been five minutes since the band finished the show, as Corgan recalls. “I was like, ‘How is that even possible? Where’s security? Where were you?’” He filed a police report and offered a $10,000, no-questions-asked reward for its return.
For the past 27 years, he’s heard rumors of the guitar resurfacing. “It got to the point where you started not believing it, because you heard it so many times,” he tells Rolling Stone. “It was like the lost treasure of Blackbeard or something.”
On Tuesday, Corgan’s fortunes changed. A friend of his contacted him with a picture of a guitar that looked like the stolen instrument. But he was still incredulous because he’d been tricked before. “Somebody sent me a picture a couple of weeks ago of another one of my guitars, and I wrote the guy back and said, ‘How did you get my guitar?’” he says. “And he wrote back, ‘Oh, it’s a recreation.’ He’d literally gotten the same stickers, worn them down in the same way and scraped the paint so it looked worn. You could have fooled me.” So he decided to check it out in person. Sure enough, it was the early Seventies Fender Stratocaster that he had been looking for for more than 25 years.
Corgan knows it’s his guitar because it had certain distinguishing marks beyond the psychedelic paint job he’d given it. He recognized the place where a previous owner had carved the initials “KM” into it, and he remembered the placement of certain cigarette burns on the headstock “that I always thought were unsightly.” These were things he’d never talked about in the press, so it would have been impossible for someone to copy them.
The guitar made its way back to him via Beth James, a mother of three who doesn’t play guitar and lives about 80 minutes northwest of Detroit. She’d spotted the guitar at a Detroit yard sale and plonked down $200 for it because she thought it would be a cool conversation piece in her basement. “I thought it was painted cool,” she says. “I literally don’t know anything about the guitar. I actually told my husband I only paid $100 for it because he would have killed me if he found out I paid more.” And there it stayed for the last 10 to 12 years.
Her daughters never played the instrument and it resurfaced as she was looking for things to sell. “People always said it was probably worth some money. I didn’t know if it is or not and then I got the article about it.”
She’s not much of a Smashing Pumpkins fan but she recognized a few of their songs when a girlfriend of hers helped her connect the dots about the instrument’s provenance. Her friend had recognized it from an article online.“I just freaked out and I’m like” she says. This past December, her friend’s brother connected her to Alex Heiche, who founded Sound Royalties, a company that offers royalty financing to artists in need of quick money.
“If you look at Billy, he’s very stoic,” says Heiche, who coordinated the reunion. “He doesn’t give a lot of facial expressions. But he looked down, and as she opened the case, he looked at it for a second and froze. Everybody was dead silent. And he goes, ‘That’s it.’”
“He was pretty happy,” James says.
The guitar has a particularly special meaning to Corgan, since it changed the way he played the instrument. The Pumpkins’ drummer, Jimmy Chamberlain, had sold it to him around 1989 or 1990 for $275, and he’d never played a Stratocaster before. He’d grown up playing Gibson Flying V guitars because that’s what his father played, but this one suited him differently. “It instantly changed the way the band sounded and the way I played,” Corgan says. “When it was stolen, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, gee, my guitar just got stolen.’ It was the guitar that affected the way I played and I was heavily identified with the guitar.”
Photograph by Dan Prakopcyk for RollingStone.com
The difference, he explains, was the instrument’s neck, which he describes as being like that of a violin. Because he is a southpaw who plays on righty instruments (his dad told him he’d never find good guitars if he played left-handed), it was the first time he could really feel what he was playing. “The minute I started playing on the Strat, it was like it came to life,” he says. “It was like everything I was doing suddenly was amplified. I’m way over aggressive on the left hand and less obviously aggressive in the right hand, and that’s the style that people associate with the band. That sort of bending, pulling and riffing really comes from that. On that Strat, it was like you suddenly could hear every little thing I was doing.
“We started interpolating that style into what James [Iha] was playing, and suddenly the sound of the band got way more beautiful, psychedelic and wide,” he continues. “Obviously, it changed the direction of our lives.”
Although he’s not totally sure about the year, Corgan believes the instrument is a ’74 Stratocaster. “You usually don’t know the exact year until you take the neck off,” he says. It wouldn’t be a heavily coveted instrument for a guitar collector other than the fact that Corgan had played it. The Seventies were a bleak era for Fender since CBS had purchased it in 1965 and cut costs in production through 1985 when it sold it. “There was a great inconsistency at the time in their manufacturing,” Corgan says. “Literally, one guitar would be great and one would be not so great. It’s like trying to find the Holy Grail of guitars. I always felt I had that guitar. So when it walked out of the back door of Saint Andrews, it felt like a great lost love. I was never able to find it.”
“When it walked out of the back door of Saint Andrews, it felt like a great lost love.”
At one point, he found a guitar that came close to the sound, but it didn’t quite match up. Fender employees later told him that the instrument’s unique sound may have something to do with where the wood came from in the tree that produced the instrument, as well as the temperament of whichever technician hand-wound the wires in the pickups that day. Regardless, there was just a special quality to this Strat. “Obviously, we were playing very aggressively at that time,” he says. “So it had all the attack of a classic Strat but a real clear chime to it. Usually when you crank Strats up, as we did, it would sound really shrill. For whatever reason, this guitar didn’t sound like that. So I was able to have everything you’d want with a Strat but with a heavier attack, and that became what would be known as the Pumpkins sound.”
To Corgan’s ears, it was the perfect instrument for playing rhythm guitar, and it’s all over Gish. It’s the sound of the fuzzy, slinky intro riff to “Siva” and the contemplative strumming heard in “Snail.” “The unique sound of that guitar is in the beginning of ‘Snail,’” he says. “It’s hard to explain. Strats, especially in that era, were kind of whiny. When you run into a lot of gain, they just take your head off. Somehow this guitar didn’t do that, but it also didn’t feel like you were giving up something.”
When he listens to Gish now, he hears the club band Smashing Pumpkins were at the time. “We were playing places like the Metro in Chicago,” he says. “So our approach was a bit concussive and more psychedelic. We didn’t really think like a pop band. And it didn’t mean anything for us to write five- or seven-minute songs. It was only when other bands blew up that suddenly it became about being on the radio. I just hear a band that’s really free and, in many ways, probably the closest articulation of our personalities. After that, it became about he world we were in and the pressures we were under for better or worse.”
Corgan painted the instrument because he didn’t like its complexion. The creamy yellow reminded him too much of the instruments Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore played, as well as shredder extraordinaire Yngwie Malmsteen. He didn’t want to paint it black, and he had another guitar that a friend of his had painted in a way that was reminiscent of Eric Clapton’s guitar circa Disraeli Gears. “So one day I just took some paint out and I’m no artist, but I painted it the way I liked it,” he says. “It still had some gloss on it — I didn’t sand it down — so immediately the paint started falling off, and it took on this other look, which is kind of blotchy.”
When he saw a picture of the guitar as it is now, he wasn’t sure if it was his because the paint had worn off even more. The other confusing thing was a skull sticker on the back that he doesn’t remember putting on. “It is exactly in the spot where I would put stickers on the back,” he says. “So it seems to me I probably put it there right before it got stolen and I just didn’t remember. It might have to come off now that it’s mine again.”
“I always felt the guitar would come back when it was time.”
There was, however, a silver lining to the theft. “Strangely, because the guitar was stolen, I had to go out and buy new guitars,” Corgan says. “Those guitars became the sound of Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie. I’m not trying to say the person who stole it did me a favor, but I was forced to innovate and it did send me in a different direction.
“I always felt the guitar would come back,” he continues. “And I know that sounds strange, but today didn’t surprise me. I always felt the guitar would come back when it was time.”
Over the years, he heard rumors that the guitar was around. Someone had told him he’d seen a person with the guitar but wouldn’t tell him the person’s name. The guy would occasionally pull it out of a closet and say, “Do you know whose guitar this is?” Corgan at points offered a reward up to $20,000 with the hope of the person coming forward. “Even if the person came forward, I didn’t want to prosecute him,” Corgan says. “I just wanted the guitar back. I wanted the person to cough the thing up and just kind of move on. And obviously that never happened.”
Corgan’s reunion with the instrument comes at a fortuitous time. He’s currently in the studio writing new music for a follow-up to 2018’s Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. It’s going to fit right into the music he’s working on now.
“I’m literally gonna take it somewhere, and get it fixed up,” he says. “And I’ll start using it. It’s a really valuable guitar to me. And I mean, the timing is sort of strange, and auspicious, and so I take it as a sign that it’s supposed to be part of what we’re doing.”
The new material is shaping up to be Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol. 2 but with a shift in direction. “It’s very guitar-driven,” he says. “Again this guitar showing up, it’s kind of like back to the beginning of why I played, and if there’s anything that we hear from people who love the band, they want more, not less, of what we do. So I’m just in there riffing away. If you had told me 27 years ago that A) the guitar would come back to me some day and B) I would still be in a band with James and Jimmy, I wouldn’t have believed you in either count,” Corgan says. “So I think it’s cool we’re still playing and that the guitar is going to be a part of the new record, and I think it’s pretty cool that we’re still rocking, to quote James.”
So now that he’s got the guitar back, will he be paying James the $20,000 reward he offered in 2009 for the instrument? “She didn’t want anything,” he says. “God bless her. It falls under the ‘miracles can happen’ category. Even for a cynic like me.” “The only deal with Billy was, ‘Hey can you sign a guitar for her?’” Heiche says. “And he did. That’s the way it should be.” “It’s an incredible story,” Corgan says. “And I’m really, really happy. It’s a happy day.”
Perhaps the most incredible part of it all is that the guitar was ostensibly stolen in the first place; it’s an instrument worthy of a story by Homer. Corgan recalls that about 10 years after Chamberlain sold him the instrument a person he didn’t know asked him if he still owned his guitar. He then described the one that Corgan just got back. “He said, ‘I lent it to Jimmy, it was actually my guitar,’” the singer says. “And I said, ‘Oh, I feel so bad.’ And he wasn’t mad. He was like, ‘Oh, that’s OK. Jimmy’s my friend. If Jimmy sold it to you and you used it, that makes me happy.’
“But that’s the guitar’s circuitous history,” he continues. “Jimmy procured it and somebody procured it from me, and now it’s back. This guitar has a certain magical mystery to it. It changed the fortune of my life. So that’s why I felt it would come back to me. It was like the talisman or something, like in Lord of the Rings. It was meant to come back to me.”
Read the story at RollingStone.com:
After 27 Years, Billy Corgan Finally Reunites With Stolen ‘Gish’ Guitar
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Rahila Gupta
Author and Activist
Women on the front at Raqqa: an interview with Kimmie Taylor
What is the reality of war like for the women of Rojava as they advance on Raqqa? Kimmie Taylor from Britain is on the frontline and puts us in the picture.
Kimmie Taylor on a tea break with YPJ Credit: Kimmie Taylor
It is 4am, just before dawn, in a god-forsaken spot ten kilometres away from Raqqa, when a band of Daesh fighters start shooting from a small building outside the Kurdish defence base at the building where the YPJ, the Women’s Defence Force, are based. Kimmie Taylor, a 27-year-old woman from Blackburn, who I met in Rojava, now known as the Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria, in March 2016 is attached to this unit as their ‘media officer’. She is sleeping in this building full of women soldiers when the attack takes place. Although she received military training (for a mere 10 days), her job is to shoot a camera, not a gun. She is not sent to where the fighting is fiercest, much to her chagrin. But this morning before she can reach for her camera, Kimmie reaches for her gun.After an hour and a half of exchanging fire, one Daesh creeps out, manages to break across the 3mx3m deep trench surrounding the base and blow himself up metres away from Kimmie, his blood and guts splattering her and leaving her feeling sick for days and unable to eat. Another Daesh emerges and is shot before he can blow himself up. The coalition planes arrive and bomb the building. But the fighting continues until one lone sniper who was not in the building at the time is shot. Kimmie says, “We put up an incredible fight for three hours. Just two friends slightly injured. One woman was shot in the right arm at first but continued fighting with the same arm. Only when the Daesh blew himself up and a piece of shrapnel lodged in her head did she stop fighting. I’m so proud to call these people my comrades. We fight with unconditional resistance.”Kimmie’s day usually begins at 5 or 6 am with breakfast of a tin of spam, naan and tea. As this is a temporary base, the food is brought to them. On the days when the food truck is late or doesn’t come, they may well go hungry. “There’s enough cigarettes though. The food on this front is horrible … the other front I was on was okay because it had been established for a year.” Then she goes out to the front to find a group that will move that day to take a new village.
Credit: YPJ Media Team
The YPG (People’s Defence Units) and the YPJ (Women’s Defence Units), are advancing on Raqqa, the last remaining ISIS stronghold in Syria, as I write this. A Western coalition, including the Americans and the British, provide air cover to the rapidly advancing forces collectively known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, (SDF) which include Arabs and other ethnic groups from newly liberated areas as well as the secular, progressive factions of the Free Syrian Army who have crossed over to join the Kurds. It is reported that Trump is considering sending 5000 ground troops to support SDF in their fight against ISIS. While this would certainly shorten the battle against Daesh, it is likely to cause tensions between the Americans and the Kurds, given the hugely different set of values that inform the two societies.For the Kurds, the battle against Daesh is one of sheer survival. This survival is not just of the people, but of the participatory democracy they have established since 2012, which seeks to be secular, ethnically inclusive and environment-friendly, with class and gender equality enshrined in its every fibre. In the drive to be inclusive, the name Rojava has been dropped in favour of the Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria because Rojava is the Kurdish word for Western Kurdistan. For the women, this war is part of a continuum of self-defence which includes standing up to violence against the men in their communities. For Kongreya Star, the women’s umbrella organisation, ‘self-defence is a broad concept, it includes the preservation of culture against an aggressive politics of assimilation, the organising of the economy out of a women’s perspective, education, politics and social affairs.’To those feminists who see war and militarisation as masculine and patriarchal, Kimmie would say that we “are fighting for our beliefs. Women need to know that men can’t protect us. If the women of Sinjar had established their own forces, ISIS wouldn’t have taken them as sex slaves.” As for the Americans, Kimmie worries “that they don’t fight carefully like we do and may cause unnecessary civilian deaths.” Even with air cover, Kimmie reports that there is a kind of psychological warfare being played by the Coalition “to show who’s boss”. The standard procedure at the front is that a camera drone is sent ahead to get information and the co-ordinates are sent to the Coalition. Sometimes they fail to act on the information; Kimmie feels it is deliberate although on the day of the Daesh suicide attack, they respond promptly.
Kimmie Taylor interviewing women from the YPJ. Credit: Kimmie Taylor
As a result of this unexpected attack on their base, the YPJ are on lockdown i.e. they are not allowed to go anywhere. This gives Kimmie time to have an unhurried online conversation with me. I ask whose job it is to clear up the bodies. People volunteer – in this case, it was some YPG men based in a building nearby who had come to the assistance of the women when the fighting started. But she assures me that there are no gendered divisions of work. The women had been at the forefront of the fighting that day. How do they all cope with death in their midst, especially when they have forged close bonds? “Many of them I don’t know very well,” she replies. “I’m new here and we’ve been dispersed around the front to mix in with all the forces. But my bond is more like awe. I know them on a shallow level, like how they laugh and smile and talk to me and then I see them run fast towards the fight. There’s no second thought. They run forward. They aren’t afraid at all.”Kimmie herself feels safe even though she knows that “that doesn’t make sense”. Although most of the women are in their 20s, the age range being 18-30s, they have lost enough of their friends to have become “used to death… It doesn’t mean they aren’t sad about it. They cry sometimes. When it’s just us women together. And a song comes on or we talk about a friend who died. But they aren’t torn apart by it. Like we would be in the West.” The sense of relief and joy the women feel on joining the YPJ is indescribable, says Kimmie. At home, they would be expected to get married and faced such restrictions on their freedoms before the revolution that they were not even allowed to greet a male neighbour. It is their newfound freedom that motivates them “and they want to give that to other women”.The women at the front are single; those who are married and have children work in ‘diplomacy’ i.e. public relations, administration and recruitment. It is a volunteer army; there is no compulsory recruitment in YPJ. However, some families who are so poor that they cannot afford to lose a family member are financially compensated. Women who want to visit their families are allowed five days off a month. Not everyone wants to go home, especially those women whose families are likely to stop them returning to the front. When I ask if the same rules apply to men, Kimmie says, “No, married men can go to the front but they go home every ten days for a few days. It’s a difficult question to answer because you have to remember that we are autonomous. YPJ make their own decision on how to deal with married women and mothers, based on their own ideas not just comparing to what men have. That’s the difference between here and western feminism. Feminists are always comparing themselves with men instead of just thinking about what they want and what’s best. Here the women know what oppression is. For the average white Westerner it’s mostly more subtle. That’s why so many women in the West say we aren’t oppressed and patriarchy doesn’t exist.”
Sexual relations are proscribed in the YPG/YPJ for the very good reason that there can be no grey area in which sexual violence can hide. Kimmie is still struggling with that concept but she feels that they have really implemented it, “I’m understanding it more as time goes on”. She has not noticed relationships either between the men and the women or between the women. She feels that would be, “like falling in love with your sister. They have a deeper connection than sexual attraction allows”.I ask Kimmie about the allegations that have been doing the rounds in the West about the YPG burning down Arab villages and brutalising the Arabs they have liberated from Daesh, in particular, an article in The Nation. She is categorical that this is anti-Rojava propaganda, “I can say that a million percent. Do you know the SDF is 70% Arab now?”Since Kimmie’s profile appeared in The Guardian, there has been a feeding frenzy in the media desperate to get their hands on the sensational story of a young Englishwoman fighting ISIS. Yet her decision cannot be understood without its context. The ideals, history and politics of the people behind the war have been covered extensively on 5050. To read more, see our series Rojava: Witnessing the Revolution.
Women on the front at Raqqa: an interview with Kimmie Taylor was published by openDemocracy 5050 on 14 February 2017
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You Can Now Download Fonts Made from Kurt Cobain, David Bowie and John Lennon's Handwriting
"Songwriters Fonts" also include handwriting from Leonard Cohen and Serge Gainsbourg
As if holograms of deceased musicians weren't garish enough, we're now able to steal their identities to type word documents in their handwriting.
As Stereogum points out, the new "Songwriters Fonts" pack includes replications of handwriting from the likes of David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon and Serge Gainsbourg.
Here's the official blurb about the font packs:
The Songwriters fonts have been created to give musicians inspiration. Writing lyrics with the handwriting of influential songwriters helps imagination to develop. Being in the mood of Bowie, Cobain, Cohen, Gainsbourg, Lennon, might be purely imaginative… but that's precisely the point.
Most likely for legal reasons, the fonts come with a disclaimer that they're for "personal use only." That said, you'll probably still use them to post passive aggressive messages in your office kitchen written by Kurt Cobain.
If you feel so inclined, you can change your resume to look like it was written by David Bowie by downloading the Songwriters Fonts pack here.
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We've seen some pretty wild Kurt Cobain memorabilia head to auction over the years, but the latest item to hit the block is definitely one o...
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The acoustic guitar used by Kurt Cobain for Nirvana's iconic MTV Unplugged session has sold at auction for a record-breaking $6 million USD....
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Joining the ranks of fellow Nirvana fan Post Malone, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has now shared his own tribute, covering the band's In Ute...
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Regulation of Mobile Termination Access Services Recommended
(PR.co.nz) In its reconsideration report issued today, the Commerce Commission has recommended under the Telecommunications Act that the Minister for Communications and Information Technology regulate mobile termination access services (MTAS), and not accept undertakings from Telecom and Vodafone.
“The Commission considers that cost-based mobile termination rates, when compared to the offers in the undertakings, will better promote competition in the mobile market and will be in the best long-term interests of end-users,” said Dr Ross Patterson, Telecommunications Commissioner.
“While a plan like Vodafone’s Talk Add-on, which has now been withdrawn, might provide short term benefits to consumers on larger networks, in the Commission’s view, such plans are likely to result in longer term detrimental effects on competition in the mobile services market,” said Dr Ross Patterson. “In the long term, the Commission expects that its recommendation of regulation will ensure that all mobile users will benefit from greater competition, which is expected to result in access to more competitive prices and services.”
“For the first time, retail plans such as Talk Add-on introduced a low on-net tariff to a very broad customer base of a large existing network. Faced with such plans, a small entrant paying the wholesale mobile termination rates contained in the undertakings would be likely to incur significant losses and therefore be unable to compete against the large networks,” said Dr Patterson.
As the report is now with the Minister, the Commission will be making no further comment.
The Commission’s final reconsideration report and associated documents are all available on the Commission’s website at www.comcom.govt.nz/mobiletomobiletermination.
Mobile termination prices are the wholesale charges mobile phone companies charge for terminating calls or texts from other fixed or mobile networks.
Undertakings. Under the Telecommunications Act 2001 (the Act), parties can submit undertakings, which are an offer of terms and conditions for the supply of a service as an alternative to regulation.
Requirements of the Telecommunications Act. The Act requires that the Commission makes a recommendation which best promotes competition for the long-term benefit of end users.
Reconsideration of Commission’s recommendations. Under clause 6(2)(b) of Schedule 3 of the Act, the Minister can require the Commission to reconsider its recommendation or any aspect of its recommendation, for any reasons specified by the Minister.
MTAS investigation. On 6 November 2008 the Commerce Commission commenced an investigation under Schedule 3 of the Act into mobile termination access services (MTAS). The MTAS incorporates mobile-to-mobile voice termination (MTM), fixed-to-mobile voice termination (FTM) and short-message service termination (SMS). The investigation considered whether these services should become regulated services under Schedule 1 of the Act.
On 22 February 2010 the Commission recommended that the Minister accept undertakings from Telecom and Vodafone as an alternative to regulation. In that recommendation the Telecommunications Commissioner and Associate Commissioner Pickering considered that the competition concerns that had been identified at that time would be addressed by Telecom and Vodafone’s undertakings, while Commissioner Mazzoleni did not agree with that view.
In April 2010 Vodafone launched a new Talk Add-on product offering up to 200 minutes to Vodafone New Zealand mobiles and landlines for $12 a month for certain pre-pay plans. This plan is promoted on Vodafone’s website as “just 6 cents a minute to Vodafone NZ mobiles and landlines in New Zealand”. This product has subsequently been withdrawn by Vodafone.
In April 2010, the Commission invited the Minister to take account of this new Vodafone product, Talk Add-on, in his assessment of whether Telecom’s and Vodafone’s final undertakings should be accepted, or whether it was appropriate to request the Commission to reconsider its recommendation in light of the potential impact of Vodafone’s new Talk Add-on product.
On 26 April 2010, the Minister requested that the Commission reconsider its earlier recommendation that Telecom and Vodafone’s final undertakings should be accepted. The Minister requested that the Commission consider the implications, if any, of any relevant retail offers on the Commission’s recommendation that the Minister accept the undertakings put forward by Telecom and Vodafone. Retail offers considered are those that have been released since the Commission sent its report to the Minister on 22 February 2010, or that were released before the Commission finalised its reconsidered recommendation.
On 27 April 2010 the Commission announced its process for reconsidering its recommendation following a request from the Minister for Communications and Information Technology under the Telecommunications Act 2001.
On 12 May 2010, the Commission released its draft reconsideration report and asked for submissions and cross-submission on the draft report. Nine submissions and five cross submissions were received.
The reconsideration focused on the Commission’s recommendation in the Recommendations and Reasons section of the Final MTAS Report issued in February 2010, and all considerations required under the Act. Other sections of the Final MTAS Report, including findings on market definition, the benchmark set, the factual and counter-factuals and qualitative and quantitative analysis were not the subject of the reconsideration.
If the Minister, following any consultation process he undertakes, accepts the Commission’s recommendation, then Schedule 1 of the Telecommunications Act will need to be amended to include mobile termination access services. The Commission is likely to then commence a standard terms determination process for the MTAS and, if so, expects that this process could be completed in a timely manner.
Media Release 16 June 2010 from Commerce Commission.
Submitted June 21st, 2010
Regions & Categories: Business, Communications and IT, Government, New Zealand
Topics: MTAS, Telecom, Vodafone
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Time period: Revolutionary History (x)
Artist: T.A. Richards (x)
South Carolina -- History (1)
Holding Institution
University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library (1)
The History of South Carolina, from its First European Discovery to its Erection into a Republic
History | Redfield | 1860
Believing it “necessary to the public man, as to the pupil,” Simms undertook The History of South Carolina explicitly for the education of the state’s young people, so as to tell them the vibrant history of the state and the distinguished accomplishments of her leaders.[1] There is evidence to suggest that Simms was particularly motivated to write such a history in order to provide an historical account of South Carolina and notable South Carolinians, to his eldest child Augusta, who was attending boarding school in Massachusetts in the late 1830s.[2] Simms seemingly ...
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استكشف أقسامنا
تصفح المجلات
تصفح الكتب
تصفح الفعاليات السابقة
تصفح جميع المدونات
المشاريع الرقمية
ادعم المؤسسة
فصلية القدس العدد 31 -
عن الصور الفوتوغرافية وردّ النظرة
عصام نصار
القسم الرقمي:
النص الكامل:
Photography, that nineteenth-century invention, could be seen as a symbol of the age of modernity for several reasons. Not only was it a product of a marriage between science and art but, more importantly, it epitomized the new mode of representation, which was distinctly different from all forms of representations (such as painting and copying) that preceded it.
In this sense, photography was at the heart of the age that Walter Benjamin dubbed as that of ‘mechanical reproduction’. Through mass reproduction of the image, the rituals previously connected with viewing an artwork began to disappear. Similarly, the multiplicity of available copies situated the image within endless possibilities of uses and meanings. No longer does the image, in our times, belong to its producer or to the person(s) it depicts; it ‘belongs’, rather, to each and every viewer. As a result of this, we can now position images not only in the moment of their production, but also in endless moments of their uses – and abuses. Consider the simple fact, for instance, that
we often access the very same image in different websites and put it to different uses in the Internet. A portrait of a powerful person could be found in sites that oppose that person in specific contexts, in satirical sites that ridicule the person and in sites that have been created for admirers or ‘fans’ of the person to dwell on her/his beauty or follow her/his life in admiration. Furthermore, a picture on the net could be retouched, animated, changed beyond recognition and transferred into new realms and contexts.
In this special issue of Jerusalem Quarterly, we explore representations of Palestine and its people while studying, at the same time, a number of photographs, their histories and their use in the context of scholarly research. In more than one sense, we explore Palestine at the modern age of mechanical reproduction by examining the work of certain photographers and the histories of the craft in the east. We also use photographs to interrogate history.
The issue was originally meant to be devoted to the history and uses of photography in the socio/geographical context in question. As contributions started to arrive, however, the original intent gradually began to change. What started as an issue on photography resulted in an issue more about ways of gazing. The various contributions in it relate in one way or another to different categories of individuals gazing at the Holy Land – in its widest possible definition. In Glenn Bowman’s contribution, it is the anthropologist and the ethnographer who do the initial gazing, while Michelle Woodward and Linda Wheatley-Irving discuss the gaze of the photographer’s camera. In all three cases, the gazing eye appears to be an intruding and interrogating eye that wants to see and to show. ‘Seeing’, in these cases, involves the specific and partial subject that the gazer was looking for, while ‘showing’ involves the act of representing the subject to a wider network of spectators. An aura of objectivity appears to be associated with the act of showing or telling. Rarely is it revealed that what is being shown is essentially an incomplete image of the subject – one presented from a particular angle. To use Bowman’s terminology, the image is consistently “perspectival in nature and profoundly partial”.
The three contributions mentioned above challenge common notions of objective representation. Bowman argues that studies of Jerusalem by anthropologists present us with partial knowledge of the lives of the city; Woodward illustrates how photojournalism should necessarily be seen within the societal context in which it is produced and in which it functions. Woodward’s point also relates directly to Wheatley-Irving’s discussion of the ‘Holy Land’ photographs by the early photographer Francis Bedford which place his depictions of Palestine more within the context of Victorian Britain than of Palestine’s social reality.
Like Wheatley-Irving’s essay, two other contributions in this essay relate to the history of early photography in the region. Unlike her contribution, however, they focus on
the work of the native photographers. Badr el-Hage highlights the pioneering role played by early Armenian photographers in making photography an eastern practice. Ahmad Mrowat informs us about the newfound collection of photographs of Karimeh Abbud, possibly the first woman professional photographer in the east, and certainly in Palestine. Looking at the studio portraits that she produced, one wonders if the gaze ought to be taken as a one-way relationship between the photographer and the photographed. For Abbud’s subjects clearly gazed with the utmost confidence at the lens of the camera, and by extension at us, the spectators. The poses of the subjects of her photographs, although typical of the period, are so assertive that this viewer felt they were the ones doing the gazing at his world while his gaze into theirs was rather hesitant and insecure. The gaze of the woman standing in front of a Persian rug hanging, carrying and leaning on a chair, was so piecing that her (possibly retouched) eyes appear to be seeing through us as viewers. This Nazareth woman has certainly returned the gaze a thousand times, for she has gazed back at every person who has seen her pose in what appears to be a makeshift studio outside in the open. She refuses to tell us much about who she was and who she could represent.
In her essay on the picture of Palestinian refugee children schooling in a tent, Ella Shohat meditates on the refugee condition; on the power of colonialism to exclude and yet to dominate the lives of its victims by making them speak its own language. But in Mona Halaby’s essay on school girls in British Mandate Jerusalem, another ‘category’ of subjects – to borrow Bowman’s terminology once more – is placed on display for our gazing eyes in the various photographs that illustrate the essay. Utilizing school notebooks, oral histories and photographers, Halaby paints a picture, for the reader, of the lives of young women in a private missionary school in Jerusalem in the 1920s and 1930s. By doing so, she not only illuminates our understanding, as partial as that may be, of social life in Palestine during that crucial period, but she also gave voices to young women – a subaltern category at best in those times.
Photographs lend themselves to a variety of meanings. In this issue of JQ, they tell part of the story of the Palestinian people. The essays in this issue considered together form a collage of images that both bring a society back to life and illustrate, for us, how we can think about images. They also remind us that it is not only us who gaze at the Palestinians in the photographs but it is also them, whom we see in the pictures, who return our gaze; they stare back at us as a remainder that they cannot be forgotten.
اقرأ المحتوى الأصلي بالإنكليزية
من المدونات
محمد علي الخالدي
حملة مقاطعة إسرائيل وأخلاقية المقاطعة
إنكليزي
إعلان خاص
يصدر قريباً عن مؤسسة الدراسات الفلسطينية: كتاب "فلسطين في قرارات القمم العربية والإسلامية"
من المشاريع الرقمية
مختارات من الصحف العبرية
توفيق كنعان (1882-1964)
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Jean Clore PhD | Connections
Home/Jean Clore PhD | Connections
Jean Clore PhD | ConnectionsDrew2020-03-28T16:11:34-05:00
Jean Clore PhD
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology University of Illinois College of Medicine PeoriaPsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Dr. Jean Clore comes from a long line of public educators. She attended Western Michigan University (WMU) despite initially telling her parents she wasn’t interested because of the school’s colors. However, after spending a decade in Kalamazoo, she now proudly bleeds Bronco brown and gold. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Clore joined the United States Peace Corps and served as a teaching trainer in Namibia. After the Peace Corps, she returned to WMU to earn a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. She went on to obtain a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and completed an APA-approved doctoral internship at the Pacific University Psychological Service Center in Portland, Oregon.
Although living in Oregon appealed to Dr. Clore’s interests in hiking, gourmet coffee, and ethnic food, she returned to the Midwest and joined the UICOMP Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in 2011. Dr. Clore specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and supervises our outpatient Resident DBT Training Clinic. She also provides expert opinions in criminal and civil cases for attorneys and courts throughout the region. Dr. Clore serves as the Associate Program Director of the psychiatry residency training program and is actively involved in medical student education. At the college level, she is co-directing the initiative to develop a center for compassionate care training.
Updated 10 months ago.
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« Expiation of Guilt by Expert Witnessing – The Strange Case of Gerrit Schepers
Bendectin, Diclegis & The Philosophy of Science »
Litigation-Driven Access to Underlying Data and Materials
On Monday, October 21, 2013, the Center for Public Integrity published an editorial criticizing Georgia-Pacific Corporation for its “secretive research program.” See “Facing lawsuits over deadly asbestos, paper giant launched secretive research program.”
Georgia-Pacific (GP) commissioned several studies to help advance its defenses in asbestos litigation. Given that plaintiffs, plaintiffs’ counsel, proxies for the plaintiffs, and self-appointed public health zealots have commissioned and conducted research designed to advance interests of the litigation industry (a/k/a the plaintiffs’ bar) and to undermine GP’s defenses, GP’s actions seem perfectly appropriate. GP’s attempt to claim an attorney-client and work-product privilege in the communications with investigators, however, raises serious concerns by casting a shadow over industry sponsorship generally.
In response to publication of GP’s sponsored research, plaintiffs’ counsel Jerry Kristal sought discovery of some of the studies and GP’s role in instigating, planning, conducting, and interpreting the studies. Again, these discovery requests seem perfectly reasonable, but GP reacted by asserting that its lawyers had been involved in the communication loop between GP and the scientists who conducted and published the research, and therefore, the requested evidence was protected by the attorney-client privilege. As I have argued previously, GP’s position was a serious mistake, and it has opened itself up to a good deal of justified criticism for “secretive research.” See, e.g., Noah S. Seixas, “Protecting Our Science,” 57 Ann. Occup. Hyg. 963 (2013) (emphasizing that there was no evidence that GP’s research was in fact fraudulent, and that the papers published in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene had appropriate disclosures). See also “A Cautionary Tale on How Not to Sponsor a Scientific Study for Litigation” (June 21, 2013); “Using the Rule 45 Subpoena to Obtain Research Data” (July 24, 2013).
One measure of the lapse in judgment by GP in questionably asserting an attorney-client privilege is the ammunition that it gives to idealogues and zealots such as the Center for Public Integrity (CPI). The CPI editorial quotes Harvard University Professor Sheila Jasanoff, as noting that:
“There’s something extremely smelly about claiming attorney-client privilege for something that is being claimed at the same time as good science. … Legal confidentiality protections should not be placed around good science.”
Professor Jasonoff is absolutely correct, but interestingly, her olfactory sense has been remarkably inconsistent. Back in October 2007, Dr. Brad Racette and I were invited by the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law of the National Academies of Science to discuss, and debate, litigation and compelled access to underlying research data. Dr. Racette moaned and groaned about how disruptive subpoenas were into the operation of his research. Some members of the Committee seemed sympathetic until I reminded them that Racette’s research grew out of medico-legal screenings organized, conducted, and paid for by plaintiffs’ lawyers, and that it had been over 30 years since the National Research Council urged scientists to plan proactively for sharing data from their research, and that current National Institutes of Health guidelines require such a plan. See National Institutes of Health, Final Statement on Sharing Research Data (Feb. 26, 2003); Stephen E. Fienberg, et al., eds. Committee on National Statistics, National Research Council, Sharing Research Data (1985); Eleanor Singer, chair, Panel on Data Access for Research Purposes, National Research Council, Expanding Access to Research Data: Reconciling Risks and Opportunities (2005). See also National Academy of Sciences Committee on Ensuring the Utility and Integrity of Research Data in a Digital Age, Ensuring the Integrity, Accessibility, and Stewardship of Research Data in the Digital Age (2009). Most members of the Committee expressed their reassurance that nothing untoward had occurred with the subpoena of Dr. Racette’s underlying data, but at the time, Professor Jasanoff maintained her opposition to the approach.
Jasanoff’s selective sniffing reflects the hypocrisy and asymmetry that pervades current discussions of conflicts of interest (COI) and access to data. COI accusations are directed at industry, but not at the litigation industry, staffed by the plaintiffs’ bar and advanced by eco-zealots. Access to data is a rallying cry against pharmaceutical industry clinical trials, and industry-sponsored studies, but when stakeholders want access to non-industry study data, suddenly privacy interests and researchers’ privileges become paramount, and researchers “feel harrassed.” It really is time to choose: either we stop our insistence upon seeing the data themselves, or we formulate rules that apply across the board, independent of study sponsorship.
We are becoming, by fits and starts, a data-driven and evidence-based world. The time has come and gone to rely upon authors’ own interpretation of the data, and to realize that there is a public trust, interest, and need for data sharing. GP’s capital mistake was the same made by Dr. Racette, when he asserted various privileges to argue against disclosure of his underlying data. (Had GP paid attention to prior disputes, it would have learned that the attorney-client privilege has been uniformly rejected, as it was in Racette’s case.) Jasanoff’s capital mistake is to attribute stench to GP for asserting a privilege, but excusing it when done by scientists funded or supported by the “litigation industry.”
The CPI reported that a GP spokesman refused to answer questions, but referred a reporter to GP’s court filings, where GP maintained that it “properly commissioned studies to explore scientific issues that repeatedly arise in joint compound litigation, disclosed its role in the studies themselves, and submitted them to the technical rigors of scientific peer review by qualified scientists who were neither affiliated with nor selected by Georgia-Pacific.”
Sounds good, but then why try to assert an attorney-client privilege and an attorney-work product confidentiality? Plaintiffs’ counsel, having relied upon some rather poorly conducted studies would likely known that peer review is not a very good filter for sound science, and they would press for access to the inner workings of the studies and the possible influence that the sponsor had on any aspect of the studies. Furthermore, faced with the prospect of GP’s succeeding in its claim of privilege, the plaintiffs were surely warranted in trying to explore exceptions to the privilege, such as the crime-fraud exception, weak though the evidence may be to support such an exception.
Now Look Who Is Manufacturing Doubt!
In the GP case, the New York Appellate Division did not hold that GP had engaged in a fraudulent scheme, only that plaintiffs’ allegations were serious enough to support an order that the trial judge review, in camera, the supposedly privileged materials. The CPI, however, has used the decision to support its overwrought generalization of charges against all industry-sponsored studies.
The CPI has used the commonplace smear tactic of analogizing every company’s defensive strategies against litigation, even against unwarranted claims, as a manifestation of the same tactics used by Big Tobacco. Unfortunately, GP advanced the attorney-client privilege theory, which had been asserted previously, and unsuccessfully, by tobacco companies. This legal misstep, however, does not justify CPI’s smear campaign against the scientists who conducted the studies at issue. There is nothing stated or suggested in CPI’s editorial that raises any meaningful question about the validity of the research sponsored by GP.
COI and Access to Data – Two-Way Street
GP’s misguided assertion of the attorney-client privilege opened itself and industry generally to the CPI charges of using “well-paid experts to minimize the hazards of toxic chemicals and fend off liability, regulation, or both.” Indeed, the CPI’s editorial is little more than a sustained ad hominem attack on industry’s efforts to protect itself from liability and regulation, without any acknowledgement that often the attempts to impose liability or regulation are based upon dubious science or imprudent policy. Some liability claims are corrupt, and must be defended, including many frivolous and fraudulent claims in the asbestos litigation.
While the CPI rails against industry experts, it is suspiciously silent about so-called public interest groups or claimants, using well-paid experts, or worse, over-zealous experts, to obtain litigation or regulation results. To be sure, there are many instances of plaintiffs’ expert witnesses failing to disclose their potential conflicts, as well as failing to disclose their funding or support from plaintiffs’ counsel, plaintiffs, or plaintiffs’ proxies. Mr. Kristal’s strategy of claiming fraud in failing to disclose potential conflicts of interest will lead to a regime that will be uncomfortable for many scientists and physicians who fail to make appropriate disclosures. See, e.g., “Conflicts of Interest in Asbestos Studies – the Plaintiffs’ Double Standard” (Sept. 18, 2013); “The Mt. Sinai Catechism” (June 7, 2013).
The CPI’s complaint that GP hired experts who were aligned with their cause is curious given the history of the plaintiffs’ counsel to hire expert witnesses who were aligned with their clients’ labor unions and the like. Irving Selikoff, who was engaged by the insulators’ union to conduct a study of their cancer mortality, had testified in worker compensation proceedings and in some of the early civil actions involving claims of asbestos-related injuries. The CPI quotes plaintiffs’ lawyer Alan Golanski as alleging that GP had tried to “seed” the medical literature with “methodologically skewed, litigation-driven research.” Of course, this is exactly what plaintiffs’ expert witnesses have done over the last half century.
It really is time to stop. COI disclosures cannot be a full, satisfactory answer because the most potent conflicts arise out of intellectual and political commitments, not money. Increasing transparency and access to study protocols, data, analyses may perhaps help.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 at 7:15 am and is filed under Data Sharing, Underlying Data. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Check out Tony Allard’s Artwork
Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Allard.
Tony, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
–Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
What was tattooed on my soul before I was born, has been revealed to me over a lifetime of unseen influences dissolving the boundaries between my conscious and unconscious mind and between my art and my life. I came from a family of eleven children in Kansas and like Dorothy in the musical fantasy film, The Wizard of Oz, I made my way out of the ostensibly black and white, superordinary world of the plains of Kansas to the cinematic, Technicolor world of Southern California. I now live in Normal Heights, teach in the School of Arts at Cal State San Marcos and continue to reveal through a hybrid, nomadic art practice what was indeed tattooed on my soul many treetops ago.
I did not arrive here to Southern California by way of a tornado as Dorothy did when she was bonked on the head by a Kansas twister which lifted her up out of her black and white world—house, dog and all—spun her around and dropped the whole shebang magically down into a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Technicolor movie set in Los Angeles. I arrived in San Diego rather prosaically by car in 1997. Like Dorothy, however, I have traveled the unavoidable, perilous, musical, beautiful, mundane, bizarre road of the hero’s journey out of childhood and into adulthood. I could have never guessed from the start of this journey at the age of five or six when I began showing a vivid aptitude for drawing, where this path would lead me today.
All along the way and quite emphatically my “soul’s code” has given me clues and has insisted that I follow a meandering nomadic path away from the center and out to the edges of experience. This path has transformed me from a traditional, realist painter into a performance artist, video maker, shaman/trickster, poet, bio-art maker and the unofficial mayor of Normal Heights. I did not receive this path or the directions on how to follow it from my culture but rather I have received it from an unknown, unannounced muse writing instructions in archetypal code directly onto my soul. Along with this sacred text/code, I have received warnings that there is hell to pay if I don’t pay attention to these fully formed artwork downloads to my psyche.
So what happened between growing up in the breadbasket-bible-belt-tornado-alley of Topeka, Kansas and now, where I live in a highly contested, ethnically diverse west coast border town in a neighborhood enigmatically named, Normal Heights? For sure, lots of art and life happened in that span of time. All through undergraduate school I had been painting realistically and toying with abstraction but became increasingly aware and agitated in my subconscious mind and dreams that I would not be a painter all my life.
My first real encounter with the demand to authentically read the code tattooed on my soul was my first year in grad school in the Art Department at Kansas University in Lawrence. About three months into the program I stopped painting, dabbled in making conceptual art jokes for a semester and then began a high dive into the world of performance art, industrial noise music, poetry slams and the literary scene in Lawrence. What tipped the balance for me away from painting and into the video, writing, music and performance art were visits to campus by the performance artist, Laurie Anderson, the benevolent trickster and avant guard music composer John Cage and the beat writer, William S. Burroughs. It was my encounters with Burroughs, his writing and his moving to Lawrence in 1981 that set me unconsciously but squarely onto the path of hero’s journey for many years to come. This journey has involved among other things, devil’s bargains, multiple dark nights of the soul, art lawyers, fussy literary agents and two attempts to make art out of Burroughs’ DNA.
After undergraduate school and to this day, I continue down my chosen path of the artistic nomad, not settling definitively in one artistic medium but rather developing trans-media, time-based, solo and collaborative works that take on the urgent but frisky conversations of our time. Like a nomad who is compelled away from the center and out to the nervy edges of town, I have become a trickster compelled to street level to scramble genres, to put things where they don’t belong and to playfully blur the all-too-serious line between art and life. I have had the good fortune over the years to explore the edges of experimentation in many places nationally and internationally–Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Ireland, Japan, Canada, Germany, Mexico, among others. Hands down, the most transforming experiences have been at street level, right here in the Normal on Adams Avenue at all times of the day and night.
So what about that Burroughs DNA and making art out of it? This is where my hero’s journey and my soul’s code took me to places in my psyche and artistic career that I could never have imagined as an introspective, quiet, young painter from Kansas. So here we go! In 1996 I attempted to get the writer William S. Burroughs’ DNA sequenced and make art out of it. Then in 2010, I once again attempted to make art out of Burroughs’ DNA. In both these attempts, the muse and/or author of my soul’s code arrived as usual unannounced in my subconscious mind in the middle of the night in both 1996 and 2010 to deliver these two fully formed artworks to my psyche. The question is, where did these ideas come from? This question remains one of my great inspirations to continue making art because it cannot be logically answered and therefore can be fully trusted as the creative way to go. And go I did at top speed.
I came close to pulling off both these attempts to make art out of Burroughs’ DNA, but especially in 2012 when my bio art collaborator and I extracted two vials full of Burroughs’ microbiome DNA at a genetics lab at the Kansas University Medical Center. After extracting the DNA we stored it in a minus 80-degree freezer for use later in an interactive art installation in Kansas City. We were getting set to create a transgenic mutation or if you will, a genetic cutup by shooting a BIO-RAD Helios gene gun loaded with Burroughs’ microbiome DNA and nanogold dust particles into the nucleus of umbilical cord cells. But, as is typically the case in a hero’s journey, a dark night of the soul and/or devil’s bargain took hold of the “Mutate or Die” project and it abruptly ended.
Like Dorothy and her posse of misfits stumbling their way to OZ through Dorothy’s own dark-night-of-the-soul woods, I eventually made it to the other side. But along the way, I encountered the equivalent of shape-shifting good witches and bad witches, charlatans, hybrid beings, wayward alchemists, black magic and a seemingly endless circus parade of edge workers. Ultimately I failed to deliver, as Burroughs would say, these two “immortality blueprints”.
What remains of this part of my hero’s journey are these stories, a few bizarre artifacts and a film I am now making about my attempts to launch Burroughs’ genetic code into the future. The stories and the film will become part of a three-act, operatically enhanced live cinema performance entitle “Mutate or Die”. This epic strangeness will be “set” appropriately in Normal Heights and unfold inside The People’s Opera House. Yours truly, the unofficial mayor of Normal Heights will be building this nomadic opera house over the next year with the Normal Heights community. What follows is a press release for the launch of The People’s Opera House project and details on how you can get involved.
Press Release for The People’s Opera House Project Launch.
Project launch on July 28th at Lestat’s West Venue in Normal Heights from 3 – 5 PM.
The People’s Opera House Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thepeoplesopera/
The People’s Opera House project is a social experiment in crowd-sourced creativity that engages audiences in the urgent but frisky conversations of our time. At the core of The People’s Opera House project is an operatically enhanced, live cinema film I am making entitled “Mutate or Die”. This film chronicles my entry into the “directed evolution” conversation by way of my two attempts in 1996 and 2012 to make art out of the writer William S. Burroughs’ DNA. This evening at Lestat’s West Venue you the people will be introduced to the project and creatively brought into the “directed evolution” conversation.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I create solo and collaborative, time-based art experiences that playfully question our habitual commitments to consensus culture, while at the same time generating non-ordinary states of mind. These extra-ordinary states of mind can free up personal and collective creativity, which is ultimately good for my/our mental health.
The creation of these consciousness-raising experiences comes from my life-long desire to put things where they don’t belong. I start with play and instinctual expression and begin combining materials, mediums, situations, music, movement, texts, drawings, video, etc., in order to activate the new but hidden language in the work of art I am attempting to make manifest. I call this new language BEYONDSENSE.
I create these BEYONDSENSE experiences too, as I mentioned above, question the juggernaut of consensus reality that we have collectively built together. It is now universally agreed that we humans use only a fractional amount of our cognitive abilities and trace a very narrow data path in our daily lives.
Which means that there is an astounding amount of our reality that is available to us if we could only dispense with these habituated thoughts, actions and speech. I create these BEYONDSENSE experiences as a personal and public service to get the hell out of my/our own way and experience the truly transcendent beauty of creative consciousness that is always there waiting for us.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Throughout my teaching career, I have encountered many students who let the financial boogeyman stand squarely in the way of their calling as an artist. This seemingly real pressure from parents, partners, peers and the society at large should not hold a candle to this calling but it does and there is a price to pay for not “following your bliss” as Joseph Campbell once said. It takes something to first shut out all this chatter about money and making a living and then become very still and really listen to what is calling you forth. It can be done but it is rare and takes tremendous focus and discipline.
I have witnessed remarkable transformations of students who simply would not take no for an answer, plowed right through the boogeyman of money and fully tapped into their creativity and passion which, ironically, propelled them into a job that actually fed their creativity rather than robbed them of it. Creativity knows no class and if you are struggling with financial concerns this is the ideal situation to tap into your creativity and generate solutions. In amidst all the turmoil of concern don’t ever stop playing!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is available online at these links:
-FOSSIL MEDIA – http://fossilmedia.net/
-Tony Allard on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/user6347458
FURTHER:
-A nomadic center for creative consciousness – https://www.facebook.com/further.furthermore
-The People’s Opera House Project – https://www.facebook.com/thepeoplesopera/
-The Artist Odyssey – https://theartistodyssey.com/library/
Academic Links:
-The DOWNSTREAM Collective at Cal State San Marcos – https://www.facebook.com/downstreamcsusm/
-Digital Drawing Curriculum Development Symposium – https://www.facebook.com/digitaldrawingsymposium/
The quickest way that people can support my work is by participating in the launch and creation of The People’s Opera House Project in Normal Heights. The next opportunity to participate will be at the project launch on July 28th at Lestat’s West Venue in Normal Heights from 3 – 5 PM.
If you are interested in jumping into the mix please contact:
-Tony Allard: antalla@cox.net
-The People’s Opera House Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thepeoplesopera/
-FOSSIL MEDIA: http://fossilmedia.net/
The People’s Opera House project invites you to further participate over the next year in the creation of the “Mutate or Die” film and live cinema performances. Please consider the list below, which is by no means final but is open and evolving!
Website: https://public.csusm.edu/fossilmedia/index.html
Email: antalla@cox.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.allard.58
All photos are credited to Tony Allard.
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Katrina Voss
Title: Katrina Voss
Subject: Free Inquiry, Katrina (given name), The Weather Channel Latin America
The topic of this article may not meet World Heritage Encyclopedia's notability guideline for biographies. Please help to establish notability by adding reliable, secondary sources about the topic. If notability cannot be established, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted.
Katrina Voss worked as a bilingual broadcast meteorologist for The Weather Channel Latin America and AccuWeather[1] and holds the AMS Seal.[2] She is known for being a regular columnist for the secular humanist journal Free Inquiry magazine.[3] Her work has also appeared in New Scientist,[4] The Humanist,[5] and Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society where she wrote about sharing a name with a devastating hurricane.[6] After Hurricane Katrina's impact in 2005, her comments on hurricane naming and its psychological consequences were cited in the media.[7] [8] [9] [10] She has also questioned the merits of the American Meteorological Society's phasing out of their Seal of Approval and replacement with the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) Seal.[11]
In an August 2009 issue of New Scientist, she took a controversial position on DNA privacy.[12]
She is a science education video contributor to SciVee[13] and is married to population geneticist Mark D. Shriver.
Name Voss, Katrina
Short description American meteorologist
This article about an American scientist is a stub. You can help World Heritage Encyclopedia by expanding it.
Richard Dawkins, United States, English language, Christopher Hitchens, Secularism
Katrina (given name)
Female, Greek language, Katarina (given name), English language, German language, Norwegian language
The Weather Channel Latin America
The Weather Channel, Landmark Media Enterprises, Buenos Aires, Spanish language, Mexico
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Studies in Legal History
The Book series of the American Society for Legal History
ASLH Home
Guidelines for Prospective Authors
About the Book Series
About Our Editors
Southern Slavery and the Law, 1619-1860
Kelsey Salvesen
Thomas D. Morris.
Published February 1999. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-4817-3.
This volume is the first comprehensive history of the evolving relationship between American slavery and the law from colonial times to the Civil War. As Thomas Morris clearly shows, racial slavery came to the English colonies as an institution without strict legal definitions or guidelines. Specifically, he demonstrates that there was no coherent body of law that dealt solely with slaves. Instead, more general legal rules concerning inheritance, mortgages, and transfers of property coexisted with laws pertaining only to slaves. According to Morris, southern lawmakers and judges struggled to reconcile a social order based on slavery with existing English common law (or, in Louisiana, with continental civil law.) Because much was left to local interpretation, laws varied between and even within states. In addition, legal doctrine often differed from local practice. And, as Morris reveals, in the decades leading up to the Civil War, tensions mounted between the legal culture of racial slavery and the competing demands of capitalism and evangelical Christianity.
“Supports and takes exception to many of the traditional views regarding Southern slavery. By overlaying American slavery with Southern law, Morris provides us with valuable insight and analysis. This book will long be considered a classic for understanding Southern slavery and the social system in which it existed.”
– Our State
“This fine book is now the standard work concerning the legal history of slavery in the United States.”
– Journal of Southern History
“The fullest and most probing explication to date of the policies and practices of the ‘laws’ of slavery.”
– Historian
“A valuable contribution to the historiography of southern law and to the historiography of the institution of slavery.”
– Journal of the Early Republic
“Brimming with knowledge and insight about a horrific aspect of our legal culture that continues to affect us.”
– Washington Post Book World
“Morris’s comprehensive investigation ranges from 17th-century Chesapeake to late antebellum Texas in considering sources of slave law, the role of race in its development, and relationships among slavery, capitalism, and the law. . . . Historians of slavery will find perceptive observations on violence by and against slaves, manumission, hiring out, and flight.”
– Choice
1997 Frank L. and Harriet C. Owsley Award, Southern Historical Association, 1996 Book Award, Society for Historians of the Early American Republic
Beyond the Prison Gates: Punishment and Welfare in Germany, 1850-1933 (Sep 20, 2009)
Warren Rosenblum. Published 2009. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-3204-2. Germany today has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the industrialized world, and social welfare principles play an essential role at all levels of the German criminal justice system. Warren Rosenblum examines the roots of this social approach to criminal policy in …
Transfers of Property in Eleventh-Century Norman Law (Sep 19, 1988)
Emily Zack Tabuteau. Published 1988. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-6628-3. Perhaps the greatest problem of medieval property law was that third parties and even grantors themselves often challenged transactions, making the lives of grantees miserable with lawsuits or forcible seizures. By the eleventh century, many devices for attempting to …
The Bar and the Old Bailey, 1750-1850 (Nov 30, 2003)
Allyson N. May. Published November 2003. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-2806-9. Allyson May chronicles the history of the English criminal trial and the development of a criminal bar in London between 1750 and 1850. She charts the transformation of the legal process and the evolution of professional standards of conduct for the criminal bar …
Selling the Church: The English Parish in Law, Commerce, and Religion, 1350-1550 (Nov 13, 2002)
Robert C. Palmer. Published November 2002. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-2743-7. In the years of expanding state authority following the Black Death, English common law permitted the leasing of parishes by their rectors and vicars, who then pursued interests elsewhere and left the parish in the control of lay lessees. But a series of statutes …
The People’s Welfare: Law and Regulation in Nineteenth-Century America (Dec 16, 1996)
William J. Novak. Published December 1996. Order online through The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN: 978-0-8078-4611-7. Much of today’s political rhetoric decries the welfare state and our maze of government regulations. Critics hark back to a time before the state intervened so directly in citizens’ lives. In The People’s Welfare, William Novak refutes this vision of a stateless …
About ASLH
The American Society for Legal History was founded in 1956 to foster interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching in the broad field of legal history. Although based in the United States, its purview and membership are international in scope. The Society sponsors a book series, Studies in Legal History, and a quarterly journal, the Law and History Review, both of which are published for the Society by Cambridge University Press.
H-LAW
The American Council of Learned Societies
The Organization of American Historians
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Beach volleyball 18/01/2017
Rio honours Olympic medallists with Wall of Champions
Lausanne, Switzerland, January 18, 2017 – The Rio 2016 Wall of Champions honours the medallists at last year's Summer Games. Unveiled by Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes in December, it stands proudly at the Barra Olympic Park.
China volleyball receives four honours at CCTV Sports Awards
Beijing, China, January 16, 2017 – The Chinese women’s national team reaped four prestigious honours from China’s Central Television (CCTV) Sports Awards gala on Sunday.
Rio 2016: Olympic Games golden for Brazilian men
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 29, 2016 — Leaving a lasting legacy in Rio de Janeiro with its iconic competition venue, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) relished a robust men’s beach volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August.
Rio 2016: Germans rule for women’s gold
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 28, 2016 - Looking back on the women’s competition on Copacabana Beach with its iconic venue, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) will long recall the record-setting Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Rio 2016: Brazil celebrates its Olympic winners and Serginho takes centre stage
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 27, 2016 - On the day of the closing ceremony, it was the grand finale of the Rio Olympic Games and one of the most emotional moments of those incredible 17 days for the hosts: Brazil’s volleyballers won the long-awaited Olympic gold medal in the volleyball temple that is the Maracanãzinho.
Rio 2016: Lang Ping and China earn place in history books
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 26, 2016 - More than a quarter of a year after winning gold at the Rio Olympics, that historic success is still occupying China’s golden volleyball legend “Jenny” Lang Ping.
Italy claim team of the year at Gazzetta Sports Awards
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 15, 2016 – Italy’s men’s volleyball team were rewarded for their efforts in 2016 by winning the team of the year award at the Gazzetta Sports Awards.
Max Holt joins USA 2016 Players of the Year
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 13, 2016 - Max Holt has been named USA Player of the Year for 2016 by USA Volleyball, the country's governing body for the sport, in recognition of his Rio 2016 Olympic performance where USA claimed the bronze medal.
Brouwer/Meeuwsen and Guidetti nominated for Dutch awards
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 5, 2016 – Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallists Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen were nominated for Team of the Year, while Netherlands women’s national team coach Giovanni Guidetti is up for the Coach of the Year award in the NOS NOC * NSF Sports Gala to be held on December 21.
A day in the life of a beach volleyball sand raker
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 5, 2016 - Beach volleyball was a signature event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with volunteers playing an important role in the success of the tournament. Sand rakers guaranteed the court was always even and the lines clear, providing perfect playing conditions for the teams participating in the 2016 Summer Games.
Larson-Burbach receives second USAV Player of the Year award
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 2, 2016 - A stalwart of the USA team which won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and silver at this year's FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach has been selected for the 2016 USA Volleyball Female Indoor Player of the Year award after also winning the prize in 2015.
Ngapeth's 180-degree attack in Rio 2016 highlights
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 30, 2016 - Even three months after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the excitement of it all remains intense and the memories of the achievements of some of volleyball's finest still linger on.
Lang Ping sees two options after Rio 2016 triumph
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 29, 2016 - China's coaching legend Lang Ping has indicated that her options going forward after leading her country to triumph at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are either to continue with the women's national team or to retire.
FIVB shortlisted for Peace and Sport Federation of the Year Award
Principality of Monaco, November 24, 2016 – The FIVB was today among the nominees for the Peace and Sport Federation of the Year Award in recognition of its development work, in particular its Rio Social Sport Legacy programme.
Dan Apol, 1972-2016
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 17, 2016 – The FIVB was extremely saddened to learn of the passing of International Beach Volleyball Referee Dan Apol, who died in the early hours of Wednesday.
Limited edition Rio 2016 prints set to be unveiled
London, England, November 9, 2016 – Beach volleyball fans can re-live the excitement of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games as FIVB artist Peter Spens is set to unveil the finished prints of the works he painted courtside at the Copacabana Beach Arena.
FIVB in Rio book celebrates volleyball's Olympic success
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 5, 2016 - Published to coincide with the opening of the 35th FIVB World Congress, the FIVB in Rio book retraces the successes of the volleyball and beach volleyball tournaments at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and looks back at the award-winning Volleyball House and the international federation's development activities in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio 2016 Volleyball House legacy starting to be felt
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 30, 2016 – The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games may have finished over a month ago, but the legacy of that spectacular fortnight is being felt across the city with the FIVB leading the way.
One month on, Rio in our hearts
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 21, 2016 - One month after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games we look back at a true celebration of volleyball at the iconic Maracanãzinho Stadium.
Looking back: China win Olympic gold
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 20, 2016 - A month has gone by since the women's volleyball final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but the memories of China's victory remain strong.
FIVB Volleyball House wins award for best hospitality house of Olympic Games in Legacy category
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 14, 2016 - The FIVB Volleyball House continues to inspire and impress a month after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as it has been announced as the winner of a "Hospitality Houses of the Rio 2016 Games" award in the legacy category.
Smashed, tied, revised or still standing: The Records of Rio 2016
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 8, 2016 - Olympic Records were shattered, tied, revised or simply left standing when the final count of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was tallied. Here's the full roundup:
Lupo and Nicolai staying grounded despite Rio silver
Rome, Italy, September 7, 2016 – Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai may have been feted across Italy since they returned home from the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games with the beach volleyball silver medals round their necks, but they are determined to keep their feet on the ground to ensure they have plenty more medals to add to their collections in the future.
A month after opening, Brazil still bask in Rio 2016 gold glory
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 7, 2016 - A month ago to the day, Brazil's men set off on unsure footing on what turned out to be a dream-come-true adventure, as they embarked on the Rio 2016 Olympic campaign by dropping their first set in the competition to Mexico.
Relive Egypt's Olympic beach volleyball debut
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 6, 2016 – The Olympic Games provide an opportunity for athletes from all over the world to compete, bringing together many cultures and countries.
One month after first serve, memories of Rio still stay strong
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 6, 2016 - With a two-minute delay, at exactly 09:32 local time a month ago to the day, Dominican referee Denny Cespedes blew the first whistle and Korea's Park Jeongah stepped up to the service line in Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracanazinho Stadium to get the biggest volleyball spectacle on the planet rolling.
Reminiscing Rio and the delights of Copacabana
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 6, 2016 – A month ago today the world was tuning in to watch the start of the beach volleyball at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and now fans of the sport can relive the highlights from Copacabana thanks to the Olympic Channel.
Back to school for Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 5, 2016 – The end of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games saw the end of the Volleyball House on Copacabana. But since then it has been transformed once again to welcome the building’s regular occupants; the students of the Cicero Pena School.
New Tech: The most eagle-eyed coaches at Rio 2016
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 5, 2016 - New technology for volleyball made its way into the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with a bang, introducing tablets for referees and coaches, intercom between officials and video challenge to be called by coaches. But who where the most successful of these coaches when it came to questioning the refs' decisions?
Kim Yeon-koung learning lessons from Rio
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 5, 2016 – Korea’s dreams of claiming a first Olympic medal since 1976 Montreal Games may have ended at the quarterfinal stage in Rio, but for captain and star player Kim Yeon-koung, it was an experience she will not forget in a hurry.
Zhu Ting nominated for Sportswoman of the Year Award
Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2, 2016 - If you were impressed by MVP Zhu Ting at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, now is your chance to vote for China's star outside hitter in the 2016 Sportswoman of the Year Award, an award organised by the Women's Sport Foundation.
Ludwig/Walkenhorst nominated for top women's award
Lausanne, Switzerland September 2, 2016 – The awards keep coming for recently crowned Rio 2016 Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, with the German pair now unveiled as one of the nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year team sport award by the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Brazil remain top of men’s world ranking after gold finish in Rio 2016
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 29, 2016 – Brazil strengthened their position at the top of the FIVB Senior World Ranking – Men after their gold medal finish at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, while world champions Poland also cemented their hold on second spot.
Olympic champions China reach top spot in women’s world ranking
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 29, 2016 – China moved two places up in the FIVB Senior World Ranking – Women after a phenomenal gold medal finish in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which also positioned them at the top of the ranking table.
Press review: Volleyball still making headlines after rumble in Rio
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 24, 2016 – The Rio 2016 Olympic Games may have ended a few days ago, but volleyball is continuing to make headlines around the world after a spectacular event at both the Maracanazinho and on Copacabana beach.
Priddy completes fourth Olympics with pride
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 24, 2016 - The 38-year-old American Reid Priddy featured at his fourth Olympics in Rio de Janeiro helping his team defeat reigning champions Russia on Sunday to claim a bronze medal.
Joy and gratitude for silver medallists Agatha and Barbara
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 23, 2016 - Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas said a sense of joy and gratitude were the dominant feelings following their silver medal in the women's beach volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
President Graça reflects on a dream come true for volleyball and beach volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 23, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° looks back at successes for volleyball and beach volleyball at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Serginho highlights role of libero with Rio 2016 MVP award
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - The role of a libero is a thankless job - but nonetheless one that has to be done, and has to be done well. The spotlight centres on the monster blocks and the massive spikes, but if it weren't for liberos to set it all up, volleyball would be a poorer spectacle.
Questions asked and questions answered as curtain falls on Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - Just two short weeks ago, on the opening day of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, we posed questions awaiting answers ahead of the volleyball action. With the Games of the XXXI Olympiad now wrapped up, these questions have finally found their answers.
Press review: Brazil crowned in spectacular Olympic finale
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - Brazil defeated Italy to claim gold in the men's volleyball tournament on Sunday in a fittingly spectacular finale to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The competition hosts celebrated late into the night as the Closing Ceremony at the Maracana looked ahead to the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
MVP Zhu Ting celebrates Chinese team spirit
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - A key player for China, tournament MVP Zhu Ting praised her team's efforts in their victory against Serbia in the women's volleyball tournament final on Saturday at the Maracanãzinho.
Alison and Bruno split gold medal with coach
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt, who defeated Italians Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai to claim gold in the men's beach volleyball tournament final on Thursday, commissioned a replica of their gold medal to offer to their coach Leandro Andreão.
From Rio to Tokyo, the countdown for 2020 is on!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 21, 2016 - With the dust still to settle on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, attention is already shifting to Tokyo 2020 -now 1433 days out, after the Olympic Flag was returned tonight from Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes to International Olympic Committe (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who in turn handed it over to Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike.
Social media heats up as Brazil top volleyball world
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 21, 2016 – Brazil closed out the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games with Olympic gold at the Maracanazinho Arena on Sunday. Their 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 26-24) win also ended a 12-year wait to be crowned Olympic champions following silver medal finishes at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
For USA’s Lee, “Tokyo no, World Championships yes, if they will have me!”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 2016 - Immediately after David Lee captained the United States’ men’s Volleyball team to a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, the three-time “Summer” Games participant was asked about his future in the sport where he has played in over 280 international matches.
Lang Ping becomes first person in volleyball to win Olympic gold as player and coach
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 21, 2016 – China coach Lang Ping added another Olympic gold medal to her long list of outstanding achievements, this time as coach of the Asian squad that beat Serbia in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s final at Maracanazinho on Saturday.
China ride wave of fans' support to gold
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 21, 2016 - A huge TV audience in China and amazing support inside the Maracanazinho lifted China through to Olympic gold against Serbia in Saturday's final.
Social media takes Maracanazinho women's medal match drama around the globe
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 – China’s women finished the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games on top of the volleyball world after they defeated Serbia in the gold medal match on Saturday.
Dutchmen “floating” home to meet the "King"! Then Toronto?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 21, 2016 - Two days after winning the men's Beach Volleyball bronze medal on iconic Copacabana, Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of The Netherlands were still "floating on a cloud" after reaching the podium at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Europeans showing no gap exists with traditional powers
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 – After the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games there is little doubt that Europe’s leading sides are now no longer the underdogs when they face the traditional powers from Brazil and the USA.
16 days of Volleyball House activity ends in true Rio style
Rio de Janiero, Brazil, August 20, 2016 – Since its opening 16 days ago, the Volleyball House has seen hundreds of sporting celebrities, media, broadcasters, partners and members of the volleyball family come through its doors. Its Carioca hospitality and ambience made the House the place to be on Copacabana beach during the Olympics. It seems fitting then that on its last day of operations, the Volleyball House welcomed Rio native, Heloísa Eneida Pinheiro.
Kiraly “phenomenal feeling” after winning fifth Olympic medal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 - Despite the disappointment of a semi-final setback to Serbia, Karch Kiraly is still relentless in is pursuit of perfection in Volleyball as he coached the American women’s team here Saturday to a four-set bronze medal victory over The Netherlands at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Magic of Copacabana takes over social media
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 – Beach volleyball at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games was undoubtedly one of the great arenas on display, with its backdrop of the world-famous Copacabana beach being beamed into homes across the globe on a daily basis.
Unique Maracanazinho semifinal atmosphere captured on social media
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 – Fans, athletes and personalities have been flocking to the Maracanazinho in their thousands to watch the world’s biggest volleyball stars battle for an Olympic medal. They have been sharing their thoughts about the impressive venue across social media.
Technological advances transform field of play
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20, 2016 - The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have been a celebration of volleyball and beach volleyball, with the spectacular Maracanãzinho and Copacabana Beach venues taking player and spectator experiences to new levels. And technology is playing its role too.
FIVB delivers impressive sports presentation masterclass at Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Volleyball sets the standard for fan engagement at an Olympic Games through its new innovations.
Alison and Ludwig top Rio 2016 Olympic performers
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 19, 2016 - After 13 days of competition featuring 108 matches watched by 280,920 spectators with pairs from Germany and Brazil topping the podiums at the 12,000-seat “Coliseu on Copacabana”, the last bit of Beach Volleyball business for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was naming the most outstanding players for the men’s and women’s competition.
TALKIN’ STATS: Rio 2016 Olympic Games Beach Volleyball Men’s Review
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 19, 2016 — Leaving a lasting legacy in Rio de Janeiro from the past three weeks with its iconic competition venue and Volleyball House, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) takes a look at some of the significant stats from the men’s Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Alison and Bruno hit new heights on way to Olympic glory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 – Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt lived up to their status as Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games favourites by defeating Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai in front of a full house of 12,000 at the Copacabana Beach Arena on Thursday.
Olympic anniversary celebrated with Legends match
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 – The FIVB celebrated the 20 year anniversary since beach volleyball was first introduced to the Olympic Games at Atlanta in 1996 with two Legends matches between the bronze and gold medal matches of the men's and women's beach volleyball competition at the Copacabana Beach arena.
History makers and movers at the Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 – The Volleyball House has seen its fair share of volleyball and beach volleyball celebrities since the start of the Olympics, but Thursday’s visitors have helped shaped the course of the sports’ history in more ways than one.
TALKIN’ STATS: Rio 2016 Olympic Games Beach Volleyball Women’s Review
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 18, 2016 — Quickly developing a showcase presence in Rio de Janeiro for the past three weeks with its iconic competition venue and Volleyball House, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) takes a look at some of the significant stats from the women’s Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Xavier's Xcellent Xample, the “Coliseu on Copacabana”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 - Five weeks ago, Luisa Xavier got a call about something going array in the Beach Volleyball venue for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
German gals gain glory, Copacabana gold!
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 - It’s the morning after and the followers of Beach Volleyball around the world are still in “awe” of the performance by Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst of Germany in dominating the top two-seeded women’s pairs in the Rio 2016 Olympic competition to spoil what was to be a Brazilian beach party on the sands of Copacabana early Thursday morning.
European champs out to end Brazilians’ Rio dreams
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 18, 2016 – Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai will face the ultimate test of their skills when they take on Brazil’s Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games men’s beach volleyball gold medal match on Thursday.
Argentina’s ‘Las Panteras’ take the Volleyball House by storm
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 17, 2016 – Following the example of their volleyball legend Hugo Conte, Argentina’s women’s volleyball team, ‘Las Panteras’, stopped in at the Volleyball House on Wednesday.
FIVB continues to innovate and inspire at Rio 2016 with “Legend’s Classics”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 17, 2016 – The FIVB has set the standard for fan engagement at Rio 2016 through its new innovations and narrative of the game and now, in cooperation with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the FIVB will entertain the Beach Volleyball Arena with “Legend’s Classics” games taking place between the bronze and gold medal matches for men and women.
Pottharst and Cook remember golden day on Bondi
Rio de Janeiro, August 17, 2016 – Over the next two days at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games two new sets of Olympic beach volleyball champions will be crowned at the Copacabana Beach Arena.
Copacabana women’s golden contest pits Germany vs. Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 17, 2016 - It will be Germany vs. Brazil for the women’s gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after pairs from the European and South American countries won semi-final matches at the 12,000--seat “Coliseu on Copacabana” Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning.
World champs set to face Euro champs for Olympic glory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 16, 2016 – Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt kept up their pursuit of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games gold medal with a 2-1 (21-17, 21-23, 16-14) victory over the Netherlands Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen at the Copacabana Beach Arena on Tuesday.
Lima and Conte demonstrate unifying power of volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 16, 2016 - Brazil and Argentina, two South American countries who traditionally find themselves on opposite sides of the net, saw two of its greatest volleyball players Mauricio Lima and Hugo Conte take to the Copa Courts for a friendly match on Tuesday.
Volleyball house welcomes the families behind the athletes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 16, 2016 – What is it like for the families of Olympic athletes taking part in Rio 2016?
Volleyball House a hit with AISTS students
Rio de Janeiro, August 16, 2016 – The Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS) was welcomed to the Volleyball House on Tuesday, proving that the FIVB is committed to nurturing the next generation of the volleyball family both on and off the court.
Spens commits Copacabana memories to canvas
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 16, 2016 – Peter Spens has one of the most enviable positions at the Copacabana Beach Arena for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament.
World champion duos face off for Rio 2016 final spot
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen will face their successors as FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships gold medallists at the Copacabana Beach Arena with a place in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games gold medal match on the line.
European three standing between world champs and Olympic glory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai enjoyed the better of a thrilling two-set clash against Nikita Liamin and Dmitri Barsuk to reach the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games semifinals at the Copacabana Beach Arena on Monday.
Athletes raise Volleyball House temperature
Rio de Janiero, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – While some spectacular beach volleyball and volleyball action has taken place on Day 11 of the Olympic Games, the Volleyball House has seen no shortage of activity.
Olympics success continues for top four-seeded women’s teams
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - The women’s semi-finals here Tuesday will mark the second-straight Olympics and the 27th-time since the FIVB started sanctioning women’s Beach Volleyball in August 1992 that the top four-seeded women’s team have advanced to the “final four” together at the same event.
History unfolding, Part II Tuesday
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - On a warm, sunny June Saturday at the Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium in Hamburg, as many as 8,000 Beach Volleyball fans were ready to watch history unfold.
Beach Volleyball set to return to The Hague with FIVB World Tour Events
Rio de Janeiro, August 15, 2016 - After the overwhelming success of the 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, Dutch volleyball fans can look forward to the return of the sport as The Hague has been confirmed as FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour hosts for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons.
FIVB Athletes’ Commission officially launched at Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça today officially launched the FIVB’s very first Athletes’ Commission at the FIVB Volleyball House in Copacabana as the federation formalises long-term and loyal relations with its global network of athletes and re-affirms its commitment to ensuring athletes are the focus of its administration.
Hamburg memories to be recreated in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - Over two months ago at the smart Major Hamburg in the European port city, two teams from Brazil competed against Beach Volleyball pairs from Germany and the United States for medals at the SWATCH Major Series event.
Brazil and USA head women's quarterfinals after undefeated pool play finish
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 - Brazil and USA are on a collision course to repeat the London 2012 final after the results of the last round of women's volleyball pool play and a drawing of lots for the quarterfinals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Basketball stars on hand to cheer Walsh-Jennings and Ross on to victory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 14, 2016 – Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross were given a surprise boost during their Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games quarterfinal win over Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy when members of the USA’s men’s basketball team visited Copacabana Beach Arena to lend their support.
Olympic newcomers cherish memorable Rio 2016 experience
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – Olympic newcomers Argentina, Cameroon and Puerto Rico may have ended their journey in the tournament, but they will cherish a lot of memorable moments from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Big names face off for Rio 2016 semi spot
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 14, 2016 – Phil Dalhausser and Alison Cerutti - two of the biggest names and two of the biggest frames in beach volleyball - will clash across the net in the first of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games men’s quarterfinals at Copacabana Beach Arena on Monday.
Russian pair end Rio duos home dreams at Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – Nikita Liamin and Dmitri Barsuk pulled off the first major upset of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament elimination rounds when they knocked out Brazil’s Pedro Salgado and Evandro Goncalves with a 2-1 (16-21, 21-14, 15-10) win at the Copacabana Beach Arena on Saturday.
Russians and Swiss pairs breaking through on Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 14, 2016 - Six of the top eight-seeded teams in the women’s Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games have advanced to Sunday’s quarter-finals with Ekaterina Birlova/Evgeniya Ukolova of Russia and Joana Heidrich/Nadine Zumkehr of Switzerland posting “break-through” wins during the opening two days of elimination matches.
Aussies, Canadians, Germans & Swiss advance to women's Beach quarterfinals
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2015 - Women’s pairs from Australia, Canada, Germany and Switzerland captured the last four women’s quarter-final berths here Saturday in the Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on iconic Copacabana.
Volleyball House always high on sporting inspiration
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – As the action at the volleyball and beach volleyball venues reaches fever pitch, Volleyball House continues to see the crème-de-la-crème of sporting personalities come through its doors.
Mireya Luis Hernandez unveils biography at Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – Three time Olympic champion Mireya Luis Hernandez launched her biography at the FIVB's Volleyball House on Saturday.
Beach volleyball to get live virtual reality experience in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – Fans not lucky enough to be on Copacabana Beach for the men’s and women’s finals of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament will still have the chance to experience it through a fully immersive virtual reality broadcast.
Agatha lauds beach volleyball venue
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – FIVB Beach Volleyball world champion Agatha Bednarczuk has called on all fans to head to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball arena on Copacabana beach to experience the unique atmosphere the venue has to offer.
Strong family vibe on Copa Courts
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – The FIVB is committed to making volleyball the number one family sport entertainment in the world and that is no more evident than on the Copa Courts at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where players of all ages and abilities are emulating their heroes on the court at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Samba sensation on Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – With Copacabana considered the home of beach volleyball, it is little surprise that visitors to the iconic beach are soaking up the unique atmosphere the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is offering. Add samba and the bloco party to the mix, and it is a recipe for good times.
Herrera aiming for another Olympic-sized result
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 - Pablo Herrera will be aiming for another huge result when he and Adrian Gavira take on number one seeds and reigning world champions Alison Cerutti at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games round of 16 on Saturday.
Lupo and Nicolai signal return to form with derby d’Italia victory
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 – Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai showed that they are nearing their best form by beating compatriots Adrian Carambula and Alex Ranghieri in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games round of 16 at Copacabana Beach Arena on Friday.
Americans, Brazilians & Russians post “Sweet 16” wins
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 - Two Brazilian pairs posted “Sweet 16” wins along Americans April Ross/Kerri Walsh Jennings and Russians Ekaterina Birlova/Evgeniya Ukolova here Friday and early Saturday morning in the women’s Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Final women’s Round of 16 matches Saturday
Reo de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 - Three pool winners will be trying to validate their preliminary successes in the women’s Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by posting “Sweet 16” wins here Saturday to advance to the quarter-finals.
Athlete takeover at Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 - Volleyball athletes from around the world flocked to the Volleyball House today, proving the beach volleyball arena isn’t the only place to be on Rio’s iconic Copacabana Beach.
Cameroon spread good vibes in volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 – Cameroon have gone through four matches so far in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s volleyball, but in that short span of time, the African team have shown their brand of volleyball to the rest of the world.
Volleyball technology wows former Brazilian stars
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 – Two notable Brazilian Olympians, Marcelo Negrao and Paulao, were heavily involved in modern volleyball on Friday at the FIVB’s Volleyball House on Atlantic Avenue.
Derby d’Italia the standout tie, as round of 16 gets underway
Rio de Janeiro, August 11, 2016 – Italian loyalties will be split on the first day of the round 16 when the country’s two sides clash at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games in the Copacabana Beach Arena on Friday.
Women’s Olympic medal winners maintain pace as attention turns to Round of 16
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 - When elimination play opens here Saturday in the women’s beach volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic, three players are still competing for a return visit to the podium while one team is seeking to better their previous finish in the “Summer” Games.
Pedro and Evandro leave it late, but hit form at just the right time
Rio de Janeiro, August 11, 2016 – Pedro Salgado and Evandro Goncalves recovered from losing their opening two Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games matches to book an automatic place in the elimination rounds at Copacabana Beach Arena on Thursday.
Italy and Poland take advantage after three days of men's volleyball at Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - Italy and Poland remain the only two undefeated teams in men's volleyball at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, after hosts Brazil suffered their first defeat at the hands of USA - who themselves were scoring their first win in three rounds of pool play.
Volleyball House and #CopaCourts reach dizzy new heights
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - The Volleyball House and CopaCourts reached dizzy new heights today when bossaball took over Copacabana Beach and wowed the crowds with high flying volleyball skills which would have impressed Volleyball House attendee Mireya Luis who was known for her spectacular jumping power during her volleyball playing days.
FIVB #CopaCourts the place to be as Bossaball comes to Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016 - Beach volleyball has been the signature Copacabana event so far but this was rivalled today when the FIVB brought Bossaball to town.
Celebrating diversity at the Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 – On Sunday, Doaa Elgobashy and Nada Meawad made history by becoming Egypt’s first ever team to compete in the Olympic beach volleyball tournament.
Round of 16 Drawing of Lots complete
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - The official drawing of lots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Single Elimination Phase was completed on Thursday at the Copacabana beach venue.
Natalie Cook - What if I don’t win?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 – As thousands of athletes from over 200 nations challenge their own limits of athleticism in this quadrennial showcase known as the Olympic Games, a question that arises often is ‘What if I don’t win.’
Volleyball House renews old friendships
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 – Brazil’s Virna Diaz and Cuba’s Mireya Luis have been more accustomed to being on opposite sides of the net during their celebrated careers. Though any trace of this rivalry has long disappeared and Virna and Mireya’s meeting at the Volleyball House on Thursday was an opportunity to give two sporting greats the opportunity to reminisce.
Fotso joins Feng and Gamova’s block party
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 – Stephanie Fotso Mougoung of Cameroon made an amazing feat on Wednesday, as she tied the Olympic record of most blocks in a match, when she stuffed her Russian opponents eight times in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games pool play.
Diaz and Gonzalez shaking up normal order on Copacabana sands
Rio de Janeiro, August 11, 2016 – Nivaldo Diaz and Sergio Gonzalez have had plenty of teams and fans scratching their heads at the Rio de Janeiro 2006 Olympic Games, wondering where this team that have won all three pool matches has come from.
VIDEO: Brink talks up former rival Alison and partner Bruno
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist Julius Brink told former Olympic triple-jump champion Jonathan Edwards his favourties for gold in Rio de Janeiro were Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt.
VIDEO: Beach volleyball legend Randy Stoklos joins #CopaCourts fun
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - Beach volleyball legend Randy Stoklos was joined by volleyball greats at the FIVB's showcase Copa Courts on Copacabana Beach including former Olympic gold medallists Mauricio Lima of Brazil and Vladimir Grbic of Serbia.
Herrera and Gavira top pool and send Gibb and Patterson out of Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 – Pablo Herrera and Adrian Gavira beat Jacob Gibb and Casey Patterson 2-1 (21-19, 16-21, 15-7) to top their pool and progress to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball elimination rounds on Wednesday.
Americans, Aussies & Spaniards secure women’s pool titles
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 - Led by April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, three teams secured pool titles here Wednesday in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games’ women’s Beach Volleyball competition with three more group crowns to be determined Thursday.
Aussie rules at Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 – Making its debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics, the Volleyball House has shown being a pioneer is all about hard work and commitment. And Wednesday’s visitors to the house know how much grit and determination is needed to be the first to succeed and pave the way for others in the field.
FIVB official partners enjoy the Rio Olympic experience at Volleyball House and #CopaCourts
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - FIVB partners from around the world have been soaking up the carnival atmosphere at the Volleyball House, which is providing an innovative and entertaining experience for guests during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. On Wednesday the FIVB’s official partners had the opportunity to play beach volleyball at the FIVB’s Copacabana Courts on the world famous Rio beach.
One last day at the “pool” for Rio Olympic Beach Volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 - The sixth and final day of pool play in the Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature group deciders for three women’s and three men’s consortiums highlighted by matches for two Brazilian pairs here Thursday.
Women’s favourites on course in beach volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 - While the men’s beach volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been turned upside down with the first-, fourth- and sixth-seeded pairs absorbing setbacks in pool play, the women's side of the schedule has been clean of surprises with all six top-ranked tandems each winning their first two group matches.
Saxton and Schalk quieten the crowd at Copacabana beach party
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 – Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk heaped more misery on Pedro Salgado and Evandro Goncalves by fighting back to beat the Brazilians and claim their first win of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament on Tuesday.
Stoklos on set with The Today Show
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10, 2016 – Five-time beach volleyball world champion Randy Stoklos has been a regular feature at the FIVB’s Copa Courts, but took time out from playing to speak to NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday.
Beach volleyballers take in the volleyball spectacle
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 – Beach volleyball players Casey Patterson of the United States, and Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands were among the many spectators that were enjoying the Rio 2016 Olympic Games men’s volleyball match of Italy and USA at Maracanazinho on Tuesday.
Ziraldo gives Volleyball House an ‘art attack’
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 – Described by Wikipedia as an author, painter, comic creator, and journalist, Brazil’s celebrated and much revered Ziraldo Alves Pinto paid an impromptu visit to the Volleyball House on Tuesday.
Movin’ Day at Copacabana Wednesday
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 - The first of two “Movin’ Days” at the 12,000-seat “Coliseu on Copacabana” will be played here Wednesday with the 12-match Beach Volleyball schedule at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games determining the first set of qualifiers for the elimination rounds of the competition.
Mauricio remembers 24th anniversary of Barcelona gold medal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 – Twenty four years ago today, Brazil took their first Olympic gold medal at the Barcelona Games in 1992.
FIVB signs MoU with International Military Sports Council
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 10,2016 - The FIVB today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Military Sports Council (CISM) facilitating a four-year collaboration between the two organisations with the overall objective to promote volleyball within militaries around the world.
Volleyball sights and sounds captivate fans at Maracanazinho
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 – Colour, rhythm and fun is always associated with Brazil and the same can be definitely said with the volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games volleyball competition at the Maracanazinho.
Brazil and Serbia lead the race in Rio 2016 women's volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 - Defending Olympic champions and hosts Brazil are joined by Russia, Serbia and USA as the only undefeated teams of the Rio 2016 women's volleyball tournament after round 2 of pool play.
Copacabana evening rounds off memorable few days of Volleyball House visits
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 – The Copacabana beach front location of the Volleyball House made it the perfect location for the FIVB to welcome its Japanese partners to the Olympic Games in Rio.
Menegatti and Giombini visit Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 9, 2016 - Italian beach volleyball stars Marta Menegatti and Laura Giombini took time out of their busy schedule to visit the FIVB Volleyball House on Monday.
Qataris make history with maiden Olympic win
Rio de Janeiro, August 8, 2016 – Jefferson Pereira and Cherif Younousse made history when they became the first Qatari side to win an Olympic beach volleyball match, on day three of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament.
Monday’s women Beach action features American leadership & two pool ties
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 - After playing six women’s matches here Monday, two things were determined for participants in Pools B, C and F in the beach volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games being played at the 12,000-seat “Coliseu on Copacabana”.
FIVB brings bloco carnival atmosphere to Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 - The FIVB today lit up the streets of Copacabana with a Carnival Bloco which led fans from the beach volleyball area to the FIVB’s Volleyball House and showcase Copa Courts.
Key pool matches highlight Tuesday’s Beach schedule
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 - Day 4 of Beach Volleyball pool play competition here Tuesday at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature four matches that will determine group leadership.
Volleyball fan catches memorable present from an idol
Rio de Janeiro, August 8, 2016 – A lucky Brazilian fan got a wonderful surprise when he watched the Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s volleyball match of China and Italy at Maracanazinho on Monday.
Video: Tour the Volleyball House with Larissa
Rio de Janeiro, August 8, 2016 – Brazil’s beach volleyball star Larissa França dropped by after her Sunday morning match against Russia's Ukolova and Birlova. Join the 2011 Beach Volleyball World Champion as she tours the Volleyball House, located on Copacabana beach and gives us her views as to why the house is the place to be!
Rio Olympics LIVE: Get all the beach volleyball action on fivb.com
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 - Make sure you don't miss a minute of our Rio Olympics beach volleyball coverage. fivb.com's Match Centre pages have all the action as it happens, including live results and standings, statistics, match reports, photo galleries and more. Go deeper with fivb.com's Social Wall and beachvolleyball.live.
Canada stun USA to set pace of men's Olympic volleyball tournament
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 – Canada provided the first upset of the men's volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when they stunned USA in straight sets as the competition kicked off on Sunday, with defending champions Russia, hosts Brazil plus Italy, Poland and Argentina opening their campaigns with victories.
Cubans and Mexicans pull off shock wins on second day at Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, August 7, 2016 – Cuba’s Nivaldo Diaz and Sergio Gonzalez and Mexico’s Lombardo Ontiveros and Juan Virgen enjoyed wins against higher-ranked teams on the second day of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games beach volleyball tournament at Copacabana Beach Arena on Sunday.
Swiss women central Olympic figures
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 - For the second-straight day of women’s Olympic Beach Volleyball, a team from Switzerland was the central figure in seed-break-through marches at the Rio 2016 “Summer” Games on iconic Copacabana.
Beach volleyball: Talk of the town in Rio and around the world
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 8, 2016 - Beach volleyball has been dominating Olympic coverage around the world as both fans and the media revel in Rio 2016’s biggest beach party on the iconic sands of Copacabana as the sport returns to its spiritual home.
Beach volleyball enthusiasm and strong winds keep the ball flying
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 – Most other places in the world, strong winds and the threat of rain wouldsend most people indoors. But not in Rio where even strong winds did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants at the Copacourts on the Copacabana beach.
One Beach Volleyball Olympic pool leadership at stake Monday
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 - With 12 men’s and women’s Beach Volleyball matches on the schedule here Monday at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, only one contest will feature the “battle of unbeatens” when American Olympic medalists April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings are challenged by China’s Fan Wang and Yuan Yue.
President Graça welcomes Fuji TV to Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça today met with Fuji TV at the FIVB Volleyball House in Copacabana to discuss the commercial growth of volleyball and how the sport’s popularity can be enhanced in Japan.
FIVB officially announces Vienna as 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships host
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça today officially announced the Austrian capital Vienna as host of its flagship Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2017 with President Graça vowing Vienna will be a chance to showcase the universal appeal and popularity of beach volleyball in an iconic European capital.
Something was “missing” when Beach Volleyball started Saturday on Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 - With the first Beach Volleyball serve of the Rio 2016 Olympic here Saturday morning on Copacabana, there was something missing on the iconic beach in a city where the first-ever internationally-sanction event was held in February 1987.
John Kerry leads dignitaries enjoying volleyball in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 7, 2016 – United States Secretary of State John Kerry was one of many special guests to take in the wonderful atmosphere at the volleyball venues - Copacabana Beach and Maracanazinho - at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Saturday.
World champs off to winning start as beach volleyball lights up Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, August 6, 2016 – Reigning world champions Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt started early and started with a bang much to the delight of the Copacabana Arena crowd on day one of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
Women’s opening Olympic Beach Volleyball schedule “almost business as usual”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - With two of the six matches being three-setters, Saturday’s opening Beach Volleyball schedule for women at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was almost “business as usual” with only one upset by a lower-seeded pair in the competition.
FIVB volleyball legends entertain crowds at showcase #CopaCourts
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - The FIVB welcomed an impressive ensemble of volleyball and beach volleyball legends to the FIVB’s showcase courts on the iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio on Saturday.
FIVB volleyball courts open across Rio providing exciting activities for the whole family
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - The FIVB officially opened volleyball courts on the iconic Copacabana Beach on Saturday as well as in Deodoro Olympic Park and in the Athletes’ Village Plaza Court as part of its commitment to be the number one family entertainment sport at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and leave a lasting legacy in the city.
FIVB signs Memorandum of Understanding with International School Sport Federation
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International School Sport Federation (ISF) as the International Federation reaffirmed its commitment to developing volleyball at grassroots level.
World Tour leaders featured Sunday on Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - The second day of Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature the top men’s and women’s teams on the 2015-2016 FIVB World Tour as Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins of Latvia and Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst of Germany will play their match here Sunday.
'Most balanced' Olympic tournament kicks off as more teams than ever vie for gold
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - Russia kick of their Rio 2016 campaign Sunday, as they attempt to defend the title they won four years ago after beating Brazil in five sets in that stunning but highly entertaining final of London 2012, as the men's Olympic Volleyball Tournament begins at the Maracanazinho.
French officials ponder their team's greater expectations
Lausanne, Switzerland, August 5, 2016 – France are experiencing their fourth Olympic Games, but were disappointed not to make it to London in 2012. For the current Olympic cycle, men’s coach Laurent Tillie brought in a new generation of players and set qualifying for Rio as their target.
Fans pick Japan to win volleyball opener
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - Fans are picking Japan to win the first volleyball match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when they play Korea in the tournament opener on Saturday at 09:30 local time.
See the Games from the athletes' eyes with the social wall
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 – The latest posts, tweets and videos from the top athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Game can now be found on the FIVB social wall, with the best content ready to be shared with the world on rio2016.fivb.com.
Opening Rio 2016 Olympic Beach Volleyball schedule features Olympic medal winners
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6, 2016 - Six men’s and six women’s contests will be played here Saturday and early Sunday to open the Beach Volleyball competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games highlighted by matches featuring Olympic medal winners Alison Cerutti of Brazil, Pablo Herrera of Spain and Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States on the center court at the “Coliseu on Copacabana”.
President 06/08/2016
President Graça celebrates magnificent Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony
Rio de Janeiro, August 6, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° today praised the magnificent Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Brazilian women aiming for the three-peat
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 – Hosts and Olympic reigning champions Brazil begin their quest for a three-peat as the women’s volleyball tournament at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games gets underway on Saturday at the iconic Maracanazinho Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Where to watch Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5 – 2016 – Fans wanting to catch all the volleyball and beach volleyball drama unfolding at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games can do so across all of the FIVB’s social channels as well as through online streaming.
President Graça wishes all beach volleyball athletes "good luck"
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° met with the beach volleyball athletes during a Technical Meeting at the Beach Volleyball Arena on Copacabana beach.
Giba takes pride in promoting volleyball to the youth
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 – Olympic gold medallist Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho (Giba) graced the opening of the Volleyball House at Copacabana on Friday.
Unanswered questions as volleyball kicks off at Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - With less than 24 hours to go until the first service of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracanazinho, there still remain a number of nagging questions in every volleyball fan's mind. All these will be resolved in due course over the next fortnight, so check back on August 22 for all the answers.
Just being here is not enough for us - Stephane Antiga
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - Reigning world champions Poland made it through to Rio 2016 on their third try, but coach Stephane Antiga says this is not enough.
We want to continue fighting and continue dreaming - Laurent Tillie
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - France want to continue living their dream at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and are ready to fight for it, according to coach Laurent Tillie at the official Press Conference ahead of the start of the men's Olympic Volleyball Tournament on Sunday.
We are confident that Rio 2016 will produce an amazing Olympic Games - Karch Kiraly
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - USA coach Karch Kiraly is looking forward to Rio 2016 producing an amazing Olympic Games, as he prepares to lead his country in the quest for the one major title that still eludes them.
Playing at home makes performing well all that more important - Ze Roberto
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 - Newcomers to the Olympics agreed that being in Rio is a great opportunity to increase their level play, as hosts Brazil stress the importance of performing well in front of a home crowd.
Frenchman Rouzier dreaming of a gold medal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016 – To be in the Olympic Games is a real feat in the eyes of Antonin Rouzier, the opposite player of France men’s national team considered as one of the best of the world at his position.
FIVB launches second development training centre as part of social sport legacy programme in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° reaffirmed the FIVB’s commitment to leave a sustainable legacy in Rio on Thursday as the federation launched the second of two development training centres set up in the city as part of its work to develop volleyball at grassroots level in Brazil.
Confirmation of men's teams completes volleyball lineup at Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - After the women yesterday, all the men's teams and players were confirmed eligible to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as entered by their respective National Federations and National Olympic Committees.
Rio de Janeiro’s historical past includes the introduction of beach volleyball internationally
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - When one talks about this seaside city, it usually is about the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mount Corcovado and Sugarloaf, a granite monolith with cable cars to its summit.
Walsh Jennings chasing further chapters for legendary story
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 – Kerri Walsh Jennings will be ready to write a new chapter in her Olympic history as she chases a fourth Olympic gold at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics Games, but for the first time in tandem with April Ross.
ESPN picks Beach Volleyball as one of the "10 must-watch items to add to your Olympic viewing list"
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - Jim Caple, an ESPN Senior Writer, wrote that "there will be more than 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and territories competing in the Olympics that begin Friday. That means endless great stories and Olympians to follow, but here are our 10 top athletes and events to watch."
Brazilian men favourites in beach volleyball competition
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - Despite playing a limited schedule on the 2015-2016 FIVB World Tour calendar, the Brazilian pairs over Alison Cerutti/Bruno Oscar Schmidt and Evandro Goncalves/Pedro Solberg are the overwhelming favorites at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
Team rosters confirmed for women's volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - The FIVB Control Committee confirmed all teams and players eligible as enetered by their respective National Federations and National Olympic Committees ahead of the women's volleyball Olympic Tournament of Rio 2016.
FIVB President Graça visits Olympians Reunion Centre Opening Ceremony
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 4, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° visited the opening of the Olympians Reunion Centre, the meeting place for Olympians of all ages, sports and nationalities at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
President Graça - Rio is a unique opportunity for volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3, 2016 – FIVB President Dr Ary S Graça F° welcomed the officials for the beach volleyball and volleyball tournaments to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Wednesday.
Beach volleyball’s past now its future
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3, 2016 - When one arrives at the newly-constructed Beach Volleyball arena for the Rio 2016 Olympics on iconic Copacabana where the legends of the sport have been competing and practicing for the past 30 years, your immediate reaction is “wow” and how “special” the competition will be for the Summer Games.
Maracanãzinho: The most iconic venue for the world's best
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3, 2016 - There couldn't be a more fitting venue in the world to host Olympic volleyball: The Maracanãzinho, where every single one of the 76 Rio 2016 volleyball matches will be played, is one of the most iconic volleyball arenas in the world.
Video: #VolleyballYourWay Viva Vôlei training centre breaks new boundaries
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 3, 2015 - The first of two FIVB-backed development training centres was opened in Morro da Formiga, Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday with FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° joining children on a great day of volleyball and fun for the local community.
FIVB President Graça officially opens volleyball development training centre in favela community
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2, 2016 - The FIVB today officially launched the first of two development training centres in Rio partly funded by the International Federation as part of its commitment to leaving a sustainable legacy in the city.
Brazil dream of home glory as Walsh Jennings aims to build on legend
Rio de Janeiro, August 2, 2016 – Brazil’s four teams are under no illusions about what is expected of the them at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games; double gold in front of 12,500 fans on Copacabana Beach, the spiritual home of the sport.
CNN picks out beach volleyball's Larissa/Talita as stars to watch in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 1, 2016 – “The Rio Games are here and the next chapter in Olympic history is about to be written,” stated CNN on Monday as they highlighted 20 competitors who could change their sport in Rio.
Stars of Rio 2016: Bruno Oscar Schmidt
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 1, 2016 – Bruno Schmidt is set to make his Olympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, but that doesn’t mean expectations are low for the Vila Velha native.
FIVB stages Volleyball Your Way Festival in Rio
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2016 – The FIVB on Sunday showcased the Olympic spirit in Rio by welcoming fans of all ages to the Volleyball Your Way festival celebrating the universality and accessibility of volleyball.
Argentine men overcome Mexico 3-0 in Olympic warm-up
San Juan, Argentina, July 31, 2016 – At a packed Aldo Cantoni Arena on Saturday, Argentina overcame Mexico 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-18) in a warm-up match for the Olympic Games.
An innovative Olympics for volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2016 – The impressive and innovative improvements the FIVB has made to volleyball and beach volleyball through technology is set to be on show for the first time at an Olympic Games when Rio 2016 begins on Saturday, illustrating just how much the sport has improved in the last four years.
Sada Cruzeiro edge Poland 3-2 in Olympic warm-up match
Lausanne, Switzerland, July 30, 2016 – Brazilian club team Sada Cruzeiro overcame the Poland men’s team 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 19-17) in a pre-Olympic warm-up match on Saturday.
Cameroon end pre-Olympic preparations with victory
Lausanne, Switzerland, July 30, 2106 – Cameroon completed their preparations for their debut appearance in the Olympic Games with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 17-15) victory on Saturday against Projeto Voleibol Valinhos in Jaguariuna in Sao Paolo State, Brazil.
Argentina women win second straight against U20 Brazil
Campinas, Brazil, July 30, 2016 – Argentina won their second straight Olympic warm-up game 3-0 on Saturday as they beat the Brazil Under-20 side 25-17, 25-22, 25-11 in Campinas.
Stars of Rio: Zhu Ting
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 30, 2016 - At just 21, China’s star outside hitter Zhu Ting has been the driving force behind the Asian team’s recent successes, which includes a silver medal at the 2014 FIVB World Championship and gold at the 2015 FIVB World Cup, which directly qualified China for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Infographic schedules released for Rio 2016 volleyball and beach volleyball
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 29, 2016 – Fans can now get a clear overview of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games volleyball and beach volleyball schedules with dedicated infographics launched just one week out from the start of the tournament.
Copa Courts to celebrate volleyball in all its forms
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 29, 2016 – Volleyball’s presence will be felt all across Rio during the upcoming Olympic Games, which are now just a week away. However, one of the biggest hubs will almost certainly be Copacabana, where the FIVB will have six courts offering fans and visitors a chance to Volleyball Your Way.
Volleyball Your Way movement to take over Madureira
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 29, 2016 – Volleyball is set to be one of the flagship events at the Rio 2016 Olympics, but the first volleyball action the city will see ahead of the Games will not be at the Maracanazinho or on Copacabana, but at a VolleyballYourWay Festival at Parque Madureira on Sunday.
Volleyball House continues preparation for Rio 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 18, 2016 – Work on the FIVB’s Volleyball House in Rio de Janeiro is continuing with the venue taking shape 18 days out from the 2016 Olympic Games.
FIVB President meets with volleyball referees ahead of Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Bangkok, Thailand, July 7, 2016 – FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° met with international referees at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Referee Preparation Seminar at Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel on Thursday with just 29 days to go until the opening ceremony of the event.
Olympic volleyball and beach volleyball pages launched
Lausanne, Switzerland, June 29, 2016 - Fans can now turn to fivb.com's dedicated Olympic pages for a host of information about the volleyball and beach volleyball events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Visit the volleyball pages now for information concerning team rosters and match schedules. The beach volleyball section also includes important information about the schedule, event formula and regulations.
VIDEO: Carlão runs rule over Rio 2016 contenders
Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2016 – There are 44 days to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begins, and with all 12 teams set to compete at the Maracanazinho Arena currently battling it out in the FIVB Volleyball World League, speculation is rife on who will top the podium.
President Graça visits Cicero Penna school, site of the Olympic Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 9, 2016 – FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F°, Secretary General Fernando Lima and Olympic champion Tande visited the Escola Municipal Dr. Cícero Penna on Tuesday, the school which will be the site of Volleyball House during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August.
Rio 2016 beach volleyball venue now on Street View
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 3, 2016 – Fans heading to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games for the beach volleyball tournament will be able to become familiar with the venue ahead of time with the area where the stadium will be now on Google Street View.
Volleyball passion permeates all levels of Brazilian society
Lausanne, Switzerland, May 2, 2016 - With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games just over three months away, hosts Brazil - a nation hooked on volleyball and beach volleyball - are looking forward to a memorable Games for its national teams.
Brazilian athletes enjoy Saquarema facilities
Lausanne, Switzerland, April 25, 2016 - When the Rio 2016 Olympic Games kick off on August 5, Brazil's beach volleyball and volleyball players will no doubt be ready to represent their country at the quadrennial event.
Volleyball set to light up Rio during Games time
Lausanne, Switzerland, April 8, 2016 – The FIVB will provide an unprecedented volleyball and beach volleyball experience during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This is what FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° told the FIVB Board of Administration on Thursday.
School children welcome President Graça to site of Olympic Volleyball House
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 29, 2016 - FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° met children at the Escola Municipal Cicero Penna, which will serve as the headquarters of volleyball and beach volleyball during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The school, which is on Avenida Atlantica, just a few minutes from the Olympic beach volleyball venue on Copacabana Beach, will be renamed Volleyball House during the Summer Games, after which it will be fully refurbished.
#ThrowbackThursday: Hosts USA claim 1984 Olympic glory
Lausanne, Switzerland, December 12, 2015 – With Olympic qualification set to heat up in January, all roads are pointing to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. Brazil will be hoping to become the first hosts to win gold since USA in 1984.
Emanuel Rego on hand to present Rio mascots
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 28, 2014 - Brazilian beach volleyball star Emanuel Rego was on hand as the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic mascots made their first public appearance at the Ginásio Experimental Olímpico Juan Antonio Samaranch, a government-funded school in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
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Duties and Liabilities of Directors of Nonprofits
March 28, 2014 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), article, exempt organizations, nonprofit, tax exemptBy nonprofitlaw
by Lisa A. Runquist
Nonprofit organizations are big business. Because of this, and because of their unparalleled growth, nonprofits are receiving attention like they never have before (between 1974 and 1997, the sector doubled in size), both from Congress, and because of this, from the Internal Revenue Service. Another more disturbing reason is the spate of highly publicized scandals involving individuals profiting at a charity’s expense. Under these circumstances, anyone who participates in the oversight of a nonprofit organization would be well advised to pay close attention to its operations. One standard I would recommend be used to evaluate every activity of the nonprofit is: How will this look on the front page of the LA Times?
2. What Is A Nonprofit Corporation?
The most common form of nonprofit is the corporation. A corporation is a creature of statute formed by persons pursuing a common goal or enterprise. A principal advantage of a corporation over other possible organizational options, such as an unincorporated association, is that the corporate entity is considered to be its own “person” for legal purposes, distinct from its members, directors and officers. Furthermore, a corporation operates under a clearly defined set of rules of governance and law. The status of an unincorporated association and its members is less clear, particularly if the organization has out-of-state activities. Perhaps most importantly, if a corporation is properly formed and operated, it can offer considerable protection from personal liability to its individual directors, officers, shareholders or members.
The protection from personal liability for persons who act on behalf of corporations is not absolute. For that reason it is generally wise to confirm that the corporation either has substantial assets which can serve as a source for the payment of claims or that insurance coverage, applicable to potential claims, is in place. Care must also be taken throughout the corporation’s existence to observe proper formalities required of doing business in the corporate form, including, without limitation, management by or under the direction of the Board of Directors and the maintenance of minutes and other corporate records.
2.1 California’s Nonprofit Corporation Law
2.1.1 California’s Nonprofit Law, Generally.
The California Corporations Code contains a completely separate law for nonprofit corporations (the California Nonprofit Corporation Law; Cal. Corp. Code ‘ 5000, et seq.) which is divided into three parts, namely the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law (Cal. Corp. Code ” 5110-6815), the Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law (Cal. Corp. Code ” 7110-8817), and the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law (Cal. Corp Code ” 9110-9690). As the name suggests, the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law applies to corporations formed primarily or exclusively for religious purposes and the Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law applies to corporations formed to pursue a nonprofit purpose which is not charitable, religious or public in nature, but which is of common interest to the organizers such as a social club, a trade association or a community association. Finally, the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law regulates corporations formed for any public or charitable purpose.
2.2 What a Director Does/Does Not Do.
Directors are charged with responsibility for planning and directing the management of the charity’s business and affairs. Directors have no individual power as a director to bind the corporation. Instead directors, in their capacity as such, take action as a body and those decisions are documented by Board resolutions. Directors who are also officers may be authorized by Board resolution to act on the corporation’s behalf in their capacity as officers, but the Board acts as a unit.
Nevertheless, each director is individually accountable to the corporation’s members and, in the case of directors of charitable organizations, to the state and federal regulatory authorities (primarily the IRS, the State Franchise Tax Board and the Attorney General) who seek to protect the public’s interests in the charity.
Because it is essential to the organization’s tax exempt status that it abide by its stated purposes, one of the principal duties of a director is to be aware of the nature and extent of the charity’s exempt purposes and to assure that those purposes are properly pursued. The purpose of every act and decision of the director should be to advance the charity’s purpose. If the personal aims of the individual are not the same as the aims of the organization, then the individual should not serve as a director. In no event should a director initiate or knowingly support or condone actions that will either exceed or defeat the charity’s stated purposes. For this reason, care must be taken to assure that the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws correctly state the purposes, in sufficient breadth to allow not only actual or planned activities, but also possible future activities.
2.3 Role of Corporate Officers and Agents.
Officers and agents of a nonprofit organization normally implement the decisions and policies established by the Board of Directors. Typically the Chief Executive Officer of a charity (often its “Executive Director”) and sometimes the Chief Financial Officer (typically called the “Treasurer”) answer directly to the Board. Most other employees, agents and contractors answer to the Executive Director or other senior management duly authorized by the Board.
Although a director of a nonprofit corporation, in his or her capacity as such, should not be involved in the day-to-day operations and activities of corporate management any more than a director of a business corporation, this rule is often ignored in practice. For many nonprofit organizations, particularly small entities operating with limited financial resources, the directors may be the only active participants within the organization. It is also typical for the directors and the officers to be one and the same individuals, particularly in smaller charities. Nevertheless, it is important, from a liability standpoint, for the individuals serving in dual director/management positions to carefully document in the corporate record the capacity in which they are acting.
2.4 The Role of Committees In Charitable Corporations.
2.4.1 Classification of Committees.
Because charitable corporations often place great reliance on volunteers, the creation of committees, to focus on particular tasks is common. If a committee is appointed by the Board to accomplish a single specific task with the view that the committee will dissolve upon completion of that task, it is generally termed a “special committee”. If a committee is established to perform an ongoing function on behalf of the corporation, such as the nomination of candidates for election to the board or the preparation of budgets and the review of financial materials, the committee is designated as a “standing committee”.
If a committee is intended to exercise the authority of the Board, non-directors may not serve on such committees. Committees given Board authority must be designated by resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors then in office, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, provided, however, that the Articles or Bylaws of the corporation may modify this rule to require that committees be appointed by a majority vote of a specified number of authorized directors. The concept of “exercising the authority of the board” denotes actions which can bind the corporation without prior authorization from, or later ratification by, the Board.
In addition to committees which are given the responsibility of the Board, corporations can create other committees which have no such authority. Actions of these committees must be ratified by the Board if they are to bind the corporation and their membership may include non-directors. If a committee has non-director members, its scope of authority is similar to that of corporate agents delegated specific responsibilities by the Board, subject to the Board’s ultimate direction and control.
2.4.2 Limitations on Authority of Committees.
Even when committees are comprised solely of directors and are given the authority of the Board, there are certain actions which cannot be taken by any committee. Although committees comprised solely of directors can exercise the authority of the Board (subject to statutory limitations), the Board should require each committee to report to the Board at the Board’s next meeting. Decisions of corporate committees may bind the Corporation and it is prudent, from a policy standpoint, for the Board to be aware of all actions taken by its committees. The existence of a ratification requirement could be important in terms of qualifying the transaction for directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions coverage.
2.5 Compensation of Directors
2.5.1 Private Inurement Issues.
Although tax-exempt charitable organizations are prohibited from being organized to benefit any particular person or narrow group of persons, charities are not prohibited from compensating their directors, officers and employees, although 51% of the directors of a public benefit corporation cannot be paid for services other than as a director. However, as discussed below, this is the area in which most nonprofits get into trouble, sometimes losing their exempt status. If even a single dollar of excessive compensation (i.e., “inurement”) is found, the charity’s tax exempt status may be lost.
2.5.2 Effect on Liability Protections.
It is also important to note that many statutes have been passed which seek to limit the liability of directors of nonprofit corporations so long as the director is serving as an uncompensated volunteer. Accordingly, the payment of compensation beyond a per diem or the reimbursement of a director’s out-of-pocket expenses could preclude the director from enjoying these statutory liability protections.
2.5.3 Effect on Funding Opportunities.
Finally, it is important to note that when excessive expenditures are made with respect to the Board and its activities, certain types of funding may be jeopardized. The purpose of the organization and the service of its directors should not be to benefit themselves as individuals or to provide “perks” to the Board and senior management. Rather, the principal objective should always be to advance the purposes of the charity, itself. Funds that are spent on Board activities are not available to be used to advance the nonprofit purposes of the organization. This does not mean that money should never be spent on Board activities, but that each expenditure should be justified in light of the corporation’s specified purposes.
3. Observance of Corporate Formalities
3.1 Why Observe Corporate Formalities
As noted above, a corporation is considered a separate entity under the law, separate and distinct from its members, directors and officers. Furthermore, if the corporation’s directors serve their corporation in accordance with the standard of care described below, they are protected from liability for simple errors in business judgment (except for certain tortious conduct), while the corporation will reap the consequences and/or benefits of their actions. Finally, the members, if any, of a corporation are protected from personal liability for the corporation’s debts, liabilities and obligations (see Cal. Corp. Code Section 5350(a)).
To receive all of the benefits associated with doing business in the corporate form, however, it is important for the corporation’s directors, officers and members to demonstrate that the actions in which they participated were performed by and on behalf of the corporate entity. That corporate actions were intended is most commonly demonstrated by a complete set of corporate minutes, board resolutions and contracts executed in the name of the corporation by duly authorized agents. If verification of corporate action cannot be made because records have been poorly maintained or are non-existent, it may be possible for persons dealing with directors, officers or members to hold them personally liable. This is commonly referred to as “piercing the corporate veil.” Poor record keeping can also jeopardize a nonprofit corporation’s tax exempt status, since the IRS and the State FTB can demand proof that the corporation is operating in a manner consistent with its exempt classification.
3.2 Matters Which Should Be of Concern To The Board
The following is a summary list of the types of matters and issues which should be of concern to directors of a nonprofit charitable organization:
A. Periodic review and evaluation of the Executive Director and other officers;
B. Review of financial reports on at least a quarterly basis and audits following the close of the fiscal year;
C. Careful review of other materials submitted to the Board;
D. Development of both long and short range plans for achieving the corporation’s purposes;
E. Budgeting, fund raising and funding of operations;
F. Complete and thoughtful review and consideration of reports and advice upon which the Board is permitted to rely under the general standard of care;
G. Risk exposures and insurance for the corporation, the Board, and the individual directors;
H. Quality control;
I. Regular attendance by directors at meetings and other indicia of diligence;
J. Development and periodic review of corporate policies;
K. Employee appeals, disputes and complaints (particularly complaints of harassment or discrimination involving management personnel);
L. Nominations for election to the Board.
M. Proposals to amend the Articles or Bylaws.
3.3. Directors’ Rights to Access Information.
Because directors have a duty to make responsible and informed decisions, every effort should be made to furnish information to directors, in advance of the meeting, which is relevant to the actions they will be considering. As a companion to this rule, it should be noted that Section 6334 of the Corporations Code gives every director the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation. These inspection rights cannot be limited by the Articles or Bylaws. See Corp. Code Section 6313.
Just because directors enjoy an absolute right to inspect all corporate books and records does not mean that they are also free of constraints regarding the use of information in their possession. A director’s fiduciary obligation to act at all times in a manner which furthers the corporation’s best interests and purposes may preclude disclosure of certain information (such as attorney-client correspondence), the use of information for personal gain or any other use which does not further the corporation’s purposes.
3.4. Documenting Corporate Actions.
When action is taken at a meeting, the proper procedure is to document that action in corporate minutes. In fact, Section 6320 of the Corporations Code requires nonprofit public benefit corporations to keep minutes of the proceedings of its members (if any), its Board and any committees of the Board. Having maintained contemporaneous documentation will often be found to be critical, especially if the organization finds itself under audit by the IRS, or accused of violating the intermediate sanctions (discussed below).
If a director disagrees with the actions approved by the Board majority, the director has a right to demand that his or her dissent be noted in the minutes. Affirmative disapproval of actions could protect the dissenting director from personal liability in the event that the majority’s actions result in personal injury to a third party (see Frances T. v. Village Green Owners Assn. (1986) 42 Cal.3d 490, 511).
4. Conflicts of Interest
One area of corporate law that has become increasingly important in the nonprofit arena, is that of conflicts of interest. Directors of a nonprofit corporation are expected to adhere to a fiduciary standard, when exercising their responsibilities.
4.1 What Is Meant By “Fiduciary Duty”?
4.1.1 General Definition.
Modern usage of the concept of a fiduciary includes any person who has a duty to act primarily for the benefit of others in matters connected with the undertaking. The cases speak of a “special confidence reposed in one who, in equity and good conscience, is bound to act in good faith and with due regard to the interests of the person who has reposed that confidence.” The type of persons who are commonly referred to as fiduciaries include trustees, attorneys and corporate directors.
4.1.2 The Strict Trustee Standard of Duty.
Cases involving strict fiduciary relationships, such as cases involving claims against trustees, also impose the rule that the fiduciary cannot exert pressure or influence on the party the fiduciary is serving or take any selfish advantage of his or her trust. Trustee-fiduciaries are also prohibited from dealing with the subject matter of the trust in a way which benefits the interests of the trustee or prejudices the beneficiary, unless the fiduciary is acting in the utmost good faith and with the full knowledge and consent of the beneficiary.
4.1.3 The Standard Applied to Directors of Nonprofit Corporations.
The directors of both business and nonprofit corporations have been described in numerous cases as owing a fiduciary duty to their shareholders or members, as well as to the corporation. However, it is well established that a strict trustee standard of duty, which would prohibit any self-dealing with the corporation, regardless of the benefit conferred, is generally not what is intended or required (at least not in California).
4.2 Definition of the Directors’ Standard of Conduct (The “Duty of Care”).
The standard of conduct prescribed for directors of nonprofit public benefit corporations is essentially the same standard that the Legislature has imposed on business corporations under Corporations Code Section 309. That standard, as applied to public benefit, mutual benefit and religious corporations, is found in Corporations Code Sections 5231, 7231, and 9241 and is generally referred to as the directors’ “duty of care.” The basic rule reads as follows:
“A director shall perform the duties of a director, including duties as the member of any committee of the board, . . . in good faith, in a manner the director believes to be in the best interests of the corporation, and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as is appropriate under the circumstances.”
Directors are authorized to rely on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements, prepared or presented by:
(a) One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the director believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;
(b) Counsel, independent accountants and other persons as to matters which the director believes to be within such person’s professional or expert competence; or
(c) A committee of the Board upon which the director does not serve as to matters within the committee’s designated authority.
and for religious corporations,
(d) Religious authorities and ministers, priests, rabbis or other persons whose position in the religious organization the director believes justify reliance.
In relying on the opinions or reports of others, the director must, of course, act in good faith and conduct reasonable inquiry when the need for such inquiry is indicated by the circumstances. The director must also be free of any knowledge which would cause reliance on data received from others to be unwarranted.
4.3 The Directors’ Duty of Loyalty
4.3.1 Generally.
The admonition found in Sections 5231, 7231 and 9241 that a director must act in a manner that the director believes to be in the best interests of the corporation has often been termed the “duty of loyalty.” The duty of loyalty has generally been construed as an obligation of the corporate directors to act in the best interests of the corporation and all of its members, including the members of minority factions, and to administer their corporate powers for the common benefit. See Remillard Brick Co. v Remillard-Dandini Co. (1952) 109 Cal.App.2d 405. This is in keeping with the fundamental nature of a nonprofit, to advance and achieve the corporate purpose, rather than to benefit the interests of any private individuals. Directors are to champion the best interests of their organization (which may include their constituents), rather than personal or selfish interests.
To help ensure that persons with selfish interests are not making corporate decisions, CCC ‘ 5227 requires that at least half of a California nonprofit public benefit corporation’s directors must not be compensated by the nonprofit for services (other than nominal payments to directors for serving as such). Amendments to this section in 1996 give it teeth, by giving certain persons standing to sue to enforce it.
4.3.2 Statutory Regulation of Self-Dealing Transactions.
In speaking of a director’s duty of loyalty, the common thought is that a director should avoid participating in, or seeking to influence, any transaction involving the corporation where the director has a conflict of interest. The California Nonprofit Corporation Law contains no such bright line rule, although the Attorney General’s representatives argued in favor of a complete ban on any self-dealing by nonprofit directors. Instead, Corporations Code Sections 5233 and 9243, and to a lesser degree, 7233 present a complicated statutory scheme for approval of “self dealing transactions”, defined as any transaction to which the corporation is a party, and in which one or more of its directors has a material financial interest. Failure to follow proper procedures can result in strict sanctions on directors of public benefit and religious corporations, and to some degree mutual benefit corporations who engage in self-dealing transactions.
The complexity of the statutory prohibition on “self-dealing transactions”, especially with regard to public benefit and religious corporations, reflects an attempt by the Code’s drafters to accommodate most of the concerns expressed by the Attorney General, while permitting some types of transactions between a corporation and one or more of its directors which might be of substantial benefit to the corporation. Most of the sections’ complexity revolves around the attempt to define what transactions are included and excluded from the term “self-dealing”. In addition, there is no attempt in the statute to define the term “financial interest” or the word “material”. It is also unlikely that the prohibitions of these sections extend to most transactions involving relatives of a director (other than the director’s spouse) or to transactions between the corporation and another corporation in which the director is merely an officer. The following specific situations are excluded (Corp. Code ” 5233(b), 9243(b)):
(a) Actions of the Board fixing director or officer compensation;
(b) Transactions which are part of the corporation’s public, charitable or religious program which are approved by the corporation in good faith and without unjustified favoritism, even if one or more directors or their families are benefited as part of a class of persons intended to be benefited by the program; and
(c) Any transaction of which the interested director or directors have no actual knowledge, and which does not exceed the lesser of one percent of the gross receipts of the corporation for the preceding fiscal year or $100,000.
Finally, there are several ways which the Code permits a transaction which otherwise would be prohibited as falling within the definition of a self-dealing transaction. Such participation is permitted if it is approved or validated in any one of the following ways (Corp. Code ” 5233(d), 9243(d)):
(a) The Attorney General can approve the transaction, either before or after it is consummated;
(b) If a religious corporation, the transaction may be approved by the members of the corporation who are not directors, after disclosure of the material facts and the director’s interest;
(c) The transaction can be validated by proving that: (i) the corporation entered into the transaction for its own benefit; (ii) the transaction was fair and reasonable as to the corporation; (iii) the Board approved the transaction in advance with knowledge of the director’s interest and by a majority vote (without counting the vote of the interested director(s)); and (iv) that prior to approving the transaction the Board considered and in good faith determined, after reasonable investigation under the circumstances, that the corporation could not obtain a more advantageous arrangement with reasonable effort; or
(d) The transaction can be validated by approval of the transaction by a committee or person authorized by the board so long as it is established that: (i) the approving committee or person utilized the standards that the Board must follow under (b), above; (ii) it was not reasonably practicable to obtain prior Board approval; and (iii) the Board, after determining that the requirements for committee approval had been satisfied, ratifies the transaction at its next meeting by a vote of a majority of the directors (excluding the vote of any interested director).
Sections 5233(e) and 9243(e) establish a two-year statute of limitations for initiating an action on account of an alleged self-dealing transaction if written notice setting forth the material facts of the transaction and the director’s interest is filed with the Attorney General by the Board. If no such notice is filed, the limitations period for a religious corporation is five years after the cause of action has accrued, and for a public benefit corporation, is three years, except for the Attorney General, who has 10 years to file.
If an action is timely filed and a self-dealing transaction is found to have occurred, the remedy specified in Sections 5233(h) and 9243(h) is that the defendant director “shall do such things and pay such damages as in the discretion of the court will provide an equitable and fair remedy to the corporation, taking into account any benefit received by the corporation and whether the interested director or director(s) acted in good faith and with intent to further the best interest of the corporation.”
Note that under California law, a self-dealing transaction, itself, is not void, voidable or invalid. Instead, the focus is on making the interested director disgorge his or her profits in the matter and making the organization whole. The Court can order the director to make an accounting and pay the profits to the corporation, require the interested director to reimburse the corporation for the value of any corporate property used in the transaction, or require the interested director to return or replace corporate property lost in the transaction or to account to the corporation for the proceeds of any property sold and to pay those proceeds, plus interest, to the corporation.
4.4 Absence of Personal Liability (The “Business Judgment Rule”).
With the exception of liability for “self-dealing transactions”, if a director performs his or her duties in accordance with the standard of care specified in Corporations Code Sections 5231, 7231 and 9241, the director “shall have no liability based upon any alleged failure to discharge the his or her duties as a director.” This exemption, which is commonly referred to as the “business judgment rule,” applies even when the director’s actions or omissions exceed or defeat the corporation’s purpose.
The business judgment rule is rooted in the idea that directors should be entitled to (and in order to properly manage an enterprise must) exercise a broad range of discretion in issues of corporate management and should not be subjected to hindsight assessments of their decisions by the courts. The rule originated in the context of business corporations where shareholders often expect management to take risks in order to maximize profits. Although profit seeking is generally absent from the nonprofit, the justifications for the rule is no less compelling for directors of nonprofit corporations since the element of risk taking and the need for the organization to operate in a “business-like fashion” in order to continue in operation continue to be present; therefore, the concept that directors’ decisions should not be second guessed without a substantial basis for doing so remains relevant to nonprofits. Frequently, it will not be obvious which of several alternative decisions will turn out to best carry out the corporation’s mission.
4.5. Exception for Tortious Conduct.
Even if all of this is done correctly, liability of directors and officers may be found to exist. The leading case in this area is Frances T. v. Village Green Owners Assn. The facts of this case, as summarized by the California Supreme Court are:
On the night of October 8, 1980, an unidentified person entered plaintiff’s condominium unit under cover of darkness and molested, raped and robbed her. At the time of the incident, plaintiff’s unit had no exterior lighting. The manner in which her unit came to be without exterior lighting on this particular evening forms the basis of her lawsuit against the defendants.
Throughout 1980, the Project was subject to what plaintiff terms an `exceptional crimewave’ … All of the Project’s residents, including the board, were aware of and concerned about this `crimewave’. … In early 1980 the board began to investigate what could be done to improve the lighting … Plaintiff’s unit was first burglarized in April 1980. … In May 1980 plaintiff and other residents of her court had a meeting … [and] transmitted a formal request to the Project’s manager with a copy to the board that more lighting be installed in their court as soon as possible. Plaintiff submitted another memorandum in August 1980 because the board had taken no action on the previous requests. … By late August, the board had still taken no action. Plaintiff then installed additional exterior lighting at her unit, believing that this would protect her from crime.
Unfortunately, the additional lighting was found to violate the CC&R’s, and plaintiff was directed to remove the additional exterior lighting and was told that:
…pending their removal, she could not use the additional exterior lighting. … In order not to use her additional lighting, plaintiff was required to forego the use of all of her exterior lights. … plaintiff complied with the board’s order and cut off the electric power on the circuitry controlling the exterior lighting during the daylight hours of October 8, 1980. As a result, her unit was in total darkness on October 8, 1980, the night she was raped and robbed.
4.5.1 Background.
Formerly, as long as a director performed his or her duties in accordance with the requisite standard of care as specified in Corporations Code Section 5231, the director would “have no liability based upon any alleged failure to discharge the person’s duties as a director.” This exemption, which is commonly referred to as the “business judgment rule,” applies even when the director’s actions or omissions exceed or defeat the corporation’s charitable purpose.
The California Supreme Court held in Frances T. that the business judgment rule of Corporations Code Section 7231 is not a bar to individual director liability if a director participates in tortious conduct, even if the director is acting in his or her official capacity. In the Frances T. case, the plaintiff alleged that: (i) the association directors owed a duty to her; (ii) they had specific knowledge that a hazardous condition existed which threatened her personal safety; and (iii) they failed to take action to avoid the harm. In ruling that the plaintiff had stated a cause of action against the directors as individuals, the Supreme Court stated that:
Directors are liable to persons injured by their own tortious conduct regardless of whether they acted on behalf of the corporation and regardless of whether the corporation is also liable…. Directors owe a duty of care, independent of the corporation’s own duty, to refrain from acting in a manner which creates an unreasonable risk of personal injury to third parties…. A distinction must [also] be made between the director’s fiduciary duty to the corporation (and its beneficiaries) and the director’s ordinary duty of care not to injure third parties. The former duty is defined by statute [i.e., Corporations Code Section 7231], the latter by common law tort principles.
To maintain a tort claim against a director, individually, the Frances T. court held that the plaintiff must show that: (i) the director specifically authorized, directed or participated in the tortious conduct; or (ii) the director knew or should have known that a condition under the board’s control was hazardous and could cause injury and yet the director negligently failed to take action to avoid the harm; and (iii) an ordinarily prudent person, possessing the same knowledge as the director, would have acted differently.
The California Supreme Court specifically noted that individual directors named in a personal injury suit have a defense against personal liability if their conduct was not clearly unreasonable under the circumstances or if they reasonably relied on expert advice or the decision of a subordinate who was in a better position to act. In light of the court’s specific rejection of the business judgment rule as a shield from personal liability, this confirmation that directors have a defense to personal liability if they can prove that they reasonably followed expert advice or reasonably delegated decisions to a subordinate or committee seems inconsistent, yet beneficial. The Francis T. court also held that any director who did not vote in favor of the action which caused the injury would have a defense to personal liability.
4.5.2 Legislative Response to Frances T.
The Frances T. case understandably caused consternation throughout the nonprofit community. The court expressly acknowledged that the defendants had fulfilled their fiduciary duties to the plaintiff in her capacity as a member of the corporation. Yet the Court ruled that those same directors could be held liable to the same plaintiff for the personal injuries she had suffered.
Following publication of the Frances T. case, the California Legislature enacted and amended various code sections, such as Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.14 and Corporations Code Sections 5047.5 and 5239 and other similar provisions extending some measure of protection to directors of public benefit, mutual benefit and religious corporations.
These inconsistently worded liability protection statutes, with curious categories of included and excluded organizations, is indicative of hastily negotiated compromises reached by lobbyists for various segments of the nonprofit community. The subparagraphs that follow describe the principal liability “protections” presently available to directors of California charitable corporations.
4.5.3 Corporations Code Section 5047.5.
Section 5047.5 is found in Part 1 of the Nonprofit Corporations Law which presents defined terms and other provisions which typically apply to corporations in all three nonprofit categories (i.e., public benefit, mutual benefit, and religious). Because of its location, Section 5047.5 should apply to all categories of nonprofit corporations, yet by its terms the Section is restricted to Internal Revenue Code Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations, and then only to those that are organized for religious, charitable, literary, educational, scientific, social and other forms of public service purposes. The section purports to protect “uncompensated” directors of covered entities from personal liability for monetary damages on account of negligent acts or omissions occurring within the scope of the person’s duties as an uncompensated director or officer and in the exercise of his or her policy-making judgment so long as the act or omission was in good faith and in a manner the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.
Specifically excluded from the liability protection benefits of section 5047.5 are:
* Actions alleging that the director or officer is guilty of self-dealing as defined in Corporations Code Section 5233.
* Actions maintained by the Attorney General against the director or officer.
* Liabilities arising from intentional, wanton or reckless acts, gross negligence, fraud, oppression or malice on the part of the director or officer.
Before an uncompensated director or officer who clears all the hurdles described above can claim protection under Section 5047.5, the corporation he or she serves must maintain general liability insurance applicable to the claim with minimum coverage of at least $500,000 if the corporation has an annual budget under $50,000; or $1 million if the corporation’s annual budget equals or exceeds $50,000. Because a general liability insurance policy will almost never be applicable to a claim against a director or officer, this provision makes any protection afforded by this statutory provision totally illusory.
Further, there is nothing in the statute to limit the suits that are brought against the directors. Even uncompensated directors and officers who arguably fall under the statute’s umbrella of liability protection are likely to face ongoing litigation exposure as they challenge pleadings alleging bad faith, or reckless, willful, wanton, or intentional conduct. Thus, it is likely that nonprofit corporations included within the scope of Section 5047.5 and their directors and officers will continue to be faced with providing a defense of directors and officers named in liability suits.
To make matters worse, it is not clear that any protection afforded by the statute would do away with the Frances T. type of liability that continues to be of concern.
With regard to the issue of compensation, many directors serve as volunteer directors, but may receive compensation for other services rendered. A director who receives no compensation for service as a director, but who receives compensation for other services rendered, does not fall within the statute’s protection.
The standard of care as set forth in Section 5047.5 is essentially the same standard required under Section 5231, but without the ability to rely upon third parties. As a result, section 5047.5, which is supposed to afford more protection, may actually result in less protection to the directors to whom it applies.
In conclusion, Section 5047.5 contains so many exceptions, exclusions and qualifications that the protection it appears to provide is largely illusory.
4.5.4 Corporations Code Section 5239.
Section 5239, applicable to nonprofit public benefit corporations, relieves volunteer directors and volunteer executive officers of such corporations from personal liability for damages caused by the director’s or officer’s negligent act or omissions in the performance of duties as a director or officer. The officers included in the definition of “executive officer” are the president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer. Cal. Corp. Code Section 5239(c).
To be eligible for this statutory protection, damages caused by the act or omission must be covered by a policy of insurance issued to the corporation or directly to the director or executive officer. Section 5239 does not specify any minimum level of insurance coverage nor does it address the issue of insurance deductibles, and therefore an ambiguity is created with respect to the requirement that damages be “covered” by insurance. Does the phrase mean complete coverage or reasonable coverage, given the nature of the corporation and its activities? If no insurance is applicable to the claim, the director or executive officer may still gain protection from liability by establishing that both the board and the director or officer made “all reasonable efforts in good faith to obtain available liability insurance.”
The protections of Corporations Code Section 5239 are not available if a director or officer receives any salary, fee or other consideration of any kind (other than a per diem or expense reimbursement). Second, directors or executive officers seeking liability protection under the Section must prove that: (a) the act or omission was within the scope of the officer’s or director’s duties; (b) the director or officer acted in good faith; (c) the act or omission did not involve self-dealing (as defined in Corp. Code ‘ 5233); and (d) that the act or omission was not reckless, wanton, intentional or grossly negligent. A director or executive officer is likely to remain mired in the litigation for many months, while his or her lawyers seek to establish that all of the requirements for statutory liability protection have been met and that none of the exceptions apply.
As with Section 5047.5, it is not clear that any protection afforded by the statute would do away with the Frances T. type of liability that continues to be of concern.
Again, as with Section 5047.5 the standard of care as set forth in Section 5239 is essentially the same standard required under Section 5231, but without the ability to rely upon third parties. As a result, Section 5239 affords less protection to directors than does Section 5231.
Finally, it should be noted that the personal liability protections afforded by 5239 have no application in the context of any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General or any action claiming that the director engaged in a prohibited self-dealing transaction.
4.5.5 Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.14.
The last liability protection provision which appears to apply to uncompensated directors and officers of nonprofit corporations organized for “charitable, educational, social, scientific or public service” purposes is California Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.14. What Section 425.14 purports to do is create what is commonly described as a “pleading hurdle” to shield qualified nonprofit directors and officers from suits based on claims arising out of negligent acts or omissions by the director or officer within the scope of the person’s duties as such. Such a claim can only be included in a complaint following a judicial determination (based on a verified petition and supporting affidavits) that evidence exists which substantiates the claim.
Unfortunately, Section 425.14 has as many exceptions, exclusions and qualifications regarding coverage as the two Corporations Code provisions described above. For example:
* Despite the broad reference to “charitable, educational…and scientific” organizations, the pleading hurdle of Section 425.15 is not available to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) charitable or educational organizations. Instead, the Section’s coverage is limited to organizations which qualify for exemption under Internal Revenue Code Sections 501(c)(1) (exempt credit unions), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(7) or 501(c)(19).
* The director or officer of a listed exempt organization can receive no compensation.
* The filing of a petition pursuant to Section 425.15 (seeking approval to sue the director or officer) tolls the running of any applicable statute of limitations and requires a vigorous defense of the petition’s allegations.
As can be seen, the “volunteer protection” given to nonprofit directors and officers in California is largely illusory. The potential liability of directors of nonprofits is greater than the potential liability of directors of business corporations. To date, the legislature has resisted adopting any legislation that would adequately protect directors of nonprofits from third party lawsuits.
4.6 Statutory Indemnification Rights of Directors and Officers.
4.6.1. Statutory Scheme of Indemnification, Generally.
In addition to the limited statutory protections against personal liability afforded by the general standard of care, Corporations Code Sections 5047.5 and 5239, and Corporations Code Section 425.15, Code of Civil Procedure Section 424.15, and the protections afforded by a good insurance program, the law permits corporations to indemnify directors and officers under a very strict and technical provisions. Of course, even when such rights of indemnity are available, they are only as good as the financial strength of the corporation.
Specifically, when directors and/or officers of a public benefit corporation are sued, Corporations Code Section 5238 permits the corporation to indemnify the named defendants to the extent provided in the section. In fact, this indemnification authority extends beyond directors to include all officers (not just “executive officers”) as well as other “agents” of the corporation, such as corporate employees. The scope of the permitted indemnity extends to “any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.” The intent of this broad language is to cover all legal threats asserted against a director or officer with respect to which he or she may be forced to employ counsel or otherwise incur expense. In the following discussion, references to corporate agents shall include directors and officers. Unlike the General Corporation Law, Section 5238 does not permit the corporation’s articles to confer broader indemnification rights than those it provides.
A corporate agent cannot demand indemnification in all instances. Instead, except as provided below, a public benefit corporation can only authorize indemnification in a specific case, upon determination that indemnification of the agent is proper under the circumstances because the agent’s conduct satisfied the minimum standards of care. Different standards of care are imposed for agents named in suits brought by third parties, on the one hand, and for agents named in derivative suits brought on behalf of the charitable corporation, suits challenging a self-dealing transaction or suits brought by the Attorney General, on the other. Where a director breaches his or her fiduciary duties to the corporation, no indemnification is permitted regardless of who brings the action.
Assuming the applicable standard of care has been met by the corporate agent, authorization for indemnification may be made in any of the following ways:
(i) By a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to the proceeding;
(ii) By approval of the members, excluding the vote of any person to be indemnified;
(iii) By approval of the court in which the proceeding is or was pending upon application by the corporation, the defendant agent or by the attorney who is providing the agent’s defense.
Unlike the General Corporation Law, there is no authority in Section 5238 to have indemnification approved by independent legal counsel if it is impossible to obtain a majority vote of disinterested directors.
4.6.2. Minimum Standard of Care for Indemnification.
If the suit naming the director or officer has been filed by a third-party plaintiff (i.e., a non-derivative action), in order to authorize indemnification the corporation must determine that the agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation. If the case is a criminal proceeding, it must also be established that the agent had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Corp. Code Section 5238(b). Unlike the standard for indemnity in the context of derivative or Attorney General actions (see next paragraph), in third-party suits there is no requirement that the director exercise the care than an “ordinarily prudent person” would use, presumably because the director is being held liable to a third party precisely because the director failed to use such care.
In the case of any action: (i) brought “in the right of the corporation” (i.e., a derivative action); (ii) brought under Section 5233 (self-dealing transactions); or (iii) brought by the Attorney General, indemnification is only proper if the corporation concludes that the agent was acting in good faith, in a manner he or she believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Corp. Code Section 5238(c). Although this standard for derivative, self-dealing and Attorney General actions appears more stringent than the standard applicable to third-party actions, it should be noted that in a third party action, it is required that the agent “must have reasonably believed” that his or her actions were in the best interests of the corporation, whereas in a derivative action it is only necessary that he or she actually believed that this was the case.
The fact that indemnification is conditioned upon a finding that the agent performed his or her duties in accordance with the specified minimum legal standard does not necessarily mean that the agent must win the lawsuit in order to qualify for indemnification. Section 5238(c)(1) states that no indemnification shall be made “in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation in the performance of such person’s duty to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court shall determine.” Accordingly, the Code authorizes the court to determine that the agent is entitled to indemnification for his or her expenses, even though the agent has lost the case and did not meet the standard of conduct referred to above. This decision is left almost entirely to the court’s discretion.
Section 5238(c)(3) also permits indemnification of expenses incurred in defending a threatened or pending action which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval so long as to the settlement is approved by the Attorney General.
4.6.3. Agents’ Right to Demand Indemnification.
As noted above, indemnification is generally contingent upon obtaining proper corporate approval, in accordance with the procedures noted above. However, directors or officers have the right, pursuant to Section 5238(d), to be indemnified with respect to expenses actually and reasonably incurred in the defense of any proceeding (whether third party or derivative) if they are successful on the merits. Note that this absolute right to indemnification upon demand exists even when the agent wins a suit brought by the Attorney General. Subparagraph (d) of Section 5238 recognizes the right of a director or officer, which probably existed at common law, to compel the corporation to indemnify the director/officer with respect to expenses incurred in litigation arising out of the directors’/officer’s performance of services as an agent on behalf of the corporation.
If a corporate agent is only successful with respect to a portion of a suit, expenses must be apportioned among the various claims. If the charity resists indemnification under circumstances where the agent has been successful in his or her defense, the agent has a right to file an independent lawsuit against the charity to collect the amounts to which he or she is entitled. In the alternative, the agent has the right to apply for indemnification to the court in which the action is pending, regardless or whether the application is opposed by the corporation.
4.6.4. Amount of Indemnification.
In all of the cases where indemnification is properly authorized by the corporation or may be claimed as a right by the director or officer, the indemnification may include all expenses that the agent incurred in defending the case, including attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred to establish the director’s/officer’s right to indemnity. However, when a director or officer seeks indemnification not only with respect to his or her expenses, but also with respect to sums paid in response to an adverse judgment or in settlement, once again, the statute distinguishes between third party actions and derivative actions. If the claim is a third party claim, indemnification is proper not only with respect to expenses, but also with respect to “judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred.” This permits the corporation to indemnify the agent for any amounts to which the agent is held liable in the action.
In derivative actions, on the other hand, indemnification is limited to “expenses actually and reasonably incurred”. The logic of not permitting indemnification of amounts paid in settlement or on account of an adverse judgment in a derivative action is that the settlement or judgment is likely to require the defendant to pay amounts to the corporation, since the corporation in such an action is the party in whose favor judgment is being sought, and indemnification would reverse that payment, perhaps with additional rebates of legal fees and court costs.
4.6.5. Advancement of Litigation Expenses.
Section 5238(f) provides that “Expenses incurred in defending any proceeding may be advanced by the corporation prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay such amount unless it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this section.” This provision permits the charity to pay currently the legal fees and other expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending an action, without having to make a final determination whether indemnification will ultimately be authorized. Advancement of expenses can be approved by Board resolution and the directors need not comply with one of the three listed methods for authorizing indemnification.
The more liberalized approval for the advancement of expenses reflects the fact that many actions against corporations and their directors and officers are frivolous and therefore an advancement of expenses should be fairly easy to obtain in order to enable the individual defendants to present an adequate defense which they might not otherwise be able to afford. If it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to indemnification, the corporation would be obligated to pursue appropriate legal remedies to enforce the agent’s commitment to reimburse the corporation.
4.6.6. Expansion of Indemnification Rights is Prohibited.
Section 5238(g) does not permit the corporation to expand indemnification rights, beyond those set forth in Section 5238, by including a more liberal provision contained in the Articles or Bylaws. This rule is contrary to the rule applicable to business corporations under Corporations Code Section 317. In contrast, Section 317(g) permits business corporations to offer broader indemnification pursuant to an appropriate article or bylaw provision.
4.6.7. Insurance To Fund Indemnities.
Section 5238(i) permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent against any liability asserted or incurred by the agent in his or her capacity as such, regardless of whether the corporation has the power to indemnify the agent against the liability under Section 5238. However, this insurance authorization has one exception, namely that charities are prohibited from purchasing insurance to indemnify any agent for a violation of the self-dealing prohibitions of Section 5233.
4.7 Federal Volunteer Protection Act.
On June 18, 1997, the “Volunteer Protection Act of 1997” was enacted into law by the United States Congress (111 Stat. 218). As with similar state laws, the purpose of this Act is to limit lawsuits against volunteers serving nonprofit public and private organizations and governmental agencies. The Act was enacted in response to the withdrawal of volunteers from service to nonprofit organizations because of concerns about possible liability. By limiting lawsuits against such volunteers, it was thought that the number of volunteers would increase, thus promoting the ability of nonprofit organizations and governmental entities to provide services at a reasonable cost. The intention of this law is laudable. However, the language of the Act is flawed, and is unlikely to provide significant protection for volunteers. It will not shield volunteers from the time, expense and aggravation of defending a lawsuit, even if the Act is ultimately found to bar a judgment. At its worst, the Act may create a guide map for pleading within the statutory exceptions and limitations in order to plead technically adequate causes of action or defenses, thus surviving possible legitimate challenges early in an action and embroiling volunteers in expensive and protracted litigation. See VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997 – AN IMPERFECT SOLUTION for more specific information.
4.8 IRS’ Position on Conflicts of Interest.
As is discussed above, the duty of loyalty requires that when a director is making a decision on behalf of the corporation, he/she must be looking out for the corporation’s best interests, rather than his/her own. When a decision could benefit or harm the director personally, then the director is considered to have a conflict of interest. This has become a particular concern to the IRS, especially with regard to private benefit and private inurement issues.
This concern is addressed in the 1996 (for 1997) Exempt Organizations CPE Technical Instruction Program Textbook, in an article entitled, “Community Board and Conflicts of Interest Policy. The IRS describes the purpose of a conflicts of interest policy:
“The primary benefit of a conflicts of interest policy is that the board can make decisions in an objective manner without undue influence by persons with a private interest. The presence and enforcement of a conflicts of interest policy can also help assure that an exempt health care organization fulfills its charitable, properly oversees the activities of its directors and principal officers, and pays no more than reasonable compensation to physicians and other highly compensated employees.” FY 1997 CPE Textbook Chapter C, p.18-19.
Although this article focuses specifically on the health care industry, everything is equally applicable to non-health care exempt organizations.
According to the 1997 Textbook, “A substantial conflicts of interest policy should include the following provisions:
A. Disclosure by interested persons of financial interests and all material facts relating thereto.
B. Procedures for determining whether the financial interest of the interested person may result in a conflict of interest.
C. Procedures for addressing the conflict of interest after determining that there is a conflict:
1. Requiring that the interested person leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement that results in the conflict of interest;
2. Appointing, if appropriate, a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement;
3. Determining, by a majority vote of the disinterested trustees present, that the transaction or arrangement is in the organization’s best interests and for its own benefit; is fair and reasonable to the organization; and, after exercising due diligence, determining that the organization cannot obtain a more advantageous transaction or arrangement with reasonable efforts under the circumstances; and
4. Taking appropriate disciplinary and corrective action with respect to an interested person who violates the conflicts of interest policy.
D. Procedures for adequate record keeping. The minutes of the board meeting and all committees with board-delegated powers should include:
1. The names of the persons who disclosed financial interests, the nature of the financial interests, and whether the board determined there was a conflict of interest; and
2. The names of all persons present for discussions or votes relating to the transaction or arrangement; the content of these discussions, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement; and a record of the vote.
E. Procedures ensuring that the policy is distributed to all trustees, principal officers and members of committees with board-delegated powers. Each such person should sign an annual statement that he or she:
1. Received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy;
2. Has read and understands the policy;
3. Agrees to comply with the policy;
4. Understands that the policy applies to all committees and subcommittees having board-delegated powers; and
5. Understands that the organization is a charitable organization that must engage primarily in activities that accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes to maintain its tax-exempt status.
F. Procedures for applying the policy to a compensation committee should include:
1. Restrictions barring physicians who receive, directly or indirectly, compensation from the organization, for services as employees or as independent contractors, from membership on its compensation committee; and
2. Restrictions precluding a voting member of a compensation committee who has a conflict of interest in the organization from which the member receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation. FY 1997 CPE Textbook Chapter C, p. 21-23
The textbook goes on to suggest that the nonprofit, as part of its system of controls, conduct periodic reviews of the activities to ensure that the organization is operating in a manner consistent with accomplishing its charitable purpose, and does not result in private inurement or impermissible private benefit. It also includes a Sample Conflict of Interest Policy, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A, below.
Adopting and complying with a conflict of interest policy will assist the organization in carrying out its responsibilities to avoid private inurement or private benefit, addressed in the intermediate sanctions rules, below.
See also How to Keep Your Exempt Organization Out of Trouble with IRS for more suggestions on operating your organization in a manner that will avoid problems with the IRS.
5. Intermediate Sanctions
Intermediate sanctions. which are designed to provide a penalty short of revocation, for private inurement/private benefit, is probably the most significant change to affect nonprofit organizations over the last thirty years. The intermediate sanctions law does not affect the ability of the IRS to revoke the exemption of an organization that engages in private inurement or private benefit. It simply provides another weapon in their arsenal. Although it is anticipated that intermediate sanctions will be used when revocation appears to be an extreme response, there is no limitation on the ability of the IRS to use either or both weapons. See INTERMEDIATE SANCTIONS – New Regulations for more specific information.
6. Raffles
Beginning July 1, 2001, raffles are not permitted unless the organization complies with a number of requirements, including registration with the California Attorney General. See RAFFLES IN CALIFORNIA.
APPENDIX A – IRS SUGGESTED CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
Article I Purpose
The purpose of the conflicts of interest policy is to protect the Corporation’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Corporation. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state laws governing conflicts of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable corporations.
Article II Definitions
1. Interested Person
Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with board delegated powers who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person. If a person is an interested person with respect to any entity in the healthcare system of which the Corporation is a part, he or she is an interested person with respect to all entities in the healthcare system.
2. Financial Interest
A person has financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment or family
a. an ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or
b. a compensation arrangement with the Corporation or with any entity or individual with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or
c. a potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Corporation is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are substantial in nature.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Article III Procedures
1. Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflicts of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence and nature of his or her financial interest and all material facts to the directors and members of the committees with board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he or she shall leave the board or committee meeting while the financial determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
a. An interested person may make a presentation at the board or committee meeting, but after such presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement that results in the conflict of interest.
b. The chairperson of the board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
c. After exercising due diligence, the board or committee shall determine whether the Corporation can obtain a more advantageous transaction or arrangement with reasonable efforts from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably attainable under circumstances that would not give rises to a conflict of interest, the board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Corporation’s best interest and for its own benefit and whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Corporation and shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement in conformity with such determination.
4. Violation of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
a. If the board or committee has reasonable cause to believe that a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
b. If, after hearing the response of the member and making such further investigation as may be warranted in the circumstances, the board or committee determines that the member has in fact failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
Article IV Records of Proceedings
The Minutes of the board and all committees with board-delegated powers shall contain
1. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
2. The names of persons who were present for discussion and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection therewith.
Article V Compensation Committees
1. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
2. Physicians who receive compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation, whether as employment whether as employees or independent contractors, are precluded from membership on any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters. No physician, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding physical compensation.
Article VI Annual Statements
Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with board delegated powers shall annually sigh a statement which affirms that such person
a. has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy,
b. has read and understands the policy,
c. has agreed to comply with the policy, and
d. understands that the Corporation is a charitable organization and that in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
Article VII Periodic Reviews
To ensure that the Corporation operates in a manner consistent with its charitable purposes and that it does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its status as an organization exempt from federal income tax, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum include the following subjects:
a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable and are the result of arm’s-length bargaining.
b. Whether acquisitions of physician practices and other provider services result in inurement or impermissible private benefit.
c. Whether partnership and joint venture arrangements and arrangement with management service organizations and physician hospital organizations conform to written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable payments for goods and services, further the Corporation’s charitable purposes and do not result in inurement or impermissible private benefit.
d. Whether arrangements to provide healthcare and agreements with other healthcare providers, employees, and third party payors further the Corporation’s charitable purposes and do not result in inurement or impermissible private benefit.
Article VIII Use of Outside Experts
In conducting the periodic reviews provided for in Article VII, the Corporation may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used their use shall not relieve the board of its responsibility for ensuring that periodic reviews are conducted.
Copyright © 2009 Lisa A. Runquist, Attorney at Law
nonprofitlaw
Super Lawyers Magazine
Churches, Schools, and the Unvaccinated Movement
New Disclosure Regulations Issued by IRS
How To Keep Your Nonprofits Out of Trouble With The IRS: Appendix A- IRS Sample Conflicts of Interest Policy
How To Keep Your Nonprofit Out of Trouble With The IRS
church disputes
exempt organizations
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representing nonprofits
Resources by Lisa A. Runquist
The ABCs of Nonprofits by Lisa A. Runquist (2015)
Guidebook for Directors of Nonprofit Corporations by ABA Book Publishing (2012) edited by Lisa A. Runquist
Guide to Representing Religious Organizations by Lisa A. Runquist, Jeannie Carmedelle Frey and Patricia A. Tauchert (2009)
Nonprofit Resources: A Companion to Nonprofit Governance by Victor Futter and Lisa A. Runquist (2007)
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RUSA News
The Official News of the ALA's Reference and User Services Association
Posted on January 10, 2016 December 22, 2015
RUSA’s Emerging Technologies Section selects annual list of Best Free Reference Websites
BOSTON—The annual Best Free Reference Websites list was announced at the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) Book and Media Awards Ceremony at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Boston on Sunday.
The list made its first debut in the Fall 2015 issue of Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ), RUSA’s research journal. Each site is selected based on, but not limited to: quality, depth, usability, usefulness of content and authority of producer. Succinct and insightful annotations were written by the selection committee and reflect all subject areas useful for ready reference and value in most libraries.
The list includes:
Open States: Discover Politics in Your State http://openstates.org/
Open States allows users the opportunity to find information on politics happening in each state. The user can search by their address or browse by state. State political information includes the demographics and information on legislators, current and past bills, and committees. Searching for upcoming legislation and tracking bill progress is made easy with the bills page providing filters that can be applied by the user to narrow their results. On the legislator page, the user can find information on the legislator’s committee memberships, bills they sponsored, recent votes and contact information. Whether you are a voter or student looking for research, this website is a must for researching politics in your state. The website works with all widely used browsers.
Author/Publisher: Sunlight Foundation
Date reviewed: March 5, 2015
Crime Statistics http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats/
The FBI Website gives access to Uniform Crime Reports of interest to citizens. The site claims that the Crime in the U.S. publication “is the most comprehensive analysis of violent crime and property crime in the nation.” The report also includes arrest and clearance data. Another useful publication is Hate Crime Statistics which includes information on the number of incidents, offenses, victims and offenders. The publication of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted provides data for officers assaulted or feloniously/accidentally killed in the line of duty. Finally, there’s the National Incident-Based Reporting System which includes information from state law enforcement agencies. Information includes aspects such as age, race, sex, relationship, location, time of day, type of weapons used and more. This publication also has sections on statistics for schools and colleges, measurement of white collar crime, the structure of family violence and more information on victims and offenders.
Author/Publisher: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2015
Travelers’ Health wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
The CDC’s Travelers’ Health website provides information and health recommendations for US residents who are planning to travel abroad. The site helps travelers understand the risks involved with traveling to certain parts of the world. Visitors start by selecting the country they want to travel to, as well as select extra options about their health or who they’re traveling with (traveling with children, etc.), and next receive a customized report containing things they need to know. The traveler is first briefed about any health warnings that may be issued for that country (whether serious or not). Further information includes diseases travelers should be most concerned about and what types of precautions (vaccinations, sanitation recommendations, etc.) need to be taken either before or during their travel. There are also educational sections on how to keep safe while in the country (eating and drinking safety tips, germs, medical care, transportation, personal security, etc.). There’s even a Packing List to recommend what to bring on your trip. The CDC site has a great deal of useful information for travelers.
Author/Publisher: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Famous Trials, UMKC School of Lawhttp://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm
“The Web’s largest and most visited collection of materials relating to famous trials, from Socrates to Clinton. The site includes original essays, images, primary documents, maps, transcript excerpts, chronologies, video clips, court decisions, and other materials to aid readers in understanding the significance of historic trials.”
While suitable for a general audience, this site is particularly useful for high-school and college-age history or criminal justice students. The look of the website is dated, but there is an abundance of information, including primary source documents and extensive bibliographies and links, that more than make up for the site’s appearance. The site is revised frequently with additional trials added, the most recent of which is the George Zimmerman trial.
Author/Publisher: Douglas Linder, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Country Statistics http://www.unicef.org/statistics/index_countrystats.html
The world’s leading advocate for children’s rights and health allows access to a wealth of statistical information on these topics. Visitor’s start by selecting the country they’re interested in and get statistics on such topics as child mortality rates, nutrition, health, education, demographics, protection, disparities and much more. The main statistics page also gives access to UNICEF’s flagship publication called The State of the World’s Children. Each year’s report focuses on a key issue affecting children around the world (children with disabilities, child rights, etc.). Anyone needing information or statistics on the state of children internationally will find useful information on UNICEF’s Website.
Author/Publisher: UNICEF
In Motion: The African-American Migration Experiencewww.inmotionaame.org/sionid=f8303293501426480205999
“The website is organized around thirteen defining migrations that have formed and transformed African America and the nation. Each migration is presented through five units: a narrative, about 100 illustrations with captions and bibliographical information, from twenty to forty research resources consisting of essays, books, book chapters, articles, and manuscripts, maps, and lesson plans.” There is extensive material covering all migrations of African-Americans from the initial transatlantic slave trade through the return south migration, along with African immigration. All in-text cited articles appear to offer full-text accessibility. The site can be viewed in non-flash version and is fully searchable.
Author/Publisher: New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy www.360financialliteracy.org
“360 Degrees of Financial literacy is a national volunteer effort of the nation’s Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills. It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor-from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement.” Advice is available according to your choice of individual life stages or specific financial topics. Questions may be posted to the Money Doctor and are answered by volunteer CPAs. The option is also offered to create individual accounts which will display a personalized dashboard of tips and targeted financial information.
Author/Publisher: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Video ETA http://videoeta.com/
VideoETA allows users to find “DVD and Blu-ray release dates for upcoming movies.” VideETA posts release dates once the studio has given its Official Consumer Announce Date (OCAD) which is the exact release date of the item. With a sleek design users are able to narrow searches by type (Blu-Ray or DVD), timeframe (weekly or monthly) and by genre (action, comedy, documentary etc.). VideoETA is a customer friendly and in-depth resource.
Author/Publisher: VideoETA, Inc.
Index of Economic Freedom http://www.heritage.org/index/
This site provides an annual guide to raise awareness of economic freedom and opportunity in countries world-wide based on ten measures or “freedoms:” Business, Trade, Fiscal, Monetary, Investment, Financial, Property, Freedom from Corruption, and Government Spending. Features include a heat map to show how countries stack up with each other, a highlighted list of countries with the highest overall rank along with a link to the entire list in rank order, along with a graphing feature to see data for up to three counties and one indicator from 1995 to present. A world average is shown for additional comparison. This site is useful for students, scholars, and the general public-anyone who is concerned about the fundamental right to control his or her own labor and property.
Author/Publisher: The Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Wall Street Journal
Woodall’s North American Campground Directory http://www.woodalls.com/
Also known as Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Directory, this website features descriptions and ratings of campgrounds with an emphasis on travel by RV (recreational vehicles). The facilities rated include RV parks, resorts, and rentals in addition to private tent campgrounds. The directory can be searched by location, names, or browsed and is an excellent resource for families or retired persons planning vacations or extended winter travel. Each entry has detailed information about the facility, sites, nearby recreation, and other amenities. Includes National Forest and National Park campgrounds as well with detailed information about fees and facilities.
Author/Publisher: Good Sam RV Travel Guide and Campground Directory
Date reviewed: February 23, 2015
State Tax Forms and Filing Optionshttp://www.taxadmin.org/fta/link/default.php?lnk=2
This site provides links to all 50 states’ websites for income tax forms and filing sites. Clicking on the state on the United States map or on the name of the state opens a list of links to that state’s current year tax forms, filing options, and main tax or revenue department. It is useful for anyone who needs forms and filing information for particular states. Since all state-level tax agencies are members of the Federation of Tax Administrators, this site provides an authoritative and up-to-date source for quickly locating state tax forms and filing options for all fifty states.
Author/Publisher: Federation of Tax Administrators
Constitute www.constituteproject.org
Subtitled “The World’s Constitutions to Read, Search, and Compare”, this site provides constitutions in force as of September 2013 from most of the world’s independent states. Constitutions are updated as they are amended. A user can browse using an alphabetical list, read in html, download in pdf, search by keyword or phrase, see where specific topics occur in each constitution, and select two to eight constitutions to compare side-by-side on a particular topic. The site has a clean, uncluttered design, with date of the constitution in effect and date of last amendment shown next to each country’s name. It is appropriate for students, scholars, and anyone interested in this topic. Constitute is an outstanding source for learning about and comparing the constitutions of most countries of the world.
Author/Publisher: Comparative Constitutions Project, University of Texas
Copyright Tools www.ala.org/…copyright-tools
The five copyright tools presented on this site are useful for anyone who uses copyrighted materials in his or her work, education, or leisure activities. Two of the tools, Public Domain Slider and Copyright Genie, help determine if a work is in the Public Domain. The Fair Use Evaluator and Exceptions for Instructors e-Tool help teachers and others determine whether use of a particular copyrighted work may fall under fair use or one of the other educational exceptions to the rights of the copyright owner. The Section 108 Spinner helps libraries and archives decide whether, under certain circumstances, they can make reproductions of copyrighted materials. Overall these tools will help anyone become more comfortable reusing copyrighted works. Only by using the valuable exceptions to a copyright holder’s rights, can “we strengthen copyright’s primary purpose-“to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (U. S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8).”
Author/Publisher: American Library Association, Office for Information Technology Policy
Internet Bird Collection ibc.lynxeds.com
The Internet Bird Collection contains videos, photographs and sound recordings of all the birds of the world. The IBC is the YouTube of Birds and contains more than 200,000 materials and is constantly growing. The site’s goal is to post at least one video or photo per species and eventually include material offering a variety of biological information (feeding, breeding, etc.) for every species. Users can perform a species search, geographic search, and global search for particular birds. Each bird record available on the site provides a map, taxonomy and geographic information, videos, photos and bird sounds.
Author/Publisher: Lynx Edicions
Open Culture: The Best Free Cultural & Educational Media on the Webwww.openculture.com
Open Culture is an online information portal that brings together freely available cultural and educational materials on the web. Resources on the site include links to online courses, certificate courses like MOOCs, movies, audio books, language learning tools, ebooks, and educational resources for children. The content on the site is keyword searchable or browsed via categorized links at the top of the page. Additional links on the right-hand side of the home page provide access to the sites most popular content. Also included is a blog of cultural topics on subjects ranging from art, music, literature, anthropology, science, and more. Overall, the site offers a wealth of information compiled in one place that otherwise would need to be searched for individually.
Author/Publisher: Open Culture
AFI Catalog of Feature Films www.afi.com/catalog
The AFI Catalog of Feature films is a research database providing access to information “on every feature-length film produced in America or financed by American production companies” from 1893 to 2011. Basic and Advanced search functions allow users to locate information about the cast, crew, plot, production dates, music, subjects, genres, historical notes, and review sources for each film. Also included as a part of the AFI site are the American Film Institute’s Award honorees from 2000 through 2014 and the Institute’s top 100 films in twelve categories.
Author/Publisher: American Film Institute (AFI)
WikiArt: Visual Art Encyclopedia www.wikiart.org
WikiArt is an ongoing project to create a free online repository of art images, from the classical to modern periods. Images in the collection are of works in both the public domain and those protected by copyright. A copyright notice warns users that protected images are for instructional purposes only and should not be copied or downloaded. Artists can be browsed by alphabet, art movement, school or group, genre, nationality, or century. Artworks can be browsed by style, genre, or technique. Artist pages include brief biographical information, a link to a Wikipedia article (when available), and links to individual artworks. Pages for individual artworks include the name of the artist, the completion date, style, and genre.
Author/Publisher: WikiArt
The Best Free Reference Websites selection committee consists of Ashley Rosener, co-chair; Paul Victor, co-chair; Christine Barnes; Georgia Baugh; Ava Marie Brillat; Jessica Cerny; Allyssa Guzman; Laura Hall; Brian Kooy; Yaniv Masjedi; Autumn Mather; Sue McFadden; Sheena Sewell; Jeremy Walker.
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more about RUSA’s Book and Media Awards at www.ala.org/rusa/awards.
Deep Dive & History Genealogy Workshops – 2016 Midwinter Meeting
History Genealogy Institute – Free, But Registration is Required
Friday, January 8, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, room 151 B
This free workshop will help librarians of all types learn techniques. This can include better understanding of genealogy research methods and sources. It can also include how libraries can leverage their unique holdings to become more relevant to genealogists, who tend to be passionate in their support of libraries that have useful materials. Lunch provided and sponsored by ProQuest. Must register here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWZP6WG.
Deep Dive Session – *BRAND NEW!
We are all user experience librarians: Creating change from the trenches
Saturday, January 9, 1:00 p.m.- 4:15 p.m., Location: TBA
This Deep Dive workshop will focus on user testing and understanding your users’ experience through a mix of discussion, presentations, and interactive experiences. Our five presenters will offer design strategies and tools from throughout the life cycle of a user experience design project, and they will also join together as a panel to provide a spirited, entertaining look at pitfalls to avoid and lessons learned. Unlike other sessions about user experience design, the proposed workshop will focus on providing attendees with concrete skills and techniques they can apply at their home institutions with relatively little expense or pre-planning. *Registration to open soon. More information here.
RUSA Discussion Groups at the 2016 Midwinter Meeting.
ILL Discussion Group (RUSA STARS)
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 205A
A thoughtful discussion of the emerging trends of resource sharing and interlibrary loan. Read more here.
Management of Electronic Resources & Services Discussion (RUSA ETS)
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, Westin Waterfront, Room Bulfinch Read more here.
Optimizing the web for reference: Best practices for usability, accessibility, and responsiveness (RUSA ETS)
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 258B
We will feature panelists from institutions which have innovated their approach to web reference (email, chat, FAQs, etc.) and/or conducted usability studies on how their users get answers through their library’s web portal. Read more here.
Genealogy and Local History Discussion Group (RUSA HS)
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 205C
Learn how can we ensure our communities know about our genealogical and historical resources. Read more here.
Reference Publishing Advisory Discussion Forum (RUSA CODES)
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 205B
A thoughtful discussion about the emerging trends in reference publishing by the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of RUSA. Read more here.
Discussion and All Committees Meeting (RUSA BRASS)
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, Westin Waterfront, Room Douglass
All-Committees meeting and discussion opportunity for those interested in business reference in all types of libraries. Read more here.
History Librarians Discussion Group (RUSA HS)
A thoughtful discussion on emerging trends of historical librarianship. Read more here.
Posted on September 1, 2015 December 1, 2015
2016 RUSA Achievement Awards: Call for Nominations and Submissions
Beginning Sept. 1, 2015 the RUSA is seeking nominations for its annual series of awards and grants. Nominations and supporting materials for most awards must be submitted by Dec. 4, 2015.
RUSA encourages members to nominate their colleagues whose work has influenced their thinking and performance and whose contributions merit recognition by the profession. With over $30,000 generously donated annually by industry sponsors, RUSA has, and will continue to, nominate, select and honor the very best in the field of reference and user services.
Achievement awards for individuals and groups:
Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, RUSA’s highest honor, recognizes an individual who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of reference librarianship. $5,000* and a citation.
Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services is given to a library or library system for developing an imaginative and unique resource to meet patrons’ reference needs. $3,000* and a citation.
NoveList’s Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award recognizes a librarian who has made significant contributions to library adult services. Sponsored by NoveList; $1,250* and a citation.
John Sessions Memorial Award recognizes a library or library system that has made a significant effort to work with the labor community and by doing so has brought recognition to the history and contribution of the labor movement to the development of the United States. Sponsored by the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, the winner receives a plaque.
Reference Service Press Award recognizes the most outstanding article published in Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ), RUSA’s research journal, during the preceding two-volume year. Sponsored by Reference Service Press; $2,500* and a plaque.
BRASS Award for Excellence in Business Librarianship is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to business librarianship. $3,000* and a citation.
Louis Shores Award recognizes an individual reviewer, group, editor, review medium or organization for excellence in book reviewing and other media for libraries. The winner receives a citation.
Zora Neale Hurston Award honors an individual ALA member who has demonstrated leadership in promoting African-American literature. Sponsored by HarperCollins Publishers; the winner receives $1,250* supporting travel to the ALA Annual Conference, a beautiful plaque, two tickets to the United for Libraries author events: The Gala Author Tea and The Laugh’s On Us, and two complete sets of Zora Neale Hurston’s books and audiobooks.
ETS My Favorite Martian Award is a citation presented annually in recognition of excellence in service to the Emerging Technologies Section of RUSA. The winner receives a citation.
Genealogy / History Achievement Award Sponsored by ProQuest, is presented to a librarian, library or publisher, and recognizes professional achievement in historical reference and research librarianship. $1,500* and a citation.
RSS Service Achievement Award is presented annually to a member of the Reference Services Section (RSS) of RUSA in recognition of exceptional contributions to the section. The winner receives a citation.
Virginia Boucher/OCLC Distinguished ILL Librarian Award is given to an individual for his or her outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and contributions to interlibrary loan and document delivery. Sponsored by OCLC; $2,000* and a citation.
Travel awards to the ALA Annual Conference:
BRASS Student Travel Award presents funds to a student enrolled in an ALA accredited master’s degree program to fund travel the ALA Annual Conference. $1,250* and a citation. This award’s nomination deadline is Jan. 15, 2016.
BRASS Global Financial Data Academic Business Librarianship Travel Award is presented to a new librarian in the field of academic business librarianship in order to support attendance to the ALA Annual Conference. Sponsored by Global Financial Data; $1,250* and a citation.
Morningstar Public Librarian Support Award offers funds to a public librarian who has performed outstanding business reference service and who requires financial assistance to attend the ALA Annual Conference. Sponsored by Morningstar, Inc.; $1,250* and a citation.
STARS Atlas Systems Mentoring Award offers ALA Annual Conference travel assistance funds to a library practitioner who is new to the field of interlibrary loan/document delivery or electronic reserves, and who has involvement in the areas of borrowing, lending, document delivery, electronic reserves, material delivery or resource sharing. Sponsored by Atlas Systems; $1,250* and a citation.
Research grants:
Gale Cengage Learning History Research and Innovation Award is granted to an MLS degreed librarian from an ALA accredited school to facilitate and further research relating to history and history librarianship. Sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning; $2,500* and a citation.
BRASS Emerald Research Grant Award, is presented to an individual or group seeking support to conduct research in business librarianship. Sponsored by Emerald Group Publishing; $5,000* and a citation.
*Monetary award amounts are subject to change without notice and are contingent upon donor funding supplied at the time the award is presented.
Questions about these awards should be directed to the committee chairperson—access committee contact information by logging in at www.ala.org, then accessing the RUSA roster webpage—or to the RUSA headquarters staff.
More information about these awards, including nominating instructions, can be found on RUSA’s awards webpage.
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#TreatYourShelf this Holiday Season!
[eLearning] RUSA’s Winter Webinars
[Sneak Peek] RUSA’s New Website!
RUSA 101: Learn the basics
Stacy Gilbert Selected as RUSA’s 2017 Emerging Leader
About RUSA News
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Showcasing the best of the community and ethnic media
As of August 1, 2019, Voices of NY is a project of City Limits. This site is an archive of the material published up to May 31, 2019.
November 20, 2018 By Conchita Margaret Widjojo
Two Haitian Brothers: A TPS Story
Mickaël, left, with his younger brother Sebastien in Brooklyn. (Photo by Conchita Margaret Widjojo)
For as long as he could remember, Mickaël Déjean wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. His younger brother Sebastien aspires to be a psychologist. Enrolled as graduate students in Brooklyn College, Mickaël on the health sciences track and Sebastien in experimental psychology, the brothers inch closer to achieving their dreams. But if the Trump administration has its way, those dreams will be dashed by mid-2019.
Mickaël, 30, and Sebastien, 27, are two of nearly 60,000 Haitians who were granted temporary protected status after an earthquake that killed 220,000 and injured 300,000 devastated their home country in 2010. Last November, the Trump administration decided to rescind TPS for Haiti and said TPS holders must return to Haiti by July 2019. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said “the ‘extraordinary but temporary conditions’ caused by the earthquake no longer exist because the country has made notable progress in its recovery and rebuilding efforts.”
The Déjean brothers beg to differ.
“I talk to my mom almost all the time and my mom tells me that things are bad, and that you actually can’t even think about coming back home,” Sebastien said.
“She said there’s no reason for us to come,” Mickaël added.
Mickaël and Sebastien speak with their parents, who both still live in Port-au-Prince, two or three times a week. Their mother, Monette, visits every summer. The brothers have not visited Haiti since the earthquake out of fear they might lose status and be unable to return.
The disaster unleashed an influx of humanitarian aid, approximately $13.5 billion in donations and pledges from other nations and private charities. However, according to Mickaël and Sebastien, the anticipated drastic improvements have not yet been observed.
“And the money came in,” Mickaël said. “But nobody knows where it went.”
“That’s how things are back home,” Sebastien shrugged.
Renewing TPS
A humanitarian program established under the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS allows non-U.S. citizens to seek refuge from their home countries to escape ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster or any other extraordinary, temporary conditions.
The 2010 earthquake severely damaged Haiti’s infrastructure and initially displaced approximately 1 million people, but subsequent hurricanes and health scares, including a cholera outbreak, justified periodic renewals made by the Obama administration. Under current law, DHS can keep extending TPS in 18-month intervals so long as uninhabitable conditions persist in the recipients’ native countries.
Though more than eight years have passed since the earthquake, the conditions in Haiti are still unstable, according to the Déjean brothers. With the country’s crumbling infrastructure, political unrest, and vulnerability to natural disasters, the return of 60,000 TPS holders to Haiti could overwhelm the government and worsen conditions for everyone. It remains the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
“The obvious thing to do would be to create some mechanism for long-term TPS for recipients to be considered for permanent residency,” said Donald Kerwin, executive director of the Center for Migration Studies. “But [DHS is] not doing that.”
After almost a decade in the U.S., tens of thousands of Haitians established roots in their new homes. At Brooklyn College, Mickaël is a graduate teaching assistant and Sebastien works at the LGBTQ Resource Center. Both brothers pay taxes and live together in an apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
“I get the argument that [TPS is] supposed to be a temporary thing – and how long temporary is, is a good question to ask,” said Sebastien. “But what do you do with people that have been living in a country for over eight years? It may not be a long time, I guess depending on how people perceive things, but it is a long time because you work, you build connections, you build friends – it’s a whole life.”
Since Trump took office, the administration has tightened the screws on immigration by enforcing stricter policies and aiming to terminate programs such as TPS and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Salvadorans, Hondurans and Nepalis with TPS also face possible expulsion, and many “Dreamers” from Mexico and elsewhere have also been under siege.
“This administration isn’t only going after undocumented immigrants – they’re going after pretty much immigrants in general,” Sebastien said. “It’s a war against immigrants in general.”
“Which makes no sense because this country is a country of immigrants, even the president himself, 45 – his parents are immigrants,” Mickaël added. “There is no such thing as a true American besides the Native Americans, but it’s ‘Make America Great Again’, I guess.”
President Trump boasts many nicknames, one of them being “45”, as in the 45th president of the United States. Both Déjean brothers refer to him as a number to delegitimize him and to deny him as the leader of the new world. According to Mickaël, “his ways, methods, thought process does not exude democratic belief.”
Backup plans?
Both Mickaël and Sebastien plan to continue studying. They haven’t considered living out their futures in their native Haiti.
“We have no backup plans. It’s certainly a challenge going to another country to finish our degrees if it comes to that,” Sebastien said. “Needless to add that things are still not relatively O.K. back home and having lived in my country for 18 years, there’s always political unrest and insecurity issues. We would certainly feel out of place.”
Facing the July termination date of TPS, Mickaël and Sebastien have thoroughly brainstormed options to extend their stay. Mickaël visited a lawyer from CUNY’s Citizenship Now! service and discussed potential paths for citizenship.
The first option was attaining residency through a family member, but that requires having a direct blood relative resident here as a sponsor, which they do not have. A second option was applying for a work visa, but H-1B visas are generally granted to people who have demonstrated extraordinary work in their special skillset and require an employer to sponsor them, which they also do not have. Finally, both fleetingly considered – and rejected – marriage to an American citizen, since neither has a significant other and a fake marriage could be grounds for fraud charges.
Though Mickaël and Sebastien are heavily involved within the Brooklyn College community, re-applying for an F-1 visa would be extremely costly, given that fees and tuition for those with international student status are triple what they are currently paying.
“We have spoken to lawyers on our specific case,” Sebastien said. “The bottom line is that there’s not much to do besides waiting and hoping that the TPS will remain.”
In early October, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the administration’s plans to fully terminate temporary protected status, so Mickaël, Sebastien and hundreds of thousands of TPS beneficiaries are safe from self-deportation for now.
“There’s various things that [TPS holders] can do to try to seek status, but I think the truth is that most of them would have already [tried] that,” said Kerwin. “So, in the end, I think what many of them are faced with is either returning, which most of them don’t want to do, or going underground and just becoming undocumented.”
Despite racing against time for a solution, the Déjean brothers remain collected. “We’re trying not to think about it so much because at the end of the day, life continues and we have to be in school, we have to get homework done,” Sebastien said. “But, it’s still in our minds.”
“The year 2018 has been great to me in a sense that I’ve accomplished a lot,” Mickaël said. “I graduated college, I celebrated my birthday with my mom for the first time in nine years, I started grad school. So, how much more can I accomplish in the few months I have left here and is there a potential opportunity where I would still be able to continue to fulfill my dream?”
“I’m not really beating myself up for it, those things are out of my control,” Sebastien said, referring to the president’s stance on immigrants. “I didn’t choose to specifically be born in Haiti – it just happened. Natural disasters happen and the circumstances got me here and I’m just trying to make the best out of it.”
Conchita Margaret Widjojo is a member of the 2019 class of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Tags: Haiti, TPS, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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General Interest General Ippies Invite List II immigrant affairs Ethnic and community media
Stories from Across the U.S.
Guatemalan Community Grows and Thrives in the Carolinas
Only two years ago there was no Guatemalan government representation in the Carolinas; today, the Raleigh consulate serves a thriving community of 120,000, Qué Pasa Noticias reports. Guatemalans live mostly in North Carolina (80,000), and their country’s native languages are well represented (mainly Mam, Chuj, Ixil and Kanjobal). They are known for their entrepreneurship and family businesses, from restaurants to construction companies, many of them started thanks to their U.S.-born children’s social security number. “Most car repair shops in Charlotte are run by Guatemalans,” said Mónica del Cid, co-owner of Red Light Auto Services. Link to original story →
Georgia Coalition of Latino Leaders Turns 13
Headquartered in the back of a small supermarket in Dalton, GA, the Coalición de Líderes Latinos de Georgia (CLILA) has served the area’s Hispanic community for 13 years, Mundo Hispánico reports. CLILA offers English and citizenship classes and DACA application help, among other legal and community services. The coalition was founded in 2006 by Mexican immigrant América Gruner, who sought to mobilize the area’s large Hispanic population (mostly working in the carpet industry) against anti-immigrant measures but found that many were not eligible to vote because they didn’t apply for citizenship, or didn’t speak the language. Link to original story →
Puerto Rico WIC Recipients Drop 43 Percent Due to Mass Migration
The number of Puerto Rican women receiving benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) dropped by 43 percent in the past five years, El Vocero reports. The numbers reflect a childbirth drop partially caused by the Zika virus scare, during which many women avoided pregnancy, but the main cause is the mass emigration of young families away from the island. The decrease in the federal program of recipients has also hit businesses that provide WIC-funded foods: 18 percent of them have closed, and the rest have been forced to diversify their operations. Link to original story →
Debt and Depopulation Leave San Juan in ‘Extreme Decay’
An investigation by El Nuevo Día shows the “extreme decay” of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital, as the municipal government reduced its contractual commitments almost by half compared to 2013. As residents complain of crumbling roads, criminality and lack of cleaning services, the city has had a population loss of more than 90,000 residents in the past 10 years. The loss in municipal income has resulted in a $183 million debt in spite of a $73 million budget cut. The problem is exacerbated by non-payments the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico and the city’s difficulties in borrowing money. Link to original story →
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Ridgefield Yellow Pages
Washington Yellow Pages > Ridgefield Yellow Pages > Cabinets, Flooring, Windows, Doors > Cabinet Makers & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies > Cabinets & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies in Ridgefield
Cabinets & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies in Ridgefield, Washington
NW Garage Cabinets
5561 S 1st Cir
Cabinet & Chalets Makers, Local Carpenters, Cabinet Makers & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies, Cabinets & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies, Carpenters
5561 S 1st Cir Ridgefield WA 98642
We offer 1 local business listing for Cabinets & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies in Ridgefield. Find local Ridgefield Cabinets & Cabinet Makers Equipment & Supplies in zip code 98642.
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Equipment most commonly refers to a set of tools or other objects commonly used to achieve a particular objective. Different jobs require different kinds of equipment.
Cabinet (government)
A cabinet is a body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the executive branch's top leaders. Members of a cabinet are usually called cabinet ministers or secretaries. The function of a cabinet varies: in some countries, it is a collegiate decision-making body with collective responsibility, while in others it may function either as a purely advisory body or an assisting institution to a decision-making head of state or head of government. Cabinets are typically the body responsible for the day-to-day management of the government and response to sudden events, whereas the legislative and judicial branches work in a measured pace, in sessions according to lengthy procedures. In some countries, particularly those that use a parliamentary system (e.g., the UK), the Cabinet collectively decides the government's direction, especially in regard to legislation passed by the parliament.
Maker or Makers may refer to:
Supply may refer to:
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Donald Trump to Howard Stern: “You have no idea how tough I’d be” on North Korea
October 2, 2017 October 2, 2017 by WCQJ
“This is the final question,” Howard Stern said toward the end of a 2006 interview in which Trump appeared. “Are you ready? You are the president of the United States. What do we do about North Korea?”
“I would be so tough, you have no idea,” Trump replied. “You have no idea how tough I’d be.”
“Embargoes?” Stern asked.
“Well, I think I’d go beyond embargoes,” Trump said. “I would be so tough, but I wouldn’t send [Bush’s Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice in to negotiate.”
Stern asked why, to which Trump replied, “I don’t think she’s tough enough. I mean, I don’t think she’s a tough person.”
When Stern asked if Rice was a “lightweight,” Trump said he thought she was “not tough enough to do a good job.”
Eleven years later and now POTUS Trump is dealing with North Korea head on. Yesterday President Trump tweeted accusing his predecessors of failing to deal with North Korea’s nuclear program but stated he would not be doing the same.
“Being nice to Rocket Man hasn’t worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won’t fail,” he said on Twitter.
Trump also tweeted suggesting that his presumably “tough enough” Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, was wasting his time dealing with Kim Jong Un.
“I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” he said. “Save your energy Rex, we’ll do what has to be done!”
Categories Stern Tags Condoleezza Rice, Kim Jong-un, POTUS, Trump Leave a comment
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Have A Ball!
The USPS celebrates our nation’s passion for athletics with the Have a Ball! stamps. The issuance features colorful illustrations of eight different sports balls: • A baseball • A basketball • A football • A golf ball • A kickball • A soccer ball • A tennis ball, and • A volleyball The round Have a Ball! stamps feature a special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing process to give them a textured feel. Tennis has evolved from a game played by French and English royalty on palatial courts into a sport that now enjoys worldwide popularity and is played by 23 million Americans on 240,000 tennis courts. Although various forms of tennis have been played since ancient times, the game of tennis as it is known today was invented in Wales in 1873. Lawn tennis (known simply as tennis in the United States) was introduced in this country during the summer of 1874. The U.S. Tennis Association, founded in 1881, today has more than 500,000 members who play at 1,400 community tennis associations across the country.
Topics: Forever Stamp (731) Sport (278) Tennis (5)
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Catch-Up Contributions
A recent survey found that 23% of people were very confident about having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years. At the same time, 33% were not confident.1
Congress in 2001 passed a law that can help older workers make up for lost time. But few may understand how this generous offer can add up over time.2
The “catch-up” provision allows workers who are over age 50 to make contributions to their qualified retirement plans in excess of the limits imposed on younger workers.
Contributions to a traditional 401(k) plan are limited to $19,500 in 2019. Those who are over age 50 – or who reach age 50 before the end of the year – may be eligible to set aside up to $26,000 in 2019.3
Setting aside an extra $6,500 each year into a tax-deferred retirement account has the potential to make a big difference in the eventual balance of the account. And by extension, in the eventual income the account may generate. (See accompanying chart.)
Catch-Up Contributions and the Bottom Line
This chart traces the hypothetical balances of two 401(k) plans. The blue line traces a 401(k) account into which the maximum regular annual contributions are made each year, but no catch-up contributions. The green line traces a 401(k) account into which the maximum regular and full catch-up contributions are made each year.
Upon reaching retirement at age 67, both accounts begin making payments of $4,000 a month.
The hypothetical account without catch-up contributions will be exhausted by the time its beneficiary reaches age 83.
This hypothetical example is used for comparison purposes and is not intended to represent the past or future performance of any investment. Fees and other expenses were not considered in the illustration. Actual returns will fluctuate.
Both accounts assume an annual rate of return of 5%. The rate of return on investments will vary over time, particularly for longer-term investments.Contributions to and withdrawals from both accounts have been increased by 2% each year to account for potential 2% inflation.
1. EBRI, 2019 Retirement Confidence Survey
2. Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001
3. Forbes, 2020. Catch-up contributions also are allowed for 403(b) and 457 plans. Distributions from 401(k) plans and most other employer-sponsored retirement plans are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plan in the year you turn 72.
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Blink-182 Are Releasing Collaborations with the Chainsmokers and XXXTentacion This Week
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Stream the 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Soundtrack with Lil Wayne, XXXTentacion, Nicki Minaj
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XXXTentacion Murder Suspect Arrested
A suspect has been arrested in connection to the murder of XXXTentacion, the controversial rapper born Jahseh Onfroy who was shot in South F...
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XXXTentacion's Alleged Abuse Victim Speaks Out Following His Death: "I'm Broken"
The ex-girlfriend and alleged abuse victim of late Florida rapper XXXTentacion has spoken out following the rapper's death. Geneva Ayala...
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Robots will take over – only to bring humans closer
Text: Damini Purkayastha
The year is 2051. Two robots are on stage at TEDxLeuven. Zora and Pepper, humanoids who have been assisting humanity for the past 35 years, are here to talk about the past. How mankind progressed from the dark ages of 2016, to this wonderful new Utopian world.
Does that sound too futuristic? If so, the future is already here. This November, for the first time ever, two speakers on a TEDx platform will be humanoid robots - Zora and Pepper - who will share their vision of a Utopian future. Created by Belgium-based company Zora Robotics, these robots mark an important phase in how technology is changing the human experience.
The idea was born seven years ago when creators Fabrice Goffin and Tommy Deblieck met at a hotel in Qatar. After long conversations about the future of mankind and Star Wars, the duo decided to “take over the world”. Their design, thankfully, was inspired more by R2D2 than Darth Vader, and the robots have been programmed to help humans with various tasks in daily scenarios. Since 2014, these humanoids have been used in healthcare, assisting in the care of elderly people, and even working with autistic children. Lately, they’ve also been tried out in hotels and Goffin says, “this is just the beginning”. “Given how rapidly technology is evolving, the next five years will be amazing. Humanoids will be part of every household, able to perform and assist with repetitive and mundane tasks. Perhaps even help children with their homework,” he says.If the timeline seems impossible, he has a factoid to share, “It took 30 years for the telephone to reach the same number of people Angry Birds reached in 30 days.”
Should robots actually become a household staple, will that not make humans redundant in various jobs? “Not really. The humanoids will perform tasks that are boring, for example cleaning, maintenance. Or even something like security, when you’re away they can guard your home. Like a new age butler in every home.”His Jeeves of the future (reminiscent of Richie Rich’s Irona) may not have a wry sense of humor, but it is the key to bringing people closer. “Think of all the time it will free up for actual human interaction. Humans will have more time for each other,” he says.
For Goffin, the upcoming talk at TEDxLeuven is a declaration of change. “It’s quite an amazing statement. To have robots speak on the TEDx platform, a world premiere, no one can refuse to see that robotics is here, a new era has begun.”
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This article is about the radiation. For the generic oscillation, see Radio frequency. For the electronics, see Radio frequency engineering. For the British broadcasting station, see Radio Wave. For other uses, see Radio Waves (disambiguation).
Animation of a half-wave dipole antenna radiating radio waves, showing the electric field lines. The antenna in the center is two vertical metal rods connected to a radio transmitter (not shown). The transmitter applies an alternating electric current to the rods, which charges them alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Loops of electric field leave the antenna and travel away at the speed of light; these are the radio waves. In this animation the action is shown slowed down enormously.
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum longer than infrared light. Radio waves have frequencies as high as 300 gigahertz (GHz) to as low as 30 hertz (Hz).[1] At 300 GHz, the corresponding wavelength is 1 mm (shorter than a grain of rice); at 30 Hz the corresponding wavelength is 10,000 km (longer than the radius of the Earth). Like all other electromagnetic waves, radio waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum (and close to the speed of light in the Earth's atmosphere, which acts as the transmission media for the vast majority of terrestrial use). Radio waves are generated by charged particles undergoing acceleration, such as time-varying electric currents.[2] Naturally occurring radio waves are emitted by lightning and astronomical objects.
Radio waves are generated artificially by transmitters and received by radio receivers, using antennas. Radio waves are very widely used in modern technology for fixed and mobile radio communication, broadcasting, radar and radio navigation systems, communications satellites, wireless computer networks and many other applications. Different frequencies of radio waves have different propagation characteristics in the Earth's atmosphere; long waves can diffract around obstacles like mountains and follow the contour of the earth (ground waves), shorter waves can reflect off the ionosphere and return to earth beyond the horizon (skywaves), while much shorter wavelengths bend or diffract very little and travel on a line of sight, so their propagation distances are limited to the visual horizon.
To prevent interference between different users, the artificial generation and use of radio waves is strictly regulated by law, coordinated by an international body called the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which defines radio waves as "electromagnetic waves of frequencies arbitrarily lower than 3 000 GHz, propagated in space without artificial guide".[3] The radio spectrum is divided into a number of radio bands on the basis of frequency, allocated to different uses.
Diagram of the electric fields (E) and magnetic fields (H) of radio waves emitted by a monopole radio transmitting antenna (small dark vertical line in the center). The E and H fields are perpendicular, as implied by the phase diagram in the lower right.
1 Discovery and exploitation
2 Generation and reception
3 Speed, wavelength, and frequency
4 Propagation characteristics
5 Radio communication
6 Biological and environmental effects
7 Measurement
Discovery and exploitation
Main article: History of radio
Radio waves were first predicted by mathematical work done in 1867 by Scottish mathematical physicist James Clerk Maxwell.[4] His mathematical theory, now called Maxwell's equations, predicted that a coupled electric and magnetic field could travel through space as an "electromagnetic wave". Maxwell proposed that light consisted of electromagnetic waves of very short wavelength. In 1887, German physicist Heinrich Hertz demonstrated the reality of Maxwell's electromagnetic waves by experimentally generating radio waves in his laboratory,[5] showing that they exhibited the same wave properties as light: standing waves, refraction, diffraction, and polarization. Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi developed the first practical radio transmitters and receivers around 1894–1895. He received the 1909 Nobel Prize in physics for his radio work. Radio communication began to be used commercially around 1900. The modern term "radio wave" replaced the original name "Hertzian wave" around 1912.
Generation and reception
Animated diagram of a half-wave dipole antenna receiving a radio wave. The antenna consists of two metal rods connected to a receiver R. The electric field (E, green arrows) of the incoming wave pushes the electrons in the rods back and forth, charging the ends alternately positive (+) and negative (−). Since the length of the antenna is one half the wavelength of the wave, the oscillating field induces standing waves of voltage (V, represented by red band) and current in the rods. The oscillating currents (black arrows) flow down the transmission line and through the receiver (represented by the resistance R).
Radio waves are radiated by charged particles that are accelerated. Radio waves are produced artificially by time-varying electric currents, consisting of electrons flowing back and forth in a specially-shaped metal conductor called an antenna. An electronic device called a radio transmitter applies oscillating electric current to the antenna, and the antenna radiates the power as radio waves. Radio waves are received by another antenna attached to a radio receiver. When radio waves strike the receiving antenna they push the electrons in the metal back and forth, creating tiny oscillating currents which are detected by the receiver.
Speed, wavelength, and frequency
Radio waves in a vacuum travel at the speed of light.[6][7] When passing through a material medium, they are slowed according to that object's permeability and permittivity. Air is thin enough that in the Earth's atmosphere radio waves travel very close to the speed of light.
The wavelength is the distance from one peak of the wave's electric field (wave's peak/crest) to the next, and is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave. The distance a radio wave travels in one second, in a vacuum, is 299,792,458 meters (983,571,056 ft) which is the wavelength of a 1 hertz radio signal. A 1 megahertz radio signal has a wavelength of 299.8 meters (984 ft).
Propagation characteristics
Main article: Radio propagation
Radio waves are more widely used for communication than other electromagnetic waves mainly because of their desirable propagation properties, stemming from their large wavelength.[8] Radio waves have the ability to pass through the atmosphere, foliage, and most building materials, and by diffraction can bend around obstructions, and unlike other electromagnetic waves they tend to be scattered rather than absorbed by objects larger than their wavelength.
The study of radio propagation, how radio waves move in free space and over the surface of the Earth, is vitally important in the design of practical radio systems. Radio waves passing through different environments experience reflection, refraction, polarization, diffraction, and absorption. Different frequencies experience different combinations of these phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere, making certain radio bands more useful for specific purposes than others. Practical radio systems mainly use three different techniques of radio propagation to communicate:[9]
Line of sight: This refers to radio waves that travel in a straight line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. It does not necessarily require a cleared sight path; at lower frequencies radio waves can pass through buildings, foliage and other obstructions. This is the only method of propagation possible at frequencies above 30 MHz. On the surface of the Earth, line of sight propagation is limited by the visual horizon to about 64 km (40 mi). This is the method used by cell phones, FM, television broadcasting and radar. By using dish antennas to transmit beams of microwaves, point-to-point microwave relay links transmit telephone and television signals over long distances up to the visual horizon. Ground stations can communicate with satellites and spacecraft billions of miles from Earth.
Indirect propagation: Radio waves can reach points beyond the line-of-sight by diffraction and reflection.[9] Diffraction allows a radio wave to bend around obstructions such as a building edge, a vehicle, or a turn in a hall. Radio waves also partially reflect from surfaces such as walls, floors, ceilings, vehicles and the ground. These propagation methods occur in short range radio communication systems such as cell phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, and wireless networks. A drawback of this mode is multipath propagation, in which radio waves travel from the transmitting to the receiving antenna via multiple paths. The waves interfere, often causing fading and other reception problems.
Ground waves: At lower frequencies below 2 MHz, in the medium wave and longwave bands, due to diffraction vertically polarized radio waves can bend over hills and mountains, and propagate beyond the horizon, traveling as surface waves which follow the contour of the Earth. This allows mediumwave and longwave broadcasting stations to have coverage areas beyond the horizon, out to hundreds of miles. As the frequency drops, the losses decrease and the achievable range increases. Military very low frequency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) communication systems can communicate over most of the Earth, and with submarines hundreds of feet underwater.
Skywaves: At medium wave and shortwave wavelengths, radio waves reflect off conductive layers of charged particles (ions) in a part of the atmosphere called the ionosphere. So radio waves directed at an angle into the sky can return to Earth beyond the horizon; this is called "skip" or "skywave" propagation. By using multiple skips communication at intercontinental distances can be achieved. Skywave propagation is variable and dependent on atmospheric conditions; it is most reliable at night and in the winter. Widely used during the first half of the 20th century, due to its unreliability skywave communication has mostly been abandoned. Remaining uses are by military over-the-horizon (OTH) radar systems, by some automated systems, by radio amateurs, and by shortwave broadcasting stations to broadcast to other countries.
At microwave frequencies, atmospheric gases begin absorbing radio waves, so the range of practical radio communication systems decreases with frequency. Below about 20 GHz atmospheric attenuation is mainly due to water vapor. Above 20 GHz, in the millimeter wave band, other atmospheric gases begin to absorb the waves, limiting practical transmission distances to a kilometer or less. Above 300 GHz, in the terahertz band, virtually all the power is absorbed within a few meters, so the atmosphere is effectively opaque.
Main article: Radio
In radio communication systems, information is transported across space using radio waves. At the sending end, the information to be sent, in the form of a time-varying electrical signal, is applied to a radio transmitter.[10] The information, called the modulation signal, can be an audio signal representing sound from a microphone, a video signal representing moving images from a video camera, or a digital signal representing data from a computer. In the transmitter, an electronic oscillator generates an alternating current oscillating at a radio frequency, called the carrier wave because it creates the radio waves that "carry" the information through the air. The information signal is used to modulate the carrier, altering some aspect of it, "piggybacking" the information on the carrier. The modulated carrier is amplified and applied to an antenna. The oscillating current pushes the electrons in the antenna back and forth, creating oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which radiate the energy away from the antenna as radio waves. The radio waves carry the information to the receiver location.
At the receiver, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of the incoming radio wave push the electrons in the receiving antenna back and forth, creating a tiny oscillating voltage which is a weaker replica of the current in the transmitting antenna.[10] This voltage is applied to the radio receiver, which extracts the information signal. The receiver first uses a bandpass filter to separate the desired radio station's radio signal from all the other radio signals picked up by the antenna, then amplifies the signal so it is stronger, then finally extracts the information-bearing modulation signal in a demodulator. The recovered signal is sent to a loudspeaker or earphone to produce sound, or a television display screen to produce a visible image, or other devices. A digital data signal is applied to a computer or microprocessor, which interacts with a human user.
The radio waves from many transmitters pass through the air simultaneously without interfering with each other. They can be separated in the receiver because each transmitter's radio waves oscillate at a different rate, in other words each transmitter has a different frequency, measured in kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The bandpass filter in the receiver consists of a tuned circuit which acts like a resonator, similarly to a tuning fork.[10] It has a natural resonant frequency at which it oscillates. The resonant frequency is set equal to the frequency of the desired radio station. The oscillating radio signal from the desired station causes the tuned circuit to oscillate in sympathy, and it passes the signal on to the rest of the receiver. Radio signals at other frequencies are blocked by the tuned circuit and not passed on.
Biological and environmental effects
Radio waves are nonionizing radiation, which means they do not have enough energy to separate electrons from atoms or molecules, ionizing them, or break chemical bonds, causing chemical reactions or DNA damage. The main effect of absorption of radio waves by materials is to heat them, similarly to the infrared waves radiated by sources of heat such as a space heater or wood fire. The oscillating electric field of the wave causes polar molecules to vibrate back and forth, increasing the temperature; this is how a microwave oven cooks food. However, unlike infrared waves, which are mainly absorbed at the surface of objects and cause surface heating, radio waves are able to penetrate the surface and deposit their energy inside materials and biological tissues. The depth to which radio waves penetrate decreases with their frequency, and also depends on the material's resistivity and permittivity; it is given by a parameter called the skin depth of the material, which is the depth within which 63% of the energy is deposited. For example, the 2.45 GHz radio waves (microwaves) in a microwave oven penetrate most foods approximately 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1 to 1.5 inches). Radio waves have been applied to the body for 100 years in the medical therapy of diathermy for deep heating of body tissue, to promote increased blood flow and healing. More recently they have been used to create higher temperatures in hyperthermia treatment and to kill cancer cells. Looking into a source of radio waves at close range, such as the waveguide of a working radio transmitter, can cause damage to the lens of the eye by heating. A strong enough beam of radio waves can penetrate the eye and heat the lens enough to cause cataracts.[11][12][13][14][15]
Since the heating effect is in principle no different from other sources of heat, most research into possible health hazards of exposure to radio waves has focused on "nonthermal" effects; whether radio waves have any effect on tissues besides that caused by heating. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as having "limited evidence" for its effects on humans and animals.[16][17] There is weak mechanistic evidence of cancer risk via personal exposure to RF-EMF from mobile telephones.[18]
Radio waves can be shielded against by a conductive metal sheet or screen, an enclosure of sheet or screen is called a Faraday cage. A metal screen shields against radio waves as well as a solid sheet as long as the holes in the screen are smaller than about 1/20 of wavelength of the waves.[19]
Since radio frequency radiation has both an electric and a magnetic component, it is often convenient to express intensity of radiation field in terms of units specific to each component. The unit volts per meter (V/m) is used for the electric component, and the unit amperes per meter (A/m) is used for the magnetic component. One can speak of an electromagnetic field, and these units are used to provide information about the levels of electric and magnetic field strength at a measurement location.
Another commonly used unit for characterizing an RF electromagnetic field is power density. Power density is most accurately used when the point of measurement is far enough away from the RF emitter to be located in what is referred to as the far field zone of the radiation pattern.[20] In closer proximity to the transmitter, i.e., in the "near field" zone, the physical relationships between the electric and magnetic components of the field can be complex, and it is best to use the field strength units discussed above. Power density is measured in terms of power per unit area, for example, milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2). When speaking of frequencies in the microwave range and higher, power density is usually used to express intensity since exposures that might occur would likely be in the far field zone.
Television transmitter
^ Altgelt, CA (2005). "The World's Largest "Radio" Station" (PDF). hep.wisc.edu. High Energy Physics @ UW Madison. Retrieved 9 Jan 2019.
^ Ellingson SW (2016). Radio Systems Engineering. Cambridge University Press. pp. 16–17. ISBN 978-1316785164.
^ "Ch. 1: Terminology and technical characteristics - Terms and definitions". Radio Regulations (PDF). Geneva: ITU. 2016. p. 7. ISBN 9789261191214.
^ Harman PM (1998). The natural philosophy of James Clerk Maxwell. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-521-00585-X.
^ Rubin, J. "Heinrich Hertz: The Discovery of Radio Waves". Juliantrubin.com. Retrieved 8 Nov 2011.
^ "Electromagnetic Frequency, Wavelength and Energy Ultra Calculator". 1728.org. 1728 Software Systems. Retrieved 15 Jan 2018.
^ "How Radio Waves Are Produced". NRAO. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 15 Jan 2018.
^ Ellingson, Steven W. (2016). Radio Systems Engineering. Cambridge University Press. pp. 16–17. ISBN 978-1316785164.
^ a b Seybold JS (2005). "1.2 Modes of Propagation". Introduction to RF Propagation. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 3–10. ISBN 0471743682.
^ a b c Brain, M (7 Dec 2000). "How Radio Works". HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 11 Sep 2009.
^ Kitchen R (2001). RF and Microwave Radiation Safety Handbook (2nd ed.). Newnes. pp. 64–65. ISBN 0750643552.
^ VanderVorst A, Rosen A, Kotsuka Y (2006). RF/Microwave Interaction with Biological Tissues. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 121–122. ISBN 0471752045.
^ Graf RF, Sheets W (2001). Build Your Own Low-power Transmitters: Projects for the Electronics Experimenter. Newnes. p. 234. ISBN 0750672447.
^ Elder JA, Cahill DF (1984). "Biological Effects of RF Radiation". Biological Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation. US EPA. pp. 5.116–5.119.
^ Hitchcock RT, Patterson RM (1995). Radio-Frequency and ELF Electromagnetic Energies: A Handbook for Health Professionals. Industrial Health and Safety Series. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 177–179. ISBN 9780471284543.
^ "IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans" (PDF). www.iarc.fr (Press Release). WHO. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 9 Jan 2019.
^ "Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–123". monographs.iarc.fr. IARC. 9 Nov 2018. Retrieved 9 Jan 2019.
^ Baan, R; Grosse, Y; Lauby-Secretan, B; et al. (2014). "Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields: evaluation of cancer hazards" (PDF). monographs.iarc.fr (conference poster). IARC. Retrieved 9 Jan 2019.
^ Kimmel WD, Gerke D (2018). Electromagnetic Compatibility in Medical Equipment: A Guide for Designers and Installers. Routledge. p. 6.67. ISBN 9781351453370.
^ National Association of Broadcasters (1996). Antenna & Tower Regulation Handbook. NAB, Science and Technology Department. p. 186. ISBN 9780893242367. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018.
Maxwell, James Clerk (1865). "VIII. A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. 155: 459–512. doi:10.1098/rstl.1865.0008. S2CID 186207827.
Hertz, Heinrich Rudolph (1893). Electric waves: being researches on the propagation of electric action with finite velocity through space. Cornell University Library. ISBN 9781429740364.
Rawer, Karl (1993). Wave Propagation in the Ionosphere. Developments in electromagnetic theory and applications series. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic. ISBN 9780792307754. OCLC 26257685.
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Radio wave
Look up radio wave in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Radio Waves | Science Mission Directorate
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32F ~ 50F Suzhou Weather
Visitors to Australia on New Year's Day increased by 246% compared to National Day, and the average hotel occupancy rate exceeded 67%
On January 6, the Macau Tourism Office announced the latest data on tourism to Macau in 2020. The data includes the recent New Year’s Day tourism and hotel performance.
Data shows that during the New Year's Day period from December 31, 2020 to January 3, 2021, the average daily number of tourists to Macau exceeded 21,000, and the average hotel occupancy rate in Macau during the New Year's Day exceeded 67%.
Specifically, from December 31, 2020 to January 3, 2021, the average occupancy rate of hotel venues (hotels and apartments) was 67.2%, of which the average occupancy rates of three-star to five-star hotels were 73%, 69.9% and 67.6%. From the price point of view, the average price of hotel establishments (hotels and apartments) is about 1127.6 yuan (MOP, the same below), of which five-star hotels are about 1447.7 yuan; four-star hotels are about 701.1 yuan; three-star hotels are about 694.2 yuan; A two-star hotel is about 250.3 yuan; the average price of an apartment is about 243.9 yuan. The overall average room price is up 7.6% from October 2020.
During the period, the distribution of tourists was still dominated by mainland tourists: the number of inbound tourists from the mainland was 19,629 per day; the average daily inbound tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and international were 1,368, 242 and 3, respectively. Provisional data from the Macau Public Security Police Department revealed that on December 31, 2020, the number of tourists arriving from Macau recorded 30,747, a single-day high in the past 11 months.
Previous Fliggy data showed that as the first outbound travel city to resume endorsement, Macau’s travel restrictions and epidemic prevention measures have been gradually improved, and the popularity of Macau’s tourism has continued to rise since September. The number of visits has increased by 246% over the 2020 National Day period.
Hu Jingguang, chairman of the Macau Tourism Industry Council, said: The number of free travellers to Macau has recovered to 60% before the epidemic, and mid-to-high-end tourism products are popular. According to past experience, there must be more tourists arriving during the Spring Festival than on New Year's Day. If the epidemic is controlled, it is expected that the Spring Festival will usher in a new high for one-day passenger arrivals after the epidemic, and the number of single-day inbound passengers is expected to return to 35,000.
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Feb 26, 2014 - EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD AT MADD PRESENTATION
Jamie Fisher, MADD Canada's Western Canadian Representative, talks about how his life was impacted by the actions of an impaired driver at Riverview Collegiate Wednesday afternoon. Fisher also shared a short film with students, which depicted the fatal consequences that associated with drinking and driving
Fisher stresses against driving while impaired
Tears streamed down the faces of students at Riverview Collegiate Wednesday.
This reporter also struggled to hold back the tears as he watched the 2013 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) School Assembly Program video – Smashed.
Even Jamie Fisher, MADD Canada’s Western Canada representative, admitted that following the video he has had to leave gymnasiums because the victim impact statements are just so emotionally draining.
After attending a funeral, his mother was supposed to come home to an arrangement of flowers he had prepared for her.
On her way home, an impaired driver killed Fisher’s mother – on her birthday.
Only 22 years old when his mother died, Fisher remembers the police officer coming to the family’s front door and urgently requesting to speak to him about an incident.
“I'll never forget what he looked like or what he said. I stared him in the eye and his eyes welled up,” Fisher recalled. “I could tell he was fighting back tears and it was very difficult for him.
“It changed my life forever and it changed my family’s life forever.”
His mother’s death was the main reason Fisher became involved with MADD Canada.
“After my mother was killed I did about eight months to a year of grief counseling. When I was finished the grief counseling I decided I wanted to make a difference and make a change in the impaired driving crashes,” said Fisher. “That's when I started volunteering with MADD.”
Although he lives in London, Ont., Fisher travels through British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan delivering presentations to Grade 7 to Grade 12 students.
He tends to present twice a day, five days a week and those presentations last throughout the entire school year.
“When kids think about impaired driving and impaired driving crashes, unfortunately all they think of is how much it is going to cost to fix the vehicle, how much will insurance cost after I’m caught and my parents are going to kill me,” fisher told the Times-Herald. “What this teaches the kids is what happens to the innocent people after they've been injured or survived an impaired driving crash, or had a family member killed.
“This shows what people go through for the rest of their lives. And these are things kids this age don't take into consideration. They don't think about the consequences, so this goes to show how much impact impaired driving really has.”
The presentation predominantly revolves around Smashed, which includes a fictional scenario involving an impaired driver that kills other innocent people.
The last part of the short film includes victim impact statements from people whose lives, like Fisher, have been turned upside down and scrambled through and through because they had a loved one killed by a drunk driver.
Emotions just drip from the video, but its role is also to influence students.
“I’ve had a lot of kids come up to me and say, 'I've been to parties where I've seen people drive impaired. I think I'm going to make a stand and have the courage to stop that person or maybe go out and make that very courageous 911 phone call and try to stop that person from driving impaired,’” said Fisher.
A pair of Grade 11 students in Riverview’s Students Against Drunk Driving group – Jamie LaRose and Caitlyn Betker – spoke of the impact the video had on them.
“The interviews were the worst part and watching the reactions of loved ones,” said Betker.
“It’s very emotional and shows you the real affects drinking and driving can have,” said LaRose.
According to Fisher, every day four Canadians are killed, with numerous others injured by impaired drivers, which is 100 per cent preventable.
Source: Moose Jaw Times Herald
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Home>Project>Snarky Puppy will Perform on a Royal Albert Hall Date for UK Autumn Tour
Posted-on April 24, 2019 By lineBylineharley
Snarky Puppy, a Brooklyn-based fusion-influenced jam band and three-time Grammy-winning powerhouse, announced dates for their UK tour. The band is well-known for mixing jazz, rock, and funk into their music. Since their debut in 2004, they have received 10 awards and accolades with three of those coming from Grammy’s. They will be performing their new album, Immigrance, which was released on March 15 by Ground Up Label. The group will be having their debut at the iconic and prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London on November 14 as part of their autumn dates.
Next PostNext Article Branford Marsalis Quartet Performs at London’s Barbican Hall
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A publishing house, music and clothing company specialising in books, fanzines, LPs, CDs and official merchandise relating to black, death, doom and underground metal. Established in 2013.
CDs/LPs
OWLS, TROLLS & DEAD KING'S SKULLS: THE ART OF DAVID THIÉRRÉE
••• Signed copies available to buy HERE •••
172 pages, A4 format. Published by Cult Never Dies and Crypt Publications in 2017. All art by David Thiérrée, text by Dayal Patterson.
His work is as meticulously crafted as it is imaginative and otherworldly, his vision inviting a suspension of disbelief and immersion that belies the supernatural subject matter. Rich in technique, atmosphere and attention to detail, David Thiérrée’s extensive back catalogue of work is presented here in print for the first time.
From his occult-inspired early days illustrating for black metal bands such as Behemoth and Gorgoroth, through to the spectacular folk/fantasy art of today, ‘Owls, Trolls & Dead King's Skulls: The Art Of David Thiérrée’ stands as evidence of a genuine talent. Includes approximately 200 images in both colour and black and white, interviews with the man himself and words from a number of renowned illustrators and musicians, including Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski, Mortiis and Nocturno Culto.
An exclusive interview with David regarding the book is available to read HERE
“David's work is at once mystical and enchanting, its intricacy and haunting atmosphere captivating, weaving a spell that is hard to tear away from.”
Brom (Author and illustrator of Lost Gods and The Child Thief, winner of the Spectrum Grand Master award, artist for Dark Sun, Diablo, Doom II, Magic The Gathering and more)
“OWLS, TROLLS AND DEAD KINGS' SKULLS is very well produced and presented... a superb collection, lavishly produced and lovingly presented in a fine tribute to one of the more unique artists working in Heavy Metal today.”
Metal-Rules.com
"'Owls, Trolls, & Dead Kings' Skulls' is a small masterpiece from the loudest musical genre on the planet...David Thiérrée is still young but nevertheless has almost thirty years of work behind him – that's quite something and many will be the readers that will appreciate this art book."
Rock & Folk magazine.
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Gregg Greenwood
Italian dolomites Alta Via 2
Brian Newman
Monday - April 30, 2018 dataharvest
Tags: brian newman, le poisson rouge, universal music, verve records
Brian Newman is an American jazz musician, singer, and trumpet player. He is most known for his numerous performances with Lady Gaga and her surprise appearances at his performances in New York City. Newman currently holds a residency at the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City and is married to American burlesque performer Angie Pontani.
While in New York City, Newman befriended Lady Gaga‘s then boyfriend, Luc Carl, which led to a friendship with Lady Gaga. Newman has performed with Gaga on her A Very Gaga Thanksgiving special, The Today Show, the MTV Video Music Awards, and BBC Radio. Newman arranged and appeared on Lady Gaga’s jazz album with Tony Bennett, “Cheek to Cheek”. Gaga has also made random surprise appearances at Newman’s gigs throughout the city which have been covered by major media outlets including MTV, VH1, E!, and The New York Post. Newman’s trumpet performance with Gaga can also be heard on the A Very Gaga Holiday EP and on the track “Just Another Day”, from her 2016 album Joanne.
brian newman, le poisson rouge, universal music, verve records
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♣ make contact if you would like to inquire about image usage
error: Copyright @ Gregg Greenwood
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Estonia - Tallinn
There's no Telling what you'll find in Tallinn
STORY BY VI HUGHES, 2019
There is one thing we learned on our Baltic cruise that stopped for the day in the capital of Estonia, Tallinn – you will need much more than six hours to discover the many hidden treasures of this wonderful city.
Some facts:Tucked in the northern corner of Estonia on the shores of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is a beautiful medieval city of less than 500,000 that punches well above its size! In addition to Tallinn being the capital of Estonia it is the industrial, financial, educational, cultural and research centre of Estonia. It is recognised as one of the top 10 digital cities in the world; is the birthplace of such digital giants as Transferwise and Skype; and is home to both the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the European Union’s IT agency. It is only 380 kilometres east of Stockholm in Sweden, 320 kilometres west of St Petersburg in Russia, and 80 kilometres south of Helsinki in Finland and has strong historical ties to all three cities.
However, none of that matters to the traveller when they first set eyes on this amazing city that has one of the most well-preserved medieval city centres in the world. Records of he first human settlements of Tallinn date back more than 5,000 years, and in the 700 years before Estonia became independent in 1918 the country was ruled by Denmark, Finland, Sweden and finally Russia. It is the architectural influences of these countries that make the centre of this beautiful city so awe-inspiring.
It’s no wonder that UNESCO listed the Old Town of Tallinn - which was known as Reval from the 13th Century until the middle of the 20th Century - as a World Heritage Site; there are awesome medieval discoveries to be found around every corner, behind every thick wooden door and inside every alleyway and courtyard.
It took around 10 minutes to wander from the cruise terminal to the start of the cobblestone streets that stretched out behind the remnants of the historic city wall, although remnants may be an unjust description because many of the wall guard towers still dominate the skyline and huge sections of the city wall are well preserved, with lots of ongoing restoration work underway.
Archeologists have found ceramics and pottery in the city centre that are carbon dated to about 3,000 years BC and records show that the first fortress was built around 1050, or almost 1,000 years ago. By the 1300’s the city had a population of around 8,000; was a strategic crossroads between Russia and the western and northern parts of Europe; and was heavily fortified, with massive city walls and 66 defence towers.
Given our relatively brief time in port we chose to explore independently on foot and continued to be both amazed and surprised as we wandered through awesome streets whose buildings appeared unattended until we peered into narrow windows, down circular stone steps leading to a basement entrance, or through thick wooden doors to find enchanting restaurants, bars and cafes or every style of retail outlet.
There were thousands of tourists making their way through the city as at least four cruise ships were at the terminals, but it seemed far less crowded than a normal city subway as the streets were unusually wide with relatively few vehicles travelling through them.
Finally we came to the city square that was bustling with markets, bars and restaurants spread across the cobblestones and surrounded by ornate buildings that were hundreds of years old, as well as the main Town Hall that featured, of all things, remnants of steel shackles that held prisoners to the walls, like the old stocks in England.
The markets in the square were fantastic, with so many different locally made items to choose from including souvenirs and clothes that you couldn’t find anywhere else. I loved the linen products. There was everything from beautiful dresses, tops and scarfs as well as table runners and doilies which were great to take home for gifts. I could have spent all day just strolling through these markets.
We also found several cafes that provided both excellent ales and free wifi, so we relaxed for a while and soaked up the atmosphere.
On the way back to the ship we were exploring little laneways and we made a fabulous discovery that wasn’t clearly signposted or indicated at all. We walked down a tiny lane way, inquisitive as to what might be there, only to discover an outdoor theatre that dated back several centuries. The stage with curtains tied back could be seen in front of semicircular rows of seats; there was an area that would have been used as backstage; and steps leading down from the street to the theatre. The whole setting was amazing to see and felt as if we had stepped back hundreds of years with the atmosphere of the bustling theatre seemingly hanging in the air. Today, a delightful restaurant sits unobtrusively at the top of the steps allowing guests to take in the ambiance of centuries gone by while enjoying a coffee or lunch. This was likely where aristocrats or even royalty would have watched performances as stone lion carvings guarded the balcony. As we stepped out through the arch that led away from the Old Town we felt as if we were back in the 21st Century, and reality.
While strolling back to the port we found some local markets which were in a huge warehouse type building. There were two floors full of clothes, shoes and other products at really good prices. As a tourist, it’s always nice to discover where the locals shop.
Over all I really enjoyed Tallin, It didn’t need to have the canals or the coloured buildings that Amsterdam or Copenhagen had to offer, it was just perfect the way it was.
Book your holiday to Estonia
Book your Cruise Holiday
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Health Care, Fitness News
Write for us Contributor news
Home › Cannabis › Is It Possible to Treat Autoimmune Disorders with Cannabis?
Is It Possible to Treat Autoimmune Disorders with Cannabis?
admin 10/13/2020 Cannabis
It’s a general rule in life that at some point there will be aches and pains that we have to deal with, but if the pain is caused by an autoimmune disorder such as MS, Lupus, or Type 1 Diabetes, you can’t just take a pain reliever and call it done. But there is hope for those who live with autoimmune disorders because cannabis has been helping folks with these and other conditions, giving them a chance to enjoy life without constant pain.
What Are Autoimmune Disorders?
An autoimmune disorder is a disease that makes someone’s immune system attack itself. While the immune system’s primary function is to seek out illnesses and viruses and unleash an attack to protect the body, the immune system of a person with one of these disorders actually attacks perfectly healthy cells, unable to tell the difference between them and the invaders. This antibody attack targets organs, joints, and even the skin.
Scientists cannot seem to figure out what causes this phenomenon, which can cause swelling, stiffness of joints, redness, heat, and just overall chaos inside and out. The lack of understanding of these disorders means that there are no cures for them, and treatment options are extremely limited.
The Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
The main treatment options for autoimmune disorders are anti-inflammatory medications. There are some that also recommend using an immunosuppressant medication, which either suppresses the immune system or shuts it down entirely.
However, these treatments end up carrying along a mixed bag of undesirable side effects, and it’s not always the best idea to turn off the immune system. This has created the need for more, better treatment options, and many of those suffering with these debilitating disorders have found relief with cannabis.
Using Cannabis to Treat Autoimmune Disorders
Some of those who suffer with autoimmune diseases have found that using cannabis has helped to relieve some of their worst symptoms with pain management only being part of it. Scientific studies are shedding more light on the fact that cannabis doesn’t just relieve symptoms, but rather interacts with the immune cells through the endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS.
Medical-Marijuana Scottsdale
Immune cells contain CB1 and CB2 receptors, and the cannabinoids in cannabis actually interact with both of these ECS receptors, making it an important factor in the regulation of the way the immune system works.
Like a key unlocking a door, cannabinoids allow the body and the immune system to communicate like they are supposed to. If the immune system is constantly running, the cannabinoids coax it into slowing down, thus reducing the attacks on healthy cells.
Although more research is needed in order to fully comprehend the role that cannabis can play in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, what we know as of right now gives a lot of hope for the future. A study from Hebrew University says that mice treated with CBD have joint health that has been improved by 50 percent, which shows that those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis can greatly benefit from CBD.
How Cannabis Works Against Inflammation
Autoimmune disorders often have one common characteristic, which is inflammation. When your body becomes ill or has been injured, this causes a chemical reaction to cause inflammation where more cells are congregated in order to heal you faster. This is helpful for a short-term, but those who have to deal with chronic inflammation are often in a lot of pain and are extremely uncomfortable. Cannabis is a strong anti-inflammatory that works quickly to ease this inflammation.
CBD and THC are the best hopes of treating autoimmune inflammation. With CBD’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties and the immunosuppressive properties of THC, an overactive immune system response can be almost instantly calmed.
Knowing what we know about the endocannabinoid system has given us an edge when it comes to developing future autoimmune disorder treatments and how cannabis can help to bring some normalcy back to those who suffer from these diseases.
Do I Need Surgery for Sinusitis? | Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy-How it Can Help Treat the Disorder
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ActsAchtanna
Permanent Page URL
View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt
View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán
Bill History Stair Bille
Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht
Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán
Previous SectionAlt Roimhe
Next SectionAn Chéad Alt Eile
Print SectionPriontáil an tAlt
Supplies of scrap metal — reverse charge.
59.— (1) The Principal Act is amended—
(a) in section 16 by inserting the following after subsection (3):
“(4) (a) In this subsection—
‘dealing in scrap metal’ means the purchase, sale, resale or recovery of scrap metal;
‘recovery’, in relation to scrap metal, means any activity carried on for the purposes of reclaiming, recycling or re-using, in whole or in part, scrap metal and any activities related to such reclamation, recycling or re-use;
‘scrap metal’ includes scrapped metal and metal waste originating from, or extracted from, the processing of metals, metal derived from vehicles, metal derived from construction and demolition waste, machine parts and metal items no longer useable in their original form due to their breaking, obsolescence, shearing, wearing or the like, and also includes goods listed in paragraphs (1) to (3) of Annex VI of the VAT Directive.
(b) Notwithstanding section 56, where a taxable person carries on a business in the State, which consists of or includes dealing in scrap metal (in this subsection referred to as a ‘recipient’) and he or she receives a supply of scrap metal from another taxable person who carries on a business in the State, then—
(i) the recipient shall, in relation to that supply, be an accountable person or be deemed to be an accountable person and shall be liable to pay the tax chargeable as if that recipient made that supply in the course or furtherance of business, and
(ii) the person who supplied the scrap metal shall not be accountable for or liable to pay such tax in respect of that supply.”,
(b) in section 59(2) by inserting the following after paragraph (i):
“(ia) the tax chargeable during the period, being tax for which the recipient (within the meaning of section 16(4)(b)) is liable by virtue of section 16(4)(b) in respect of scrap metal (within the meaning of section 16(4)(a)) received by that recipient, but only where the recipient would be entitled to a deduction of that tax elsewhere under this subsection if that tax had been charged to such recipient by an accountable person,”,
(c) in section 66 by inserting the following after subsection (4):
“(4A) (a) Where a taxable person who carries on a business in the State supplies scrap metal (within the meaning of section 16(4)(a)) to a recipient (within the meaning of section 16(4)(b)), the person shall issue a document to the recipient indicating—
(i) that the recipient is liable to account for the tax chargeable on that supply, and
(ii) such other particulars as would be required to be included in that document if that document were an invoice required to be issued in accordance with subsection (1) but excluding the amount of tax payable.
(b) Where the recipient and the person who supplied the scrap metal so agree, section 71(1) may apply to this document as if it were an invoice.”,
(d) in section 87(1), in the definition of “second-hand goods”, by inserting “scrap metal within the meaning of section 16(4)(a),” after “but not including”.
(2) Subsection (1) comes into operation on 1 May 2011.
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Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Navies >> British Navy >> Beaver (18)
1 Origin and History
2 Service during the War
The sloop, a French privateer named “Trudaine” was captured from the French in April 1757.
During the Seven Years' War, the sloop was under the command of:
The sloop was sold on January 22 1761.
Service during the War
At the beginning of 1758, the sloop was part of the fleet who assembled at Portsmouth under the command of admiral Edward Boscawen for the expedition against Louisbourg. On February 19, this fleet set sail for Halifax and finally arrived there on May 9. On May 28, the fleet sailed from Halifax and arrived in sight of Louisbourg on June 1. Throughout the siege of Louisbourg, the fleet actively supported the British army and the fortress finally surrendered on July 26.
To do: more details on the campaigns from 1759 to 1761
Guns 18
Gundeck information not available
Quarterdeck information not available
Forecastle information not available
Crew information not available
Length at gundeck information not available
Width information not available
Depth information not available
Displacement information not available
Blasco, Manuel, British Vessels B, 3 Decks Wiki
Phillips, M., Michael Phillip's Ships of the Old Navy
N.B.: the section Service during the War is derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
Retrieved from "http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Beaver_(18)&oldid=5801"
British Naval Unit
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On the Movie Dangal and Why Challenging Misogyny in Media is Important:
The topic of women’s rights within India has consistently generated discussion and garnered attention, in both negative and positive ways. Recently, the topic has once again gathered attention after the box office hit Dangal hit theaters. Dangal tells the story of two young girls from the state of Haryana who, against all odds, become national level wrestling champions. The movie is based on the true story, and focuses heavily on many of the misogynistic aspects present in Indian culture.
I won’t lie: this movie was delightful. Watching the two sisters-Geeta and Babita- struggle and fight and win against the patriarchy is incredibly inspiring, and it was beautiful to watch the movie call out injustice and misogyny. But I don’t think that we should remain completely uncritical of the movie.
I think the most important aspect to address was the portrayal of the father. The story should have been about the girls and their struggle; but instead it was portrayed more as the story of the father’s struggle to train the daughters. Multiple times throughout the movie, the authority of the father in the movie was emphasized; a movie that was supposedly challenging the patriarchy, made sure at the end of the day, the plot would resolve once the girls listened to their father. This was obviously a money grab; at the end of the day, Indian movie producers still want to make money off their films, and they wanted to push boundaries; but not push them too far. This is precisely the problem; there is a lot that is inspiring about this story but unless we are willing to address the root cause of all this: the patriarchal family structure: women’s rights in India will not improve.
Don’t get me wrong: the movie Dangal was incredible, and it was extremely liberal for the heavily conservative state of Haryana. But it’s important to remember that there are still ideas present in the movie; and in Indian society as whole; that need to be challenged if we want actual progress. And unfortunately, money hungry producers will only generate so much of a discussion. It’s important that we attempt to make a difference ourselves.
written by Aditi Poduri
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Title XLV
TORTS Chapter 768
NEGLIGENCE View Entire Chapter
768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity in tort actions; recovery limits; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; exclusions; indemnification; risk management programs.—
(1) In accordance with s. 13, Art. X of the State Constitution, the state, for itself and for its agencies or subdivisions, hereby waives sovereign immunity for liability for torts, but only to the extent specified in this act. Actions at law against the state or any of its agencies or subdivisions to recover damages in tort for money damages against the state or its agencies or subdivisions for injury or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the agency or subdivision while acting within the scope of the employee’s office or employment under circumstances in which the state or such agency or subdivision, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant, in accordance with the general laws of this state, may be prosecuted subject to the limitations specified in this act. Any such action may be brought in the county where the property in litigation is located or, if the affected agency or subdivision has an office in such county for the transaction of its customary business, where the cause of action accrued. However, any such action against a state university board of trustees shall be brought in the county in which that university’s main campus is located or in the county in which the cause of action accrued if the university maintains therein a substantial presence for the transaction of its customary business.
(2) As used in this act, “state agencies or subdivisions” include the executive departments, the Legislature, the judicial branch (including public defenders), and the independent establishments of the state, including state university boards of trustees; counties and municipalities; and corporations primarily acting as instrumentalities or agencies of the state, counties, or municipalities, including the Florida Space Authority.
(3) Except for a municipality and the Florida Space Authority, the affected agency or subdivision may, at its discretion, request the assistance of the Department of Financial Services in the consideration, adjustment, and settlement of any claim under this act.
(4) Subject to the provisions of this section, any state agency or subdivision shall have the right to appeal any award, compromise, settlement, or determination to the court of appropriate jurisdiction.
(5) The state and its agencies and subdivisions shall be liable for tort claims in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances, but liability shall not include punitive damages or interest for the period before judgment. Neither the state nor its agencies or subdivisions shall be liable to pay a claim or a judgment by any one person which exceeds the sum of $200,000 or any claim or judgment, or portions thereof, which, when totaled with all other claims or judgments paid by the state or its agencies or subdivisions arising out of the same incident or occurrence, exceeds the sum of $300,000. However, a judgment or judgments may be claimed and rendered in excess of these amounts and may be settled and paid pursuant to this act up to $200,000 or $300,000, as the case may be; and that portion of the judgment that exceeds these amounts may be reported to the Legislature, but may be paid in part or in whole only by further act of the Legislature. Notwithstanding the limited waiver of sovereign immunity provided herein, the state or an agency or subdivision thereof may agree, within the limits of insurance coverage provided, to settle a claim made or a judgment rendered against it without further action by the Legislature, but the state or agency or subdivision thereof shall not be deemed to have waived any defense of sovereign immunity or to have increased the limits of its liability as a result of its obtaining insurance coverage for tortious acts in excess of the $200,000 or $300,000 waiver provided above. The limitations of liability set forth in this subsection shall apply to the state and its agencies and subdivisions whether or not the state or its agencies or subdivisions possessed sovereign immunity before July 1, 1974.
(6)(a) An action may not be instituted on a claim against the state or one of its agencies or subdivisions unless the claimant presents the claim in writing to the appropriate agency, and also, except as to any claim against a municipality, county, or the Florida Space Authority, presents such claim in writing to the Department of Financial Services, within 3 years after such claim accrues and the Department of Financial Services or the appropriate agency denies the claim in writing; except that, if:
1. Such claim is for contribution pursuant to s. 768.31, it must be so presented within 6 months after the judgment against the tortfeasor seeking contribution has become final by lapse of time for appeal or after appellate review or, if there is no such judgment, within 6 months after the tortfeasor seeking contribution has either discharged the common liability by payment or agreed, while the action is pending against her or him, to discharge the common liability; or
2. Such action is for wrongful death, the claimant must present the claim in writing to the Department of Financial Services within 2 years after the claim accrues.
(b) For purposes of this section, the requirements of notice to the agency and denial of the claim pursuant to paragraph (a) are conditions precedent to maintaining an action but shall not be deemed to be elements of the cause of action and shall not affect the date on which the cause of action accrues.
(c) The claimant shall also provide to the agency the claimant’s date and place of birth and social security number if the claimant is an individual, or a federal identification number if the claimant is not an individual. The claimant shall also state the case style, tribunal, the nature and amount of all adjudicated penalties, fines, fees, victim restitution fund, and other judgments in excess of $200, whether imposed by a civil, criminal, or administrative tribunal, owed by the claimant to the state, its agency, officer or subdivision. If there exists no prior adjudicated unpaid claim in excess of $200, the claimant shall so state.
(d) For purposes of this section, complete, accurate, and timely compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) shall occur prior to settlement payment, close of discovery or commencement of trial, whichever is sooner; provided the ability to plead setoff is not precluded by the delay. This setoff shall apply only against that part of the settlement or judgment payable to the claimant, minus claimant’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Incomplete or inaccurate disclosure of unpaid adjudicated claims due the state, its agency, officer, or subdivision, may be excused by the court upon a showing by the preponderance of the evidence of the claimant’s lack of knowledge of an adjudicated claim and reasonable inquiry by, or on behalf of, the claimant to obtain the information from public records. Unless the appropriate agency had actual notice of the information required to be disclosed by paragraph (c) in time to assert a setoff, an unexcused failure to disclose shall, upon hearing and order of court, cause the claimant to be liable for double the original undisclosed judgment and, upon further motion, the court shall enter judgment for the agency in that amount. Except as provided otherwise in this subsection, the failure of the Department of Financial Services or the appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim within 6 months after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial of the claim for purposes of this section. For purposes of this subsection, in medical malpractice actions and in wrongful death actions, the failure of the Department of Financial Services or the appropriate agency to make final disposition of a claim within 90 days after it is filed shall be deemed a final denial of the claim. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice actions and wrongful death actions is tolled for the period of time taken by the Department of Financial Services or the appropriate agency to deny the claim. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to such claims as may be asserted by counterclaim pursuant to s. 768.14.
(7) In actions brought pursuant to this section, process shall be served upon the head of the agency concerned and also, except as to a defendant municipality, county, or the Florida Space Authority, upon the Department of Financial Services; and the department or the agency concerned shall have 30 days within which to plead thereto.
(8) No attorney may charge, demand, receive, or collect, for services rendered, fees in excess of 25 percent of any judgment or settlement.
(9)(a) No officer, employee, or agent of the state or of any of its subdivisions shall be held personally liable in tort or named as a party defendant in any action for any injury or damage suffered as a result of any act, event, or omission of action in the scope of her or his employment or function, unless such officer, employee, or agent acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property. However, such officer, employee, or agent shall be considered an adverse witness in a tort action for any injury or damage suffered as a result of any act, event, or omission of action in the scope of her or his employment or function. The exclusive remedy for injury or damage suffered as a result of an act, event, or omission of an officer, employee, or agent of the state or any of its subdivisions or constitutional officers shall be by action against the governmental entity, or the head of such entity in her or his official capacity, or the constitutional officer of which the officer, employee, or agent is an employee, unless such act or omission was committed in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property. The state or its subdivisions shall not be liable in tort for the acts or omissions of an officer, employee, or agent committed while acting outside the course and scope of her or his employment or committed in bad faith or with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property.
(b) As used in this subsection, the term:
1. “Employee” includes any volunteer firefighter.
2. “Officer, employee, or agent” includes, but is not limited to, any health care provider when providing services pursuant to s. 766.1115; any nonprofit independent college or university located and chartered in this state which owns or operates an accredited medical school, and its employees or agents, when providing patient services pursuant to paragraph (10)(f); and any public defender or her or his employee or agent, including, among others, an assistant public defender and an investigator.
(c) For purposes of the waiver of sovereign immunity only, a member of the Florida National Guard is not acting within the scope of state employment when performing duty under the provisions of Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code or other applicable federal law; and neither the state nor any individual may be named in any action under this chapter arising from the performance of such federal duty.
(d) The employing agency of a law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10 is not liable for injury, death, or property damage effected or caused by a person fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle if:
1. The pursuit is conducted in a manner that does not involve conduct by the officer which is so reckless or wanting in care as to constitute disregard of human life, human rights, safety, or the property of another;
2. At the time the law enforcement officer initiates the pursuit, the officer reasonably believes that the person fleeing has committed a forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08; and
3. The pursuit is conducted by the officer pursuant to a written policy governing high-speed pursuit adopted by the employing agency. The policy must contain specific procedures concerning the proper method to initiate and terminate high-speed pursuit. The law enforcement officer must have received instructional training from the employing agency on the written policy governing high-speed pursuit.
(10)(a) Health care providers or vendors, or any of their employees or agents, that have contractually agreed to act as agents of the Department of Corrections to provide health care services to inmates of the state correctional system shall be considered agents of the State of Florida, Department of Corrections, for the purposes of this section, while acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines established in said contract or by rule. The contracts shall provide for the indemnification of the state by the agent for any liabilities incurred up to the limits set out in this chapter.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed as designating persons providing contracted health care services to inmates as employees or agents of the state for the purposes of chapter 440.
(c) For purposes of this section, regional poison control centers created in accordance with s. 395.1027 and coordinated and supervised under the Division of Children’s Medical Services Prevention and Intervention of the Department of Health, or any of their employees or agents, shall be considered agents of the State of Florida, Department of Health. Any contracts with poison control centers must provide, to the extent permitted by law, for the indemnification of the state by the agency for any liabilities incurred up to the limits set out in this chapter.
(d) For the purposes of this section, operators, dispatchers, and providers of security for rail services and rail facility maintenance providers in the South Florida Rail Corridor, or any of their employees or agents, performing such services under contract with and on behalf of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority or the Department of Transportation shall be considered agents of the state while acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines established in said contract or by rule.
(e) For purposes of this section, a professional firm that provides monitoring and inspection services of the work required for state roadway, bridge, or other transportation facility construction projects, or any of the firm’s employees performing such services, shall be considered agents of the Department of Transportation while acting within the scope of the firm’s contract with the Department of Transportation to ensure that the project is constructed in conformity with the project’s plans, specifications, and contract provisions. Any contract between the professional firm and the state, to the extent permitted by law, shall provide for the indemnification of the department for any liability, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred up to the limits set out in this chapter to the extent caused by the negligence of the firm or its employees. This paragraph shall not be construed as designating persons who provide monitoring and inspection services as employees or agents of the state for purposes of chapter 440. This paragraph is not applicable to the professional firm or its employees if involved in an accident while operating a motor vehicle. This paragraph is not applicable to a firm engaged by the Department of Transportation for the design or construction of a state roadway, bridge, or other transportation facility construction project or to its employees, agents, or subcontractors.
(f) For purposes of this section, any nonprofit independent college or university located and chartered in this state which owns or operates an accredited medical school, or any of its employees or agents, and which has agreed in an affiliation agreement or other contract to provide, or permit its employees or agents to provide, patient services as agents of a teaching hospital, is considered an agent of the teaching hospital while acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines established in the affiliation agreement or other contract. To the extent allowed by law, the contract must provide for the indemnification of the teaching hospital, up to the limits set out in this chapter, by the agent for any liability incurred which was caused by the negligence of the college or university or its employees or agents. The contract must also provide that those limited portions of the college, university, or medical school which are directly providing services pursuant to the contract and which are considered an agent of the teaching hospital for purposes of this section are deemed to be acting on behalf of a public agency as defined in s. 119.011(2).
1. For purposes of this paragraph, the term:
a. “Employee or agent” means an officer, employee, agent, or servant of a nonprofit independent college or university located and chartered in this state which owns or operates an accredited medical school, including, but not limited to, the faculty of the medical school, any health care practitioner or licensee as defined in s. 456.001 for which the college or university is vicariously liable, and the staff or administrators of the medical school.
b. “Patient services” mean:
(I) Comprehensive health care services as defined in s. 641.19, including any related administrative service, provided to patients in a teaching hospital;
(II) Training and supervision of interns, residents, and fellows providing patient services in a teaching hospital; or
(III) Training and supervision of medical students in a teaching hospital.
c. “Teaching hospital” means a teaching hospital as defined in s. 408.07 which is owned or operated by the state, a county or municipality, a public health trust, a special taxing district, a governmental entity having health care responsibilities, or a not-for-profit entity that operates such facility as an agent of the state, or a political subdivision of the state, under a lease or other contract.
2. The teaching hospital or the medical school, or its employees or agents, must provide notice to each patient, or the patient’s legal representative, that the college or university that owns or operates the medical school and the employees or agents of that college or university are acting as agents of the teaching hospital and that the exclusive remedy for injury or damage suffered as the result of any act or omission of the teaching hospital, the college or university that owns or operates the medical school, or the employees or agents of the college or university, while acting within the scope of duties pursuant to the affiliation agreement or other contract with a teaching hospital, is by commencement of an action pursuant to the provisions of this section. This notice requirement may be met by posting the notice in a place conspicuous to all persons.
3. This paragraph does not designate any employee providing contracted patient services in a teaching hospital as an employee or agent of the state for purposes of chapter 440.
(g) For the purposes of this section, the executive director of the Board of Nursing, when serving as the state administrator of the Nurse Licensure Compact pursuant to s. 464.0095, and any administrator, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, when acting within the scope of their employment, duties, or responsibilities in this state, are considered agents of the state. The commission shall pay any claims or judgments pursuant to this section and may maintain insurance coverage to pay any such claims or judgments.
(11)(a) Providers or vendors, or any of their employees or agents, that have contractually agreed to act on behalf of the state as agents of the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide services to children in need of services, families in need of services, or juvenile offenders are, solely with respect to such services, agents of the state for purposes of this section while acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines established in the contract or by rule. A contract must provide for the indemnification of the state by the agent for any liabilities incurred up to the limits set out in this chapter.
(b) This subsection does not designate a person who provides contracted services to juvenile offenders as an employee or agent of the state for purposes of chapter 440.
(12)(a) A health care practitioner, as defined in s. 456.001(4), who has contractually agreed to act as an agent of a state university board of trustees to provide medical services to a student athlete for participation in or as a result of intercollegiate athletics, to include team practices, training, and competitions, shall be considered an agent of the respective state university board of trustees, for the purposes of this section, while acting within the scope of and pursuant to guidelines established in that contract. The contracts shall provide for the indemnification of the state by the agent for any liabilities incurred up to the limits set out in this chapter.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed as designating persons providing contracted health care services to athletes as employees or agents of a state university board of trustees for the purposes of chapter 440.
(13) Laws allowing the state or its agencies or subdivisions to buy insurance are still in force and effect and are not restricted in any way by the terms of this act.
(14) Every claim against the state or one of its agencies or subdivisions for damages for a negligent or wrongful act or omission pursuant to this section shall be forever barred unless the civil action is commenced by filing a complaint in the court of appropriate jurisdiction within 4 years after such claim accrues; except that an action for contribution must be commenced within the limitations provided in s. 768.31(4), and an action for damages arising from medical malpractice or wrongful death must be commenced within the limitations for such actions in s. 95.11(4).
(15) No action may be brought against the state or any of its agencies or subdivisions by anyone who unlawfully participates in a riot, unlawful assembly, public demonstration, mob violence, or civil disobedience if the claim arises out of such riot, unlawful assembly, public demonstration, mob violence, or civil disobedience. Nothing in this act shall abridge traditional immunities pertaining to statements made in court.
(16)(a) The state and its agencies and subdivisions are authorized to be self-insured, to enter into risk management programs, or to purchase liability insurance for whatever coverage they may choose, or to have any combination thereof, in anticipation of any claim, judgment, and claims bill which they may be liable to pay pursuant to this section. Agencies or subdivisions, and sheriffs, that are subject to homogeneous risks may purchase insurance jointly or may join together as self-insurers to provide other means of protection against tort claims, any charter provisions or laws to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b) Claims files maintained by any risk management program administered by the state, its agencies, and its subdivisions are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until termination of all litigation and settlement of all claims arising out of the same incident, although portions of the claims files may remain exempt, as otherwise provided by law. Claims files records may be released to other governmental agencies upon written request and demonstration of need; such records held by the receiving agency remain confidential and exempt as provided for in this paragraph.
(c) Portions of meetings and proceedings conducted pursuant to any risk management program administered by the state, its agencies, or its subdivisions, which relate solely to the evaluation of claims filed with the risk management program or which relate solely to offers of compromise of claims filed with the risk management program are exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution. Until termination of all litigation and settlement of all claims arising out of the same incident, persons privy to discussions pertinent to the evaluation of a filed claim shall not be subject to subpoena in any administrative or civil proceeding with regard to the content of those discussions.
(d) Minutes of the meetings and proceedings of any risk management program administered by the state, its agencies, or its subdivisions, which relate solely to the evaluation of claims filed with the risk management program or which relate solely to offers of compromise of claims filed with the risk management program are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until termination of all litigation and settlement of all claims arising out of the same incident.
(17) This section, as amended by chapter 81-317, Laws of Florida, shall apply only to causes of actions which accrue on or after October 1, 1981.
(18) No provision of this section, or of any other section of the Florida Statutes, whether read separately or in conjunction with any other provision, shall be construed to waive the immunity of the state or any of its agencies from suit in federal court, as such immunity is guaranteed by the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, unless such waiver is explicitly and definitely stated to be a waiver of the immunity of the state and its agencies from suit in federal court. This subsection shall not be construed to mean that the state has at any time previously waived, by implication, its immunity, or that of any of its agencies, from suit in federal court through any statute in existence prior to June 24, 1984.
(19) Neither the state nor any agency or subdivision of the state waives any defense of sovereign immunity, or increases the limits of its liability, upon entering into a contractual relationship with another agency or subdivision of the state. Such a contract must not contain any provision that requires one party to indemnify or insure the other party for the other party’s negligence or to assume any liability for the other party’s negligence. This does not preclude a party from requiring a nongovernmental entity to provide such indemnification or insurance. The restrictions of this subsection do not prevent a regional water supply authority from indemnifying and assuming the liabilities of its member governments for obligations arising from past acts or omissions at or with property acquired from a member government by the authority and arising from the acts or omissions of the authority in performing activities contemplated by an interlocal agreement. Such indemnification may not be considered to increase or otherwise waive the limits of liability to third-party claimants established by this section.
(20) Every municipality, and any agency thereof, is authorized to undertake to indemnify those employees that are exposed to personal liability pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 42 U.S.C.A. ss. 7401 et seq., and all rules and regulations adopted to implement that act, for acts performed within the course and scope of their employment with the municipality or its agency, including but not limited to indemnification pertaining to the holding, transfer, or disposition of allowances allocated to the municipality’s or its agency’s electric generating units, and the monitoring, submission, certification, and compliance with permits, permit applications, records, compliance plans, and reports for those units, when such acts are performed within the course and scope of their employment with the municipality or its agency. The authority to indemnify under this section covers every act by an employee when such act is performed within the course and scope of her or his employment with the municipality or its agency, but does not cover any act of willful misconduct or any intentional or knowing violation of any law by the employee. The authority to indemnify under this section includes, but is not limited to, the authority to pay any fine and provide legal representation in any action.
History.—s. 1, ch. 73-313; s. 1, ch. 74-235; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 77-86; s. 9, ch. 79-139; s. 1, ch. 79-253; s. 284, ch. 79-400; s. 1, ch. 80-271; ss. 1, 2, ch. 81-317; s. 1, ch. 83-44; s. 1, ch. 83-257; s. 1, ch. 84-29; s. 1, ch. 84-335; s. 21, ch. 86-183; s. 1, ch. 86-184; s. 3, ch. 87-134; s. 2, ch. 88-173; ss. 55, 61, ch. 89-300; s. 92, ch. 89-360; s. 8, ch. 90-192; s. 3, ch. 91-209; s. 112, ch. 92-33; ss. 2, 11, ch. 92-278; s. 1, ch. 93-89; s. 34, ch. 93-129; s. 1, ch. 94-76; s. 2, ch. 94-147; s. 70, ch. 94-209; s. 21, ch. 94-321; s. 428, ch. 96-406; s. 34, ch. 97-93; s. 1809, ch. 97-102; s. 4, ch. 98-402; s. 289, ch. 99-8; s. 9, ch. 2000-155; s. 97, ch. 2002-20; s. 24, ch. 2002-183; s. 2, ch. 2002-401; s. 9, ch. 2003-159; s. 1903, ch. 2003-261; s. 1, ch. 2003-290; s. 67, ch. 2003-416; s. 1, ch. 2006-234; s. 1, ch. 2010-26; s. 1, ch. 2011-113; s. 3, ch. 2011-219; s. 126, ch. 2012-184; s. 12, ch. 2016-139; s. 33, ch. 2017-175.
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EU Ambassador Christian Berger: We have a strong interest that Turkey is overcoming its economic problems, because we see Turkey as our economic partner
The EU-Turkey statement of March 2016 has become one of the main pillars of the EU’s migration strategy, essentially limiting the flow of migrants to the EU. The statement is accepted as a turning point in Europe’s crisis over refugees. On the third anniversary of its signing, we talked with Ambassador Christian Berger, the head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, the agreement’s impact on refugees and on Europe, Turkey-EU relations, EU relations with the Middle East including Israel and the rise of antisemitism in Europe.
How would you define the EU-Turkey deal of 2016 in its third anniversary? As a success? Does the outcome meet the expectations?
The Turkey-EU statement of March 2016 is trying to address two issues; to reduce the number of people -including illegal migrants- crossing to the islands, and also reduce the number of people dying in the sea. The numbers have dropped significantly. Both as the EU and Turkey, we believe that the statement is achieving its purpose. There is another component in that statement which is important. It provides a legal way of crossing to the EU. Under a resettlement program by now we have resettled some 20,000 people from Turkey to the EU member states. It also foresees a legal way of returning to Turkey illegal migrants who have reached the Greek islands.
Did the EU fully comply with the agreement? Did the promised financial aid reach the refugees?
We agreed in 2016 on a 3 billion Euro support package for the refugees in Turkey and their host communities and we said in case there is a need we would have a second tranche. Therefore, there is a second round of 3 billion coming. In the first round, we financed 72 projects. The money is gradually being paid out during the lifespan of the projects. For example, we have the so-called Kızılay card. That is a cash card on which every entitled refugee is receiving 125 TL per month. We build schools. It takes a while until the final payment is made but the kids are already in school. Therefore, what I prefer to look at is not how much money has been paid per se, but what is the result. We have built 200 schools and are building two hospitals. In Hatay we will have the groundbreaking ceremony in April, there will be another hospital built in Kilis. All over the country, we support health clinics, training centers for doctors and nurses, we are funding community centers where the Turkish community and Syrian refugees can meet. Plenty of physical manifestations of our support.
Visa Liberalisation was one of the components of the agreement…
In the statement of March 2016, it says that we will speed up the visa liberalisation process. We have agreed with the Turkish government that 72 benchmarks have to be met before the visa liberalisation can be granted. Of the 72, 67 have been ticked. There are 5 left to be handled. One was finished in December. We helped the government to procure and distribute biometric passports, which is happening. Then there are a couple of difficult ones. One is on the anti-terror law and there is still an issue regarding data protection. The relevant legislation needs to be updated. The Turkish foreign ministry has set up working groups to handle exactly those benchmarks. We are waiting for a report back from them and see where we are. The technical process of visa liberalization is continuing.
Did Turkey fully comply with the agreement?
In our view yes. Turkey takes back illegal migrants from the Greek islands. Turkey has suspended the bilateral readmission agreement with Greece for other bilateral reasons, but that concerns the land border, not the islands. In the case of the islands, the structure is working. There could be more returns but it also depends on the legal procedure in Greece. The EU member states offered Greece assistance in providing case workers to look at the applications. I understand there are not enough case workers. And, whenever a case has been handled and a decision has been taken, you can always appeal to the Greek courts if your status is not accepted as a refugee and this can take quite some time. However, when the final decision is taken, then there is an agreement with Turkey and these people will be taken back. The system is functioning.
What is the current situation on refugee flows towards the EU?
You have three main routes leading to Europe: the Western Mediterranean route, used mainly by Sub-Saharan Africans, coming via Morocco often to Spain. There we see a quite substantial increase in 2018; then there is the Central Mediterranean route coming from Libya and Tunisia to Malta and Italy. There was a decrease in 2018. You have mainly Sub-Saharan Africans and people from the Eastern parts of Africa. Then you have the Eastern Mediterranean route via Turkey to the Greek islands or via the land border. There is also movement via the Black Sea to Bulgaria and in the South to Cyprus. Overall however in 2018, the numbers have gone down; about150,000 people have arrived.
Where are they coming from?
Wherever you have an economic crisis, political issues… from Sub-Saharan Africa, from Eastern Africa. You have a big increase in Afghans. As for the Syrians, there is a fence now so fewer people are coming. In the final days of Daesh in Iraq, you had a high number of Iraqis coming from the Mosul area. However, that has also gone down. So the biggest number today are the Afghans.
We read about rescue boats at sea for weeks because there is a delay in letting ships dock. What is the problem there?
2-3 years ago the European Commission made a proposal to distribute arriving refugees throughout Europe. This was not accepted by some of the member states. They preferred other ways of helping, like providing financial support, logistic support. In the last half year or so, there was a big issue about boats arriving in Italy. The new government wanted to define ports that they can go, but that has not happened. There is also an issue with the way rescue operations are conducted at sea; who can operate at sea, how to do it, where to go. It is complicated and will take a while until this will be solved. In the meanwhile, member states continue taking in boats.
The reason may be the lack of a common migration policy…
The Commission has proposed an EU asylum policy and it is still being debated among member states. There are several components; where the refugees should go, what kind of assistance should be given and how to protect the EU’s external borders.
How many illegal migrants were sent back to Turkey between 2016-2019? Is this number satisfactory?
By now the number is about2000. There could be more I guess, but there are legal procedures that you have to go through until a decision can be taken. As far as I understand from our Turkish colleagues, Turkey is willing to take more.
What happens to the illegal migrants taken back by Turkey?
Turkey has bilateral agreements with third countries. So some of them returned to those countries. There are relocation centers across the country where illegal migrants are being held until a decision has been taken. We have been providing financial assistance to make sure that those centers have the proper infrastructure and support.
In your opinion, what is the most promising EU funded project in Turkey?
Across the country, we are supporting agricultural and rural development activities from ecotourism to the right use of pesticides and herbicides, and to new irrigation methods. I must say from traveling in the country, from listening to the people, this must be one of the most effective and well-appreciated projects.
Do you think that the EU has responded well to the events following the Arab Spring or was it a missed opportunity for a more influential role in the region?
I happened to be working on the Middle East in Brussels when it started in 2011. At the time, it was seen as a way of promoting democracy and fundamental rights. I saw it as an attempt to redefine the relationship between the State and the individual. Many years later now, many people believe that the Arab Spring has turned to Arab Winter. I am less skeptical about it because a lot of important things happened in 2011, and I think the spirit is still there. If you look at the way this movement started in Tunisia in December 2010, it was for economic reasons. You had this desperate guy who burnt himself because he could not sell his goods in the streets. We tried to help those countries to immediately address their economic issues; we established Task Forces, for example in Egypt and Tunisia that were responsible to generate economic and financial support. Let us not forget, these countries are our immediate neighbors. It was in our interest to work with them and make sure that they were on a stable course. Could we have done more? Could others have done more? It is difficult to judge.
Now that the US plans to withdraw, what would be the role of the EU in Syria?
Our position has been the same from the beginning. We want to see a political solution that is achieved by the Syrians for themselves. We do not believe that a military intervention will resolve the conflict. We will have a conference on the 13th-14th of March in Brussels, which will be the third in a series. This year’s focus will be again on political aspects. On Syria, we have very close cooperation with Turkey because Turkey and the EU are trying to pursue the same objective; finding a political solution. Turkey is our closest ally in the Astana process.
Turkey is an important economic partner for the EU. How do you assess the ongoing economic situation?
President [of the European Commission Jean-Claude] Junker has coined an interesting phrase this summer. He said that we are interested in having a secure, democratic and stable Turkey, and he said this in an economic context as well. It is not in our interest to see the Turkish economy suffer. On the contrary, there is a very close economic interlink between Turkey and the EU. Look at the trade figures. More than 50% of foreign trade of Turkey is with the EU, more than 80% of the direct investment comes from the EU. Turkish companies are part of the supply, distribution and production chain of the EU. Turkey is part of the Customs Union. We want to do everything we can to help. In addition, we are cooperating with Turkey on related foreign policy issues. Here are two examples: one is the extraterritorial sanctions by the the US on Iran. Many Turkish companies have a stake in Iran. We have the same issue and are working with Turkey to avoid a negative economic impact. The second one is the additional US tariffs on steel and aluminum. A WTO case is going on in Geneva. Whatever the problems are, we have a strong interest that Turkey is overcoming those, because we see Turkey as our economic partner.
What are the main challenges for advancing EU-Turkey relations forward?
There are political issues. The Customs Union is one example. According to the existing one, the Republic of Cyprus should have access to the Turkish market and should be able to use Turkish ports and airspace but this is not happening. So that has an impact. Another one was expressed in the Commission’s country report, is about the rule of law, fundamental rights. Junker said on a number of occasions that he felt Turkey was moving away from the principles of the EU in the aftermath of the July 15th attempted coup and the measures Turkey was taking under the state of emergency. Member states then took a decision not to continue the work on the upgrading of the customs union. When Commissioner [for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes] Hahn visited Turkey in November, he said that the Commission still maintains the draft mandate for the negotiations and still thinks it is economically interesting for both sides to deepen the customs union. But no work has been done on the upgrading of the customs union. The existing customs union will continue, but it does not cover agricultural products, services, public procurement. Some important things are happening in Turkey now, which may have an impact on this discussion. The Reform Action Group which comprises four key ministries; interior, foreign, justice, and finance, have come together in August and again in December to carry out reforms on the basis of European norms, standards and Council of Europe’s principles. We do not know yet exactly what the outcome of the reform efforts will be but I think it will have an impact on this discussion.
You have held various posts and lived 11 years in Israel and the area. How would you define EU-Israel relations?
We see Israel as an important partner in the neighborhood. We have strong relations and a well-functioning association agreement with Israel. We sometimes disagree on political issues regarding the Palestinians but this does not take away from the very close relationship that we have enjoyed over many years. When I was the director for the Middle East, we negotiated a broad range of agreements including an aviation agreement, something similar we are negotiating now with Turkey. Our position on the Middle East Peace Process has been the same over many years: we think that there should be a two-state solution with the details agreed by both sides. For example we are not telling them where the border is, they need to negotiate it. Our point on Jerusalem is that nothing should prevent East Jerusalem from becoming the capital of the future Palestinian state. We are part of the Quartet and a European Union Special Representative deals with these issues. But so much has been written on this issue, so much has been said about it, so many ideas have been floated. It is not easy.
The polls and the number of Jews migrating from EU countries, especially from France, show us that antisemitism pervades in Europe. What are the precautions the EU is planning or already implementing?
The Vienna-based European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights did a poll at the end of last year and the findings show that quite a high number of Jewish people want to leave or have thought of leaving. This is a concern. Junker said on the Holocaust [Remembrance] Day that “it is shameful to see this devil of antisemitism is rising again. There are many Jews who are concerned about their future in Europe. Europe should not allow people to be concerned about their future in Europe.” I think it was a very strong reminder that the issue has to be addressed. We have an antisemitism coordinator, there are a lot of high level working groups on various issues including security of the Jewish institutions, schools, etc. in Europe. You have had in a row two rotating presidencies, Austria and now Romania, that are promoting, for example, the definition of antisemitism. They have adopted it domestically and are pushing for Europe-wide adoption. The problem is recognized and the EU institutions are taking steps to address it.
A ban on kosher and halal meat went into effect on New Year’s Day in Belgium. Isn’t this in contradiction with EU’s right to freedom of religion?
Let’s start with the European point of view. There is an article in the fundamental rights convention of the EU that protects freedom of religion and also the manifestation and the practices of religion. So this is a fundamental principle in the convention. There is a council regulation from 2009 about how animals should be slaughtered. But it makes an exception for religious purposes as long as it takes place in a slaughterhouse. So from the European perspective, there is no problem. There was a case at the European court about halal meat and the court ruled that member states can take specific measures that can go beyond the measures of the council regulation but cannot go beyond article 10 of the convention of fundamental rights meaning on freedom of religion. So I think what the court is saying, as long as hygienic provisions are respected, some animal protection is respected and it takes place in a slaughterhouse then the religious slaughter of animals can take place. At the moment there is a court case launched by the Jewish community at the Belgian court on the issue and it is still pending.
Karel Valansi, Şalom Gazetesi, 27 Şubat 2019 http://www.salom.com.tr/SalomTurkey/haber-109782-eu_ambassador_christian_berger_we_have_a_strong_interest_that_turkey_is_overcoming_its_economic_problems_because_we_see_turkey_as_our_economic_partner.html
berger eu european union interview israel middle east refugee salom turkey
Etiketler: berger eu european union interview israel middle east refugee salom turkey
AB-Arap Birliği zirvesinin ardından
Hukukun üstünlüğü ve temel haklar sorunlu: “AB-Tür...
EU Ambassador Christian Berger: We have a strong i...
Struma Commemoration Speech
Struma anma konuşması
Basında Struma anma
Krizler Avrupası
If there was life in this neighborhood…
Bu mahallede yaşam olsa
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Meet Dawn Duss, MD
Meet Mary Armanious Hendy, OD
Pediatric Strabismus
Amblyopia Therapy
Failed Vision Screening
Pediatric Cataracts
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Home » About Us » Meet Dawn Duss, MD
Get to know Dr. Dawn Duss
As the oldest girl in a family of 10 kids, I have always been comfortable with children. Caring for them comes naturally for me, and I am perfectly at ease during all parts of the eye exam. Children are not just small adults, and I like to interact with them on their level. You can find me balancing siblings on one knee, wiping noses and examining stuffed animals on a daily basis. I enjoy my job and have fun caring for my patients. My father once told me, “find something you love to learn about”. I have been fortunate to enter a field that constantly astounds and amazes me. I am fearlessly passionate about pediatric Ophthalmology and take pride in providing exceptional care for the children of Northeast Florida.
Having been fellowship trained in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Emory University, I have specific experience with pediatric cataracts and am one of only a few pediatric ophthalmologists within 100 miles that perform this surgery. I am also skilled in evaluation and treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity and many other eye diseases of childhood. I am the only pediatric ophthalmologist in this area that will offer endoscopic excision of periorbital dermoids, allowing for a “scar free” result. I am a meticulous surgeon and have an appetite for learning new skills and techniques. I am an editor on the board of the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and have served on the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Board. I am active in research and served as the Principle Investigator in a recent Bausch and Lomb multicenter cataract trial. I have been approved as an investigator for PEDIG (Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group) and will be enrolling patients in upcoming studies with the local Johnson and Johnson research site.
I volunteer my time and believe in giving back to the community. I am the current Medical Adviser for Vision Is Priceless, a local non profit organization that provides screening and care for Jacksonville’s residents with eye care needs, and have sat on their board for over 5 years. My husband, Dr Charles Duss, and I spent a summer in Grenada, performing pediatric eye surgeries through the CHORES foundation, and I have donated free eye exams to the children of Afghanistan through the Solace for the Children mission. Since 2013, our family has embraced a leadership role in the local March of Dimes community. As the mother of 2 premature children, fighting preterm birth has been a mission close to my heart. Our family served as “Ambassador Family” in 2017 and Charles and I chaired the 2018 Signature Chef Event held in November here in Jacksonville. I have been blessed to find a profession that is both challenging and rewarding at the same time. Every day, I have the opportunity to improve the quality of life of my patients. It is a fulfilling endeavor. If you’re looking for a pediatric ophthalmologist in Florida, I hope to see you and your family one day soon! Sincerely, Dawn N. Duss, MD View Dr. Duss’ profile on Health Grades.
Current Medical Staff Appointments
Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology July 2006 to Present (Active)
Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology July 2015 to Present (Courtesy)
Previous Medical Staff Appointments
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville, FL. Division of Ophthalmology, July 2006 to November 2014
Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology July 2008 to January 2015
Previous Academic Appointments
Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL. Department of Ophthalmology
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey / New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, Ophthalmology Resident 2002-2005
Presbyterian Medical Center / University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, Transitional Internship, 2001-2002
MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, May 2001
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, Bachelor of Arts, Pre-Medicine/ Psychology
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, May 1997
Honors / Awards
March of Dimes, “Ambassador Family”; Annual Signature Chef Event, 2017
University of Notre Dame Alumni, Greater Jacksonville Club “Member of the Year” Award, 2017
Jacksonville Magazine “Top Docs” Award, 2017
Best of Ponte Vedra Beach Award, 2016
Jacksonville Magazine “Best Doctor” Award, 2016
NEFPS Subspecialist of the Year, 2014
Northeast Florida Pediatric Society Subspecialist of the Year, 2014
Jacksonville Magazine “Top Doc” Award Designation, Healthgrades, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Best Doctors in America Award Designation, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Annual Physician’s Excellence Awards, “Top Box” Patient Satisfaction for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Associate of the Month, May 2012
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Employee of the Month, October 2010
“Kudos From Kuhns” WJXT Channel 4 News, 2009
Lions Eye Research Foundation Annual Research Award, 2005
The Alfonse A.Cinotti Award for academic and professional excellence as an ophthalmology resident, 2005
American Medical Women’s Association: Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation, 2001
American Society of Clinical Pathologists’ Award for Excellence and Achievement, 1999
MCP-Hahnemann Student Achievement Award for Excellence in Pharmacology, 1999
Alpha Omega Alpha Award for the Most Outstanding Work in the First Year, 1998
McGraw-Hill Book Company Award for Outstanding Work in the First Year, 1998
Magna Cum Laude, Hahnemann School of Medicine, May 2001
MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine Merit scholarship, 1997-2001
University of Notre Dame Alumni Association of Philadelphia Neeson Scholarship, 1993-1997, Notre Dame Scholar recognition
Summa Cum Laude, University of Notre Dame, May 1997
Professional Memberships & Societies
North East Florida Pediatrics Society, Member 2011 to present
American Academy of Pediatrics, Member, 2010 to present
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Board of Editors, 2008 to present
American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Member, 2008 to present
Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Member, 2006 to present
Duval County Society of Ophthalmology, Member, 2006 to present
Duval County Medical Society, Member, 2006 to present
Florida Medical Association, Member, 2006 to present
American Academy of Ophthalmology, Member, 2002 to present
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Pediatric Eye Consultants is the leading pediatric ophthalmology practice in the Southeast U.S. We provide expert diagnoses and treatment in a caring and fun atmosphere.
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Africa Diaries
Burkina Faso with its capital Ouagadougou; just these two strange names excite your imagination and make you want to visit them. I crossed the border of Mali and entered Burkina Faso at the end of February 2010 without knowing what to expect. Back home very little information reaches the media about the black continent, except for the wars and the massacres that from time to time happen there.
Burkina though was different. It didn’t feel aggressive or violent, not even at the border like some other African countries that I had crossed earlier. Everything there runs in another rhythm. After my crossing I headed straight to Bamfora, a small town south of the Malian border. The highlight that I was after was the Cascada, the waterfall not far away from the village. Besides that, Bamfora is known for its food, something that is extremely rare in West Africa. So after a really good dinner and a good night’s sleep in one of the hotels, I headed to the Cascada. The place was unusual because there wasn’t just one but a number of small waterfalls forming small lagoons where you could swim. Something that I took advantage of since the heat was getting to me. I also met some artisans that of course tried to sell me something. But when they realized that I didn’t want to buy anything, they invited me to sleep at the base of the waterfall like they would. Of course I accepted. These are the opportunities that I travel for. After a great night next to the campfire and a lot of local stories, I fell asleep with the noise of the waterfall in my ears like a melody.
The next day I headed to the second biggest city, Bobo Diolosso, which to be honest had nothing memorable except for the dusty, dirty streets and the crazy French who had the hostel I stayed at. From there I crossed to Tongo and then Ghana before I came back to Burkina, after a month, on my way back to Mali. But I’ll tell you the whole story of Burkina in one part. So after my return to Burkina it was time for Ouaga, as the locals call the capital. A real African capital with its noise and dust but I had to go there because I had to take care of my visas for the following countries. At the edge of the city there’s a hotel with a huge parking lot next to it. The good news is that they let you camp for free as long as you use its restaurant and pool. Good deal, apparently well known by the overlanders of Africa because when I arrived it was full of all types of converted vehicles for the trans-African travel. Good source of information for the journey ahead of me.
At night some locals convinced me that I had to see the city’s night life. I ended up in a small, dark place, full of prostitutes from the nearby Nigeria. It was definitely not a place you tell your mother about but still with a strange character to it. I ended up as expected.
I gave them some money so that they would let me go, since that was what they were after straight from the beginning. You might think now, if you knew it, why did you go? Well, in these situations it’s better to have a local with you than walk in there alone. A general precaution is always good. I knew that probably that would be the night life they meant but just out of curiosity I had to see it. The next day my visas were ready, so I headed north on my way back to the other side of Mali. The name of my next stop was Ouahigouya, the place where I probably got bitten by a malaria infected mosquito. But that life threatening experience is something that occurred in Mali so you will read about it in the Mali Chapter.
The Burkina experience wasn’t one of my top ones as the lack of sights compared to the neighbouring countries made it less interesting, But still it’s a cross path for the rest of West Africa. It’s one of the countries that are worth passing by just for its inhabitants. You can find good, interesting people even in the most boring and uninteresting parts of the world.
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New Holland L465 LX465 LX485 Skid Steer Loader Service Repair Workshop Manual
Categories new holland;manual;service;skid steer;warranty;ebook;maintenance;pdf
No need to worry about stained, torn or missing pages. Each section is indexed for fast & easy referencing. Each section covers a different area of the machine:General InformationEngineElectrical SystemFinal Drive, Axles, BrakesHydrostatic System and Steering SystemHydraulic SystemSeat, Cab, ROPS, Boom Lock, Boom, Attachment Mounting PlateOnce you buy the manual, you will get a link in your email, then just go view it, print it, and save it for use later on. This has every page that is in the paper service manual. Viewed in popular Adobe PDF format, which most computers have already. To download the free viewer, go to www.adobe.comAbout New HollandNew Holland started with one corn mill in the state of Pennsylvania, first built in 1895. The company then expanded into farm implements and later found success with automatic hay balers. New Holland was acquired by Ford Tractor Operations in 1985, and the Ford New Holland name began to appear on tractors. In 1990 Ford sold a majority interest in its farm machinery operations to a foreign company called FIAT, with the agreement that the Ford name be dropped in ten years.Tractors began to be released under two names: New Holland in traditional Ford tractor markets, and FIAT in their traditional markets. In 1999, Case IH and FIAT New Holland merged to form CNH Global (Case New Holland) which continutes to built tractors under the New Holland brand.New Holland produces both Agricultural farm equipment, and Heavy construction equipment like backhoe, skid steer loader, excavator, mini excavator, and wheel loader. Some examples of the tractor loader backhoe include 550, 555, 555A, 555B, 555C, 555D, 555E, 655, 655A, 655B, 655C, 655D, 655E, 675, 675A, 675B, 675C, 675D, 675E, 755, 755A, 755B, 755C, 755D, 755E, LB75, LB75.B, LB90, LB90.B, LB110, LB110.B, LB115, LB115.B just to name a few.Some examples of the skid steer loader include L35, L170, L180, L185, L190, L225, L250, L255, L325, L425, L445, L451, L452, L454, L455, L465, L553, L554, L555, L565, L779, L781, L783, L784, L785, L865, LS120, LS125, LS140, LS150, LS160, LS170, LS180, LS190, LX465, LX485, LX565, LX665, LX865, LX885, LX985, just to name a few.
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Children’s author to read at Harvest Festival.
#ScottvilleHarvestFestival
SCOTTVILLE — Michigan children’s author Ingar Rudholm will be at the Scottville Harvest Festival Gathering, located in the family tent Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rudholm will be reading from his book, “Traveling Circus,” which is a tribute to his mother.
Rudholm was born and raised in Whitehall. “My mother owned Homestead Art Gallery on Mears Street, and my father built homes in Muskegon County,” he said. “After high school I moved to the east side of the state, and I graduated from Macomb Community College with an associate’s degree in architectural drafting and minored in fine art.
“As a child, while other boys were playing sports, my mother enrolled me into art classes. Since my mom owned owned an art gallery in Whitehall, I met several of the local painters and attended local art fairs from Traverse City to Rockford.
“In the final years of my mother’s life, she had dementia, which left her incapable of painting. In 2010, she passed away leaving behind a set of brushes, a box of paints and tons of art history books. “Traveling Circus” includes a lot of famous painters, but it is also a tribute to the first artist I ever knew and loved, my mom.”
The story is about Flynn, a shy kid from Whitehall, Michigan who’s kidnapped by a crooked ringmaster. After a series of adventures, he finds his courage.
“My intended audience is 10-14 years old or anyone who enjoys fantasy books,” Rudholm said. “The book has no swearing, drinking or any mature themes. It’s strictly a PG rating. The major theme of the book is finding courage despite being shy, insecure or bullied.
“In the beginning of the story, Flynn can’t find the courage to talk anyone. He can’t talk to his teachers, a girl he likes, not even his parents. Not until Flynn discovers his talents and uses them to help people. Because when you recognize your talents, whether it’s sports, academics or any other skill, you build confidence in yourself. In essence, Flynn found his voice.
“One of the recurring elements to the story is famous paintings and artists. Like for example the ringmaster of the circus is loosely based upon Salvador Dali and Flynn’s art teacher is loosely based upon Edward Hopper.
“So whenever I drew pictures or wrote scenes for the story, I based them upon famous paintings. Some of my illustrations are inspired by Salvador Dali’s ‘Persistence of Memory’, Edward Hopper’s ‘Nighthawkes’, and Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Lacemaker’.
Rudholm said there are two things he hopes readers will get out of the story:
“If any of the young readers are struggling with bullying in school, or if they’re shy around people because they fear rejection, I hope this story helps them find their inner courage and voice.
“One of the circus performances in the story has a rabbit that turns into a lion. This is a metaphor for the main character, Flynn. Flynn faces his fears while building his confidence; I hope the reader takes away this message.
“Also, I hope they enjoy the book. I added many plot twists and character developments to keep the reader engaged.”
“Traveling Circus” is available at Bookmark in Ludington, Happy Owl Bookshop in Manistee, Amazon.com, or BarnesandNoble.com, Book Nook and Java Shop in Montague, Gracies Bookstore in Muskegon, Maggie’s Gourmet Food & Gift Shop in Muskegon, Bookman in Grand Haven, Kazoo Books II in Kalamazoo, Horizon Books in Traverse City, Frederick Meijer Garden Gift Shop in Grand Rapids
The book is also available at many local libraries.
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Goodbye to the 68'ers
Anyone who was a child in America during the 90's will tell you how he was repeatedly molested by stories about the 60's. It was everywhere, back then; the 68'ers having all grown up and many of them gone into cinema to tell about how things were in the good old days of radicalism and free-spirits and new ideas and easy lays with pretty women. The recollections were more sad than anything else, and every picture you saw had the miserable tint of nostalgia; not as though you were experiencing the 60's themselves, but as though you had missed it and it had been lost forever, along with somebody's youth.
It was almost all a dirge; set to the miserable tune of California Dreamin' or Get Together or that song by Buffalo Springfield -- none of which are now played with any of the hope that originally accompanied them. The songs themselves sound dusty and foreign. And so many of the films that these old and passing men were making had the same upward feel to them in the beginning, culminating in the train wreck of the 70's and (God forbid) the 90's themselves, when everyone was not only older and crankier because they were no longer young, but miserable because so many of their dreams had been ruined. Whether it was Forrest Gump or Mr. Holland's Opus or even just Hunter S. Thompson's monologue in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, it all had the feeling that somebody thought things were starting to go right before everything suddenly went wrong. The latter film is the only one I can think of which never portrayed anything rosily, in fact; and Hunter S. Thompson may have been the only one of these to have realized, before ending up with unwanted children and too many dead friends and lost causes, that the dream had gone wrong before the historians could officially say it was a dud.
Now, of course, we know it was a failure; and when we say that it was a failure we don't mean it in the sense that nothing the 68'ers wanted was accomplished. Sex may never have been free, but it has certainly become cheaper, and you can tell it on a newlywed couple's face when they don't have a glow because they got tired of sleeping together years before she finally tied him down. Illegitimacy may not ever have become entirely accepted (even by the single mothers who admit that it's terrible), but it is certainly more common. Racial relations, if they aren't perfect, have changed in many ways for the better (on the part of whites, anyhow, if a one-sided improvement can really be said to be worth anything); and if we consider things like pollution and workers' rights, a conversation with anyone from the 60's will prove that LA was covered in smog and at present it isn't, and some of our states have laws to keep people from bring treated like absolute garbage.
But what people always portrayed in the 90's about the 60's was its sincerity and naivety; the innocent-eyed youngsters really living for a cause beyond themselves and trying to change the world for the better. Mad Men, in fact, twenty years after the hazy recollections in the 90's, was the first representation of the 60's which I found to be negative; not insofar as everything in the decade was negative (even if it was tumultuous), but as though the people we praise or we blame for the vibe of the 60's were actually less saintly than ugly. The truth in the eyes of the creator of Mad Men was that the beatniks and the hippies weren't the frolicking garland-haired saints portrayed by the 68'ers, but a generation of sanctimonious and robotic ideologues no less restrictive and obnoxious than the worst of the Christian fundamentalists. The introduction of anything like Mad Men into the mainstream means that the 68'ers have gotten so old that they no longer control the public narrative; and that a new generation has risen up which sees things in a different light; not so much in the self-worshiping remembrance of the spirit of the 60's, but through the eyes of a cynic whose parents' and teachers' idealism annoys him.
As far as contemporaries of the 68'ers go, there's one voice I've heard which is more damning that Hunter S. Thompson's, and it happens to belong to someone who wasn't a square or a conservative, the inimitable Joan Didion. Her Slouching Towards Bethlehem, widely considered to be a masterpiece of journalism, portrayed not only the youthful idealism of the 60's (as seen through characters such as Joan Baez), but a dirty, boots-on-the-ground look at the shallowness and fraudulence and (perhaps worst for someone pretending to be rebellious) banality of the common revolutionary. And the brutality of her observations, of idiotic half-baked beliefs and conversations, and the kids with track marks all strung out on speed, and the free-lovers pretending to never get jealous, and the individualists who are all fitting an archetype, and the planning without looking like they're making a schedule, and the talking of love while they're actually being rude, all add up to a picture of something less than a dream, and something more like a farce.
One can only wonder if this is what happened at the beginning of Christianity, when persecution began to slacken and Christ became fashionable. When putting on a good face in church is your penance for the week, and then you can go back to doing whatever you want. And it makes us wonder if this is humanity's lot. That somewhere, at any given moment, someone is really inspired to do something he believes in, and a few others go wild for it, and the bigger it gets the faster it drowns -- entirely in itself*. And everything beautiful anyone ever dreamed, if it doesn't become nothing, becomes something worse than nothing; a something ruined by people who never really believed it, and who were only copying it loosely so they could fit in, or to try something new. This isn't to say that the hippies were right, or brilliant, or even honest. They may have been the stupidest reactionaries the world has ever seen. But what we have to wonder after reading Didion's account is whether any movement is worth worshiping, when in the end, every movement eventually looks ridiculous because it actually became a movement.
*Macaulay has a very interesting passage concerning the Puritans in his History of England, which proves the fate of even the most successful and sincerest of movements. He writes,
"Before the civil wars, even those who most disliked the opinions and manners of the Puritan were forced to admit that his moral conduct was generally, in essentials, blameless; but this praise was now no longer bestowed, and, unfortunately, was no longer deserved. The general fate of sects is to obtain a high reputation for sanctity while they are oppressed, and to lose it as soon as they become powerful: and the reason is obvious. It is seldom that a man enrolls himself in a proscribed body from any but conscientious motives. Such a body, therefore, is composed, with scarcely an exception, of sincere persons. The most rigid discipline that can be enforced within a religious society is a very feeble instrument of purification, when compared with a little sharp persecution from without. We may be certain that very few persons, not seriously impressed by religious convictions, applied for baptism while Diocletian was vexing the Church, or joined themselves to Protestant congregations at the risk of being burned by Bonner. But, when a sect becomes powerful, when its favour is the road to riches and dignities, worldly and ambitious men crowd into it, talk its language, conform strictly to its ritual, mimic its peculiarities, and frequently go beyond its honest members in all the outward indications of zeal. No discernment, no watchfulness, on the part of ecclesiastical rulers, can prevent the intrusion of such false brethren. The tares and wheat must grow together. Soon the world begins to find out that the godly are not better than other men, and argues, with some justice, that, if not better, they must be much worse. In no long time all those signs which were formerly regarded as characteristic of a saint are regarded as characteristic of a knave.
"Thus it was with the English Nonconformists. They had been oppressed; and oppression had kept them a pure body. They then became supreme in the state. No man could hope to rise to eminence and command but by their favour. Their favour was to be gained only by exchanging with them the signs and passwords of spiritual fraternity. One of the first resolutions adopted by Barebone's Parliament, the most intensely Puritanical of all our political assemblies, was that no person should be admitted into the public service till the House should be satisfied of his real godliness. What were then considered as the signs of real godliness, the sad-coloured dress, the sour look, the straight hair, the nasal whine, the speech interspersed with quaint texts, the Sunday, gloomy as a Pharisaical Sabbath, were easily imitated by men to whom all religions were the same. The sincere Puritans soon found themselves lost in a multitude, not merely of men of the world, but of the very worst sort of men of the world. For the most notorious libertine who had fought under the royal standard might justly be thought virtuous when compared with some of those who, while they talked about sweet experiences and comfortable scriptures, lived in the constant practice of fraud, rapacity, and secret debauchery. The people, with a rashness which we may justly lament, but at which we cannot wonder, formed their estimate of the whole body from these hypocrites. The theology, the manners, the dialect of the Puritan were thus associated in the public mind with the darkest and meanest vices. As soon as the Restoration had made it safe to avow enmity to the party which had so long been predominant, a general outcry against Puritanism rose from every corner of the kingdom, and was often swollen by the voices of those very dissemblers whose villainy had brought disgrace on the Puritan name."
Excellent connection between the History of England and the result of 1960s radicalism turned impure by age, wealth and capitulation to the "establishment".
This is how I saw it in 1968 (10 years old) and how I see it has gone to become in my 60th year.
The case for Cat Stevens
Between the World and Me: a review
The Fire Next Time: a review
Some sympathy for the historical American jingo
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A guest article was written and submitted by swlamu of Swan Lake Music
The word orchestra is originally a Greek word meaning a place for music and other performances in a theater. Before the 1600s, groups of musicians would gather and play on instruments available to them. In the 1500s, the word “consort,” referred to the group of musicians that made the music together. Composers in the Renaissance era would write parts of the music are on any instrument. The symphony orchestra, as we know it, was invented in 1607 by Renaissance/Baroque Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi.
Unlike composers of his time, Monteverdi wanted specific instruments to accompany his opera Orfeo. These instruments include fifteen viols of different sizes; two violins; four flutes, two large and two medium; two oboes, two cornetts (small wooden trumpets), four trumpets, five trombones, a harp, two harpsichords, and three small organs organized into sections.
In the time of Johann Sebastian Bach, around a century later, the orchestra evolved in instrumentation. The string section, including violins, violas, cellos, and basses, replaced viols, and the leadership of the orchestra came from a harpsichord, the first violin player, or an organ player. This keyboard player was often the composer of the music. They would use an orchestra conductor only on occasions. One of the first known uses was Italian born French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, who worked with an orchestra for the court of Louis XIV of France. Using a long wooden staff, Lully would tap out the beats to help the orchestra play together. Unfortunately, this wooden staff played a part in the composer’s death as he hit his foot with the pole on accident resulting in gangrene.
The Classical Era (circa 1730 to 1820) saw another change in the orchestra as the string section gained more importance, and the keyboard instruments became less prominent. Composers such as Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, continued the trend of writing for specific instrumentations for their compositions. The ensemble became more standardized with first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. The woodwind section comprises two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, and two bassoons. The brass section comprises two to four horns and two trumpets, while the percussion section comprises two timpani. Even though the concertmaster continued to lead the orchestra from the first chair position, the conductor became more prominent in the ensemble’s leading. Instead of the long wooden staff, the conductor started using specific gestures using a rolled-up piece of white paper, a predecessor of the baton used today.
As the orchestra grew in the number of musicians in the 19th century, it was no longer practical for the concertmaster to lead the orchestra. The conductor became the prominent figure in the ensemble’s leadership standing front and center on a podium.
Today, orchestras vary in number based on the composition played. Often keeping its standard instrumentation of violins violas cellos and double basses, the ensemble varies between 40-200 members with larger orchestras, including more woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments.
History Lesson, This 'N' That
Tagged with: baroque, composers, history, music, music history, orchestra
Music Qoutes
People of all walks of life have opinions about every topic you can imagine (and maybe about a few items you would never want to believe). Music is no exception. Both the famous and the infamous have opinions about music, ranging from what it is to what it isn’t to what it could or should be.
Here are a few quotations about music:
Kin Hubbard was a well-known cartoonist (he created “Abe Martin of Brown County,” which ran in U.S. newspapers from 1904 until his death in 1930) and a humorist. There are a great many terrific quotations attributed to him, but his comment on music is one of my favorites. He said, “Classical music is the kind we keep thinking will turn into a tune.”
Oscar Wilde was a famous playwright and poet. He was also a scoundrel in many ways, but he did have insight. About music, he said, “Music makes one feel so romantic — at least it always gets on one’s nerves — which is the same thing nowadays.”
J. K. Rowling (the Harry Potter books author and my heroine because she got kids to read) said, “Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!”
Tagged with: misc., music, quotes, sayings
What Exactly is Indie Music?
Indie music is a type of alternative rock which exists in the independent music world. The word is periodically used to refer to all underground music and is the opposite of indie pop music. Indie rock music emphasizes electric instruments such guitars and drums. Musicians in the genre are also known for using abstract sounds. Because these players work under smaller record labels instead of the major record companies, the term indie rock applies to them.
Though indie rock is not technically a genre, it is considered to represent the underground culture in many aspects. Indie artists are known for demanding a large amount of creative control over their music, and this is something which often alienates them from more major companies. These artists strictly rely on word of mouth, tours, and independent radio stations to promote their music. Many of the famous artists will end up becoming popular with mainstream audiences and may be signed by large record labels.
In the US indie music is considered to be a spin-off from alternative rock. The movement is believed to have started during the 1970s or 1980s. The indie rock music of the 1980s had sounds described as being cumbersome and distorted. Indie music groups in the 1990’s such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam became mainstream and indie music became better known. Once the genre became popular, major record companies begin investing large amounts of money in it.
Once this happened, the term “alternative rock” became more of a misnomer. Traditionally, many musicians who have signed with major record companies were considered to be “sell-outs” by their hardcore fans. My Original Music is an indie music site located at myoriginalmusic.com. Here you can find music by independent artists from all over the world. Today, indie rock is a term which has come to describe a wide variety of music. Psychedelic folk, synth-pop, and post-punk is also considered indie rock in a genre.
Sometimes the term indie rock becomes blurred, and some believe that the word will soon disappear much as alternative rock did. Mainstream artists such as Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys have been known to reach high levels on the indie music charts, especially in the United Kingdom. Some mainstream artists also signed to independent record labels. Many popular indie music artist become mainstream, and once this happens, they are no longer independent.
Despite the fact that many indie artists become mainstream, this is not always the case. In fact, most independent artists are not mainstream and do not wish to be. Money may be a motivating factor, but many artists play their music for the passion and not the money. Many major record labels exert a significant amount of control over their artists, and the music sold is more often the product of the record companies than the artists themselves. Because of this, many artists have fought with the major record labels over creative control of their music.
Tagged with: about indie music, Indie, indie music, indie music history, music, music article, post-punk, Psychedelic folk, synth pop, what is indie music?
Music of the 1970’s: A Look Back
People associate songs and music with events in their lives. Many songs hold special memories for them, and they fondly remember the songs that were playing when they went to their first dance. Maybe they remember the songs their school band performed during half time at their high school football games, the songs that they heard on our first date, or the songs they heard on the radio while driving their first car.
If you were a teenager, like my sister and brother or a child like me in the 1970’s, the music of this decade is probably the most impressive and most recognized of any other era. The artists of the 1970’s provided us with numerous songs we loved to dance and sing along. At that time most bands played their instruments and did not need to sequence part of it.
I remember how we used to listen to the music then? At first, we had eight track players in our cars; then we moved upward to cassette players. Vinyl records were the most popular way to listen to our favorite music. Every week you could go to your local variety or record store and pick up the new #1 song on a 45 record for under $1.00. Of course, there was always the radio to listen to – most of the popular channels were on am radio. We had many styles of music. Among these types include the bubble gum music of David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, soft rock of Barry Manilow, the great dance tunes of the Bee Gees and the Commodores, the rock of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, the brass band sounds of Chicago, or the disco beat of Chic and Donna Summer.
The nostalgia of the 1970’s music lives on today. Can we listen to it on our local 70’s radio station, on CDs, on mp3, download it on our computer, and burn it onto CDs. For those of us who prefer records, we can still purchase them at record stores, antique or second-hand stores, or yard sales. Of course, many of us have held on to our record collections and record players and can pull them out at any time when we need to relive those nostalgic days of the 1970’s. Some bands are still performing after more than 30-40 years. There’s nothing like seeing your favorite 1970’s performers live in concert!
The music of the 1970’s is still popular with people of all ages, not just those who grew up with it. It never grows old. It only gets better with each passing decade.
Relive the days of the 1970’s by purchasing these music selections. Just click on the albums below.
Tagged with: 1970's, classic rock, music, Music of the 1970's, nostalgia, oldies, retro
The Spider and the Butterfly, a 1909 film with 2016 Music Composition, Jonagold.
Here is the music video from my latest composition. The film, Le Papillon Fantastique *The Spider and the Butterfly* is by Georges Mlis (from 1909) and it is Public Domain. The title of the music composition is “Jonagold” from 2016. It is a joyful piece in 5/8 and features a string orchestra and an English horn solo.
Click Here to purchase and download Jonagold today!
Tagged with: 21st century music, English Horn, Horn, music, music composition, orchestra, silent film, silent movie, String orchestra
The Radiance of Daybreak for two mandolins
Buy The Radiance of Daybreak for Two Mandolins at Sheet Music Plus!! 🙂
Released in 2015, The Radiance of Daybreak is a piece that is written for 2 mandolins. With the duration of 1 minute and 14 seconds, this musical number can be used in concerts, recitals or solo and ensemble contests. The inspiration for this piece came from a spectacular sunrise near Sicily, Italy after a rescue of a small fishing boat on the Mediterranean Sea the night before.
Tagged with: chamber, composition, duet, Mandolin, music, sheet music
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Learn more about the dangers of smurfing here
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
The Meth Problem
What is PSE?
Current Laws
NPLEx
Say No to RX-Only
Progress Seen in Drug Battle
LaFayette – A new Alabama law appears to be making a major impact in curtailing the presence of illegal meth labs and the manufacture of methamphetamine in the local area.
At a Thursday morning media advisory at the Chambers County Courthouse, Sheriff Sid Lockhart, local police chiefs Tommy Weldon, Angie Spates and Kenneth Vines, Assistant District Attorney Damon Lewis and Lts. Robert Chambers and Johnny Wood of the Chambers County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) noted a remarkable decline in meth-related arrests that have been made since the law passed in 2012.
Two years ago, Alabama changed its laws in regard to meth, passing some of the strongest and most comprehensive laws in the country. In 2012, Alabama became the first state in the U.S. to launch an anti-smurfing campaign.
“Smurfing” is a term used when a person, or group of people, purchase pseudoephedrine products and knowingly sells them to someone who intends to use these products in meth production. This act-contributing to the production of an illegal substance- is now a felony in Alabama. “Before this new law was passed in 2012, we made over 120 meth-related arrests that year,” said Lt. Chambers, who directs the CCDTF. “This year we have made only 13 such arrests. Our success can be attributed to the countless hours of work by our great deputies and police officers in Chambers County as well as the new, national NPLEx reporting system.”
This new system tracks the sle of pseudoephedrine, requiring a government issued photo ID such as an Alabama driver’s license. There’s a daily, and monthly, allowable limit. Sales are blocked when someone attempts to purchase beyond these limits.
“These blocked sales resulted in more than 2,700 grams of pseudoephedrine from going out,” Lt. Chambers said. “This kept a lot of meth off our streets.”
A decrease in local meth labs also means that Chambers County taxpayers are saving money by not having to pay for them to be cleaned up.
Crews with hazardous materials, or hazmat, training have to be brought in to do this. “There’s a learning curve in knowing what you can touch and what you can’t touch,” said Chief Weldon, adding that meth labs almost always involve the use of such dangerous, or potentially dangerous, chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia and ether.
Chief Weldon said he was at one of these cleanups several years back when an officer accidentally knocked over a Mason jar with liquid in it. “It caught fire when it hit the floor,” he said. “We poured water on it to put it out but that made it worse. A woman who was there with a three year old child told us we had to put it out by smothering it with a blanket.”
Weldon said the one thing that bothered him the most about illegal meth production was the frequency of having young children nearby when people were making the stuff.
“It usually takes around four hours to clean up a meth lab,” Chief Weldon said. “A hazmat team usually does it. It’s a great benefit to the community to have these meth labs disappearing. It cuts down on people being exposed to hazardous chemicals.”
Chief Assistant District Attorney Damon Lewis said the new law has made a big difference. “We no longer have the super labs we once did,” he said. “People can’t get pseudoephedrine like they once did. You now have to present both a current Alabama driver’s license and a valid prescription when purchasing a limited amount from a pharmacy.”
Lewis said that a super lab was busted in Tallapoosa County in 1998. A relatively large amount of meth was produced in the homemade lab because the people making it were able to but over 150 boxes of pseudoephedrine over the counter in stores throughout the region. That can’t be done now.
Lt. Wood said that only one meth lab has been busted in Chambers County this year. He added that three or four were busted in 2013. In 2012, the year the new law passed, there were 40 meth labs busted and 88 in 2011.
While people into illegal drug use may not be able to get locally-made meth, they don’t appear to be giving up their drug habits. “What’s beingmade locally is way down, but we have seen an increase in the use of crystal meth,” Lt. Wood said.
“A lot of times when a drug user can’t get meth they will go to another illegal drug they can get,” Chief Weldon said.
Lt. Chambers said that most of the meth in Chambers County is coming from neighboring Georgia. “I wouldn’t say that meth is our number one problem now,” he said. “Prescription drug use is a problem now. Our Drug Task Force guys and our deputies are doing great work. This new meth law has helped a lot. It has blocked people from getting what they need to make it.”
Sheriff Sid Lockhart said that illegal drug use remains a big reason why a lot of people get into crime. “I would say that 90 percent of the people we’ve had in jail got where they did because of drug use,” he said. “Their offenses are related to drug use somewhere along the line.”
“We’re still having thefts and burglaries. They don’t seem to be down.”
Sheriff Lockhart began the program by noting that Thursday was the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. He asked everyone present to participate in a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives on that awful day.
“It seems the threats to our community change every year,” he said. “We’re here this morning to discuss what we have done in Chambers County to combat the threat of methamphetamines and drug-related violence.”
“Alabama is now leading the nation in the effort to prevent meth production,” the sheriff added. “We have seen tremendous progress in Chambers County. I’ve seen lives and families destroyed by meth. I know the great work of our drug task force will continue to keep our streets clean of meth.”
Specifics of the new law:
Pharmacy sales only. Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is sold only at pharmacies in the state of Alabama. It’s a crime for any other kind of store to sell them. In pharmacies, they must be kept behind the counter and sold only by licensed pharmacists or a technician under their supervision.
Limited Sales. Alabama has reduced the amount of PSE that can be purchased from 9.0 grams per month to 7.5 grams. This is lower than the federal limit. NPLEx, the electronic point of purchase stop-sale system, allows the pharmacist to known whether a customer looking to purchase PSE has already reached their legal monthly allowable limit.
ID Required. The new law replaced a broad “photo-government-issued ID” requirement with a more precise definition. Under the new law, only a valid, non-suspended driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, valid military ID or valid passport will be acceptable forms of ID for anyone looking to purchase PSE products.
Meth smurfing is a felony. This is something DA offices in the state will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
Drug offender database. The new law creates a drug offender database. Any person convicted of certain enumerated drug offenses, whether they have a prescription or not, would be blocked from any purchase of PSE in Alabama for from seven to ten years.
Loopholes closed. This is an important point: The new law requires anyone traveling to Alabama with a out-of-state ID to have a valid prescription to purchase PSE from an Alabama pharmacy.
Opinion: Stop smurfing for Michigan meth heads
The Detroit News :: August 28, 2019
Kent Co. prosecutor warns of ‘smurfing’ amid meth comeback
WoodTV8 :: August 20, 2019
Prosecutor warns of meth manufacturers asking others to buy key ingredients
WWMT :: August 16, 2019
About CHPA
© 2021 consumer healthcare products association
Sponsored by the consumer healthcare products association
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Do illigals contribute taxes?
by AAAhmed46 » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:15 am
[QUOTE=Lubaolong;22409498]NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The tax system collects its due, even from a class of workers with little likelihood of claiming a refund and no hope of drawing a Social Security check.
Martha Pantoja helps Jose Aguilera prepare his income taxes at a community center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Illegal immigrants are paying taxes to Uncle Sam, experts agree. Just how much they pay is hard to determine because the federal government doesn't fully tally it.
But the latest figures available indicate it will amount to billions of dollars in federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes this year. One rough estimate puts the amount of Social Security taxes alone at around $9 billion per year.
Paycheck withholding collects much of the federal tax from illegal workers, just as it does for legal workers.
The Internal Revenue Service doesn't track a worker's immigration status, yet many illegal immigrants fearful of deportation won't risk the government attention that will come from filing a return even if they might qualify for a refund. Economist William Ford of Middle Tennessee State University says there are no firm figures on how many taxpayers are in that situation.
"The real question is how many of them pay more than they owe. There are undoubtedly hundreds of thousands of people in that situation," Ford said.
But some illegal immigrants choose to file taxes and write a check come April 15, using an alternative to the Social Security number offered by the IRS so it can collect income tax from foreign workers.
"It's a mistake to think that no illegal immigrants pay taxes. They definitely do," said Martha Pantoja, who has been helping Hispanic immigrants this tax season as an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer for the nonprofit Nashville Wealth Building Coalition.
Among those she has assisted is Eric Jimenez, a self-employed handyman who has worked in Nashville for several years. He feels obliged to pay taxes -- even though, as Pantoja said, "nothing would happen" to him if he did not.
"I have an idea, a mentality, that to be a good citizen you have to pay taxes," he said. "Also, I'm conscious of the fact that the money we pay in taxes supports the schools and all the public services."
Pantoja said she has helped a number of construction workers who, because they are classified as independent contractors by their employers and have no taxes withheld, owe big tax bills come April. Beyond income tax, they have to pay the full Social Security and Medicare taxes due.
The Social Security Administration estimates that about three-quarters of illegal workers pay taxes that contribute to the overall solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
The agency estimates that for 2005, the last year for which figures are available, about $9 billion in taxes was paid on about $75 billion in wages from people who filed W2 forms with incorrect or mismatched data, which would include illegal immigrants who drew paychecks under fake names and Social Security numbers.
Spokesman Mark Hinkle says Social Security does not know how much of the $9 billion can be attributed to illegal immigrants. The number is certainly not 100 percent, but a significant portion probably comes from taxes paid by illegal immigrants.
Nine billion dollars sounds like a lot of money, and it is, but it is only about 1.5 percent of the total $593 billion paid into Social Security in 2005.
The impact on Social Security is significant, though, because most of that money is never claimed by the people who pay it but instead helps cover retirement checks to legal workers.
Federal law prohibits paying Social Security to illegal immigrants, but the administration factors in both legal and illegal immigration when projecting the trust fund's long-term solvency.
This is especially important as the 78 million-member baby boom generation begins to leave the work force and draw Social Security checks.
"Overall, any type of immigration is a net positive to Social Security. The more people working and paying into the system, the better," Hinkle said. "It does help the system remain solvent."
The Social Security Administration drew from census and Immigration and Customs Enforcement data in 2007 to project the effects of higher and lower immigration patterns.
If net immigration is high at 1.3 million people a year, the SSA's combined trust fund would be exhausted in 2043. But the fund runs out four years earlier if annual net immigration amounts to about half that -- 472,500 legal immigrants and 250,000 illegal immigrants.
The Internal Revenue Service doesn't have an estimate of how many illegal immigrants pay income tax.
But one indicator is the 9 million W-2 forms with mismatched names and Social Security numbers it received in 2004. The IRS said the W-2 forms with invalid Social Security numbers reported about $53 billion in wages and about three-fourths of that, $40 billion in wages, had taxes withheld.
The IRS also has been issuing Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, or ITINs, for 12 years to foreigners without a Social Security number. It's believed that many workers who seek the ITINs are in the country illegally, and the IRS reported that there were 2.5 million tax returns filed with an ITIN in 2004.
In 2006, then IRS Commission Mark Everson told Congress that "many illegal aliens, utilizing ITINs, have been reporting tax liability to the tune of almost $50 billion from 1996 to 2003."
An IRS spokesman said more recent figures aren't available.
The Social Security and Medicare taxes from mismatched W2s for the same period was $41.4 billion, Hinkle said.
That adds up to roughly $90 billion in federal taxes during they eight-year period.
The IRS defends the ITIN system, despite criticism that some illegal immigrants have used it to open bank accounts, get mortgages and establish a record of residency and taxpaying they hope might someday lead to legal status.
"The ITIN program is bringing taxpayers into the system," Everson told Congress.
Middle Tennessee State University economics professor William Ford, who has studied taxes and immigration, says a majority of economists agree that illegal immigrants are a net benefit for the U.S. economy.
He said the tax contributions from illegal immigrants, including sales taxes, property taxes and excise taxes (such as the gas tax), are significant.
He calculates that illegal immigrants contributed $428 billion dollars to the nation's $13.6 trillion gross domestic product in 2006. That number assumes illegal immigrants are 30 percent less productive than other workers.
"If anything we need more immigrants coming into the country, not less, especially with the baby boomers retiring," he said.[/QUOTE]
I really don't know what to make of this.
Discuss so i may form an opinion.
AAAhmed46
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
by mhosea » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:29 am
We'll see how it plays out as we go through some tougher economic times and the weakness of the dollar starts to bring lost manufacturing back to life in the US. However, my understanding is that the US economy needs these workers. The real issues are border security and fairness--that however you slice and dice it, after all the changes we make, there will still be about as many warm bodies here from other countries doing about the same things, though maybe not all the same warm bodies. So to me all these other reports about taxes paid and, by the other side of the debate, services used don't seem interesting or relevant. Certainly it is of zero interest to me that an illegal immigrant might be due a tax refund that they can't collect because they don't dare file a tax return. That's just the price of doing business outside the law! No legal immigrant from the same country would have such a difficulty, so that's all about being illegal and nothing about being an immigrant.
by f.Channell » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:01 am
I have an immigrant friend who's had enough of this economy and is headed home to Italy after over 15 years in the US.
$40.00 to fill my Corolla now.
All the products I sell are going up in price like crazy.
Can't say I blame him.
Sans Peur Ne Obliviscaris
www.hinghamkarate.com
f.Channell
Location: Valhalla
by cxt » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:01 pm
Its not a questions if "some" illegals pay taxs---its a question of how many and if the amount coming in is greater than the costs of the services provided.
And depending on what numbers you look at---illegals cost far more than they contribute.
There are also serious economic effects of illegals on a wide range of issues...including artifically depressing wages in many industries...which tends to hurt illegals as well.
Forget #6, you are now serving nonsense.
by IJ » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:43 pm
So... the illegals could get higher wages in America if they stayed in Mexico?
As for the costs, its not as simple as (taxes generated) - (services provided) = cost. They contribute to the economy. Will it really help us all if all illegals were suddenly removed and the apples rotted on the trees, for example?
--Ian
by cxt » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:38 pm
Nah, they still get higher wages here---they just don't what they should get..if they were legal.
Part of the problem is the situation you describe--the old saw about illegals doing the work that people in the US won't do is largely a fiction----a fiction, in part maintained by the artifically low wages of illegals.
In a very real way illegals hurt legal immigrents first as they compete with the legals for the "work no one but they will do"...if you accept that rational....which in my view is debatable.
Apples might cost more to get them picked by legals etc--but isn't paying a bit more for apples worth the price so that someone can earn a living wage?
Besides---automatiic machines are getting to the point where fewer and fewer crews are needed---not now, but in another 10-15 years my bet is that the need for labor intensive harvesting will be drastically cut.....people need to be planning for that now so their kids won't face future where their labor will be much less needed.
Aw - leave the poor illegal immigrant alone
by Mary S » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:18 pm
Or did you forget about these good upstanding American citizens....(Catalina Vásquez Villalpando - check your $1 bills - her name may be on them - unbelievable!!!)
Some high profiles
Many tax delinquents live openly and prosperously for years, even decades, while owing millions of dollars in taxes.
Singer Dionne Warwick owes $2.7 million in state taxes, according to the California Franchise Tax Board, which collects the state's income tax. The IRS has placed more than $1 million in tax liens against her for unpaid federal taxes. Public records show that her tax troubles started in 1990 or earlier.
Since then, Warwick has hosted a popular infomercial for the $3.99-per-minute Psychic Friends Network from 1993 through 1998. She maintains a busy recording and concert schedule, including tours this year in Europe and South America. In January, she was robbed of jewelry worth more than $100,000 in a hotel room in Rome. She performed Saturday near Dallas, her website says.
Why is the government unable to collect all taxes due from a five-time Grammy winner generating significant cash flow?
The IRS and the state of California declined to comment, citing privacy rules. Her manager, Henry Carr, said: "I can't talk about it. Very sorry." Warwick did not respond to a letter requesting comment.
Other well-known delinquents:
· Dick Morris --The former political adviser to Bill Clinton is a Fox News analyst. The IRS filed a $1.5 million tax lien against him in 2003. The state of Connecticut reports Morris owes $452,367 in back taxes and penalties.
Morris says he's reached an agreement with Connecticut and his name will be removed from the next delinquency list. He says he is committed to paying his taxes: "Following a difficult period in my life, I fell into arrears. But since then, I have paid almost $3 million in state and federal taxes."
· Sinbad --The comedian and actor -- whose full name is Sinbad Adkins -- owes $2.1 million to the state of California, according to the California Franchise Tax Board. The IRS filed a $416,870 tax lien against him in 2006. Other tax liens against him date to 1994, when he starred in The Sinbad Show on the Fox Network. His recent gigs include performing at last year's Wal-Mart shareholders meeting and Saturday at the Hilton Casino in Atlantic City. Sinbad declined to comment.
· Catalina Vásquez Villalpando --The former treasurer of the United States -- her signature appears on paper currency printed during the administration of the first President Bush -- owes $168,000 in taxes to Washington, D.C., the city reports. She was convicted of tax evasion in 1994 for hiding income while in office and served four months in prison. She did not respond to a request for comment.
· O.J. Simpson --The ex-football star, who lives in Florida, owes $1.5 million in California taxes, the state says. Yale Galanter, an attorney for Simpson, says he hasn't been notified of the debt. "Nobody has ever contacted me from the state of California," his attorney, Yale Galanter told The Associated Press. He says Simpson owns no property or assets there.
(USA Today article on tax evasion)
Mary S
Location: Halifax, NS Canada
by IJ » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:45 am
"Part of the problem is the situation you describe--the old saw about illegals doing the work that people in the US won't do is largely a fiction----a fiction, in part maintained by the artifically low wages of illegals."
Can we.... substantiate this? If you're saying americans would do the work, just at higher prices, that's really not that different. Heck I'd pick fruit for a million bucks. Doesn't mean any of us would have any fruit if that were the going rate. Point is, people like their cheap fruit and their cheap lawncare and construction and clothes and so on. Same reason we're giving our country to China via of walmart.
by cxt » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:39 am
I get your point---my point is that if wages were set by the market rather than artifically depressed by the use of illegal labor---then we would all be paying more---but that would not be a on-banc bad thing....IMO.
And yes, there are few jobs "americans won't do"---we did most them prior to cheap labor--legal of otherwise.
Its just a question of people willing to work for a fair wage.
The sad part is that its largely a moot point as far as farm labor goes its all getting automated at a pretty quick pace--sooner or later those jobs will be nearly gone.
by IJ » Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:15 am
"...if wages were set by the market rather than artifically depressed by the use of illegal labor...."
Aside from the fact that wages are depressed a little by the lack of power of illegals in complaining, and the minimal loss of taxation (people in their bracket wouldn't pay much anyway), illegal immigration IS the free market. You could stand your argument on its head and say that entitled americans who want benefits and health care and good income to do manual labor and use unions and minimum wage laws to prop up wages are the artificial side of wages and people who come here illegally and do the job for cheaper represent an unfettered market.
What's "artificial" about a guatemalan fruit picker? Are they sweetened with saccharin or something?
by cxt » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:37 pm
What is "artifical" is that illegals are often taken advantage of by employers who know they don't have to pay them a fair wage...think of Wal Mart with less regard for wokers well being.
They have few options and no-one to really file a complaint with.
The market isn't wholly "free" you know---its more of a balancing act...which is why you can't simply do as you please with the people you treat.....which I should not have to explain.
Its why your argument is not correct--on a number of levels...but the fact they are illegal to start with is part of the problem....if a company was dumping toxic waste into the river instead of paying to have it treated--an dthus saving a ton of cash is ALSO illegal.
Breaking the law to give oneself a competitive advantage is problem.
On the illegal side---they eventually will become legal--which means that in order to keep prices down you keep haveing to bring more illegals in......or you create a permenent underclass.
But you are correct on the otherside--labor unions which once had a serious purpose are often the cause of their own problems these days........a union which makes it nearly impossible to compete will essentially put itself out of business...which a number of them nearly have.
by IJ » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:24 pm
"What is "artifical" is that illegals are often taken advantage of by employers who know they don't have to pay them a fair wage...think of Wal Mart with less regard for wokers well being. They have few options and no-one to really file a complaint with."
I think you've perhaps missed my point. I didn't say they were well treated--I said they represent the free market. When you aren't paid what you're worth in a free market, you don't file a complaint, you take another job. You take the best one you can find. If you're hot stuff, then employers compete for you and your wage goes up. Otherwise it stays low and you compete with other unskilled workers for the jobs. That's the market. It ain't pretty. But it's the market. So do you want it or not?
It seems that people raise these issues to "protect" the illegal worker. We don't want to see them abused, underpaid... so we have to keep them out! That's paternalistic. The illegal workers decided that America was the place to be. they can make more here illegally than they can at home, legally. They can meet their needs and send money back to relatives in many cases. They're better off here and so they choose it. That's the market speaking. Don't send any migrants home "for their own good," because that doesn't make sense. If you want to do the super honorable thing, then you keep them here and improve their conditions. That can mean worker passes or legalization but it will reduce the nice feature that they're cheap--so there may always be illegal working on the side. that doesn't surprise me living right next to the border with the greatest wealth disparity anywhere in the known galaxy.
"Breaking the law to give oneself a competitive advantage is [a] problem."
That's one way to say it. I would say instead that breaking the law is a crime. That's never been in dispute. But this is like drugs. Americans want drugs and cheap labor. If you make them illegal, they will break the law and get them. Cause and effect. Interdiction will fail.
"On the illegal side---they eventually will become legal--which means that in order to keep prices down you keep haveing to bring more illegals in......or you create a permenent underclass."
Well, to your two points, it's not exactly a secret that America is a land of continuous (at times forced) immigration. Who do you think picked that cotton and built those railroads and those NYC skyscrapers, the Puritans? (Perhaps I should have said, the native americans?). Yeah, people immigrate to do the work. We're also an enormous braindrain, taking not just illegal laborers from Mexico, but the best educated from Africa, India, and underdeveloped parts of Asia. From the looks of my hospital wards, we've taken every nurse the Phillipines ever trained.
Also, we have a huge class divide with the less educated poor on one hand and the wealthy and educated controlling the country on the other hand. That's not a secret either and it's not our most charming feature. While it doesn't always appeal to our egalitarianism, certainly, the free market made us a superpower--just ask the Russians.
by cxt » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:13 am
Again, its not "really" a utterly "free market" there are rules and regulations that are often there for good reasons----reason that protect the workers....protection that illegals lack...and unfair advatages that accrueto those that illegally employ them.
Key words here are "legal", "illegal" and "free"---your not suggesting that we simple throw out any regulation what-so-ever are you.
Wal Mart would so looooovvvveeee that.
I also notice that you seem "illegal" with "immigrent"---oddly juxtapostion since legal immgriments are the often the folks that are hurt first by illegals.
I'm all for a fair immigration policy---I simply object to ILLEGAL immigration.
And its IS to "protect" them....at least in part....refusal to accpet that their illegal status allows...even encourges abuse.
Drugs? Maybe---it would be vastly harder to use illegal labor--and there are steps that could make it even harder.
Sure Americans want "cheap labor"---but they don't by and large want illegal labor---nor is it evidence that the should get it just because they what it...again, that is exactly why we have labor regulations in the first place.
So why are you...being such a fan of the "free market" irked about the USA being a "braindrain???"
Surely people can chose to legally imigrate and make their own chocies about where they choose to work?
As you have framed prior the free market is simply something that we must deal with when it comes to illegals---BUT something to object to when it comes to medical personal and smart people.....not sure that you can have it both ways here.
IMO there is little relevent about pointing to the past on this issue.......things change and 100 year old policies and approachs are not much use these days.....and they were highly questionable at the time.
Education is open to almost everyone in the USA...almost.
I'd also argue that there is a serious difference between "educated" and what I would term smart---there seem to be a staggeringly large number of supposedly well educated people makeing seriously mistaken judgements of late----on both sides of the political fence. .....mores the pity.
Lets not forget that GWB is a Harvard grad with better grades than Kerry or Gore.
by IJ » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:49 pm
"Again, its not "really" a utterly "free market" there are rules and regulations..."
Yes, I'm well aware, and pointed some out. My point was that people who frequently raise market concerns WRT illegal immigration have failed to notice that illegals are breaking rules to participate in a free market.
"And its IS to "protect" them....at least in part....refusal to accpet that their illegal status allows...even encourges abuse."
Well, I hope you read my post. The people in question, reasoning, functional humans all, made a decision that this "abuse" is better than their options outside of the USA or waiting for legal immigration. So we ought not to pretend that we're trying to serve their interest by barring them from the states. If it were their interest we served, we probably wouldn't need to catch them and forcibly deport them. Oppose illegal immigrants for other reasons, but dumping them back into a worse life isn't doing them a favor.
"Sure Americans want "cheap labor"---but they don't by and large want illegal labor."
Really? Then the market for illegals will dry up later this week. Just like the one for chinese goods.
"IMO there is little relevent about pointing to the past on this issue.......things change and 100 year old policies and approachs are not much use these days.....and they were highly questionable at the time."
So you're saying there's no reason to consider the fact that the nation has had a varying but constant supply of cheap foreign labor over the decades? Maybe it would be irrelevant to point out that many of the immigration concerns (crime, cultural dilution, etc) were raised about these other groups which are now well integrated into the nation?
But again, IJ--its not real utterly "free" market--and as you pointed out they are breaking the rules--rules set up for everyones protection...including the illegals.
I honestly don't mean to upset you--but I find the whole "they made the decsion that abuse is better than thier options" suspect---its still not right to abuse them IMO, just because they personally are used to and accepet abuse is no reason to simply blow it off---despite the advantages to busienss to do so.
(although business that employ illegals would love to use that arguement I suspect)
"Dumping them back to a worse life"
Well, that is not really my problem..its theirs, AGAIN, I have no problem with fair and legal immigration--have many problems with ILLEGAL immigration.
But short of turning the whole planet into the USA, places elsewhere are ALWAYS going to be worse...we don't have room for the whole planet here...and we keep getting accused of "cultural imperialism" when we try to make things better elsewhere...classic Catch 22.
Things are often rough for alot of people-----but I doubt you would be cool with it if I broke into your place and squatted there for awhile if I lost my job, the mob was after me and I needed medical help.
In the abstract we can show a ton of compassion......in the concrete however---we all draw pretty firm lines....all of us.
Nope, most people don't employ illegals, and those that do will dry up when the laws are better enforced.,,,start sending employers to jail for example.
Interesting you mention China--perfect example that if given a chance a business will often break the rules...no matter whom gets hurt.
I'd say that its a real reason why such rules exsist and the harms that can result if business are allowed to flaunt them.
No, I'm saying that essentially arguing that 100-200 years ago we imported a lot of people is no longer relevent to decsion making today---after all you use up-to-date treatment methods in your job don't you?
You don't look at 150 year old pharma text to decide what drugs and amount, drug interactions etc to give people right?
And those folks BTW were LEGAL...big difference.
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Friendly Match between Secretary XI vs President XI of BCCI
Series levelled, expectations matched
Friendly Match between Secretary XI vs President X ...
Friendly match between SECRETARY XI and PRESIDENT XI played at finest Cricket Stadium, Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad.
Office Bearers of BCCI and representatives of Member Associations of BCCI enthusiastically participated in Friendly 12 overs match.
Secretary XI won the toss and elected to bat first. Secretary XI scored 128 runs in 12 overs with loss of 3 wickets. Saurashtra Cricket Association’s President and former first class cricketer Jaydev Shah scored 38 runs in 16 balls with 2 sixes and 4 fours. Former Indian Cricketer and President of Hyderabad Cricket Association Mohammad Azharuddin scored 37 runs in 22 balls with 7 fours. BCCI’s President and former Captain of Team India Sourav Ganguly took 1 wicket. Former Hon. Secretary of BCCI Niranjan Shah bowled 2 overs and gave away 17 runs.
Chasing 129 runs to win, President XI scored 100 runs in 12 overs with loss of 4 wickets. President Sourav Ganguly scored 53 runs in 32 balls and remained not out. Hon. Secretary of BCCI Jaybhai Shah took 2 wickets in 4 overs giving 39 runs. SCA’s President Jaydev Shah took 1 wickets in 2 overs giving 16 runs.
Secretary XI won the match by 28 runs.
All representatives of BCCI and member associations with great enthusiasm participated in memorable match.
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Selected Science News
RESEARCHERS FIND A STABLE WAY TO STORE THE SUN'S HEAT
0 comentarios 11/06/2010 12:36:00 PM Publicado por Alquimia
Etiquetas: Chemistry
Researchers at MIT have revealed exactly how a molecule called fulvalene diruthenium, which was discovered in 1996, works to store and release heat on demand. This understanding, reported in a paper published on Oct. 20 in the journal Angewandte Chemie, should make it possible to find similar chemicals based on more abundant, less expensive materials than ruthenium, and this could form the basis of a rechargeable battery to store heat rather than electricity.
The molecule undergoes a structural transformation when it absorbs sunlight, putting it into a higher-energy state where it can remain stable indefinitely. Then, triggered by a small addition of heat or a catalyst, it snaps back to its original shape, releasing heat in the process. But the team found that the process is a bit more complicated than that.
"It turns out there's an intermediate step that plays a major role," said Jeffrey Grossman, the Carl Richard Soderberg Associate Professor of Power Engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. In this intermediate step, the molecule forms a semi-stable configuration partway between the two previously known states. "That was unexpected," he said. The two-step process helps explain why the molecule is so stable, why the process is easily reversible and also why substituting other elements for ruthenium has not worked so far.
In effect, explained Grossman, this process makes it possible to produce a "rechargeable heat battery" that can repeatedly store and release heat gathered from sunlight or other sources. In principle, Grossman said, a fuel made from fulvalene diruthenium, when its stored heat is released, "can get as hot as 200 degrees C, plenty hot enough to heat your home, or even to run an engine to produce electricity."
Compared to other approaches to solar energy, he said, "it takes many of the advantages of solar-thermal energy, but stores the heat in the form of a fuel. It's reversible, and it's stable over a long term. You can use it where you want, on demand. You could put the fuel in the sun, charge it up, then use the heat, and place the same fuel back in the sun to recharge."
In addition to Grossman, the work was carried out by Yosuke Kanai of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Varadharajan Srinivasan of MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Steven Meier and Peter Vollhardt of the University of California, Berkeley.
The problem of ruthenium's rarity and cost still remains as "a dealbreaker," Grossman said, but now that the fundamental mechanism of how the molecule works is understood, it should be easier to find other materials that exhibit the same behavior. This molecule "is the wrong material, but it shows it can be done," he said.
The next step, he said, is to use a combination of simulation, chemical intuition, and databases of tens of millions of known molecules to look for other candidates that have structural similarities and might exhibit the same behavior. "It's my firm belief that as we understand what makes this material tick, we'll find that there will be other materials" that will work the same way, Grossman said.
Grossman plans to collaborate with Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy and Professor of Chemistry, to tackle such questions, applying the principles learned from this analysis in order to design new, inexpensive materials that exhibit this same reversible process. The tight coupling between computational materials design and experimental synthesis and validation, he said, should further accelerate the discovery of promising new candidate solar thermal fuels.
(Photo: Jeffrey Grossman)
NEW TROVE OF FOSSILS SUGGESTS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF TROPICAL FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN THE EOCENE
Etiquetas: Paleontology
Bees, termites, spiders, and flies entombed in a newly-excavated amber deposit are challenging the assumption that India was an isolated island-continent in the Early Eocene, or 52-50 million years ago. Arthropods found in the Cambay deposit from western India are not unique—as would be expected on an island—but rather have close evolutionary relationships with fossils from other continents. The amber is also the oldest evidence of a tropical broadleaf rainforest in Asia. The discovery is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"We know India was isolated, but when and for precisely how long is unclear," says David Grimaldi, curator in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. "The biological evidence in the amber deposit shows that there was some biotic connection."
"The amber shows, similar to an old photo, what life looked like in India just before the collision with the Asian continent," says Jes Rust, professor of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Universität Bonn in Germany. "The insects trapped in the fossil resin cast a new light on the history of the sub-continent."
Amber from broadleaf trees is rare in the fossil record until the Tertiary, or after the dinosaurs went extinct. It was during this era that flowering plants rather than conifers began to dominate forests and developed the ecosystem that still straddles the equator today. The new amber, and amber from Colombia that is 10 million years older, indicates that tropical forests are older than previously thought.
In the research paper, Grimaldi, Rust, and colleagues describe the Cambay amber as the oldest evidence of tropical forests in Asia. The amber has been chemically linked to Dipterocarpaceae, a family of hardwood trees that currently makes up 80 percent of the forest canopy in Southeast Asia. Fossilized wood from this family was found as well, making this deposit the earliest record of these plants in India and showing that this family is nearly twice as old as was commonly believed. It most likely originated when portions of the southern supercontinent Gondwana were still connected.
Also reported in the paper are 100 arthropod species that represent 55 families and 14 orders. Some of these species are early relatives of highly social, or eusocial, insects like honey bees and stingless bees, rhinotermitid termites, and ants, suggesting that these groups radiated during or just prior to the early Eocene. And many of the Cambay fossils have relatives on other continents—although not where it would be expected. Rather than finding evolutionary ties to Africa and Madagascar, landmasses that India had most recently been linked to as part of Gondwana, the researchers found relatives in Northern Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
"What we found indicates that India was not completely isolated, even though the Cambay deposit dates from a time that precedes the slamming of India into Asia," says Michael Engel, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and curator of entomology at the University of Kansas. "There might have been some linkages."
Climate might have also played a role in the fauna found in the Cambay amber. The Early Eocene was a time of great climatic warmth: the tropics reached the poles. The researchers predict that the climate would have had an effect on the distribution of arthropods.
"The Cambay Formation spans a period of great warmth which led to a profusion of tropical groups spread around the world," says Grimaldi. "The diversity and evolutionary relationships in the Cambay deposit show how profound an effect climate has on groups."
(Photo: David Grimaldi/AMNH)
AMNH
WARMING OF PLANET WILL AFFECT STORMS DIFFERENTLY IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN HEMISPHERES
Etiquetas: Climatology
Weather systems in the Southern and Northern hemispheres will respond differently to global warming, according to an MIT atmospheric scientist's analysis that suggests the warming of the planet will affect the availability of energy to fuel extratropical storms, or large-scale weather systems that occur at Earth's middle latitudes. The resulting changes will depend on the hemisphere and season, the study found.
More intense storms will occur in the Southern Hemisphere throughout the year, whereas in the Northern Hemisphere, the change in storminess will depend on the season — with more intense storms occurring in the winter and weaker storms in the summer. The responses are different because even though the atmosphere will get warmer and more humid due to global warming, not all of the increased energy of the atmosphere will be available to power extratropical storms. It turns out that the changes in available energy depend on the hemisphere and season, according to the study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Fewer extratropical storms during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere could lead to increased air pollution, as "there would be less movement of air to prevent the buildup of pollutants in the atmosphere," says author Paul O'Gorman, the Victor P. Starr Career Development Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Science in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Likewise, stronger storms year-round in the Southern Hemisphere would lead to stronger winds over the Antarctic Ocean, which would impact ocean circulation. Because the ocean circulation redistributes heat throughout the world's oceans, any change could impact the global climate.
O'Gorman's analysis examined the relationship between storm intensity and the amount of energy available to create the strong winds that fuel extratropical storms. After analyzing data compiled between 1981 and 2000 on winds in the atmosphere, he noticed that the energy available for storms depended on the season. Specifically, it increased during the winter, when extratropical storms are strong, and decreased during the summer, when they are weak.
Because this relationship could be observed in the current climate, O'Gorman was confident that available energy would be useful in relating temperature and storminess changes in global-warming simulations for the 21st century. After analyzing these simulations, he observed that changes in the energy available for storms were linked to changes in temperature and storm intensity, which depended on the season and hemisphere. He found that available energy increased throughout the year for the Southern Hemisphere, which led to more intense storms. But for the Northern Hemisphere, O'Gorman observed that available energy increased during the winter and decreased during the summer.
This makes sense, O'Gorman says, because the changes in the strength of extratropical storms depend on where in the atmosphere the greatest warming occurs; if the warming is greatest in the lower part of the atmosphere, this tends to create stronger storms, but if it is greatest higher up, this leads to weaker storms. During the Northern Hemisphere summer, the warming is greatest at higher altitudes, which stabilizes the atmosphere and leads to less intense storms.
Although the analysis suggests that global warming will result in weaker Northern Hemisphere storms during the summer, O'Gorman says that it's difficult to determine the degree to which those storms will weaken. That depends on the interaction between the atmosphere and the oceans, and for the Northern Hemisphere, this interaction is linked to how quickly the Arctic Ocean ice disappears. Unfortunately, climate scientists don't yet know the long-term rate of melting.
(Photo: MIT)
Selected Science News Headlines
Astrobiology (8)
Astrophysics (83)
Biophysics (4)
Computing Sciences (3)
Heliophysics (1)
Oceanography (17)
Paleoclimatology (29)
Space Medicine (2)
Noticias de la Ciencia y la Tecnología
NCYT Amazings
NEW TROVE OF FOSSILS SUGGESTS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION ...
WARMING OF PLANET WILL AFFECT STORMS DIFFERENTLY I...
Selected Science News. Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved Revolution Two Church theme by Brian Gardner Converted into Blogger Template by Bloganol dot com
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Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-342 can be safely stored in its case file folder, in an envelope stapled to the inside cover, as it poses no danger so long as it is not actively used. Said case file folder should be kept in a secure file cabinet in High Value Items Storage, and protected by a standard array of biological, chemical, memetic, and physical positive action defenses.
Description: SCP-342 normally takes the form of a mass transit ticket for the closest form of mass transportation to its current location. At the moment, it takes the form of a train ticket, departing from ████████████████ Station. When held by a sentient person for any length of time, it will eventually change form into a transit ticket for a form of transportation its holder desires to use. This transformation always takes place when not being directly or indirectly observed: no recordings of SCP-342 changing form exist at this time. SCP-342 is indistinguishable from any valid transit ticket and may be used as such.
Should SCP-342 be validated by stamp, tearing off the ticket stub, or disposal, it will reform itself into an unused ticket after a short period of time. SCP Foundation personnel should be on site to recover SCP-342 after the conclusion of any field experiments.
Anyone who uses SCP-342 to board a vehicle is unable to exit said vehicle by any means. Once the vehicle ends its route and ceases movement, the user will disappear from this reality. Users report a mounting feeling of dread prior to boarding the vehicle, which increases during the course of the journey, and culminates in panic-inducing terror shortly before disappearance. Specific phenomena often resemble acute paranoid schizophrenia, and include:
A perception of increased darkness of the sky outside the vehicle (fog, premature night, or, most frequently, dreary depressing weather).
Auditory hallucinations: most frequently, misperception of normal announcements by drivers and passengers: i.e. an announcement of the next stop is heard as a declaration that the user will never stop.
Normal objects, such as other passengers and non-threatening items, suddenly taking a threatening tone or appearance.
An almost pathological fear of the drivers/conductors/other transit staff.
Strange occurrences completely preventing the rider from getting off of the vehicle.
The absolute knowledge that it is impossible to get off.
Inability to perceive other passengers exiting and entering the vehicle: users report that other passengers appear to simply appear and vanish from their seats, and, in some cases, cannot perceive that a passenger has exited the vehicle, continuing to see them in their seats.
Inability to hear or perceive attempts to calm or reason with them.
Although the most acute experiences are limited to the user only, bystanders (including agents assigned to observe the subject) do report feelings of uneasiness, and will be compelled to exit the vehicle early, seeking other means of transportation.
Addendum 342 A: Object was discovered in Chicago, during 1936 by [DATA EXPUNGED]. Case was reopened several years later, as it was hoped that advances in technology would allow for a deeper understanding of [DATA EXPUNGED].
Addendum 342 B: The importance of retrieving SCP-342 after it is validated for travel cannot be understated: please see report re: "Dr. Lank Incident," in which SCP-342 was not successfully retrieved after validation, resulting in a six-month long containment breach causing the disappearances of several New York City civilians. SCP Foundation personnel are requested and required to use any means up to and including: impersonation of a peace officer, intimidation, and threats/actual use of deadly force to retrieve the item.
Addendum 342 C: Agent [NAME REDACTED]'s Report: Our first experiment with the ticket had a Class D personnel member enter onto a bus using the object. We stationed agents at each of the stops to observe his behavior without actually entering onto the vehicle (a precaution in case everyone who got on was in some way affected; the old reports were vague in this area). Many times he simply sat in place, or paced up and down the aisles. Increasingly he began to stare outside in horror, and the last few times we could not locate him. At the final point before the bus was to be parked for the night, we saw him pounding on the window with a pleading expression, screaming towards the agents for help as it pulled away, a strange mist filling much of the background behind him.
As we could not draw many conclusions from this event, we decided to track down some of the passengers and interrogate them, to hopefully shed some light on what happened. Many were hesitant to talk or claimed that they did not notice anything, saying they were preoccupied by something or distracted by illness, aches, or feelings of foreboding. We finally found some useful information from three boys (one 15-year-old (Caucasian) and two 16-year-olds (Hispanic)) who were riding the bus near the front for part of the trip. We were told that our test subject had tried to leave several times, but his pulling on the stop bell was always ignored, and the doors seemed to close right before he could get out. He would run and just not make it, or walk from a distance and get manipulated into the back of the line. Finally he sat right at the head of the bus so he could be close enough to get out in time, but every chance he got, there were too many people swarming on or off for him to leave.
Something about this event seemed to bother the boys. One of them was particularly irritated, but could not explain the source. Under hypnosis, he described what to him was a moment of pure dread, that he had seen a few people in the crowd of passengers actually push the man back on, subtly hold him back, or trip him, all while staring ahead innocently, like they didn't even notice that they were doing it. Finally, after shouting at the driver that he wanted to get off for a good ten minutes (which the driver ignored, aside from requesting that the subject sit still and be quiet), the man went back to his seat, apparently giving up in despair. Two of the boys said that the man actually shrieked and stumbled back to his seat in fright when the driver turned around at him. The other didn't realize that the two were in conflict, which is contrary to his usual habit of avidly looking for and watching fights on the particularly rough inner-city buses.
After going back to his seat, the boys said they promptly forgot about the subject, most likely because he was not struggling anymore. The next time they saw him he was three seats back, then five, then seven, but at no point could they recall seeing him stand up from his seat to move further back. This was all they could tell us, and it seemed to cost them plenty to even reveal this.
On a side note: at the end of our session, the youngest teen screamed, "It was like it swallowed him in the end!" and promptly had to be hospitalized for extreme psychosis.
Addendum 342 D: Subway Experiment Two: NOTE BY SUPERVISING OFFICER: Subway Experiment Two was the first time we had an observer alongside the passenger. Agent Strahm paid attention to the smallest details of the Class D personnel's behavior, took various fluid samples, and tested organs, mostly the heart and brain, until the man became too aggressive to examine. He also recorded an excellent log of all subjective and objective events. Since the physical examinations provided no special signs, except that the subject was in the midst of a typical nervous breakdown, said information has been placed in Document 342-D Alpha. Only the most relevant information has been included here.
The two men bought passage, the prisoner presenting the ticket. Immediately, he became aggravated and said to the person accepting his ticket, "What did you say to me, bitch? Are you threatening me?" He was quickly hurried along to avoid an incident, and was almost immediately separated from the agent accompanying him by a pair of security guards. Agent Strahm reports that the guards appeared to be in a trance and attempted to separate him from the user, softly chanting, "One at a time, please." Nevertheless, he managed to push his way through by force, although he was forced to knock down one officer who attempted to interpose himself between Agent Strahm and the door.
On the train, the user became very quiet: surprising, as he was one of our most violent D-Class personnel. Agent Strahm continued testing and interviewing until the prisoner said softly, "Let me off this fucking train." Agent Strahm said that they could leave after a few more hours, at which point the user became insanely aggressive, and began jumping up and down, off the walls, and swinging on the bars and holders, while howling like a primate. Agent Strahm knocked him out with a blow to the head from his truncheon and handcuffed him to a pole. To assuage civilian fears, he held up a badge that said he was a U.S. Marshal and went back to his analysis.
Physical analysis indicated that the prisoner had entered a REM sleep state after only three minutes, which is especially unusual in a subject who had been knocked unconscious. After the subject woke up, Agent Strahm made the decision to abort the experiment, and told the D-Class subject that he would help him get off the subway as soon as possible, if he cooperated. Holding him tightly, they attempted to leave, but were prevented from doing so by the crowd.
Agent Strahm attempted to exit a second time at the next stop, taking the precaution of holding up his badge and ordering all passengers to remain in their seats. Nonetheless, he was prevented from exiting the vehicle by the crowd boarding the train. Agent Strahm reported that the prisoner was almost pulled away from him: he was unable to determine by what means, but claimed that "the hands that pulled him back didn't belong to any passengers." Fortunately, Agent Strahm had handcuffed himself to the subject, and was able to maintain contact with the D-Class personnel, although his attempt to exit the vehicle was unsuccessful. Now in a state of panic, the prisoner clung to the agent like a frightened child so tightly that Strahm had bruise marks on his chest and arms for days, and screamed several times that the handcuffs were "slipping off." In the chaos, Agent Strahm's badge was knocked out out his hand, and he sustained a blow to the side of the head.
During the ride to the third stop, Agent Strahm, in a highly aggravated manner, interrogated the new passengers to find out who had hit him. No one would give him any hint or clues, and many became hysterical at the merest question or touch. One woman began wailing when Agent Strahm grabbed her shoulder, although she was later silenced when he began shaking her vigorously. Security cameras record Agent Strahm throwing a male passenger to the floor and striking another in the face while the D-Class personnel wept and clung to his leg. Given the extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Inquiry has chosen not to reprimand him for this lack of control.
Agent Strahm made a third attempt to get the prisoner off the train, choosing to take a coordinated approach. Using his radio, he communicated with agents at the next stop, despite difficulty due to static interference. Unusually, both sides said they heard the person talk in a quiet small voice like a frightened child, although both sides reported that they were using raised voices to be heard over the static.
It was at this point that the prisoner began beating on the door screaming to be let off the vehicle. Agent Strahm, although sympathetic, warned the user that he would sedate him if he continued. This seemed to dismay the prisoner more than anything else: according to Agent Strahm, he stated, "No, that's how it started. A lonely dark ride in unknown parts of the country. Travelers and drifters. The unattached. They would fall asleep, with a bottle of booze and oh god, when they woke up they'd still be going. Still be on. Don't you get it? They wake up and even though they slept for hours they still be on, who knows where…" He then stated his intent to cooperate and curled up in a fetal position, rocking slowly.
At the next stop, Agents Macabyern, Cinulure, Smith, and Jacobs (accompanied by Dr. Gunsther, the project head) boarded the subway and began pushing their way through the crowd towards Agent Strahm and the subject. Despite efforts to intimidate the crowd, progress was difficult until Agent Smith fired his weapon into the ceiling and threatened deadly force. The subway car was evacuated of all other passengers and a protective cordon was placed around the subject. Agent Jacobs ordered the driver to shut down the subway; when the driver appeared confused, he ordered that all power to the subway be cut off. SCP Foundation personnel, in the guise of Transit Authority officers, then evacuated the entire train, platform, and station of all civilians.
Agents Strahm, Macabyern, Cinulure, and Smith, and Dr. Gunsther then attempted to lead the prisoner off the train. Despite all efforts to lead, cajole, and force him off the train, no efforts were successful. Agent Strahm ceased his efforts after the prisoner was threatened with deadly force by Agent Smith, screaming at his fellow agents that, "He's not holding onto anything, there's some kind of wall." Other agents appeared confused, claiming that the subject was maliciously attempting to impede exit by holding onto one of the supporting bars. They continued in this assertion until it was pointed out to them the impossibility that this could take place, given that both of the prisoner's hands were being held by agents at that time.
In a last, desperate effort to extract the subject, the personnel attempted to dismantle the subway around the user through the use of cutting torches and power tools. Agent Strahm remained with the subject, while the others exited to help Foundation personnel prepare. While the equipment was being set up and everyone's backs were turned, the doors closed, and the train immediately started up and pulled away of its own accord. The agents did not manage to catch up to it until the next stop, and passengers immediately filed on, despite their commands not to.
Agent Strahm was later discovered lying on the subway platform 8 kilometers away in a comatose state. One end of his handcuffs was still attached to his own wrist, but the other was empty. Traces of blood found on the metal have been determined to belong to the subject.
Addendum 342 E: Subway Experiment Three: Possibly due to mental trauma from his loss of Subject D-342-D, Agent Strahm volunteered to be the subject of the next experiment, stating that someone more knowledgeable of our terms and procedures could provide better communication. O5-07 approved this after much pleading from Agent Strahm. Agent Erin and Dr. Haber, both close friends of Agent Strahm, accompanied him on his trip.
The ride on the subway started out normally enough, although Dr. Haber noticed that Agents Erin and Strahm appeared to share a closer understanding of the phenomena experienced by Strahm, perhaps as a result of their close friendship. Agent Erin's empathy allowed Agent Strahm to remain coherent and sane for the entire length of the ride, and was able to calmly and rationally talk about seemingly otherworldly events without breakdown of linguistic and mental functions. For this reason, this experiment was the most useful and rewarding, and a full log of the sequence of events experienced by Agent Strahm can be found in the attached documentation.
Of particular note: Agent Strahm made no effort to leave the subway, or even consider the possibility of doing so. This acceptance of his fate may have allowed an avoidance of mental anguish, as seen in the following log:
Dr. Haber: … All right, we've got what we need. Now, let's try to get you off this thing.
Strahm: No.
Dr. Haber: Excuse me?
Strahm: It's too risky.
Erin: We could get separated or hurt. We know what happens every time. Something bad. I'm not taking that chance.
Dr. Haber: But he's doing so well. Maybe that's all it is, a willpower thing. You're keeping yourself together, you're calm, you're composed, it doesn't control you. (excited) That's it! All it takes is a strong will to pass through the gates…
Erin: If there is a test, it's not here, it's at the end of it all. That's where he's going to need us, need our support. That's where it's going to happen.
Strahm: (quiet)
Dr. Haber: Look, we can't just let him… Here's the stop. I say we at least attempt it… for results.
Strahm (morosely): You'll get your results, all right, Doc…
(At this point, the three personnel attempted to walk to the door.)
Dr. Haber: Jesus!
Erin: Step back!
It was at this point that a homeless man travelling on the train hurled Dr. Haber across the room and broke his neck, before being shot four times in the chest by Agent Erin. Foundation personnel waiting at the next platform quickly evacuated them from the train on stretchers. The vagrant died on the way to base, and although transported in a highly secure ambulance, his body disappeared when passing through an abandoned part of town, specifically under a ruin of a train bridge.
Agent Erin ordered the train evacuated and stated his intention to continue the experiment alone, remaining with Strahm. Hallucinations continued as the trip progressed: Agent Erin reported seeing flickering shadows and strange phenomena, while Strahm reported more overt hallucinations, including Agent Erin's face melting apart to reveal a horned red faced monster, and the very metals and materials of the train beginning to melt like wax and mold and reform strangely. Erin said he found it extremely difficult to think logically or concentrate, but he persevered to stay attached and talking to a increasingly deranged Strahm.
This experiment has led to the formation of the idea that the user travels on two separate trains: the first, the four-dimensional vehicle of reality, and the second, a so-called "shadow train" that overlaps the first. Both trains move at the same rate, with passengers and personnel perceiving one or the other to various degrees, until the "real" train reaches the end of the line and stops moving, while the "shadow train" continues. According to Agent Erin, shortly after reaching the end of the line, Agent Strahm began to slowly drift forward towards the front of the train, passing through solid material in the process. When pointed out to Agent Strahm, Strahm became perturbed and began to run towards the back of the train. Upon reaching the mid-point of the third to last car, Strahm began to pound his fist against the air, stating that he was at the end of the train, and "it's moving, it's pulling out of the station," and that he was unable to proceed further. Agent Erin attempted to halt Agent Strahm's progress, but succeeded only in knocking him to the ground, at which point Strahm quickly accelerated towards the front of the train, sliding on his stomach. Fingernail marks were later found in the carpet, where he had clawed at the ground in an attempt to halt his progress. Agent Strahm passed through the closed conductor's compartment door and into the conductor's compartment, where he immediately began to cry out in terror.
Agent Erin stated, at this point, that he drew his service revolver and attempted a benevolent termination of Agent Strahm, but was unable to do so through the reinforced glass of the conductor's compartment door. His last reported observation of Agent Strahm states that he saw "a creature, kind of like an enormous spider, but wearing a conductor's hat, looking up from the levers, wrapping Jerry in a web, like a cocoon, and then throwing him through the window, like it was air." The creature then turned towards Agent Erin and ordered him to exit the train, at which point Agent Erin lost consciousness from terror. He was later found huddled at the back of the train car with an empty weapon, continuing to pull the trigger on an empty cylinder over and over until the weapon was confiscated from him by personnel.
Addendum 342 F: Doctor Gunsther's Supplemental Report: We set up several situations to try and discover the controls, parameters, and triggers of SCP-342. First, we used a company bus and a driver that worked for our organization, and had the prisoner as the only passenger. Nothing happened, even though the ticket was ripped before entering onto the vehicle. We attempted numerous other iterations of the same concept: prisoners entering a company bus along with other agents, and we also each had a ticket present to gain entrance. We had them speak of this loudly and obviously, and even denied one agent entrance because he did not have a ticket. Still, the object did not change to resemble a ticket for the fictional transportation system we created.
Next we had unaware citizens entering onto our bus, using tickets we had previously distributed. Once again, the ticket did not change, and our rider was able to leave at any time. We then exchanged our company bus driver for drivers hired from newspaper want ads. The drivers seemed confident at first, and were very excited about the prospects we were offering them, but when the prisoner came aboard (either on a empty bus or a full one), the driver suddenly became very bewildered and overwhelmed, saying that the controls for our bus were too advanced or new to him, he didn't understand the dashboard, he was "more comfortable with his own bus," and couldn't drive this one, even if the same model bus was used. Attempts to refresh the driver's memories as to the method of operating the bus failed further, until even the steering wheel was considered "too complicated."
After this failure, it was determined to allow the drivers use their own buses. Making deals with the corporations and public departments, in the guise of a higher level government bureaucracy, we had them set aside a special time when they would only pick up the prisoner and when they would stop. Although the bosses were fine with this, when the moment came, the drivers refused to change their routine "for egg headed paper pushers." All of them continued on the preset pathways, saying they were too busy or didn't have the time of day to go different routes just because someone ordered them to.
Finally, we made a deal with a driver named Bucky Folsworth that he would pick up our passenger along his normal route, and would only switch with another driver (one of our personnel) halfway through. Driver Folsworth was offered considerable compensation, was told that failure to cooperate would result in his termination from employment, was instructed to constantly be in contact with us via radio, and to stop at the fifth stop, park the vehicle, and let one of our agents get on to drive. In hindsight, we realized that perhaps the ticket was luring us closer and closer to this edge, by presenting situations that were so close yet did nothing, in hopes of having us go just one more alteration further, until we crossed the line and allowed it to become fully active.
When the prisoner neared the bus stop, the ticket turned to resemble a ticket to that specific vehicle. After realizing that this would be another doomed ride, several members of our team cautioned restraint and suggested we should send an Agent to accompany the prisoner. The consensus was we did not want to jeopardize a fragile situation that could suddenly fail at the slightest touch. I will admit a personal failing, as I was tantalized by the prospect of having one of our own be in control of the phenomena, and the vitally important data that could be gathered.
Unfortunately, our giddiness and desire not to mess with a very important, perhaps once in a lifetime chance, only damned another person. When the bus driver reached the fifth stop, he halted the vehicle as instructed. However, as he attempted to leave his seat, the brakes on the vehicle failed, allowing the bus to speed down the hill, crushing a little girl crossing the street under its wheels. At first we thought this was an attempt by SCP-342 to lash out against us, at having outwitted it and kept the prisoner out of its grasp. Shortly afterwards, we realized that the important fact was not that the child was killed, but that the bus was still moving, and Driver Folsworth was still in command of the vehicle.
We tried to get into communication with Bucky but he refused to talk. We thought maybe this was because he felt guilty for the death of the child and was worried he was going to be punished, so we tried to reassure him that if he stopped now, there would be no repercussions. At this we got the first word from him, a simple "No." We knew then that we would have to use physical force to halt the bus. Setting up roadblocks and tire treads, we punctured two of the tires, and temporarily managed to tip it over on its side. However, he still somehow managed to go onto the highway and at one point we lost him when he went under the road. When he was found again, he was speeding, going at least 130 miles per hour in the middle of traffic in the opposite direction. At this point, he was a danger to the entire populace, not just the prisoner.
We told local law enforcement to stand down, and chased after him with cars and helicopters. The last statement we got from him was, "I'm not pulling over. I'm a driver and that's what I do. That's my purpose. I don't need to switch. I can get him where he's going!" After this, he shot off the freeway into open space for about 10 seconds, before crashing into another lower lane. We don't know if this was intentional or not, as at the same time he veered towards the sides and headed towards the rails at a slant, a bullet was put into his head by an aerial sniper. From reports, the bus hit the ground and exploded into a fiery blaze. There were no survivors, and many bodies were never discovered or declared missing.
One report from a bystander (26 year-old woman driving in the next lane over who was suspended upside down by her seat belt and sustained a blow to her head from the crash) is of particular interest. She states that she saw a second identical bus rise out of the smoke and pull aside the wreck. It opened its door with a large mechanical sound and waited there for a few seconds, until out of the flames came a single burning silhouette shaped like a human corpse. This corpse was said to have entered the bus and sat down, which then pulled away, smoothly navigating the pileup before disappearing.
We tried the same parameters (real vehicle, real passenger, real driver who knows what's going on and is in contact) three more times, but with trains this time. We also had agents stationed at the train each time. However, the same mix-up happened over and over again: the prisoners inexplicably went on the wrong (unsafe) train, even if it was clear which one to enter. Somehow they got disoriented in the mob and entered the incorrect train, one with no personnel, safeties, or special equipment on it. From my assistant, Dr. Haber's log (following his recovery from his prior accident):
Dr. Haber: Ok, so you're going to go on that train over there.
Prisoner: Ok.
Dr. Haber: Just present your ticket and get on. There will be a man in a black suit waiting for you near the end.
Prisoner: I get it already!
Dr. Haber: All right, go… No! To your left!
Dr. Rubert: Don't get on! Stop!
Dr. Haber: Fuck!
Dr. Rubert: Goddammit! Package lost… DAMN it! Fucking sonova…
Agent Ogel: Damn it, you morons, you were supposed to TRACK him! What the hell were you doing!?
Dr. Haber: We WERE tracking him, we just lost… shit shit shit…
Dr. Rubert: What a senseless waste.
Addendum 342 G: Cessation of Experimentation Order: Somehow in the course of the most recent events, Dr. Haber got his neck stuck in the door when trying to help one of the subjects exit the train. As the train pulled away from the station, he was decapitated when it went past a jutting stone ledge. Because of this and the other unmitigatable casualties that happen after every normal experiment (one test subject per experiment), we have decided to end our research. O5-08, upon our urging, has invoked Statute 62, meaning that no other teams can perform trials on the object without our permission or the overruling of all twelve Overseers. We have decided to grant permission if they come to us with a novel test idea, one that has not been done before, as the usual experiments only waste lives and grant us no additional information.
On a related note, several civilians have been buzzing on the topic of a haunting: specifically, some kind of specter on the train systems that carries a mysterious bundle in its lap while riding the trains, roughly the size of a human head. We have taken in several witness, but under no amount of hypnosis and drugging could they give a description of the apparition's face, saying it was obscured by darkness, or tell us what was beyond the shoulders at all.
Addendum 342 H: Excerpt from Dr. Gunsther's Personal Log: Doctor Joahnes Getrim has disappeared from his house today. You can't escape, in the end.
A year ago, we tried an experiment where the ticket would be torn but the rider would not get on. Doctor Getrim decided to be the one to redeem the ticket, and immediately afterwards, hand it to an agent and walk away to a special on-site protection zone, keeping a journal of his experiences. The journal (attached to the file) speaks of severe anxiety, neurosis, fear, and paranoia. He had unrelenting fear of roads, and often spent the night on-site so he would not have to leave.
After several weeks of not leaving work, and suffering the mental and physical results of that, he was sent to a psychologist for review. He brought up his research, and asked to be quarantined, for his own safety and others, but the way he went about his plea prejudiced many against him, and sent a ripple of disgust over his pathetic antics through the office. His tactics backfired and instead he was merely shunted off to some small project not even directly involving SCPs.
The entire group was becoming more and more fed up with him, arriving late, sweating profusely, and looking disheveled because he had walked the whole way, refusing to accompany any field work that involved getting there by transportation, and especially at his habit of always requesting rides home, both for personal reasons and because his car (a brand new Mercedes) kept breaking down on the way home. After attacking a tow truck driver with his own wrench for telling him he should take a bus home, he was dismissed for an undecided amount of time and confined to house arrest.
This morning, thick tire tracks were found on the suburban street where he lives. He was reported missing by his wife, who remembers hearing him say, "Well, I guess it's time to go." Neighbors report being woken up by the loud sound of a door opening and the sound of a large vehicle driving away. A suitcase, filled with his clothing, was found by the side of the road. Had he accepted his fate in the end enough to pack? Either way, he apparently didn't need it where he was going.
Addendum: 342 Eye: Excerpt from Dr. Clef's Personal Log: At the risk of sounding melodramatic, SCP-342 has finally taken out its oldest arch-nemesis.
Three days ago, Dr. Gunsther and I were going through some of his old files for archival, when he came across the file for SCP-342. Gunsther removed 342 from its envelope and laid it on his desk as we discussed the object's history, as well as his own regrets for the number of lives senselessly lost in the research on this project.
Our discussion was cut short by the fact that we had made an appointment to watch a showing of "Repo: The Genetic Opera", with Doctors Rights and Kondraki later that evening. I noticed that Dr. Gunsther became somewhat perturbed shortly after presenting his ticket at the door, and asked me to go on ahead and save his seat for him. He arrived shortly after and sat down next to us, although he seemed preoccupied and distressed throughout the show. Given the subject matter, I believed this to be a normal reaction to the grotesqueries on stage.
Afterward, as Kondraki, Rights, and I discussed retiring to a bar for drinks, Doctor Gunsther stated that it was time for him to leave. Handing me an envelope and warning me to keep it safe, he thanked me for a splendid evening and wished me the best in my future endeavours. He then boarded a taxi cab, which sped off unusually quickly into the night. Upon opening the envelope, I noticed that there were two identical tickets for his seat at the musical, one of which transformed into a twenty-dollar bill as we approached a trendy bar with a twenty-dollar cover charge.
Realizing what had happened, I then proceeded rapidly back to the place where Dr. Gunsther had boarded the taxi and ran back down the street that the taxi had taken, followed closely by my confused colleagues. The street, as it turned out, was an alleyway that ended in a brick wall fifty feet from the street. No trace of Dr. Gunsther has been seen since that time.
It is my belief that SCP-342 took the form of Dr. Gunsther's ticket to the musical, redeemed itself at the door, and thus doomed him to the same fate as its prior victims. Dr. Gunsther, upon opening his wallet to purchase a beverage, realized what had happened and returned to the front door to recover SCP-342. Given the SCP's prior murderous history, he must have made the decision not to inform us of the incident, keeping us safely ignorant for the time being.
When I think of the amount of mental fortitude it must have required to remain calm during the musical, knowing his inevitable fate, I am struck with a sense of loss at the passing of an inestimably valuable asset to the Foundation. For this reason, I am requesting that this file be permanently sealed and no further experiments be carried out on this item.
One disturbing development: prior reports indicate that SCP-342 can only take the form of a ticket for mass transit, whereas in this case, it took on the form of a ticket for a stage play. I understand that there is a group in the Foundation that is seeking to re-open experimentation on the object in light of these new developments. Further updates as events warrant.
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Institute /
Fellows Classes /
2010 Fellows Class
2010 NLC Fellow: Elizabeth Newman
Elizabeth Newman--Labor to Neighbor Field Organizer, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
Elizabeth Newman is the Labor to Neighbor Field Organizer for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council. She is from both Minnesota and Colorado, where she grew up snowboarding and singing. She graduated with her B.A. from Macalester College, in St. Paul, MN in 2007, majoring in Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. There she developed her real passion for social justice and equal rights. Her first major political action was when she joined 50 other students and activists on a 24-hour bus to Washington, D.C. to join the 2004 March for Women’s Lives. After college, she worked to elect Senator Al Franken as the Volunteer Coordinator and then the Political Coordinator for his campaign; among the many things she learned, she was thrilled to find out that both she and Al love the Minnesota State Fair. Outside of the office, Elizabeth enjoys cooking and hiking with her dog.
Fellows 2010
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Auditor report crucifies Redford regime
Posted on August 12, 2014 by Taber Times
An ‘aura of power’ surrounding the office of former premier Alison Redford helped contribute to one of the most flagrant abuses of public trust in recent memory, according to a scathing report released last week.
Auditor general Merwan Saher’s investigation into Redford’s abuse of the province’s taxpayer-funded fleet of planes has sent shockwaves through the corridors of provincial power in Edmonton, leading to calls for an RCMP investigation, as well as the resignation of Finance Minister Doug Horner, under whose watch the abuse took place.
“The overall conclusion is that Premier Redford and her office used public resources inappropriately,” said Saher, during a press conference in Edmonton last week. “That’s not just me exercising my personal view as to what is appropriate and what isn’t appropriate. Appropriateness is judged in compliance with government policies, and most importantly, the principles that underline those policies. So when I say used government resources inappropriately, I mean not complying with policy, not complying with standards, principles — in simple language, not proper, and not right.”
Redford resigned from her position as Calgary-Elbow MLA the day before Saher’s report was released on Thursday. The former premier resigned from that office in March amid allegations of exorbitant expenses, while facing an MLA revolt over her alleged heavy-handed practices in dealing with caucus.
“Premier Redford and her office consistently failed to demonstrate, in the documents we examined, that their travel expenses were necessary, and a reasonable and appropriate use of public resources,” said Saher. “Premier Redford used public resources for personal and partisan purposes, and inappropriately by restricting access, through use of the government aircraft fleet.”
The 44-page report indicates then-premier Redford used the government’s fleet of planes for partisan purposes at least three times, as well as for personal purposes, which included flying her daughter.
“This is the sense we have. The working around rules, the tendency, even to ignore rules, is to fulfill requests coming from the premier’s office in ways that avoided leaving the premier with personal responsibility for those decisions,” said Saher.
“What I’m really talking about is the ability for someone in an office at a very senior level to exert influence. Others who had to interact with the premier and her office, I think they felt in some way…trapped in this. After all the premier is the premier. The premier should be afforded certain courtesies. This is being asked, it’s what the premier wants, I’ll do it. That is the problem.”
Saher touched on the creation of the premier’s so-called “sky palace” residential suite that had been planned for construction in a government building, but admitted he had not been tasked with this investigation as part of his probe of expenses, and would not comment extensively on the issue.
On the use of the government’s air fleet, Saher noted it had not been explained why an internal report indicating $3.9 million could have been saved using commercial aircraft had been ignored, or if the overall cost of fleet operation was justified for government purposes considering the alternatives.
“The department of treasury board and finance has not explained to Albertans why it believes the extra costs of alternatives to owning a fleet of aircraft is judged to be worthwhile. One of the facts that is arguably the most troubling is the personal use of public assets. That’s a fact, and that’s wrong,” said Saher.
Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA Gary Bikman commented the auditor general’s report is typical of what can happen when a polical party has held sway over provincial office for far too long.
“I think it reveals the truth of the old saying that power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. If 43 years of one-party rule isn’t absolute power, then I don’t know what is. I think what we’re seeing is a general consequence of just being in there for so long. She (Redford) may have taken it to a whole new level of inappropriate-ness, and the auditor general has showed that. It’s throughout the government. With the planes, he showed that there’s no regard right across the board.”
Although an RCMP investigation into Redford’s expenses is certainly warranted, Bikman called for a public inquiry to investigate the practices of the ruling government overall.
“I think there needs to be an RCMP investigation into the specifics on the issues regarding Redford. But I think there needs to be a public inquiry into the whole thing, because the auditor general said he couldn’t look beyond just the narrow scope that he was asked to look at. What he saw, you can see indications of a similar kind of misuse, and lack of accountability. So I think we need a public inquiry.”
Some culpability for the debacle must be borne by the minister responsible as well as the rest of caucus, according to Bikman, who went on to attack the government’s recent whistleblower legislation as less than useless under the circumstances.
“If they weren’t aware of it, then they’re not smart enough to hold the job, and they don’t deserve the trust of the people. If they were aware of it, then they’re not worthy of the trust. Either they chose to ignore it, or it was fear of speaking up. If your whole caucus is that out of whack, that no one stands up and says something — if there really was whistleblower protection, you’d think this would have happened.”
In his report, Saher stopped short of criticizing the entire public service of Alberta, indicating there was no evidence for a widespread disregard of policies and rules.
The report did include a recommendation for the treasury board to institute an improved oversight procedure with regard to the office of the premier.
“I believe if there had been oversight, arguably the failings that are chronicled in this report might have been prevented or detected earlier,” said Saher. “And I mean oversight with the capacity to challenge substantively — it has to be oversight that has the authority, the capacity, and the will to challenge the authority that is embodied in the premier.”
Interim Premier Dave Hancock called for an RCMP investigation into Redford’s actions last week following the release of the report.
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta has also promised to pay back $6,500 to cover the three government flights that were used for partisan purposes.
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Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists > Lists > Film Lists > The 10 Best South Korean Movies of 2017
The 10 Best South Korean Movies of 2017
Posted on December 16, 2017 December 16, 2017 by Panos Kotzathanasis
5. The King (Han Jae-rim)
The story revolves around Park Tae-soo, the delinquent son of a petty criminal who, after watching his father getting beaten by a man much weaker than him, who happens to be a prosecutor, decides that this is what he wants to be. Not having studied in his whole life, though, Park finds himself perplexed, although the solution eventually is presented to him.
After having to face disbelieving teachers, intense antagonism and living in a world he knew nothing about, he manages to enter the most prestigious law school in the country, and eventually becomes a prosecutor. Soon, though, he realizes that his job is not that prestigious, as it involves long hours and meager pay.
After insisting on a case that seems to hide something amiss, of a man molesting a teenage girl, Park is introduced to Yang Dong-cheol, a man who eventually brings him to the circle of the “1%” of prosecutors that truly move the ropes and make tons of money in the process. Han Kang-sik, an extremely influential man who retains an archive of everything unlawful the strongest men and women in the country have ever done, and uses it to forward his and his team’s goals, is the undisputed head of the group, with his ties reaching from the President to the mafia and from the press to big law firms.
Park becomes a member of the team and even forms his own mafia connections with Choi Doo-il, a childhood friend who eventually takes over Seoul’s underground. As the leadership of the country changes, Han manages to stay in power, with Park benefiting the most by the group’s status. However, nothing lasts forever.
Han Jae-rim directs and pens a movie that manages to include a number of popular themes without hitting the reef of commercialism, and even more importantly, the one of the melodrama. In that fashion, the movie includes the “rise to power” and the subsequent downfall theme; the historical based-on-true-events background (including actual footage), as many actual, political and non-events are used; the corruption deriving from the connection among the press; the judiciary; the politicians; and most of all, the mafia.
The question of “can a man resist temptation?” is another central theme, with the answer provided being as clear as the consequences of the decision. Add to that some violence, a bit of gore, and a number of gorgeous women in secondary roles and you have the backbone of the film. The only thing that bothered me in terms of story is that the end goes a bit too far.
4. A Taxi Driver (Jang Hoon)
The Gwangju Uprising has been a recurring theme in South Korean cinema, with “A Petal,” “National Security” and “May 18” being among the most renowned samples. Jang Hoon, who gave us the masterful “Rough Cut” in 2008, takes a shot at the theme, through a script based on the true story of a taxi driver and his passenger, a German reporter.
The aforementioned driver is Man-seop, a widower living with his 11-year-old daughter, trying to make ends meet, although he rarely succeeds, being in debt and having very little money. His only friend seems to be his landlord, although he also owes him rent money. In an instance where the two of them are eating in a restaurant filled with taxi drivers, he overhears one saying that he has a drive to Gwangju scheduled that pays 100.000 Won. Not having any clue about the riots in the area, and the fact that the army has forbidden entrance to the city, he hijacks the ride and ends up carrying Peter, a German reporter, who wants to cover the events.
Man-seop knows some English from the time he spent in Saudi Arabia, but his communication with his passenger becomes tense from the beginning, and even more when the two of them have to use back roads and lies to reach Gwangju. Once there, Man-seop witnesses the truth about his passenger, while his avariciousness soon gets him into trouble with the local taxi drivers, who have allied themselves with the university students against the government and the army.
Man-seop, who was totally misinformed about the actual situation, witnesses the atrocities of the army, in a series of life-changing experiences that even threaten his life. During the events, the passenger and driver meet Hwang Tae-sool, a kind of a leader of the taxi drivers of the area, and Jae-sik, a university student who acts as translator for Peter. The four of them form a group with a mission of getting the footage to Japan, in order to show to the world what is happening in the area.
Jang takes a new approach to the subject through a story that is split into two parts. The first one takes place in Seoul and has a rather comedic style, as we witness the “adventures” of a poor devil trying to make ends meet, a style in which Song Kang-ho thrives. Some dramatic sequences are still present through his relationship with his daughter, but are minor.
The second part takes place after their arrival in Gwangju, with the film transforming into a rather pointy drama, which occasionally functions as an agonizing action thriller. The simply entertaining moments are also not missing from here, as in the scene in the house, but the drama is the one that dominates this part.
3. Anarchist from Colony (Lee Joon-ik)
The story begins in 1923 in Japan, where Park has formed an anarchist group comprising of both Korean and Japanese citizens. Eventually, Kaneko Fumiko, another anarchist and nihilist, is drawn to him due to his writings and enters his group, becoming his lover. The group has plans of bringing explosives from Shanghai to use toward crucial targets (supposedly Japan’s Crown Prince Hirohito), but most of their plans fail. The only thing they amount to is beating individuals they consider enemies of the “cause.”
Their situation changes after the Great Kanto Earthquake (September 1, 1923), when the anti-Korean sentiments fueled by false rumors by the government and the press result in the death of thousand Koreans in the area, in a pogrom implemented by vigilante groups and the police. The members of the group decide to let themselves be imprisoned in order to survive, but the Japanese decide to find a scapegoat in Park to derail the international press and public opinion from the pogrom.
Subsequently, Park becomes a subject of interrogation as he is accused of treason. Kaneko, who cannot stay away from him, confesses the same and endures the same fate. However, both of the accused are not ready to go without a fight and Mizuno, the Japanese politician behind the whole scheme, finds himself having to deal with a lot more than he bargained for.
Lee Joon-ik uses a very interesting and quite unusual style of narrative for such a subject, retaining a happy-go-lucky sense for the majority of the film’s duration. What is impressive is that he manages to retain this style even in the most dramatic moments, like the violence against Koreans or the beatings of the anarchist group, the interrogations, the trial, even the rather dramatic ending.
In cinema such as Korean cinema, where the melodrama seems to be everywhere, I found this approach delightful, as it induces the movie with much humor and subsequently entertainment without losing any of the subject’s gravity. Add to that some noir elements, and the fitting, jazzy music tracks that dominate the movie, and you have the backbone of the production.
2. Merry Christmas Mr. Mo (Lim Dae-hyeong)
The story revolves around Mo Geum-san, a barber and a widower of few words who seems to cherish his routine of time in the shop, exercising at the local swimming pool and drinking in a small local bar at the end of his day more than anything. However, his uneventful life takes a dramatic change when doctors inform him that he has stomach cancer. Mr. Mo decides to come out of his comfort zone and even shoot a movie based on his own script. In order to do so, he asks the help of his somewhat estranged son, Stephen, a film student in Seoul; and his girlfriend, Ye-won.
His son is enervated by his father’s behaviour at the beginning, in an attitude that becomes much worse when Mr. Mo’s secrets come to the fore, but eventually warms to his father wish of shooting a Chaplinesque comedy.
Lim Dae-hyeong directs a film that moves between Charlie Chaplin’s and Jim Jarmusch’s movies, in a surprising combination that benefits the production to the fullest. In that fashion, Mr. Mo’s laconic, slapstick-funny behaviour represents the first element, particularly in the short film he is trying to complete, while the general atmosphere of misfits wandering around the country, drinking in bars and acting unconventionally, to say the least, represents the second.
Add to that the precision that derives from each shot of Moon Myung-hwang’s black-and-white cinematography, the combination of retro and modern images, the somewhat abrupt but equally precise editing of Park Se-young-I, and the slapstick humor that puts an almost permanent smile on the viewer’s face, and you have a film that looks like a Korean version of a Jarmusch movie.
Ki Joo-bong gives a magnificent performance as Mo Geum-san, managing to portray a number of psychological states in laconic fashion, and in a hilarious manner that leaves the rest of the characters constantly stupefied, with much of the film’s humor deriving from this particular aspect.
1. The Truth Beneath (Lee Kyoung-mi)
Yeon-hong is married to Jong-chan and has a teenage daughter named Min-jin, who used to be quite wild when she was even younger. Jong-chan worked as an announcer but is now preparing to run for elections as a National Assembly member, and at the same time tries to hide his daughter’s shenanigans. Yeon-hong supports her husband with all her heart, but during the first day of the campaign, Min-jin disappears.
As the days pass and the police do not find any clues, Yeon-hong becomes more and more desperate, and at the same time infuriated with her husband and his team’s attitude, who do not seem to care for anything except the campaign. Yeon-hong begins a frantic search for her daughter as she realizes that she did not know anything about her, and about her husband for that matter. The things she discovers and her daughter’s fate lead her toward madness, which also functions as her driving force.
Lee Kyoung-mi weaves an intricate web around the disappearance of Min-jin, which gradually reveals that everyone around the family is involved, including a friend from school, whose existence the parents ignored; a teacher; and even a member of Jong-chan’s staff. These revelations are accompanied by a number of plot twists that retain the agony, which Lee builds in a truly elaborate way for the whole duration of the film.
At the same time, the story presents a number of social comments, regarding the cruelty of teenagers, the corruption and the immorality of politics, the relationship between parents and children, and the impact secrets can have on people. Add to the above some unexpected scenes of humor, some violence, and the clear message of “everybody lies” and you have the backbone of the movie.
However, the element that makes the film unique is its narrative, with Lee using a rather intricate approach to the story, which seems to follow the mentality of Yeon-hong, who manages to lose her mind while standing extremely focused on her purpose. This tactic gives a disorienting sense to the production, which benefits the story to the fullest as the audience can actually feel and think exactly as Yeon-hong does, in a reality that borders on a nightmare.
In that fashion, Park Go-ji’s editing is masterful, managing to retain this sense with continuous elaborate cuts among the flashbacks that permeate the narrative. Ju Sung-lim’s cinematography accompanies the above elements perfectly, with some impressive framing and coloring that highlight the sense Lee wanted to give to each scene.
And yes, I understand the oxymoron of a 2016 film being the best film of 2017, I just don’t care.
Author Bio: Panos Kotzathanasis is a film critic who focuses on the cinema of East Asia. He enjoys films from all genres, although he is a big fan of exploitation. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Best South Korean Movies of 2017
The 20 Best Genre-Hybrid Movies of The 21st Century
The 10 Worst Movies of 2017
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Programs & Requirements
Patriotic Partners
The Veteran Benefit
Partner Now
President, CEO and Coach
Kevin J. Kennedy joined the Warriors4Wireless team in February, 2017 and was appointed as the W4W President and CEO later that year. Kevin is focused upon shaping W4W into a self-sustaining organization so it can continue its valuable service to veterans and the wireless industry. Toward this end, he has overseen the expansion and broadening of W4W course offerings to reflect industry needs while enhancing timely placement rates. He has simultaneously established a strong direct placement process to continue to grow the number of veterans assisted each year. Prior to his time at W4W Kevin served for six years at Textron Systems primarily as the Vice President for International Business and as a member of their Executive Leadership Team. Before joining Textron, Kevin served in the US Air Force for 32 years. He accumulated over 3,600 hours of operational flying including 145 hours of combat flight. He also worked extensively in the wired/wireless world which the military calls Command and Control, Communications and Computers (C4). He held positions with responsibility for articulating overarching Air Force and Joint C4 requirements including the rapid growth of remotely-piloted aircraft and associated Air Force operation center modernizations. From July 2007 to July 2008 Kevin served as the senior in-country AF officer and advisor to the Commander of U.S. (and NATO) forces in Afghanistan. Kevin retired as a Major General in 2010. Kevin is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy; has Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the U.S. Naval War College plus a one year National Security Fellowship at Harvard University. Kevin is a Christian man striving to serve wherever God leads.
Team Leader and Coach
Christina Randall is the Regional Lead and Coach for our Fairhaven location. She brings over 7 years of non profit experience to W4W. She has served as the Executive Board President for the Armed Services YMCA, sat on the Healthy Initiative Council for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and volunteered as a Family Readiness Group Leader and key caller during her time as a military spouse. Passionate about non-profit work as well as serving our veterans, W4W is a natural fit for her. Christina is also the wife of our Lead Instructor for Fairhaven. She is uniquely suited for her role as coach due to the time she spent supporting her husband while he served in the military as well as in the Tower Industry. Christina graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and is a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success. She feels privileged to be a part of this organization and its mission to help our Veterans.
Joey Morrissette
Instructor and Mentor
Mr. Joey Morrissette was among the first veterans to participate in the W4W program; he is mentor who also serves as an Instructor for the Aiken Technical College. Joey served in the United States Army for over twenty-five years and retired as a Sergeant First Class from the 43rd Signal Battalion of Heidelberg, Germany in 2011. While stationed in Heidelberg, he served as the First Sergeant and Safety Officer of the Detachment. As a First Sergeant he responsibly ensured the health and well-being of 150 unit personnel. As a Safety Officer he enhanced the personnel safety awareness of all and reduced accidents by 15%. Mr. Morrissette has a passion for safety and occupational health instruction, which is demonstrated throughout his vast career. Joey has been an instructor at TEEX, and a previous stint for four years as the Tower Installation Program Instructor at Aiken Technical College in Aiken, SC. Joey also served as the Operations Manager and Safety Officer for the Strategic Signal Company in Afghanistan. In this role he established a Bare Base Deployment and Contingency Safety Program which ensured life-saving connectivity for convoy operations. After retiring, Joey joined MasTec Network Solutions in Hanover, Maryland where he is the Safety Coordinator and Telecommunications lead. He also joined Graywolves Telecom as the Senior Foreman and training coordinator for the Metro-Atlanta area, where he was responsible for authoring job safety plans as well as the instruction of occupational safety and health policies and procedures. Joey enjoys giving back to the community and has volunteered as a football coach at the Youth Community Development Center on Fort Gordon, has organized numerous fund raisers for programs such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
Laurie Russell
Sourcing Manager
Laurie is a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in Electronic Technology. She worked in the data and telecom industry for over 10 years with Dynatech Data Systems, MCI, and Alcatel. She then switched gears to be a stay-at-home mom. Laurie home schooled 3 children all the way through to college and from there, transitioned into teaching/tutoring mathematics. She was invited to join the W4W team in 2017. She considers it a privilege to be involved with an organization whose sole purpose is to connect our veterans with quality career opportunities.
Amber Mitchell
Amber is a Sourcing Manager for W4W. Originally from Australia, Amber holds a degree in Special Education and Developmental Psychology from Macquarie University in Sydney. Amber has worked and volunteered in both the USA and Australia for a number of Non-Profit organizations. These organizations include The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Starlight Foundation and Camp Quality. Amber greatly enjoys helping others and is proud to assist brave veterans in finding rewarding careers in the wireless industry. Amber believes strongly in the importance of physical fitness and family. In her free time she enjoys exercising with friends and family and spending quality time with her two daughters.
Eileen Pearsall
Eileen joined W4W two years ago to assist in sourcing veterans interested in beginning a career as a cell tower technician. Eileen is a graduate of James Madison University. Her prior work consisted of retail management for 6 years, followed by her time as a merchandise buyer for Woodward and Lothrop and Hechts department stores. Eileen also worked as an administrative assistant to the VP of sales for The North Face, in combination with management of the east coast sales office for The North Face. Eileen spends her free time with her husband and four children. She feels humbled and honored to be able to assist the brave men and women of the armed forces in finding their new careers at once they return home.
Leslie Morris
Leslie is a Sourcing Manager for W4W. She is originally from Newport News, VA but has been a North Carolina girl most of her life. She has recently retired as a service provider for UPS after nearly thirty years. She is a member of another non profit. A woman's motorcycle group called the Steele Angels whose mission is to contribute to the social, physical and mental well being of families in crisis in and around the area of Cumberland County, NC. Leslie considers it an honor to help and support transitioning veterans into exciting new careers within the ever growing wireless industry. In her spare time she enjoys spending time on the water with her family and friends. /span>
Matthew Winebarger
Matthew Winebarger is the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) tower technician course instructor and mentor. Matthew served as an Army infantryman from 2006 to 2018. This included 2 tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and with 3rd Infantry Division. Most of Matthew’s experience was working with small reconnaissance teams as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Designated Marksman and Squad Leader. He learned the essential nature of and requirement for timely and reliable communications equipment. He believes this war time experience is equally applicable to the 5G world. Matthew is a W4W alum, attending a tower technician course in January 2018. He progressed rapidly as a technician and was a Foreman leading his own crew in less than two years. He has experience in tower construction and demolition, multiple types of Line and Antenna installations and various maintenance techniques. He is also a certified Rope Access technician through SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) and has used his SPRAT skills extensively in offshore work on Gas and Oil Platforms. Matthew has a true passion for teaching and helping his fellow veterans achieve a beneficial career in and appreciation for the rapidly growing telecommunications industry. /span>
Neil Russell
W4W Webmaster
Neil joined the W4W team as the Webmaster in August 2018 to help communicate potential career paths to interested veterans. Neil enjoys managing websites as a hobby and helping those who have served our nation. He worked as a Department of Defense Civil Servant for 30 years and now as a Defense contractor for a military support agency.
Tara Dunne
Tara Dunne was one of the very first "volunteers" for W4W and has witnessed its growth from the inaugural class of veterans. Tara’s formal training is as a Nurse, and after receiving her Masters in Nursing from NYU, she worked for 10 years for Sloan Kettering Hospital in their Oncology/Critical Care Units. The second half of her career was spent in Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby units in Northern Virginia. Tara has also taught classes in Hypnosis and Natural Childbirth for Inova Hospital System. Now living with her husband (W4W founder) and her three girls in Leesburg, Virginia, she considers herself very blessed to work with the young men and women who have given so much for their country, and is honored to help bridge them into new careers in the wireless industry.
With a large variety of talent converging from many different paths, one focus has joined us together as a team, and that is a passion for helping our nation’s veterans begin their new path in life!
Warriors 4 Wireless is a charitable organization existing solely to help veterans find decent paying careers in the growing 5G wireless workforce. We have invested well over $1,000,000 of contributed funds to lower veteran expenses while they trained to join this promising career field. We have connected over 2,400 veterans to wireless career opportunities and we stand ready to help you!
Contact promising veterans about decent paying wireless career opportunities.
Coach interested veterans on both the “train and place” or “direct placement” paths to these careers.
Connect qualified veterans to climbing and non-climbing wireless career opportunities.
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uNIONE DELL'APOSTOLATO CATTOLICO
UAC was founded on 9 January 1835 by St. Vincent Pallotti, “The Catholic Apostolate, that is, the universal apostolate, which is common to all classes of people, consists in doing all that one must and can do for the great glory of God and for one’s own salvation and that of one’s neighbor.”
Apostles for Today / Apostoli Oggi
Triduum and Feast of St. Vincent Pallotti
Solemnity of St. Vincent Pallotti :
"Living with the heart the city at the school of St. Vincent Pallotti".
On January 22nd, 2020, many members of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate and friends of St. Vincent Pallotti gathered in the Church of the Most Holy Saviour in the Wave for the solemn concelebration of the Eucharist in honour of St. Vincent Pallotti.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Mons. Antonio Raspanti, Bishop of Acireale, Sicily, a diocese to which the Pallottine family is particularly attached due to the presence and pastoral commitment of the Pallottine sisters and confreres. Mgr Raspanti, in his homily, said that charity as sharing the poverty of the other is an integral part of the proclamation. Without this "lowering", without this humility, we will be like "cymbals that do not tinkling".
Present were the Superior Generals of the founding communities, Mother Ivete Garlet, Mother Izabela Świerad and Vicar General D. Józef Lasak, as well as the president of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, Dr. Donatella Acerbi, who addressed her message to the Assembly at the end of Holy Mass. The celebration was animated by the choir of the uac led by Mr. Corrado Montaldo. After Holy Mass everyone gathered for a moment of conviviality at the Hotel Ponte Sisto.
Prayer to St. Vincent Pallotti
More and more, our dear Father St.Vincent, we realize – some times because we are so distant, some other times because we are a little closer - that for your ideal of life always, in every circumstance, to love God is closely united to love our neighbor. And this is true for us now, in this very moment: to love God and to love our neighbor, that is, to love the one who sits at our side.
As your children, we ask you to unceasingly intercede with the Lord so that, through His grace, when returning to our communities, homes, families, ministries, works, services, we may always put the love for God and for those near us at the root of our whole life.
We, each and every one, the work the Lord has called you to found, ask you to bless us with your own words so that through them we recognize we are brothers and sisters and bear witness to the whole world that we are one Family: “I see you in God, I deal with you in God. I embrace you, I greet you and I love you in God. In God I always find myself united with you in all that you do, looking forward to our being reunited in God in the kingdom of heaven… .” Amen
PREGHIERA A SAN VINCENZO PALLOTTI
Pallotti Feast Celebration in milwaukee
We celebrated the Feast of St. Vincent Pallotti beginning with a Novena of Evening Masses Each day and Ending with a Parish Mass and Pot Luck Lunch with the main Celebrant our New Auxiliary Bishop James Schuerman. At this Celebration the members of the UAC Present Renewed their Commitment to the Union of the Catholic Apostolate. At the Lunch we also had a number of Displays including copies of some of our literature to take home. It was a wonderful celebration of the Pallottine Family - Fr. Greg Serwa
Pallotti Feast Celebration in Sicily
Triduum in honor ofSt. Vincent Pallotti 2020 - third day:
"Listening to the various forms of poverty at the school of St. Vincent Pallotti".
The Holy Mass on the third day of the triduum in preparation for the feast of St. Vincent Pallotti was presided over by Fr. Denilson Geraldo, General Consultor, as delegate of the Rector General, Fr. Jacob Nampudakam who is currently in India.
D. Denilson Geraldo, in his homily, recalled that the Pallottine family today is called to give a witness of charity towards all people who do not have a family of their own, especially the young, and to follow the example of St. Vincent Pallotti by helping people who for various reasons are forced to migrate and leave their own land.
Present were the president of the Pia Casa di Carità in Rome, founded by St. Vincent Pallotti, Fr. Nicola Gallucci, and the superior of the same house, Sr. Sara Carfagna. The Holy Mass was animated by the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate, the Sisters of the Congregation of the Catholic Apostolate and the students of the Pia Casa.
DAY - 2
Triduum in honor of St. Vincent Pallotti 2020
"Caring for the path of charity at the school of St. Vincent Pallotti".
A beautiful and consolidated tradition has it that on the second day of the triduum would be participated by the formators and students of the Pontifical Urban College "de Propaganda Fide", where St. Vincent was spiritual director.
Fr. Emanuele Spagnolo, vice-rector of the same college, in his homily highlighted how the radicality of a life in the following of Jesus Christ is manifested not only outwardly, for example in works of charity, but above all in an inner conversion of the person who is willing to welcome "the new wine into new wineskins".
As every year, one of the students of the Urban College presented a reflection in response to the letter which St Vincent Pallotti wrote to them on 17th May 1849.
Triduum in Honour of St. Vincent Pallotti 2020
“To Nurture the Journey of Faith at the school of St. Vincent Pallotti”.
On January 19, 2020, the first day of the triduum was celebrated in preparation for the feast of St. Vincent Pallotti with adoration and Vespers, led by Fr. Stanisław Stawicki in the church of SS. Salvatore in Onda. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the Secretary to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life and also a member of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Many members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate and friends of St. Vincent participated in the celebration.
The Rector of the church, Fr. Martin Manus, in his words of welcome, expressed his gratitude for this moment of communion between the Pallottine Family and the members of the Schoenstatt Institute who came for this celebration. In his homily, Father Alexandre Awi Mello recalled how St. Vincent Pallotti’s motivation for the apostolate was founded on the infinite love of God for man created in his image. He also he stressed the importance of communion and collaboration for the realization of the mission in the Church. We thank the Eucharistic Sisters of St. Vincent Pallotti for the animation of the Holy Mass with beautiful hymns.
Catholic Apostolate Center, USA
UAC AUSTRALIA
UAC CANADA
Centro de Espiritualidad Palotina, Cuba
Society of the Catholic Apostolate
February 07 to 09, 2020 UAC Assembly at Curitiba, Brazil.
April 30 to 02 May 2020 UAC Congress in Italy.
May 01 to 03, 2020 UAC Congress in South America, San Paolo, Brazil.
August 17 to 21, 2020 the General Congress of the UAC in Rome.
August 24 to 27, 2020 the GCC Meeting in Rome.
January 23 to 29, 2021 the General Assembly in Rome.
WE ARE A MISSION
St. Vincent Pallotti, pray for us!
Tweets by UACPallotti
FINAL MESSAGE:
Annual Meeting of the General Coordination Council of the Union
Virtual View of SS. Salvatore in Onda
Visit the church of SS. Salvatore in Onda, where St. Vincent Pallotti and Bl. Elisabetta Sanna are interred.
VISIT THE CHURCH OF SAN SALVATORE IN ONDA, ROME
Virtual View of the Museum and Room of St. Vincent Pallotti
Visit the actual room of St. Vincent Pallotti in Rome, which is now a museum for the Saint.
VISIT THE ROOM OF ST. VINCENT Pallotti
WEB LINKS for THREE FOUNDING COMMUNITIES
PALLOTTINES AROUND THE WORLD
www.sac.info
SISTERS OF CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE
www.suoreapostolatocattolico.com
MISSIONARY SISTERS OF CATHOLIC APOSOTLATE
www.pallottine-missionaries-rome.com
Casa Generalizia, Piazza San Vincezo Pallotti 204, Roma 00186, ITALIA
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23F ~ 36F Weihai Weather
On the basis of ensuring that the Universal Theme Park opens as scheduled, plan the industrial space layout of the park in advance.
With the opening date of Universal Beijing Resort approaching, how to lay out the spillover effect of the Universal Theme Park industry has become a problem for the industry. On the morning of January 12, at the special economic development press conference of the series of theme press conferences in Beijing "Reviewing the 13th Five-Year Plan and Looking Forward to the 14th Five-Year Plan" organized by the Beijing Municipal Government Information Office, Lin Enquan, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission introduced, During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, we will actively build an international consumer center city, encourage the development of new consumer formats and models, promote the construction of an international consumer hub in the airport economic zone of Daxing International Airport, and create a tourist consumption cluster around the global theme park. Regarding how to build a tourism consumption gathering area around the global theme park, a reporter from the Beijing Business Daily also learned from Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone that the area will attract and cultivate a number of cultural and technological enterprises such as IP design, animation and games, performing arts and entertainment, and arrange a number of high Quality consumer facilities.
It is understood that in the future, Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone will further encourage the holding of international cultural and entertainment performances and exchange activities, relax market access restrictions on cultural and entertainment industries, tourism, etc., and hold international cultural and entertainment performances, art and sporting goods exhibitions and trade fairs. Allow foreign investment in cultural performance groups (must be controlled by the Chinese party) to optimize the approval of commercial performance licenses; at the same time, actively cooperate with top domestic and foreign projects to carry out the introduction and settlement of related projects such as film and television copyright, animation games, and art trading, and spare no effort Intensify reform and innovation, further deepen and consolidate the expansion of the service industry, comprehensively enhance the capacity of the service industry in the park to expand and open, and build a cultural tourism complex integrating technology, leisure, entertainment and fashion.
In addition to the opening of the Beijing Universal Resort this year, in September last year, Wangfujing Group also revealed that the group will fully promote the implementation of the duty-free business and develop three types of duty-free shops: port duty-free, outlying island duty-free and city duty-free. Among them, it is planned to build a commercial complex integrating tax and tax exemption in Beijing Universal Resort. It can be seen that in the future, the duty-free sector may also be part of the tourism consumption area.
Regarding the development of the Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone, a reporter from Beijing Business Daily also learned from the district that on August 28 last year, according to the “Deepening the New Round of Beijing’s Service Industry Expansion and Opening up Comprehensive Pilot Program” approved by the State Council, a comprehensive demonstration of the expansion of the opening up of the national service industry was established. District Work Plan", agreed to take Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone as the leader to create a "new-type cultural, sports and tourism integrated development demonstration zone." Among them, Tongzhou Cultural Tourism District will also form a series of key open construction projects such as Beijing Universal Resort, International Talent Apartment, Art Exchange Center, and BTG Headquarters. At the same time, the cultural tourism area will integrate cultural tourism as a starting point and integrate with surrounding parks. The opening of the industry forms effective complementary linkages, and strives to build a "big cultural tourism" industry development with "Songzhuang original art in the north, Taihu performance town in the south, Zhangjiawan and urban green heart in the east, and a global theme resort in the east" pattern. Wu Dingyu, deputy director of the Administrative Committee of Tongzhou Cultural Tourism District, also stated in an interview with a reporter from Beijing Business Daily that Tongzhou Cultural Tourism District will make full use of the important policy dividends of the construction of Beijing’s "two districts" and focus on building "culture + tourism" and "cultural The two high-tech industrial clusters "+Technology" and "Culture+International" plan the industrial space layout of the park in advance on the basis of ensuring that the global theme park opens as scheduled.
It is also reported that Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone has also reserved a number of hotels, real estate and cultural projects to fully absorb the spillover effects brought by the global theme park, promote the industrial implementation of the park in an orderly manner, and actively develop interactive, experiential and immersive cultural tourism The project focuses on building high-precision "cultural +" industrial clusters. At the same time, actively connect with the pilot free trade zone to achieve industrial synergy and regional joint development. (*Article source: Beijing Business Daily)
Prev:Korean media: the epidemic hits the tourism industry, causing losses of up to 14 trillion won
Next:Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism: Strengthening the prevention and control of the epidemic, temporarily not accepting tourists from high-risk areas to Qiong
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6 Life Lessons We Can Learn from Boba Fett
Thursday, January 26, 2017 / Unknown / No comments
Boba Fett, a bounty hunter from the Star Wars saga, is one of those characters that I never really noticed until a very passionate segment of the Internet pointed him out. He's the character version of a cult classic: while people theorize and rant, no one is really sure why he has the following he does. But, either way, I think, if we pay attention, his odd lifestyle can teach us some important things about life.
Silence is often more powerful than words.
Throughout the entirety of the Original Trilogy, Boba Fett says a total of four lines. And yet, he's one of the most popular characters from the whole series. People love him for a variety of reasons, but most of them revolve around him being a dangerous badass. And do you know why he's considered so dangerous? Because he's mysterious. Nobody knows what he's thinking. He does his own thing and doesn't keep anyone overly-updated. Or, really, updated at all. So people aren't sure what to make of him. And, more than that, they respect him.
Play nice with powerful people.
When Darth Vader wants the occupants of the Millennium Falcon alive--no disintegrations--Boba Fett agrees. I'm sure the money had something to do with it, but he knew well enough to not bite the hand that feeds him, money or no. He knows that Darth Vader is powerful, dangerous, and might serve useful in the future. So his only response is, "As you wish."
But also don't be afraid of them.
Even though Boba Fett respects Darth Vader, he doesn't cower in front of him. He's not one of the mewling sycophants Vader deals with on a daily basis, and Vader recognizes that, treating him with respect. You never have to be afraid to hold your own in a conversation, but do it with dignity.
Results matter more than the process.
This isn't how the quote usually goes. It usually goes, "It's not the journey, it's the destination," and it's usually badly photoshopped on top of some kind of hipster, wanderlust, blurred out photo. But, if we're being totally honest, that doesn't always work. It has its merit, of course, but if Boba Fett had focused more on the journey of chasing the Millennium Falcon across the universe than the actual result of bringing Han Solo to the vast number of people who wanted him, he'd be poor, a terrible bounty hunter, and possibly dead. So you do you, but make sure you end up with the results you wanted--even if those results are just the knowledge gained from a journey well taken.
Hype yourself.
Boba Fett is hyped beyond belief, despite his minimal four lines. It's because he has a persona. He has an aura of awesome surrounding him at all times. Do you know why? Because he decided one day that he was going to be awesome. And he made it so.
No one cares more about your success than you do, so be your own cheerleader, your own PR manager. This doesn't mean tell everyone you meet how awesome you are--that's a good way to lose friends. But don't play yourself down, either. There's a difference between humility and self-deprecation: make sure you're not confusing them. Stay positive!
A signature look can make (or break) you.
Besides being a dangerous badass, the other reason people love Boba Fett is because he looks amazing. He doesn't look like anyone else, and little details of his outfit point to an interesting person, a person you want on your side. If he looked like a normal human bounty hunter, I have no doubt that no one would even remember his name. He has a signature look. And that plays a big part in the confident, awesome character he is. But, on the other hand, his jetpack, a major part of his signature look, sent him hurling into the jaws of the Sarlacc. So when you're choosing a signature look, choose wisely. Maybe try a few pieces out, and see what works together. (Granted, his jetpack also eventually got him out of the Sarlacc pit, so I guess weigh the pros and cons.)
Boba Fett is a badass. He made a good life for himself, despite the hardships he'd endured. He worked for what he wanted and made himself into the awesome bounty hunter we all know and love. While I don't suggest hunting people for money, you too can turn yourself into whatever you want if you work for it! That's the beauty of life.
Boba Fett, Kristen Csuti, Life Lessons, Star Wars
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In the year 2078 on the 07 April the Yellowstone super volcano erupted. At Dawn it spewed 1,000 cubic kilometres of magma into the North American environment, large enough to cover much of North America in an ash blanket for years. In the first hours of the eruption approximately 70,000 people were killed, another 160,500 died from the super-heated ash cloud.
Thanks to newer warning systems many states were evacuated avoiding a tremendous loss of life that was predicted at above 9,000,000.
For several days the ash hung around in the air making it difficult to breathe. It also suffocated vast farm lands and country sides which quickly lead to a food crisis. Cattle, livestock and wild life perished in the affected parts.
US citizens became refugees lining up at the borders of Mexico and Canada. The devastation caused an ash cloud to envelop the earth for several days and block out the sun. It changed the chemical composition of the atmosphere, and caused mild climate changes around the world for nearly 10 years.
The ash mostly affected and polluted farms in the mid-west, as well as the Mississippi River, clogging waterways and agricultural areas with toxic sludge. The worst outcome of this event was the destruction of food supplies and waterways.
Unfortunately, the sequence of events was only just beginning. 3 days after the eruption, the second part of the disaster unfolded. Due to the volcanic and tectonic nature of the region the epicenter of the eruption created seismic waves and tremors. These spread throughout the Western half of North America. The San Andreas and Cascadia Pacific fault lines became active; the Northern Segment destroyed areas such as the San Francisco bay area up to Vancouver, and the Southern Segment destroyed many areas around Los Angeles, and the San Fernando Valley.
The Earthquake lasted 24-37 seconds causing damage as far away as Nevada some 220 miles from the epicenter. It was reported as being 6.7 in magnitude. Unfortunately, 9 hours after the initial quake, a second quake or aftershock hit, this was recorded at being 9.0 in magnitude - much more destructive.
The Cascadia fault line shifted and created a devastating tsunami that further destroyed the western states. The subduction plate caused more destruction as tsunami’s headed toward to Japan, China, North & South Korea, Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia and even Australia.
The Western and mid-states were left in ruin. The northern and Eastern states were covered in ash and were now coping with growing rates of refugees. Land value fell, and vast areas of farming land and country side became condemned. The sulfur in the magma and ash cloud polluted the ground, lakes and rivers.
Decades later the destruction would divide and split the great nation right down the middle.
The ash cloud caused chaos with air travel. From the onset of the disaster all flights in the North American zone were grounded. This caused the closure of the United Nations building in New York. No world leaders risked traveling by plane as ash in the air could compromise the safety of jet engines.
The assembly hall used by the European Parliament facilitated the temporary re-location of the UN. It would be decades later before a permanent location would be built. The New York, UN building remained closed due to the chaotic and turbulent state that the US was now in.
North American Disaster (NAD)
Illustration of damaged States
Note the destruction of the West versus the unaffected Eastern States.
The purple States saw the worst damage to their infrastructure, farmland, livestock and areas of population. The red States suffered immediate progressive collapse of law and order. Orange states would have to cope with the immediate fallout.
Within the first week it was estimated that over 250,000 people had been killed by the eruption and earthquakes that followed. More fatalities would follow from the injured - nearly 6 million.
Immediate affects in the purple US States:
Water and food supplies destroyed
Water used for oil drilling escaped and poisoned the land
Power plants destroyed or crippled
All aircraft grounded
Security and military affected
Hospitals at capacity and either destroyed or affected
Universities, colleges, schools destroyed or affected
Radio and television affected
Entertainment, Movie and sports industries affected
6.3 million Became homeless
Damage put the initial cost upward of $3 Trillion
The US economy suffered catastrophic losses
World markets crashed
Sun was blocked for several days
Atmosphere altered for a decade
Worldwide state of emergency called by the UN
US interests and developments ceased or cancelled
Space programme affected (NASA lost its budget)
The Unification Project
In 2080 the US Congress gave Powers to the Governors of California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Montana to form the Western Government Affairs Commission (WGAC). They were given direct powers and attorney to help with the devastated states and were given emergency funding to rebuild.
The US had a humanitarian crisis on a scale never before witnessed in living memory. Congress was forced to dissolve the presidency for 1 year as the US was divided up into 8 occupation zones - each zone governed by the Emergency Marshall Plan (EMP). Within the year political decisions were being turned over to congress as recovery began to take effect. Eastern zones performed much better, they were self-sufficient and to a detailed account of the industrial plan, goods and rebuilt infrastructure made the East a successful platform on which to inaugurate the Presidency.
Over the next 7 years the US Government invested in the Eastern states which spurred on global investment. However, the Western states lagged way behind compared to their Eastern counterparts.
In 2088, following disagreements regarding reconstruction and a new budget, WGAC instituted the Colorado Blockade, preventing food, materials and supplies from arriving in the East. Congress replied with a mounted public relations campaign against the western policy change.
Millions in the West joined in protest against the US Government, millions of citizens took to the streets and rioted. Military and policing countermeasures were harsh and provoked a social rift.
The accidental attack on a college that killed 47 students in Utah prompted the people of the Western states to stand in defiance against Congress.
They wanted to split away from the dishonest and corrupt US Government. New leadership was sought to lead and rebuild the West. Years after the disaster, the people of the Western States had voted and a new era for the country began. The existing president agreed a treaty that effectively gave WGAC total control of the western states for limited time.
The candidacy at the time saw the Californian candidate Henry Boal (Republican) and the existing president Donald Bentley (Democrat) competing for the presidency. The president did not want the western man to take up command of the US. The thinking was that if Boal got in, he would re-shape the country and give the West more funding and powers which would put off and hinder global investment. So in a meeting held by both men in the Oval Office on September 23 2091 - an agreement was signed that would allow Boal to govern all the western territories. Boal effectively became the care-taker of the West, and this would allow Bentley his re-election victory.
The initial treaty allowed the new formation of the Western Territories of the US, a 20 year deal known as the Unification Project. The thinking was that in this 20 year period the whole country should have been rebuilt and able to function as a whole again. However, as events unfolded the split in-turn did hinder global investment. Factors around the world once again halted the global recovery - the stock market crash of 2105 saw a world recession.
The East now experienced its worst years with a struggling economy, lack of tourism, growing debt and high unemployment meant it could not afford to meet the 2111 Unification Project date. The West, however, was performing much better. Because of its effective freedom from Congress it was able to start recovery from a different angle. Instead of looking at the immediate problems like reconstruction, it instead looked at how it could prosper from long term initiatives. After re-housing it began more demolition to the devastated cities and highways. A new strategy was agreed upon: Don’t just re-build, re-start! And so, a brand new infrastructure, education and healthcare system was built. Manufacturing and agriculture saw a demand in jobs that almost crushed unemployment.
Migration from the East saw an increase in a skilled workforce. New cities began to rise from the old and investment now came to them. After the initial construction of these primal civilisation needs, advancements in other areas took off such as high tech and science industries, research centres popped up everywhere. The abolished tuition fees meant that there was a well- educated workforce.
Tourism had stabilized and big cities like Los Angeles, and San Francisco became tourist destinations once again. The Western Territory economy was doing very well. Many states such as Wyoming and
Colorado were still left abandoned, but these in turn had started to become populated by Native Indians, and a pact was made with the Western government and the US Indian Council to set aside parts of these states for them.
Images by Stephen Minorczyk
An event that was only synonymous with the extinction that had wiped out the dinosaurs
Space Federation
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Building the Onrust
The Onrust Project
Replica of New york's first dutch ship, 1614
New York State's Oldest Ship
Between 1611 and 1613, Captain Adriaen Block explored the Northeast to establish a fur trading network with the Native Americans and to chart the coastal waters and rivers of the region Henry Hudson surveyed for the Dutch in 1609.
While overwintering in New York Bay, his ship, the Tyger, caught fire and burned to the waterline. Working through the frigid winter, Block built a new ship from the salvaged remnants and named it the Onrust, Dutch for “Unrest” or “Restlessness”. It was one of the first decked vessels built in America and the first in New York State.
He and his associates mapped the coastal areas from Cape Cod to the Delaware Bay, including the major rivers and the locations of more than twenty significant Native American villages. Their voyages laid the basis for the future Dutch claim to the territory. On his 1614 map, Block named the region “New Netherland,” an area extending from Pennsylvania into current New England, and named Block Island after himself. The same year he established the first fur trading post, Fort Nassau, at the current site of Albany, which formed the basis for the first permanent European settlement in the Hudson Valley.
The keel of the Onrust was laid in 2006 and the ship was launched in 2009 for New York State’s Quadricentennial. It was built mainly by volunteers and is made out of white oak, using recently re-discovered 17th century Dutch building techniques. As with the original Onrust, it is designed as a “yacht” and the entire ship, including areas below deck, replicates an authentic Dutch sailing craft.
As a recreational vessel the Onrust offers heritage tours and as a dockside floating museum the ship educates students and adults about the early history of this area and the life of 17th century explorers and sailors.
ONRUST IS A FULLY OPERATIONAL US COASTGUARD CERTIFIED VESSEL
Your donation helps support ongoing maintenance and education programs!
Go to:https://www.facebook.com/groups/133336314301/
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zevrev.org
The Zero-Emission Vehicle Revolution
Search ZEVREV.org
ZEV mandate
What is a ZEV mandate?
Why a ZEV mandate?
How ZEV mandate works
What ZEV mandate can achieve
Who adopted a ZEV mandate?
Who supports a ZEV mandate?
EV vs ICE
What about trucks?
ZEV range
ZEVs at a tipping point?
About ZEVREV
ZEV News
WELCOME TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR A STRONG CANADA-WIDE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE (ZEV) MANDATE!
Greenhouse gas emissions from transport account for 24% of Canada's emisisons. A greater share of electric and other zero-emisisons vehicles is needed to reduce these emissions. For this, a number of policies are needed, including a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Such a mandate would be directed at large automakers, and would encourage them to develop and market more ZEVs. This, in turn, would lead an increase in market share of ZEVs and to reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Let's get the Canadian government to adopt a strong nation-wide zero-emission vehicle mandate!
What is a Zero-emisison vehicle (ZEV) mandate and why we need it?
The exact number is based on the automaker's overall sales. It's aim is to ensure automakers research, develop and market ZEVs, which do not emit GHGs.
ZEV Mandate: The Mechanics
Why is a ZEV mandate needed?
GHG emissions from transportation accounted for 24% of Canada’s total emissions in 2015, that is, ONE in FOUR tonnes of GHGs was from TRANSPORTATION. Increasing the market share of ZEVs would reduce Canada's GHG emissions. This, in combination with other market-based policies and smart regulations, will enable Canada to meets it Paris climate deal target (30% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030).
There are several policy options for increasing the market share of ZEVs including providing incentives for potential buyers, developing an adequate infrastructure such as a network of charging stations for electric vehicles, and implementing a ZEV mandate. Professor Mark Jaccard of Simon Fraser University (SFU) has suggested that having a balanced and flexible ZEV mandate with a target of 10% of new vehicle sales, that is one in ten new cars sold would be a ZEV, in 2020 and increasing to 70% by 2030 could lead to a 40% reduction in transportation-related emissions. A study by the Simon Fraser University indicates that the current supply of electric vehicles is inadequate, and that increasing the supply to 56 models would greatly increase market share. In a report in 2017, the Ecofiscal Commission argued that a ZEV mandate would be more cost effective than some other measures. So, an evidence-based, balanced and flexible ZEV mandate could be both economically sound and effective.
What can a ZEV mandate do?
ZEV mandate is considered one of the more progressive climate policies. As a result of the ZEV mandate, over 1.5 million ZEVs are expected to be sold in California alone by 2025. An additional 1.5 million ZEVs would be sold in the northeastern states of the US. Research by Professor Mark Jaccard suggests that a “balanced and flexible PZEV-ZEV mandate in Canada that will require automakers to achieve targets of 10% ZEVs of new sales by 2020 and increasing to 70% by 2030 would reduce annual emissions by 40%. This is equivalent to having a carbon price of $100-150/tonne of CO2e. Jonn Axsen of SFU suggests that a national ZEV mandate in Canada that is aligned with Quebec’s and California’s ZEV targets would facilitate achieving the goal of 40% ZEV sales by 2040. Furthermore, he argues, with such a mandate, purchase incentives such as rebates could be eliminated in the long term.
Sign our online petition urging the federal government to adopt a strong, evidence-based ZEV mandate.
Send a letter to the Ministers of Transport, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development urging for a ZEV mandate
Your MP
Dear Ministers Garneau and Bains, I commend and thank you for appointing an advisory group to recommend policies on zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in Canada. Since transportation accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada, developing evidence-based policies that could lead to a meaningfully greater share of ZEVs on Canada's roads would facilitate reduction in GHG emissions and could help us to meet our international commitments. There are several policy tools that could be deployed to increase the number of ZEVs. These include providing incentives to potential buyers, helping build a electric vehicle charging network, and a ZEV mandate. Many provinces already provide incentives for buying ZEVs and funding to development of a network of charging stations. However, without a ZEV mandate these policies will have limited success. Research from Simon Fraser University suggests the current supply of electric vehicles will not lead to a market share that will lead to significant emissions reductions. A balanced and flexible ZEV mandate with a target of 10% and 70% of new vehicles sales by 2020 and 2030 would lead to a significant reduction of emissions from the transport sector. In addition, an Ecofiscal Commission report suggests that a ZEV mandate could be a cost-effective measure to achieve this reduction. To this end, I urge the Federal government to develop and implement an evidence-based, balanced and flexible nationwide ZEV mandate with a goal of increasing ZEV sales to 10% and 70% by 2020 and 2030. Thank you for your time and consideration, Yours Sincerely, (your name)
Please add me to the list to receive updates and action alerts on the ZEV mandate. For terms of use of your information, please see About ZEVREV.
Just send the letter
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Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes (2018)
Alexis Bloom charts the rise and fall of the late Republican Party booster and controversial Fox News mogul who went down in flames amid multiple sexual harassment allegations.
Director: Alexis Bloom
Actors: Babette Bombshell, Catherine Corcoran, Glenn Beck, Roger Ailes
Brave Miss World (2013)
Linor Abargil, an Israeli beauty queen, was raped two months before being crowned Miss World in 1998. Ten years later, she’s ready to talk about it – and to encourage…
Very Semi-Serious (2015)
The New Yorker is the benchmark for the single-panel cartoon. This light-hearted and sometimes poignant look at the art and humor of the iconic drawings shows why they have inspired…
Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey (2000)
Legendary martial artist Bruce Lee is the subject of this thoughtful documentary by Lee aficionado John Little. Using interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and action sequences from Lee’s last (unfinished) film, Game…
The Making of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2002)
A collection of The Making of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, ‘The Two Towers’ and ‘The Return of the King’. This documentary treats movie, special effect and fantasy fans to…
The Year of the Yao (2004)
The Year of the Yao is a documentary film telling the first year of basketball player Yao Ming in the United States.
George Carlin: You Are All Diseased (1999)
Legendary comic Carlin comes back to the Beacon theater to angrily rant about airport security, germs, cigars, angels, children and parents, men, names, religion, god, advertising, Bill Jeff and minorities.
Genre: Comedy, Documentary, TV Movie
Rihanna 777 Documentary (2013)
Gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Rihanna’s unprecedented globetrotting concert tour that hit seven countries in seven days with seven shows to promote her seventh album.
Remembering the Man (2016)
At an exclusive Catholic boys school in Melbourne 1976, Tim Conigrave and John Caleo fell madly in love. Their passionate, tempestuous, operatic romance lasted for 16 years, facing disapproval, temptation,…
Be Water (2020)
In 1971, after being rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong to complete four iconic films. Charting his struggles between two worlds, this portrait…
A Haunting on Hamilton Street (2010)
3 locations, 760 hours of investigation, condensed into a hair raising 90 Minutes! The most thorough paranormal investigation ever conducted! A location so active as exorcist had to be flown…
Genre: Documentary, Drama, Horror
The Weather Underground (2002)
The remarkable story of The Weather Underground, radical activists of the 1970s, and of radical politics at its best and most disastrous.
Are You Proud? (2019)
ARE YOU PROUD? meets key campaigners and investigates the organisations and events that have contributed to substantial progress within the western LGBTQ+ liberation movement, focusing on the history of Pride…
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Home > Journals > Affiliated Journals > SJIS > Vol. 10 (1998)
Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems
Format Requirements
Past Editors in Chief
All Issues Vol. 32, Iss. 2 Vol. 32, Iss. 1 Vol. 31, Iss. 2 Vol. 31, Iss. 1 Vol. 30, Iss. 2 Vol. 30, Iss. 1 Vol. 29, Iss. 2 Vol. 29, Iss. 1 Vol. 28, Iss. 2 Vol. 28, Iss. 1 Vol. 27, Iss. 2 Vol. 27, Iss. 1 Vol. 26, Iss. 2 Vol. 26, Iss. 1 Vol. 25, Iss. 2 Vol. 25, Iss. 1 Vol. 24, Iss. 2 Vol. 24, Iss. 1 Vol. 23, Iss. 2 Vol. 23, Iss. 1 Vol. 22, Iss. 2 Vol. 22, Iss. 1 Vol. 21, Iss. 2 Vol. 21, Iss. 1 Vol. 20, Iss. 2 Vol. 20, Iss. 1 Vol. 19, Iss. 2 Vol. 19, Iss. 1 Vol. 18, Iss. 2 Vol. 18, Iss. 1 Vol. 17, Iss. 2 Vol. 17, Iss. 1 Vol. 16, Iss. 1 Vol. 15, Iss. 1 Vol. 14, Iss. 2 Vol. 14, Iss. 1 Vol. 13, Iss. 1 Vol. 12, Iss. 1 Vol. 11, Iss. 1 Vol. 10, Iss. 1 Vol. 9, Iss. 2 Vol. 9, Iss. 1 Vol. 8, Iss. 2 Vol. 8, Iss. 1 Vol. 7, Iss. 2 Vol. 7, Iss. 1 Vol. 6, Iss. 2 Vol. 6, Iss. 1 Vol. 5, Iss. 1 Vol. 4, Iss. 1 Vol. 3, Iss. 1 Vol. 2, Iss. 1 Vol. 1, Iss. 1
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How Much Will the Green New Deal Cost?
April 22nd 2019
Doug Holtz-Eakin is an academic, policy adviser, and strategist. He’s president of American Action Forum, a non-profit center-right think tank. Previously, he served as Chief Economist of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, director of the Congressional Budget Office, and director of Domestic and Economic Policy for the John McCain presidential campaign.
He spoke in the Defining Economic Progress track at the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival. We caught up with him about the Green New Deal, economic growth, and the widening wealth gap.
Earlier this year, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass) introduced the Green New Deal, legislation that aims to eliminate US carbon emissions and remake the US economy. Your organization, American Action Forum, analyzed the policy plan. What is the biggest takeaway?
The Green New Deal (GND) is a sweeping policy plan setting out ambitious objectives for energy and economic policy. In keeping with the American Action Forum’s (AAF) mission to analyze, evaluate, and educate on issues of important public policy, a group of its experts, myself included, published a report exploring the potential cost of six elements of the GND: (1) a Low-Carbon Electricity Grid, (2) a Net Zero Emissions Transportation System, (3) Guaranteed Jobs, (4) Universal Health Care, (5) Guaranteed Green Housing, and (6) Food Security. We provided a range of estimates for each element. If one adds up the low end of the range, the total is $52 trillion (over the next 10 years); at the high end it is $93 trillion.
The goal of AAF’s report was not to get an estimate correct down to the second decimal place. Instead, the basic question is whether the GND will cost tens of millions of dollars, tens of billions of dollars, or tens of trillions of dollars. It is safe to say its cost will be tens of trillions of dollars.
You found the cost of the GND could be enormous. Given the climate change threat and an unjust economic picture, is the investment worthwhile?
The GND is really two separate proposals. One set of projects is about the climate and clean energy -- a national electricity grid powered by renewable fuels, a zero-emissions transportation network, and complete retrofitting of US buildings to a high standard of energy efficiency. That’s the “Green” portion. The “New Deal” portion is a set of social programs that includes universal health care coverage, a federally guaranteed jobs program, guaranteed housing, and a food security program. It also has free college, which AAF did not include in its analysis.
The bulk of the estimated cost is in the New Deal programs ($80 trillion upper bound for universal health care and guaranteed jobs) and not for the Green initiatives. Nevertheless, even the latter has a substantial price tag.
The investment is worthwhile if the benefits exceed the ultimate price tag, which will depend crucially on two issues: (a) how much the world mimics the United States and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and (b) how much weight is put on the improved climate for future generations. The AAF report was not a full benefit-cost analysis, but rather focused on costs alone.
You write that the social upheaval of such a plan would be even larger than the price tag. How would society change under such a policy?
The GND envisions a 10-year “mobilization” in pursuit of its goals. That mobilization would include new government processes “led by frontline and vulnerable communities and workers to plan, implement, and administer the Green New Deal mobilization at the local level”; a large labor market intervention that “creates high-quality union jobs that pay prevailing wages, hires local workers, offers training and advancement opportunities, and guarantees wage and benefit parity for workers affected by the transition”; new trade and purchasing rules (“enacting and enforcing trade rules, procurement standards, and border adjustments with strong labor and environmental protections”); and other broad reordering of economic and social arrangements.
It seeks far more than a cleaner environment.
At Aspen Ideas, you’re speaking in our track, Defining Economic Progress. How do you define economic progress in the modern era? Does growth equal economic progress?
Economic progress is a rise in the broad well-being of the citizenry. Obviously, an increase in material well-being –- “economic growth” –- does not guarantee this outcome if it yields undesirable work conditions, a polluted environment, emotional duress or any other non-material setback. It is my continued belief, however, that economic growth is a necessary condition because it provides the resources needed to address these other considerations.
Another problem we’ll examine at the Festival is the widening wealth gap. From your view, how can we solve, or lessen, economic inequality?
The United States must improve the performance of its K-12 education system. The continued, large-scale failure to educate –- the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress shows 25 to 33 percent of 4th and 8th graders seriously deficient in math and reading skills. This failure will only perpetuate a strong divide between the “haves” and “have-nots.” Nothing is more important than education.
The views and opinions of the author are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.
for the latest festival updates.
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AllatRa Book
Consciousness and Personality. From the inevitably dead to the eternally alive
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Home Excerpts from the books & TV CLIMATE. THE FUTURE IS NOW
Harbingers of the last days and what can humanity do to survive
Text version of the programme “CLIMATE. THE FUTURE IS NOW” with the participation of Igor Mikhailovich Danilov. Part 5.
(Note, abbreviations in the text: lead Tatiana – T; Igor Mikhailovich Danilov – IM)
1:02:30 — 1:19:29
Which predictions on the last days are coming true today? What kind of future will humanity choose? Who is the Judge which will come at the last days? Who and what for differentiates people by religions? What hampers humankind to manage an issue of poverty, hunger, and lack of drinking water? What can really unite people and why the system is terrified of it?
Previous article: “Our future depends on social responsibility of each of us”. Part 4.
VIDEOCLIP “HARBINGERS OF THE END DAYS”
Narrator: Harbingers of the end days. What is coming true?
Spiritual decline of humankind at the last days
Narrator: Spiritual and moral decline of humankind.
The Holy Scripture of Christianity, the Bible, says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, slanderous, brutal, …not loving good.”
The Bible about people in the time of the last days. Narrator: In the ancient religion of Hinduism, it is said that in the last epoch of the cycle, Kali Yuga, “practically all desirable qualities will gradually diminish in people.” It will be a dark age when “a person’s spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis people will change from one spiritual order to the next.” Where “filling the belly will become the goal of life, and impudence will be accepted as truthful.”
Hinduism about the loss of all good qualities in people in the Kali Yuga age.
Hinduism about the disappearance of truthfulness, purity and mercy at the end of times.
Hinduism about the vicious mores of people at the end of the Kali Yuga.
Hinduism about the lack of spiritual values in society during the Kali Yuga times.
Hinduism about the loss of understanding of the true purpose of human life in the last days.
Natural disasters and acceleration of time
Narrator: Harbingers of the end days. Terrifying events, earthquakes in various places. Acceleration of time.
In the Gospel of Luke it is said, “.. there will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places, as well as terrifying events, including significant signs from heaven.”
The Bible about natural phenomena in the last days.
Narrator: In Islam, it is also mentioned about the Judgement Day, Al-Qiyamah. In the Hadith, it is said that “the Prophet, may Allah bless and welcome him, said, “The Hour will not happen until… earthquakes increase in number and time passes quickly…””
Islam about the Judgement Day (Kiyamat)
Narrator: “The Puranas” are sacred texts of ancient Hindu literature. These ancient legends say about the horrors of the end of Kali Yuga, that during this period, “The citizens will suffer greatly from cold, wind, heat, rain and snow. They will be further tormented by quarrels, hunger, thirst, disease and severe anxiety.”
Hinduism, the Puranas about the horrors of the end of the Kali Yuga.
Only being united can humanity survive in the last days
Fragment from the programme CLIMATE. THE FUTURE IS NOW
Igor Mikhailovich Danilov:
But even in case of the most positive outcome, indeed, in just a little while the time of the Crossroads ends, and if humanity chooses the path of spiritual development, the path of unity, if everyone who’s alive at least a little bit stops being silent and unite, even then we won’t be able to avoid most of the disasters that are already chartered, so to say. But we’ll be able to survive. However, we’ll be able to survive only together.
Igor Mikhailovich Danilov in the programme “Climate. The Future is Now”
Narrator: As it is said in the book “AllatRa”, “The Knowledge has been given to man, and his choice and action depend only on him! And changes in the whole global society depend on actions of every person! For all the living people, this is really the last remaining chance to spiritually save themselves and the civilisation.”
In the last days the Judge will come…
Т: It’s just that so much is said about the Last Day in both eschatology and various religions. And we’ve also found that the eschatological literature of the 1st century BC talked about everything that you’ve been saying. And it was mentioned that the Judge will come. And, if I may, I will read this out loud so that…
IM: Go ahead, please.
T: It is said that “He was selected and hidden by the Lord before the emergence of the world, and he will remain before Him until the end of ages.” The reason why we’ve got interested in this concept of “hidden” is that in the previous programme we raised the topic that Imam Mahdi would be present in a hidden state…
IM: They actually refer to the Holy Spirit here, if we speak the language of Christianity.
T: Yes, and it was mentioned that “…At the end of times, the Lord will reveal him to people and put him on the throne of His glory so that he would judge all created according to the purpose for which it was initially created.” But what’s also interesting is that “…When He rises to judge the world, the world will prostrate itself in front of him, glorifying him and the Lord of the spirits. The voice of the chosen ones and the voice of angels in Heaven will join the collective hymn in the garden of Life.”
IM: That’s right, “in the garden of Life” (T: It’s just that…) and “the voice of the chosen ones in the garden of Life”. The question is, even from this perspective, does it really say “everyone”?
T: Many are called, but few are chosen.
IM: Absolutely right. On the one hand, all people are chosen. They are in this world, they are here, they’ve already got a chance. But in this context it is said about the chosen ones who have gained Life. They are still here, in the garden, among people on earth, but they are already chosen because they are already Alive. And they do feel and understand Him, they feel and understand who He is. And their voice already joins His voice, right? Same as Angels in heavens.
T: The collective hymn…
IM: The collective hymn.
T: …of the triumph of Love.
IM: Of course.
Who and why had divided people by religions?
T: It’s just that everything seems to already exist in religions… as in Islam, in Christianity, in Zoroastrianism, a lot is said about the choice of people, and specifically the active position of people in choosing goodness.
IM: Yes (T: And…), and that very cyclicity is mentioned, and everything else is talked about. Isn’t that so?
T: It is. Well, it’s just that, you know, it seems that scientists do their research one-sidedly, only in their own field, but completely…
IM: And there’s no holistic approach.
T: Into related… Yes… They don’t look into related fields of science at all…
IM: Of course. And why has satan divided people into religions as well? After all, it’s actually satan who has divided. He has even divided religions (we’ve talked about this a lot) so that people wouldn’t see the entire picture.
Because if there is an impartial view of the holistic picture of the world, of all religions, then, whether a person wants this or not, he comes to what? To the Universal Grain. He comes to an overall understanding, to what all saints come to. God is one (T: Right). And a person can come to Him only through Love, and not through fright, not through fear or anything else.
It’s precisely fear that drives people into fetters and bondage, let’s say, of the system itself. And again, a human being is not a God’s slave. He cannot be a God’s slave, and these are also substitutions. A human is a slave of satan for as long as he is his slave. This is so.
T: It’s just that, you know, in this period of time you understand how important it is for people to share this Knowledge, just in order not to see a stranger in another person, in order to see that consciousness is exactly the stranger. However, when people don’t see this…
What unites people?
IM: And here you respond to the fundamentals of the fundamentals. After all, consciousness makes people separated and lonely. And so, why (we’ve talked a lot about this) do people still feel lonely when they are among their relatives and friends? For as long as they are talking, laughing, arguing, even quarrelling, they don’t feel lonely. But once a person calms down a little bit and just closes his eyes, he feels lonely even among his relatives and friends; he’s on his own when he’s controlled by satan.
But when a person lives by the Spiritual World, when God’s Love is most important for him, when he feels Love in return, and Life is actually arising in him, then he understands – no matter where he is, he’s not alone. This is impossible when God is with him.
When the entire Spiritual World is in him, and he’s in that World, well, how can he be alone? And that’s the point: the spiritual unites while the devilish divides.
T: It’s just, well, it’s so important for people to share with each other, even just in communication…
IM: …to understand.
T: To understand, right, and to be an example themselves.
IM: There’s a simple example, I’ll give a simple example… Two loving hearts love each other, they cannot live without each other – and all of a sudden they are already enemies. And how many of such examples are there? And they feel hatred and envy.
People can always come to an agreement and solve any problems
T: It’s just, you know, these situations are like… after all, everything is fractal, they are like, well, these situations happen within a family (IM: Yes). Also, if we speak of cataclysms, it’s exactly like you said: refugees will meet those people whom they will come to, that it’s absolutely the same when people don’t know…
IM: And if we look at it from the perspective of the Spiritual World, and they come… but you are actually coming to yourself. It cannot be said otherwise; after all, in the Spiritual World, this is so. Well, aren’t you happy to meet yourself? Well, they came… Well, there can be no disputes or any discussions here at all.
Let’s say, no one will come to anyone with weapons, and no one will meet anyone with weapons, because it is dear ones meeting, the dearest and the closest ones who are always cheerful, and who’ll always be together. What dispute can we talk about here? It’s always possible to come to an agreement, it’s always possible to… It’s possible to resolve everything.
Modern technologies can make even deserts fertile. It’s just that this is not used. Well, we are not raising the issue of … For example, they are fighting famine, right (let me give… this is how the system works), the UN and many other organizations have been fighting famine for a long time, but there are more and more starving people, more and more people in need.
And is it really impossible to solve the issue of water, of food? From the perspective as long as satan rules the world – no! Because for them it’s much more important to serve the devil in their heads, or, to put it simply, to make more money with no regard for anyone. However, what will you do with this money? Well, isn’t that so?
And from the spiritual perspective? It’s easy, everything is possible. Trees can be planted to replace the ones cut down, and it’s possible to create conditions when everything will be available (T: The main thing is for a person to…), and there will be enough of everything.
T: The main thing for a person is just to be oriented to giving Love, because, well, in the modern world everyone wants, you’ve said that correctly…
IM: The main thing for a person is to become Alive, then everything can be resolved. It’s difficult for dead ones to understand this. While for those who… in whom Life still glimmers, those do feel this and can understand.
Why is the system afraid of spiritual unification of people?
T: We’ve also raised such a topic… the topic of resources, of distribution of resources, it’s just that I’d like to touch upon this issue, too, because in the modern time, of course, information is being widely promoted in mass media about…
IM: Yes, they say that artificial intelligence will have to deal with this in the future. But who deals with this now, isn’t it the system?
T: What’s the difference whether it’s someone who’s controlled by it, or…
IM: So, one person said that in the near future we will face global totalitarianism, supposedly for the good of humanity. Isn’t it that way right now? A simple question.
T: That is, the system diverts attention to some future, while here and now it simply implements (IM: Of course) its plans (IM: Absolutely). But you know, it is also interesting, what the system is playing on?
IM: On selfishness and on pridefulness of some individuals. The question is: where is pridefulness and selfishness of the rest of people? And why is this happening? Because everything is separated. Everything is divided and separated, there is no unity. And why is the system afraid of unity? When people unite based on their spiritual… in fact, in their best understanding of, let’s say, their best spiritual impulse, right? It’s disastrous for the system.
T: Meaning, all of its programs completely break down?
IM: Its plans.
T: Plans.
IM: Of course, because it likes to plan.
T: It doesn’t see what’s going on.
IM: Yes. And here, when there is spiritual unification of people based on Love, understanding, well, this… for it… there is no way that’s a part of its plan.
T: It doesn’t see what’s going on, when people are simply abide in Love…
IM: And it doesn’t know what to do about it.
T: …and doesn’t know what to do about it.
T: Totally invisible, and how this develops…
IM: It’s like a glitch in the program, you know? It’s like a virus that can completely shut down a tablet. It’s the same here.
T: Well, this is very inspiring information, because for sure (IM: Yes, yes) this information breaks all these patterns of consciousness that arise in people’s heads.
IM: It’s okay, the system has plenty of arguments, don’t worry. It will mend the broken patterns in people’s heads.
Taking care of each other is a natural need of a human
T: It’s just, you know, well, we’ve touched a little on this artificial intelligence topic, but I understand how much the system wants to become a human’s substitute in those matters where in their natural state, in the state of an Angel, people are obliged to take care of one another, that is, to take care of another person, to give…
IM: He isn’t obliged to anyone. It’s a need (T: A natural one). It’s a natural need. But the understanding that “a person is obliged”, “obliged to pose as a kind person” — it comes exactly from the system in people’s consciousness. A person has to put on a mask of someone, well, like Mother Teresa, right, and to do good deeds for everyone. And why? Because no one knows who she really was… Well, we are not raising this topic.
One should be more straight-out to manifestations of the system inside oneself
T: We’ve also touched on a topic “of being kind”, because there’s such a typical pattern in people’s consciousness as “being kind towards everything”, including manifestations of the system, even, say, in those moments when one needs inside oneself, too…
IM: Hold on… If you (I’ve already told about this in one of the programmes), if a rabid dog bites your left leg, should you offer it your right leg? After all, you really have to be kind to the sick rabid dying dog that wants to bite you. It bites your left leg, but now it really wants to bite the right one. Should you give it your right leg, or what should be done?
T: Well, you know, people don’t have (IM: There’s an answer here, too), distinction (IM: Understanding) and understanding, yes, that one should be uncompromising, say, unyielding towards manifestations of the system inside oneself, first and foremost…
IM: And that’s why the world is like that, you see?
Next article: “Importance of Knowledge that is given to people – it’s time to make a choice”. Part 6.
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Herbert S. Stovel fonds, 3 results 3
Herbert S. Stovel fonds Series
Heritage Organizations
STOV-2
Part of Herbert S. Stovel fonds
This series consists of records created and accumulated by Herb Stovel during his time working for various heritage organizations in a professional and volunteer capacity.
The series includes records related primarily to the following heritage organizations: the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) International and ICOMOS Canada, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF), the Ontario Heritage Foundation, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Parks Canada, and the Association of Preservation Technology International (APT).
Due to the varied nature of Stovel’s activities, there is not always a clear distinction between the organizations, and some of the sub-series overlap.
Institute for Heritage Education and Consulting
This series consists of records created and accumulated by Herb Stovel during his time working as a consultant and with his consulting firm the Institute for Heritage Education. The documentation is comprised of correspondence, reports, and notes on multiple projects. In 1988, Herb Stovel founded the founder Institute of Heritage Education, and was the Executive Director of the organization. The work of the Institute focused on technical consulting, management consulting, education and training.
Projects found in this series include and preparatory documents for the International Symposium of World Heritage Cities held in Québec City in 1991, and work on the Rideau Canal Corridor cultural landscape study, which led to a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2007.
This series also includes significant material from Mr. Stovel’s time as a consultant for the federal government, notably his work on the development of training programs for the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, including the Cultural Resource Management Policy Orientation Training for federal employees. This series also includes Mr. Stovel’s training work for the Government of Ontario and the development of “train the trainers” course on behalf of the ICOMOS Canada Education & Training Committee.
Research and Reference
This series consists of reference and research material accumulated by Herb Stovel. This series is divided into the following sub-series: Teaching and Instruction, Geographic, Historical: Valentine, and Historical: Rempel.
The first sub-series Teaching and Instruction includes syllabi, course guidelines, correspondence, and readings associated with his teaching positions at Université de Montréal, Carleton University, the University of Vermont, and the University of Victoria.
The second sub-series Geographic includes material related to geographic locations and heritage sites over the course of his travel.
The third and fourth sub-series also includes historic material accumulated by architects Hugh Allen Inglis Valentine and John Ivan Rempel.
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Arms Control Law
A blog for analysis and discussion of legal issues relevant to arms control
Arms Control Law Books
Events on International Sanctions in London
Posted: February 14, 2015 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | Leave a comment
I wanted to draw the attention of readers of this blog to two events on international sanctions which will be held by the London Centre of International Law Practice (LCILP) in London in March 2015.
The first is a two-day training workshop on International Sanctions in Practice: Legal and Business Implications (17-18 March 2015), which will address the whole range of legal and business issues raised by the implementation of international sanctions regimes, from coercive measures enacted by the UN Security Council and regional organisations, to ‘unilateral sanctions’ implemented by individual States, as well as comprehensive and sector-specific embargoes and ‘targeted’ measures against listed entities and individuals.
Drawing on case studies of various sanctions regimes currently in force, it will also focus on the multiple dimensions of growing legal challenges to sanctions brought before domestic and international courts and tribunals, or under other mechanisms.
The second event is a one-day conference on International Sanctions: Legal, Policy and Business Challenges (19 March 2015), co-sponsored by the International Law Association Study Group on UN Sanctions and International Law and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University. It will bring together some of the most prominent experts on International Sanctions to argue on issues raised by sanctions in terms of international responsibility, human rights, available remedies, and impact on cross-border trade and investment, amongst others.
The discussion and findings of this conference will also be used to further shape the agenda of the International Law Association Study Group on UN Sanctions and International Law and to inform its work.
We look forward to meeting you in London in March!
The Iran-IAEA Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation: A Way Out of the Impasse?
Posted: November 12, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | Leave a comment
On 11 November 2013, while the (overall successful) negotiations in Geneva between the P-5+1 and Iran had been postponed for a few days, direct talks in Tehran between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran proved fruitful. In Geneva, according to open source information, many differences have been solved and only minor gaps remain, and it appears that the main reason why an agreement has not been finalized during this round of negotiation lies in the fact that the position of the P-5+1 was not united, since the French delegation has adopted a ‘hard’ stance. At the same time, in Tehran IAEA DG Yukiya Amano and Mr. Ali Akbar Salehi, Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, signed a ‘Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation’. The document states that both parties have agreed ‘to strengthen their cooperation and dialogue aimed at ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme through the resolution of all outstanding issues that have not already been resolved by the IAEA’.
At first reading, the following observations may be made regarding this Joint Statement:
1. The ‘Framework for Cooperation’ reminds to some extent the ‘Work Plan’ that was agreed between the IAEA and Iran in August 2007, under which Iran pledged to provide over the course of the next few months, answers to questions from the Agency, as well as clarifications and access to information, regarding remaining ‘outstanding issues’ on its nuclear programme. The Framework appears less detailed at this stage than the Work Plan, but this may be explained by the fact that it is understood as a ‘first step’, during which Iran and the IAEA agree to implement a handful of ‘practical measures’ listed in an Annex (entitled ‘Initial Practical Measures to be Taken by Iran Within Three Months’) to the Joint Statement.
2. What is the legal nature of the Joint Statement and of the Framework it embodies? It may be observed at first sight that the Joint Statement matches prima facie the definition of a treaty contained in the 1986 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations. Article 2(1)(a) of the 1986 Vienna Convention defines a treaty as ‘an international agreement governed by international law and concluded in written form […] between one or more States and one or more international organizations. The Joint Statement is indeed an international agreement, and it has been concluded in ‘written form’. It is less certain that the Joint Statement be ‘governed by international law’, since this criterion refers to the presence of an intention of the parties to create obligations under international law (as opposed to mere mutual understandings regarding their behaviour). Indeed, it may be reasonably argued that given the terms chosen by the negotiating parties (‘[…] Iran and the IAEA will cooperate further with respect to verification activities to be undertaken by the IAEA to resolve all present and past issues. It is foreseen that Iran’s cooperation will include providing the IAEA with timely information about its nuclear facilities and in regard to the implementation of transparency measures […] – emphasis added), the Joint Statement is more of a nature of a preliminary agreement, a kind of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and as such that its binding force is debatable. It may also be viewed as a mere Confidence-Building Measure (CBM), and as such voluntary and non-binding in nature. Given the unclear legal nature of the Joint Statement, it is unclear what would be the legal consequences of the non-fulfillment of an undertaking assumed under the Joint Statement. It is significant that in terms of implementation and ‘compliance’, the document merely provides that the IAEA ‘will report to the Board of Governors on progress in the implementation of these measures’, without further elaborating on the follow-up process.
3. Be it as it may, it appears that the Joint Statement is an important step forward, as well as a significant sign of goodwill by Iran, since the undertakings by Iran under the Joint Statement and its Annex go well beyond the obligations of Iran under its 1974 Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, and that in some respects (i.e. in terms of the provision of ‘advance’ information on contemplated new nuclear installations) they are (as far as it appears from the wording of the Annex) even broader in scope than those that a country is supposed to assume under an Additional Protocol (AP). However, Iran’s Safeguards Agreement cannot be deemed per se superseded by the Joint Statement. On the contrary, it is to be assumed that the Safeguards Agreement is applicable to the Joint Statement mutatis mutandis, or in other words that the Joint Statement is to be read in conjunction with the Safeguards Agreement, in particular as regards procedures and conditions of cooperation.
4. It may be reminded that the 2007 Work Plan had been satisfactorily implemented by Iran, which led the IAEA to issue a report in February 2008 stating it had been able to conclude that answers provided by Iran, in accordance with the work plan, were either ‘consistent with its findings’ or ‘not inconsistent’ with its own findings. As a consequence, the only remaining issue, according to the 2008 report, was ‘the alleged studies on the green salt project, high explosives testing and the missile re-entry vehicle’. This latter issue had not been considered as one of the ‘outstanding issues’ that the Work Plan was supposed to clarify, but it subsequently unfolded in such a way as to become the focus of the IAEA’s ‘concerns’, with important negative consequences such as the imposition of additional unilateral economic measures against Iran by some countries (whose doubtful legality I examined here, here and here). By the way it shall be reminded that one reason (maybe the main reason) why the issue of ‘alleged studies’ (now termed ‘Possible Military Dimension’) was not resolved since 2008 lies in the fact that the countries which provided the information to the IAEA did not accept that it be transferred to Iran, contrary to the relevant provision of the Work Plan (see para. III).
It is now to be hoped that, if supplemented in due course by technical and administrative understandings satisfactory to both parties and correctly applied, the Framework for Cooperation that the Joint Statement contemplates shall in turn address substantively all remaining ‘concerns’ expressed by the IAEA in its latest reports, and pave the way for the Iranian nuclear file to come back from the Security Council to a ‘routine’ IAEA scrutiny.
For the record: Israeli Chemical/Biological Weapons
Posted: September 16, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Biological, Chemical | 3 Comments
For a better understanding of the regional context of the proposed dismantling of the Syrian CWs, it may be interesting to have a look at the article published in 2001 by Avner Cohen, ‘Israel and Chemical/Biological Weapons: History, Deterrence, and Arms Control’ The Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Fall-Winter 2001), available here. Updated information on Israeli CW capabilities is also found on NTI’s website.
French Government Intelligence Assessment on CWs use in Syria
Posted: September 4, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Chemical | 6 Comments
You may download here the full report (PDF in French) released by the French government on its intelligence assessment on the use of CWs in Syria. I heard this morning on France-Info a French MP labelling it a ‘Wikipedia-style’ report.
Compliance with nonproliferation treaties – the case of Iran revisited
Posted: June 25, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | 1 Comment
This is to draw your attention on a piece on Iran’s (non-)compliance with its nonproliferation obligations that I have just posted on Ejil:Talk! It draws on my recent article on the same topic, a draft of which is available on SSRN, and which will appear in the forthcoming issue of the Journal of Conflict and Security Law.
Here is the abstract of the article:
The controversy over the Iranian nuclear programme is probably one of most sensitive contemporary instances of a situation involving legal issues related to compliance and enforcement of non-proliferation treaty obligations. The allegations put forward against Iran in this context are rarely formulated or substantiated in legal terms, nor grounded in a clearly identifiable legal basis or framework. This article aims at the identification of the specific international obligations that Iran would have breached or failed to comply with, whether contained in the NPT or in other non-proliferation agreements, and at the evaluation of the criteria or standards under which the occurrence of a failure or a breach of treaty commitments by Iran is to be assessed. It begins with an overview of the instruments comprising the safeguards system established pursuant to the NPT and monitored by the IAEA, then provides an account of the treatment by the IAEA of the Iranian nuclear program since 2002, which led the IAEA to declare that Iran was in non-compliance with its safeguards agreement, before assessing the IAEA’s findings, in light of relevant rules pertaining to both general international law and the NPT/IAEA legal framework for nuclear safeguards as lex specialis.
Your comments are welcome!
The supply of arms to opposition groups in Syria and international law
Posted: May 27, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Conventional, Terrorism, War | 27 Comments
The Guardian newspaper has made available the text of a discussion paper by the Foreign Ministry of Austria circulated on 13 May 2013 to EU member states, forcefully rebutting British and French arguments for amending the European embargo on Syria to allow weapons shipments to the rebels.
The document, entitled ‘SYRIA: Austrian Position on Arms Embargo’, first puts forward several political and security arguments, among them the following (summary only):
– Lifting the EU arms embargo undermines the EU-Russia understanding that opens a window of opportunity towards a renewed political process.
– The ‘Syrian National Coalition for Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC)’ does not have full authority and control over all armed opposition groups and cooperates with groups which include various extremist and terrorist fighters.
– There are more than enough weapons in Syria.
– The supply of arms to the opposition by EU member states constitutes an additional threat to the security of UNDOF [United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which supervises the implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and the ceasefire between the Israeli and Syrian forces] peacekeepers, including from Austria.
But the most interesting part of the paper argues that the supply of arms to the Syrian opposition would be in breach of international law and EU law.
The main arguments developed in that respect deserve being quoted in full (I have only made minor typographical changes to the text and omitted certain developments):
1. The supply of arms to the Syrian opposition would amount to a breach of the customary principle of non-intervention and the principle of non-use of force under Art. 2 para. 4 of the UN Charter.
The principle of non-intervention is firmly established in international law. In 2007, former UK Legal Adviser Sir Michael Wood put it in a nutshell: “Intervention on the side of those opposing the Government […] is clearly prohibited” (The Principle of Non-Intervention in Contemporary International Law, Speech by Sir Michael Wood at a Chatham House International Law discussion group meeting held on 28 February 2007). In the 1984 Nicaragua Case the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected any alleged right for States to intervene in support of an internal opposition in another State, whose cause appeared particularly worthy for political or moral reasons: “The Court therefore finds that no such general right of intervention, in support of an opposition within another State, exists in contemporary international law” (para. 209). The ICJ also stated that acts constituting a breach of the customary principle of non-intervention would also, if they directly or indirectly involve the use of force, constitute a breach of the prohibition not to use of force in international relations, as embodied in Art. 2 para. 4 of the UN Charter. The continuing relevance of the Nicaragua Case was confirmed by the ICJ in its 2005 judgement in the Case concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo: “In the case concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America), the Court made it clear that the principle of non-intervention prohibits a State “to intervene, directly or indirectly, with or without armed force, in support of an internal opposition in another State” (para. 164).
2. The supply of arms to the Syrian opposition would violate EU Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on the control of arms exports by EU Member States.
All EU Member States have agreed to abide by Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment when assessing applications to export items listed in the agreed EU Common Military List. An objective assessment of the Criteria in Art. 2 of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP according to the agreed guidance of their interpretation and implementation in the EU’s User’s Guide (User’s Guide to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, Doc. 9241/09, 29 April 2009) must lead to a denial of any export licence applications for the envisaged supply of arms to the Syrian opposition:
Criterion 2(c) (human rights and humanitarian law): Member States shall deny an export licence if there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used in the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law. The UN Commission of Inquiry reported that “war crimes, including murder, extrajudicial killings and torture, were perpetrated by anti-Government armed groups” (Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, A/HRC/21/50, 16 August 2012).
Criterion 3 (internal situation): Member States shall deny an export licence for military technology or equipment which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination. The User’s Guide does not foresee that arms would be supplied to opposition groups involved in an armed conflict and places particular attention on the role of the end-user in a conflict.
Criterion 4 (regional peace, security and stability): Member States shall deny an export licence if there is a clear risk that the intended recipient would use the military technology or equipment to be exported aggressively against another country or to assert by force a territorial claim. Despite the 1974 cease-fire agreement, Syria and Israel remain in a state of war, which was recently reignited by Israeli air and missile strikes. The Syrian opposition has not declared to respect the cease-fire, the disengagement agreement or the area of separation.
Criterion 5(b) (national security of Member States): Member States shall take into account the risk of use of the military technology or equipment concerned against their forces or those of Member States and those of friendly and allied countries. […]
Criterion 6 (behaviour of the buyer as regards its attitude to terrorism, the nature of its alliances and respect for international law): […]
Criterion 7 (risk of diversion): […]
3. The supply of arms to the Syrian opposition would amount to a violation of Security Council resolution 2083 (2012) establishing an arms embargo against individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaida. […]
4. Member States supplying arms to the Syrian opposition would incur State responsibility for aiding and assisting in the commission of internationally wrongful acts.
According to Art. 16 of the ILC Articles on State Responsibility a State which aids or assists another State in the commission of an internationally wrongful act is internationally responsible if (a) that State does so with knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act ; and (b) the act would be internationally wrongful if committed by that State. The Commentary inter alia states “a State may incur responsibility if it […] provides material aid to a State that uses the aid to commit human rights violations. In this respect, the UN GA has called on member States in a number of cases to refrain from supplying arms an other military assistance to countries found to be committing serious human rights violations” (para. 9). When applying these principles to the envisaged supply of arms to the Syrian opposition, it is to be considered that war crimes, including murder, extrajudicial killings and torture, are perpetrated by anti-Government armed groups in Syria, as reported by the UN Commission of Inquiry, as well as suicide bombings and attacks against and hostage-taking of UNDOF peacekeepers, as is known from the daily news. Should supplied arms be used by armed opposition groups in Syria in the commission of internationally wrongful acts, the States who had supplied these arms and had knowledge of these acts would incur State responsibility for their aid an assistance in the commission of such acts.
[end of document]
A comment on the Austrian position
The arguments set out in the Austrian paper are in my view well-founded and persuasive, particularly those based on the principle on non-intervention and the relevance of the Nicaragua Case (see on the topic the articles on the Nicaragua Case 25 years after published in 2012 in the Leiden Journal of International Law), and deserve being taken into account very seriously by the decision-makers of countries which advocate allowing weapons shipments to the Syrian rebels.
There is another point that was not mentioned by the paper. Regarding the responsibility issue raised in para. 4 of the document, I would add that if the proposed amendment to the arms embargo is adopted in the framework of the EU CFSP, the 2011 Draft articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations (DARIO) would also be relevant. Indeed, in that situation, international responsibility might also be incurred by the EU itself, in addition to the responsibility of EU member States. Article 17(1) DARIO provides that
[a]n international organization incurs international responsibility if it circumvents one of its international obligations by adopting a decision binding memberStates or international organizations to commit an act that would be internationally wrongful if committed by the former organization.
The ILC’s commentary on that provision refers to a statement of the legal counsel of WIPO according to whom
[. . .] in the event a certain conduct, which a member State takes in compliance with a request on the part of an international organization, appears to be in breach of an international obligation both of that State and of that organization, then the organization should also be regarded as responsible under international law.
It appears thus that in the event that arms supplied to armed opposition groups in Syria be used by the latter in the commission of internationally wrongful acts, the international responsibility of both the EU as an international organization and of the EU Member States might be simultaneously incurred.
In any case, it will be interesting to follow the matter, and in particular to see whether proponents of arms supply to opposition armed groups in Syria will put forward international legal arguments supporting their position.
On the scope of IAEA safeguards in Iran
Posted: March 10, 2013 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | 19 Comments
The latest IAEA DG Report on Iran (‘Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran’, 21 February 2013, GOV/2013/6) contains in its conclusion the usual statement, found in previous reports, according to which:
While the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material at the nuclear facilities and LOFs declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement, as Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation, including by not implementing its Additional Protocol, the Agency is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities (para. 62).
What is interesting is that there has been a light change, more precisely an addition, in the footnote (fn. 61) supposed to support such statement, by comparison with the same text in previous IAEA reports. The addition is shown in italics below:
The Board has confirmed on numerous occasions, since as early as 1992, that paragraph 2 of INFCIRC/153 (Corr.), which corresponds to Article 2 of Iran’s Safeguards Agreement, authorizes and requires the Agency to seek to verify both the non-diversion of nuclear material from declared activities (i.e. correctness) and the absence of undeclared nuclear activities in the State (i.e. completeness) (see, for example, GOV/OR.864, para. 49 and GOV/OR.865, paras. 53-54).
As Dan Joyner has already shown here, GOV/OR.864 does not in fact support the ‘completeness’ argument but on the contrary evidences divergences on the issue within the Board at the time.
So it seems (and it is quite plausible) that this additional reference has been added by the IAEA in an attempt to counter Joyner’s arguments referred to above. The same reference may be found in the ‘legal’ paper issued by ISIS/Heinonen/Goldschmidt/Persbo et alii recently, which was intended to establish the inacurracy of Joyner’s ‘dangerous claim’.
I’m afraid that this additional reference to GOV/OR.865, paras. 53-54 is no more conclusive than the reference to GOV/OR.864, para. 49. The relevant summary of the BoG discussion may be found as an annex to a 1995 IAEA GC document.
The context of the relevant IAEA BoG discussion is to be reminded. In 1995 the IAEA DG exposed the measures envisioned under the ‘93+2’ programme for updating the safeguards system (which led to the adoption of the Model Additional Protocol), and invited the BoG to confirm, inter alia, that:
The purpose of comprehensive safeguards agreements is the continuing verification of the correctness and completeness of States’ declarations of nuclear material in order to provide maximum assurance of the non-diversion of nuclear material from declared activities and of the absence of undeclared nuclear activities ‘ (in ‘Strengthening the Effectiveness and Improving the Efficiency of the Safeguards System’, Report by the Director General to the Board of Governors (GOV/2784), 21 February 1995, para. 110).
At the March 1995 session of the BoG, such ‘invitation’ was largely debated. The United States, Australia and Japan, inter alia, endorsed the specific proposal contained in para. 110 of GOV/2784 (quoted above). But the proposal also met with significant opposition from several members of the Board. For instance, the governor from Cuba, stated that
[t]he aim of comprehensive safeguards agreements was to detect swiftly any diversion to non-peaceful uses of significant quantities of nuclear material, and the means of doing so was by verifying the nuclear material declarations of States. Therefore, the Board could not confirm what was recommended in paragraph 110. A of the document within the current legal framework.
Similar reservations were formulated among others by Mexico, India, Pakistan, China, Algeria, Turkey, the Russian Federation.
The most elaborated criticism of the DG’s invitation came from the governor from Brazil, Ms. Machado Quintella, whose statement is worth being quoted extensively:
regretfully her delegation had some difficulty in accepting the present wording of paragraph 110, although it believed that there would be scope for consensus after some adjustments, as no one was likely to deny the desirability of increasing the level of assurance provided by the safeguards system. All were committed to strengthening the system; the question on which views differed was how to achieve that common goal.
100. What the Board was being asked to approve in subparagraph 110.A was not a confirmatory interpretation of document INFCIRC/153, but rather a new concept regarding the purpose of comprehensive safeguards agreements – one that would require the modification of existing agreements or their amplification by additional legal instruments.
101. As things stood at present, the purpose of existing comprehensive safeguards agreements was to verify that there was no diversion of nuclear material to the manufacture of nuclear weapons or of any other explosive device. Confirming what was stated in subparagraph 110. A, that the purpose of such agreements was the continuing verification of the correctness and completeness of States’ declarations of nuclear material, would thus represent a substantial departure, with no legal basis, from the original purpose as defined in paragraph 2 of document INFCIRC/153 and in Article III(l) of the NPT.
102. The assertion made in paragraph 5 of document GOV/2784 regarding the intentions of the drafters of document INFCIRC/153 was entirely uncorroborated by the records of the Board’s Safeguards Committee (1970), which she had studied at length. In approving the concept put forward in document GOV/2784 regarding the purpose of comprehensive safeguards agreements, the Board would therefore not be confirming previous understandings, but introducing new ideas which would require amendments or protocols to existing agreements in order that the envisaged new safeguards measures might be applied. Such measures could, of course, be introduced on the basis of bilateral arrangements between the Agency and each Member State concerned, but there was as yet no proper legal basis for changing the Agency’s safeguards system from one aimed at the verification of non-diversion to one aimed at verification of the non-existence of undeclared activities.
103. Verification of the absence of undeclared nuclear materials or activities required actions that had not been considered by the drafters of document INFCIRC/153 […].
109. With regard to paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, where there were references to the continuous development of safeguards, she believed that technological developments in the safeguards field should not be confused with the evolution of the safeguards system itself. The system had evolved from one based on safeguards agreements deriving from the Statute to one based on comprehensive safeguards agreements deriving from document INFCIRC/153, but a safeguards agreement was a legal instrument not subject to evolution; if additional undertakings were to be entered into, that called for a protocol or some other form of additional legal instrument acceptable to the parties.
110. The statement in paragraph 6 that in February 1992 the Board had reaffirmed the requirement that the Agency provide assurance regarding the correctness and completeness of nuclear material declarations by States was misleading: that requirement had been affirmed not as a general principle, but in respect of the initial inventories of two specific countries – and on both occasions Brazil had expressed reservations.
(for the full statement see IAEA Board of Governors, Record of the 860th meeting, supra note 185, paras. 99-110)
This review of the Board discussions shows that it can hardly be contended that there has been a subsequent agreement regarding the interpretation or application of INFCIRC/153-type CSAs between States parties to the IAEA Statute and/or parties to the NPT, in the meaning of Article 31.3(b) of the 1986 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations, which would have resulted in an extension of the IAEA’s mandate, allowing it to verify both the non-diversion of nuclear material from declared activities (i.e. correctness) and the absence of undeclared nuclear activities in the State (i.e. completeness).
Reading the summary of discussions within the BoG during the subsequent GOV/OR.865 meeting, I do not see that the States opposed to the wording of para. 110 of GOV/2784 (as mentioned above) changed their minds in the meantime, nor that the final endorsement by the BoG of the Chairman’s ‘summing-up’ (which contains indeed a reference to the ‘completeness’ argument, but appears to be above all an endorsement of the ‘general direction of Programme 93+2’) is to be interpreted as a subsequent agreement (or, to quote the IAEA, a ‘confirmation’) on the correct interpretation of paragraph 2 of INFCIRC/153 (supposed to require the IAEA to seek to verify both the correctness and the completeness of declarations made by States under their CSAs).
I would welcome any comments on this issue. Thanks in advance!
France’s ‘responsibility’ to strenghten sanctions against Iran
Posted: September 3, 2012 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | Leave a comment
On 27 August 2012, French President François Hollande delivered a speech at the 20th French Ambassadors Conference (original French text here). It contains the following passage on the Iranian nuclear issue:
My approach to the Iran crisis is based on the same requirement for collective security.
The Iranian nuclear programme, which has no credible civilian purpose, constitutes a threat to all countries in the region. It’s all the more unacceptable because it’s being carried out by a regime that frequently issues statements – reiterated in recent days – directly calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.
France’s position is clear: it would be unacceptable for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. And that country must comply with its international obligations under the NPT as well as the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the IAEA. The path of dialogue remains open because our goal is to achieve a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, but until Iran answers all the outstanding questions and complies with international law, France has a responsibility to further strengthen the sanctions against the Tehran regime.
This statement, apart from the fact that it is grounded in an allegation (‘no credible civilian purpose’) which has not been to date verified nor affirmed by the body in charge of monitoring compliance with nuclear safeguards under the NPT (i.e. the IAEA), after nearly ten years of intensive verification/inspection activities in Iran, nor established authoritatively by an international court or tribunal, poses a major problem from the point of view of international law, more precisely the body of norms referred to as the ‘law of collective security’ (see e.g. the leading work of Orakhelashvili, and the volume edited by White).
The problem lies in the assertion that ‘France has a responsibility to further strengthen the sanctions against the Tehran regime’.
Additional‘sanctions’ against Iran would necessarily amount to ‘countermeasures’ in the meaning of the 2011 ILC Articles on State responsibility for internationally wrongful acts. As I pointed out in my article ‘Countermeasures and Collective Security: The Case of the EU Sanctions Against Iran’ (SSRN draft available here, also discussed here), the availibility of countermeasures, either taken by one individual country (France), or enacted in the framework of a regional organization (the EU), in situations where the Security Council has already enacted measures (which the UN Member States are mandated to comply with) is at least very doubtful. I referred in my article inter alia to the opinion expressed by professor Pellet during the debates at the ILC on the role of countermeasures in the law of State responsibility. Prof. Pellet held the view that
recourse to the measures provided for in Chapter VII of the Charter was the first essential limitation on the unilateral use of countermeasures. If the Security Council had decided on sanctions, in accordance with Articles 41 and 42 of the Charter, it was hardly likely that States would take no notice of them and continue to carry out measures of their own, just as individual or collective self-defence was allowed in the event of aggression only, according to Article 51,
… until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.
If the Security Council had decided on measures within the meaning of Articles 41 and 42, States were no longer free to decide as they wished on countermeasures of their own.
In my opinion, therefore, France, or even the EU as a whole, cannot invoke any‘responsibility’ to take ‘independent’ countermeasures against Iran while the UN Security Council is and remains seized of the matter, insofar as none of them, unlike the Security Council, can claim to have been granted an enforcement power in the field of international peace and security. That is the reason why the invocation, in the same statement, of the ‘requirement for collective security’ seems quite paradoxal.
Is the Conclusion of an Additional Protocol Mandatory under the NPT?
Posted: August 1, 2012 | Author: Pierre-Emmanuel Dupont | Filed under: Nuclear | 5 Comments
In an article published in the July/August 2012 of Arms Control Today (‘The Rocky Road of Nuclear Diplomacy With Iran’), the former IAEA Head of Safeguards, Olli Heinonen, repeats the well-known contention that progress in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme would require Iran’s agreement ‘to implement an additional protocol to its safeguards agreement’ with the IAEA (the reader in search of an overview of the differences between the comprehensive IAEA Safeguards Agreements (INFCIRC/153) and the IAEA Additional Protocol (INFCIRC/540), shall have a look at the IAEA document ‘The Safeguards System of the International Atomic Energy Agency’, undated, available at http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/SG/documents/safeg_system.pdf, and the book published by the IAEA, The Evolution of IAEA Safeguards, Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 1998).
It is interesting to observe that this ‘requirement’, which is basically a political one, has for some time been put in a ‘legal’ form, for instance during the latest Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2010), during which several States parties expressed the view that the conclusion of an Additional Protocol (AP) is mandatory under Article III of the NPT.
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Fri Dec 26th 2014 by abagond
Being wilfully obtuse is that thing where otherwise intelligent White people believe things that make no sense – like Darren Wilson’s account of killing Michael Brown. It is where they fail to understand you no matter how patiently and carefully you try to make something clear to them. On this blog it comes across as a sudden lack of understanding of simple English, like their otherwise functioning brain has stopped working – because it has!
I call it wilful because it does not seem to be tied to a lack of intelligence, knowledge or education. If anything, more education seems to make them more obtuse.
Bell hooks calls it learned helplessness. George Orwell in “1984” called it protective stupidity or crimestop. Both see it as a feature of brainwashing by powerful interests – White supremacy for hooks, IngSoc for Orwell:
“Crimestop means the faculty of stopping short, as though by instinct, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. It includes the power of not grasping analogies, of failing to perceive logical errors, of misunderstanding the simplest arguments if they are inimical to Ingsoc…”
Crimestop stops thoughtcrime.
People notice this sort of thing in me in regard to Catholicism and sexism.
In the US it is most noticeable in Whites on the subject of race, especially in those with better educations. That is no accident. University education in the US functions more as a form of brainwashing than of enlightenment.
I used to think that if I used the right words, the scales would fall from the eyes of White people. They would see what I see in regard to race. I thought I was just saying it wrong – until I noticed two things:
Black people had no trouble understanding me, even those as young as 16.
Many Whites, even those in their 40s or 50s, had trouble understanding me even though it was apparent from the words they used that they had a university education.
For example, I used to think that anyone in the US over the age of 30 had lived long enough to know how profoundly unfair US society is, that the Bootstrap Myth was just that, a myth. But that turned out to be true only for people of colour. Many otherwise intelligent White people, with a straight face, would say stuff that made them sound like an 11-year-old who had read the dictionary.
Wilfully obtuse Whites say that Blacks “play the race card” or “see racism in everything”, that Blacks are imagining racism. That is because the protective stupidity of Whites makes them blind to racism.
Deep down they know the truth. For example, when students tell bell hooks that race does not matter, she asks them whether they would want to come back to life as Black or White. Most, regardless of their birth race, say White – as if it does matter!
What this means is that no amount of facts or reasons, no matter how clearly, calmly and patiently you lay them out, is going to change the minds of the wilfully obtuse. They are too brainwashed. They are too far gone.
bell hooks: Talking Race and Racism
George Orwell: 1984
Darren Wilson’s supporters
Bootstrap Myth
“You see racism in everything”
growing up White American
How to tell if a white person is a recovering racist
BMA: Black Mental Age – a parody about wilfully obtuse Whites.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 16:47:42 jefe
The Urban Dictionary uses the term willful ignorance.
(http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=willful%20ignorance)
The practice or act of intentional and blatant avoidance, disregard or disagreement with facts, empirical evidence and well-founded arguements because they oppose or contradict your own existing personal beliefs.
This practice is most commonly found in the political or religious ideologies of “conservative” Americans.
Many times it is practiced due to laziness–people not wanting to have to do the work to rethink their opinions, the fear of the unknown, the fear of being wrong, or sometimes simply close-mindedness.
The practice or act of intentional and blatant avoidance, disregard or disagreement with facts, empirical evidence and well-founded arguments to forward a hidden agenda.
This practice is most commonly found in the political ideologies of “Liberal” American Politicians.
Is it something that “conservatives” do more than “Liberals”? I would say it is both.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 16:55:59 sharinalr
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 16:57:05 Mary Burrell
Man, this post need to be done this topic could be said about 89% of white Americans. They choose to keep their heads in the sand. I saw a quote by Benjamin Franklin that speaks to the polarization of our country. “Justice will not be served until those who are as outraged as those who are.”
If it’s not affecting the segment of the population(dominant society) then they could care less.
So what do you call it for otherwise uneducated white people? Can it not still be willfully obtuse as they seem to at least grasp the basics when it supports their own logic?
UGH! I want to try again with the Ben Franklin quote, “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are”.
@Jefe, those are good points.
@Mary
Exactly. Many don’t care about white deaths until it becomes the “it happens to us too” excuse. I watched one guy use every possible fallacy in an argument once. When pointed out to him it went over his head constantly until finally he stated “well if I am so are you.”
There are a couple of commenters on this forum that this topic fits them like a glove.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 17:40:15 nomad
I have discovered that, generally speaking, Education simply makes people better able to defend their prejudices.
Hence this post. 😛
@Abagond, You forgot to add this to your glossary.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 17:45:50 King
Education does not produce enlightened saints… but rather, only more clever devils.
@King: Can i borrow that quote from you?
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 18:36:24 thwack
For example, I used to think that anyone in the US over the age of 30 had lived long enough to know how profoundly unfair US society is,
Gravity is unfair to fat people; should we have a march?
The sun hates white people; should we have a march?
Black people want to change everything but their behavior.
Looks like we could also use a post entitled “Straw Man Argument”.
Others use “Red Herrings”.
Probably need to be clear about which are straw man and which are red herrings.
All yours Mary!
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 19:18:05 Mbeti
“University education in the US functions more as a form of brainwashing than of enlightenment.”
I was listening to a radio show this morning in which the quest’s thesis was that the first thing the american colonist did {even before safety and while they where still in a precarious position| was start colleges and universities – financed primarily by black slave labor ,because they saw indoctrination of the native populations as a primary weapon as they knew they could not rely on military capability alone.
I’d also like to add that all this talk of white people only doing this is ridiculous ,I get it from everyone esp a large percentage of black people in regards specifically to racism ,not that its the only issue that people are defensive about.
It sounds to me more like a case of conflicting interpretations and conflicting self interests.
Why would i be interested in something that has very little if any upside and a whole lot of down.
and finally i find it mind boggling that any “intelligent” person could be a Christian these days much less a catholic – show how much I know or have interest in that interpretation of reality.
Mbeti
and finally i find it mind boggling that any “intelligent” person could be a Christian these days much less a catholic –
The foundation of modern science (Newton, Boyle, Kepler…) is based on the concept of a “personal God” making man in his image with a mind able to understand the universe God created; i.e, the difference between man and God is one of degree and NOT kind.
The Christian theists sought to reveal the laws of the universe because as Christians they believed in a transcendent LAW GIVER — GOD, whose proof of existence is seen in the rational intelligibility of all he created.
In other words, “nature” is a reflection of the mind of the Creator (God) and science allows you to know God BETTER by revealing the laws and rules that govern it.
Christianity is the reason European science left Chinese science behind in the 17th century.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 20:22:25 Michael Cooper
Another awesome post, Abagond. Vinaka! (Thank you)
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 20:26:02 GemGirl
I’m not sure what purpose is served by bell hooks’ question to her students. If I had a choice to be reborn and come back black or white, I would still want to be black just like hooks’ white students would still want to be white. If we are what we have lived, I love being black because there is some degree of internal freedom to be authentic in ways that go beyond material measures.
And the fact is that despite white supremacy ideology being forced onto people, conscious people know that being black itself is not a problem — God made humanity diverse. Racism is the problem, which is a system to maintain privileges for some and disadvantages for others based on skin color.
Despite whiteness being associated with privilege, there is something very liberating when one knows truths at a soul level because once the mind and spirit have been stretched, it can be impossible to return to certain levels of ignorance.
You come to realize there is nothing magical about whiteness, that there is nothing particularly appealing or unappealing about white skin, and you begin to see the inherent weakness in people who need to bully others to feel better about themselves.
GemGirl, I have a theory that many white pathologies are an unconscious response to the collectivism that is white supremacy– racism is a form of collectivism; ant like, robotic, mindless… remember agent Smith’s complaint to Morpheus in the Matrix?
(he made the other white male leave the room)
Agent Smith: Can you hear me, Morpheus? I’m going to be honest with you. I hate this place, this zoo, this prison, this reality, whatever you want to call it. I can’t stand it any longer…
Running the Matrix drove agent Smith crazy; so crazy he ended up wanting to destroy both machines and humans.
How crazy is that?
Never underestimate the burden white people carry keeping this racial system up and running.
on Fri Dec 26th 2014 at 21:10:05 Erik Sieven
I sure would want to come back to live as black. I wonder does not
thwack wrote: “Never underestimate the burden white people carry keeping this racial system up and running.”
I agree with you. Thanks for a great example.
But the toll must not burden or bother enough people yet?
wrong the foundation of modern science is the scientific method
which has consistently invalidated any claims of magic ,supernatural (another word for magic) or deities (magical beings)
and while some European scholars where religious others where not,
as now adays most all scientist are atheist which is just another word for honesty in my book as for most religious assertions there is no evidence and in many cases contradict logic.
as to european current ascendency in science I attribute this more to thier postion in history – the “last” or most recent distinct phenotypic group of our species ,which depended on and benefit from the accumulated achievements of our entire species.
@GemGirl
“You come to realize there is nothing magical about whiteness”
yep especially when you realize from science data that its the lack of pigmentation and a degree of inability to produce melanin.
that there is nothing particularly appealing or unappealing about white skin – unless yours is no white and whiteness is continually being shoved down your throat – then you may become bias for and against…
“God made humanity diverse” – nope evolution is the cause and at our earlier stages of development we created this fiction as a balm to our ignorance.
@Mbeti — You don’t get to debate with me on spiritual beliefs. You can offer your different our views and these can co-exist, respectfully.
I am not religious but I believe in a universal force, higher power, be it called God or something else. I do not see a contradiction between evolution and evidence of Godly entities.
Humanity is diverse — neither you or I know why. It is what it is, just like plants and animals are diverse.
I don’t view God in a dogmatic, man-in-the-sky way — but you do not get to inform me of what I’ve experienced spiritually.
Correction: You can offer your different views. We can have different opinions that can co-exist, respectfully.
Exactly, a method dripping with FAITH in the rational intelligibility of the universe; you can’t prove it, but you have FAITH in it, thats why you use the METHOD. Thats why you do science.
This is a religious residue.
Mbeti: as now adays most all scientist are atheist which is just another word for honesty
Abiogenisis is nothing more than a fancy word for spontaneous generation– life rising from non life; Thats just as much a miracle as a transcendent being. For scientists, atheism is like communism, you hafta be one to get/keep your job.
Mbeti: as to european current ascendency in science I attribute this more to thier postion in history – the “last” or most recent distinct phenotypic group of our species ,which depended on and benefit from the accumulated achievements of our entire species
Thats only a partial explanation. Europeans made the intuitive leap to the abstract sciences because their Christian FAITH predicted everything would make sense if they did.
Islam? nope
China? nope
GemGirl
I do not see a contradiction between evolution and evidence of Godly entities.
Me either because they are BOTH religious views; especially evolution.
Evolution REQUIRES you accept the production of new information from random chance and that mind comes from matter.
Thats a miracle.
Mbeti, do you believe the universe is just a brute fact?
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 00:00:15 sharinalr
I actually thought abagond had done a post on Straw man or red herring. I think it would be interesting to do a post on a fallacy each week. I discovered a few in use that I had no idea were even remotely fallacy.
I agree. Though I feel a bit bad assuming they simply have no brain. I always just think it takes a bit more time for it to sink in.
Very wise words as usual.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 01:08:32 GemGirl
Kiwi — Race does not matter. Racism is the problem. Therein lies the difference. We need to fight systemic racism, not the reality that people are of different races.
Your logic makes it sound like most women would prefer to come back as men if given a choice. I totally love being female. Being a woman is not the problem. Get it?
I love and fully embrace diversity! I would not want to work or live around only one race of people. BTW, I’m black.
Furthermore Kiwi, since white people have less melanin a dilemma exists for people making a choice. Coming back as white can result in becoming racially diluted into non-existence if the genetic attributes of white people are mixed with people from darker racial groups. It is an interesting consideration even with white social privileges due to systemic racism.
The primary reason whites can maintain all power through racist systems is because they have access to the weapons that can destroy other human beings, and have demonstrated willingness (through propaganda and intimidation) to use violence for any reason.
People who are generally peaceful would prefer to avoid bloody wars and co-exist with others. Unending conflict only appeals to those with blood lust.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 01:59:48 Natalie
I think that racist white people are either Malignant Narcissists and that is why they can believe in things that don’t make sense.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 02:20:49 thwack
Thats not enough to explain racism. You are confusing mechanism with agency. If you give a bunch of black people guns they will most likely shoot each other. The preliminary step to mistreatment is DECIDING the qualifications for mistreatment.
If you aren’t clear about that, you could be on the receiving end of your own mistreatment.
Black people are not a race because they lack an agreed upon foundation of value with which to base their function as one on.
The primary reason whites can maintain all power through racist systems is because they have one.
Racism is the false ideology of white superiority and pushes the false notion of black inferiority. This is fact. Racism is not the same as prejudice. It is systemic oppression.
IMO:
Without guns and being shielded by the system, white policemen would not be able to easily intimidate and get away with murdering so many people from all backgrounds.
If the elite in power did not have militarized protection that could result in killing people, their bank accounts would be looted as payback for extreme income inequality.
Survival at a basic level and the threat to survival is why the order of things can still be maintained now even as more people are far more conscious of the unfairness of this system that attempts to enslave the masses.
What are you gonna do about?
I team up with diverse people who promote healing from racism (it has caused trauma for black people), systemic reforms and social justice in support of the notion that ALL LIVES MATTER…with Black Lives Matters leading the way.
I am honest and ethical. This makes a lot of people uncomfortable. But it contributes to cutting through the bullshit that I encounter when people try to make excuses for racism. I respect differences of opinion but also am willing to confront white people and black people such as blacks who get stuck on stupid shit like interracial dating when that is a minor issue compared to systemic racism. I’ve told plenty of white people to grow the f–k up, and that I don’t need them acting like they’re my savior since I am likely as smart as they think they are.
I’m 52 and a Boomer who embraces that I am imperfect, so others can’t use that against me. My response is: “So what?” if someone wants to distract and confuse issues about racism by informing me of how problematic black communities are. And I remind them of white dysfunction. We are all human with strengths and limitations.
I donate money to causes when I can. I am a good listener and communicator who becomes a healing force in some lives. I am more effective now than before because I’ve become more selective about who to invest time and energy with. I am willing to apologize and admit when I’ve done something wrong. My ego is less important than empathy. I give hugs just because. I have good boundaries and practice this in ways that help others realize my respect for self and others. And I can be a bitch when necessary, with a sense of humor to take the edge off of difficult situations.
And what are you doing for the cause, thwack?
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 04:18:26 Allen Shaw
One of these days people are going to find out that a certain number of individuals will never give a damn about anything that is important to others.
“One just has to get over it!”
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 04:33:30 lifelearner
And once I finally realized this fact. I discuss race type issues with white minded folks like they are in fact 11 yrs old. It saves me the headache! I’ve been taking notes *shout out to Henreith :)*
* oopsy Herneith*
@lifelearner
If you get a really bad one then you might need to talk to them as if they are 5. lol
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 05:47:20 jefe
Admittedly, you are expressing exceedingly dichotomous thinking. That might inhibit the ability to think about the issue from another angle and prevent you from avoiding the “race v. racism” semantics issue that Kiwi brought up. The following is just one example of the many dichotomous statements you already injected into this thread.
“Racism is the false ideology of white superiority and pushes the false notion of black inferiority.”
I think that it would be good for Abagond’s thread if he had a series of the common fallacy arguments commenters often use on this blog and then eventually save them in a tab for quick reference.
For example, he has a post on ad hominem.
It would be an effective way to control trolls, the willfully obtuse, and even the accidentally obtuse from derailing threads without waiting for them to break the rules and getting them banned.
At the very least, it would require one to require commenters to admit that an assumed fact is an unproved premise.
All the time we see straw man, red herring and base rate fallacies used as arguments in this blog all the time, but they have not been explained, so people continue using them, sometimes by accident, but more often than not in an attempt to derail threads.
@ Sharina,
Yep, then put them in time- out until they get a clue or as I do ignore them altogether and continue to enjoy the various comments by the enlightened.
@ jefe,
Yes, it would be extremely helpful. Especially to those not familiar with formal debate.
And at the end of the day, everyone is entailed to their own opinion. Just because one has a varying one doesn’t make it any more/less true or right. One of many things I’ve learned here on Abagond *thanks* 😀
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 14:24:04 ThatDeborahGirl
I really appreciate your saying this. I stopped reading your blog for a very long time after the Tommy Sotomayor post. It was not a conscious thing, like I walked off in a snit. It was more a gradual thing. Like with every post of yours I read, I felt like you were being hypocritical protesting racism and oppression while denying sexism, especially from the likes of that jerk. It really hurt and I couldn’t reconcile that feeling that I was being a hypocrite for supporting your writing when you had such antipathy, or disbelief of women’s struggles in general and black women in particular.
But overall, I do truly enjoy your writing and I refer people to some of your posts – and gradually, over the past few months, I’ve been reading again I especially enjoyed your posts on Latino heritage. I learned a lot and those posts have encouraged me to read a lot more on my own.
I like that you’ve grown into the sort of self-awareness that recognizes your personal biases. That kind of evolution speaks to your character and willingness to grow. Its admirable.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 14:36:34 Mary Burrell
I have learned that herd mentality is not good and there must be a dissenting voice in discourse.
First I must figure out what this “cause” is?
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 19:35:31 Big Momma
“Being willfully obtuse is that thing where otherwise intelligent White people believe things that make no sense – ”
like evidence and the scientific method.
“For example, when students tell bell hooks that race does not matter, she asks them whether they would want to come back to life as Black or White. Most say White as if it does matter.”
I doubt anyone wants to be short, fat, bald, ugly or dumb either.
Wow, so straw man. 😛
but, which, in fact, supports the premise of the post.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 20:11:50 hmurchison
Interesting. I saw Abagond’s post and last night read Bobby E. Wright’s “The Psychopathic Racial Personality” It mirrors the essence of this post. I’m not sure this pathology is the primary domain of Europeans but there seems to be long history of such psychopathic behavior in European history and this same “Willful Ignorance” is part and parcel a trait of this type of behavior.
What are you gonna do about it?
And it goes to show that some really don’t care if they use a straw man or red herring or anything else.
on Sat Dec 27th 2014 at 21:11:02 TeddyBearSniffer
Sometimes I feel like light skinned black folk or black folk that look more white can use kind of mock towards other races that are dark or have different features… Being called the full blown N to the ER in a public setting and laughed at by these folk that fit the earlier description puts more into question who is who?…..
For those unaware, Bell Hooks is an unattractive, angry, black, man hating lesbian professor, with a chocolate chip on her shoulder.
Like many a breed of ridiculous pure bred dog; she is the product of unnatural selection and thus only exists in captivity.
thwack, we differ on our views about bell hooks.
I think hooks is a socially-conscious intellectual. I was introduced to a very important and different worldview about the historical role of black women and womanist/feminist thought through her ground-breaking book, Ain’t I A Woman.
Is she angry? Maybe, but there is legitimate anger when one has to deal with all the nonsense of living in a sociopathic system with a hierarchy imposed on people to limit their mobility and options as blacks and as women.
Is she man-hating just because she is a lesbian? Not necessarily.
She is professor, which means she invested time and effort for her academic credentials. No matter how much we may disagree with someone, giving them credit where due for their legitimate contributions and accomplishments supports integrity. Far better than making people up as a figment of our imagination.
hooks is a multifaceted person like most thinking people. That is a credit to her and makes her less predictable than robots who refuse to think outside of the box, IMO.
She might have a “chip on her shoulder” occasionally, but I doubt that she never smiles or laughs.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 00:01:00 sharinalr
@ Gemgirl
“No matter how much we may disagree with someone, giving them credit where due for their legitimate contributions and accomplishments supports integrity”—Applause.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 00:21:54 GemGirl
Thank you, sharinalr. I can’t stand it when people attempt to discredit women and people of color because I know how hard folks have to work to get credentials, and then other folks don’t want to pay them the same salaries on top of it. Experienced that myself as a black woman with a master’s degree.
On another note related to tAbagond’s post about obtuse/will-full ignorance:
Charles Barkley’s recent ill-informed comments on slavery prompted Alabama Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, to write an open letter to the NBA Hall of Famer:
From Sen. Hank Sanders: ‘Legacy of slavery is everywhere’ http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/12/open_letter_to_charles_barkley.html;
Alabama Senator Teaches Charles Barkley How Bad Slavery Was In Epic Open Letter http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/12/26/alabama-senator-teaches-charles-barkley-how-bad-slavery-was-in-epic-open-letter/
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 05:37:39 jefe
Did you notice that after the straw man argument was thrown out there, it was followed by an ad hominem in a feeble attempt to discredit the argument of the authority opinion referred to in the blog post.
Unfortunately, this blog sometimes gets flooded with this stuff. Only thing to do — not respond to it. Those that try to respond to it will set them up for repeated deflectionary behaviour, only with themselves as the target of the ad hominems.
And notice that it was Bell Hooks, not George Orwell which has been attacked. (and a personal attack, not an attack of the argument).
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 07:18:32 biff
Most of the world actually thinks that Westerners are “willfully obtuse” for ignoring very obvious racial differences that have been recognized for thousands of years and are obvious to small children . “Equalism” is a modern Western invention and the moral successor to communism.
If you can understand and accept that not all men are created equal (even if they have equal humanity and are equally God’s creation), it is the key that unlocks everything. This explains the vast majority of the different outcomes we see in society.
However, modern Western civilization is willfully obtuse and has to make all kinds of ridiculous excuses to try to reach explanations (e.g., white people are responsible for all poverty in Africa and everywhere else in the world, even though they invented almost all modern technology.) Why has affirmative action mostly failed? Well, racism was just too strong. So the “racism” bogeyman can be blamed for everything everywhere. And it can never be defeated.
In America, it does not seem to be tied to a lack of intelligence, knowledge or education. If anything, more education seems to make American elites more obtuse. I used to think that if I used the right words, the scales would fall from the eyes of the leftists. They would see what I see in regard to race. I thought I was just saying it wrong, then I realized it was their religion and anything I said that indicated that some differences might be genetic was sacrilege to them and made me seem like an evil person in their eyes for daring to question their god.
Anyone pick up the fallacy elements in the preceding? I see several.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 08:26:48 King
I assume you are kidding.
No, I suspect he actually believes that.
One of the fallacy elements starts right there.
I suppose we had slavery, the middle passage and coolie trade, genocide, ethnic cleansing, exclusion acts, internment camps, Jim Crow, disregard for treaties and “stop and frisk” precisely because Westerners ignored “very obvious” racial differences.
On top of that, it seems that some believe children are born with innate knowledge and recognition of “obvious” racial differences that they seem to ignore or forget as they get older.
“Anyone pick up the fallacy elements in the preceding”
Anything that offends the religion of equalism must be dismissed as a “fallacy”.
For instance, anyone who wants to look at a big picture perspective (e.g., why other peoples may actually do worse things than white people, generally) and not focus only on evil white people’s race crimes is guilty of “Arab Slave Trader” fallacy because equalism needs to always insult straight white males to explain the world.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 15:38:46 Petie Oh
” atheism is like communism, you hafta be one to get/keep your job.”
Tell that to my Lutheran boss (Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry), his Hindu boss (Ph.D., Pharmaceutics), or our Baptist CSO (Ph.D., Medicinal Chemistry. I was an atheist well before I took calculus or got my three biology degrees.
If atheism helped, I’d have had a much more successful career by now.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 16:43:13 thwack
@Petie Oh
Im trying to show how Darwinian evolution has become a religion every bit as intolerant as communism, national socialism or for that matter, the Roman Catholic church at points through out history; but only for certain industries such as education, media…
You can’t teach the theory of intelligent design in schools even if you are an atheist.
Most fields have a catechism and if you want to reach the top you have to confess to the faith. “Multiculturalism” and “gay rights” are the two most recent additions to the higher education catechism.
In the aerospace industry, doubting the Apollo moon landing is considered heresy.
Every “institution” has principles you are expected to accept on faith in order to be a member in good standing.
This blog is an example of the phenomenon.
@ Jeffe
@ biff
What most of the world thinks is that America is technologically advanced, but racially backward in her thinking. Also, no one is denying that ‘races’ look differently and share different cultures. That is the extent of what is obvious to any child and it is readily acknowledged by anti-racists as well.
Explain to me this “religion of equalism” that you refer to above.
Finally a statement that is not an ad hominem, straw man, red herring, etc.
If only he could learn to do this more.
I actually agree that science takes a leap of faith that it will deliver the truth, and evolution is still a theory in many respects. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong in Science class.
I remember the original Planet of the Apes movie, where Dr. Zaius who was the minister of science and the defender of the faith stated that there was no contradiction between faith and science, REAL SCIENCE.
Most of the world actually thinks that Westerners are “willfully obtuse” for ignoring very obvious racial differences that have been recognized for thousands of years and are obvious to small children .
hey biff,
wake me up when you get to the part that justifies mistreating and abusing people on the basis of obvious racial differences that have been recognized for thousands of years and are obvious to small children .
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 20:24:41 Erik Sieven
equal laws applied to different people who act different will lead to different treatment of those different people. it is this different treatment which often is called “mistreatment”.
“equal laws applied to different people who act EQUAL will lead to different treatment of those different people. it is this different treatment which often is called “mistreatment”.”
There, fixed it for you.
do you actually believe that 17 year old african americans behave in the exactly same way like 17 year old japanese americans?
No, but some of us behave in exactly the same way as 17 year old WHITE Americans; I know cause I used to be one of them.
Thanks to law enforcement officials, I quickly realized how suspicious this behavior was and altered it.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 22:13:08 Omnipresent
Unfortunately this has a lot of truth to it. Racism still is prevalent in the UK but they tend to pride themselves that it is still not as bad and backward as the way that it is in the US and the fact that they ‘try’ to take strides to tackle it. Now, whether this always works in practice is a different story – attitudes have to change before reforms in societal thinking can take hold.
“Also, no one is denying that ‘races’ look differently and share different cultures. That is the extent of what is obvious to any child”
Im not so sure. I have experimental data that suggests all small children consider adults to be a different “race” than themselves.
Speak for yourself. I don’t believe in supply side economics, but I can certainly teach it to a high schooler. The same thing goes for intelligent design and creationism. Neither are knowable or testable hypotheses, and as a scientist I will therefore not allow myself be bothered by them nor tarry their expression in a science classroom. Evolution is both knowable and testable, and I use the theory to underpin my work every single day.
I think you’re confusing impatience with intolerance. Believe what you will, just don’t ask me for an endorsement or a job offer.
Having high confidence in success based on past performance is hardly equivalent to a leap of faith. The modern scientific method requires that we be wrong in order to refine hypotheses. Being wrong is ESSENTIAL for scientific progress.
on Sun Dec 28th 2014 at 23:09:40 KJ
People see what they want to see. Remaining objective, is difficult at best, even more so in a mob. Education should ideally impart to us the ability to view others as individuals and hold them responsible for their actions and response to the world. Generalizing and judging others for things beyond their control is idiocy and undisciplined thought.
Obviously, all of us need to work less on what divides us as a species and more on what brings us together and makes us stronger if we are to survive what our greedy, corrupt and evil politicians, bankers, media and corporations have in store for us in 2015.
They are the real enemies and they seek to control us by dividing us so we don’t hold all of them, as individuals who committed the worst treasonous actions, accountable.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 01:04:49 thwack
Petie Oh
Evolution is both knowable and testable,
SPONTANEOUS GENERATION is both knowable and testable?
You are no closer to getting life from non life than you were back in 1953.
White men with billions of dollars and the full faith and credit of the entire white supremacists system cannot intentionally reproduce an event they claim occurred by an accidental, purposeless, mindless, random process in the distant past?
I don’t know who’s ass to kick. Yours for talking sh*t you can’t back up, mine for responding to it; or your white slave masters for feeding you it in the first place.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 01:30:57 biff
King said: “Explain to me this “religion of equalism” that you refer to above.”
It’s the practically religious faith that all people must be the same (in the aggregate) regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. A true believer will throw away all test scores as racist (even while admitting their effectiveness when judging same race college applicants) and e.g., experiences in majority black cities or countries, because the worst thing you can be is “racist”, “sexist”, “homophobic” (or “anti-semitic”). Nobody cares if you are a “heretic” or “blasphemer”. These names will just receive laughter. But no one is laughing if you accuse them of one of the above mentioned “anti-equalism” sins..
Thwack said: “hey biff,
wake me up when you get to the part that justifies mistreating and abusing people on the basis of obvious racial differences that have been recognized for thousands of years and are obvious to small children.”
Eh, it still matters a lot, even if it doesn’t justify “mistreatment” or “abuse”. Slavery was a moral evil. However, to have whites beating themselves up 150+ years after their great great great great grandfathers fought a massive civil war to end it is pretty silly. Would most American blacks go back in time and reverse American slavery if it meant they might not exist (their ancestors were captured by other African tribes, and might very well have simply been killed), that their ancestors might have been sold to Arabs instead, or that they would have to live their lives like normal modern day Africans? Nope. If people accepted observable aggregate racial differences, slavery couldn’t be blamed 150 years after the fact for poor behavior when Chinese and Koreans had ancestors who went through terrible mass-tragedies much more recently and are still able to do pretty well in American society.
But you are red-pill. You know all that. It doesn’t make it right for cops to treat you badly because of your race, but it provides context for why that happens.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 01:47:50 Petie Oh
goodbye thwack. Get help.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 02:00:26 sharinalr
“goodbye thwack. Get help.”—-ROFL. Love it.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 02:01:31 jefe
@Petie Oh,
Having high confidence in success based on past performance is hardly equivalent to a leap of faith.
Yep, but I didn’t say that.
Having high confidence based on past performance – yes, this is hypothesis testing. The most we can have is a confidence level.
This high confidence will deliver you the truth – this is where the leap of faith comes in.
We can never get beyond “high confidence”. We will never know if it is the truth or not.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 03:08:44 King
“It’s the practically religious faith that all people must be the same (in the aggregate) regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.”
You’re exaggerating your point. Of course, i suppose you can always find some people who believe almost any extreme, but for the most part, anti-racists do not believe that everyone in the world is operating on the same level. Of course there are a multiplicity of minds, talents, interests, and aptitudes. People are different. Everybody understands that. Their differences are simply not segregated based on their skin color. Come now, even you can admit that, biff.
Ah, nice summary Kiwi, quite helpful.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 07:33:27 Aaron
Interesting and enlightening post, as always. So, I’m a white dude. I want to say you’re not describing me. And, I hope I’m right. For me, personally, I can thank two things for this: my parents and the books I’ve chosen to read. My parents have always instilled in me that people are humans above anything and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Cheesy, I know, but sadly easier said than done for some.
Growing up, I never really saw race an issue. I guess I was ignorant to it (Side note: Kaffir Boy describes how easy it is to make an entire country of Whites ignorant and obtuse to something as horrible as South Africa’s apartheid). However, once I was aware of it being an issue, I thought the best solution would be to pretend I was colorblind to skin color – treat everyone the same regardless of their color. However, this was also ignorant in the end because, sadly, it’s simply not true in the United States. People aren’t the same. People don’t have the same life experiences. People don’t have the same narratives. And, often, this is because of their skin color. It shouldn’t be the case, but it is.
I’ll never be able to understand what it is like being black in America. No matter how much I read, who I talk to, what I watch … I’ll never know what it’s like. I believe I’ve experienced small, minute snippets of it living abroad, but that hardly compares.
At this point in my life, I’ve learned not to treat everyone like anything, but to treat each individual as just that. But, it’s hard. I wish it wasn’t. Growing up in the United States, you become so indoctrinated with this means that and that means this. And you know it’s wrong. But it feels like it’s in your DNA and you can’t escape it, you can only hope to contain and hide it.
I know I’m not a racist person, but I also know I have racist thoughts at times (and yes, there’s a difference). I hate when it happens, but it just does. And this leads me to my conclusion – sorry about the rant – I think the biggest problem in the States for White people and their racist-like attitudes and tendencies is that they are scared to admit to it. It’ll never change until they man up, admit it, and learn right from wrong. But, in today’s America, it’s too scary, too damaging to admit to something like that. Our society is all or nothing – you’re rich or poor, racist or not racist, sane or insane, etc. – and if you happen to fall on the wrong side, well, then, you’re screwed. People have to allow White people to come out as racists, to come out as people that feel racist at times. Otherwise, they will continue to harbor these feelings, and for many, they might grow into something very ugly, into what this post is describing quite aptly.
(sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes)
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 13:39:09 abagond
Excellent comment. Thank you.
Hooks did not say EVERYONE wanted to come back as White, but MOST would. I did not say this in the original post, but she that was true regardless of the person’s birth race.
Another way to put that question is to ask Whites how much money they would need to be reborn as Black. Most say at least tens of thousands of dollars, showing that deep down they understand that they benefit from White privilege – even if they profoundly underestimate it, as Joshua Solomon found out when he tried to become Black:
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/joshua-solomon/
I updated the Glossary. Thanks.
https://abagond.wordpress.com/glossary/
@ Jefe @ Sharina
A post on common logical fallacies that appear in comments is a wonderful idea. Thanks.
https://abagond.wordpress.com/promised/
You can understand an argument and still disagree with it. The wilfully obtuse are those who fail to understand an argument despite patient explanations, despite being otherwise intelligent. It comes not from holding a different point of view, but from being BRAINWASHED into that point of view.
I agree with Thwack that Western science grew out of a Christian world view and shares some of its faith-based beliefs, like that nature is created by a mind somewhat like ours and is therefore understandable, that it is rule-based, that it is not an illusion or some cruel trick, that truth matters and is knowable, etc. You see this plain as day in a book by one of the founders of Western science: Descartes’s “Discourse on Method” (1637). Descartes saw science as helping and extending Catholicism, not as its opposite.
@ Mbeti
” find it mind boggling that any “intelligent” person could be a Christian these days much less a catholic”
I used to think that way too.
Your argument actually seems to be about why East Asians haven’t performed in accordance with their measured IQs, but they largely have. While maybe not as “inventive” by some measures, they can and have at least maintain sophisticated societies. Anyway, we’ve had these discussions many times, but it all comes down to you personally feeling that Asians are inferior to whites. Also, Eastern Europe is not as poor or crime ridden as you would like to think. The weight of the evidence clearly suggests that measured average intelligence is strongly correlated with societal outcomes.
“Differences are simply not segregated based on their skin color”.
Um, not what I’m saying. But, yes, different groups of people do tend to perform differently, and it happens that the skin color of a city or country may be a pretty good predictor of things like economic performance, crime rate, etc. (not perfect, but clearly statistically significant).
Yes, people can disagree. However, many folks here are calling me “willfully obtuse”, as if I can’t understand what you are trying to say and haven’t had it jammed in my head by many years of politically correct education. I can and I have.
I will agree with you that many whites are unable to connect all the dots with respect to race. However, you and I would connect the dots in very different ways. For instance, you still insist that “how profoundly unfair US society is” to blacks, but you have in other places I think shown that U.S. blacks as a group are better off economically than blacks anywhere else in the world (excluding maybe a couple very small jurisdictions with very specialized economies not tied to labor supplies).
White supremacy is all about whites telling the world what’s what and the rest of the world having to believe it because it came from whites. That is the insanity of white supremacy which most of the world subscribes to , if u r lucid and dispute anything being perpetuated by “global white supremacy” then ur “crazy” and whites don’t feel “safe” which means ur a direct threat to that illusory bubble whites exist within. “shrugs”.
on Mon Dec 29th 2014 at 20:31:37 resw77
@biff
“Yes, people can disagree. However, many folks here are calling me ‘willfully obtuse’, as if I can’t understand what you are trying to say and haven’t had it jammed in my head by many years of politically correct education. I can and I have.”
“Willfully” alludes to a decision or intent, in this case, to reject logic and favour ignorance. So, it’s not that you “can’t understand” but that you choose to or pretend not to.
Who can blame you for trying to make yourself feel good about the benefits you have obtained in a white supremacist society? But it would be great if you could be honest and admit that you benefit from an unfair, unjust society that favours pale people with certain facial features/hair colours and discriminates against darker people with different features. But don’t worry, I don’t expect that much of you!
It is strange to me, but in any debate I have been in or have witnessed the individual seems to attack the women on personal levels vs discrediting what they say.
I did noticed, but why is it easier to attack Bell hooks woman as opposed to George Orwell, a man?
Is this a decent illustration of willfully obtuse?
(http://youtu.be/mjEcj8KpuJw)
This is interesting:
So I say, “Differences are simply not segregated based on their skin color”. To which biff replies:
Um, not what I’m saying…”
And the follows up with:
“BUT, yes, different groups of people do tend to perform differently, and it happens that the skin color of a city or country may be a pretty good predictor of things like economic performance, crime rate, etc.”
Meaning that is EXACTLY what he is saying. Lol!
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 00:14:31 abagond
Yes, Monty Python’s Black Knight is a perfect illustration of the wilfully obtuse.
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 08:10:00 jefe
hence, perfect example of this post.
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 09:53:10 ThatDeborahGirl
George Carlin talking about being “willfully ignorant”.
but why is it easier to attack Bell hooks woman as opposed to George Orwell, a man?
it just is for certain commenters.
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 16:00:13 sharinalr
I tend to look at it as a psychological disorder. Perhaps certain individuals feel they are restoring some type of lost manhood. Or this the idea that they believe women are too emotional and fragile for rational thought. hmmm….
So do you label them misogynistic psychopaths?
“misogynistic psychopaths”—I would have to say yes.
For example I watched a female on another blog present a very decent case in regards to mike brown. The rebuttals from not one but several male commenters was “stop spreading your legs and having all those kids on welfare” or just calling her the b-word.
On the other hand a male commenter made a comment with the gist of it being “kill white people” and male commenters took the time to try to reason and debunk his logic.
It seems to be this idea of “she does not know what she meant so I have to tell her what she meant.” Where as when a face off with males seem to be alpha male vs non-alpha.
If that makes any sense. Just a thought.
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 21:17:07 biff
“Assuming that intelligence is inherited and that it is the sole cause for societal outcomes, then we would expect children from families with the same income or education to obtain similar test scores, regardless of race.
Instead, we find that the children of even rich blacks do worse on the SAT than the children of poor whites. Mexican children also do worse than white children from families with the same income or education, although not as poorly as black children. ”
Are you serious? You don’t even understand the basics of intelligence testing. For one thing, similar income and education doesn’t mean that the parents were similarly intelligent. For example, black parents might have benefited from affirmative action. Second,the principle of reversion to the mean applies. The mean is just much higher for East Asians and whites (even more so for YKW).
SAT tests are actually a pretty good proxy for IQ, and I’m surprised you would even show this data here given what it shows about different performances of the races and the prospect that affirmative action can change that in a meaningful way.
“Since blacks are highly segregated from whites, they disproportionately live in poorer neighborhoods with worse schools, irrespective of their educations or incomes, which results in lower test scores. The same situation applies to Mexicans, but because they are less segregated, the effect is not as great.
The children of poor Asians, consisting largely of Southeast Asians, lag behind white children, just like black and Mexican children”
Hillarious. I guess it’s the terrible segregation in Africa and Mexico that leads to similar test scores for students there. I suppose it’s just pure coincidence that all these results also strongly correlate with measured average IQs of the ethnicities involved.
Those schools in Appalachia for coal miners’ kids must be better than the ones that rich blacks in the big cities send their kids to. It must just be about the schools. However, even if you spend more money on the black schools than the white schools, for some reason the measured difference doesn’t go away…. but that can’t be right. All the races must be equally intelligent. Just the way all races must be equally good at playing basketball… Just the way that all dog breeds must behave the same, because Kiwi has proved that dog breeds don’t exist scientifically and all dogs are the same. It would be breedist to say some dog breeds are smarter or more aggressive than others (on average).
on Tue Dec 30th 2014 at 23:46:37 King
biff it surprises me that you still believe in the concept of “race” as it it is real. I would have thought by now that you would have learned better than that.
on Wed Dec 31st 2014 at 00:39:43 StrangeXdefault
Dr. Joy DeGruy calls it “Cognitive Dissonance”
The reckoning with contradictory beliefs to ease the state of one’s conscious
I call it White Supremacy
White people are many things but ignorant about race is not one of them. They know exactly when and how to play “dumb” to keep the system going because if they never admit they’re terrorists then they never have to change anything.
on Wed Dec 31st 2014 at 02:26:11 biff
I know you’re shocked, shocked I tell you. Surely no one believes in “race” anymore. I mean, why do we even use the terms “black” or “white” on this site? Oh, because a lot of ignorant people still use those terms, huh. Yes, I know dog breeds don’t exist either, but the kennel club keeps doing its thing because they are breedists.
Long story short, sure it would give us more info if we knew where exactly everyone’s ancestors came from (even down to the village level), rather than just a “continent”, but that’s not practically feasible for blacks or whites in America, and white and black have become useful descriptive terms for a reason. “Asian” is less useful because it encompasses different groups of people (more than half the world’s population) for whom average IQ, etc., are radically different, and it is still largely possible to tell if someone is, e.g., Indian or Chinese or Filipino.
Kiwi said”
“Yes, I’m sure affirmative action totally explains why blacks unfairly make tens of thousands of dollars more per year than whites of the same intelligence.”
“strongly correlated” does not mean exact equivalence and “affirmative action” doesn’t “totally explain” anything. However, when you systematically let people of a certain race into a college or graduate program with lower test scores (tracking IQ), then the graduates of that race end up being on average less intelligent (as measured by IQ and test scores). It’s not rocket science.
on Wed Dec 31st 2014 at 17:18:39 jefe
Gee, Likening human races to dog breeds.
I suppose that thinking seems logical to a race realist.
on Wed Dec 31st 2014 at 21:08:11 King
Biff, I can appreciate the snark of your hyperbole, but nevertheless, I’ m assuming that you know that there is a huge difference between dog breeds and humans—who are essentially just one “breed” with small variations in things like fur color, etc.
I’m also not saying that it’s necessary never to mention descriptors like Black, White or Asian. Just so long as you don’t believe that they are meaningful beyond a very general sociological context. But what I find is that people will open often acknowledge the vagaries of “race” when challenged on the subject. But will then go on to treat it as if it were somehow genetic and determinative when they are not being as guarded.
Surely you would not be one of those?
jefe said:
This is an attempt at “outgrouping”, which is a standard leftist ploy that doesn’t require a substantive debate.
Of course, you know that outside of the West, and even in the West 50+ years ago, significant racial differences were accepted as a matter of course. Modern equalist thought is the true historical anomaly.
“Of course not. I’m sure you’d pay a premium to be brought back to life as a black man.”
An appeal to “fairness”–another standard leftist derailment. Note how it’s not relevant at all to the validity of the argument I was making. It’s like Kiwi wants to live in the world of Harrison Bergeron.
Another attempt at outgrouping. As I noted above, current egalitarian thought is the real anomaly. Of course there are very significant differences between different groups of people beyond “fur color”. What a ridiculous thing to say.
Race can be difficult to precisely define (in the sense that there are generally no clear cut edges), but at the same time very meaningful (e.g., significant measured differences in cognitive abilitiies between East Asians and South East Asians).
“Cognitive” differences? Are you privy to people’s cognitive processes? Or are you talking about test taking? Or perhaps about the adoption of modern technology? Or what?
Explain.
Don’t be willfully obtuse. It’s intelligence as reflected in tests. As we all know, these tests are all biased in favor of ESL East Asians instead of ESL South East Asians.
Test taking is not necessarily an indication of cognitive superiority. Obviously. And It certainly has nothing to do with racial superiority. But what I don’t understand is why you would think that races of people are somehow the same? Wouldn’t it make more sense to your theory to say that people who shared the same kind of environments were the same?
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to your theory to say that people who shared the same kind of environments were the same?”
OK, now I think you’re just doing a fabulous troll job. Cheers and Happy New Year.
Wow, that was a strange conversation…
But I’m beginning to understand why nobody takes you seriously. It’s all posturing, and misconstrued ‘logical fallacies’ from freshman debate class, all in an attempt to simply avoid to discussing the facts.
on Wed Dec 31st 2014 at 23:53:35 A
You state on a constant basis that East Asians are “superior” due to the safety of their societies, yet the existence of the Yakuza & Triads says otherwise. You say that East Asian countries are supposedly advanced so please do tell us about the industriousness & technological advancements of Mongolia which is also one the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Tell us all about how North Korea sets an example for how to run a country, what when they’re not hacking Sony & committing every Civil Rights atrocity known to man against their own people. Please tell me & with great detail the genetic & so-called racial difference between them & their South Korean neighbors who as a rule thrive no matter what part of the world they’re in? Taiwan? Still a proto-colony of China so anything they do or don’t is irrelevant.
The answer is oppression, the same oppressive rule that White Supremacy places blacks under all over the world. Give everyone an equal chance and the results will be the same. You have displayed a constant failure to distinguish between Asians & Asian AMERICANS who are typically high achieving East & South Asian people with advanced degrees they obtained before they immigrated that America cherry picks from the top of their societies. Middle & Upper class people thrive in their homeland, they thrive here. Poor Southeast Asians struggle in their homeland & struggle here, what’s so difficult to understand.
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 01:24:01 King
@ A
“Give everyone an equal chance and the results will be the same. “
I agree with some of what you say, but I don’t think that I am totally in agreement with this. People are different, priorities are different. Cultures are different. So, results too are different.
But that has nothing to do with “intelligence” or advanced “cognition” as our rather sophomoric friend above has implied. Take a Native American culture for example. What if they considered their particular lifestyle to be sacred, and having been left alone all these centuries had opted to preserve it rather than advance it. Not because they are not smart enough, but because they simply valued their nomadic, connected, existence as it was. Now what if in 2014 the advanced Europeans came over the ocean with drones, and hellfire missiles, and helicopters with machine guns hanging out of them, and began to riddle their teepees with bullets and their villages with bombs? Would the world then conclude that the American Indians were simply stupid, and that the Europeans, by contrast, were wonderfully intelligent? Which of the two cultures do you think most people would think needed the most fixing?
The idea that the mere embrace of technology is somehow the ultimate signifier of human intelligence is both errant and juvenile. People may be just as intelligent, only in different ways. So I don’t assume that without oppression that everything would necessarily be equal across all cultures. People would still be free to choose their particular priorities. Some would be stronger in certain disciplines and others would be stronger in others.
But, of course we’ll never know because oppression does exist, and so it colors everything that follows.
Hahaha! Kiwi’s truth van strikes again!
Agreed. Its classic HBD ‘Rice Chaser’ logic.
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 02:09:02 A
Agreed. What you stated is as a black person what I’ve told people who ignorantly assume that tribal Africans are less civilized. Aside from the obvious fact that most Africans live in urban areas I’ve just never been able to wrap my head around the ide that someone who decided to live a simpler life was somehow less civilized. If a tribal leader in rural Africa treats his people better than the rich shot callers in America treat the poor than whose uncivilized? The same technologies and advancements that they place on a pedestal also have hurt the environment & made us less connected as a society. Paved roads & skyscrapers don’t equal civilized, civility does.
Well, that’s it in a nutshell, as you say. There have been plenty of people around the world who have chosen a simpler, lower tech, existence than the Europeans. The Native Americans—including the great city dwellers like the Aztec, Mayans, Toltec, and Inca, were all at a lower point of technology than the Europeans when they arrived. But so were the Polynesians, and the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. The East Asians were also fighting with bow and arrow, sword, and spear when the Europeans first arrived. Did that mean that they were “backward” and “uncivilized?” And later on when they purposefully acquired, and emulated western military equipment and techniques, did they suddenly become more intelligent because they switched from swords to guns?
It’s a ridiculous and conveniently self-serving vision which Whites impose upon the world in order to justify their legacy of using technology to cruel and abusive ends, mostly against other peoples.
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 03:12:32 biff
Nothing like a 3 on one to help ring in the new year.
You managed to call me a “freshman” and then “sophomoric” a couple comments later. Seems I am moving up fast. Nice attempted disqualification, though. Anyway, sorry if you were trying to be serious, but my whole point is about the importance of hereditary/genetics/nature. Not to say that environment/nurture makes zero difference, but I have no idea why you would conclude “Wouldn’t it make more sense to your theory to say that people who shared the same kind of environments were the same?” unless you had no idea what “my theory”, as articulated in many different threads here, was.
“The answer is oppression, the same oppressive rule that White Supremacy places blacks under all over the world. Give everyone an equal chance and the results will be the same.”
Bravo, the plight of the black man everywhere is all the white man’s fault! As the population of Africa quadruples by the end of the century and white populations plummet, will black people be able to throw off the yoke of the white man? When blacks soon outnumber whites 5 to 1 worldwide will they be able to take the superior position in the world order? Or are whites just so crafty and evil that the ever dwindling minority will be able to keep the black man down and prevent Africans from having first world societies indefinitely?
Or, as King says, maybe Africans’ “particular lifestyle [is] sacred”, and they should continue living as they do, without needing all the junk that the first world has. The Native Americans didn’t invent the wheel because they didn’t want to become dependent on technology. It all makes sense now.
You’ll notice I also don’t talk about “white Americans” vs. “white Europeans”. We are talking about race. This is useful in the American context, e.g., to understand why East Asians end up at ivy leagues and then tech companies, while Filipinos wind up as nurses. What you describe as “South Asians” are mostly high caste Indians. If you asked the high caste Indians whether high and low caste Indians have the same IQs they would laugh at you (at least those with knowledge of their homeland would).
The idea that because China or North Korea can be run into the ground because of communist dictatorships doesn’t prove anything. They don’t negate what has happened in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. No one said intelligence alone guarantees an advanced society. It is merely a required ingredient. This is why China’s long term prospects are better than those of Cambodia or Laos.
“Not to say that environment/nurture makes zero difference, but I have no idea why you would conclude “Wouldn’t it make more sense to your theory to say that people who shared the same kind of environments were the same?”
Well, for example, wouldn’t it make more sense that people who lived at very high elevations would tend to be exposed the the same limiting factors, and as a result would also develop similar strengths? Not identical perhaps, but similar?
Wouldn’t it make more sense to think that high mountain dweller would be more similar—whatever their skin color—and that desert dwellers would be quite different, even if they had the same color skin?
Is that really so illogical?
I am more interested in currently observable data/group traits. I don’t have a strong opinion about human evolution (other than that I believe in a Creator), and I think most of this discussion is highly speculative. However, a number of geneticists believe the key difference between black and white development were the harsher temperature environments of Europe, as opposed to sub-Saharan Africa, which forced Europeans (i.e., whites) more towards a K selection system, instead of an r system.
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 06:48:02 abagond
Who are these geneticists? What are their names.
They say that all Ashkenazi Jews can be traced back to a couple hundred ancestors, and the Amish similarly had a very limited number of founding fathers. Not gonna speculate re: early Romans/Etruscans and what selective pressures they might have faced, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Anyway, I realize I can never get the last word with you, Kiwi, so go ahead and take it.
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 07:43:35 jefe
Ha-ha. Just like the “Asian Atrocity Argument” post, some commenters seem to find the thread with their name on it. 😛
Eh, abagond, this is what I’ve heard, but this is not something I’m particularly interested in, as I’m not interested in discussing evolutionary speculation or spending time locating names that you can try to shoot down by calling the people “racist” or whatever–Even DNA co-discoverer/nobel prize winner Watson can see funding disappear if he says anything to offend equalism, and there are no shortage of people willing to act as the Inquisition to would be Galileos. You can google yourself and find specific names. I think the former main science reporter for the NYT is among them.
biff, the logic works whether you want to talk about Evolution or leave that out of the discussion. It still makes sense to say that people who live in deserts (whether it be the the Sahara, the Pedirka Desert, or the Gobi Desert) would develop more similarly than people who shared the same pigmentation. Because the need for water and the lack of vegetation are obviously much more profound shapers of culture than are dermal coloration and hair texture.
“I am more interested in currently observable data/group traits.
That is like saying that you are not interested in knowing how the planet was formed and how it developed, you’re only interested in understanding it based on current observations. So, the seas were always salty, and canyons were always deep, and glaciers never melted, and erosion never wears. Its IMPOSSIBLE to understand the NOW without at least trying to understand how we got to NOW. Its anti-intellectual.
“However, a number of geneticists believe the key difference between black and white development were the harsher temperature environments of Europe, as opposed to sub-Saharan Africa, which forced Europeans (i.e., whites) more towards a K selection system, instead of an r system.”
Actually that is not true. I don’t know of ANY *geneticists* who say that. That is specifically an HBD blogger’s theory posited by knuckleheads like Steve Sailer who have no training in genetics. It is not taught at any University in the entire world. It is not accepted by any accredited body of geneticists, anthropologists, or historians. And besides, it doesn’t make sense. There are climates in Africa today that are every bit as cold as many in Southern Europe. But if you look at the theories on the timeframe of human migration, you will also see that the planetary climate would have been much different than it is today anyway. Certainly it was more uniform in the past than it has become.
I’m afraid that your ‘cold brain’ theory is on very this ice…
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 16:26:31 sharina
So is not answering questions the calling card of the willfully obtuse? I have seen two different commenters get asked questions and they both avoid it like the plague, yet want to ask a ton of questions and get upset when others refuse to answer.
“some commenters seem to find the thread with their name on it.”——I agree 100%
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 19:08:22 Herneith
I know who these supposed ‘geneticists’ are; Summy Dummy Phuck and Billie Bob Jones! Cousins of yours bliff?
Not sure if you paid attention to the history of the last 500 years so I’ll just give it a go-ahead.
West African slaves brought by force to America where a caste system was created based on skin color to create a buffer class between the rich slave owners & the slaves/indentured servants who were joining forces to rebel against them. It worked overnight & from it the anti-black attitude of the world today was born.
Later on Europeans went back to Africa & colonized every country with the exception of Ethiopia and instigated feuds between different tribes to get them to war with one another so that anyone from the outside looking in could say “its just the savage negroes killin each other.” While they stole the infrastructure right out from under them.
Meanwhile Europe and the West continually rape the continent of Africa for all its resources while not sharing any with the Native people it rightfully belongs to and mire in the hypocrisy of calling a people uncivilized and regressive while using resources that they forcefully took from said so-called savages as a means to create the very wealth they sit on today.
British & Dutch colonizers finally make their way out to the South Pacific in their last round of genocide (what I’m sure you refer to as the good old days) and encounter the Black people of Australia & Tasmania who while sharing nothing in common with Africans genetically share a superficial resemblance based on skin color which feeble minded individuals with their now centuries old anti-Black bias use as reason to “cleanse” them.
In the modern day nearly all of these people from America, to Latin America, to Africa, to Australia all now deal with oppressive treatment from White Supremacists who still promote the lie of inferiority of us to sheep like you who buy it hook, line & sinker. But what do I know, Iz jussa po’ ignant knee-grow who caint do nuthin witout massa tellin me which-a wayz to go!!…….Right?
“It still makes sense to say that people who live in deserts (whether it be the the Sahara, the Pedirka Desert, or the Gobi Desert) would develop more similarly than people who shared the same pigmentation.”
King, to me it makes sense that people in the same geographic vicinity (e.g., Africa or Europe) might develop similarly, especially if they have ongoing interraction with one another.
Anyway, as I’ve made abundantly clear, I’m not interested in having a conversation about “evolution” (as a creationist, I don’t believe man sprang from nothing anyway). Therefore, I’m not trying to bring in specific cites (if I do links, most of the time they get my posts in moderation, from whence they may never emerge anyway). However, you are attacking the idea I mentioned in passing without any specific cites yourself. Sailer might highlight the research of others, but he doesn’t pretend to be a geneticist himself.
You appeal to authority. It’s 100% clear to me that mainstream academia is corrupted, and that they will hide any research that doesn’t support the Narrative. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. They will always try to explain away, e.g., persistent gaps in intelligence, crime, etc. among races (if they don’t they get fired, ostracized, etc.). One of the ways is by trying to say “race” doesn’t exist, so therefore these readily apparent observations have no meaning. However, this is an abberation in human history–100, 500 or 1000 years ago, these same folks would be laughed out of the academy.
As a new year starts, I thought it would be a good time to examine my motives. What do I hope to accomplish posting on here? Well, I’m most concerned that whites seem to always be on the defensive and are not able to address their shrinking populations. At this rate, they will become minorities in their ancestral homelands (Europe), as well as in the U.S., Australia, Canada, etc. This is not something that will happen in hundreds of thousands or millions of years (i.e., supposed evolutionary timing). It will happen in the next couple hundred years if things don’t change. I don’t want to see the U.S. become a Latin American style cesspool. However, I can understand that for non-whites it’s less easy to care about these issues and harder to accept that the coming transformation may also be bad for your children. Actually, similar issues potentially affect East Asians, but they have national pride and are at least able to talk about these issues openly–and so far they have not tried to address their demographic problems by importing mass cheap labor who will replace them.
I know I sound like a mean, uncaring guy to many people here. However, I hope that some people will at least question the Narrative and ask themselves whether the West is going in the right direction and how that will affect future generations.
ack, sorry for the double post. it told me the first post was in moderation, so I modified language and reposted.. (perhaps abagond can help me delete one of these)
A, OK, I apologize for some white people hundreds of years in the past (not my ancestors, as far as I can tell) enslaving some of your ancestors. Do I need to begin every post with that?
However, I think the effect white people have had is a bit more nuanced.
For instance, if you had a choice, you wouldn’t go back to being a hunter, gatherer in Africa would you?
If whites hadn’t interfered, the population of Africa would likely be much much smaller than it is today. Is it better not to have existed?
If there’s nothing special about whites, then as blacks in Africa become more and more numerous, surely they can discover ways to end perpetual white oppression, right?
on Thu Jan 1st 2015 at 20:11:59 Omnipresent
biff:
Well, I’m most concerned that whites seem to always be on the defensive and are not able to address their shrinking populations.
Are you not contributing to the shrinking of the white population by marrying outside your race?
Whilst the ‘white’ population as it exists now may have a different ‘face’ in the future I do believe that at some stage the numbers will sustain and then rise again. There will always be those who do not wish to ‘mix’ as it were.
But that’s just it, biff. The people situated on what we call a ‘continent’ today did not have “ongoing interraction with one another.” For one thing, the World was a much smaller place in centuries past. The vast majority of people never travelled more than 20 miles from their place of birth, unless they lived in a perpetually migrating society (like the Beduins). In many places people groups were divided by great geographic obstacles, such as high mountain ranges, wide deserts, or impassable rivers. In other cases, people could not pass through lands inhabited by people groups hostile to their own. The idea that Africans in Ethiopia were being effected by the the peoples in the far south or vice-versa is simply incorrect. The same is true of the vast continent of Asia, and even Europe to some degree. There is absolutely nothing to tie all Africans together socially or culturally. Evidently you have always taken for granted ideas that were never so, and that do not make sense.
“Anyway, as I’ve made abundantly clear, I’m not interested in having a conversation about “evolution”
I’m not talking about the evolution of people, I’m talking about the evolution of cultures. People who are facing the same limitations, stresses, and benefits, would be more likely to develop similar cultures. People who have similar coloration but who live under disparate conditions on a huge land mass that they could never travel in their entire lifetime, are probably not going to develop similar cultural traits or values. Yet this is what your HBD religion has been teaching you for years.
“You appeal to authority. It’s 100% clear to me that mainstream academia is corrupted, and that they will hide any research that doesn’t support the Narrative.”
Biff, if you don’t know what these ‘logical fallacies’ actually mean you should stop attempting to point them out. An Appeal to Authority would be me trying to make a point solely by pointing to one authoritative source and making the case that since they agree with my viewpoint that it must be true. But when I point to all the universities in the world, and all the accredited institutions of genetics and anthropology, it ceases to be an appeal to authority and instead becomes a statement of scientific fact. I’m not saying that scientific fact is always correct, but it simply is NOT an “appeal to authority.”
Secondly, you can’t have it both ways. You feel free to reference science whenever you wish to make some point about the inferiority of Blacks. But when 100% of the science refutes your HBD hogwash, you then say that mainstream academia is corrupted. So which one is it? Can academia and science be trusted? Or can it only be trusted when it’s being used to make a point against Black crime or Black test scores? You can’t have it both ways.
“One of the ways is by trying to say “race” doesn’t exist, so therefore these readily apparent observations have no meaning. However, this is an abberation in human history–100, 500 or 1000 years ago, these same folks would be laughed out of the academy.”
Is that an appeal to 1000 year old authorities I hear? What is your opinion of Leechcraft and Alchemy? I’ve got a lead bookend I’d love you to turn into gold with your ancient knowledge!
And besides the argument has never been that race doesn’t exist, it’s that “Race is a social construct.” And 1000 years ago, nobody believed in race as it is understood today. Nobody thought that all the lighter-complected people belonged to a massive race, called “Whites.” That is an invention. Are you prepared to be educated? Do you renounce your foolishness? Are you ready to join the 21st century?
Biff.
I only used the past as a set up for the inevitable systems that were put in place in the present which effectively keep blacks enslaved. The fact that Blacks with better credit than whites still get turned down for loans more often. The fact that those with stereotypically black sounding names get fewer call backs for job interviews and opportunities. The fact that whites got FHA loans to bring them out of the great depression and into the middle class while Blacks for some strange reason were deemed unqualified. These whites paid off these cheap mortgages and passed the houses & wealth onto their children while blacks had to pass on debt. The fact that whites get paid more for the same job than Blacks, or white men with criminal records get jobs easier than a Black man without one. The fact that police profile and stop Blacks for no reason other than being black usually finding nothing after the search & seizure while whites are 10X more likely to be caught with drugs or guns when searched.
I merely hinted because I assumed that you need only look at the current situation of Blacks in America today & around the world where similar White Supremacists practices are put into place to know there is residue from the past. I didn’t think I would have to spell it out I thought the mere implication would be enough for you, what with you’re superior Caucasoid brain and all.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 02:04:41 biff
Yes. From a white purity standpoint. However, I’m still spreading my genes (though obviously I can’t know whether my sons will have kids). A larger issue is the destruction of the traditional family unit. Western white women are not being raised and educated to be good wives and mothers and they (especially liberal types) just aren’t reproducing. The whole fertility issue (for countries like Japan and South Korea as well as Western whites) would make an interesting post, but not sure if it easily fits the ideological bent of this site.
It doesn’t take a genius to see that what accepted academia is doing to race (i.e., ignoring and trying to explain away obvious differences) is not “science”. The Bell Curve, for instance, doesn’t need to address possibilities re: evolution to make valid observations about the society we now live in. I hear Gould referenced a lot, but he’s clearly a communist charlatan and his book simply seeks to discredit, rather than offering up any concrete evidence for persistent differences. For instance, why isn’t it possible to find any city in the world with significant sample sizes where blacks and/or Hispanics will perform equally with or better than whites on an overall basis? Not one.
It’s weird how people from the same continent seem to look a lot more like each other than people who grew up in similar environments, e.g., someone from African hill country looks a lot more like Africans from the valley than he does someone from Tibet.
In 2000-2007, Hispanics and Blacks got all kinds of home loan approvals. Didn’t work out great for them. Trying to use white racism to explain persistent black poverty everywhere in the world just doesn’t fly with me. Why don’t people in Latin America, Asia or the Middle East buy into this thinking for instance (oh that’s right, they’ve also been brainwashed by the all powerful whites). It pretty much prevents looking at any other possible causes or explanations. Under this line of thinking, everything is white people’s fault and blacks and other people of color are literally powerless to do anything to help themselves.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 03:32:55 King
“It doesn’t take a genius to see that what accepted academia is doing to race (i.e., ignoring and trying to explain away obvious differences) is not “science.”
I don’t see this… I really don’t. Science pretty much notices the differences between peoples. Its just that the differences have not amounted to widely different “breeds.” The variations simply are not enough to warrant that.
“The Bell Curve, for instance, doesn’t need to address possibilities re: evolution to make valid observations about the society we now live in.”
The Bell Curve is quite steeped in evolutionary theories of human development. So you disagree with the evolutionary foundation of the book, yet still manage to remain trusting of its conclusions. Fascinating! I’ll keep it short, but suffice to say that the methodology used to support Herrnstein and Murray’s theories was hopelessly flawed on many levels. If you care to update your knowledge on a book that has been thoroughly rejected and disproven for decades now, do read Intelligence, Genes, and Success: Scientists Respond to The Bell Curve and also “Inequality by Design: Cracking the Bell Curve Myth.” both have been published since the the mid 1990s.
“Why isn’t it possible to find any city in the world with significant sample sizes where blacks and/or Hispanics will perform equally with or better than whites on an overall basis? Not one.”
That is far to general a question. You’re basically asking me to write a book. First, the statement is not absolute, and we’d have to address the criteria. But also we’d have to assume that “performing equally” is the same as being equal. I think I would have to answer you more fully later.
Hmmm… Well, maybe I should ask you what you mean? Do you think that Africans look alike? If so, can you tell me what particular features look similar?
This is all one tremendous living example of the Title Thread. 🙂
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 05:02:09 jefe
You basically highlighted why I felt it strange to liken human interbreeding to selective dog breeding. Humans are all mongrels and widely interbred. We would have to selectively breed humans for many generations before we would ever approach anything resembling a dog or cat breed.
And as I said, some commenters are drawn to posts with their name on it like bees to honey (or in this case, like flies to dead rotting organisms.)
These so called “scientists” will lose their livelihoods if they challenge the equalist paradigm. That is the world we live in. Steve Sailer couldn’t get a normal job with any mainstream publication.
So, yes, your views are the mainstream in the West. However, they are ridiculous on their face and are an historical anomaly.
Galileo may have also been “willfully ignorant” if he understood the teaching of the church re: the planets, but failed to heed it, because he thought the data disproved this, despite what everyone around him said.
Google pygmies’ wikipedia and check out the picture of an English explorer surrounded by them. Looks very similar to the dog picture you posted above.
Re: my question to you, I had meant to say “standardized test scores” (but you can pick income, crime rates, etc.). Why are all standardized tests, no matter what language or place, etc., biased in favor of whites, but especially East Asians and YKW, and against Blacks and Hispanics? And why does supposed intelligence as measured by these tests correlate so strongly to various life results? If there is no city anywhere where this is not the case, then how can we ever expect that there could be anything approaching equality? Abagond is apparently waiting for the Flynn effect to propel blacks to parity with whites. If that can happen great, but wouldn’t you expect that there would be at least one city (with a decent sample size) where we could prove this?
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 06:44:19 V-4
But the bootstrap myth does exist, most successful immigrants are Nigerians.
90% of African immigrants are successful.
Over-representation of Africans in politics, even have a black president.
Economic situation keeps getting better for black people despite interestingly enough their being less specifically black business’es and black ownership of land.
Though maybe that’s the inevitable result of success; growth means change, movement and taking in more from the outside.
It you want to stay a “pure” culture you can only succeed so much and ultimately stagnate…..maybe that’s why white people are so prone to “cultural appropriation”.
This is all neither here nor there. You blindly believe in a worldview in which
– All the major universities in the world are lying
– All of the major scientific associations on earth are lying
– All of the leading scientists in the field are lying
If such a world really existed, it would be difficult to believe in Science at all, wouldn’t it? I mean, if that much was wrong with the system, then how could you believe anything from it? Yet, as I pointed out above, you are just fine using science selectively when you think it makes a point that you might agree with.
And then people like Steve Sailer (who’s actual degrees are in economics and marketing) somehow becomes Galileo! Do you realize how stupid that sounds?
Are Pygmies a race? So we now have Caucasians, Mongoloids, Negroids and.. Pygmies? Oh, I almost forgot Hispanicoids. How many Races does that make?
“Re: my question to you, I had meant to say “standardized test scores” (but you can pick income, crime rates, etc.). Why are all standardized tests, no matter what language or place, etc.,”
I’ll have to answer this along with your other question later.
What is the mental disorder? “psychopathic racial personality”? If so, he is not the only one. We have a whole army of them.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 13:47:22 abagond
Galileo was not in any way being wilfully ignorant or obtuse. He thoroughly understood the arguments of those who opposed him, in the Church and in the universities, and cut them to pieces. The very reason they had to ban his books!
You, on the other hand, when presented with A’s account of the cause of racial inequality, dismiss the cause because it was in the past. Wow.
Galileo was a scientist. Your style of thinking, on the other hand, is that of pseudoscience. You start with conclusions and find the evidence that supports it. It is almost a textbook case, complete with the Galileo reference and your inability to name any current scientist working in the relevant field, not even a true Galileo counterpart. Your racism is on a level with ancient astronauts and creationism.
https://abagond.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/pseudoscience/
“You start with conclusions and find the evidence that supports it.”
No, unfortunately, the opposite is true in this case. I was raised as an equalist and wanted to believe it was true. Experience and observation changed my thinking.
O.K. biff so why aren’t Blacks flourishing in the same way as Whites?
Well let’s begin in the U.S. Of course, there was slavery. But few White people care to understand some of the longer-term effects of slavery and beyond.
Imposed racial inferiority complex Whites have imposed the idea upon both Blacks and Whites tin the U.S. that Black people are inferior, from slavery to this day. Even when resisted, this kind of brainwashing has an effect on people’s self confidence and success.
Miseducation Of course, during slavery, the education of Blacks was illegal—unlike in most places in the world where the education of a capable slave was seen as a sound investment. But In all the years following slavery, Blacks were given a far inferior education than Whites. Beginning with laws that first separated children by race and later by economic manipulations that accomplished the same end. If you don’t educate people they will not succeed. And the coup de grâce is to then pretend that Black people themselves are the ones who don’t value education, and that it had nothing to do with what White people did over the course of centuries.
Pressures upon the Black Family Of course, the ultimate warping of a culture is to attack it’s families. Slavery treated humans like unfeeling cattle and sold wives away from husbands and children away from their mothers. Sometimes slaves were not allowed to have real marriages, but were simply bred like animals. But even after slavery, Black men were often not given the means or opportunity to support their families. Black women typically made more money as maids, housekeepers and cooks, than Black men could as day laborers. This had ongoing and profound effects on Black marriages and the erosion of Black families at higher rates than that of Whites.
But that is just the beginning. Each of these developments have had long-term generational effects on How Blacks do in America. None of them is theoretical. There is no question that all of these things actually happened in America. If we had just these examples it would be enough to begin to understand why Blacks are not doing as well as Whites educationally and financially. But of course this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to come.
I’ve heard all these and more. Doesn’t pass the smell test, given that it is not just in the U.S. East Asians and (Ashkenazi) Jews have been through a lot in the last century (in many cases at the hands of whites), but still manage to put up gaudy IQ numbers. I just don’t believe that every single black community on earth was irreperably damaged by white injustice.
Wait for the rest, biff.
And at least acknowledge that these things actually did happen. That they were done to Blacks by White American society and that they doubtlessly would have had profound effects. I only began with the U.S. but we must be honest about the legacy of racism in the U.S. before we can move forward.
Let me put it another way. The differences in testing are so consistent and pervasive that it can’t be the result of specific mistreatment. If that were the case, we would expect to see a lot of variety, with some cases of near parity in mixed communities (with reasonable sample sizes). We don’t.
This is really basic. If there are physical differences (i.e., fastest sprinters and best long distance runners almost all being black), isn’t it possible that there could be mental differences? We can discuss what those are and what that means for society, etc.
But, if you can’t even get there, we’re probably both wasting our time with this discussion.
You’re getting way ahead of yourself biff. You ask very big questions, and they take time to answer. I’m attempting to do that, but I can only type so fast.
As I said, if you can’t even get to the step where you can acknowledge possible differences, we are wasting our time.
However, feel free to write down your answer for your own edification. I’m sure you could write an infinite number of pages about all the bad stuff white people have done which has caused blacks and other POC (exluding people of East Asian ethnicity) to have permanent IQ decreases for themselves and their offspring.
The smell test? Really?
According to your precious IQ tests the average IQ of Jamaica is like 71. Only a straight-up racist could believe in a test like that.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 17:53:33 Kartoffel
I noticed that IQ test play a big role in the US. Not only among racists, but in the general discussion about education. That is very different from Germany and always baffles me. Does anybody know how important they are in other countries?
Wow. Both King and A give you the history, or enough of it, but that still does not stop you from saying idiotic stuff like this. You are pretty much putting your fingers in your ears and going “LAH LAH LAH DON’T HEAR YOU!”
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 17:57:36 sharina
Please do elaborate. I am interested in further knowing.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 18:22:04 Omnipresent
Yes. From a white purity standpoint. However, I’m still spreading my genes (though obviously I can’t know whether my sons will have kids). A larger issue is the destruction of the traditional family unit. Western white women are not being raised and educated to be good wives and mothers and they (especially liberal types) just aren’t reproducing.
By eck. You really dont like ‘strong’ women and by that, I mean women who have an opinion do you lol. These are the very women who keep homes going, the women behind the successful men etc. Not some timid bird who wouldnt say boo to a goose. You must really find these women intimidating, so much that you would rather have offspring that are not considered white which for you must cause a lot of inner conflict.
This was lifted from another thread by another commenter and was not aimed at you or this discussion in anway shape or form but it is significant I thought it you think about what todays women want:-
any way, i was just thinking about this post because of how effeminate and wimpish men have become. i was thinking back to my grandfather’s era and men were so much more manly back then it seems. They looked manly and they acted like men. Granted they were mostly all in the military because of second world war so no doubt that had an influence, but men today…arrrgh.
but it got me thinking about your intital response in this post and you know what, I think you want people to just accept their lot in life and try to tell them that they are not really so hard done by (even though not so deep down you dont really believe that ). Because you cant cope with discord, it scares you a lot. You sound like a reasonably intelligent person so I dont believe you actually really think the absolute b0lloxs you say on here at times. You’re another commenter who is running scared, like that david guy who puts stuff on here.
I hoped somebody else would eloberate, because I don’t understand the issue. I just noticed that Americans often talk seriously about IQ scores (or am I mistaken?). That is definitly not the case in Germany. IQ tests are considered a joke, you do them so you can brag about a high score. But I have never heard anybody base a serious argument on it.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 18:43:23 sharinalr
Sorry then I misunderstood. I live in the US and I am not sure either. I view it as a bragging right as well, but not something to take extremely serious.
Okay I always viewed biff’s post as creepy, but have I just not been paying any attention to them. I am really a bit surprised at the current arguments he is putting forth.
I think that there is some attitude or viewpoint in the USA that believes that intelligence is innate or genetic, and can be measured by IQ or aptitude tests.
Other places have testing, but the viewpoint is that they do not measure IQ or aptitude, but knowledge and competency, which is something you can actually study for, or be trained to succeed at. That also is not always 100% ideal either, as students focus more on passing tests based on theoretical problems, rather than on actual real-life problem solving.
But in the end, the belief in the second case is that succeeding academically depends more on study and training than purely on aptitude.
Just maybe … the focus on IQ and aptitude in the USA helps to fuel race based education channeling, that certain students naturally have less (or more) aptitude and get tracked into different programs. It also helps to reinforce segregation in otherwise desegregated schools.
Some people are drawn to posts with their name on it like moths to a flame.
Some of those moths end up getting burnt.
Thank you for explaining.
I think this is part of what Abagond means when he talks about being “willfully obtuse.” It is the tendency of Whites to ask accusatory questions about the inferiority of Black culture, and yet lack the patience or inclination to even wait for the answers.
The fact is that some of the reasons are complex and multi-faceted. If someone asked me why most Americans live in cities today it would take time to explain that this has not always been the case, how and why it changed, and over what period of time.
You are asking about a global observation that can’t just be explained in two paragraphs. But you don’t seem to really want the answer. You’re looking for some kind of sound bite that can explain everything in a few sentences. The problem is that your way of not allowing thorough answers means that the conversation can not be methodical. We simply jump from accusation to accusation without ever getting the larger picture. But some things NEED the larger picture in order to be properly explained.
“This is really basic.”
No, actually its not. It’s quite complex when you take the time to really look at it.
“If there are physical differences (i.e., fastest sprinters and best long distance runners almost all being black), isn’t it possible that there could be mental differences? We can discuss what those are and what that means for society, etc.
No, because what you are saying doesn’t make sense. So, lets put the running shoe on the other foot for a minute. Let’s say that all of the fastest runners in the world came from western Poland, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. Should I then conclude that fast running is a European racial feature? So Frenchmen, the English, Italians, Swedes are all fast runner because people with light-colored skin in Bulgaria are fast sprinters? This now proves that ‘White People” have a fast running gene?
@ biff (continuing…)
But the system of White Supremacy continued to operation profound ways to assist and elevate Whites and to deny and subjugate Blacks.
In the early years of the 20th Century wealth was distributed among very few in the U.S. population and there was a lot less wealth in the Country as a whole. But during the last century the wealth of the common citizen skyrocketed as the economy shifted from agrarian to industrial and as populations shifted from rural to urban/suburban.
As the industrial base of the U.S. grew, it attracted workers from the farm belt, the western ranches, and the fishing towns. These workers moved to the cities and clustered around the plants and factories where they worked. The vast majority of people rented flats and small houses owned by the wealthy. In cases where workers were able to buy houses, they were typically quite small, and located in working class neighborhoods where the equity did not appreciate dramatically.
Then World War II came along and this changes American society and economics dramatically in it’s aftermath.
Once the soldiers came home from the war, they were rewarded with the G.I. Bill which allowed veterans to attend college with government subsidized tuition. This helped both Black and White soldiers but of course had a MUCH bigger effect on Whites. Firstly because Blacks were not allowed into the armed forces other than service rolls for most of the war. Therefore there were a lot less Black servicemen in the first place.
But even for those few Black soldiers who did return from the war, it was more difficult to take advantage of the GI Bill.
“The black middle class failed to keep pace with the white middle class because blacks had fewer opportunities to earn college degrees. In addition to the other obstacles, gaining admission to universities was no easy task for blacks on the G.I. Bill. Most universities had segregationist principles underlying their admissions policies, utilizing either official or unofficial quotas. Even if they could gain admission to universities, public education was in such a poor state for blacks that many of them were not adequately prepared for college level work. Those blacks that were prepared for college level work and gained admission to predominantly white universities still experienced racism on campus.
Wiki – African Americans and the G.I. Bill
Not to say that SOME Blacks did not benefit educationally and that some doors were certainly open that had been firmly shut before. But there is no denying that Whites benefitted from the GI Bill to a FAR greater extent than Blacks were ever allowed to, because of White prejudice.
To make a long story short,suffice to say that the same discrimination was evident with the Veteran’s Home Financing arm of the bill. Banks simply would not make loans to Blacks. They considered all Black people to be a bad risk regardless of service, background or achievement. So Whites became homeowners while most Blacks still remained renters and were shut out from accumulating real estate wealth.
Now as it turns out, real estate accounts for nearly 80% of all personal wealth in America. So when you shut people out of buying a house, you have shut them out of a chance to move from working class to middle or even upper class. You have designated one class of people to succeed
– not because of their hard work
– Not because they have better habits
– not because they value education more
– not because they obey the law more stringently
– Not because they have better family values
– Not because they have better genes
but because one race has gamed the system and loads the deck in favor of their own, and stacked the cards against those who don’t look like them. REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT BLACKS HAD TO PAY THE SAME TAXES AS WHITES DID.
So why do Whites have higher rates of education and more wealth? Answer: Mostly because they stole it by using unfair policies to take from others for their own benefit.
on Fri Jan 2nd 2015 at 21:38:12 A
I know this might be hard for you to comprehend since your type are usually as anti-Semitic as you are anti-black but Ashkenazi Jews like all Jews are (wait for it)………White.
That means even in the most openly anti-Semitic areas of pre-civil rights America (think Five Points in NYC) a Jewish man could simply change his name from Klein to Smith & be more or less done with white folks bullshit. That same option was & is obviously not available to us.
Your “Super Asian” theory still falls flat & I gave you the answer in an earlier comment as to why that is. Southeast & East Asians are more or less genetically identical & to the ignorant such as yourself physically so. Yet the rates of poverty, wealth, Iq, & education differ vastly between these 2 regions & from country to country within them.
I’ve already pointed out the totalitarian state of North Korea, the sock puppet proto-colony status of Taiwan & the rural majority of Mongolia as reasons to show that your idea of East Asians being superior based on biased Western & White Supremacists standards is ridiculous. An average is just that, an average, not a whole number. So even if East Asians have a higher Iq on average it still doesn’t break the numbers down into sub-groups, trends & clusters. The types you would get if you judged the Iqs of different East Asians based on economic background, ethnic group, country etc. Do you honestly believe Hmong people from the hills of South China have identical Iq’s to people from the uber-capitalist Hong Kong? Do you think the village dwelling Burakumin have identical Iqs to the educated & fast moving people of Tokyo?
Even better tell us what your accredited geneticist’s who you’ve yet to name give you on the biological differences between them. I asked you this question earlier & you failed to answer it so lets expand & have another go;
Please explain to me & with detail the genetic difference between North & South Koreans that leads one group to thrive in different countries all over the world & one to stay imprisoned & disenfranchised in one? The genetic difference between the aforementioned Burakumin & ethnic Japanese? The genetic difference between Koreans in the diaspora who thrive & Koreans in Japan who struggle mightily? The genetic difference between Hmong & ethnic Chinese? It couldn’t be oppression……could it?
This is why I can only Lol to people like you and your arguments because they don’t stand up to the slightest bit of scrutiny or exploration. Your literally putting the willfully in willfully obtuse. I, like Jefe, King, Kiwi & Abagond am still waiting patiently on those geneticists who prove black & brown inferiority but I have a strong feeling we won’t get a single name. Just a hunch is all.
Abagond my comment is stuck in moderation, did I violate a rule? My apologies if so.
The GI Bill: one of the loopholes they had to put in to get support from White southerners was to make it locally administered. That allowed Blacks to be largely shut out in certain parts of the country, just like with the right to vote.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 00:30:03 abagond
Your comment seems to be okay. There are certain harmless-seeming words I moderate to catch trolls.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 02:07:09 biff
Wow, waking up to at least a 6 on 1. And I have stuff I need to do with my family, so no way I can respond to all.
abagond, re: certain harmless seeming words, seems there is no way to use the t word for instance, which is only a part of white t@@@@. It would be nice to have a list of harmless seeming words that are separately moderated, e.g., I can’t say refer to my b*ys, so I have to say my sons.
King, I promise you. I’ve heard these things before. If it were all societal, you absolutely would see certain regions that shook the trend, but you don’t. You can’t name a single city with a reasonable large sample size where that is the case.
Now I’m being asked to supply info re: geneticists? I thought, per the title of this post, all I was supposed to have to show was that I really believe in racial differences, and am not just being “willfully obtuse”. As I’ve said, many people on the other side would view you guys as being willfully obtuse and believe that deep down most POC actually believe in HBD.
King, if you think the only differences between Africans and Europeans is skin pigment, you haven’t looked into this. Research muscle types and composition. They do vary by ethnic groups. The events different countries win at the Olympics are pretty consistent. You seem to believe this is a coincidence… really the first time I’ve met someone like that.
I can provide a list of reviews of a Troublesome Inheritance, a recent book by the former science writer for the NYT documenting the reality of race. There are a lot of positive/or largely positive reviews, and a lot of the negative attacks are against Wade’s speculative portion of the book, not the main section where he notes racial differences generally. 100 scientists wrote a letter condemning his book. He doubts that most of them even attempted to read his book and believes the issues were political. Here is an excerpt from one of his letters defending his work:
“The issue is how best to sustain the fight against racism in light of new information from the human genome that bears on race.
My belief is that opposition to racism should be based on principle, not on science. If I oppose racism and discrimination as a matter of principle, I don’t care what the science may say because I’ll never change my position. As it happens, however, the genome gives no support to racism, although it does clearly show that race has a biological basis, just as common sense might suggest.
Many social scientists, on the other hand, have long based their opposition to racism on the assertion that there is no biological basis to race. I doubt they personally believe this and suspect that they oppose racism on principle, just as I do. But they believe that other people, less enlightened and intelligent than they, will not abandon racism unless told that everyone is identical beneath the skin. So whenever someone points out that race is obviously biological, defenders of the social science position respond with attacks of whatever vehemence is necessary to get the inconvenient truth-teller to shut up.
For many years this tactic has been surprisingly effective. It takes only a few vigilantes to cow the whole campus. Academic researchers won’t touch the subject of human race for fear that their careers will be ruined. Only the most courageous will publicly declare that race has a biological basis. I witnessed the effects of this intimidation during the 10 years I was writing about the human genome for The New York Times. The understanding of recent human evolution has been seriously impeded, in my view, because if you can’t study the genetics of race (a subject of no special interest in itself), you cannot explore the independent evolutionary histories of Africans, East Asians and Europeans.
The attacks on my book come from authors who espouse the social science position that there is no biological basis to race. It is because they are defending an ideological position with a counterfactual scientific basis that their language is so excessive. If you don’t have the facts, pound the table. My three Huffington Post critics — Jennifer Raff, Agustín Fuentes and Jonathan Marks — are heavy on unsupported condemnations of the book, and less generous with specific evidence.
Despite their confident assertions that I have misrepresented the science, which I’ve been writing about for years in a major newspaper, none of these authors has any standing in statistical genetics, the relevant discipline.”
Here’s the link. I suspect it will get this post in moderation, so I include it separately.
https://occamsrazormag.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/roundup-of-book-reviews-of-nicholas-wades-a-troublesome-inheritance/
There are quite a number of positive reviews. Many by scientists. However, as noted above, to endorse these views publicly can be ruinous to a career.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 02:17:54 thwack
biff spelled backwards is ffib.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 02:21:36 King
“King, I promise you. I’ve heard these things before.
Hearing something is not the same as understanding it.
I was going to talk about Africa next.
“If it were all societal, you absolutely would see certain regions that shook the trend, but you don’t. You can’t name a single city with a reasonable large sample size where that is the case.”
Well I can’t be sure what you mean when you say “the trend.” What would be the exact parameters for breaking the trend. in your view?
But to speak in general, there are certainly plenty of Blacks who are educated and successful, if that is what you mean. Why are you focused on regions instead of people? Please elaborate.
Kiwi said: “East Asian and Jewish IQ: Not mentioned by biff is that Japanese-Americans and Jewish-Americans have suffered drastic decreases in IQ by the third and fourth generation, even among those that are not mixed race. But I’m sure he will attribute these IQ changes to genetics, anyway”.
Though I am not particularly interested in engaging in engaging in lengthy debates with you, I would be interested in reading your cite for this. As you know, Japanese Americans in the U.S. are largely descendants of imported laborers to Hawaii, so their average IQ would likely be a little lower than Japan’s average. Also, not sure about the selection pressures for the minority who didn’t intermarry after 4 generations. As for YKW, they seem to be doing just fine in U.S. society, so I’m not aware of any huge decrease in their IQs, though the testing for Ashkenazi average does seem to vary between 107-115.
The trend of blacks testing lower than whites. Of course there are individual blacks who test better than individual whites. However, you can’t name one city in the world where blacks or Hispanics test better than (or equal) to whites. That pretty clearly demonstrates that this difference is not just environmental.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 02:49:54 A
Biff you stated
“However, you can’t name one city in the world where blacks or Hispanics test better than (or equal) to whites”
You also can’t name a country that Whites, Blacks & Hispanics all inhabit where White Supremacy isn’t present either. Not sure why you would leave that little tidbit out.
Kiwi said: “But you don’t even like Asian men.”
Dude, back off. I’m seriously not into you or other men, Asian or otherwise, that way.
As for the article, yeah I do remember reading that now. Doesn’t mention a huge IQ drop off, just academic drive. Not sure what bearing it has on black/ white differences or global patterns.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 03:50:08 sharinalr
Actually it doesn’t.
Historically, White American banks, realtors, businessmen and politicians maneuvered Blacks into living within their own ethnic enclaves—denying them access to buy or rent in other areas. it wasn’t until the Fair Housing provisions within the Civil Rights Act of 1968 that it became possible for Blacks to live where they desired and could afford. Of course, it took many more years for the actual housing practices to catch up with the letter of the law.
So something new began to occur. Today if a Black person goes to university, he or she will doubtless be surrounded by people of every hue and nationality. What’s more, if they work for a large corporation, they will very likely continue to be surrounded by many different ethnicities. So when they go out to buy a house, most Black college graduates do not go specifically looking for a place where they must be surrounded by other Black people. Blacks feel free to move into mixed neighborhoods that sort themselves more by income than by race.
So, if you are asking why there is not some high concentration of Blacks all living together in a single place so that you can have a statistic of Blacks doing better than Whites in one particular spot, then the answer is that it doesn’t work like that anymore. Blacks are only about 12.5% of the U.S. population, and when dispersed throughout pluralistic neighborhoods, we are not going to present you with a single regional example.
But, as I said before, many Blacks have achieved and tested well as individuals. And it takes time. The Civil Rights marchers are not even all in their graves yet and you expect for the centuries of systematic abuse and under-education to be already remedied. So why aren’t Blacks testing at the same or higher rates than Whites? Give it time.
@ Kiwi Lol!!
I think we’d have to see a study specifically dealing with Blacks who graduate from university, and especially those who go on to work in the corporate world. I would expect to still see large concentrations of Blacks together, but the trend would be that the more materially successful, the more likely that they would live in a location where money makes more of a difference than skin color.
I don’t know any successful Blacks these days who are asking, “Where is the Black version of Beverly Hills?” They generally just move to Beverly Hills.
But I’ll read your sources and investigate. Thanks!
As for Troublesome Inheritance, your book by Nicholas Wades, it is yet another example of a non-geneticist trying to overthrow the conclusions of the entire collective work of REAL GENETICISTS worldwide. Its as if a proctologist suddenly decided to write a book denouncing the Theory of Relativity in his spare time. I’m sure that those who have an axe to grind with ‘the Jew’ Einstein might seize on the opportunity to denounce his work. And when all the physics professors, researchers, and theorists, began pointing out how our proctologist had misconstrued the science, Einstein haters everywhere would point out that they were only being ‘politically correct’ because Einstein was a Jew! If Jews didn’t control everything then Einstein’s theories would clearly be abandon! That is why the entire world of physics is dismissing the hard work of our intrepid proctologist! Give me a break.
When evaluating this kind of ‘ground breaking work’ that overthrows all of the conclusions of the entire field of scientific consensus, I consider the following:
1) Does the author even have a background in the field he is writing about?
2) Has the author actually done supervised field work in this field
3) Have the author’s conclusions been peer-reviewed by others in the field?
4) If conclusions are drawn from the work of others, do the originators of that work agree with the second-hand conclusions drawn from their data.
5) Was the work presented to fellow scientists or was it immediately sold for profit to the untrained public?
How did you put it? I don’t think this passes the smell test…
http://violentmetaphors.com/2014/08/08/genetics-professors-unite-in-criticism-of-nicholas-wades-book/
Awesome link! Thanks!
Nicholas Wade, just like Biff, ignores the arguments of others, dismissing them as politically motivated, as if he himself is politically unbiased.
Agreed! Wades responses have been all been made under the theory that being against the vast majority of scientific consensus can only be proof that he is a political martyr.
http://violentmetaphors.com/2014/06/02/nicholas-wades-troublesome-approach-to-scientific-critiques/
He doesn’t really address the science of the criticisms in a straightforward way.
Click to access biological-races-in-humans.pdf
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 16:26:44 sharina
“Are you still looking for your “geneticists” or are you booking tickets for your family trip to the Creation Museum?
I’ll help:
http://creationmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/“—
So, wait. I am trying to show that people in academia can’t publicly challenge equalism, and I have a quote from the former science editor of the NYT showing how he was attacked and his opinion of the nature of that attack and the lack of qualification of his 3 attackers.. and you provide a link to one of those attackers citing the letter I referenced?
Wow… shocking.
Wade further said of the letter. “This letter is driven by politics, not science. I am confident that most of the signatories have not read my book and are responding to a slanted summary devised by the organizers”.
Now, maybe Wade is delusional and/or lying, but many of his attackers (those who know Wade personally) admit that he is actually a nice, honest type of guy… hmmm so why would he say that?
But put yourself back in Galileo’s shoes? Why was he attacked? Does the overwhelming force of the attack make it correct?
Anyway, the list of 50+ largely positive reviews of Wade’s book I provided, including from James Watson, Nobel prize winner and co-discoverer of DNA, isn’t good enough for you guys because you don’t think the credentials are impressive enough, even as I have shown why people in the establishment (with the relevant credentials) would be extremely reluctant to openly support Wade…
so, whatever..
and you still can’t provide the name of one city with blacks or hispanics performing similarly with whites. Doesn’t need to be a 90% black city… even a 20% black city where the schools have discovered that black students test equally well as whites. Since even successful blacks are forced to live with poorer whites (as has been noted above), you’d think it would be easy to find examples where their children perform at least equally well as whites, but you can’t. Not one. If there is no progress after 50 years, how long do we have to wait? 500 years? 1000 years?
Why does any of this matter? Well, just because the policies being persued are making the U.S. more divided and stratified and will not even achieve their stated goals of making the U.S. a more just, equal place.
^Which leads us back to my criteria:
Anyone can build a bubble around their pet theories by simply claiming that the opposition has impure motives. I’ve already said as much above.
“Its as if a proctologist suddenly decided to write a book denouncing the Theory of Relativity in his spare time. I’m sure that those who have an axe to grind with ‘the Jew’ Einstein might seize on the opportunity to denounce his work. And when all the physics professors, researchers, and theorists, began pointing out how our proctologist had misconstrued the science, Einstein haters everywhere would point out that they were only being ‘politically correct’ because Einstein was a Jew! If Jews didn’t control everything then Einstein’s theories would clearly be abandon! That is why the entire world of physics is dismissing the hard work of our intrepid proctologist! “
Wow. Did you even READ this page that King linked to:
People whose work Wade builds on are against him, saying that Wade is twisting their research. And these people are actual geneticists. Does that not concern you at all??!!!
^The perfect example of being “Willfully Obtuse.” I ask you, how could it better be demonstrated???
Scientists create papers, etc. Other people use them. The original authors don’t control this. If Wade specifically mis-quoted them, they haven’t pointed it out.
The second half of Wade’s book is largely speculative. He acknowledges that. It’s not surprising that people could disagree with those conclusions.
What he is saying is that the letter condemning him is mostly political and ideological. I believe this because I experienced it first hand while at elite schools for many years.
I think Wade’s background gives him a unique ability to synthesize information from different fields. Comparing him to a proctologist is pretty ridiculous. Maybe he wasn’t qualified to work for Nature, Science or the NYT during his 50 year career, either.
The faculties of Colleges/Universities in the West are dominated by leftists. If you believe they don’t think of advancing their ideological agendas as one of the main goals of the “education” they provide, you haven’t got a clue.
biff, HIS BACKGROUND DOES NOT QUALIFY HIM TO DISREGARD THE COLLECTIVE CONCLUSIONS OF THE ENTIRE FIELD OF GENETICS!
What you are saying is that the only guy who has the truth about genetics is the guy who doesn’t have a degree in genetics. Are you REALLY this deluded????
King, we disagree. I don’t think degrees themselves are worth much. I think many fields are corrupted by leftism/politics, including “genetics”, “evolution”, etc.
If I showed you what leading scientists said 50-100 years ago re: race, guess what? You would claim they were all corrupted by their predjudices. Why is it hard for you to believe that could be the case today. Because it’s the present and these things just don’t happen anymore?
Wow. Just wow…
If you really feel like that then I cannot see why you don’t simply reject modern science as a authoritative source. I mean, in any field, the people studying a hundred yeas ago might have had the correct conclusions.
But you seem to think that you can accurately navigate which parts of modern science are corrupt and politicized and which parts are true and correct. Do you truly not see the slippery slope of this argument?
King, if you have a working brain and open your eyes it’s not that hard.
The fact that there is not a single Black city on a hill that is currently outperforming White cities is proof to you that Blacks are genetically inferior academically.
Yet the fact that there is not a single geneticist on a hill who endorses racial genetics as valid is NOT proof of the inferiority of your views.
“And you still can’t provide the name of one city with blacks or hispanics performing similarly with whites. Doesn’t need to be a 90% black city… even a 20% black city where the schools have discovered that black students test equally well as whites.
As I have explained above, Blacks do not necessarily flee to color coded enclaves as they once had to do. So, successful Blacks may be part of any neighborhood or school district in 2014.
But the wheels of progress do turn slowly. There are still some vestiges of the old ‘separate but equal’ affluent Black neighborhoods around. But they still are likely not to give you the kind of block data that you think would prove the point because it is almost never as simple as you seem to think it is.
Take Baldwin Hills in Los Angeles. The neighborhood is 78.5% African American, is low crime and high income. Residents have included Tom Bradley, Ray Charles, Michael J. Fox, Jimmy Pardo, John Singleton, Tina Turner and Nancy Wilson.
So, is Baldwin Hills the city that finally outperforms Whites? Well, no… because even though it has a population of about 33,000, it is only about 3 square miles and is part of South Los Angeles. So their numbers get mixed in with all the residents of Los Angeles.
But what if we just had a look at their school district? Well, the way that Baldwin Park’s school district is zoned, it includes the poorer land tracts down the hill, so again, the higher testing numbers are diluted. Add to this the fact that like most rich people, the Blacks of Baldwin Hills mostly send their kids to private schools (in this case out of their neighborhood) which further effects the local public school district’s numbers See the attached article.
http://hechingerreport.org/content/can-magnet-programs-lure-affluent-african-american-families-back-to-their-neighborhood-schools_13239/
So, even though there is a rather large concentration of Blacks who tend to test high and achieve academically, they are invisible to demographic test score radar because they are attending private school miles away in every direction.
Yet, if I was a White ‘race realist’ I would now be reporting to you how even rich Black kids perform very poorly according to the FACTS (= misconstrued data). You would be surprised to learn how often such misunderstandings like this happen… particularly when amateurs are trying to use the data to come to professionals conclusions.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 19:57:08 Linda
I normally disregard posts dealing with IQ and Biff because it’s a theme that has been cooked, roasted, burned, flipped over and then re-marinated… I just can’t anymore.
But, I will say, “Hats off to you” (Kiwi and others)— you have presented your statements with such clarity and on point conciseness, that even a blind man could see.
but unfortunately, as the title of this posts states: the willfully obtuse like Biff is not here to see, he just wants to be heard
God Bless you for the time you have expended in order to educate the ignorant and educated “willful obtuse”.
There are none so blind as they who will not see!
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 20:15:46 Mary Burrell
@King: Brother,Hat tip to you i am just beyond amazed at your skill with blood clots that have the mindset like Biff and his ilk. Major Hat tip to you and Kiwi. Look up the word willfully obtuse and quite a few posters who’s names i won’t name, this topic fits them like a glove. SMDH.
on Sat Jan 3rd 2015 at 20:25:05 Omnipresent
King, we disagree. I don’t think degrees themselves are worth much. I think many fields are corrupted by leftism/politics, including “genetics”, “evolution”, etc
Wait a minute. Havent you been trying to make the point on this and other threads that PoC are woefully behind their white counterparts and that this is measured by thing such as IQ’s and now you are saying one often essential part of academic measuring before going off in to the big wide world, a degree, is not worth much! Its like you are moving the goal posts and your inconsistency does not make your posts come across as lucid or reliable.
A high five to King for taking the time to break things down. I admire your perseverance even when confronted by someone who has majored in the title of this post.
thanks Mary… But Im sure that biff will be back with more nonsense as soon as he can find more explanations for the inexplicable.
Omnipresent, I don’t understand how if biff doesn’t believe in evolution how he manages to believe that Whites have somehow evolved beyond Blacks? Any real evolutionary scientist will tell you that the human race has not been around long enough for to support the kind of multiple race evolution that biff believes in. But if you don’t believe in evolution,in the first place, how do you get to the idea that races become superior or inferior to one another within a short a timeframe as 2000 years?
Speaking of. Did someone run Randy off?
Thank you King for pointing out the affluent Baldwin Hills neighborhood. I’d like to add in with them the neighboring communities of Ladera Heights, Leimert Park, View Park & the Fox Hills section of Culver City which combine to make one of the most affluent black sections of any major US city. Your point about the schooling distric issue of South LA is something a lot of people aren’t aware of. Racist policies see to it that Black children who live in neighborhoods wealthier than Beverly Hills go to school with kids from Watts, Compton, Inglewood etc.
Not that I want to come off as classist but the status quo is that the more wealth a neighborhood has the better the schools will be. Its got to be a shock to wealthy kids who HAPPEN to be Black leave million dollar homes in the morning on their way to school driving luxury cars & seeing inner city kids with far less. Some who are even in gangs & flag/wear colors/throw up sets to go along with it. Again, I don’t mean to come across as classist at all but White kids that lived in a rich neighborhood that happened to be adjacent to a poor neighborhood full of meth addicts & dealers would never have to deal with something equivalent.
Biff is going for the Gold with his obtuseness on this one, If I pointed out the also extremely affluent suburbs of Atlanta & DC he might have a heart attack. He says on one hand that Blacks are less intelligent but then says the opinion of geneticists with degrees from around the world matter less than a non-accredited or certified White Supremacist…..WTF?!
I don’t understand how if biff doesn’t believe in evolution how he manages to believe that Whites have somehow evolved beyond Blacks? Any real evolutionary scientist will tell you that the human race has not been around long enough for to support the kind of multiple race evolution that biff believes in. But if you don’t believe in evolution,in the first place, how do you get to the idea that races become superior or inferior to one another within a short a timeframe as 2000 years?
Whats that saying – The truth is stranger than fiction? I would say that part of being wilfully obtuse is that you have to have some ‘other’ reality that you understand.
Anyway, what you wrote will be there for a long while for others to chew on before they start in with the cr@p.
Ironically, these race scientists that biff idolizes would have condemned his and Randy’s decision to marry and have kids with Asian women.”
Wow. Yet another glaring inconsistency that I missed. Great point!
King, responding to biff is like farting in a wind tunnel, all you get is so much putrid air.
on Sun Jan 4th 2015 at 03:18:48 Mbeti
in regards to your comments on the origin of science coming from white Europeans of primarily religious specifically christian background,
I have and am continuing to do research on this subject
however I would like put forward a tentative hypothesis to explain both the development of science coming from its precedent religion as well as the data that shows a good 30 to 40 percent of scientist still maintain religious beliefs.
1.its seems consistent with the general pattern of evolution that the early stages of our cognitive evolution with lacked both the resources as well as the ability to view and interpret
reality scientifically – meaning without reference to beliefs and ideas that are bias toward what we want and guess as opposed to science as its currently practiced ideally.
an analogy – around december especially on the 25 date two fictional magical white males are worshiped – one for children and one for adults
the adults tell a lie a fiction to their children knowing full well it is just a story ,a
fairy(another imaginary being) tale
they do it primarily to entertain as well as manipulate their children,
and primarily because most children lack the cognitive ability to comprehend and process more complex information about reality.
whereas the one for adults is actually believed by most adults for many of the same reasons – entertainment and manipulation due to the difficulty in comprehending and processing as well
as even accessing a more complex and in some aspects less entertaining explanation of reality.
As to the issue of a certain percentage of even scientist holding religious beliefs re gemgirls
comment that she/he does not see a contradict between belief in a deity and evolution,
I assert that this is due to the inherent nature of science – its like all its products – all the machines and devices we all use – does not depend on what you think about it just as your computer ,watch ,car etc does not care indeed does not even have the capacity to care what beliefs or ideas you have when you use it, you either use it according to the way it functions
or it does not work,same goes for science and the scientific method follow and apply it correctly regardless of whatever beliefs and ideas you have and it will produce certain results which may or may-not conflict with your beliefs.
and finally I commented that I thought it mind-boggling that someone like abagond indeed any catholic could remain a catholic not just in the face of the achievements of contemporary science
but as well due to the overwhelming “evidence” that having a male only leadership that specifically requires that its members reject sexuality for life ,is not only sexism but will inevitably lead to sexual pathologies.
Then after some recent study and thought I came to a conclusion that I think many atheist including some very famous ones fail to take in to account and which may explain my own experiences as a atheist scince childhood.
The conclusion is this – most religious people (the vast majority of our species by the way)
are not i repeat not persuaded by evidence or logic, objective evidence and logic is irrelevant indeed antithetical to religious belief.
Thus now I understand my sense of futility in trying to convince a religious person of the illogical nature of or lack of evidence for their beliefs ,that’s not how it or they work.
so having said this and reached these conclusions I consider my mind much less boggled;-/
on Sun Jan 4th 2015 at 03:59:40 King
Even so, every now and again you just need to cut the cheese. 😉
on Sun Jan 4th 2015 at 06:07:32 thwack
I never said the origin of science came from white Europeans; matter of fact, to the contrary they originated very little.
I credit them for the discovery and exploration of the abstract sciences and the resulting “explosion” of technology, inventions that resulted from it in the 17 century.
Islam had the lead but the way I understand the theology of the time; Islam considered God as so great as to be knowable only thru complete submission to his mystery. Using numbers, and abstractions to know the mind of God became associated with a kind of sorcery.
This type of thinking was not limited to Islam. Up until the 19 century theology was still considered the queen of the sciences in Europe and people like Newton, Kepler, Copernicus… had to be careful not to get accused of apostacy.
@King, Kiwi, A, etc.
Sorry I am late to give you kudos. You guys did well.
on Fri Jan 9th 2015 at 17:28:46 King
Thanks jefe, and thanks also to Kiwi and to A for their comments.
I think what is really sad is that I’m 100% sure that biff is already spinning in his own mind what happened here on this post. He will look back on this post as simply the day he decided that he had been casting his pearls before swine… and what was he really trying to accomplish, debating with these hopeless people who refuse to see the world through 100 year old science?
Of course, he will continue reeling and stumbling through life, making his dubious choices with all of his previous misconceptions still intact. We didn’t even get to Africa, the IMF and World Bank…. oh well.. not like he would have really listened anyway.
on Fri Jan 9th 2015 at 17:34:32 jefe
I don’t think the foregoing discussion has fazed him one bit. He will go on believing what he believes, regardless of how self-contradictory it is. He probably just got tired of this thread (for the time being).
In any case, when lurkers stop by here in the future, they can witness the topic in action. This ended up being one of the better threads.
If nothing else, it certainly now fully demonstrates the very art of being willful obtuse. (as I believe you were the first to point out upthread)
@GR
i have no idea how he comes up with this stuff.
Tell me you have never seen or heard white people (and this means “some” not “all”) do that in the USA all the time.
speaking of IQ and educated people remaining “willfully obtuse” in order to keep the status quo
I found this article with John Katzman to be very interesting. John Katzman is the founder The Princeton Review and in his own words
“I taught America to beat the SAT. That’s how I know it’s useless.”
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/sats/interviews/katzman.html
What does the SAT measure?
The SAT is a scam. It has been around for 50 years. It has never measured anything. And it continues to measure nothing. And the whole game is that everybody who does well on it, is so delighted by their good fortune that they don’t want to attack it. And they are the people in charge.
Because of course, the way you get to be in charge is by having high test scores. So it’s this terrific kind of rolling scam that every so often,
somebody sort of looks and says–well, you know, does it measure intelligence? No. Does it predict college grades? No. Does it tell you how much you learned in high school? No. Does it predict life happiness or life success in any measure? No. It’s measuring nothing. It is a test of very basic math and very basic reading skill. Nothing that a high school kid should be taking.
Is it an IQ test?
Why isn’t it an IQ test?
It’s not an IQ test because it doesn’t measure IQ. It is used that way. And it was developed from the army IQ test. But even the College Board will refuse to say that this is an intelligence test. And I’d love to see them say it. I’d love to see them say anything because then you can attack it. But there’s this kind of mushy response that when you work your way through it, there’s sort of nothing left. Well, it has a slight predictive validity to freshman year grades in college. We spend a 100 million dollars a year for that? You know, your grades in high school predict college grades better than this and we didn’t have to spend anything.
The College Board originally marketed the SAT as an IQ, or aptitude, test.)
on Wed Jan 14th 2015 at 16:11:20 Omnipresent
i once heard biff make an argument that there are entire nations where the populace as a whole has an average IQ of 70 (maybe that wasn’t the exact number, but it was along those lines).
I have seen other people say it on this forum too, so dont be too hard on him, if his peers are saying it so it must be true musnt it. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He does so after smoking spliffs and drinking copious amounts of liquor.
on Wed Jan 14th 2015 at 17:35:47 sharinalr
Awesome source. Thanks for providing.
on Sun Jan 18th 2015 at 05:51:44 Chantal Sorrentino
So, what then CAN we do? Do we attempt to reach younger people before they are corrupted by society? Do we just stay silent around older white folks and their racism? I am honestly having an issue with how to deal with people on this matter, since so many sources give me conflicting information.
Some places on the web say we must confront bad behavior, so not to endorse it with our silence
But what is the point, if the racists won’t ever budge on the issue?
Obviously we need to focus on giving colored people a lift up, so they can be on equal footing with white people, and an increase in diversity in any career or public space would be incredibly good at allowing more interracial interactions, and thus work to undermine prejudice
But I feel like that isn’t enough. What has happened in the past that allowed white society to be less racist than it used to be in the 50s?
I know the end to segregation, and programs to end poverty, as well as prominent public figures bringing these conversations into the public attention, are enormous benefits that helped chip away at racism
But lately, I feel like we as a society has backslid. Or maybe I am more aware of this crap.
But I am not a public figure. I am an American expat moved to Finland…WTF can I even do? I want to blog about this so bad, but I feel annoyed at my inadequacy.
But then again, the internet has been such a great tool for education and social change, so maybe blogging is good enough for someone in a limited position such as myself?
I just cannot stay silent, while my own people are the ones who created this mess. i am responsible for helping to clean it up.
But I really really need someone more qualified than I to give me advice.
@ Chantal
There is no one answer. Like most big questions, many people see the solution in many different ways. No one person is going to be “qualified” to tell you what you should do.
But people can, of course, give their personal advice or opinions. You must ultimately decide what you can and will do. You cannot personally fix this problem, centuries in the making. But you can do a small part, as we all can do.
In my own opinion, anti-racist pressure within the White culture has still not reached the point where it is truly effective. Too many Whites can retreat into their cultural enclaves and feel perfectly comfortable carrying on with racist speech and attitudes. It’s still too easy for Whites to see any criticism as being “political correctness” or “oversensitivity” or ethnic “whining.” More people within the White community challenging these actions would help. People of color can’t do that job.
And lastly, people of color can be wrong too. There is nothing magical about being Black that makes you automatically right about racism. Sometimes it ACTUALLY is “political correctness” or “oversensitivity.” You have to be prepared for non-Whites to be as flawed and fallible as Whites in some regards.
But if you want to make difference then you are, at least on the right track.
@Chantal Sorrentino,
Do we attempt to reach younger people before they are corrupted by society?
We need to teach and learn history.
so many sources give me conflicting information.
Do you mean to say that you do not know the truth? Can you give an example of what you are confused about? There might be a post about it somewhere on this blog already.
What has happened in the past that allowed white society to be less racist than it used to be in the 50s?
If you learned history in the USA, they probably stopped at the era around 12-15 years before you were born, or about 30 years before high school. So, if you were born, say, in
1960 – it stopped with WWII and the Holocaust – However, some items might be absent (eg, the Japanese-American internment camps). Jim Crow is not discussed. Immigration exclusion laws based on race are not discussed.
1970 – It stopped with post war prosperity and baby boom, Brown v. board and Elvis Presley,
1980, you would learn a little about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the beginning of the Vietnam War, the repeal of segregation and the repeal of immigrant exclusion laws.
After 1990, it is OK to discuss the Japanese-American internment camps (by the time they enter High School).
1990 – You would learn about desegregation, Affirmative Action and the Cold war and the normalization of relations with China and the legalization of Abortion
2000 – You would learn about how America is now colour blind, and how the Cold War ended. You probably have already internalized the Model Minority and black thug stereotypes (as well as entitlement programs) promoted in the 1980s.
History that occurred before 30 years ago has been rewritten. History in the past 30 years is not taught. Where do you fit in?
But lately, I feel like we as a society has backslid.
So do you now know what replaced society’s racial hierarchical paradigm since the 1970s? What did you learn about the history of End Poverty programs in the USA?
while my own people are the ones who created this mess
Who might those people be?
on Sun Jan 25th 2015 at 23:06:17 Speak Out
I notice this kind of willful ignorance in the comments section of the New York Times whenever the topic of white privilege comes up. None of the privileged white readers can be bothered to take 5 minutes and google white privilege. They keep raising the same objections of “I’ve been poor so I don’t have privilege” and can’t be bothered to google class privilege or intersectionality. The New York Times can’t be bothered to directly explain class privilege and intersectionality in its articles about white privilege. It seems that the mainstream media is willfully publicizing the concept of white privilege in a way designed to make whites aware of and disdainful of the term, trying to diffuse its power for people of color. You see the same crap going on on twitter with the #whiteprivilege.
on Mon Jan 26th 2015 at 00:16:59 Speak Out
To me it seems that a big reason for white people refusing to accept that white privilege exists is that they don’t want to admit that everything they are and have is based on lies (they wouldn’t have their job, their wealth, etc. without it).
Plus as others have written white people can’t stand allowing people of color to shape the dominant discourse in any way.
It’s disgusting though how they say crap like, “What about Asian privilege then?” I’ve even seen them talk about “Black privilege”. They’re trying to co-opt the term.
We need to see Speak Out and Randy battle it out. 😛
on Sat Dec 17th 2016 at 00:43:16 Kev
The scientific theory of evolution by natural selection =/= abiogenesis. I can’t believe no-one else corrected this.
As for ‘white men with billions of dollars…’, the hilarious attempt to insert racism into this gave me the biggest laugh of the day. I do hope you’re still not this ignorant thwack.
on Wed Oct 4th 2017 at 16:54:56 abagond
@ Rook
Comment deleted for use of racial slurs and calls for violence.
on Fri Sep 14th 2018 at 16:56:37 YeahNo
One of the worst bits of garbage I’ve read in awhile. What’s your excuse for other minorities flourish, but yours performing so poorly? White racism? The crucial forensic evidence supported Darren Wilson’s story completely, while complete discrediting the ‘hands up and he got shot for no reason’ bs. Have you ever heard of projection? Well, that’s you… projecting your ‘wilfully obtuse’ bullshit onto other people. You have a spin on everything, but you won’t look at any real evidence with any serious objectiveness whatsoever. I don’t even know why I bothered. There’s no getting thru to race baiting hate-filled low lives like yourself.
on Fri Sep 14th 2018 at 17:11:38 sharinalr
@YeahNo
“One of the worst bits of garbage I’ve read in awhile.”–Then clearly you didn’t read your comment before submitting it.
on Fri Sep 14th 2018 at 18:08:32 Mary Burrell
A good example of willfully obtuse would be the huge segment of the dominant culture refusing to grasp Colin Kaepernick’s taking a knee protest is about and being stupid and burning their Nike gear just because they didn’t have any crosses handy to burn.
@Sharina: HA! LOL, that was a good one. 😂
on Sat Sep 15th 2018 at 07:32:11 Helen
” One of the worst bits of garbage I’ve read in awhile. What’s your excuse for other minorities flourish, but yours performing so poorly? White racism?”
on Sat Jan 26th 2019 at 18:51:01 Russ Jedinak jr
I have no idea why I ended up on this forum? But my bishop is being willfully obtuse, and not only did he not take it as an insult, he didn’t even know what I meant. That’s obtuse!
on Sun Jun 30th 2019 at 23:32:01 john long
This did not age well. Lol. If you chose the other side…then yes. But apparently the author chooses to be willfully obtuse in that regard.
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Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman's death highlights growing cancer risk for young people
WTVD
By Steven Romo
HOUSTON, Texas -- Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman's, death at just 43 years old due to colon cancer highlights a risk that is affecting young people at much higher rates now than in previous decades.
Colorectal surgeon Dr. Erik Askenasy said he's seen colon cancer diagnoses shock people in the prime of their life.
"We're finding it more often in younger people. It used to be a disease of 60, 70-year-old people," he said. "It's devastating, actually. When you have 38-year-olds or 44-year-olds come into your office with young kids, and they have anywhere from stage one to [colon cancers] or rectal cancers, it's pretty bad."
Askenasy said these types of cancer are dangerous because symptoms often don't develop until the disease is already in advanced stages.
There are many risk factors, including having a close relative whose had these cancers. Anyone can get it though, even a superhero.
"This type of disease is like, 'Hey, are you a human being? I'm going for you,'" he said.
While there are promising treatments, Askenasy emphasizes early detection is important.
"Obviously, maintaining an appropriate weight, [decreasing] the number of red meats in your diet, but again, these relative risk factors aren't that powerful," he said. "The best thing you can do is get yourself screened."
The American Cancer Society previously recommended colon cancer screening for people over 60, but with rates climbing, they now recommend screenings for those with average risk starting at age 45 and even earlier for people who have a family history of colon cancer.
"This type of disease is like, 'Hey, you're a human being, I'm going for you.'" Press play to hear a health expert discuss how colon cancer rates are increasing in young people and what you can do to take action.
Follow Steven Romo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
health & fitnesscancer deathcancer careblack pantherstaying healthycancer
Copyright © 2021 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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Category: ABCU|8
THE ENEMY, HIS ARMY, HIS INTENTION, AND OUR RESISTANCE
by Defensor
Satan means “adversary” in Hebrew, this appellation being bestowed upon The Evil One not as a personal name, but rather as a noun or title. We may think of him as “the one who opposes.” This entity is so labeled about a dozen times in scripture. Against what is he opposed? His enemies are God and the loyal Angels who in the name of The Father defeated his rebellion, as well as God’s human creation and The Christ who offers man a door to glory. His allies are his fellow rebellious Angels, fallen man, and anything that violates the natural order or the natural law it engenders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_order_(philosophy)
His self-aware existence began in glory:
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering,
sardius, topaz, and diamond,
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle;
and crafted in gold were your settings
and your engravings.
On the day that you were created
they were prepared.
You were an anointed guardian cherub.
I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God;
in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. (Ezekiel 28:13-14)
He was beautiful, powerful, and perfect in his ways. He was The Morning Star, Son of the Dawn (Isaiah 14:12). As a guardian cherub, he had access to The Throne. He would have been a fabulous musician, the heavenly equivalent of a rock star. http://www.fruitsaladministry.com/the-stones-and-instruments-of-satan/, https://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-music.html The problem was that he knew it, and came to identify more and more with the self, rather than the ways of his maker. Iniquity was found in him. There are other meanings, but at its core, iniquity is crookedness, i.e. moral distortion. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/iniquity/ Lucifer’s pride caused him to become warped, a twisted caricature of what he had once been. Was he caught preening before his reflected image?
His original objective was the overthrow of his maker, and the establishment of his own rule over heaven. His defeat by Michael and the other loyal angels ended that ambition. His fate has been decreed by The Most High, and a special place has been prepared for him. He is full of wrath, for he knows that his time is short (Rev. 12:12). He hates us all with the greatest hatred imaginable, yet he also needs us, as a target for his boundless hatred. Like Ringo in Tombstone, he “has a great, empty hole right in the middle of him. He can never kill enough, or steal enough, or inflict enough pain to ever fill it.” https://youtu.be/ORq0cU9a520
He was judged, stripped of the stones, and left to seethe in anger until the day of his certain fate. He goes back and forth between dimensions, being one who moves to and fro upon the earth, walking up and down upon it (Job 2:2), as well as accusing the brethren day and night before our God (Rev. 10:12). He knows that he will have a time of running rampant over the earth, followed by a millennium in chains, and a brief time at the very end, during which he will go on a final rampage. The script for this saga is called The Good Book.
HIS ARMY
Lucifer talks a good game. He was persuasive enough to bring one third of the angels to his cause. Subsequently, a large slice of mankind has taken a knee before The Dark Lord, due to his exceptional understanding of human frailties and how to exploit them. Those weaknesses have been consistent throughout humanity’s existence–wealth, power, sex and fame. Lucifer is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The meaning of this title was not made plain, and many have thought that it refers to his control over demons and similar dark forces. Clearly, it also refers to his control of modern communications, an important corollary of him being the ruler of the world at this time (Christ labeled him thusly three times in scripture). Think of the widespread use of “air time” and “on the air”. Think of big tech censoring rational voices, an open war against the truth and free will.
These powerful mechanisms are utilized for convincing humans that the big lie is really truth. The strong delusion is here and now (2 Thessalonians 2:11). They are of one mind, because they have a common leader and lord (John 12:31). This includes many political, business, banking, social and religious leaders. Then there are the occultists and outright satanists, with the dark side street soldiers tramping along like zombies. You are who you serve, and these have all adopted principles that are of an anti-Christ nature. Some of them know exactly who and what they are, while the more oblivious among them pretend that they are the good guys. Not the least of these are pretend Christians, people who take the easy way out and agree that anything goes, while ignoring God’s explicit laws. Taken as a whole, this army is made of weak material. After all, many of us have successfully resisted the constant mental onslaught, but they failed to do so.
This has led to a situation where our opponents cannot admit to being wrong about a single thing, for that would lead to the exposure of what they already know in their hearts—that they are wrong about everything. They have abandoned reason and free will, and wish to force the rest of us to do the same. Incapable of rational debate, juvenile propaganda words and phrases pour from their lips. Racist, fascist, homophobe, conspiracy theory, the science is settled, guns are bad, a woman’s right to control her body, prove it, etc., are often heard. These entities (half of them functionally illiterate), sit drugged on the sofa, watching pornography and their satanic TV idols. Their grotesque failure threatens to take everything from those who are responsible and dutiful.
These individuals do not play fair in any aspect of life, and hold contempt for those who do so. Their leaders did not rise in the ranks because of talent, and it is a massive insult to rational people to see barely literate incompetents strutting about the stage like world beaters. As described in Ezekiel, they commit their gross sins in private chambers, telling themselves that God is not watching. Their pride and hatred make it impossible for them to refrain from projecting their failures onto others, and making insane rants about what should happen to the decent folks. They ooze false self-righteousness, combined with fear. Now that we have reached the make or break point, where one timeline will be established as reality, we see the smug satisfaction of ignorant losers, telling themselves that they have defeated the righteous. They are looking in a full length mirror; they have met the enemy, and it is themselves.
HIS INTENTION
Like all sentient beings, Lucifer desires to go on existing. This is especially true of one possessed by vanity, and who burns for vengeance against all who stood in the way of his intended primacy. Knowing his decreed fate, he strives to alter that verdict by leveraging his power to corrupt the souls of men, who are greatly loved by their Creator. The Most High is unwilling that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Lucifer’s play is that if he goes down, so do billions of others. In his mind, we are hostages, and so is the earth. This is his primary motivation for constantly accusing us all, i.e. he may be guilty, but so is everyone else. Yet man has had the opportunity to escape that guilt. Those who failed will be held accountable, because God’s law is immutable, and will be upheld.
Therefore, the fight for the earth and man’s destiny rages with great intensity as the context of life is being settled for the next century, with the nexus of the battle taking place in the United States. If The Adversary wins, we will likely go directly into The Affliction, followed by The Endurance. The undisguised plan is to establish earth as a high security prison, with man having no rights at all. This would be a place with no privacy or private property, no free will, no travel, and no hope. No food either, except for favored groups. Forget about dignity or the sanctity of the human body. In such a setting, the truth is whatever they say it is. Fake medicine and fake science would rule the day until The Second Advent. People would be forced to worship The Accuser, on pain of death.
He intends that an all-out assault will continue on the human body. Any possible way to harm the masses will be pursued, via poisoning or damaging the food chain. Harmful vaccines will be forced upon us, while ineffective or deadly medical treatments are rigidly prescribed. The unborn will be mercilessly slain. Any means of protecting ourselves will be removed. Deadly street drugs such as fentanyl will be poured into society. Borders will disappear, and we will be invaded by the worst sorts. The attack on flesh will be matched by the corollary attack on the planet, with no possible mode of damage being eschewed. There will be no place to run to evade these outrages, not even remote areas. Lucifer intends to leave a smouldering wreck, devoid of intelligent life.
The attack against man is a proxy attack on God, as he defiantly continues his rebellion. Churches will be permanently closed, and probably burned. Pornography and promiscuity will be promoted even more than the present day travesty. All of God’s Commandments will be continually broken in every possible way. Murder will be a run-of-the-mill event. God’s name will be cursed. False gods will be worshiped. There will be no sanctity of marriage. The Sabbath Day will be no more. Any remaining possessions will be a prey for jackals. The innocent will be ruined by false accusations, made on a whim. There will be no honoring of parents, for the family unit will be destroyed, and the elderly left to a bitter fate. This is the way of the fallen, and Lucifer longs for the agonizing, humiliating, and protracted extermination of humanity.
OUR RESISTANCE
We must make a stand, here and now. We will answer The President’s call to come to DC, not as petitioners, but to demand our rights. We come running and singing (Josephus) to our capital city, to insist that clearly immoral things be rejected. We come terrible, as an army with banners (Solomon 6:10), declaring that obvious truth must be acknowledged and defended. We come as upright citizens, defending The Republic against her mortal enemies. We reaffirm that this land is our heritage and birthright, now claimed by us before the watching world. Like Spartans, we ask not how numerous our enemies are, but only where they are. Remaining true to our principles, we will not live in their lawless world. We look inside, ask who we are, and like what we see. They shall not pass.
We have reached the point on the timeline where the people say NO. https://youtu.be/gs3IRbg17Y0 We understand why Patrick Henry asked for liberty or death. We gird up our loins, thankful for all prior adversities, for they made us strong enough to face this day. They who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Matthew 4:16). Our shepherd carries a rod of iron, and we know the sound of his voice. This is the hour for which we were born, requiring us all to honor our solemn oaths and be that which is best in men. https://youtu.be/7ZEqMqBLOOI No one else is going to do it; it is on us to defend all of humanity…past, present and future. We are being watched by those whose approval is required if our destiny is to be more than men. We earnestly and diligently seek that approval.
There must be a reckoning. Those who have assaulted the national order must be brought to account before the world. Every crime and every lie must be revealed, i.e the vile acts of those who chose to fight for the dark side at such a critical moment in history. An example must be made for all time, through the self-correcting order provided by The Constitution. Law must be re-established and upheld, lest we all experience a time when, except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (Matthew 24:22). We seek peace, prosperity, security, and a place where the glory of God’s name is respected. Let others crouch down and lick the hands that feed them (Adams). As to us, we shall now be stout-hearted men. https://youtu.be/1vjqfvZVReM
Let it be said that in our time, the male and female servants of The True King, along with all good hearted souls, stood forth and fought like lions, that the mighty hand of The Lord was with us, and that we swept the enemy from the field. Christ said that those who believe in him would do even greater works than him (John 14:12). Could it be now? More than anything else, we long to be called the beloved son, and to encounter “things the eye has not seen nor ear heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him” (I Corinthians 2:9). “Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). “Then shall he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
HOW TRUMP WINS
The ten bullet points below are the creation of Mike Adams at Natural News, which he calls ten ways for Trump to win. https://www.brighteon.com/4b1c43fd-a2de-45aa-bafc-152df42816d2 One might also call it ten ways that Trump claims the landslide win he already achieved. For the first seven, Trump needs no one else to do anything. He simply exercises Presidential power. For the last three, Trump does one thing, and another body does something else. In any event, Trump is in the driver’s seat. He has the power, he is 100% in the right, and and he is fighting for the existence of the American people.
1. Declassify everything. This instantly destroys the bad guys with multiple MOABs. Biden’s chicanery is exposed, and he concedes the race. Of course, many others would also be exposed as black hats, which is why the Deep State has fought declassification tooth and nail for four years.
2. Incoming Acting Attorney General Rosen recuses from the election mess, and incoming Assistant AG Donoghue names Sidney Powell as Special Counsel. She uses the mountain of evidence she possesses to make arrests all over the country. Remember, she said she was going to use the Kraken to nail every single bad guy. Donoghue has legal experience from the military side, the JAG. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Advocate_General%27s_Corps While Rosen is a cipher to this writer, Donoghue has history with Flynn, and they appear to be supportive allies.
3. Trump invokes the 14th Amendment, citing the equal protection under the law clause (honest voters disenfranchised by cheating). This allows the stripping of electoral votes from states considered to be in rebellion or insurrection vs. The United States, and dramatically changes the total votes available in the Electoral College. No one gets 270, and Trump wins by 232-227. It only goes to the House of Representatives for a state by state vote if they end up tied, and in this scenario they are not tied.
4. This is similar to number three, but from a different angle. As explained and suggested by Constitutional scholar Raiklin, V.P. Pence receives the official letters from the states, declaring their certified Electoral College results. He refuses to accept either Biden or Trump electoral slates from the six swing states with competing electoral lists of Presidential voters, citing legal uncertainty about the validity of the certification process at the state level. https://conservativeplaylist.com/2020/12/08/constitutional-scholar-ivan-raiklin-details-his-plan-to-stopthesteal/ Other voices are being raised in this regard, also citing The Twelfth Amendment. https://globalwavenews.com/huge-law-professors-say-pence-can-reject-the-votes-of-dubious-voters/ The public is given evidence that backs up Pence’s action. Again, Trump takes it, 232-227. Pence may Constitutionally inform the states of any deficiency in their electoral processes on Wednesday, December 23, or the matter could wait until January 6.
5. Activate The Insurrection Act of 1807. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurrection_Act_of_1807 The military seizes voting machines & conducts an honest recount. Trump wins easily. He went out of his way a couple of days ago to deny that martial law is being discussed. This is technically true, for the Insurrection Act does not create a situation of martial law. Why is this so? Because under The Insurrection Act, Habeas Corpus is not suspended as Lincoln did during The Civil War. The country remains under civil law, with the military being allowed to temporarily avoid Posse Comitatus Act restrictions, and follow orders to perform a specific mission on domestic soil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act
6. The Executive Order of 9/12/18 is used to seize big tech and legacy media. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-certain-sanctions-event-foreign-interference-united-states-election/ These institutions are then used to tell the public the truth, at long last. Oh happy day, as millions of lazy, propagandized citizens see reality for maybe the first time in their lives. This lessens pressure on Congress, easing their path to doing the right thing on January 6. “Who is this new anchor telling me these things, and what is this Navarro Report?” https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-certain-sanctions-event-foreign-interference-united-states-election/
7. Present evidence of cyber warfare, and declare the election an act of war. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/305th_Military_Intelligence_Battalion_(United_States) Announce new elections under military guidance. Seditious actors could be arrested as enemy combatants, and face military tribunals. New elections across the board are an attractive alternative, for the enemy stole many down ballot offices while attempting the White House coup, despite being crushed in a general sense. This cannot be allowed to stand, as the composition of Congress has been compromised, as well as other governing bodies down to the local level. Beyond this, thinking people now understand that elections have been routinely rigged for decades. Sidney Powell has stated as much, and there is much investigative work to do.
8. Use The Emergency Alert System to communicate directly with the populace, thereby informing the public of true events, and incentivizing them to pressure Congress to vote for Trump electoral slates. https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-alert-system
9. Convince state legislatures to revoke certification of illegal electoral slates, and certify Trump slates. This is already well underway, with the various public hearings that have been held in swing states. The truth is already known by anyone who took the trouble to watch even one of those hearings. There is no excuse for the Biden supporters who ignored these dynamite town-hall-type events, because the talking heads told them it was just Orange Man trying to steal the election.
10. Achieve a Supreme Court victory with Trump’s emergency Pennsylvania case, which would have effects reaching across the entire nation, because it would invalidate all votes that came in after midnight on November 3. This is quite exciting to think about, and nearly unthinkable that the SC would continue to ignore the dramatic and critical crisis besetting our power structure. How can they possibly turn their backs on the people, who are fighting for their lives and freedom? The Court must create space for the voluminous evidence to be heard, even as they validate their own existence. Still, if they do not, it may play into the use of bullet point number four. Pence and Team Trump would have every expectation of the SC continuing to remain out of the issue, refusing to hear frantic Democrat suits designed to force Pence to accept the fraudulent electoral votes. Oh, the amusing irony, the deeply satisfying schadenfreude.
We may add a few more points to the list.
11. A significant number of Congress people are legally and deservedly arrested, beneficially changing the composition of both Houses.
12. Mobilize The United States Militia, in its various forms, if it comes to that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Militia
13. In addition to evidence of election fraud, release other damning information related to the enemies of The Republic. Drop the Weiner laptop, Seth Rich information, Hillary emails, more Hunter Biden information, etc. Come with John Durham indictments. Show taped confessions.
We can have confidence that The President et al. are going to do something, likely a powerful series of moves. This may be the grandest rope-a-dope of all time. The villainous traitors have thrown their best shots, and punched themselves out. Now it is our turn, and we are going to drive their exhausted selves across the ring, corner them, and pound them with a furious combination of power punches. Down they go, squealing and weeping. Let them contemplate this, know it is coming, and be sick with dread.
President Trump is our Commander, the greatest leader any of us have ever seen. He has accomplished the impossible for four years, in the face of constant, rabid attacks by truly evil people. Now the moment of truth has arrived, and we need his leadership more than ever. We are actually desperate for that leadership, for he is indispensable as the greatest battle of our lives comes to a decision point. Having watched him closely for a number of years, it is inconceivable that he would decline to lead us as we fight the good fight for our families, the nation, the world, and our Lord. Millions see the fate that the dark side forces desire for us, intend to resist it unto death, and look to the President’s proven and excellent stewardship to guide us through the great battle, to ultimate victory.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
by Aspen — ABCU|8 team
This article probes possible connections between (1) the November 3rd, 2020 General Election, (2) rampant speculation about a military raid taking custody of servers in Frankfurt, Germany, and (3) dismissals of Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security personnel a week later.
Attorney Lin Wood suggested that one reason why Democrats pushed so hard for vote-by-mail (using COVID as a justification) was to ascertain in advance how many additional, illegal votes would be needed to steal the election from President Trump. In Georgia and elsewhere, election workers were directed to open mail ballots in advance, contrary to state law.
Cybersecurity experts are confident that Dominion Voting System machines were internet-connected and vulnerable to manipulation both by operators and external users. Dominion claims their machines do not connect to the internet during elections. Eyewitnesses and experts have refuted this claim in sworn affidavits. One said the Dominion help desk fixed a machine remotely during the election. Another physically traced cables from Dominion machines in a tally center to a hidden router. This is not surprising because the manual directs users to connect ethernet cables between the device and a router.
After reviewing the Dominion user manual, network security expert Ron Watkins stated “Network Security is very weak since all software access keys use the same cryptographic pair. This gives plausible deniability to whoever messes around with voting settings. It can’t be proven who changed a setting since everybody has the same key.” Unencrypted data files containing ballots that failed to scan and partial totals could be transferred on USB flash drives and edited. Given these and other vulnerabilities, he concluded that “the local IT guy who services the machines is theoretically the ultimate political gatekeeper with absolute power to decide elections.” [11]
Let’s review the timeline.
November 3rd
On election day, as polls were closing nationwide, President Trump was so far ahead that the difference could not be made up by Dominion’s algorithmic cheats to skew the vote. Immediately, states that were necessary to steal the election stopped reporting, presumably to recalculate and prepare the quantity of illegal ballots needed to ensure victory. (It would be interesting to learn who ordered this, and how the orders were relayed!)
Ret. Col. Phil Waldron, a military cybersecurity expert, testified to increased data traffic from the USA to a suspected Scytl [10] server in Frankfurt, Germany on November 3rd and 4th. “A German Professor talked about the drastic increase in traffic on November 3-4. It’s common knowledge that that server was processing a lot of US election data.” [2] [9]
Additional votes were tallied overnight in key Democrat strongholds. There were widespread reports of pre-filled ballots being delivered under cover of darkness or dragged out in suitcases, and recorded by Democrat election workers, after required poll watchers had left for the night. [13] [12] Although the election had ended the evening of November 3rd, many locations continued updating vote totals, due to illegal rule changes by state officials and courts.
One week post-election, President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper, tweeting “I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately.” [1]
Attorney General Bill Barr was seen entering Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s Senate office. [4] The substance of that discussion has not been reported.
Richard Pilger, a career official serving as Director of the Department of Justice’s Election Crimes Branch, resigned from that role because he evidently disagreed with A.G. Barr’s memo authorizing U.S. Attorneys to “pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities”.
A server in Frankfurt, Germany went offline, according to Col. Waldron’s testimony. The story was confirmed by Rep. Louie Gohmert, relaying a German tweet that said U.S. forces had raided the headquarters of vote-counting company Scytl in Frankfurt, Germany and seized servers that played a role in our election. [3] Attorney Sidney Powell confirmed the raid at a joint press conference with the President’s attorney, Rudy Giuliani.
Ret. General McInernery in an interview on WVWtv.com asserted that the Frankfurt incident was in fact a raid on a CIA facility. [8] Wikileaks claims that the U.S. consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, serves as cover for a ‘CIA hacker base’ covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. [7] This was followed by rumors (still unproven) of U.S. servicemen and others killed in action during the raid.
Intel veteran Larry Johnson confirmed specifics of the raid: “I am reliably informed that a unit under the command of USEUCOM (U.S. European Command) did in fact conduct an operation to take control of computer servers. But these servers belong to the CIA, not Dominion or Sctyl. The U.S. military has full authority to do this because any CIA activity in the European theater is being conducted using military cover. In other words, CIA officers would be identified to the German government as military employees or consultants. Such an operation would have been carried out with U.S. law enforcement present to take custody of the evidence. That means that the evidence will be under the control of the Department of Justice through US Attorneys and can be used in judicial proceedings.” [14]
CIA Director Gina Haspel was seen entering Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office. Again, it is unknown what was discussed.
The Defense Secretary’s Chief of Staff, Jen Stewart, was replaced by Devin Nunes’ former staffer, Kash Patel.
Ezra Cohen-Watnick became Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. He had served as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. In that role, he was responsible for all policy formulation and oversight for the Department of Defense counterterrorism and special operations. [6]
The Pentagon’s top policy official James Anderson, the agency’s top intelligence official Joseph Kernan and Esper’s chief of staff Jen Stewart all submitted letters of resignation.
Alexis Ross, deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense, resigned.
President Trump fired Chris Krebs, the top cybersecurity official overseeing this year’s elections who refused to confirm allegations of widespread election-related fraud. Krebs’s deputy, Matt Travis, also departed. [17]
At a signing ceremony attended by Acting SecDef Chris Miller, Ezra Cohen announced that “the Department of Defense has started the process of formalizing what we have long known—the fundamental role of U.S. Special Operations in defense and foreign policy by elevating Special Operations forces to a level on par with military departments as authorized and directed by Congress.” [15]
In summary, this timeline features purported election interference involving a covert CIA hacking unit domiciled in Frankfurt; military seizure of the Frankfurt server; secret meetings between the Attorney General, the CIA Director, and the Senate Majority Leader; and a series of high-profile Pentagon departures, followed by installation of Trump loyalists at the Department of Defense and an elevation of Special Forces to be on par with other military branches.
This writer does not believe in coincidences.
1. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325859406349799424
2. Testimony of Ret. Col. Phil Waldron to Georgia State Senate Committee, https://twitter.com/KanekoaTheGreat/status/1334658597737775104
3. Rep. Louie Gohmert on reports of a Scytl server raid in Germany, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyyQqeRJC58
4. https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1325893397475979271
5. https://twitter.com/thebias_news/status/1326265435256360960
6. https://twitter.com/anonpatriotq/status/1335300180162334721
8. https://twitter.com/TheSharpEdge1/status/1332843411607494656
9. Col. Phil Waldron Tells Michigan Lawmakers Truckloads of Ballots for Joe Biden Were Inserted into the 2020 Election, https://yournews.com/2020/12/03/1950763/col-phil-waldron-tells-michigan-lawmakers-truckloads-of-ballots-for/
10. “Scytl Secure Electronic Voting, S.A is a Spanish provider of electronic voting systems and election technology. Founded in 2001 in Barcelona, its products and services are used in elections and referenda across the world.”
11. https://noqreport.com/2020/11/12/it-expert-finds-multitude-of-flaws-in-dominion-voting-systems-solutions-allowing-easy-manipulation-of-vote-tallies/
12. NEW VIDEO Shows Anti-Trump Georgia Ballot Counter Ruby Freeman with Piles of Ballots, Walking Past Boxes of Ballots, Working Alone in Cubes WITH NO GOP OBSERVERS IN SIGHT!, https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/new-video-shows-anti-trump-georgia-ballot-counter-ruby-freeman-piles-ballots-walking-past-boxes-ballots-no-gop-observers-sight/
13. Georgia: Video Shows Suitcase Allegedly Filled With Ballots Under a Table, https://lauraingraham.com/2020/12/georgia-video-shows-suitcase-allegedly-filled-with-ballots-under-a-table/
14. United States European Command (USEUCOM) Did Take Control of SCYTL ‘Vote Switching’ Servers in Germany, https://humansarefree.com/2020/11/united-states-european-command-useucom-did-take-control-of-scytl-vote-switching-servers-in-germany.html
15. Acting SECDEF Announces OSD Changes at Fort Bragg, NC, https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2419853/acting-secdef-announces-osd-changes-at-fort-bragg-nc/source/GovDelivery/
16. Defense deputy chief of staff latest Pentagon official to resign, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/525832-defense-deputy-chief-of-staff-latest-pentagon-official-to-resign
17. Trump fires top US cyberofficial who refused to back election claims of fraud, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-fires-top-us-cyber-official-who-refused-to-back-election-claims-of-fraud
We are born into the world of fallen men, and begin the struggle for meaningful survival. Across the vast planet we roam, in search of shelter from man and beast. We are nomads seeking sanctuary, with our eyes set upon an uncertain horizon, that place where destiny awaits us. We visualize that final spiritual outcome, populating it with images of rest and fulfillment, and wish to create something similar while in the flesh. Rest implies order, with order necessitating a framework of laws.
The Constitution is the reference authority for our American laws. We fight to uphold the primacy of the matchless document, fully aware that it contains contradictions. Constitutional originalists say the written words should be understood in the way the writers understood them. Others say it is a living document, with circumstances guiding interpretation. Yet another group says that both views are correct, said position holding that the original words must be earnestly interpreted via intelligent reason, while acknowledging that the world we inhabit contains things the Founders never imagined.
The Supreme Court was created to rule on Constitutional matters; that is its sole function. They have precedent as one of their guides, i.e. the rulings made by prior courts. However, the court can rule as it wishes, and we may ask if precedent should carry as much weight as it has in the past. Many would say they should not be bound by a decision that may have been incorrectly derived, or that seems unreasonable in the present circumstance. Such possible changes are in addition to entirely new rulings that may be passed down to address entirely new exigencies. Interpreting cases through focusing on The Constitution, while giving less weight to prior SC decisions, could very well lead to something like the Unitary Presidency, whereby The Chief Executive wields close to total control over The Executive Branch.
The powers of the three branches are delineated, but not set in stone. There are grey areas, where a branch may take a prerogative, and see what the other two branches say about it. What will The Legislative Branch or Judicial Branch do if they protest, and The Executive Branch just goes ahead with its preferred action anyway? What will the Legislative do if the other two are united against it? The system was designed to be wielded by people both intelligent and moral, people who would dutifully address issues like this in the way best suited to serve the interests of the nation and its citizens. The major things in life are never easy, and our intellectual leaders must be prepared to diligently examine each contest of law with integrity, to engage with these things like Jacob wrestling with the angel.
Many are possessed by a rival vision, the opposite of our own. Reality only has room for one vision, so it is a zero sum game, a fight to the finish. The enemies of America intend to permanently destroy the Constitution, while plunging us into slavery and despair. Their vision has the dark pyramid of power openly installed as the permanent ruling institution over the entire planet. This scenario envisages the end of all nation states. Baked into the cake is a dystopian future, whereby the mass of mankind empirically understands what Hobbes meant by “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” In other words, hell on earth for us, but not for them.
These people want The Constitution erased, along with the citizen protections contained within The Bill of Rights. For example, they have long sought any possible way to destroy the Second Amendment, and disarm the people. Lately we have seen an all out assault on the First Amendment, with social media brazenly and shamelessly censoring free speech by patriots. They fully intend to disarm and silence us all. They expect to immediately open the borders, in effect ending the nation. All of this and much more, would occur during a frenzy of fake science, with citizens forced to be injected with deadly poisons, while worshiping on their knees before Climate Change. Private property in this scenario would be a thing of the past, and any remaining wealth would be taxed away from citizens. Freedom of religion for decent people would be a thing of the past, with the traitors making a dry run by closing churches while some businesses remained open.
For long years, the enemies of The Republic have attacked The Constitution by encouraging corrupt judges to make law from the bench, i.e. interpreting the written Constitution in ways that twist the true meaning beyond recognition, with each judicial outrage funneling the people one step closer to a dark future. Now their plan has been made clear, which is to pack the Supreme Court with criminally insane judges, destroying the judicial leg of the three branches. All of this is intended to be under the approving gaze of the U.N., which could be invited to bring “peacekeepers” into America to help subject the people to tyranny. Clearly, they intend for their anointed Chief Executive to forcefully assist in rounding up the decent folk. People like A. Schiff, and others, have declared that Trump supporters must be punished. Does anyone imagine that said punishment is expected to be mild? Their fondest dream is for an American Holodomor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor
Patriots must stand firmly, holding the line against the forces of darkness. Everything depends on achieving victory. Defeat means degradation, death, and the erasure of all that we have ever been. Victory means a chance to live with dignity, in our own land, under our chosen form of government. We do not give them an inch. We dispute their lies. We physically prepare for trouble, in case it is forced upon us. We stand and deliver in every possible way. This is the time we were born for.
President Trump and his Team, backed up by tens of millions of patriots, must proceed immediately with further legal moves. The President has standing for certain, and if it is denied, then a massive signal has been given to all, that there is no law. The court must be starkly forced to choose between hearing a powerful case, or turning their backs on everything. This must occur rapidly, and in full sight of patriots. Either we have a nation with laws, or it is a terrifying jungle with every man for himself. Throckmorton must be enforced–fraud vitiates everything.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/98/61
A dark and imminent threat stalks the land. Those who have used our own system against us by twisting its meaning, and are now attempting to destroy it totally, must be brought to account. These people know that they are committing treason, and if they do not, the responsibility lies with them. Just think about what they are doing. They know their side clearly cheated, and many of them actually support that vile act. Can these people ever be trusted again? They have betrayed their country and their fellow man. They have followed an evil Pied Piper, despite many warnings. Their hearts are full of ugly intention.
One issue that is about to come to the fore is whether The Constitution is the same under all circumstances. Is it always uniformly applied, or is it sometimes forced to temporarily morph into something different? Do we have an Emergency Constitution? https://www.amacad.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2018-12/Do%20We%20Have%20An%20Emergency%20Constitution.pdf The question has already been answered in the past, with Lincoln’s wartime actions being a prime example. The President must seriously consider declaring The Insurrection Act in effect. Arrests of traitors must be made, with firm justice to follow. After a state of domestic equilibrium is reached, firm steps must be taken to deal with foreign entities who assisted the all-out coup attempt, with the Executive Order of September 12, 2018 as a guide. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-imposing-certain-sanctions-event-foreign-interference-united-states-election/
Our adversaries are lawless, and honor no rules. There is no line they will refuse to cross. We follow the laws of God and higher-self man, for failure to do so would negate our intention, which is to crush the rogue entities with the force of the law. The law must prove itself capable of containing the vilest of men. We seek a reckoning that will be the bitterest of pills to the guilty, their judgment delivered by the very thing they detest and scorn the most. Our justification and vindication means their total earthly and spiritual defeat.
Data Showing Systematic Vote Theft in Michigan
by John Cleer – ABCU|8
This is almost a month old but still relevant as it relates to some of Sidney Powell’s claims. Sundance mentioned it when it came out and the comments there might be worth a glance. [1]
MIT Ph.D. Shiva Ayyadurai, who goes by “Dr. Shiva”, tracked the vote by precinct in each of Michigan’s four largest counties: three are “battleground” counties and the fourth is liberal Wayne County/Detroit, which serves as a control group of sorts: Ayyadurai’s study found a statistically impossible vote distribution repeat itself perfectly in the three swing counties, and not show itself at all in Wayne County.
He attributed this distribution to a “weighted vote” algorithm that siphoned off votes from Trump and gave them to Biden in direct proportion to how Republican a precinct was (and how many Republican votes it had to transfer).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztu5Y5obWPk
Not everyone has 70 minutes to watch this so I’ll summarize. I saw it around the time it came out and found the subsequent “debunkings” unconvincing and probably fraudulent. I also saw a number of armchair commenters on leftist sites who clearly did not understand the relationship that was being graphed, taking strong positions against Ayyadurai’s data.
Ayyadurai ran for Senate in Massachusetts as an Independent (not as a Republican, as I’ve seen reported) and as I recall he claims the election was rigged against him using similar methods to the ones he describes here. He may have pioneered the term “election fraud” in this video, arguing that voter fraud wrongly pins the blame on the voters who are impersonated. Here’s the gist of his study:
Ayyadurai made a separate graph for each of the counties by plotting its precincts. The graph is simple once you figure it out but you’ll have to think about it for a minute (I did): The X-axis quantifies how “Red” a precinct voted in 2020, by computing the percentage of its “Straight Ticket” votes that went Straight Republican. The Y-axis quantifies Trump’s performance relative to the other Republicans on the ticket (senators, city council, etc.)
So on the left you have the blue precincts plotted and as you go right the plotted precincts become more and more conservative; on top you have the precincts where Trump overperformed (received more votes than) downballot Republicans, and on bottom they overperformed him.
In all three swing counties, Trump overperformed the other Republicans on the ticket (by around 7%), but only in precincts where the straight ticket vote was less than 20% Republican.
For precincts that were over 20% Republican (by straight ticket vote), Trump’s performance relative to downballot Republicans declined linearly, in direct proportion to how Republican the straight ticket was: the more Republican the precinct voted, the worse Trump did against the other Republicans.
This relationship did not present itself in Wayne County, where almost every precinct is all the way left and consequently very few votes would be transferred: in Wayne County, Trump continued to overperform downballot Republicans in precincts with a high percentage of Straight Tickets going Republican.
Thus, in Macomb, Kent and Oakland Counties, you can see the precincts plotted stay level as you move from 0-20% Republican, and from there decline sharply and move further down as you move further Right: like a hockey stick. In Wayne County, where most all of the precincts are on the Left, the average of the precincts moves in a straight line to the right, without breaking down at 20%.
This is less eye-grabbing to a layman than a statistician but what it shows unambiguously is the data and therefore the votes being rigged: even if somehow the Republicans in red precincts favored Trump less than they do in blue precincts, as implausible as this would be, it would never add up to the precincts breaking downward at exactly 20% and maintaining a perfect line to the end.
Ayyadurai attributes this to a “weighted vote” being done by algorithm and names Diebold voting systems in 2001 as the first to use such a “weighted vote” system, by which one candidate’s votes would be multiplied by a different number than his opponent–say Candidate A’s votes would be multiplied by 1.25 and candidate B’s by .75; if they then received the same number of votes, Candidate B would have a quarter of his votes transferred to his opponent.
He cites a local law that was made to do this legally and posits that it’s still being done, possibly all over the country.
Powell has referred to these weighted votes, which she sometimes called fractional votes, happening in Georgia as summarized here.
Here is a source of hers, Russ Ramsland, saying that fractional voting was used to rig Michigan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg4_Qd_rYVc
The 7 minute clip includes a 2016 excerpt from Bloomberg Technology’s Digital Defense webcast, in which the narrator describes Diebold’s vote tabulation system, “Gems”:
Gems is a vote tabulation system that was created by a company once known as Diebold. A lot of people think Diebold is dead, it’s not, it’s just been absorbed into other vote technology companies. An interesting thing about the gems tabulator is not just that it’s used in many of the elections that many of you may participate in, but it has a ‘bug’ or a ‘feature’ as its creators would call it.
“Bug” of course is a synonym for “glitch”.
They then quote Bennie Smith, who later contributed to Ayyadurai’s study, saying “having access to decimals [fractional voting] allows you to perform and finance what they call an allocation,” such as ‘make sure Smith gets 27.64%’ (on screen example) …”you have to be in line with what polling data says, if it’s a close race you have to make it close… it allows for decimal precision.”
If I understand him right, Smith also suggests that a precise program like this could be, and was, used to sell votes.
To conclude: My goal here was to present this tabulation problem/”feature” in a way that makes sense to laymen and gives insight into why Dominion’s system warrants skepticism and investigation. Powell is litigating this in multiple states, and Trump’s team has forensically examined 22 Dominion machines from Antrim County, MI. By the timeline in that article, the results should be announced on or around the evening of December 9th.
[1] https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/11/12/mit-phd-and-statistician-outlines-algorithmic-fingerprint-within-vote-data/
[2] https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/sidney-powell-campaign-lawyer-dominion/2020/11/21/id/998181/
[3] https://www.wnd.com/2020/12/trump-team-begins-examination-dominion-voting-machines/
ELECTION IRREGULARITIES: Suitcases, Flash Drives and Dominion, Oh My!
ELECTION IRREGULARITIES
Suitcases, Flash Drives and Dominion, Oh My!
The November 3rd, 2020 general election was fraught with irregularities nationwide. Any of these alone is sufficient to cast doubt on results in the precinct where it occurred, and should prevent the state from certifying corrupted data. In combination, they demonstrate a pattern of systemic fraud that appears to have been coordinated and planned across numerous key sites — locales where the Left believed brazen election-stealing attempts would be overlooked or upheld by compromised local officials and judges.
Multiple witnesses testified to seeing ballots that “felt different”; they were printed on different paper. Some lacked serial numbers and return addresses. Others had the appearance of being identical, with filled-in ovals that appeared machine-printed. Yet others had never been folded and mailed. In some states there were reports of truckloads of ballots being delivered surreptitiously during the dead of night, after poll watchers had been dismissed. Postal workers have testified to being told by supervisors to back-date postmarks in order to make ineligible ballots appear timely. Some ballots were counted on a date earlier than their mailing date. Truckloads of ballots were identified crossing state lines and delivered to depots, after the election. The most basic precautions for physical security were flaunted in hundreds or thousands of precincts. Last-minute election procedures were illegally changed by the secretary of state’s fiat, contravening state election laws. Social workers illegally harvested votes from group homes and senior care centers during “play” voting activities. Votes were illegally cast by dead people and non-residents in quantities sufficient to overturn the results. Election officials waived state-mandated signature-matching requirements.
This list is not exhaustive.
Let’s examine several specific incidents.
— Shocking surveillance video was revealed at a hearing of the Georgia State Senate Oversight Committee on December 3, 2020. [1] President Trump was ahead of his opponent by 110,000 votes in Georgia on election night, when Fulton County (and other Democrat strongholds nationwide) suddenly stopped counting ballots. At 10:25 PM, poll watchers were told to leave the State Farm Arena tabulation center because of a “burst pipe”. But there was no burst pipe; it was a ruse to eject Republican and Independent poll watchers. The video reveals 4 election workers who stayed behind pulling suitcases of ballots out from under a tablecloth-draped table for tabulation. Who prepared these suitcases full of ballots? Were they legitimate votes? Why were they tabulated without the required oversight by poll workers from all parties?
— Adjudication is the process of manually inspecting ballots to ascertain the voter’s intent, for ballots that failed to scan. In this video a representative of Dominion Voting Systems in the Gwinnett County, GA Central Tabulation Room operates the batch adjudication system in a suspicious manner. At 1:20, the worker highlights a batch of ballots needing review. At 3:10 the worker performs a batch operation (either accepts or deletes) the entire selected list of ballots, WITHOUT REVIEWING. [2] This is a clear violation of state election law that deprived voters of their right to have their vote counted.
— The USB flash drives used in Dominion Voting Systems are unencrypted. They can be used to program machines with software changes. They can transfer vote tallies, ballot scans, and other data. In this video, two election workers converse and make eye contact, before the apparent handoff of a small item, suspected to be a USB flash drive, from the lady’s right hand to the man’s left hand, and then they walk off together. [3] The Gateway Pundit analyzes this suspicious activity in detail. [4]
Expert witness Ret. Col. Phil Waldron has testified to the Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Michigan state legislatures that in secure military installations, USB ports must be disabled because of the high risk that USB flash drives pose as potential malware vectors, unauthorized software changes, or data theft. [5]
These are just a few of hundreds of incidents testified to before legislators in several states this week.
What should citizens do? We should spread information. Peacefully protest. Call and email the Governor and Secretary of State. Contact state legislators demanding answers. Remind state legislators that the U.S. Constitution gives THEM the power to reverse a corrupt election. Each state’s legislators has the power to take back authority delegated to a state governor or secretary of state, and reassert their constitutional power to designate a slate of electors that represents the actual will of the people they represent.
1. Video Footage From Georgia Shows Suitcases Filled with Ballots Pulled From Under Table AFTER Supervisor Told GOP Poll Workers to Leave Tabulation Center, https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/video-footage-georgia-shows-suitcases-filled-ballots-pulled-table-supervisor-told-gop-poll-workers-leave-tabulation-center/
2. Video: Gwinnett County, GA Election Worker Potential Breach of Ballot Handling Protocol, https://youtu.be/gCHnkwYvHO0
3. Tweeted video, https://twitter.com/TheVengeance17/status/1334745610063384577
4. More on Ruby Freeman, Elections Supervisor Shaye Ross and that Strange “Pass” That Was Also Caught on Video, https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/update-ruby-freeman-elections-supervisor-shaye-ross-strange-pass-also-caught-video/
5. Cybersecurity Expert Warns Up to 1.2 Million Invalid Votes in Pennsylvania Alone, https://visiontimes.com/2020/12/02/cybersecurity-expert-warns-up-to-1-2-million-invalid-votes-in-pennsylvania-alone.html
Smartmatic – Dominion Voting Systems Timeline
Smartmatic – Dominion Voting Systems Timeline:
Ownership, Acquisitions, Reorganizations, and Technology Transfers
by Dynamojo — ABCU|8
“Founded in Venezuela in 1997 by a team of three engineers – Antonio Mugica, Alfredo José Anzola, and Roger Piñate, Smartmatic specializes in the design and end-to-end deployment of technology solutions for specific applications. The company’s niches are: electronic voting systems, smart city solutions (including public safety and public transportation), identity management systems for civil registration, and authentication products for government applications.” [1]
On April 11, 2000, the same three Venezuelan engineers founded the company Smartmatic in Delaware, United States and opened its headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida with seven employees in November of that year.
“Delaware, US: The world’s top secrecy jurisdiction. Register a company here and no one will ever know. If you have overseas income, it will be tax exempt.” [2]
In April 2003 in Caracas, Venezuela, Smartmatic officially unveiled its prototype for election automation. The testing of the prototype covered all the details of the process necessary for any type of election. During the tests, emphasis was placed on the system’s encryption capabilities, which are essential for the confidential storage and transmission of data, as well as the robustness of the software and hardware system’s components. The system passed all tests with no shortcomings, said a company spokesperson.
Such a complex, purpose-built technical solution would require a strong, system-wide R&D capability that would not have been possible in Venezuela without massive technical and financial support. Although Smartmatic established a U.S. presence in 2000, almost all of its products were developed in Venezuela, a country where capital is scarce and scientific research and manufacturing are not sophisticated.
According to the New York Times, at the beginning of 2004, a Venezuelan government financing agency invested more than USD $200,000 in a technology company owned by the same owners of Smartmatic: Bitza. Omar Montilla Castillo (a Chavez government official). [15]
Smartmatic moved its headquarters to Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 2004.
WikiLeaks provides some more detail, “…they have a list of about 30 anonymous investors …. the silent partners are mainly upper-class Venezuelans, …. then Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel …. the Vice President’s daughter Gisela Rangel Avalos, Chávez’s political mentor Luis Miquelina is also a shareholder in the company ….” The true identity of most of Smartmatic’s shareholders remains a mystery. [10]
2010 – Smartmatic UK – Companies House [3]
2014 Launch of SGO
In 2014, Mugica, together with British Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, announced the launching of the SGO Corporation Limited, a holding company headquartered in London whose primary asset is the election technology and voting machine manufacturer, Smartmatic. Mugica is CEO of SGO Smartmatic and his Venezuelan cofounder, Roger Piñate, also sits on the London board.
David Giampaolo. Another board member of SGO Smartmatic in London is DLA Piper global CEO, Sir Nigel Knowles. DLA Piper was then the world’s largest law firm in 2014. Notably, Douglas C. Emhoff, husband to Kamala Harris, is a partner at DLA Piper.
Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, chairman of SGO Smartmatic is quite a key figure. As documented in excellent research by Matthew Ehret, Malloch-Brown has been on the board of the Davos World Economic Forum, the prime driver behind the dystopian ‘Great Reset’ agenda of UN Global 2030. He has been also a board member of George Soros’ Open Society Foundations and Soros Quantum Fund. Soros is a major funder of Democratic Party candidates and groups, including BLM. Malloch-Brown was a Deputy Secretary General of the UN under corrupt Kofi Annan and was Vice President of the World Bank. The Labour Party member is also a member of the highly secret Privy Council, an elite of some 500+ people selected by the Queen to run affairs of state. In 2008 just after the inauguration of Barack Obama as president, Obama’s UN Ambassador-to-be, Samantha Power, noted that, “The principal conduit between Britain and the Candidate [Obama] has been Lord Malloch-Brown, the Junior Foreign Minister…” This is the person today heading the highly controversial voting systems group, Smartmatic.
Mugica is the CEO of Smartmatic. Although Smartmatic have run elections in Utah and Los Angeles, their footprint in the US remains small. Worldwide, they supply voting machines, voting systems and support services. [4]
In 2017 they became embroiled in charges of vote fixing in the Venezuelan elections.
In the United States, Smartmatic has a four-person Board. The Smartmatic USA chairman is Peter Neffenger, who has just been named to Joe Biden’s Transition Team. Neffenger was in the Obama Administration as TSA head. Fellow Smartmatic USA board member, Paul DeGregorio, was Chairman of the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) from 2003-2007. EAC was created by the 2002 Help America Vote Act and is responsible for “administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment.” Sitting also with Neffenger and DeGregorio at the USA Smartmatic board is Gracia Hillman who also served as Chairman of the US Election Assistance Commission from 2003 to 2010 under Obama. Their website declares, “Smartmatic is the global leader in secure, accessible, transparent election technology & support services.
Sequoia Voting Systems
In 1984, Sequoia Pacific System Corporation purchased the voting machine business of AVM Corporation (the former Automatic Voting Machine Corporation) and reorganized it as Sequoia Voting Systems.
In March 2005 Smartmatic bought the California Sequoia Voting Systems from its then-owner, De La Rue, a British currency paper printing and security company
The merged Smartmatic-Sequoia company was flourishing in the US market until a US Treasury investigation of Smartmatic’s possible ties to a foreign government, Venezuela, forced Smartmatic to sell Sequoia. They did so in an allegedly deceptive sale to Smartmatic US managers who were US citizens, under terms not made public, as SVS Inc., allowing the US Government to drop the investigation. But Sequoia, now called SVS Inc. of the USA, was still controlled by the Venezuelan-origin Smartmatic. Smartmatic retained ownership of intellectual property rights for Sequoia’s currently deployed election products in the United States.
An important detail is that, right after the company of the three Venezuelans acquired the electronic voting company Sequoia, Smartmatic reorganized itself into a holding of several companies with headquarters in Delaware (Smartmatic International), the Netherlands (Smartmatic International Holding, B.V.) and Curaçao (Smartmatic International Group, N.V.).
May 2006, Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney asked the Treasury Department to investigate Smartmatic’s purchase of Sequoia.
“I am writing because of possible investments by the Venezuelan Government in Smartmatic, an electronic voting company with business in the United States, and its acquisition of Sequoia, a U.S.-based electronic voting company,” reads the letter Maloney sent to then-Treasury Department Secretary John W. Snow.
“As you can imagine, having a foreign government invest in or buy a company that services U.S. elections could raise concerns about the integrity of the elections conducted by these machines,” the letter continues.
Speaking to the New York Times, Maloney said, “The government should know who owns our voting machines. This is a national security concern.”
Press Release: Smartmatic Announces Sale of Sequoia Voting Systems Nov 8, 2007 [5]
“WASHINGTON – Smartmatic, the voting machine firm with ties to the Venezuelan government, today announced that it is divesting ownership of the voting machine company Sequoia Voting Systems. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) shined the congressional spotlight on the Sequoia purchase last year by Smartmatic because it posed serious national security concerns about the integrity of our elections. Last year, Smartmatic decided to sell Sequoia rather than complete an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the government entity charged with ensuring the safety of foreign investment in the U.S. (To read the official Sequoia sale announcement:…)
In November 2007 CFIUS issued a ruling ordering Smartmatic to sell all of its shares in Sequoia Voting Systems in exchange for CFIUS dropping its investigation of Smartmatic. But what followed was far from what one might expect. Following a ruling by the CFIUS, Smartmatic was ordered to sell to Sequoia’s management team- SVS Holdings Inc, (Sequoia Holdings).
“I am relieved by the news of this sale – it was a long time coming,” said Maloney. “The integrity of our voting machines and elections is vital to national security. Given all of the past uncertainty and anxiety surrounding electronic voting, it’s nice that voters will have this added reassurance when they enter the voting booth this Election Day.”
The company replaced its headquarters in Boca Raton in favor of a complex structure with offices in multiple locations. The U.S. State Department said its Venezuelan owners “remain hidden behind a network of holding companies in the Netherlands and Barbados”; its organization is “a complex network of offshore companies and foreign trusts.”
All of the software that Sequoia was using was, in fact, from Smartmatic. The old voting machines were renovated and all of their technology was developed and patented. As a consequence of the changes that Smartmatic was promoting in Sequoia, the company managed to be successful until, after the controversies and the warning call from Congresswoman Maloney, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ordered, in November 2007, that Smartmatic sell Sequoia.
In October 2007 The Foreign Investment & National Security Act of 2007 became effective. The statute amends Section 721 of the Defense Production Act, which was enacted in 1988 to provide for national security reviews of foreign investments. Pre-FINSA, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) implemented Section 721 solely per Executive Order 11858. [6]
Why did Smartmatic retain this control over finances, intellectual property, and non-compete clauses, and why did CFIUS approve this arrangement?
According to the Dominion press release, if the rest of it can be believed, the Sequoia purchase was “reviewed by the U. S. Department of Justice and nine state attorneys general” and “also reviewed in detail and received approval by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).”
In 2007, Princeton Professor of Computer Science, Andrew Appel, testified as an expert in a legal case in New Jersey involving the Sequoia Advantage voting machines that it was “very easy to replace the software inside a computerized machine so it tells the voter it is voting for one candidate but really puts the vote in the wrong column…You can even program it to do that only on election day.” [4]
In the same year 2007, the California Secretary of State (Debra Bowen) decertified Sequoia voting machines in the state election, declaring that the Sequoia voting machines allow the “insertion of a Trojan program via a malicious USB removable storage media device that could modify ballot definitions and results.” The ruling added that Sequoia voting machines could be made to “shift votes from one candidate to another and [the shift] was not detectable on the voter verifiable paper audit trail.” These are the same tricks of fraud being challenged by the Trump legal teams. [7]
In an article published on April 10, 2008, journalist Bradley Friedman writes: “Smartmatic had been forced to relinquish control of Sequoia after the media and Congress noticed that the company had links to Hugo Chávez.” In the end, the buyers were the company’s own managers, but those with U.S. citizenship.
But the verdict did not end Smartmatic’s controversial relationship with Sequoia. In fact, in April 2008 a market competitor, Hart InterCivic, tried to acquire Sequoia in a hostile move. This led to the involvement of the courts. Smartmatic was exposed. [8]
At the end of April 2008, a shocking event occurred: one of Smartmatic’s founders, who was also the founder of the American company, died in a plane crash in Venezuela, along with Smartmatic’s finance department and the plane’s pilot. The Venezuelan Minister of the Interior (said to be a relative of the founder) was the first to arrive at the hospital, along with Jorge Rodriguez, former President of the Venezuelan Electoral Council and former Vice President of Venezuela.
Next, this fraud-ridden Smartmatic-controlled Sequoia Voting Systems, a/k/a SVS Inc., was bought on June 4, 2010 by a previously obscure Canadian company, Dominion Voting Systems, a company engaged in manufacturing electronic voting hardware and optical scanners.
In 2010, Smartmatic sold SVS to Dominion Voting Systems, which eight years later was acquired by the private equity firm Staple Street Capital (SPC). The largest shareholder of SPC is David Mark Rubenstein, who is also a co-founder of the Carlyle Group. [9]
(The Carlyle Group entered China in 1994, fast becoming one of the earliest, largest and most active global investment companies in the communist Chinese regime. In 2017, Carlyle acquired a 19.9 percent stake in China Pacific Insurance Company, making it the first international private equity firm to be approved by the CCP for investment into a state-owned insurance company.
In 2015, Carlyle expanded its Chinese portfolio by acquiring a controlling stake in Tongyi Lubricant. Two years later, Carlyle partnered with CITIC Limited and CITIC Capital to acquire an 80 percent stake in McDonald’s in both mainland China and Hong Kong. That same year, Carlyle and its partners invested in Adicon, one of the largest third-party independent medical testing companies in China.
What this means is that a wealthy Jewish investor is overseeing a portfolio of companies and corporate influences that, in essence, stole the election for Biden with the help of the communist Chinese regime. And this is what the Democrats are calling an “honest election.”
Note: The financial assets of the Saudi bin Laden Corporation (SBC) were also managed by the Carlyle Group before the 9/11 attack in New York. Many influential individuals have worked for or invested in the group, including John Major, former UK Prime Minister; Fidel Ramos, former Philippines President; Park Tae Joon, former South Korean Prime Minister; Saudi Prince Al-Walid; Colin Powell, former Secretary of State; James Baker III, former Secretary of State; Caspar Weinberger, former Defense Secretary; Richard Darman, former White House Budget Director; the billionaire George Soros; bin Laden family members; Alice Albright, daughter of Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State; Arthur Lewitt, former SEC head; William Kennard, former head of the FCC; Karl Otto Pöhl, former Bundesbank president; Henri Martre, former president of Aerospatiale; and Bilderberg steering committee member Etienne Davignon.
Neil Shen
It is worth taking a closer look at the Sequoia group of companies, Sequoia Capital, Sequoia Capital China, and their particularly their founder Neil Shen. This is the key to the connection with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). [10], [14]
Neil Shen is not only the founding and managing partner of Sequoia Capital China, he also serves as Global Steward of Sequoia Capital. Neil Shen is a Member of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. He is a Vice Chairman, China Securities Investment Fund Association, Venture Capital Fund Committee. He is Co-founder and Chairman of the Hong Kong X Technology Startup Platform. He is a Member of the Advisory Panel on Innovation and Strategic Development for the Chief Executive of the HKSAR.
In November 2015, during COP 21 (United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris), the Breakthrough Energy Coalition was formed led by Bill Gates, Neil Shen, Jack Ma, Mark Zuckerberg and 28 other business leaders who committed to invest significant resources in the next five years to address climate change and clean energy issues. Neil Shen is Director and a long-time benefactor of the Teach For China program
Neil Shen appears to be the key connection between the CCP, Sequoia, and Dominion Voting Systems and their work in the US elections.
Dominion of Canada bought Sequoia SVS Inc.; the latter had contracts for 300 jurisdictions in 16 states. Suddenly Dominion, via Sequoia via Smartmatic of London, was a major player in the increasingly corrupt business of computerized voting in the USA. In short, Smartmatic bought US-based Sequoia, put its technology into Sequoia, and then sold it to Dominion.
Dominion also bought Premier Election Solutions, also known as Diebold/Premier, in 2010.
A press release distributed by Dominion on May 19, 2010, highlights the agreement with ES&S—Premier Election was a wholly-owned subsidiary of ES&S—and celebrates the acquisition of the company’s main assets, including intellectual property, software, firmware and hardware of its voting systems.
But the press release’s statement is an out-and-out lie.
As part of a detailed investigative exposé series in 2008, as Investigative journalist Brad Friedman broke the story of Hart Intercivic’s quietly attempted hostile takeover of Sequoia, Friedman revealed the fact that — despite representations to the contrary, possibly even to U.S. government investigators — the intellectual property (IP) for the vast-majority/near-entirety of Sequoia’s voting systems was actually secretly owned by the Hugo Chavez-tied, Venezuelan-based firm, Smartmatic.
Sequoia hadn’t publicly disclosed that Smartmatic still retained legal ownership of the IP used in all of their voting machines, a fact that wasn’t publicly revealed until our exposé which forced a subsequent admission by Sequoia’s then CEO and President Jack Blaine.
ES&S, by the way, is forced to sell Premier Election Solutions by a Department of Justice requirement due to potential monopoly concerns —which prevents it from dominating most of the private electoral market. Dominion took advantage of this.
In 2016 Dominion Vice President Dr. Eric Coomer was asked if it was possible to bypass election systems software and go directly to the data tables that manage systems running elections in Illinois. He replied, “Yes, if they have access.”
However, further insuring that the Canadian Dominion would remain opaque to scrutiny, in 2018 the company was taken over as a private company by its employees together with an opaque private equity firm, Staple Street Capital of New York, allowing them to claim being a “US-owned” company, despite its headquarters in Canada. What little that is known about Staple Street, the new owners of Dominion is that several came from the controversial private equity giant, Carlyle Group Partners. William Kennard, former Obama appointee as EU Ambassador and Bill Clinton appointee as FCC chairman and former Managing Director of the Carlyle Group is in Staple Street Capital.
Hootan Yaghoobzadeh and Stephen D. Owens, both of Staple Street, are on the new Dominion board with Canadian founder, John Poulos. Both also have past ties to the Carlyle Group. The contested State of Georgia has eight registered Dominion lobbyists including Jared Thomas, former chief of staff for Republican Governor Brian Kemp. The Georgia recount had been riddled with bipartisan corruption. Additionally, the Dominion Voting Systems company has admitted being a past donor to the Clinton Foundation and to hiring the former Chief of Staff of Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one Nadeam Elshami as a lobbyist.
On October 24, 2018, Smartmatic announced they appointed a U.S. Board of Directors to “guide the company as it offers secure technology to election jurisdictions across the country.”
The Board Chairman would be retired US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger, who served as Barack Obama’s Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Neffenger is also a member and “distinguished fellow” of the Atlanta Council think-tank that recently received funding from the same Ukrainian firm that employed Hunter Biden for $183,000 a month.
In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings–the same one paying Hunter Biden based on possibly illegal and controversial circumstances, donated $100,000 a year to the council from 2016 to 2018.
“He is president and on the board of directors of Smartmatic, and it just so happens he’s on Mr. Biden’s presidential transition team that’s going to be nonexistent, because we’re fixing to overturn the results of the election in multiple states,” Trump Campaign attorney Sidney Powell said during an appearance on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.
In 2018, Dominion was acquired by private equity firm Staple Street Capital. Staple Street Capital’s largest shareholder is David Mark Rubenstein. He is also the founder of the Carlyle Group.
An investigation into SEC filings has revealed that the firm which owns Dominion Voting Systems received $400 million dollars from a Swiss bank with close links to the Chinese government less than a month before the election. [11]
The investigation, conducted by Austin Security and Investigation Solutions, centers on Staple Street Capital, which acquired Dominion Voting Systems
“On Oct 8, 2020, Staple Street Capital filed SEC Form D offerings and sales amount of $400,000,000 with the Sales Compensation Recipient identified as UBS Securities,” states the investigation, which also notes that another payment of $200,000,000 was received in December 2014. [12]
“UBS Securities is a swiss investment bank which owns 24.99% of UBS Securities Co LTD, a Chinese Investment Bank. The remaining 75% of UBS Securities CO LTD is owned by the Chinese government,” states the report.
The overall owners of UBS Securities Co LTD are:
– Beijing Guoxiang (33%)
– UBS (24.99%)
– Guangdong Comm. Group [zh] (14.01%)
– China Guodian (14%)
– COFCO Group (14%) [13]
Aside from UBS, the other four owners of UBS Securities are all Communist Chinese front groups.
Beijing Guoxiang is a state-owned asset.
Other connections between Dominion Voting Systems and the Chinese government have also emerged in recent weeks, including the company’s Core Infrastructure Manager of Information Technology, Andy Huang, who previously worked for China Telecom, which is “wholly run by the Chinese government,” reported the National Pulse. [1]
[1] The link Between Dominion, Sequoia, Smartmatic, and the CCP—The article that got Powell banned from Twitter, https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/censored-across-the-web-the-link-between-dominion-sequoia-smartmatic-and-the-ccp-the-article-that-got-powell-banned-from-twitter/
[2] Delaware – a black hole in the heart of America, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/nov/01/delaware-leading-tax-haven
[3] SMARTMATIC UK LIMITED, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07236594/officers
[4] The Murky Foreign Actors Behind US Election Fraud, https://journal-neo.org/2020/11/23/the-murky-foreign-actors-behind-us-election-fraud/
[5] Smartmatic Announces Sale of Sequoia Voting Systems, https://maloney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/smartmatic-announces-sale-sequoia-voting-systems
[6] CFIUS Reform: The Foreign Investment & National Security Act of 2007 (FINSA), https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/international/foreign-investment/Documents/Summary-FINSA.pdf
[7] Source Code Review of the Sequoia Voting System, July 2007, Univ. of Calif. at Davis, https://votingsystems.cdn.sos.ca.gov/oversight/ttbr/sequoia-source-public-jul26.pdf
[8] Smartmatic Corp. v. SVS Holdings, Inc., et al., Letter Opinion, April 4, 2008, https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/court-of-chancery/2008/105040-1.html
[9] LOOK Who Owns Dominion Voting Systems: Politically Motivated PRIVATE Equity NY Hedge Fund, https://gellerreport.com/2020/11/look-who-owns-dominion-voting-systems-politically-motivated-private-equity-ny-hedge-fund.html/
[10] Hi-tech Election Fraud Exposed: Why Twitter Banned Sidney Powell, The link Between Dominion, Sequoia, Smartmatic, and the CCP, https://principia-scientific.com/hi-tech-election-fraud-exposed-why-twitter-banned-sidney-powell/
[12] Firm That Owns Dominion Voting Systems Received $400 Million From Swiss Bank Account Funded by Communist Chinese Gov & Companies Before Election, https://summit.news/2020/12/01/firm-that-owns-dominion-voting-systems-received-400-million-from-swiss-bank-with-connection-to-chinese-government-before-election/
[11] Firm That Owns Dominion Voting Systems Received $400 Million From Swiss Bank With Connection to Chinese Government Before Election, https://stillnessinthestorm.com/2020/12/firm-that-owns-dominion-voting-systems-received-400-million-from-swiss-bank-with-connection-to-chinese-government-before-election/
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UBS_Securities
[14] The CCP Captured U.S. Power by Controlling Sequoia Capital, link redacted to avoid Big Tech censorship
[15] U.S. Investigates Voting Machines’ Venezuela Ties, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/washington/29ballot.html
Such a happy image of righteous victory. Masters of the Universe, flag draped defenders of the nation, concerned altruists setting a fine mask example for the citizens, vanquishers of the vile Orange Man, bringers of a bright and glorious future. Pretenders.
Who are the pretenders? All deep state apparatchiks. All foreign leaders who have congratulated Biden, including religious leaders and representatives of international bodies. Dark side controlled media of all flavors, including television and social media. The street level supporters. All of them pretending as if their lives depend on it, and this is true for some of them. These people have been pretending for a very long time, some of them for their entire lifetimes. The gig has been to act as if they believed in a place called America, and were obedient to its laws. Alongside this has been the pretense of being righteous, even as they violate God’s precepts.
A salient characteristic of this failure has been the constant projection of their own failures onto those who have actually been holding the nation together, those who have righteously carried the nation on their backs, even as they were hounded by lesser individuals. Deplorables from flyover country, they snorted. Fundamentalists, they sneered at Bible believers. Yes indeed. We are conservatives, meaning we believe there are bedrock principles that were established as such due to merit, after long experience. Further, that those principles are worthy of defense, and that they are actually required to be defended if we are to avoid an inexorable descent into the pit of earthly hell.
Donald Trump’s 2016 entry onto the grand stage marked a new phase of pretense by the fakers. They told themselves that if they conducted themselves as if Trump had lost, things would actually work out that way. Not my President! Cheater, installed by the Russkies! Racist, idiot, fascist! This was the street level understanding of the propagandized (weak minded) believers, yet the level-up version of this delusion was reserved for their leaders. This entailed a formal plot to resist all aspects of a Trump Presidency, from their unmerited deep state positions within the government apparatus. Just think of Schumer braying about six ways to Sunday for the intelligence community to get someone.
It was understood within the ranks of the dark side leaders, that all they had ever held dear was riding on the ability to defeat Trump. Quickly, the low level sedition became a formal plot. The outline of the plot was (1) use fake media and phony politicians, and rally together to relentlessly attack anything the President says or does, (2) continue the Russia witch hunt behind the figurehead Mueller and his fake probe (which his Congressional testimony later proved his ignorance of basic aspects thereof), (3) impeach Trump on ludicrous charges, after several sinful, star chamber basement sessions, then insult the nation and world by actually arguing the false case with the desperate fury of madmen, (4) launch the do-or-die election stealing plan by unleashing a trivial pathogen and using fake media and scientists to build it up into something that might justify mail-in voting, (5) unleash their street demons on America, this being Antifa, BLM, etc., (6) arrange the election theft mechanics in detail, including several methods, (7) run an entirely fake series of primary votes, when the candidate had already been selected, (8) pretend with every ounce of strength that you won the election, and are preparing for regime transition, while (9) continuing to wear insulting masks, and clinging to the pretense that the impossible campaign platform was and is legitimate.
The theft attempt was obvious within hours. It was foreseen and prepared for by Trump’s people. Even 30% + of Democrat voters say it was stolen. It was a foolish plot, carried out by desperate, low-intelligence perpetrators. Now they are futilely pretending to themselves most of all, that they might somehow avoid exposure/justice, and that they might yet be rulers of the earth. A forlorn hope, destined to end in public punishment for many of them.
Stop the Steal Rally in Atlanta, Georgia with Sidney Powell, Lin Wood, Vernon Jones, C.J. Pearson
Stop the Steal Rally in Atlanta, Georgia
with Sidney Powell, Lin Wood, Vernon Jones, C.J. Pearson
Transcribed by Anon – ABCU|8
<Any errors in this best-effort transcript are mine, not the speakers’.>
…Lin Wood: I’m calling for non-violent civil disobedience. Go to Governor Kemp’s mansion and circle and blow your horns until he comes out and fixes this mess he created and then he can resign and then we can lock him up. <Crowd chants Lock Him Up!>
If you’re watching the mainstream news you’re watching lies. Stick with OAN and Newsmax, Epoch Times. This is a battle between good and evil, truth and lies.
Donald Trump won a massive landslide.
We the People run this country. The country belongs to the People.
<Holds up Bible>. I asked Kemp and Raffensperger to swear on this Bible that they did not take money from China, and they will not swear it. Because that would be perjury.
Sidney Powell: I grew up in the 50s when you could walk to school safely and have friends. There was no divisiveness in this country. Real Americans are not defined by color, they are defined by their love of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. These are American values: God, family, and country. Values we must return to now. We will not allow our country to be influenced by Communists, Socialists, Dark Forces that come to impose their will on us. It’s time for every patriot to stand up, make our voices heard, be counted.
Any person in any public office – local, county, state, federal – works for you. You pay them, you are supposed to elect them with lawful votes. We still have massive vote fraud in this country, it took all forms, not just Dominion machines. It’s in the DNA of all the software in all the electronic voting systems that were used all over the country. The inexplicable spikes hundreds of thousands that came in 90% Biden, 10% Trump. It defies reality. You can’t flip a coin 300,000 times and have it always come up heads. Lots of people got cheated out of local races, congressional and senate seats too.
Georgia should not have a runoff using Dominion machines. Georgia, you should not vote until the vote is secure, regardless of your party. Our republic needs votes to be safe and secure. We need Voter ID and paper ballots signed and thumb printed. The system can even count votes by hand. What we’ve seen over the last 4 years in the USA has been unacceptable. What do you expect in Venezuela where Dominion and Smartmatic electronic voting systems were developed to help the brutal dictator Chavez win.
I wonder about our 3-letter agencies, what role they might have had in creating and distributing this software?
NC, VA, PA, voted solidly for Donald Trump. We need to flood Georgia’s legislators and secretary of state and governor with phone calls and letters. It’s your state and your country. They work for you.
Thank you for caring enough to be here today. <Crowd chants Thank You, Thank You!>
Our team, people working on this, nobody has been paid a dime yet. Lots of contributions are coming in to Defending the Republic [2], but we haven’t even had time yet to set it up to be able to write checks and pay anybody.
God bless you and God bless America!
Lin Wood: God bless Sidney Powell and God bless all the people here.
Our US Constitution makes clear, all the power belongs to the people. WE tell government what they can do. They do not control the people. We are going to circle the walls of Jericho and God Almighty is going to tear those walls down. You watch it happen!
Send a message to Bill Barr: Do your job! You work for us, Attorney General Barr, and you tell the FBI director “Do your job!” Investigate this fraud.
And tell the CIA director to get out of our country and don’t spy on Americans, don’t ever do it again!
Thank God for Donald Trump. God gave him the task to be president for 4 more years, you watch it happen. The people will not allow our country to be taken away. God will save us and he will use every one of you. The People are the rock like David and Goliath, the rock to slay the Communists and Liberals. Joe Biden will never set foot in the white house, you will never allow it to happen.
Vernon Jones: I love this country and I love Georgia. I’m a Georgia House representative and I took an oath to serve and protect the Constitution and the people of Georgia. We have an obligation to get all your questions answered. We need the governor to call a special session of the Georgia General Assembly. This is not some third-world country. I’m not doing this for Republicans, I’m doing it for every person in the state of Georgia. This is not partisan. You elected us, the constitution gives us authority to set election law, not the secretary of state. We have oversight to look at what Raffensperger did, it was not fair. It’s not about black and white and democrat and republican and libertarian, it’s about everybody. I don’t want to let my country go further left, no, we should back up!
Remember Dr. Martin Luther King. Some were killed to get us all the right to go vote.
You hire the politicians, they don’t hire you. Georgia has a history of battle – fight! Remember George Washington, General Patton. Fight and hold the line like Americans have done in every war we have ever been in. Georgia is the battleground state. Hold the line! <Crowd chants Hold the Line!>
Lin Wood: Where are Purdue and Loeffler? If they want your vote, they should demand a special session from Gov. Kemp. We cannot vote on Jan. 5 on another China voting machine. If they want our vote, they’ve got to demand publicly that Kemp call a special session. if they do not, they have not earned your vote. Why vote in another rigged election? We need to fix it before doing it again. There were (are preparing?) 800,000 (more?) absentee ballots. They stole the election from Doug Collins, he needs to fight too. The legislators must designate a slate of electors for Donald Trump, who we voted for. Then we need to have an entire down-ballot vote on January 5th.
They don’t have the power. Kemp will never get my vote again. Get out of that mansion and take Brad Raffensperger with you and Jeffrey Duncan. Go out and go quail hunting. You’re not doing the people’s will.
Maybe we need a new party. Look beyond democrat or republican. We need a party of the people <Crowd cheers> of American Patriots who love America. We won’t allow our country to be taken over by China. You don’t buy bullets from the enemy.
Sidney Powell and I want to answer your questions.
How about Sidney Powell and Michael Flynn 2024 – they will fight like Flynn! Vern Jones for governor? He will fight like Flynn! I see a patriot here, you should run for governor, take back your state.
I spoke with President Trump a few weeks ago. He called me. He knows he was elected. “If I knew I had lost, I’d concede.” But you won this election. America voted for you. You must stay in the White House.
I don’t want your money. I have been blessed with enough. If you want to contribute, you could support my foundation, #FightBack, fightback.law [3] that I formed to defend the Constitution.
Can I tell a personal story? I was 16 years old. My mother died, my father was in prison, I didn’t have one damn dime. But I had fighting spirit to make it. I made it because America gave me the opportunity to succeed.
Don’t let anybody take it from us. It’s 1776 again, it’s our battle to fight for freedom. The battle starts here today.
C.J. Pearson: We love this country so much we will fight for it. They made a huge mistake. Biden – not in my America! They thought we were the party of Romney and McCain, that we would not fight. No. We are the party of Donald Trump. <Crowd cheers> We are courageous people who will fight for it. We are great by the activism of bold Americans like you. We have freedom because patriots fight for what we believe in. Fight for it you will too!
A Few of the Questions from the Audience
Q: What do you advise saying to people who think we’re crazy?
Lin Wood: Tell them there was only one perfect man, they thought he was crazy, but he wasn’t. His name was Jesus Christ.
Sidney Powell: These are difficult times. We have all lost friends, family, by insisting on the truth. The mainstream media is brainwashing people. Try having a calm, factual conversation. The MSM’s power to lie is overwhelming, if people won’t go to the original source. General Flynn’s Digital Soldiers have helped so much to bring truth. You can follow people on Twitter. Personal relationships that we’ve lost, keep loving them and sharing truth with them. I don’t know, there’s no easy answer.
Lin Wood: Tell them to turn off the TV. <Crowd cheers> Think for yourselves. Don’t accept any MSM lies. Go look up “color revolution”. That’s what’s happening. China is making their move. They need our land to grow their food. Keep your guard up, defend yourself. Within the bounds of the law, do whatever you can to fight for freedom.
Q: If the Dominion machines switched votes, why didn’t the hand recount show discrepancies?
Sidney Powell: Georgia did not do a full recount of ballots. They just sampled a few places. There was one country, where the vote was weighted 152% Biden to Trump 48% due to the machine. Ballots and envelopes and evidence are being destroyed and shredded. It’s not possible to do a recount. They did a software update in Fulton County, destroying evidence. They know they’re caught. The machines were built to alter the audit trail. A recount must count every ballot and envelope.
Lin Wood: If you sent any money to the Republican party in Georgia, or nationally, why are the Republicans not up here fighting for Donald Trump?
Q: What about incorporated companies that Brad Raffensperger has?
Lin Wood: <long pause>. I know the law of defamation. The damn crooked FBI. OK, listen, Brian Kemp, Brad Raffensperger. I can state as a matter of fact that you are criminals. That you took money from Dominion and from China for COVID PPE. They won’t sue me because I’m telling the truth, I am right. You need to be in jail. Follow the money. Only the truth will set you free.
Q: How many here voted early in person? <Some hands raised.> I voted in Dunwoodie and what they did there was illegal. After I punched in my vote and the ballot was printed, the election worker looked at my QR code and told me which scanner to put it in based on the QR code. They are not allowed to look at your ballot. The Dominion manual teaches them how to delete batches of ballots.
Lin Wood: I never knew my vote was going to Canada, Barcelona, Venezuela, Frankfurt. The voting software is 75% owned by Communist China. We need to get back to simple voting. Iraq had a perfect election, they used fingerprints. He who has nothing to hide, hides nothing. Kemp and Raffensperger sold your vote to Communist China. Follow the money.
The President doesn’t take advice from me, but if he did, I’d like to tell him: Gina Haspell, director of the CIA, fire Gina Haspell yesterday! Fire FBI Director Chris Wray last week! The Deep State permeates the democrats, republicans. President Trump is fighting both. The only people helping Donald Trump and people like you and me. We know he loves the people. He decided to run because the people didn’t have representation. I know Donald Trump won over 410 electoral votes. He won damn near every state including California. He got over 80 million votes. We’re not going to let them steal our elections or our country. We will die before we let them steal our freedom. It is 1776 again–
[1] Sidney Powell and Lin Wood ‘Stop the Steal’ Rally, Atlanta, Georgia, Dec. 2, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8VIB_DxlrE
[2] Sidney Powell’s Defending the Republic, https://defendingtherepublic.org/
[3] Lin Wood’s #FightBack Foundation, https://fightback.law
Trump: Massive Fraud has Been Found, and You’ll See it All
by John Cleer | ABCU8
“I just want to tell my people, don’t be disappointed yet because this race is far from over.”
Link to video above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9RRjk2PZIA
That was President Trump’s message on Thanksgiving during his broadcast teleconference with the military, which he concluded (I think unexpectedly) by fielding questions from the press. [1]
The usual mob had gone home for Thanksgiving, and instead Trump found himself calling on second stringers who couldn’t interrupt him effectively. One of them tried but he stepped over the line and Trump called him a “lightweight,” chastising the reporter for not respecting the Office. [2]
That slight is being reported in the usual anti-Trump, derogatory tone and the MSM are repeating his answer to the following question misleadingly, to manipulate the public into accepting Biden as president. It’s a done deal! they tell us. Trump must accept it!
Would President Trump leave the White House “if the electoral college does elect President-Elect Biden”? Eventually Trump said Yes and this was dressed up, unsurprisingly, as the story of the night.
However, the reporter’s own words “If the electoral college does elect President-Elect Joe Biden” plainly indicate that Biden is NOT the President-Elect. ONLY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CAN ELECT A PRESIDENT. Liberal public figures and even a number of conservatives are pretending Biden has been elected so they can keep riding the gravy train. They’ve all taken the same position and continue to ignore the same wealth of irregularities and well-predicated lawsuits.
The Murdoch family for example owns Fox News, the WSJ and NYPost, and they want Trump out. All of the Murdochs’ assets call Joe Biden “President-Elect,” all of their platforms take the same position and it isn’t an honest one. Joe Biden is not the President-Elect.
So what they’re doing isn’t reporting, it’s electioneering. The MSM has badgered Trump with this question since 2016, and now there are many right-leaning websites following their lead.
I’ll list the points President Trump made on Thanksgiving, starting with his qualifications for the answer above:
“Certainly I will [respect the Electoral College outcome], and you know that. But I think there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January.
“Massive fraud has been found. We’re like a third world country. We’re using computer equipment that can be hacked. They talk about glitches. How many glitches did they find? A glitch, oh gee, we had a glitch, 5,000 votes. In all cases, right? In all cases, the votes went from Trump to Biden. They didn’t go from Biden to Trump.
“A glitch is like the equipment is a little broken, we’ll fix it up… in this case, we caught them cheating, we caught them stealing, we caught a fraudulent effort to get votes, and they said, “Oh yes, it’s true, there was.” And there were many of them.
“The glitch means, “Oh, we got caught. We got caught with the votes and now let’s just call it a glitch.” [But] It wasn’t the machinery… You’re going to see things happening over the next week or two that are going to be shocking to people.
“There’s no way that Biden got 80 Million votes … The only way that he got 80 Million votes is through a massive fraud. They used covid in order to defraud the people of this country and the whole world is watching, laughing at our electoral process, and it’s a very sad thing.
“Tens of millions of ballots have been sent out to people that didn’t even want them. Many people have received 2, 3, and 4 ballots and many people have taken their 2, 3, and 4 ballots and they voted them. This election was a fraud.”
The Chair of the Federal Election Commission has gone on the record to say the same. “I do believe there is voter fraud taking place in these places,” he told Newsmax. “Otherwise they would allow the observers to go in.” [3]
“I did so well,” Trump said on Thanksgiving, “that they didn’t know what to do. They panicked. Take a look at their drops at 3:00 and 3:42 in the morning on certain states. They did drops where you’re going along like this, and then you’ll have a spike that goes up to the ceiling. It’s disgraceful. We can’t let that happen.
“If you look at 10:00 in the evening, you saw what happened [Trump/Pence had decisive swing state leads]. Then you had these massive dumps. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it. You have Dominion, which is very, very suspect to start off with. Nobody knows the ownership. People say the votes are counted in foreign countries and much worse than that, by the way, with Dominion.
“So Dominion is also partially based in Canada, but it’s based in other countries too, and nobody knows where the votes – But you know, Canada refuses to use Dominion. Canada uses paper ballots … They’re based in Canada and Canada refuses to use them.
“They use paper ballots because paper ballots are, frankly, the only thing that really you’re going to get an accurate tab on because those machines are fixed, they’re rigged. You can press Trump and the vote goes to Biden … All you have to do is play with a chip, and they played with a chip, especially in Wayne County and Detroit.
“I’m not saying we caught 23 dead people but we were short 20,000 votes. No, we have tens of thousands more votes than we need, in all cases [in all states being litigated]. It’s not only going to be a big story, it’s the most important story of our time.
“This has a long way to go. You’re gonna find tremendous fraud … fraud of hundreds of thousands of votes per state. You’re gonna find fraud of many, many times the votes I need.”
Trump specified 687,000 votes in Pennsylvania, a similar number to his lawyer Giuliani’s for unobserved (therefore illegal) votes in PA. Giuliani took statements from 50-60 poll watchers testifying to this and claimed to have as many as 90 witnesses ready in Pennsylvania. [4] “A poll watcher is considered sacred in our country,” said President Trump. “When they throw them out of rooms[runs over lightweight reporter]and they put them in what’s called pens, and they’re 20,30,40 feet away and in some cases 200 feet away…”
In Wisconsin Trump said they were finding a “tremendous discrepancy.” (He tweeted later that the WI recount was intended not to change the count but to uncover illegal votes, and that we should expect a lawsuit on Monday or Tuesday based on its findings. On Tuesday the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit to disqualify 221,000 illegal votes in WI.)
“The other thing, take a look at Michigan. Take a look at what they did with respect to counties, every county, 78%, 72%, 76%, 59%. The whole thing, one after another after another, and then you get to Detroit and it’s more votes than people. Dead people voting all over the place…
“We’re doing a recount right now in Georgia that is meaningless. The only recount that matters in Georgia is to look at the signatures on the envelopes and you will find the signatures do not match.
“Why is [Georgia’s Secretary of State] not letting us see [them]? There’s only one reason you can’t see the signatures and that’s because there was fraud all over the place. Even without looking at signatures, as you know, we found thousands of wrong votes. By the way, always against me. It was not 50/50. It was always against me.
“The people that signed those envelopesthey didn’t do the ballotsenvelopes, and then somebody said, ‘Maybe the envelopes were thrown out.’ There’s tremendous fraud here.
“We won [Georgia] by hundreds of thousands … Once we get the signatures, we’ll take over 100%… and we will get Georgia.”
“We have affidavits from hundreds and hundreds of people. This election was a rigged election.”
“You’ll see it all.”
[1] https://factba.se/transcript/donald-trump-remarks-thanksgiving-troops-videoconference-november-26-2020
[2] https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1332099196091052033
[3] https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/trey-trainor-fec-trump-2020-election/2020/11/06/id/995772/
[4] https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/rudy-giuliani-trump-campaign-philadelphia-press-conference-november-7
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES Mission 6 — Local Politics
Mission 6 — Local Politics
“People get into local politics for reasons as varied as having a say in their community, trying to make a difference, or wanting to change policies they don’t agree with.” [3]
Some warriors exert their influence in the local sphere. They attend town or city council meetings, get a role in the homeowner’s association, voice their opinions to the planning board, or run for a position on the school board. They write letters to the editor or publish a neighborhood newsletter. Through participation in public life, they establish liaisons with other patriots. While serving their community they become an advocate for local citizens. For some, a local beginning precedes their rise into state or national politics. [1]
You can become an involved citizen by researching, volunteering, and using your voice. Are there issues in your community or on your local ballot that need a different approach?
The first step is to get a good understanding of local political structures. The internet offers a wealth of information. [2] Local officials might be called alderman, city council, town manager, mayor, county board of supervisors, county administrator, commissioner, selectman, etc. Also consider smaller bodies close to home—homeowners’ association, school board, or planning board. Stay informed via local newspapers, TV, newsletters, or representatives’ social media.
Research your elected officials. What are their names and roles? When are the elections held? Who are the incumbents? What initiatives or policies have they enacted or supported? How do they communicate with the public? What by-laws, statutes, charter, or regulations do they enforce? Find out where these local laws are documented and read them. Learn about the local budget and how the local government spends your taxes. Is there oversight over spending?
Attend meetings. Find out what open meetings a citizen can observe. “City council, board of education, and other board meetings are typically open to the public… they will help you understand the inner workings of your government and see your representatives in action…” [3] Another venue is a town hall meeting, where officials solicit the public’s input. Come prepared to meetings with questions about policies, rules or viewpoints you want clarification on. This is also good preparation to become more comfortable speaking to the public.
Contact your representatives. There are many ways to share your point of view: social media, telephoning their staff or voice mail, writing letters and emails, and visiting their office to speak in person.
Are you prepared to take action? The only qualification is a desire to take on the responsibility! Leadership experience acquired by managing a small business or in the military may be helpful.
You could join a citizen advisory board. In this role, you work with other community members, giving your unique perspective on issues that affect you. You participate by doing research, taking public testimony, reviewing reports, and creating recommendations for local problems. [3] [4]
Finally, consider running for a local government office. There is no better way to create changes locally than by running for office yourself! After identifying an office of interest and submitting the paperwork, assemble a team and begin knocking on doors to make yourself known. If you’re affiliated with a party or group, ask them for support.
Be the change you want to see. A warrior with the local politics mission translates his or her belief and commitment into action! [5]
1. Missions of Light – Introduction, https://abcu8.co/2020/11/21/missions-of-light-introduction/
2. Local Politics, https://ballotpedia.org/Local_Politics
3. How to Get Involved in Local Politics, https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Involved-in-Local-Politics
4. Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards, http://mrsc.org/getmedia/72061479-9ba8-48b4-ab1f-cfa62cf7d4f1/Local-Government-Citizen-Advistory-Boards.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf
5. 25 Ways to Be Politically Active, https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/15/politics/ways-to-be-more-politically-active-trnd/index.html
THE REPUBLIC
We often hear our nation referred to as a democracy, having the generally understood meaning of rule by the people. Not that long ago, a different meaning of democracy was widely understood. Mob rule, which is more accurate, and one of the chief desires of the enemies of America. The mob is easily controlled by wealthy elitists, who use it as a fig leaf for their true desire, which is the restoration of open, autocratic rule. The useful idiots of the mob are mostly unaware that they are just an intermediate step in the elitist program, destined to be among the first dealt with when their purpose is finished.
The ancient Greeks used the word politeia to describe the politics of a region, the polity. At times, it was used in a more specific sense, i.e. the political efforts of the citizenry to usher policy making in the direction best suited to improve the lot of the common man, as well as the overall position of the city-state. This would seem to be a common sense approach, but it was novel because previously the politeia had been conducted to benefit the oligarchs only. In other words, what happened to a city or its inhabitants had been the private business of the moneyed interests. Sounds familiar, does it not?
It was this second, narrower meaning of politeia that the Romans later began to call res publica, meaning the public thing, or the public affair. From there, it was a short hop to arrive at our word republic. The great majority of Americans look at a map, and see the names of nations which have the word republic in their names, and do not mentally process what it actually means. They are saying that here, in this place, our affairs are ruled according to what best benefits the entire population. Yes, they make the claim, but many of them are republics in name only. In most, the money still has the power, concealed behind public structures of government.
Our Founders were highly educated men, well versed in the arguments of contemporary authors, writers who made intelligent arguments about the nature of man and the best way for the affairs of an entire people to be ruled. The selection of a republican form of government was made after much thought and discussion. A monarchy was not the answer, and neither was mob rule. Their deliberations correctly led them to a Constitutional Republic, a public thing operating within the strictures of a written constitution. Their great accomplishment was to write that constitution, and then obtain the consent of the states to make it the law of the land.
When asked what form of government the Founders had created, Franklin allegedly said, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Wise words from a wise man, indicating his understanding that a republic is only as good as the representatives who operate it, and by extension, only as good as the populace that selected those representatives. A people may only attain an overall “good” rating by adhering to a moral code. This code was understood to be The Ten Commandments, which were known by all, and believed to have been given by God for the spiritual guidance of mankind. It was in this context that The Constitution was birthed.
From the beginning, there were those who desired to evade legal restrictions, and therefore sought to subvert the system. These and their moral descendants have since been endeavoring to return to the old ways, with the nation’s affairs being conducted in service to the few, at the expense of the many. Their owned judges and public apologists have sought to twist the written words, while claiming that the Constitution is an anachronism. Now we have arrived at the great test. Will the document be destroyed, and the Republic overthrown? Traitors say yes, while Patriots say no. Traitors resent both God’s law and man’s law. Patriots embrace both, and are resolved to defend those words with strength and intelligence.
Arizona Election Fraud Hearing – Nov. 30, 2020
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES Mission 5 — Pray/Encourage
Mission 5 — Pray/Encourage
“Many in this movement are people of faith. Those who select this mission encourage and support other warriors.” [1]
How to exercise one’s faith is an individual matter. Each of us has different gifts. Some warriors are comfortable on the front lines, becoming active in civic affairs and local politics, sharing information on social media, writing, podcasting, or meming. Others prefer to remain inconspicuous. They are equally committed to the Great Awakening, but their chosen role is in the back room, helping and encouraging others. There are many ways to help.
Invisible Enemies
“Do (You) truly grasp what it means to have non-corporeal enemies? If (Your) enemies are non-corporeal, how can (You) fight [them]? If (You) do not know what [SPIRITUAL FORCES] are, how can (You) fight [them]? If (You) do not know what [RULERS] are, how can (You) fight [them]?” [6]
Ephesians 6:12 states that our enemies are not [flesh and blood], but [PRINCIPALITIES], [POWERS], [RULERS] of the darkness of this world, and [spiritual wickedness] in [high places]. The Aramaic to English/DIRECT translation of sheds light on non-corporeal enemies:
“Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart.” [7]
The Invisible Enemy is no match for the Army of God’s concerted spiritual weapons. “Pray one for another to be healed, for the power of the prayer which a righteous person prays is great.” [2] “Pray without ceasing.” [3] “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” [4] “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” [5]
Focused Intention
Whether you believe in a Deity or not, you may wish to focus your intention in a very specific way. Think of the goals, hopes and dreams, and expectations that you have for the Great Awakening. Think how these goals may be manifested in the actions of digital warriors and friends. Put your attention on someone who needs help, and direct thoughts of loving encouragement their way. Why not try it!? Make some quiet time every day, for prayer, directed intention, or silent contemplation. Are there non-corporeal beings (some say angelic messengers, dragon energy, etc.) that respond to our thoughts? Is the human spirit likewise a non-corporeal entity outside of time and space? Do the electrical vibrations of our nervous system interface with the quantum field of the universe? Do our thoughts ripple outbound throughout infinite time and space? You could meditate and try to find out!
If someone is struggling or having a down day, give them encouragement. Let them know you appreciate what they are doing, and that you care about their success. Positive messages of encouragement can make a huge impact on others’ lives! Sincere words of praise and appreciation can empower others by increasing their confidence and providing useful feedback that helps them fine-tune their efforts. Your voice always matters, whether one-on-one or to a wider audience.
Material Assistance
You may learn of a person or a cause that needs financial support. If you are in a position to contribute, do so! Leverage your donations by carefully selecting individuals and groups with potential for the greatest positive impact. Ask them what kind of help they need; perhaps they need volunteers or equipment rather than money.
Above all, never, ever, ever give up!
2. Bible, James 5:16, https://www.biblehub.com/james/5-16.htm (several translations)
3. Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, https://biblehub.com/esv/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm
4. Bible, Ephesians 5:19, https://www.biblehub.com/ephesians/5-19.htm
5. Bible, Psalms 46:1-2, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46
6. “We Are Here With You”, https://qresear.ch/?q=[DEMON-GODS]
7. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12-14&version=TPT
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES – Mission 4 — Talk to People
Mission 4 — Talk to People
Listen and ask questions. The right kind of questions. Those are key to this mission.
“Some warriors are naturally gregarious, and strike up an easy conversation at the grocery store or with a delivery driver. They keep family in the loop by telephone, instant messaging, or email. They are good listeners and know how to ask the kinds of questions that lead others to uncover truths for themselves.” [1]
If this is your mission, establishing close connections to lots of people is already in your nature. While it is very tempting to express one’s views forcefully, direct confrontation can have the paradoxical effect of pushing away those we hope to persuade.
People can become combative when their belief system is threatened. Cognitive dissonance is a very real phenomenon. [2] When new information contradicts what a person has long believed—upon which their beliefs and behavior are based—it is natural to reject that information. This can reach a crescendo until the person suddenly realizes they have to reconsider their beliefs and stand down. Or perhaps they simply cannot tolerate the dissonance, and take steps to distance themself from it, like walking away from the conversation or rejecting the information source. Our entrenched beliefs, whether real or false, are intrinsic to our concept of ourself, therefore our ego, our personhood. When this feeling of “who I am” is threatened, a fight-or-flight adrenaline reaction may occur. We have all felt threatened by uncomfortable information that we had to evaluate and decide whether to believe.
Rather than alarming them and provoking cognitive dissonance—which might cause them to distance themself from you—consider an alternate approach. First, find out where they stand. What they believe. What information sources they trust. Then you are in a position to ask Socratic questions that could help them release programmed beliefs without hardening their position.
Socratic questions are focused, open-ended questions that encourage reflection. They can surface knowledge that was outside of our awareness, resulting in insightful perspectives and positive actions. They are “widely used in teaching and counseling to expose and unravel deeply-held values and beliefs that frame and support what we think and say.” [3] Instead, you play dumb, acting as though ignorant of the subject. This encourages the other person to become active in exploring the question, and their beliefs concerning it.
You might start with questions that are not too far from what they already believe. Allow them time to consider the questions and react to them in their own way. This approach takes time, but the results can be rewarding. Truths that someone uncovers for themself are generally the most impactful. A Mission 4 warrior is successful to the degree that their family, friends and acquaintances relinquish tidy sound-bites and start thinking for themselves. Your goal is not to think for them, but to encourage the development of critical thinking and introspection skills in others.
2. Cognitive Dissonance: The Deep State’s Last Stand?, https://abcu8.co/2020/08/03/cognitive-dissonance-the-deep-states-last-stand/
3. Socratic Questioning in Psychology: Examples and Techniques, https://positivepsychology.com/socratic-questioning/
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES Mission 3b — Write
Mission 3b — Write
“Warriors with the journalist/writer specialty get information from a variety of sources and share it by writing, podcasting, or posting. Their goal is not to imitate a mainstream media anchor, but to offer something the Mockingbird media lacks: candor, truth, and analysis.” [1]
Writer-warriors come in many varieties. Some are inclined to present their ideas in writing, others orally. This mission may be for you, if you have some skill expressing yourself in words, AND you feel a powerful urge to communicate your thoughts to others.
Intake of current events is essential for a writer-warrior. Interacting with others around trending topics will refine and sharpen your opinions. But before writing or podcasting, you must detach from your information sources long enough to formulate your own thoughts. Turning away from the information flow is a very hard step for those accustomed to constantly consuming data, but it is essential! Give yourself enough space to shape your thoughts into cogent text. If you are writing factual material, remember the W’s: Who, What, Where, Why, When, hoW.
What to Write or Talk About
That’s up to you! A real news ecosystem is diverse, not uniform. Expect incomplete data from several vantage points. Controversy is welcome when our disagreements are respectful and courteous. Naturally people with different backgrounds and life experiences will have differing opinions. Almost anything you are inspired to write about, needs to be written about! Topics from your direct personal experience are a great starting place. As you grow as a writer and pursue your interests, focus areas will emerge.
Where to Publish
To determine if the Writer-warrior mission is a fit, try your hand at writing short fact or opinion posts on forums, imageboards, or sites that permit commenting. Survey websites that deliver real news and pick a few. Learn about their editorial standards. Is there a maximum length? Style guidelines? How often do they publish? Are submissions accepted? Can you use a pseudonym? Are independent writers paid?
Consider the American Broadcasting CommUnity. ABCU|8 intends to create a better source of news than mainstream media outlets provide. It seeks to place YOUR VOICE back into the narrative. [2] Submissions are welcome.
For podcasting, consider the Tiger Network [3]. It also supports free speech. Streamers can livestream to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and more streaming sites at once, or upload videos. Guidance on livestreaming software is provided. [4]
It is useful to divide the development of an article or podcast outline into two phases: a creative phase and a refinement phase. Experienced writers do this instinctively, but the technique can be learned.
In the creation phase, give yourself broad latitude to think or imagine anything! Jot down notes or ideas. Read or listen to inputs related to the topic. In this phase, you must suspend judgment. Do not attempt to evaluate “This is good; this is bad.” The more concepts you juxtapose in a disorganized heap, the more creative you become! This is a very important secret.
In the refinement phase, narrow the scope by selecting specific ideas to include or exclude. Consider the target audience, what order to present your ideas, article length, and similar criteria. You either draft an outline, or start writing sentences and paragraphs. The article takes shape.
Now take a second pass. Re-read sentences and find ways to improve them. Use a thesaurus [5] to select better synonyms for stale words: sometimes viewing word suggestions leads to developments you had not considered! Ensure that the ideas are presented in the right order. Simplify awkward or wordy sentences. Most word processors offer options to check spelling and grammar. Double-check citations and footnotes for accuracy.
Practice continually improves a writer’s skill. Review your last post or article. Be honest: would you say it that way again, with what you know now? What reactions did you get? Was something misunderstood? Or did lights go on in people’s heads—you succeeded in communicating?
Decide on your personal goal, and set a firm intention to achieve it. Be persistent! If you take a small step toward the goal each day, you will get there. What if you managed yourself like a business? You would measure your progress against set expectations, and evaluate yourself objectively, considering feedback from others. If some skills need improvement, you would backtrack and and execute a plan to fix them.
Above all, never, ever, ever, give up!
2. American Broadcasting CommUnity, https://abcu8.co
3. The Tiger Network, https://tora3.com
4. Broadcasting Guidelines, https://tora3.com/guidelines
5. https://thesaurus.com
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES – Mission 3 — Social Media
Mission 3 — Social Media
“Mission 3. Social Media. At a basic level, a social media warrior might begin by simply establishing accounts on twitter, parler, gab, instagram, Facebook, etc. and Liking or Retweeting informative posts.” Missions of Light—Introduction, https://abcu8.co/2020/11/21/missions-of-light-introduction/
Social media offers a vital channel to catch breaking news that is disregarded by the mainstream media. Your social media networks are crucial for spreading information and influence. For descriptive purposes, we’ll divide the social media mission into categories, from the easiest to the most advanced. Everyone can adopt at least a minor a social media warrior role, in addition to other Missions of Light.
A. Scout Role. Scouts scan information sources and share data wherever other warriors congregate. Scout is an intelligence role. They look for trends, identify friends and enemies, and highlight important breaking news. This role does not necessarily require a social media account. It’s a good way to become familiar with social media.
B. Flank Role. Flanks have social media accounts, but do not need to originate tweets/posts. They establish networks of friends, and they follow others. When they see a post that serves the Great Awakening, they amplify it by Liking or Retweeting, to increase the message’s prominence so it will be seen by more eyes.
C. Tactical Assault Role. These warriors establish an energetic social media presence and often accumulate large followings. They often comment forcefully about current events. Their opinions are influential, often swaying many others to their point of view. These opinion leaders become highly skilled at influence campaigns. They are completely familiar with all of the platform’s nuances, traditions, and expectations. They know “who’s who” and have strong relationships with other opinion leaders.
D. Social Media Personalities. These individuals became prominent outside of social media. They may be politicians, mainstream media commentators, journalists, talk show hosts, attorneys, and so forth. They are often primary sources who originate new information directly into cyberspace.
The best way to evaluate the possibility of taking on a social media mission is to begin at the Scout level and gain familiarity with a particular social platform. If the role fits your interest and skills, then set a firm intention about your goals and make a plan to achieve them. Make incremental progress each day and measure your performance against your own expectations. If problems arise (e.g. account suspended), seek advice from experienced social media warriors. Understand that Big Tech has rigged the game against conservatives. Find inspiration in tweets from patriots like @POTUS, @SidneyPowell1, @GenFlynn, @LLinWood, etc.
Never, ever, ever, give up!
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES – Mission 2—Meme
Mission 2—Meme
Have you seen memes that grabbed your attention quickly—memes that demanded being shared? Do you feel the call to meme?
“Memers often major in visual presentation skills. We value memers’ ability to capture the essence of an idea in a few words accompanied by well-chosen images. They often use irony, humor, beauty, exaggeration, etc. to drive the message home.” [1]
Memes (images with added text) are a valuable tool in our info warfare arsenal. They became popular with the rise of social media. An effective meme impacts the viewer in a fraction of a second. A really funny or ironic meme stands a good chance of being retweeted and spreading virally.
Memes are like the ultimate cluster munition. No blood loss, no damage to property—the only thing memes can destroy is a narrative. They cause brains unaccustomed to independent thought to begin mental exercise. They stimulate minds to question that which is, and to visualize that which could be. Unlike cluster munitions, memes can impact thousands in moments, yet their residual effect lingers as other minds encounter them later. Memes are the most dangerous of weapons, for they do not end, but create new beginnings.
Not all memes are created equal, though. This writer’s “Tao of Memes” [2] picks apart meme examples and critiques them, with the goal of raising our craft to the next level. It discusses technical aspects like image selection, size and shape to maximize exposure, text and fonts, strategies, and graphics tools. You don’t have to be an artist (but it helps); pithy verbiage alone can be a meme!
It would be foolhardy to ignore decades of marketing research on the psychology of influence. A superb meme presents an idea from the reader’s perspective. To do this, a memer sets aside their own viewpoint and temporarily adopts a different person’s perspective. Ask yourself if your meme should confront and punish, or get inside the viewer’s head to tease, delight, or inspire? Is it deleted and not forwarded because it insults the viewer? What about foul language? There’s a time and a place for it…but it’s a turnoff for some viewer segments. Will it go viral? Is it funny? Wry? Sarcastic? Surprising? Emotional? Beautiful? Elevating? Memorable? Insulting? Provocative? Boring? What is the target audience?
If such questions intrigue you, give the Memer’s Mission a try. Study others’ memes on social media. Consider collaborating with a Researcher [3] to gain vital information that needs to be shared. When ready, select the hot topic of the day, and create a phrase to deliver your message. Select an appropriate image, apply your text, and let fly! The best memers perfect their craft through trial and error, observing what works and what doesn’t. Ultimately, no one can predict which meme will go viral. Those who perfect the memer’s craft are held in high esteem by fellow digital warriors.
1. Missions of Light—Introduction, https://abcu8.co/2020/11/21/missions-of-light-introduction/
2. The Tao of Memes Good, the Bad, and the Ugly or What makes a good meme GREAT?, https://8kun.top/abcu/res/217.html
3. Missions of Light—1. Research/Dig, https://abcu8.co/2020/11/24/missions-of-light-series-mission-1-research-dig/
A complicated and seemingly infinite road has been trod by each of us, bringing us all to the crucial crossroads, the place of the greatest decision in history. The world is engaged in a great, winner-take-all war, with no compromise possible between the two sides. This is so, because of the stark differences in their objectives, which amount to the combatants occupying two wildly different, competing timelines. This war will be fought to the finish, like Jedi vs. Sith, with those descriptors being loosely accurate for the present situation. The winning timeline, and its adherents, will occupy the main trunk timeline as we proceed into the future. The losing side will take a different fork, into the outer darkness.
Who are the combatants? There are nuances of course, but it comes down to Light vs. Dark, Good vs. Evil. The same battle that began with the Angels’ revolt, and was transferred to the Earthly Theater of War. Satan and minions vs. God and servants. Traitors, NWO lackeys, money worshiping international bankers and corporate bosses, false religious leaders, false scientists, pretentious royals, demonic media and those who simply refuse to abide by the law of man or God—these are all of the same essence. They serve the Dark Lord and the Self. We will call them all Satanists, for that is who they follow, whether they admit it or not. On the light side, we have those who acknowledge The Creator, and willingly abide by His laws. They love Him, and confess their sins to Him. They long to see His face. We will combine patriots, God fearing people, those who willingly serve others, and those who have perceived an unprecedented threat, into the category of The Righteous.
What do Satanists desire, and intend to implement as the guideline for mankind? Crowley stated it succinctly. “Do what thou wilt” shall be the whole of the Law… No law at all, in other words. A middle finger raised to Heaven, and a fist to all humans who establish temporal law, such as The Constitution. Such as this not only hate The Righteous, but are filled with contempt for them. They long to bring suffering, humiliation, and death to the good people. This manifests in ways such as desiring to kill live-born babies, or relentlessly whittling away at age-of-consent laws, in order to establish legal pedophilia. It manifests in endless wars, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and needless hunger/disease/poverty. More than anything else, it manifests as The Big Lie enshrined. After all, Satan is The Father of Lies.
Of course, The Righteous desire the exact opposite. The honoring of both God’s law and man’s law (evenly applied), respect for the human body, honoring of God’s chosen family unit, peace, prosperity, protection for the vulnerable, and The Truth. These people understand that the words of God will be fulfilled, at a point of His choosing on the timeline. They also know they have the duty to fight for the right here and now. They understand that it is correct to defeat evil for a time, if God wills it. It is their honor and joy to fight for this objective to be attained, for themselves, their loved ones, and their country. The entire world watches intently, for the fate of all people hangs in the balance.
The overall position favors the light side. The battle is everywhere, but focused on America at this time. This is the center of the battlefield, and whoever wins will either enslave the rest of the planet, or help them find the best of all possible worlds. We patriots greatly outnumber our satanic adversaries, those who contemptuously call us deplorables, and boast of the payback lists they are creating. We are far better armed. We enjoy the majority of military support. We are more intelligent (it’s true). We are legally and morally in the right. We are more determined than ever before, being well able to understand the mortal attack being waged against us. We enjoy superlative leadership. If we stay true, and earnestly petition the Almighty for help, we may be blessed with it.
The enemy is running out of time, space, and assets. Many of their human assets within the deep state machinery have been gradually removed, even as other sleeper traitors are now being forced to reveal themselves. Their fake pandemic is exposed. The street satanists are now known in detail, as are their tactics. Their funds are limited/restricted. Their allied world leaders have already made their big announcements congratulating Moron Biden, and gotten little traction with it. They have shot their election stealing bolt, and it looks 20-1 as if it has failed. The time aspect is now focused on December 14, and The Electoral College. They are going to lose, either by President Trump winning the 6 crucial states outright, or by state legislatures sending in Trump Electoral Slates no matter what. Then what remains for the losers? The final faux street uprising, likely with weapons, perhaps within the context of secession announcements. These flailings are clearly destined for defeat, but will probably be tried anyway, because it is their final chance. An extremely forlorn chance, but drowning people clutch at straws.
We are winning. Hold the line. Stand tall under the flag. Drive them into their last stand corner, and finish them off.
MISSIONS OF LIGHT SERIES – Mission 1—Research/Dig
Mission 1—Research/Dig
“The research mission is fundamental to all the others. Researchers uncover relevant facts using open sources. Avidly curious like a dog uncovering buried bones, they dig and dig until their appetite for facts is satisfied. They share their findings with others on forums, image boards, discords, blogs, or social media, documenting their discoveries to make the information available.” [1]
Is this you? Do you dig research?
What to Dig
You will come across topics that are misunderstood, or incompletely understood. Trust your intuition. Some of these will instantly rise to the top of your personal priority list. If you’re not sure, jot down a few notes while perusing news feeds. This phase need not be too rigorous; there are many worthy topics and any one of them may contribute to the Great Awakening.
What sources do you scrutinize to follow current events? There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. In fact, our diversity strengthens us, as patriots fan out to cover different parts of the information sphere. You may find ideas on Facebook, Twitter, a favorite blog, alternative news, or even the TV. Twitter can be a goldmine of breaking news and opinion, if we ignore @Jack’s suggestions and select Follows based on content, relevance, timeliness, and affiliation. With experience, you’ll discern who to trust.
Use MSM sources with caution and a grain of salt—maybe a handful of salt. When talking heads speak in unison, that’s a Mockingbird narrative—sleight of hand that says “Look here; don’t look there.” When [they] want to guide the public into thinking a certain way, we should dig around to identify what [they] are covering up.
How to Dig
Try the Open Source Intelligence framework [2]. Diggers assembled an enormous collection of research tools here [3]. Different search engines may produce radically different results. Google editorializes and omits, based on paid advertising and current information-management initiatives. [4] Duck Duck Go may be a better choice. [5] Yandex.com’s image database is extraordinary. [6]
A screen-capture tool to snapshot work in progress can help keep the digs organized. Some prefer pen and paper, others a text editor to copy and paste URLs and longer text. If you like to work fast, don’t get bogged down perfecting your notes; you will have a better idea of connections and importance as the dig proceeds. You may want to share intermediate results to get others engaged digging with you.
Develop your own techniques for digging on people. Try placing quotes around names, adding a middle initial, age, state, address, corporation, spouse, area code, or any other piece of known data to increase the scope of what you can find. For family connections, try the obituaries or ancestry.com. Real estate and property tax records can be enlightening. Sites like LinkedIn [8] are quite useful if you can log in. It is amazing what one can learn without using any paid services. Vary the search type from web to news to images to mine even more data.
As you learn how data is organized—e.g. which department keeps records of births, marriages, deaths, real estate ownership, corporations, LLCs or partnerships—you will be able to dig deeper. Contemporaneous newspaper articles that are often not well indexed can shed surprising light on a topic. Some diggers specialize in financial data, digging into SEC filings, corporate press releases, or the tax returns of charitable foundations. Any of these avenues can shed light on people or organizations.
Sharing the Results
How to share the results depends on the needs of your target audience. Always include links to sources so others can verify your dig and pursue it themselves, should they wish to. A combination of screenshots, web addresses (URLs), text, and most importantly, your own description of what you noticed, is a good formula to get started. Tools like Draw.io help communicate complex information. Drawing diagrams that show connections among data items helps make the data consumable. [7] Digs that result in high-quality maps tend to get shared widely.
Stay tuned! ABCU|8 plans further articles on the other Missions of Light.
2. OSINT Framework, https://osintframework.com/
3. Research Tools and Techniques, https://8kun.top/qresearch/res/7680433.html
4. Google search engine, https://www.google.com/
5. Duck Duck Go search engine, https://duckduckgo.com/
6. Yandex (Russian search engine), https://yandex.com/
7. Flowchart Maker and Online Diagram Software, https://draw.io
8. LinkedIn Professional Community https://www.linkedin.com/
Flynn Jr: Trump Campaign Statement on Powell has to do with Legal Funding
by: John Cleer
Michael Flynn Jr · @mflynnJR
Wrt the @JennaEllisEsq press release
Cannot confirm yet but I’m confident this has to do w money coming in for legal defense fund sppt
@SidneyPowell has her own separate entity 4 legal donations that isn’t in conjunction w the Trump legal team
Frees SP 2 do her own thing…which will STILL b biblical.
Give this the 24 hour rule….
https://parler.com/post/70a5aac24a104f2e83ef4020b60fb0e0
https://parler.com/profile/mflynnjr/posts
President Trump didn’t “disown” Sydney Powell and it wasn’t a wild statement from his campaign that distanced Powell, and you can disregard any RINO’s who say otherwise. The president’s campaign and legal team have their own rules to meet regarding funding.
There’s also the question of liability, regarding Powell’s press conferences: if she makes accusations against Dominion (which she has already has, repeatedly) as a member of the Trump campaign, Dominion could sue the Trump campaign for defamation. Would they win? NO. But that would give the Trump campaign another obstacle, and another judge, and they’re already under a tight deadline.
Further there are political implications, as Powell has accused Trump’s supposed ally, Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia, of getting kickbacks from Dominion Voting Systems in a pay-for-play scheme. Kemp, like Nancy Pelosi, has a former Chief of Staff lobbying for Dominion; unlike Pelosi, however, he is a Republican, and there will be other Republicans implicated in Georgia (which Powell says “is probably going to be the first state I’m blowing up”), and President Trump might not want to start a fight with his own party in the middle of all of this. [1]
He likely will also want to avoid accusations that he is prosecuting his political opponents.
So it’s perfectly sensible for the Trump Campaign to “officially” distance themselves from Powell right now, and she’s said she agrees with it. It also bears little relationship to the outcome of the election or any of the lawsuits regarding election fraud. So of course the Democrats are saying otherwise, they’re liars.
On Saturday, Jordan Sekulow, son of Trump’s longtime attorney Jay, made a similar statement to Powell’s regarding the Georgia election. [2]
Powell’s censored tweet that earned her a 12-hour ban linked this article: https://gnews.org/577635/ from the Bannon- and Giuliani-associated Chinese dissident who leaked what were likely blackmail pictures from Hunter Biden’s laptop last month. The article breaks down Soros’ and the CCP’s role in Dominion/Smartmatic/Sequoia vote rigging software. [3]
Nationwide, Powell claims that Biden’s votes were “weighted” at around 1.25 times under Dominion algorithms, while President Trump’s were weighted at .75, and 35,000 votes were given to every Democratic candidate on the undercard, in every race. Dominion, by design she says, allows administrators to drag and drop votes into the trash, which they did. “I think the fraud went much further than just President Trump,” she told Newsmax. “I think they did it to John James and others.” [1]
Across the country, 7 million votes were taken from Trump by Powell’s count, and 3 million dead people voted (probably all for Biden). This is much bigger news than the Trump campaign’s announcement, which appears to have been a formality. Why aren’t more conservatives talking about this? [4]
The evidence for all this will have to play out in the courts, and Powell is one of the top lawyers in the country. Reading pseudonomous clickbait writers call her a “conspiracy theorist,” misrepresent the Trump campaign and demoralize Trump’s base makes my blood boil. What about you? Are you ok with that?? [5]
[2] https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/georgia-lawsuit-jordan-sekulow-constitution/2020/11/21/id/998154/
[3] https://wearethene.ws/notable/172401
[4] https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/11/sidney-powell-got-number-smoking-guns-may-get-witness-protection-7-million-votes-stolen-trump-audio/
[5] https://redstate.com/bonchie/2020/11/22/alarm-bells-trump-campaign-appears-to-disown-sidney-powell-in-wild-statement-n283656
https://redstate.com/bonchie/2020/11/23/new-sidney-powell-responds-to-trump-campaigns-distancing-n283799
CROSS POST
https://redstate.com/diary/johncleer/2020/11/23/flynn-jr-trump-campaign-statement-on-powell-has-to-do-with-legal-funding-n283965
https://archive.vn/3GNta
THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT
I am talking to you, self righteous MSM watcher, existing in a feedback loop of delusional ignorance, laziness, and dishonesty. You lacked the mental and/or moral force to break the programming. Many of us did break away, yet you failed. You watched a significant slice of your former allies, correctly make the jump to the Trump camp. Yet you decided to take the easy way, and cling to the old programming with all your strength, continually reassured by the talking heads and also by your fellow mesmerized leftists.
What is it you are supporting with every ounce of your mind, heart, body and pocketbook? All of it–the entire leftist platform. The killing of babies who are born alive. The open legalization of pedophilia, with worse planned. The confiscation of weapons from the populace, in particular the righteous/sane segment. The de facto abolition of national borders, i.e. the end of the nation, as well as Western civilization. The continuance of needless wars forever. The overt conquest of the world, by China. Forced immunizations with deadly materials. Taxes dramatically raised, to the rapid destruction of the remaining middle class. Mask wearing forever. Needless forced lockdowns, expediting that middle class destruction. The vicious destruction of our history and traditions. The ephemeral abeyance of God’s spiritual laws, while overthrowing The Constitution’s temporal guidelines. The further entrenchment of false science, a cementing of the big lie(s). Horrific racism installed as the norm, by the worst racists of all time. Bestiality. The indefinite installation of the satanic power pyramid into control of all earthly affairs.
What is it that you are vehemently opposed to, whether or not you admit it as such? The honoring of human life, in accordance with God’s laws. The nurturing of our young. Private property. Honest education. The drug impeding wall, for the survival of both Mexico and the US (Trump is called a racist for saving us). The right to self defense. A nation we can call our own, with its history, laws, and traditions. The chance for honest money, equal protection under the law, prosperity, and security. Truth. Real science. Optimal medical care. President Donald J. Trump has championed all these things, and much more that benefits us all, yet you hate him for it, because your MSM brain programming masters tell you to do so. You are responsible.
Those supporting the open election theft, are going to lose. The election stealing attempt has already been defeated, and its proponents are in the process of losing much more than that. No more respect will be coming their way, respect they never deserved, but was granted for long years, in the forlorn hope that they would open their eyes and see what a dark road they were on. That road has inevitably led to this window in time, wherein mankind fights for existence vs. demonic forces. Some saw it, and came over to be part of the 75% of voters who opted for President Trump. The hard core fanatics persevered, and they bear responsibility for this failure.
Some rough beast is slouching toward Bethlehem, urged on by failed humans on the left side (along with some from the right), who are proudly making lists of Trump supporters that they desire to punish for being rational, and for fighting to protect the lives of their families, while preserving The Republic. Why do patriots do so? Because they love the Lord and His laws, identify with these, and earnestly long to do that which best reflects their understanding of the light framework. They have chosen, as have you, fanatic leftist. They will never quit or surrender. This is your last chance to somewhat mitigate the disgrace you have brought on yourself. Stand down. Admit that your idols are blatantly attempting to take over the nation, and by proxy, the world. Declare that you can no longer support them, and that you intend to abide by the Constitution while defending it. Fall on your knees and beg forgiveness from the true King of Heaven. Do it now, as your time is up.
Missions of Light – Introduction
What is your Mission of Light? Are you one of those patriots who wants to help but is not quite sure how to begin? This series of articles “Missions of Light” is for you.
There are many roles in the cyber militia, as information warriors come in all shapes and sizes. Roles are available to fit each warrior’s skills, interests, and time commitment.
The mainstream media is not doing their job, so we aim to replace them. Big media companies will become much less important. What is emerging is a grassroots collaboration inspired by common goals. The new organization is fluid and flexible, ever-changing and adapting as new tasks present themselves. Together, we are reshaping the world, replacing stale paradigms with fresh new ones tailored to our needs.
Mission 1. Research/Dig. The research mission is fundamental to all the others. Researchers uncover relevant facts using open sources. Avidly curious like a dog uncovering buried bones, they dig and dig until their appetite for facts is satisfied. They share their findings with others on forums, image boards, discords, blogs, or social media, documenting their discoveries to make the information available.
Mission 2. Meme. Memers often major in visual presentation skills. We value memers’ ability to capture the essence of an idea in a few words accompanied by well-chosen images. They often use irony, humor, beauty, exaggeration, etc. to drive the message home. You don’t have to be a Photoshop genius to become a great memer.
Mission 3. Social Media. This mission encompasses several subcategories. At a basic level, a social media warrior might begin by simply establishing accounts on twitter, parler, gab, instagram, etc. and Liking or Retweeting informative posts. Warriors with the journalist/writer specialty get information from a variety of sources and share it by tweeting, writing, podcasting, or posting. Their goal is not to imitate a mainstream media anchor, but to offer something the Mockingbird media lacks: candor, truth, and analysis.
Mission 4. Talk to people in your life. Some warriors are naturally gregarious, and strike up an easy conversation at the grocery store or with a delivery driver. They keep family in the loop by telephone, instant messaging, or email. They are good listeners and know how to ask the kinds of questions that lead others to uncover truths for themselves.
Mission 5. Pray/Encourage. Many in this movement are people of faith. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” I Cor. 12:27 Recognizing that some are called as teachers, healers, administrators, givers, etc., those who select this mission encourage and support other warriors.
Mission 6. Local Politics. Some warriors exert their influence in the local sphere. They attend town or city council meetings, get a role in the homeowner’s association, voice their opinions to the planning board, or run for a position on the school board. They write letters to the editor or publish a neighborhood newsletter. Through participation in public life, they establish liaisons with other patriots. While serving their community they become an advocate for local citizens. For some, a local beginning precedes their rise into state or national politics.
Stay tuned! ABCU|8 plans further articles on the individual Missions of Light.
The Media’s Role in This Year’s Election Fraud, and the Need for Accountability
The liberals have been telling us there’s no election fraud of any kind for at least four years, since Candidate Trump said there were millions of illegal votes being cast for Hillary. Obama that year said it was impossible to rig a US election. This argument if you can call it that was punctuated for 3 years with shrieks that Russia rigged our election.
I can’t even read the Clintons’ names without my eyes rolling into the back of my head; overwhelming evidence of their wrongdoing over the years has gone public (and is readily searchable on Breitbart) and yet, not one charge has been prosecuted. Hillary’s campaign emails were leaked in 2016 exposing, along with the Judicial Watch FOIA emails, a number of seven-figure contributions to the Clinton Foundation from foreign governments that had every appearance of influence peddling and we were told against all common sense that we must ignore them, as they were part of a RUSSIAN PLOT to interfere in our election by exposing corruption.
It’s since come out that the entire Russia plot was a lie, and one that John Brennan said, in a briefing to President Obama, was concocted by Hillary’s campaign “as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server.” The use of a private server in itself is important because Hillary Clinton was holding stolen SAP-level (above Top Secret) classified information on that server, and may have been using the server to sell it.
Yes, she stole those materials: classified government files on a private server have left the government’s possession, whether or not that server is subsequently breached. Even the Clinton-friendly NYT reported that her server was probably hacked–but what evidence do we have that the supposed hackers did so without permission? It’s a charitable assumption isn’t it? What were SAP files doing there in the first place? Foreign governments were dumping money into the Clinton Foundation and CGI right up to Hillary’s loss; after which the CGI was closed almost immediately, and the CF started losing money.
In retrospect you can see the Times setting up the Russia hoax in that article. They portrayed Hillary as being careless with intel, which happened to be Comey’s (nonsensical) rationale for not indicting her, without mentioning that she had to steal that intel in the first place to even have it on a private server. It was property of the US government. So why did she steal it?
After being caught, Clinton’s aides smashed her phones with hammers, “lost” her laptops “in the mail” and scrubbed her server with Bleachbit to obstruct investigation into whatever it was she did. They also attempted to retroactively declassify the materials in order to obscure their theft.
These are not only crimes, but they suggest that a larger crime took place sufficient to justify such measures, which likewise has yet to be prosecuted.
They also suggest that powerful figures on the Left have allies in the media who will lie for them, and do. If Brennan’s account (of Russiagate being a tool to distract from Clinton’s server) is to be believed, then the MSM did the job for her. For three whole years we were told that Russia put the fix in.
Now that the shoe’s on the other foot, the media is again incredulous at any suggestion of election tampering. A phantom candidate who can’t draw 50 people to a rally has set the record for popular votes after hiding in his basement for most of the election (including October) and achieved this despite receiving relatively few votes in person; and now the “evidence is coming in through a firehose” that his votes have been forged in a number of ways.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1328852352787484677
This won’t surprise anyone who watched as the narrative was established, months ago, that because of their fear of the covid virus, most Democrats would fill out their ballots in the privacy of their homes and vote by mail, making the in-person vote meaningless and true observation of most of the vote impossible. Trump would appear to win on election night, since Democrats were using the mail, and then according to the polls he would lose, no matter his lead. For the first time in history, the vote casting process for one party (the Dems) would largely escape observation.
But there are laws mandating that the counting of these mail-in ballots must allow poll watchers from both sides. Why then were swing state ballots being counted behind boarded windows in the middle of the night, with Republicans chanting “let us in” from outside, and how did Biden manage to receive 130,000 votes in a row under such conditions? This is statistically impossible; furthermore the ballots weren’t allowed to be observed. Afterward we were told Biden “won” the state by tens of thousands of votes.
OF COURSE this merits further investigation and will almost certainly be overturned–put Michigan and Pennsylvania in the bag for Trump, they weren’t even close. But many Americans think they were because they believe what they see on television: they trust the legacy media.
The media have abused this trust shamelessly and they must be investigated and held accountable in court for their role in promoting this fraud. Is there a massive body of evidence to support election fraud? Don’t even suggest that, says Jake Tapper, or you’ll lose your job. Don’t act up or we’ll impoverish you and your family will starve.
https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1325836769644982273?lang=en
This is open intimidation of the general public by a major news source. Was Tapper instructed to say this? Of course he was. By whom? In what other ways did they act to prevent a fair election?
Some portion of the MSM have caved and they now admit there was voter fraud but contend it wasn’t enough to sway the election, and insist this proclamation of theirs be accepted without further thought. I was surprised to see Tucker Carlson in this camp, employee though he be. This will follow him everywhere, he’s destroyed his own brand; it won’t matter what network he moves to when Fox News loses their market.
“The fraud that we can confirm does not seem to be enough to alter the election result,” Tucker says. “We should be honest and tell you that… But changing the election results is not the whole point.”
The Chairman of the Federal Election Commision disagrees. “I do believe that there is voter fraud taking place in these places. Otherwise [swing state precincts] would allow the observers to go in…. if the law is not followed it makes this an illegitimate election.”
And as Rudy Giuliani said on November 5th, “a legal vote is a vote, whether it’s an absentee vote or a mail-in vote, that both sides get to observe … The law requires that we have the opportunity to oberve; we were denied the opportunity to observe, for 21 hours, throughout the state of Pennsylvania.”
https://twitter.com/glennbeck/status/1324403908853272580
Without getting into Dominion software or any of the statistical analyses that show systematic vote tampering, widespread count inaccuracies and a clear intent to cheat, Giuliani estimates the number of unobserved votes in PA alone at over 650,000.
Deliberate and forceful exclusion of poll watchers on such a scale should be enough to make the media pump the brakes on their narrative; but they aren’t. They continue to call Biden “President Elect,” hypnotically, as half of the country watches in a trance, without a clue that most of his votes are coming back. How will the MSM explain it to them when that happens? They will most likely incite the public to riot (again).
This is an organized effort to seize power by corrupting the vote, and restoring the rightful winner won’t be enough to restore trust in the government. Justice must be delivered, every aspect of this election that was falsified must be investigated, and every participant prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Every coup that’s been attempted during Trump’s presidency must be prosecuted vigorously.
Then we can revisit the Clintons.
[1] https://thefederalist.com/2016/10/13/voter-fraud-real-heres-proof/
[2] https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/tyler-o-neil/2020/10/07/new-evidence-bolsters-claim-hillary-clinton-stirred-up-a-trump-russia-scandal-to-distract-from-emails-n1011407
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2016/11/20/clinton-foundation-donations-plummeted-by-37-percent/
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/us/hillary-clintons-email-was-probably-hacked-experts-say.html
https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2017/01/17/peter-schweizer-clinton-global-initiative-folded-can-no-longer-sell-access-political-power/
https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/clinton-foundation-losing-money-revenue
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2018/12/clinton-foundation-revenue-low/
[4] https://freebeacon.com/national-security/cnn-fact-check-confirms-clinton-aides-destroyed-mobile-devices-hammers/
[5] https://www.ntd.com/trump-lawyer-sidney-powell-were-getting-ready-to-overturn-election-results-in-multiple-states_528748.html
[6] https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/republican-poll-watchers-demand-to-be-let-in-during-detroit-vote-count
https://stonecoldtruth.com/watch-voter-fraud-and-election-meddling-evidence-floods-social-media/
[7] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tucker-carlson-says-theres-not-enough-fraud-to-change-election-results-we-should-be-honest
[8] https://www.wtma.com/news/trey-trainor-to-newsmax-tv-voter-fraud-is-taking-place/
[9] https://www.ntd.com/giuliani-650000-votes-were-counted-unlawfully-in-philadelphia-and-pittsburgh_527375.html
America Needs Truth Therapy
Our world is truth-starved. Truth is non-negotiable. It is my bottom line, and it should be your bottom line. No matter what your faith (or no faith), the practice of truth is fundamental. There can be no logic, without a set of facts upon which logic depends.
―Christian: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” [1]
―Buddhist: Remove all ideas and concepts, in order for the truth to have a chance to reveal itself. [2]
―Hindu: A truthful person must be a practitioner of truth in word and deed. [6]
―None of the Above: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” ― Mark Twain [5]
―“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” ― Joe Klaas, Twelve Steps to Happiness [5]
Are all truths empirically verifiable? Of course not. Some arise through contemplation, discernment, or logic. Although human sensory perception can be tricked by optical illusions that game our nervous system’s chemical reactions [7], we must not abandon our embrace of truth.
Just how far has society strayed from truth? The mainstream media can no longer be trusted. “The press in our country no longer seek to record events and report them. They seek to shape events.” Rep. Matt Gaetz [3] Big Tech employs ‘fact checkers’ whose job is what George Orwell called ‘thought police’. By limiting what may be said in public discourse, these deep-state minions―these leftist desk-jockey mercenaries―aim to completely extinguish our freedom of speech.
The MSM is now a full-fledged propaganda arm of the Marxists. They will NOT tell the truth outside of their narrative. And the purpose of their narrative is to create a compliant slave population who will follow orders like obedient sheep, willingly relinquishing every right that our Constitution and Bill of Rights affords us. [4] And we are shamed if we resist.
“Congress is not going to rein in Big Tech, because Congress is bought by Big Tech,” Rep. Matt Gaetz said. “There are just simply too many members of the House and Senate who are beholden to Big Tech either because of political donations or because their family members are getting employed by Big Tech.” [8]
Small lies that people shrugged off as commonplace―e.g. calling in sick to get a day off from work when you are not sick―have been replaced by enormous lies that serve the globalist agenda. Consider global warming, for one example. It’s a lie underpinned by falsified data that has been thoroughly debunked, yet remains widely believed due relentless propaganda [9]. Is it really necessary for scientists to exaggerate to get our attention? Or does that set a really bad precedent?
Our ability to make accurate judgments and to plan for the future becomes compromised when the data we believe is false. False data undercuts our reasoning power, and thereby destroys free will. When we lose free will, we are slaves. And when the slaves don’t even know they’re slaves, all is lost.
The solution? Truth therapy. We must become relentless in our pursuit of truth. We must relearn forgotten skills. We must go outside the system to ascertain facts for ourselves. That means taking responsibility to read, listen, view, research. Real news exhibits courteous controversy between reasoned viewpoints. Real news includes incomplete information and differing vantage points, as well as opinions arising from different backgrounds and life experiences. That means rejecting predigested viewpoints and actually thinking for ourselves.
If a mainstream media outlet is found to be lying, then we must deny it the power to influence us ever again, by disregarding it. The same is true for elected officials, scientists, educators, celebrities, etc. And we must become a light that shares truth with others, giving them the opportunity to resurrect long-suppressed reasoning skills. “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” [10] Be the light; insist on truth!
1. Holy Bible, John 14:6, https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/John%2014:6
2. Thich Nhat Hanh, https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/buddhism
3. Thoughts from a Common Man, https://thealterofdeceit.net/2020/11/15/thoughts-from-a-common-man-41/
4. Know Your Rights, https://abcu8.co/know-your-rights/
5. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/truth
6. Truth According to Hinduism, https://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/concepts/truth-sathyam.asp
7. Thomas Schoenberger, Brain Apple – A video to enhance concentration, clarity and focus, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRDbAZfH97c
8. Congress Not Going to Rein in Big Tech, Congress is Owned by Big Tech, https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2020/09/22/matt-gaetz-congress-not-going-rein-big-tech-congress-owned-by-big-tech/
9. Why Apocalyptic Claims About Climate Change Are Wrong, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2019/11/25/why-everything-they-say-about-climate-change-is-wrong/?sh=2dcb75fb12d6
10. Holy Bible, Matthew 5:15, https://www.biblehub.com/matthew/5-15.htm
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Tag: telephone
Legislation for People with Disabilities Left Out of Communications Technologies
➜ Legislation for People with Disabilities Left Out of Communications Technologies
Cynthia A. Lockley on 10 Jul 2008 8 Mar 2020
Washington, DC, 20 June 2008—American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Press Release
The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) is delighted that Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and Heather Wilson (R-NM) have introduced "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008" (H.R. 6320). The bill would amend the Communications Act to ensure that new Internet-enabled telephone and television services are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities and closes existing gaps in telecommunications laws.
Categories: Areas of Focus, Hearing, Internet Accessibility, News Tags: blind, blindness, communication, communications act, legislation, press release, telephone, television
Cell phones / mobile phones
➜ Aids & Tools
➜ Cell phones / mobile phones
Cynthia A. Lockley on 5 May 2008 10 Feb 2020
The Current State of Cell Phone Accessibility by Darren Burton. Published in the American Federation for the Blind (AFB), AccessWorld June 2011. Updated
Cell Phones, Tablets, and Other Mobile Technology for Users with Visual Impairments by Bill Holton, AccessWorld correspondent, the American Federation for the Blind (AFB). New
Categories: Aids & Tools, Areas of Focus, Vision Tags: blind, mobile phone, telephone, tools, Vision, visually impaired
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Jana Kramer Has Regrets About Her Relationship With Brantley Gilbert: ‘I Wasn’t the Best Version of Myself’
In 2012, singer and actor Jana Kramer met country artist Brantley Gilbert at June's CMT Music Awards, and they hit it off. The two quickly began dating and were engaged about six months later, in late January of 2013 — but their relationship ended that August, when they called off their plans to marry.
Now, both Kramer and Gilbert are married to other people — her to former NFL player Michael Caussin, him to his hometown sweetheart Amber Cochran — but in a new episode of her podcast, Kramer admits that if she were to text an ex one last time, she'd be sending the message to Gilbert. It seems she has some regrets about the way things went down in that relationship.
"I'm really sorry for the person that I was," Kramer admits, "and the way that I wasn't healthy enough to be in that relationship."
The conversation came up during the April 19 episode of her podcast, Whine Down With Jana Kramer and Michael Caussin, in which the couple discusses a USA Today story about texting exes one final time "just in case you have one more thing you wanted to get off your chest," Kramer summarizes.
Caussin thinks it's a bad idea — you're either texting them something pointless, or to say you miss them, he theorizes — but Kramer timidly brings up Gilbert's name.
"I wasn't the best version of myself in that relationship. I just wasn't," she says, at first being coy about which former relationship she's discussing. "I always have a little bit of regret that I didn't handle things better."
"That's adult and mature of you," Caussin agrees, to which Kramer quickly interjects, "Well, we're not going to reach out to them, because that wouldn't be healthy."
Kramer and Caussin have been married since 2015 and have two children together. The couple has been forthcoming about the issues they've worked through in their relationship, including his infidelity and treatment for sex addiction. They were separated for a time in 2016, but reconciled and renewed their wedding vows at the end of 2017.
Gilbert and Cochran, meanwhile, have also been married since 2015, and they, too, have two children together. Gilbert admitted in 2014 that while he still thought the world of Kramer, "[w]e went for broke, man. We went hard, we went fast ..."
"Some things happened, and it didn’t work out," he added at the time.
These Country Star Breakups Left Us Reeling:
Source: Jana Kramer Has Regrets About Her Relationship With Brantley Gilbert: ‘I Wasn’t the Best Version of Myself’
Filed Under: brantley gilbert, Jana Kramer
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Hailee Steinfeld opens up on her new series Hawkeye!
Recently, the Hollywood star Hailee Steinfeld talked about being a part of the new Hawkeye series that is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe aka MCU. She opened up about her new role as a superhero in the forthcoming Disney+ series.
In a media interaction, the actress termed lockdown and quarantine as a blessing in disguise, because she had scored such a great role in the Marvel series, she couldn’t bear to keep it to herself. Hailee further told that she is highly honoured to be a part of the MCU family and being connected in a way to all previous MCU stars. When questioned about the character, Hailee didn’t reveal a lot of details, but she did tell to a tabloid that the character she’s playing is “an incredible character”.
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Demonstration in Fredericton as private abortion clinic to lose its doctor
Kevin Bissett
Published Saturday, September 26, 2020 4:55PM ADT Last Updated Saturday, September 26, 2020 6:33PM ADT
FREDERICTON -- A doctor who runs a private abortion clinic in Fredericton says he can't afford to continue subsidizing the service and is leaving the practice for another job at the end of this month.
Dr. Adrian Edgar says he's applied for a contract with the military, and Clinic 554 -- the former Morgentaler Clinic -- is still for sale more than a year after it was put on the market.
Edgar said when he bought the building six years ago, he assumed the province would take over the majority of the service.
"I've had to continue to subsidize the health care for an entire operating room. That's not possible," he said in an interview Saturday.
"I haven't been able to make a payment on my student debt for six years. I only can pay the interest. I don't pay myself frequently. I make about a third of what any other family doctor should be making in this province," he said.
For years, the clinic has blamed its impending closure on a long-standing provincial refusal to fund surgical abortions performed outside a hospital.
After Fredericton's Morgentaler clinic closed in 2014, citing lack of provincial funding, the Liberal government of the day removed a regulation requiring women seeking hospital abortions to have two doctors certify the procedure as medically necessary. But the regulation limiting funding to abortions performed in hospitals remained.
Edgar said many of his patients can't afford the procedure, which costs between $700 and $850, and expenses have become too great for him to keep the clinic open.
Edgar said until it's sold, the facility is available if the lobby group Reproductive Justice New Brunswick can recruit another doctor, or if another physician wants it for a family practice.
"I see no reason for health care not to continue there, but I can't be the one to keep it up," he said.
Edgar provided a full range of reproductive health services, along with a family practice and care for members of the LGBTQ community.
About two dozen people staged a quiet demonstration in front of the New Brunswick legislature Saturday, accusing the province of violating the Canada Health Act.
"Clinic 554 is a symptom of the fact that we have an unconstitutional regulation that doesn't provide medicare funding for abortions out of hospitals. We're kind of mourning the life of reproductive rights for people of this province as well," said Kerri Froc, an associate professor of law at the University of New Brunswick.
"We're tired of having to fight this fight over and over again. At some point the government has to give its head a shake and say we're going to comply with the law," she said.
The government has repeatedly defended its position, saying it provides access to abortion services at the Moncton Hospital, Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton and the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst.
But Green Leader David Coon -- who attended the rally -- said that's just not good enough.
"To restrict access to abortion services to two locations in Moncton in the southeast of the province and in Bathurst in the north of the province is unjust," Coon said.
Earlier in the week, the president of the New Brunswick Medical Society issued a statement in support of Clinic 554, and urging the government to fund out-of-hospital surgical abortions.
"Clinic 554 provides a safe environment for abortions and reproductive care, it is a health resource for LGBTQ patients across New Brunswick, and it serves as a family practice for thousands of patients. It is a valuable part of our health system and must be maintained," wrote Dr. Chris Goodyear.
The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Blaine Higgs won a majority in the provincial election earlier this month, and a new cabinet will be sworn-in on Tuesday.
Edgar said he doesn't expect a new position on abortions from the new health minister.
"I think the new health minister will say nothing because this government just seems to abdicate its responsibility for health care when it comes to abortion," he said.
A doctor who runs a private abortion clinic in Fredericton says he can't afford to continue subsidizing the service and is leaving the practice for another job at the end of this month.
New Brunswick maintains position on abortions and Canada Health Act
Singh reiterates support for Fredericton abortion clinic fighting to stay open
NDP leader pays a visit to struggling Clinic 554 in Fredericton
Cat tattoos raise over $2,500 for Cape Breton SPCA
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Protests in support of now-closed Fredericton clinic that provided abortions, hormone therapy
Kate Walker CTV News Atlantic Reporter
@KWalkerCTV Contact
Leigha Farnell CTVNewsAtlantic.ca writer
Published Saturday, October 3, 2020 6:14PM ADT Last Updated Saturday, October 3, 2020 6:44PM ADT
HALIFAX -- Protesters gathered outside of the Fredericton legislature on Saturday to show support for a New Brunswick clinic that was seen as a haven for the province's LGBTQ+ community.
Clinic 554, which has now officially closed its doors, was also the only facility left in the province that provided abortion services outside of a hospital.
"I'm like, extremely frustrated with how the government is treating queer people and women," said protester Live Brennan.
Despite months of advocacy and calls from politicians and medical staff to keep the clinic open, it has been forced to close its doors.
The facility is known as a safe-haven for the entire LGBTQ+ community, with its specialization in transgender health-care.
"Before I found Dr. Edgar, I was suicidal. I didn't really feel like I had much left," said Raelyn Hamill, who participated in the protest on Saturday. "Then I realized in the hospital, after I had mental health episodes, whatever you want to call it, that I was transgender and I just felt like I had something to live for, finally."
Guest speaker at the protest, Amour Love, said this is an issue that won't be swept under the rug.
"This is a human rights issue. These are health issues and values that deserve to be heard and unfortunately, they're not," said Amour Love. "And these are regulations that are moving forward, completely steamrolling over the holistic health of these individuals."
Now, many are wondering what will happen to the patients at Clinic 554.
"I'm here today because, well, I was originally supposed to be here for hormone therapy, and then it closed down and this clinic means a lot to the community," said Jayden James, an organizer of the protest. "Plus, there are over 3,000 people that have a family doctor that works at the clinic and to close that down, it's just going to cause a disaster."
Activists are calling on the government to not only keep the clinic open, but to also repeal New Brunswick's Regulation 84-20, which prevents the province from funding abortions outside of hospitals, under the Medical Services Payment Act.
"With hormones that he provided, the care that only he can provide, it just, it made me who I am," said Hamill. "And to think a politician could take that away from me."
Protesters say they plan to keep the issue in the light, whether that means more protests, or reaching out to their local politicians.
Large crowds of protesters gathered at the Fredericton legislature to show support for Clinic 554 which has officially closed its doors.
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ORYZON holds its 4th annual Solidarity Day
The OSD is an annual initiative whereby the company's employees devote part of their working hours to carry out activities that can have a positive impact on society
MADRID, SPAIN and CAMBRIDGE, MA, UNITED STATES, October 20th 2020 – Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with strong unmet medical need, celebrated yesterday the Oryzon Solidarity Day (OSD) for the fourth consecutive year. The OSD is an annual initiative whereby the company's employees devote part of their working hours to carry out activities that can have a positive impact on society.
The COVID 19 pandemic has had a strong impact on social relations, economic activity and the health of the world's population. Blood reserves have been made available to health centers, and the degree of demand has generated a deficit situation for blood transfusions. Collaboration and social contribution are especially necessary at these difficult times. Within the framework of its annual OSD 2020, Oryzon has promoted a collaboration with the Vall d'Hebron hospital that has allowed the donation of blood by Oryzon’s employees, contributing to the supply of the hospital’s blood bank.
Enric Rello, Oryzon’s CFO & COO and CSR Director, commented: “Donating blood is a right and a moral obligation for all of us who can collaborate with our society. But there are many other disadvantaged people who have further needs as a consequence of the economic crisis derived from the COVID 19 pandemic, in particular access to food. For this reason, for each blood donation made by our employees during the OSD the company will contribute with money to the food campaign coordinated by the Red Cross of Cornellà de Llobregat.”
Additionally, during OSD 2020 actions have been carried out to disseminate and promote bone marrow donation, promoting the incorporation of donors in the Spanish Registry of Bone Marrow Donors (REDMO). Bone marrow transplantation is a medical procedure to replace defective stem cells in the bone marrow of a person with leukemia or other blood diseases.
Oryzon currently has a drug under clinical development in the field of leukemia, iadademstat, which is being evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial in first-line elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia not eligible for intensive chemotherapy, in combination with the hypomethylating agent azacitidine (ALICE trial). Oryzon has published promising preliminary efficacy results at several international conferences, most recently at the European Association of Hematology (EHA) conference, EHA-2020, and expects to present additional data from this trial at the American Society of Hematology conference, ASH-2020, in December.
About Oryzon
Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European champion in Epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field. Oryzon’s LSD1 program has rendered two compounds, vafidemstat and iadademstat, in clinical trials. In addition, Oryzon has ongoing programs for developing inhibitors against other epigenetic targets. Oryzon has a strong technological platform for biomarker identification and performs biomarker and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. Oryzon has offices in Spain and the United States. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com
This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions.
Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made.
All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof.
Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzon’s securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.
Any public offering of Oryzon’s securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements.
IR & Media, US & Europe:
LifeSci Advisors LLC: Mary-Ann Chang
+44 7483 284 853 mchang@lifesciadvisors.com
Spain: ATREVIA:
Patricia Cobo/Carlos C. Ungría
+34 91 564 07 25 pcobo@atrevia.com cungria@atrevia.com
Oryzon:
Emili Torrell BD Director
+34 93 515 13 13 etorrell@oryzon.com
PR 20.10.20.pdf179.19 KB
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How Memory Works
Antonio Damasio
Dr. Antonio Damasio is a renowned neuroscientist who direct's the USC Brain and Creativity Institute. Before that he was the Head of Neurology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. His research focuses on the neurobiology of mind and behavior, with an emphasis on emotion, decision-making, memory, communication, and creativity. His research has helped describe the neurological origins of emotions and has shown how emotions affect cognition and decision-making. He is the author of a number of books, including "Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain," which will be published in November, 2010. Dr. Damasio is also the 2010 winner of the Honda Prize, one of the most important international awards for scientific achievement.
Dr. Damasio is a Big Think Delphi Fellow.
Question: How does the brain record memories?
Antonio Damasio: In classical ideas about how the memory records memories of events, for example, there’s the idea that the brain processes a sequence of signals and the signals come from the perceptual regions of the brain and they sort of go in one direction to higher and higher order regions of the brain, like for example, the interior temporal lobe or the interior frontal lobe. And it is there at that point that the... both, the most complex perceptions of complex events as well as the most complex memories of complex events are formed.
So, the idea is that if you are listening to somebody singing or talking and at the same time seeing the person and sort of feeling yourself sitting in a chair because you are in a concert hall, that those separate impressions are only going to come together in very high order regions of the brain and that’s where they are going to be perceived, so that’s where you’ll have your sort of, film experience with soundtrack and whatnot. And that’s also where the recording is going to be made.
And there are a lot of reasons why this cannot work this way. About 20 years ago we were dealing with this problem in that we proposed the framework in which we said, "Well, first of all, we now are beginning to know that everything that moves forward in terms of signaling in the brain, does not move just in a forward direction, but as it moves forward, there’s also a feedback loop that comes to the origin of the feed forward." So, basically, we’re dealing with loops that advance, but also can come back on their tracks to the original point. That was something that was beginning to be known and that was very interesting because it opened up possibilities about the circuitry. So this is not just in one direction, but in multiple directions that included both the forward and the backward.
And the other thing is that there was clear evidence that when you lose, as a result of damage to the brain, when you lose regions of the brain that are very high up, like interior temporal lobe, or interior frontal lobe, lo and behold, you don’t lose the possibility of having a complex perception of the world. In other worlds, your filmic experience still remains. Nor do you lose the possibility of remembering the complex perception. In fact the only thing you lose is the possibility of dating and recognizing the uniqueness of the perception.
So, that discrepancy led us to propose this idea that there was a system of convergence that went over multiple hierarchies towards certain anchor points in the brain and that what the convergence was achieving was leading signals to a certain point, the convergence/divergence zone, and what was being recorded there was not all that was happening in your filmic experience, but rather the fact that something had happened back here that had happened simultaneously in this region, this region and this region. And then by dint of the feedback, the backward projection, we would have the possibility later on of the reactivating of the entire experience.
Now, what this achieved—that’s the notion of convergence/divergence zone. I actually only first called convergence, and I remember Francis Crick telling me, “Don’t call it just convergence, that’s what people are going to remember, they will never think about the divergence part.” And then I later corrected this because he was quite right. And so, the idea is that when you are asked to remember a certain experience that you had today in which you’re talking with person A, listening to the person’s voice, but you also are in a certain context, B, which is the context of a certain room in a certain building. You are going to have the separate recordings of the voice of the person, the sight of the person, the place—but those recordings are going to be reactivated only if another recording of the simultaneity of the event has been made in a convergence/divergence zone.
And so, you send signals forward through convergence and then divergence will allow for what I call, the process of retro-activation. And the retro-activation is going to take place in different sites at the same time, approximately, or in rapid sequence at those different places. Like for example, when we replay music in our minds.
And so what this does, just to finalize the story, is create a... solve a great problem of economy. In other words, instead of having to record every event that you are going through in your life every day with every kind of person, with the books you read, the things you see and hear and touch and smell, what you need to do is record conjunctions of the occurrence of certain events. And then out of the conjunction, you can replay, you can reconstruct. And so, memory in this perspective is always reconstructive. You’re always trying to get at some approximation of what went on rather than an exact recording of what went on. And that’s where the big difference between the recording in terms of a photograph or in terms of the celluloid picture comes. We are not like that. We don’t have these... all of this celluloid or polaroid pictures filed in some place and we don’t just replay them in a screening room. We have something that is at least both far more complex, but at the same time far more economic and also to a certain extent because of its fragmented nature, far more prone to error. All of these things come into the picture.
Recorded July 2, 2010
Interviewed by David Hirschman
Instead of recording every event in your life, the brain records
conjunctions of the occurrence of certain events. Out of the conjunction, it can
then replay and reconstruct.
Credit: Maxime Aubert
Archaeologists find a cave painting of a wild pig that is at least 45,500 years old.
The painting is the earliest known work of representational art.
The discovery was made in a remote valley on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
<p>A recently-found picture of a wild pig that was made over 45,500 years ago is the world's oldest known cave painting, according to archaeologists. The painting, which may also be the world's oldest representational or figurative artwork, was discovered on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, hidden away in a remote <span style="background-color: initial;">Leang Tedongnge cave.</span></p><p>If you're wondering, the now-second world's oldest dated painting of 43,900 years of age was previously found in the same Sulawesi area by the same team. That one pictured a group of part-human, part-animal hybrid figures on the hunt. The scientists also point out that these dates are minimum ages, determined from analyzing buildups of mineral deposits on the cave art. The paintings could be as old as 60,000 to 65,000 years. By comparison, the cave paintings in the <a href="https://www.ancient.eu/Lascaux_Cave/" target="_blank">Lascaux cave</a> complex in France are "just" 17,000 years old. </p>
<p><span style="background-color: initial;">The discovery was made inside the </span><span style="background-color: initial;">Leang Tedongnge cave </span><span style="background-color: initial;">by the archaeologist Basran Burhan, a doctoral student and co-author of the study. He's part of a team which involves researchers from </span><span style="background-color: initial;">Griffith University in Australia and </span><span style="background-color: initial;">Indonesia's leading archaeological research centre, Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi Nasional (ARKENAS).</span></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Humans have hunted Sulawesi warty pigs for tens of thousands of years," <a href="https://news.griffith.edu.au/2021/01/14/worlds-oldest-cave-art-discovered-in-indonesia/" target="_blank">said Burhan</a>, adding "These pigs were the most commonly portrayed animal in the ice age rock art of the island, suggesting they have long been valued both as food and a focus of creative thinking and artistic expression".</p><p>The Sulawesi warty pig was painted using dark red ochre pigment and is about 53 by 21 inches in size. It features some upright hair and horn-like warts on the face that the adults of this species are known for. Another two partially-preserved pigs face the main animal.</p>
Oldest Cave Art Found in Sulawesi
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a9734e306f0914bfdcbe79a1e317a7f0"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b-wAYtBxn7E?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<p>Two hand prints, most probably left by Homo sapiens rather than other human ancestors like the Denisovans, can be seen by the pig's hindquarters. The scientists are looking to extract DNA samples from the prints.</p><p>The cave with the painting is in a valley of limestone cliffs, an hour's walk away from any road. You can only access it during dry season because of flooding during the rainy season. Previously it was only known to members of the isolated Bugis community.</p><p>The site has the oldest evidence of human presence on the islands of Indonesia, known as "Wallacea," and is likely linked to the group of people who were migrating to Australia. </p><p>Read the new study in <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/3/eabd4648" target="_blank">Science Advances. </a></p>
Archaeology art history indonesia australia chemistry
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CD Review “Robbie Rozelle’s “Songs From Inside My Locker”
September 7, 2020 | By Gerry Geddes | 2 Comments
Robbie Rozelle’s new album, Songs From Inside My Locker, captures his more recent show at Feinstein’s/54 Below. While there are some good ideas and a few good numbers to be heard, the singing rarely rises above that of a decent piano bar performance and can’t sustain the length of the recording.
As with most new cabaret performers, there is too much crudity and not enough wit in the patter. It is not the most inviting nor the most witty opening to say “Let’s just do this sh*t…” and, yet, there it is leading into his second number, “If I Only Had a Brain” (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg). On this song, his sweet, unforced delivery is somewhat undone by sustained notes that tend to get shaky rather than assured. This happens throughout the show. On a villain medley of “Little Girls” (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin from Annie) and “Captain Hook’s Tango” (Jule Styne, Adolph Green, Betty Comden from Peter Pan), his weak phrasing and weaker accent lose laughs throughout.
In a “My two dads…” section dedicated to Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde, a medley of their signature songs is riddled with pitch and time problems. Broadway’s Bonnie Milligan and Maya Days join Rozelle for Aida’s “A Step Too Far” (Elton John, Tim Rice), but when he tries to join in on their diva belting the result is disastrous.
As the show swings into its finish, things improve considerably. The decibel level lowers, the commitment to the lyric and the personal storytelling increase. If he actually accepted his vocal limitations and picked material and arrangements accordingly, he’d have the potential of a much more successful performance. William Finn’s “I Have Found” is thoughtful, understated, and moving. This newfound delivery continues in an eleven o’clock medley of “Tomorrow” (Strouse, Charnin from Annie) and The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” (George Harrison). Unfortunately, the final two numbers are back to being forced and too big for him, especially “Jam Tomorrow” (Steve Allen), a tribute to Carol Channing that includes an unfortunate impression of the leading lady.
The audience on the recording seems to respond to the show more favorably than I, so perhaps Robbie Rozelle comes across better live than on recording. But on its own merits, the album is disappointing.
Gerry Geddes has conceived and directed a number of musical revues—including the Bistro- and MAC Award-winning "Monday in the Dark with George" and "Put On Your Saturday Suit" – Words & Music by Jimmy Webb—and directed many cabaret artists, among them André De Shields, Helen Baldassare, Darius de Haas, and drag artist Julia Van Cartier. He directed "The David Drumgold Variety Show" monthly at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, and has produced a number of recordings, including two Bistro-winning CDs. He's taught vocal performance at The New School, NYU, and London's Goldsmith's College, and continues to conduct private workshops and master classes. As a writer and critic, he has covered New York's performing arts scene for over 40 years in both local and national publications; his lyrics have been sung by cabaret and recording artists. Up until the pandemic, Gerry was an artist in residence at Pangea, presenting a monthly variety show called "Fabulous First Fridays."
Ian Gude says:
About as untruthful and cruel as a review can get.
Complete disagree.
this is just a cruel and pointed review.
There is a difference between writing a well written and educated review and just being plain cruel and vindictive.
« CD Review: Tim Di Pasqua’s “Place in This World”
On Medleys »
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By Hillary Weston Published: May 15, 2014
Get Excited for ‘Fassbinder: Romantic Anarchist’ From the Film Society of Lincoln Center
Last year, in our Cinematic Panic article on The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, we noted that:
As l’enfant of New German cinema, the frighteningly talented and devastatingly tragic Rainer Werner Fassbinder created his own world of film, making meticulously crafted pictures that existed in world entirely of his creation where melodrama and the depths of human suffering live simultaneously. Having made over forty films in his brief life, he was a kinetic creative force of energy and life—both brutal and ferociously empathetic. Having been a playwright and actor prior to beginning his filmmaking career, a sense of theatricality and grandness of the stage is present in all of his films.
Full of choreographed movement and static positioning, he took his cues from musicals and art rather than traditional stage plays and the realism of film. Heavily influenced by Bertolt Brecht and his ideas of verfremdungseffekt, or the alienation effect, he crafted his films such that the audience is always consciously aware that they are watching a film, never losing themselves completely in the emotions and psychology of his characters. Rather, the viewer is consciously observing the work at hand, understanding that the world before them is a fiction they’re peering in on.
His early films work as an extensive of his theatrical career, whereas his later work plays more to melodramatic conventions, rooted in influence of American director, Douglas Sirk. But throughout his films, there was a certain through line—whether it was desperate women in love or science fiction parables— that was formalistic in structure, examining the importance of power structures in everyday life, family, love, friendship. He had a sensitivity for misfits and outsiders, a penchant for exploring sexuality, and an affinity for portraying a macabre view of contemporary German life. Kent Jones notes that Fassbinder once famously said that he was “trying to construct a house with his films.” Each of his films build a level of this house, a each picture a tier of the foundation built on desperation, hypocrisy, and love, “where desire plays a major supporting role but the will to power is sadly dominant.”
And now, thanks to the wonderful people at The Film Society of Lincoln Center, you can see a massive retrospective of Fassbinder’s work, beginning tomorrow. With the second part of the series happening in November, their retro is the largest in new year in over a decade, including all of his theatrical films, television films, and works inspired by and connected to his brilliance. So with Fassbinder: Romantic Anarchist (Part 1) beginning tomorrow, let’s have a look at what will be playing. Mark your calendars and get excited.
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL, 1974
Produced at the peak of Fassbinder’s creative powers, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul reworks the narrative and thematic framework of Douglas Sirk’s classic melodrama All That Heaven Allows (also the inspiration for Todd Haynes’s Far from Heaven) in telling the improbable love story of Ali (El Hedi ben Salem), a thirty-something Moroccan immigrant working as a mechanic, and Emmi (Fassbinder muse Brigitte Mira), a German widow who is old enough to be his mother. The motley pair gets married and quickly encounters prejudice and discrimination from neighbors, friends, and family (including Fassbinder himself as Emmi’s son-in-law). This wry and tender romance-cum-social-commentary has endured as one of its director’s most accomplished and popular films.
http://youtu.be/PUhiQRL56Tg
THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT, 1972
High camp and claustrophobia abound equally in the hermetic rooms where fashion designer Petra von Kant (Margit Carstensen), her model flavor-of-the-week (Hanna Schygulla), and a faithful, longtime love slave (Katrin Schaake) enact the cruel cat-and-mouse games that comprise the plot of this chamber psychodrama. With perhaps the richest and most allusive mise en scène in Fassbinder’s oeuvre—impenetrable spaces in which ornate tapestries, white mannequins, and ’50s pop hits intermingle—The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant amounts to its director’s ultimate thesis on the essentially vampiric and selfish nature of love. In the words of Manny Farber: “Fassbinder’s intense shadowless image is not like anyone else’s.”
http://youtu.be/yOMwk6olK74
GODS OF THE PLAGUE, 1970
Continuing Fassbinder’s early interest in teasing out the subtexts of American genre films, this stylized noir exercise—made under the signs of both Sam Fuller and Jean-Pierre Melville—focuses on the not-so-latent homoerotic tensions at the very heart of the gangster movie. Recently freed ex-con Franz (Harry Baer) is barely out of prison when he gets roped back into the Munich underworld that landed him behind bars in the first place. But this time, his romantic attentions are divided between femmes fatales Joanna (Hanna Schygulla) and Margarethe (Margarethe von Trotta) and, more unexpectedly, “Gorilla” (Günther Kaufmann, Fassbinder’s longtime lover, making his screen debut), the black Bavarian hit man who assassinated Franz’s informant brother.
WHITY, 1971
Never distributed theatrically but long an influential cult classic, Fassbinder’s seventh feature is a hothouse gothic melodrama shot in widescreen on Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western sets in Almería, Spain. Whity (Günther Kaufmann) is the illegitimate son of sadistic patriarch Ben Nicholson (American B-movie actor Ron Randell) and also the family’s brutally abused butler. The outrageous, even deranged Nicholson family members include a perpetually enraged gay son (Ulli Lommel) and Ben’s sex-crazed young wife, who abuse Whity every chance they get, while loving him in deeper, truer ways than they can muster for anyone else, including themselves. When Whity meets Hanna (Hanna Schygulla), a prostitute and chanteuse, their relationship sets him down a path toward the destruction of the societal and familial order that has oppressed him. This highly stylized and grandly pessimistic melodrama explodes a wide array of clichés from Hollywood films and German culture, using its loaded subject matter and primitive techniques to create a viewing experience this is, even by Fassbinder’s standards, maniacally despairing and gleefully subversive.
THE MERCHANT OF FOUR SEASONS, 1971
In one of Fassbinder’s pivotal works and greatest achievements, ineffectual ex-policeman Hans Epp, newly home from the war and greeted with chilling contempt by his domineering mother, continues to disappoint his bourgeois family by becoming a lowly fruit peddler. Drinking himself into a stupor and casually abusing his wife (Irm Hermann) to alleviate the boredom, Hans (Hans Hirschmüller, in a quietly shattering performance) one day suffers a heart attack. With the hiring of an old friend, his business miraculously begins to flourish. But success proves even more crushing than failure. A devastating social satire set in Munich during the “prosperous ’50s,” this was the first film Fassbinder made after meeting, and absorbing the influence of, Douglas Sirk, and also the one that cemented his place as the conscience of the New German Cinema—a filmmaker who insisted on showing what his countrymen failed to see or refused to remember.
http://youtu.be/fH24q2JXiqU
KATZELMACHER, 1969
Fassbinder’s second feature depicts the intolerance of a circle of financially and sexually frustrated friends when an immigrant laborer moves to their Munich neighborhood, exposing a paranoid hostility to outsiders and latent currents of bourgeois fascism. This Greek newcomer, played with impish deadpan innocence by the director himself, becomes an object of cautious curiosity and the inevitable catalyst for their group’s previously suppressed internal conflict. Titled for a Bavarian slang pejorative for “foreign worker” (literally “maker of little cats,” and suggestive of a pronounced sexual promiscuity), this scalpel-sharp experiment, based on one of Fassbinder’s successful early plays and drawing on avant-garde theatrical techniques, is both a personal expression of alienation and a comment on the persistence of xenophobic scapegoating in German society. A stark black-and-white depiction of a world where boredom feeds self-hatred and violence, this is one of Fassbinder’s most curious and provocative films.
http://youtu.be/xLukMnR1W9k
BEWARE OF A HOLY WHORE, 1970
In this sui generis take on the “film about filmmaking,” a brutal self-critique inspired by the production of Whity, Fassbinder puts the blame for that shoot’s sturm und drang squarely upon himself. A cast, crew, and various hangers-on (including New German Cinema fellow travelers Werner Schroeter, Magdalena Montezuma, and Margarethe von Trotta; Eddie Constantine, as the film’s male lead; Fassbinder axioms like Hanna Schygulla, Ulli Lommel, and Kurt Raab; and Fassbinder himself as the film-within-the-film’s producer) congregate in a Spanish hotel bar and wait interminably for the arrival of their leather-jacketed man-child director (Lou Castel). The group then undergoes a series of skirmishes, psychosexual charades, and nonplussed power trips—in what may or may not be an accurate representation of Fassbinder’s behind-the-scenes methods.
THE AMERICAN SOLIDER, 1970
An early example of Fassbinder’s pessimistic vision and his fierce, ravishing visual style, this film is a baroque homage to Hollywood cinema—film noir and gangster movies in particular. German actor Karl Scheydt plays a small-time Yankee hood (clad in white suit and fedora) who returns to Munich and quickly finds himself embroiled in some very deep trouble. Fassbinder infuses the film with a mannerism that both reflects and critiques the American movies that inspired it: characters strike poses with portraits of Hollywood actors in the background, talk as though quoting dialogue, and die spectacularly exaggerated deaths. Although typically bleak, The American Soldiernevertheless finds Fassbinder struggling to locate some kind of redemption in the tension between vivid illusion and numb reality.
http://youtu.be/8pa8-xyJTIc
EFFI BRIEST, 1974
Fassbinder’s take on Theodor Fontane’s tale of the rise and fall of a cosseted young 19th-century Candide is among his most visually ravishing. Married to a considerably older man (Wolfgang Schenck), gentle Effi (Hanna Schygulla) lives in a comfortable prison, a manor on the Baltic Sea staffed by servants whose chilly demeanor mirrors the house’s statuary. Too young and naïve to understand that breaking the rigid rules of her world might spell her doom, Effi falls for the handsome Major Crampas (Ulli Lommel) and, in the process, hurtles toward a tragic fate. Fassbinder films Fontane’s novel as both a deeply moving “woman’s picture” and a working metaphor for the plight of a subversive filmmaker working in an oppressive, reactionary society.
LOVE IS COLDER THAN DEATH
For his feature debut, Rainer Werner Fassbinder fashioned an acerbic, unorthodox love-triangle crime drama. Munich pimp Franz Walsch (played by Fassbinder) relishes his entrepreneurial independence and refuses to join the local mob, despite its allure of greater cash flow and stability. When Franz befriends the mysterious crook Bruno (Ulli Lommel), the two go on a small but frenzied crime spree of theft and murder, along with Franz’s prostitute girlfriend Joanna (Hanna Schygulla). But as Franz plans a more elaborate heist, the allegiances among the trio begin to break down. Dedicated to Chabrol, Rohmer, and Straub (as well as the two main characters from the Zapata Western A Bullet for the General), this stylishly nihilistic cinematic statement of intent has a sardonic exuberance that beautifully complements Fassbinder’s seriousness of purpose, already fully present right out of the gate. “What is important to me,” Fassbinder himself said, “is that those who see this film call into question their most deeply felt private feelings.”
WORLD ON A WIRE
Made for German television, this recently rediscovered, three-and-a-half-hour labyrinth is a textbook example of a film many years ahead of its time. An adaptation of Daniel F. Galouye’s 1964 American novel Simulacron-3, World on a Wire is a paranoid, boundlessly inventive take on the future with dashes of Stanley Kubrick, Kurt Vonnegut, and Philip K. Dick. Made less than a decade after Alphaville(1965) and a quarter-century before The Matrix (1999), this satiric and surreal look at the world of tomorrow is a noir-spiked tale about a cybernetics engineer (Klaus Löwitsch) who uncovers a massive corporate conspiracy. As Fassbinder himself described it, World on a Wire is “a very beautiful story that depicts a world where one is able to make projections of people using a computer. Perhaps another, larger world has made us as a virtual one? In this sense it deals with the old philosophical model, which here takes on a certain horror.”
WHY DOES HERR R. RUN AMOK?, 1970
Herr R. has a wife and a child to love and keep company, a respectable job as a technical engineer, and a medium-sized apartment with a garden and a TV set to slump in front of: the complete middle-class existence. One night after work, as his wife idly converses with a friend, Herr R. beats both women and his child to death with the base of a candlestick. Fassbinder’s detailing of Herr R.’s empty existence is harrowing and bleakly comic in equal measure, exposing the creaking gears within the seemingly well-oiled mechanics of daily life. Fassbinder called this, perhaps not without some pride, “the most disgusting film I ever made.” He would return to a similar story of explosive rage from a completely different narrative perspective in Mother Küsters Goes to Heaven.
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March 3, 2015 | Media
Montreal Gazette loses veteran reporters, Pierre Foglia retires from La Presse
While students in Quebec were heading out on spring break last Friday, veteran journalists in two newsrooms were packing their boxes.
Friday was the last day on the job for five journalists and one administrative assistant at the Montreal Gazette. They leave as part of the latest wave of buyouts meant to reduce operating costs at the newspaper, which means they won’t be replaced. Instead, other staff’s responsibilities will be shifted to cover their work.
Sue Montgomery was the Gazette’s justice reporter. She covered the trial of Luka Magnotta and many other lowlifes before him. Reviews of her career inevitably bring up her trip to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, her coverage of the sexual abuse at Les Frères Ste-Croix at Collège Notre Dame, and her work with Antonia Zerbisias to create the hashtag #BeenRapedNeverReported in the aftermath of the Jian Ghomeshi scandal.
She was also very outspoken, sometimes to the displeasure of her employer.
In her farewell column, she writes:
I became a journalist almost 30 years ago, not so much because I loved the craft of writing, but more to give a voice to those who aren’t otherwise heard. I wasn’t interested in the politicians, who never seem to say anything meaningful, or the boring businessmen, incomprehensible sports stars or fake celebrities. None seemed real.
I was drawn to and intrigued by the everyday people like you and me who experience extraordinary loss, suffering and injustice and still manage to somehow carry on. We can all learn from such stories — about the resilience of the human spirit, empathy and strength.
You can read some of her work here. She also did an interview with CBC’s Daybreak.
Peggy Curran was the Gazette’s city columnist, returning to a writing job after a brief stint as city editor. Curran wrote in an almost poetic manner about the city and its problems (if I was nearly as good, I could have described her style better), and like Montgomery she preferred the stories about real people.
She has a wicked sense of humour, too. Along a wall of portraits of journalists past and present who have received awards for their work, there’s a photo of Curran leaning on the wall of her cubicle. Below her is a cutout of what looks like a tabloid headline she cut out and posted on her wall: “PSYCHO IRISH BITCH”.
In her farewell column, she worries about the future of the industry she’s leaving:
Being a journalist is a job of great intensity, more so as deadlines have multiplied. The daily miracle is now measured in minutes since the last update.
To do this right requires abundant energy and unconditional love.
Curran has compiled her five favourite stories here.
Pat Donnelly was the Gazette’s theatre critic (sandwiching a brief time as literary columnist), spending her evenings attending previews and performances, some of which were very good and many of which were very bad. Though in her farewell column, she focuses on the good:
As a theatre critic, I was privileged to witness one of the most exciting periods in Quebec theatre history, when Robert Lepage was first making waves, the Montreal Fringe Festival was born and Montreal’s bilingual Les Misérables won the admiration of the world. Sylvie Drapeau starred in all the best French plays. The Cirque du Soleil went from one triumph to another. Montrealer Richard Monette ruled the Stratford Festival. The biennial Festival TransAmériques, founded by the indomitable Marie-Hélène Falcon, expanded to became an annual hybrid of theatre and dance. And La Licorne, my favourite francophone theatre, began to lead the way with English surtitles.
Though theatre tends not to be on the radar of most people, Donnelly did manage to stir up some controversy, when she highlighted the use of blackface at a year-end review show at Théâtre du Rideau Vert. The story spread for more than a month afterward as people (mostly white) debated how offensive it is for white actors to put on dark makeup in Quebec.
Donnelly has compiled some highlights from her career here.
Lynn Moore was a journalist in the Gazette’s business department. She specialized in natural resources until she became the coordinator of the business section, tasked with the thankless job of putting together a section with few journalists and lots of news. She was also responsible for commissioning freelance pieces, including many from me.
You can read a small selection of her stories (including several Jazz Festival reviews) here.
François Shalom also worked in business, where he specialized in aerospace, an important beat in the city that is not only home to big industry players like Bombardier, Air Transat, CAE and Héroux-Devtek, but also the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Air Transport Association.
His last day as an employee came on the same day that Bombardier did its first flight test of its CS300 aircraft, though he didn’t get a chance to cover it.
You can read some of Shalom’s stories here.
These five people were colleagues, and I could probably write a lot of the same things about all of them: they had a good sense of humour, they cared about their work, they cared about the organization they worked for and the damage it has taken from its reductions in staff and quality, and they were kind people who nevertheless had little tolerance for bullshit.
And the Gazette will be worse off for having let them go. (Matthew Hays articulates part of what the paper is losing in this piece for Rover.)
The Gazette also lost a member of its support staff: Helen Ciampini had the title of “executive assistant” but was effectively responsible, with newsroom manager June Thompson, for all the little things that kept the operation running. The Gazette has lost almost all of the administrative staff it had when I was first hired, and has struggled to cope as a result.
None of the departing staff have indicated any future plans other than vacation.
« Ceci n’est pas une chronique d’adieu »
On the same day the Gazette lost staff with a combined experience of more than 100 years, La Presse lost a columnist who just about matches that by himself. Pierre Foglia announced in his Saturday column that he’s retiring, though he plans to contribute occasional stories about books.
Foglia, who has been with La Presse since 1972, according to Presse Canadienne, has been described as a unique columnist with a poetic style and wisdom that made him the envy of his colleagues.
Journal de Montréal blogger Marie-Claude Ducas writes a piece appreciating Foglia. As does Louise Latraverse a week later in La Presse.
UPDATE: Roberto Rocha, who held jobs including technology beat writer and, more recently, data journalist, left the paper a few weeks after his colleagues.
And I'm off. My post-buyout life begins with a two-month trip to Indonesia.
— Roberto Rocha (@robroc) March 30, 2015
Tags: François Shalom, La Presse, Lynn Moore, Pat Donnelly, Peggy-Curran, Pierre Foglia, Sue Montgomery, The Gazette
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18 thoughts on “Montreal Gazette loses veteran reporters, Pierre Foglia retires from La Presse”
Vivian March 3, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Well Steve, it looks like the Gazette is on a downward spiral. Both Sue and Peggy brought a lot to the paper and I always enjoyed reading their columns. Unfortunately it seems that your job may well be on the line too when the Gazette closes its doors!
Fagstein Post author March 3, 2015 at 11:41 pm
Unfortunately it seems that your job may well be on the line too when the Gazette closes its doors!
If the Gazette shuts down, it’s pretty well guaranteed that everyone loses their jobs, no?
mike007 March 8, 2015 at 9:23 am
Maybe you should start looking for a job. Just in case. For the last 1-2 years “The Gazette” quality dropped like a rock.
Dilbert March 4, 2015 at 12:20 am
Sadly, the Gazoo takes another step towards the abyss.
One of two things here: Either the paper had too much staff and these people were costing money for “nothing” (doubtful) or that the paper will in the future have less original locally created content, more piped in noise, and become less desirable in the local market.
More pressing, what does this mean for the online products (aka, the future of print journalism)? Without unique content, the Gazette online isn’t any better or any more useful than a hundred other portals out there. In the end, this is a story that writes itself, “newspaper compresses itself into irrelevance”. Sorry Steve that you are part of this one, because it’s becoming more and more clear which way things are headed.
Fagstein Post author March 4, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Either the paper had too much staff and these people were costing money for “nothing” (doubtful) or that the paper will in the future have less original locally created content, more piped in noise, and become less desirable in the local market.
I don’t think anyone is seriously arguing the former. It’s a loss, and it will have an effect.
More pressing, what does this mean for the online products (aka, the future of print journalism)? Without unique content, the Gazette online isn’t any better or any more useful than a hundred other portals out there.
The Gazette still has a lot of journalists producing original content, though the numbers have started to dwindle. The hope is that Postmedia can find a way to become financially healthy before the cuts get so severe that it fails to retain that critical mass.
Thomas March 4, 2015 at 1:34 pm
… and Roberto too?
David Pinto March 4, 2015 at 2:26 pm
I understand that Roberto Rocha has also left. He confirmed it to me, electronically-speaking.
Adam Zara March 4, 2015 at 3:04 pm
I wonder what the point of a daily print newspaper is in this day and age if it no longer includes a respectable array of entertaining, insightful columns written by seasoned, credible local journalists. This is the only thing local dailies still have/had going for them over news website and blogs – being able to pay and support these very journalists. Is Postmedia that desperate that cutting $2-300K in salaries will make any sort of difference? What about the cost of increasingly losing subscribers directly due to these cuts?
On another note, I would appreciate if you could email me Helen Ciampini’s coordinates for future reference (possible job opportunity).
Is Postmedia that desperate that cutting $2-300K in salaries will make any sort of difference?
Yes. And it’s also a lot more money than that. There were staff cuts at the Ottawa Citizen and at Postmedia News.
What about the cost of increasingly losing subscribers directly due to these cuts?
The presumption is that the costs associated with the loss of subscribers would be outweighed by the salary savings.
Luc Prévost March 5, 2015 at 9:40 am
The main editorialist at Le Devoir, Serge Truffaut, also stopped on Saturday…
Bad timing, Foglia got all the spotlight.
Mario March 6, 2015 at 6:20 pm
I hate to say it, but the reason why I still subscribe to the Gazette is because of these columnists!!! I’ve been a subscriber since the 80’s despite this mobile world, and yet I still enjoy going through the paper every morning. But Postmedia is really making it difficult for me to justify why I should keep subscribing. The private equity firm that owns Postmedia is killing the newspaper chain piece by piece and they know it.
Steve Quilliam March 7, 2015 at 9:59 am
I use to read Henry Aubin for his Montréal related articles and he’s also gone.
Maybe another entity could buy it and have it run as a real local newspaper because as it stands, it is less and less local, unfortunately. Who knows, maybe Quebecor could buy it !!!
Fagstein Post author March 7, 2015 at 11:42 am
Who knows, maybe Quebecor could buy it !!!
Since Quebecor is in the process of selling most of its newspapers to Postmedia, such a purchase seems unlikely.
gazoo March 7, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Sad to say, gave up on the Gazette when they transferred their customer service to Winnipeg years ago.
Not to mention how there seems to be very little substance and allot of fluff the last few years.
I have one question: Peggy Curran was for a long time a university reporter for “The Gazette”.
At one moment, when she was at war against Concordia Board of Governors she was moved as a city editor. Was one of the big guys from BOG that “helped” this transition?
Apple IIGS March 12, 2015 at 1:59 am
The Gazette isn’t even printed locally anymore, it’s long time printing-press plant in NDG closed last summer (laying off over 100 staff in the process). It’s now printed out of province.
Seems slowly, piece by piece, the Gazette is being put to rest. Laying off veteran writing staff, phasing out its recognizable logo, the continual shrinking size of the paper itself. I get the feeling it will soon be joining the Montreal Star, The Mirror and The Hour.
Fagstein Post author March 13, 2015 at 1:16 am
The Gazette isn’t even printed locally anymore … It’s now printed out of province.
I know Anjou can seem far to anglos, but it’s still in Quebec.
Apple IIGS March 19, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for the correction! Transcontinental is not only in Quebec, but on the island of Montreal in fact (so printing has simply moved from west to east island; don’t know why I heard out of province).
Still a blow to the Gazette nonetheless. It’s printing is now outsourced, and the paper no longer owns its own printing facility (i.e. loss of jobs).
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15 years of all-sports radio in Montreal
A wall of signatures at the former Team 990 office on Greene Ave. in Westmount.
The anniversary almost went unnoticed. But 15 years ago this week, an all-sports radio station was created in Montreal. And over that decade and a half, its story has been one of stubborn perseverance, indifference by ownership, constant struggle with limited resources and a small but unusually loyal audience. It’s gone through some things no other station has, but it’s still there.
Rejected leftover of an acquisition
It began in 2000, when CHUM Ltd., owner of CKGM 990 AM (then Oldies 990) and CHOM 97.7 (formerly CKGM-FM), reached a deal with Standard Radio to swap assets in Montreal and Winnipeg. As a result of the deal, Standard Radio would own CKGM, CJAD, CHOM and CJFM (Mix 96, now Virgin Radio), all but two of the major commercial English-language stations — Q92 (CFQR-FM) and 940 News were owned by Metromedia, which was in the process of being sold to Corus Entertainment.
But the CRTC has a policy against a single owner controlling more than three stations in a market of this size. CKGM was the lowest-rated station and so it was left out of the transaction. CHUM considered selling it until it came up with a new idea: It would create a national network of all-sports AM radio stations, called The Team.
The station couldn’t have done worse than it already was. It went from being a top 40 station to adult contemporary to top 40 again, to oldies, to “talk radio with attitude” to being off the air after the 1998 ice storm to coming back as Oldies 990. There didn’t seem to be a format that worked.
A poor start
It would be nice to say that once it switched to all sports, CKGM found its footing and thrived. But that’s not even close to being true.
For one thing, it didn’t have any broadcasting rights deals for live sports. Competitor CJAD had the rights to the Canadiens and Alouettes. And the Montreal Expos couldn’t come to terms with either station on who should pay the production costs for its broadcasts.
The other problem was that the national network wasn’t just about having a common brand. Most of the programming was national, including the afternoon drive show, hosted in Toronto by Jim Van Horne and Stephen Brunt.
Pat Hickey, The Gazette, March 31, 2001:
I have reservations about the viability in Montreal of the new all-sports network that will be launched in May on what has been CKGM.
There are a couple of staples that make all-sports radio work. While there are all-sports networks in the United States with broadly based national talk and interview shows, the most successful stations, The Fan in New York, WTEM in Washington, WQAM in Miami, WEEI in Boston and WMVP in Chicago, offer live coverage of local teams and plenty of opportunity for local commentators and callers to share their opinions.
The local station has already struck out in the first regard. An attempt to wrap up a deal with the Expos collapsed because of a lingering debate over who should pay for the production costs for games. …
An Expos radio deal would have given the new station a strong presence in the community and established it as the place to go, not only for games, but baseball talk.
It was the station’s one chance to make a splash with CJAD already carrying the Canadiens and the Alouettes.
Even the morning show at launch was national, with Paul Romanuk, Brian Henderson and Mike Richards.
Sports television can work nationally because most of its content is live game broadcasts. Sports radio, especially if it doesn’t have those broadcasts, really has to be local.
Things fell into place late. Less than two weeks before launch, the station announced a deal to carry Expos broadcasts, and hired Elliott Price to do play-by-play. The first broadcast would be from San Francisco on Monday, May 7, 2001, the day of the launch of The Team 990. (The Expos lost, 6-2.)
It wasn’t until after it launched that the station finally signed a deal with its desired local morning team: Ted Blackman, the sports director at CJAD; and Mitch Melnick, who was at CIQC until it became an all-news station, and then took over an evening sports show on CJAD.
They started the next week, on May 14. But most of the rest of the schedule was still beamed in out of Toronto. And its content wasn’t exactly compelling.
Pat Hickey, May 12, 2001:
… in its quest to prove that it’s not just another Toronto radio station, The Team has taken to running stories that are irrelevant in any part of the country.
During the past week, I’ve learned more than I want to know about the Winnipeg Goldeyes minor-league baseball team, Russ Jackson’s views on Canadian QBs, Canadian stock-car racing, soccer and anything involving George Chuvalo.
A Team without a Team
CHUM pulled the plug on the concept for The Team a year later. Some stations, like CKGM Montreal, CFGO Ottawa and CKST Vancouver kept the Team brand and all-sports format, others adopted (or re-adopted) oldies or adult standards formats.
Within a couple of years, the station beefed up its local programming. Ted Blackman died in October 2002. Melnick eventually moved to afternoons, and new voices started appearing on the radio, including Tony Marinaro and Shaun Starr.
Pat Hickey, May 8, 2003:
The biggest positive change over the past two years has been the introduction of the afternoon show with Tony Marinaro and Joey Elias. It works because it’s local and because the hosts aren’t afraid to debate with each other, something that’s missing in the interaction between Melnick and Ron Francis. Elias’s occasional bawdy jokes seem inappropriate for the time slot and Marinaro fractures the English language, but the show is a welcome addition.
The station ended up getting comfortable in its niche of sports-talk, with analysis from experts, interviews with athletes and lots of talk from people who were certain they had a better idea how to coach or manage the Canadiens than the people actually in charge.
CHUM Ltd. was sold to CTVglobemedia in 2007, and CTV itself to BCE (Bell Canada) in 2010. It now had rich owners, but that doesn’t mean it made more money. And, as Bell’s only radio station in Montreal, it didn’t have the ability to share costs with sister stations in the same market. Its office at 1310 Greene Ave. in Westmount looked run-down.
As it celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2011, things were looking a lot better for the station. It finally acquired rights to Montreal Canadiens games (a deal most people in the industry attributed to the fact that Bell owned the station and had a significant working relationship with the team). That fall, Bell Media changed its brand from The Team 990 to TSN Radio 990, rebuilding a national all-sports radio network but this time with much more local programming, and the CRTC approved its request to move to 690 AM, a frequency vacated by the shutdown of Corus’s all-news station Info 690. The frequency change allowed the station to move to a clear channel, which gave it an unrestricted 50,000-watt signal day and night, instead of the highly directional one they had on 990.
A year later, though, it almost came to an end.
Abandoned by Bell
July 10, 2012: “Bell Media Files CRTC Application to Create RDS Radio 990 in Montreal”
Bell Media was in the process of acquiring Astral Media, whose many assets included CJAD, CHOM and CJFM, which it had bought when it acquired Standard Radio in 2007. The CRTC’s common ownership rules meant Bell would be over the limit in several large markets across the country. In most of those cities, it said it would sell stations to bring it below that limit. But in Montreal, it had another idea: It would convert CKGM from an English all-sports station to a French one.
It was an idea that made a lot of sense from a management/ownership perspective. Montreal had just lost an all-sports radio station when CKAC switched to its all-traffic format the previous fall. Switching CKGM to French would give it a larger audience, and solve the ownership limit issue because different languages are considered different markets, and neither Bell nor Astral had a French-language AM station. Canadiens games would simply move back to CJAD, which Bell would also own.
It made so much sense to the higher-ups at Bell. But from a human perspective, it was a disastrous idea.
Fans of the station, that had been loyal for more than a decade, revolted. The CRTC was flooded with angry comments from station listeners, with 774 interventions on this application alone, completely separate from the much larger Bell-Astral deal. It prompted CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais to comment that he spent his summer vacation that year reading comments from the public. Three people appeared in person in front of the commission as individuals to make a case for saving the station in some way.
The station’s staff, meanwhile, were stuck in the middle. The application was from its owner, and they couldn’t denounce it on the air. They could only speak in general terms about appreciating their listeners, and quietly offer them moral support away from the microphone. This, even though they would all certainly lose their jobs if this deal went through.
Bell tried its best to deflect blame, and listener anger was directed both at it and at the CRTC. Various demands were made, for the CRTC to make an exception to its ownership policy, for the entire Bell-Astral deal to be killed, or for some other deus-ex-machina solution to the problem.
In the end, it didn’t matter. The CRTC rejected the Bell-Astral deal, judging that Bell’s application would not benefit the Canadian broadcasting system and that it would leave too much market power in the hands of one company. Because the CKGM language change application was dependent on approval of the larger deal, it became moot and so the commission denied it.
The hundreds of comments technically didn’t matter to the CRTC. But they did matter to Bell, and to the station’s staff.
Bell-Astral Take 2
A month later, Bell announced it was trying again. But this time, it pivoted on CKGM, and used those hundreds of comments to argue for an exception to the ownership policy, allowing it to own four of the five English-language commercial radio stations in Montreal.
With Bell and the station’s listeners now on the same side (in as much as a hostage-taker and hostage negotiator are on the same side), the station helped push for hundreds more comments supporting the request.
But it was far from a done deal. As opposition continued to mount against the Bell-Astral acquisition on the grounds that Bell would still have too much market power even after its proposed divestments, competitors said letting it control 75% of Montreal’s English commercial radio market was similarly anti-competitive.
Offers, whose seriousness could easily be questioned, were made to buy the station. One, during the original acquisition process, was from a group that has since become experts in not doing things. The other was from Rogers, but came so late in the game it was hard to take it seriously.
Through all this time, the staff and fans of the station waited nervously. They organized a show of support, but otherwise could do little more than sit and wait to see what would happen.
Uncertainty continued until June 27, 2013, when the CRTC ruled Bell could purchase Astral Media and keep TSN 690 as an exception to the common ownership policy. (The same policy that prevented CKGM from being sold with CHOM to Standard Radio in 2000.)
The station’s staff was so grateful for the support of its listeners it threw a special thank-you party. One by one the on-air personalities gave heartfelt speeches about how touched they were by the support of their listeners.
Almost three years later, TSN Radio 690 has new life. The Astral acquisition enlarged the family, and the station moved from dilapidated offices on Greene Ave. to newly renovated studios at René-Lévesque Blvd. and Papineau Ave. It now shares offices and resources, including a program director, with CJAD.
With the two under common ownership, Montreal Impact and Alouettes games moved to TSN 690, with CJAD being used as a backup in case of scheduling conflicts.
The station’s ownership hasn’t stopped making decisions that enrage listeners. Casualties of cuts include general manager Wayne Bews and on-air hosts Ted Bird, Elliott Price and Abe Hefter.
Its ratings are better than when it launched, but its share of the market is still in the single digits. Station-level financial information isn’t published, but before the Bell-Astral deal Bell said it had lost $5 million in five years. The acquisition of Canadiens games and cost-cutting from sharing resources probably helped, but we don’t know if it’s making money yet.
But despite having more than its fair share of turmoil, or maybe because of it, TSN 690 has burrowed a place in the heart of thousands of Montrealers.
They say radio is about building a relationship with your audience. For the past 15 years, this station has been proof of that.
It may be a station whose programming involves a lot of complaining about minor management decisions of a professional hockey team, but to both its listeners and its staff, it’s family.
Very surprised to learn today was 15 years @TSN690 Thanks to great teammates @InRodWeTrustMTL & @MitchyGallo (1) pic.twitter.com/nt5Tz0y0yq
— Mitch Melnick (@HunterZThompson) May 9, 2016
(2) & thanks to @CatNewton @Starr690 who were there at the beginning along w/ Ted Blackman, Terry Haig @ElliottFPrice & Wayne Bews.
(3) And you too @AndieCBC & Pierre McGuire & Bill Lee & Jacques Demers. And somebody tell Brunt. @ChrisBuryNews Thank you. But most of all
(4) Sincere thanks to our incredible @TSN690 listeners. You guys made it easy to sweat out these 15 years. Cheers.
Tags: CKGM
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9 thoughts on “15 years of all-sports radio in Montreal”
Bruce Harris May 10, 2016 at 7:03 am
Well written article about a favourite station. Long time listener was with them from the start. Mitch has what I would say is one of the finest shows on radio today. Great music interspersed with great interviews its a pleasure to listen to. The other hosts are also great. Keep up the good work and we’ll salute them again in another 15 years.
mark spires May 10, 2016 at 11:27 am
Congratulations! ?
Martin May 10, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Maybye I read fast but where is P.J. Stock? I understand the jealousy of him going to CBC but …
Brett May 11, 2016 at 6:43 am
The future of TSN 690 looks like its going to continue the way it is. Don’t see why they would need to change Love them so much.
The only thing I feel they need to broadcast is local university hockey & football. If you look at the US college sports on the radio is very profitable. Look at Syracuse University in Syracuse NY they air all men’s sports like football, basketball and lacrosse.
Alex Gordon May 11, 2016 at 8:07 am
Enjoyed sports radio for years. But I think your article should include one more thing: The long list of broadcasters the TEAM/TSN helped grow into bigger roles:
Conor McKenna, Tony Marinaro, Shaun Starr, Rod Francis, Sean Campbell and other TSN voices who’ve all developed followings.
Others like Andie Bennett, PJ Stock, and Sean Coleman who now do TV work.
And finally the likes of Cousin Vinny on the Beat, Ben Raby in Washington, Gabriel Morency in Toronto who are now outside the Montreal sports scene.
Altogether it’s impressive and I think Mitch + company deserve kudos.
Mario D. May 12, 2016 at 6:31 am
Melnick has the best comment about the strong actors being heard over the years but i am afraid that it is not going in an upward trend quality wise. We cannot compare credible opinions with those of the Brian Wide, Normand Flynn or Connor Mckenna that obviously work there for cheap and really have nothing to do or say in the succes of the station . Obviously the station is financially fragile and has to make choices to make it at the end of the month.
I guess that for every succes story there has to be failiures …On the bright side i would like to give my 4 stars to the feminin voices of the station that really made it a better station over the years, Andie Bennett ,Amanda Stein, Jessica Rusnak and Robyn Flynn. Those girls work hard in a man s world and deserve to be mentionned as a big part of the successes of this station.
G May 12, 2016 at 5:02 pm
I wish they had found a way to make Morency stick around – though the guy may be his own worst enemy when it comes to professionalism. Still, the glory days of sports rage made for some of my favorite radio. Now with Morency so focused on sports gambling obviously it wouldn’t work without him changing drastically but perhaps history might have gone differently if he hadn’t left.
It was nice that the Team gave Ted Tevan a home through his final years of broadcasting but I never got the sense they were willing to fully embrace him and it was sad the way that all ended. Side note that it sucks there’s no real audio record of Ted’s work – I wish Earl The Pearl would convert his old tapes to mp3s and share them while people still remember Ted.
Still, the radio station is made up of (or at least the impression I get) scrappy lovers of radio broadcasting, sports and our lovely city. Can’t ask for much more than that – and I wish them 15 more years with even more successes.
ps. Melnick’s taste in music will always be a thumbs down in my book but bless him all the same.
Adam Z May 20, 2016 at 11:08 pm
Listening to Morency’s show was definitely a highlight of my teenage years.
I should have led my comment by saying: Great post!
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One of the most discussed issues thinking of Islam is its laws and views that concern women. The conflict is based on different interpretations of the Qur’an. In some of them, women are treated like property or even slaves. The different interpretations of the Qur’an touch all important spheres of women’s life like female education and employment, marriage and sexuality, dress code and gender rules, movement and travel of women. The most popular discussions are about hijab or veil as a form of oppression of women by the Islamic law; misogynistic interpretations of the Qur’an and so on. Katherine Bullock in Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil: Challenging Historical & Modern Stereotypes stands for hijab as a conscious choice of a woman.Fatima Mernissi in Women’s Rebellion and Islamic Memory accents on patriarchal nature of Islam, andAsma Barlas in “The Qur’an, Sexual Equality, and Feminism” contradicts her. Also Asma Barlas in “Islam and Body Politics: Inscribing (Im)morality”, and “Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an” talks that wrong interpretations of the Qur’an cause the wrong understanding of hijab and equality of sexes.Amina Wadud in Inside the Gender Jihad: Women’s Reform in Islam through her own experience of being Muslim shares her thoughts about feministic readings of the Qur’an. Nevin Reda in Women in the Mosque: Historical Perspectives on Segregation takes a look at such right of a woman as her access to the mosque which have been denied or allowed in different times of history of Islam. Liza Beyer in Women and Islam looks at the problems concerning women and Islam from the point of view of Westerner. These researches are very important for both Muslims and Westerners because of their tense relationship and opinions that severely differ.
Katherine Bullock in her book Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil: Challenging Historical & Modern Stereotypes raises a lot of interesting questions. For instance, she makes us think about what really the veil is and if this word completely expresses the meaning of the hijab. Through the interviews of Muslim women, she claims that the hijab is not a symbol of oppression of women and that not all Muslim women are forced to wear it as a lot of them make that decision completely by their own will. In Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil: Challenging Historical & Modern Stereotypes, the author wonders how the stereotype of veiling as an oppression of women has appeared in the mind of the Westerners and why the veiling annoys them so much; for who this stereotype is sustainable (citizens or government) as it is supported and instigated by mass media and, as a result, by pop-culture as well. Katherine Bullock (2002) insists that that Muslim women are oppressed not by the veil, but by the anti-women interpretations of the Qur’an, “a local community’s way of ‘being Muslim’, that has little reference to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or juristic teaching, or result from women’s own understanding of their role, which they then impose on others” (p. 24).
It is hard to disagree with the statements of Katherine Bullock. The author states that, “attacking the veil was an essential part of the colonial project, necessary to break down barriers between colonial power and hidden women” (p. 39), and that the antiveil discourse is linked “to Western political interests” (Bullock, 2002, p. 39). I agree with the author as it is really obvious that the government has created through mass media the veil-is-oppressive stereotype and many others related to Muslims to make pressure on the East in the World’s rush for oil or to prescind everybody’s attention from more urgent problems (economical or political). However, there are some specific traits and inaccuracies concerning Islam and its laws.
A lot of Islam feminists convince that Quran is a misogynist and patriarchal religion. An Islam feminist Fatima Mernissi (1996) in her Women’s Rebellion and Islamic Memory says that Islam “professes models of hierarchical relationships and sexual inequality and puts a sacred stamp [onto] female subservience” (p. 13-14). I disagree with this point of view as it is not quite correct. A woman and a man were created from a single soul (Quran, 4:1), thus they are equal. The fact that a man has to protect a woman does not mean that the woman is worse than the man. Talking about sexual inequality, the woman was not created for pleasuring and entertaining the man. Both of them were created for “love and compassion” between them (Quran, 30:20). The arguments of Fatima Mernissi are related only to some territories where Quran is interpreted in a misogynistic way and really oppresses women, thus it is incorrect to talk about all Islam or Muslims.
Asma Barlas cannot call herself a feminist. In The Qur’an, Sexual Equality, and Feminism, she claims that “the Qur’an does not advocate traditional patriarchy because, to begin with, it does not represent God as Father or male” and “The Qur’an also doesn’t teach that men are ontologically superior to women or are entitled to rule over them or even to be heads of the household in the sense in which they were in traditional patriarchies” (Barlas, 2004, p. 3-4). I agree with Asma Barlas that there are no verses in the Qur’an that suggest inequality of women and men. She proves that the problem of oppression of women was created artificially by accidental or specially wrong interpreting of the Qur’an.
The next article that is worth to be reviewed is Islam and Body Politics: Inscribing (Im)morality by Asma Barlas. She talks about wrong understanding and images of the body of the Muslim woman and the Prophet(Barlas, 2009, p. 10) in her article. Talking about hijab and its real meaning, Asma Barlas says that
…in an Islamic society, both women and men will behave in a way that will not require veiling as a means to protect women from predatory men. (The disturbing truth, of course, is that the public domain is not a safe space for women in many Muslim societies, even if they are veiled, and it is not a very hospitable space for them in many European societies if they are) (Barlas, 2009, p. 5).
Thus, women do not wear hijab only for protection. Its meaning for Muslim women is much deeper. The Prophet told both a man and a woman to cover their bodies and lower their gaze to demonstrate their modesty (Quran, 24:31), but not because their bodies are vicious.
Also, the writer shows the problem of different interpretations of the Qur’an in a different light through presenting the influence of it on society. Asma Barlas (2009) says,
…most Muslims, both conservative and progressive, persist in their belief that the Qur’an itself is antiwomen and patriarchal. Such claims don’t make it so but they do keep Muslims from accepting liberatory readings of the Qur’an as legitimate […] The result is a recycling of a historically dated exegesis and, with it, pejorative notions about women’s bodies and also their rights (p. 10).
This all is a result of conservative readings of the Qur’an. Asma Barlas prefers liberalistic readings to feministic ones. In my opinion, liberalistic readings are needed more because conservative ones influenced both men and women. Changing only one part of the problem like feminists do is not effective.
In Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an, Asma Barlas raises that question of sex and sexuality in the Qur’an in the chapter “The Qur’an, Sex/Gender, and Sexuality: Sameness, difference, equality”. Asma Barlas (2002) argues that the Qur’an “appoints women and men each other’s guides and protectors” (p. 140). Talking of modesty, the author says that “many Muslim men have made a mockery of its [the Qur’an’s] teachings by acquiring harems and contracting serial one-night marriages. .. [M]any Muslim men have corrupted in the extreme the Qur’anic ideals of temperance and virtue” (Barlas, 2002, p. 157). This quotation shows some results of men’s interpretations of the Qur’an. I agree that these readings were comfortable for men, and that is why they got accustomed to the Muslim society.
The arguments that Asma Barlas uses in her works are grounded in a very close reading of the Qur’an and scholarship, thus there is no reason to contradict them. The writer brings a power of Muslim and Western scholarship both to her subject. Asma Barlas claims the need to change old views to the new ones not only for the Muslim people, but for the Westerners as well.
Amina Wadud in her book Inside the Gender Jihad: Women’s Reform in Islam takes a critical look at Muslims, Islam, and Islam’s treatment of women from pro-faith point. She shares with readers her own experiences as a Muslim, mother, and wife. Being an Islam feminist, Amina Wadud raises the questions of interpretations of the Qur’an in a feministic light, the rights of Muslim women, and gender equality. Also, she thinks on what is “true” Islam. The author states that domination of men is “not only based on their interpretation of […] sources, but also because the conception of the public domain of an Islamic paradigm still focuses upon a fixed center in public space as predominately defined and inhabited by men” (Wadud, 2006, p.8). I agree that men dominance in their number provoked the appearance of oppression of women.
Moreover, Amina Wadud (2006) gives the reason of wrong understandings and different interpretations of Qur’an,
Human language limits Allah’s Self-disclosure. If revelation through text must be in human language, in order for humans to even begin to understand it, then revelation cannot be divine or Ultimate. This is distinguished from the idea that revelation is from a divine source; rather, it indicates how the source availed itself of the limitations of human language to point toward the ultimate direction for human moral development, otherwise known as guidance
(p. 214).
Thus, the poor human language causes inability of the people to understand the will of Allah completely right. I agree with this statement as there are a lot of translations of the Qur’an and they all differ in some key words so they could by interpreted in different ways.
Nevin Reda in Women in the Mosque: Historical Perspectives on Segregation talks about the rights of women to have full access to mosque. Her analysis is based on the historical overview. In different times, women were allowed or denied to enter a mosque. The access of women to the mosque is a very important right of Muslim women.
Nevin Reda (2004) says,
The mosque is the center of the Muslim community’s religious, cultural, and intellectual activity, and, as such, it should be possible to conform to God’s commands within it. However, by placing women behind men and erecting physical barriers, it becomes very difficult for both women and men to follow these injunctions (p. 94).
Thus, the inequality of Muslim women and men in the mosque is not the will of God. The Mosque is for all people – women and men (Quran, 22:25).
Nevin Reda gives us the reason why this right is manipulated by men. She says, “Perhaps the Qur’an’s importance lies not only in the historical information it contains, but also in the authority that Muslims give it: As it is the word of God, it has precedence over any other source” (Reda, 2004, p.95). The author gives number of arguments that really prove this point of view.
Lisa Beyer, a representative of the Westerner’s point of view, contrariwise does not see the things so good in her article Women of Islam. She talks about inequality of women and men in the regions where women are really terribly oppressed. Such countries as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan and the relatively moderate states of Egypt and Jordan (Beyer, 2001, p.1) have the difficulties of divorce for women, “honor killings”, and other terrifying laws. Muslim women there have a fear of poverty as often they are not allowed to have their own property.
At the same time, Lisa Beyer (2001) mentions, “Iranian women drive cars, buy and sell property, run their own businesses, vote and hold public office. They make up 25% of the work force, a third of all government employees and 54% of college students”. Also, she says about all Muslim countries that “Gender reforms are slow and hard-fought” (p. 2). There is also the reason for such a different treatment of women in Muslim countries.
There are a lot of difficulties concerning Islam and Muslim women. Katherine Bullock in Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil: Challenging Historical & Modern Stereotypes, Fatima Mernissi in Women’s Rebellion and Islamic Memory, Asma Barlas in “The Qur’an, Sexual Equality, and Feminism”, “Islam and Body Politics: Inscribing (Im)morality,” and “Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an”,Amina Wadud in Inside the Gender Jihad: Women’s Reform in Islam, Nevin Reda in Women in the Mosque: Historical Perspectives on Segregation, and Liza Beyer in Women and Islam see this problem from different points of view. Through their own experience, historical overviews, or from the outsider’s point, all the authors challenge stereotypes related to Muslim women and Islam. All authors talk about different forbidden rights of women and search for the reasons of that prohibitions. Women are mostly oppressed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as at the same time Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, and others are more liberate. Some authors have different points of views concerning the Qur’an. However, all the authors are united in their calling on Muslim women not to stop their fighting for the rights of women; on the Westerners – not to judge and perceive people of other religion; on the government of Muslim countries – to interpret the Qur’an in rather feministic way; and on men – to respect their wives’ rights.
Feb 9, 2018 in Review Category
Difference between Buddhism and Hinduism from Jainism
Compare Iranian Culture with UK
Innovation Concept Description
Review of the Man Who Quit Money
History Threat to Internal Validity
The Impact of Religion on America
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The Crown Meets the First Lady
Posted on October 31, 2018 by bethany
The episode of The Crown where The Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth meets the First Lady Jackie Kennedy has to be one of the best moments of television that I’ve ever seen. It’s not great because it’s TV. It’s great because it’s real.
(For more regular TV watchers, I realize I’m about a year behind on this one, but go with me on this for a minute.)
Here’s the premise: In June 1961, Queen Elizabeth and her husband host the Kennedys at Buckingham Palace for dinner. This is only months after the election of President Kennedy here in the U.S., and Jackie is just beginning to captivate and dazzle on the world stage. Even in the UK, she’s treated like royalty, which is saying something (coming from the Queen).
At the time, both of these women are the same age, 31, and as we learn throughout the episode, each grapples with her own identity in the midst of becoming a global phenomenon. Stunningly, in a private moment portrayed in the episode, Jackie confesses to Elizabeth that she’s also quite shy and introverted, having been thrust into the spotlight somewhat unwillingly. As is well known by this point, Queen Elizabeth also felt a bit “unfit to be Queen” in comparison to her sister, who always expressed far more of the temperament for such things.
Throughout the episode, several pieces of history are weaved together to construct a story arc surrounding the two women — who are each beacons for their respective countries at a time when few others had women to look up to.
And while the story is incredibly compelling any way you slice it, the era in which it takes place sets it into another level.
Let’s think back to what it was like for women in the U.S. back in 1961:
Only 38% of women in the U.S. were a part of the labor force
For women who were working, their median earnings were about 60% of what men were making
4% of the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were women (that’s 20 women total)
0 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies (the first wasn’t until 1972)
Okay, let’s now think again about what it must have been like for the two most influential women of their era to meet under these circumstance. One woman who was thrust unwillingly into the role of Queen of a monarchy and another who married one of the most beloved U.S. Presidents to date. Two women leaders at a time when few other women represented world leaders or business decisions who happen to meet each other face to face over dinner. What do they discuss? What do they ask each other? How does it all play out?
Obviously, while I can’t tell if The Crown’s portrayal is fact or fictionalized, the episode hones in on one particular ruling emotion above them all that you might not expect: jealousy.
No, I’m not betraying any major plot point by telling you this. (And by the way, spoilers shouldn’t exist in historical fiction anyway, but that’s a post for another time.) But above all the things these women could have felt, and perhaps should have felt, upon meeting face to face, the prevailing instinct was not that of collaboration…but of competition.
According to this retelling, the Queen was feeling a bit old-fashioned and middle-aged and looked to the First Lady’s youth and style with an envious eye. By contrast, the First Lady was feeling stifled and cornered in her marriage and longed for the open freedom of the Queen to set about her own course of action, however difficult it may prove to be. In a way, each admired the other, but they did not become fast friends. Why not?
Even after a slight kerfuffle in their relationship in which Jackie apologizes, the Queen denies her the satisfaction of acceptance. And rather than recount how Jackie’s slight criticism propelled her to greater things, she chooses to remain silent and hold the course. Why?
This question, I believe, is one that we continue to ask ourselves and puzzle over to this day. In the absence of other peers at this level, why would women like this not build out a more lasting and trusting relationship? Do women help women only when it is convenient for one or the other? Is collaboration only possible when competition is rendered a non-issue? Is the idea that any single gender can unilaterally agree with everyone else of that gender simply an impossible standard?
These are complicated questions and thorny issues. I do think it’s unfair to assume that just because you are a woman, you should support all women’s issues. I have also seen my fair share of women vs. women to this day, even when they are working in the same industry and toward the same greater goal. (And no, this is not just in tech that I’m talking about.)
But just like you wouldn’t automatically expect two men who have a chance meeting at a certain level to become fast friends and support each other, this is certainly not the case for all women either. The complexity is real, even without factoring in the external-facing gender bias that these women certainly faced. I applaud The Crown for teasing out this incredibly subtle nuance and hope that it continues to seed relevant conversations and dialogue about this in the months to come.
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Dan Haren
Monterey Bay, Calfornia
Professional Baseball Player
Many alumni thought of their Club as a “home away from home,” but in Dan Haren’s case, the comparison was literal. His father was executive director of the Monterey Park Boys Club, which Dan joined at age 6. A natural athlete, Dan played indoor hockey, soccer, basketball and flag football at the Club, learning valuable lessons about teamwork. He went on to play baseball for Pepperdine University and was drafted in 2001 by the St. Louis Cardinals, making his Major League debut in 2003. Dan later played for the Oakland Athletics and was the American League’s starting pitcher in the 2007 All-Star Game. He joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
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Mario Kart 8 is breathing life into the Wii U
By Jacob Siegal @JacobSiegal
Maybe the Wii U isn’t doomed after all. Following the release of Mario Kart 8, the two most recent VGChartz weekly sales charts show that the Wii U sold more units than the Xbox One for the first time since Microsoft’s next-gen console launched last November. The latest NPD report confirmed that Mario Kart 8 had been the second best-selling game of the month, even with just two days on the market after releasing on May 30th, but the ensuing resurgence of hardware sales is an even more exciting trend for Nintendo.
Based on the weekly charts, Nintendo sold 46,500 Wii U’s in the US from May 25th to May 31st and 29,300 units during from June 1st to June 7th. The Xbox One, on the other hand, sold just over 30,000 units through the last week of May and around 22,500 units during the first week of June. Looking back at the week ending May 24th, before Mario Kart 8 hit store shelves, Nintendo sold a paltry 10,000 Wii U’s to Microsoft’s 24,000 Xbox Ones.
Mario Kart 8 has been an equalizer for the Wii U. Nintendo lives and dies based on the quality (and quantity) of its first-party releases, but with a so few major titles releasing before the end of the year, we should expect to see several more peaks and valleys before Nintendo has a chance to stabilize with a more consistent release schedule in 2015.
Tags: microsoft, Nintendo, Wii U, Xbox One
Jacob started covering video games and technology in college as a hobby, but it quickly became clear to him that this was what he wanted to do for a living. He currently resides in New York writing for BGR. His previously published work can be found on TechHive, VentureBeat and Game Rant.
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Bhavanajagat
Welcome to Noble Thoughts from All Directions to promote the well-being of man through Self-Discovery.
Bharat Darshan: The Atman or the Soul and its experience as Pure Bliss Consciousness
Posted byBhavanajagat January 12, 2021 January 12, 2021 Leave a comment on Bharat Darshan: The Atman or the Soul and its experience as Pure Bliss Consciousness
Bharat Darshan: The Atman or the Soul and its experience as Pure Bliss Consciousness.
Atman is a Sanskrit term which describes the spiritual life principle found in all living things, especially regarded as inherent in the real or true Self of the human individual. For all purposes of conversation, Indians use the term Atman to speak about a person’s Soul which is distinct from the Body, and Mind of the person.
Indian thinkers speak extensively describing in great detail the concept of the Atman. Apart from characteristics such as imperishable, indestructible, and immutable, the Atman is viewed as ‘Light’ that dispels the darkness called Ignorance. Indian thinkers adamantly refuse to describe the structural and the functional attributes of the Atman making it difficult to define the term Atman using the information provided by Human Anatomy and Human Physiology. However, there is general agreement among the Indian thinkers about the nature of the Atman. There are four recurrent themes in the discourse about the Atman. These are, 1. The association of the Atman as the ultimate source of Great Knowledge to overcome the veiling effects of Maya or the Grand Illusion, 2. The experience of the Atman is the prerequisite to find Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in the conditioned nature of the human existence characterized by pain, and suffering, 3. The Atman is manifested as Pure Joy, Perfect Happiness, and Pure Bliss Consciousness, and 4. The Atman is the Fourth Condition, the Fourth State, or the Fourth Quarter of Consciousness which is Pure for it is devoid of all contents, has no functional attributes, and most importantly, cannot be described.
Bharat Darshan: The Atman or the Soul and its experience as the Pure Bliss Consciousness.
In my analysis, the concept of the Atman, or the Soul is useful and when validated, the concept will provide the tools for practical application to promote the human well-being. To that extent, I invite my readers to study the Functional Anatomy of the Reticular Formation of the Brainstem to interpret it as the structural and functional organization called the Soul. Please review the concept of ‘Emotional Brainstem’ to understand the anatomical and physiological basis of the human experience called Pure Joy, Perfect Happiness, and Pure Bliss Consciousness.
Rudra Narasimham Rebbapragada
BHAVANAJAGAT.ORG
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : IN THIS IMAGE OF HUMAN BRAIN, THE GREEN PORTION OF BRAINSTEM IS CALLED THE RETICULAR FORMATION. I AM PROPOSING TO CALL IT AS THE KNOWING-SELF AND IT IS THE “KNOWER” OF THE HUMAN BODY WHICH CONSTANTLY CHANGES ITS MORPHOLOGICAL APPEARANCE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TIME CALLED THE AGING PROCESS.
The Functional Anatomy of the Reticular Formation
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy., 29 May 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2019.00055
Ugo Faraguna1, Michela Ferrucci1, Filippo S. Giorgi1,2 and Francesco Fornai1,3*
1Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
2Section of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
3I.R.C.C.S. I.N.M. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnana.2019.00055/full
In 1949 Moruzzi and Magoun first described the activating role of a wide area within the brainstem. They defined some physiological features of what they called the ascending reticular activating system, setting the scene for the discovery of the multifaceted roles of the reticular formation. In particular, beyond the original effects on behavioral arousal, a variety of effects is generated in the brain by the activation of these discrete nuclei population of the brainstem. In this way, physiological conditions such as the sleep-waking cycle, the level of arousal and attention, the drive for novelty seeking behaviors, the mood states and other brain activities were shown to depend on the ascending reticular formation. Meanwhile, it became more and more evident that an equal amount of processes is controlled by its descending pathways. More specifically, the reticular formation plays a key role in the modulation of posture, extrapyramidal movements, cardiovascular activity, breathing and a variety of harmonic variations in the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems which accompanies motor activity. The descending fibers of the reticular formation, as well as the ascending system, are critical in gating the sensory inputs and play a critical role in pain modulation, mainly by acting on the posterior horn of the spinal cord.
All these activities are impaired when a damage affects critical nuclei of the reticular formation. This may occur either suddenly, due to vascular disorders, or progressively, as it happens in neurodegenerative conditions. Interestingly, in this latter case the spreading of neurodegeneration has been attributed to the rich collaterals connecting various reticular nuclei, which are more and more involved in later stages of many neurodegenerative disorders.
During the last decades the anatomical counterparts of the reticular formation have been further investigated, even though a comprehensive description is still missing. Thus, the present research topic is designed to welcome contributions both defining the updated anatomy of the reticular formation and its physiological functions (sleep-wake cycle, EEG synchronization, postural control, etc.) as well as its involvement in a wide array of neuropsychiatric disorders (Parkinson and extrapyramidal disorders, epilepsy, sleep disorders, ADHD, degenerative dementia, neurovascular disorders, etc.).
The brainstem reticular formation (RF) represents the archaic core of those pathways connecting the spinal cord and the encephalon. It subserves autonomic, motor, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, and mood-related functions. Its activity extensively modulates cortical excitability, both in physiological conditions (i.e., sleep-wake cycle and arousal) and in disease (i.e., epilepsies). Such a wide variety of effects arises from the long course and profuse axonal branching of isodendritic reticular neurons, which allows the neuronal message to travel toward the entire cerebral cortex and downstream to the spinal cord. On the other hand, the isodendritic architecture featuring a monoplanar branching allows most RF neurons to cover roughly half of the brainstem and to be impinged by ascending and descending pathways. In parallel, such a generalized influence on CNS activity occurs in combination with highly focused tasks, such as those involved in the coordination of gaze.
The Journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy offers an updated view to define the anatomical correlates of the multiple and interconnected roles played by the brainstem reticular formation in health and disease.
In fact, the integration of multiple activities within the brainstem reticular circuitries may explain why alterations of each of these domains may affect the emotional sphere, paving the way to the concept of emotional brainstem (Venkatraman et al.).
The Brainstem in Emotion: A Review
Anand Venkatraman1, Brian L. Edlow2 and Mary Helen Immordino-Yang3,4,5*
1*. Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
2*.Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
3*.Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
4*.Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
5*.Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Emotions depend upon the integrated activity of neural networks that modulate arousal, autonomic function, motor control, and somatosensation. Brainstem nodes play critical roles in each of these networks, but prior studies of the neuroanatomic basis of emotion, particularly in the human neuropsychological literature, have mostly focused on the contributions of cortical rather than subcortical structures. Given the size and complexity of brainstem circuits, elucidating their structural and functional properties involves technical challenges. However, recent advances in neuroimaging have begun to accelerate research into the brainstem’s role in emotion. In this review, we provide a conceptual framework for neuroscience, psychology and behavioral science researchers to study brainstem involvement in human emotions. The “emotional brainstem” is comprised of three major networks – Ascending, Descending and Modulatory. The Ascending network is composed chiefly of the spinothalamic tracts and their projections to brainstem nuclei, which transmit sensory information from the body to rostral structures. The Descending motor network is subdivided into medial projections from the reticular formation that modulate the gain of inputs impacting emotional salience, and lateral projections from the periaqueductal gray, hypothalamus and amygdala that activate characteristic emotional behaviors. Finally, the brainstem is home to a group of modulatory neurotransmitter pathways, such as those arising from the raphe nuclei (serotonergic), ventral tegmental area (dopaminergic) and locus coeruleus (noradrenergic), which form a Modulatory network that coordinates interactions between the Ascending and Descending networks. Integration of signaling within these three networks occurs at all levels of the brainstem, with progressively more complex forms of integration occurring in the hypothalamus and thalamus. These intermediary structures, in turn, provide input for the most complex integrations, which occur in the frontal, insular, cingulate and other regions of the cerebral cortex. Phylogenetically older brainstem networks inform the functioning of evolutionarily newer rostral regions, which in turn regulate and modulate the older structures. Via these bidirectional interactions, the human brainstem contributes to the evaluation of sensory information and triggers fixed-action pattern responses that together constitute the finely differentiated spectrum of possible emotions.
Emotions are mental and bodily responses that are deployed automatically when an organism recognizes that a situation warrants such a reaction (Damasio, 1994). Due to humans’ intellectual capacities, human emotional reactions are not necessarily triggered by immediate (real) physical or social circumstances, but can also be precipitated by inferences, memories, beliefs or imaginings (Immordino-Yang, 2010). Although human emotions can involve complex cognitive deliberations (Immordino-Yang, 2010, 2015) their activating power fundamentally depends upon the modulation of arousal, motor control and somatosensation. Emotions are therefore regulated by a broad range of subcortical and cortical structures, with a critical role being played by subcortical nuclei in the pontine and midbrain tegmentum (Nauta, 1958; Parvizi and Damasio, 2001), as well as by autonomic and cardiorespiratory nuclei in the medulla (Edlow et al., 2016). Currently, most investigations of human emotion, especially in the neuropsychology literature, have focused on contribution of cortical rather than subcortical structures to human emotion, with a few notable exceptions (Buhle et al., 2013). Given that the brainstem plays a critical role in regulating and organizing emotion-related processing, the aim of this review is to provide a conceptual framework for affective researchers to study the brainstem’s role in human emotion.
Organization of Brain Regions Involved in Emotion
For the purpose of studying its role in emotion, the brainstem can be conceptualized as being composed of Ascending, Descending, and Modulatory networks. The gray matter nodes and white matter connections within each of these networks are summarized in Table 1, while Figure 1 provides a schematic overview of the networks’ brainstem nodes.
TABLE 1. The three networks of brainstem structures involved in emotion processing, and their components.
FIGURE 1. Brainstem nuclei involved in human emotion. (A) Sagittal view and (B) Coronal view. DR, Dorsal Raphe; LC, Locus coeruleus; LDT, Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus; Mb, Midbrain; MR, Median raphe; P, Pons; PAG, Periaqueductal gray; PBC, Parabrachial nuclear complex; PPN, Pedunculopontine nucleus; VTA, Ventral tegmental area. The substantia nigra and the nucleus of the tractus solitarius are not shown to optimize visibility of the other structures.
Integration of signaling within these three networks occurs at all levels of the brainstem, while progressively more complex levels of integration occur in the thalamus, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. This encephalization and hierarchical organization allows phylogenetically older pathways in the brainstem, which evaluate sensory information and give rise to fixed-action pattern responses, to be regulated by evolutionarily newer rostral regions (Tucker et al., 2000). It is important to emphasize here that this conceptual model is based upon limited information about the functioning of the human brainstem, and will likely require revision and further differentiation as new evidence arises (Seeley et al., 2007; Coenen et al., 2011; Hermans et al., 2014).
Ascending Network
Damasio’s (1996) Somatic Markers Hypothesis suggests that emotion processing incorporates somatosensory and visceral feedback from the periphery, either directly or through intervening sensory representations in caudal structures. Multiple representations of the body state in the brainstem and in the insular cortices are believed to enable simulation of future actions and sensations to guide decision making, as well as to contribute to empathy and theory of mind in humans. Self-awareness may arise from successive temporal representations of the body with increasing levels of detail (Craig, 2003a). Even the simple sensory representations of the body in the brainstem nuclei can alter affective experience, as demonstrated by studies showing that subtle modulation of a subject’s facial expressions can change self-reported affect (Harrison et al., 2010).
Interoception, which is the sense of the internal condition of the body, and emotional feeling, may share a common route through the brainstem to the anterior insular cortex (Craig, 2003a; Drake et al., 2010). The interoceptive system, represented in the cortex by the insula and adjacent regions of the frontal operculum, is particularly important for the internal simulation of observed emotion in humans (Preston et al., 2007; Pineda and Hecht, 2009) and for the experience of complex social emotions (Immordino-Yang et al., 2009, 2014, 2016). The other body map in the somatosensory cortex, which is built from dorsal column inputs and segments of the anterolateral pathway, contributes to affective understanding by simulation of facial expressions (Pineda and Hecht, 2009), analogous to the proposed function of primate mirror neurons in perception/action coupling (Rizzolatti and Craighero, 2004).
The neuroanatomic basis for the Ascending sensory network and the mechanisms by which it modulates human emotion remain poorly understood. Although the structural and functional properties of these ascending pathways have been studied extensively in rodents and non-human primates using premortem tract-tracing and invasive electrophysiological studies, these techniques cannot be applied in humans. Recent studies using diffusion tractography and resting-state functional connectivity techniques in humans have found that forebrain regions involved in regulation of mood and affect are interconnected not only with mesencephalic and pontine arousal nuclei, but also with medullary cardiorespiratory and autonomic nuclei through the medial and lateral forebrain bundles (Vertes, 2004; Edlow et al., 2016). Figure 2 provides an overview of the main structures in the Ascending network.
FIGURE 2. Major structures involved in the Ascending network. (1) Spinothalamic tracts. (2) Nucleus of the tractus solitarius. (3) Parabrachial nuclear complex. (4) Thalamus. Green arrows: Ascending projections.
It is well established that sensations from the human body are carried in two major ascending pathways in the brainstem – the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, which continue as the medial lemnisci, carry discriminatory sensation, deep touch and proprioception; the anterolateral pathway, composed of the spinothalamic tracts, carries nociceptive and temperature-related signals (Nogradi et al., 2000-2013).
The Anterolateral Pathway
The nociceptive fibers in the anterolateral pathway give off collaterals at every level that converge with projections from visceral sensory neurons in the brainstem, thereby ensuring close coordination of pain and autonomic processing (Craig, 2003b). The pathway begins with small-diameter fibers that transmit signals of fast and slow pain, chemical changes, temperature, metabolic state of muscles, itch, and sensual or light touch to lamina I of the spinal cord, from where ascending projections arise. In the caudal brainstem, these projections target the nucleus of the tractus solitarius in the medulla (Figure 2), which is also innervated by visceral and taste sensations through the vagus, glossopharyngeal and facial nerves.
The Parabrachial Complex
Tract-tracing studies in rodent models have revealed that ascending projections from the nucleus of the tractus solitarius travel to the parabrachial complex (Figures 1, 2) in the upper pons (Herbert et al., 1990), which also receives direct projections from lamina I neurons (Craig, 2003b), in addition to other inputs such as balance (Balaban, 2002). Rat studies suggest that the parabrachial complex integrates multiple types of converging sensory inputs and in turn projects to rostral regions such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, basal forebrain and amygdala, and may play an important role in arousal (Fuller et al., 2011; Edlow et al., 2012). The upper brainstem, where the parabrachial complex lies, is therefore the most caudal structure where a topographically complete map of the body can be assembled that includes all manner of interoceptive information (Damasio and Carvalho, 2013). There is also ongoing investigation of the role played by the superior colliculus, a structure in the dorsal aspect of the upper brainstem, in sensory and emotional processing in humans, but the available evidence is sparse (Celeghin et al., 2015).
The Thalamus
Immediately rostral to the upper brainstem is the thalamus, and the spinothalamic tracts, as their name indicates, end in the thalamus. A subset of thalamic nuclei function as relay structures between the emotional brainstem and rostral brain structures. The ventral posteromedial nuclei of the thalamus, which receive projections from the parabrachial complex and other parts of the anterolateral pathway, project to the insular cortex, particularly the mid/posterior dorsal part. Craig and colleagues suggested that the posterior part of the ventral medial nucleus of the thalamus, or VMPo, was uniquely involved in pain processing, particularly in primates (Craig, 2003a), but other authors had questioned the separate existence of this nucleus (Willis et al., 2002).
The intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus receive non-topographical sensory input from the spinal cord, which are in turn projected to the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices. The intralaminar nuclei are involved in orienting and attention, while arousal and visceral sensation are subserved by the midline nuclei (Morgane et al., 2005). In primates a direct pathway from lamina I to the anterior cingulate through the medial dorsal nucleus is also present (Craig, 2003a), and it has been suggested that these pathways may mediate the affective aspect of pain (Tucker et al., 2005). Indeed, the mediodorsal nucleus progressively increases in cytoarchitectonic complexity in higher animals, and is also known to project to the frontal and prefrontal cortices (Morgane et al., 2005). Thus, the thalamus contains multiple structures that appear to play a role in transmitting the signals essential for emotion processing from the brainstem to the forebrain.
Summary statement: Representations of the body of varying degrees of complexity that exist at multiple levels in the Ascending network, including the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the parabrachial nucleus, are believed to be give rise to the “feeling” of an emotion.
Descending Network
The chief descending pathway in the human brainstem is composed of large, myelinated axons of the corticospinal tracts, transmitting motor impulses to the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and thereafter to skeletal musculature (Nogradi and Gerta, 2000–2013). In addition, the midbrain and pontine tegmentum, as well as the medulla, contain several structures that serve as the output centers for motor and autonomic regulatory systems, which in turn regulate the bodily manifestations of the “emotion proper” (Damasio, 1994). Holstege (2009) considered the interconnected network of descending fibers and effector regions in the brainstem an “emotional motor system,” distinct from the corticospinal somatic motor pathway, each of which they divided into lateral and medial parts [Figure 3, adapted from (Holstege, 2016)].
FIGURE 3. Holstege’s conception of the Emotional and Somatic motor systems. (Adapted from Holstege, 2016).
The brainstem, as noted previously, contains a hierarchy of circuits linking ascending sensory neurons and descending effector neurons. Evidence from rat and cat studies indicates that the lower-level circuits enable quick stereotypical responses to stimuli, while the higher-level involvement of rostral centers allows for complex motor and autonomic activity and action specificity (Bandler et al., 2000; Gauriau and Bernard, 2002). This close relationship between sensory and effector networks in emotion processing is best illustrated by the close overlap seen between sites involved in emotional vocalization and pain processing in animals. Both physical and psychological pain (caused by separation from caregivers, for example) can produce distress vocalizations in animals, with the caudal brainstem containing multiple regions that control the respiratory and phonetic changes of vocalization (Tucker et al., 2005) and cardiorespiratory function during emotion (Lovick, 1993; Rainville et al., 2006; Edlow et al., 2016). The rostral nuclei are able to modulate the activity of caudal nuclei that control cardiorespiratory control and vocalization in a coordinated manner that makes the resultant action more complex and nuanced.
Lateral Part of the Emotional Motor System
The emotional motor system’s lateral part consists of projections primarily from the periaqueductal gray, as well as more rostral structures such as the amygdala and hypothalamus, to the lateral tegmentum in the caudal pons and medulla (Figures 3, 4). This lateral part of the emotional motor system is involved in specific motor actions invoked in emotions, as well as in the control of heart rate, respiration, vocalization, and mating behavior (Holstege, 2009). Studies in multiple animal models as well as in humans have revealed that the periaqueductal gray (Figures 1, 4) is a major site of integration of affective behavior and autonomic output, with strong connections to other brainstem structures (Behbehani, 1995).
Several fixed patterns of behavior, particularly those related to responding to external threats, with accompanying autonomic changes, are organized in the different columns of the periaqueductal gray in rats (Brandao et al., 2008). The lateral/dorsolateral column receives well-localized nociceptive input (superficial ‘fast’ pain, as might be expected from bites or scratches) and is believed to organize fight-or-flight reactions. When stimulated this column produces emotional vocalization, confrontation, aggression and sympathetic activation, shown by increased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Many of these responses are mediated by descending projections to the paragigantocellularis lateralis nucleus in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (respiratory rhythm), the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (heart rate and rhythm), and caudal raphe (cardiorespiratory integration; Lovick, 1993; Edlow et al., 2016). Within this dorsolateral/lateral column itself, there are two parts. The rostral part is responsible for power/dominance (producing a “fight” response), while the caudal part invokes fear (producing a “flight” response) with blood flow to the limbs (Sewards and Sewards, 2002).
The ventrolateral column of the periaqueductal gray receives poorly localized “slow, burning” somatic and visceral pain signals, and on stimulation produces passive coping, long-term sick behavior, freezing with hyporeactivity and an inhibition of sympathetic outflow (Parvizi and Damasio, 2001; Craig, 2003b; Brandao et al., 2005; Benarroch, 2006). In this way, it is likely involved in background emotions such as those that contribute to mood. Rat studies have further revealed that lesions of the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray reduce innate defensive behaviors, while lesions of the caudal ventrolateral part reduce conditioned freezing and increase locomotor activity (Brandao et al., 2005). When the predator is far away, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, through the amygdala, activate midbrain structures centered around the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, which results in freezing (Tucker et al., 2000). In the “circa-strike” stage when the predator is imminent, forebrain pathways are silenced, and the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray is activated, resulting in fight-or-flight reactions.
The Periaqueductal Gray in Human Emotion
Though the reactions detailed above are almost certainly incorporated into human emotion, the precise mechanisms have not been elucidated. One study involving high-resolution MRI of the human periaqueductal gray indicated that this structure has discrete functional subregions that parallel the divisions seen in animals – aversive stimuli caused activation in the ventrolateral regions of the caudal periaqueductal gray and in the lateral/dorsomedial regions of the rostral periaqueductal gray (Satpute et al., 2013). The periaqueductal gray threat response system is likely co-opted in the pathophysiology of conditions such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Blood flow analysis suggests that the inhibitory influence of the cortex over the fight-or-flight mechanisms in the periaqueductal gray is reduced in panic disorder (Del-Ben and Graeff, 2009). Functional MRI has also revealed activation of the human periaqueductal gray in complex emotions such as frustration (Yu et al., 2014), admiration and compassion (Immordino-Yang et al., 2009), in addition to more immediate threat responses (Lindner et al., 2015).
Medial Part of the Emotional Motor System
The medial part of the emotional motor system (Figures 3, 4) consists of descending projections from the reticular formation that are involved in level-setting and modulatory functions (Holstege, 2009). Once again, the vast majority of the research on this subject has been in animals. The caudal third of the locus coeruleus (Sasaki et al., 2008) and the caudal raphe nuclei both send projections downward to the spinal cord, as depicted in Figure 4, and are responsible for descending pain modulation (Renn and Dorsey, 2005). The effect of norepinephrine from the locus coeruleus is mostly antinociceptive, while serotonin from the raphe nuclei can have varying effects depending upon the type of receptor activated (Benarroch, 2008). In rats, it has been shown that the midbrain tectum and the dorsal/lateral periaqueductal gray indirectly produce the analgesia that occurs in fear (Coimbra et al., 2006), through a primarily non-opioid mechanism involving GABAergic and serotonergic neurons (as opposed to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray that produces a long-lasting opioid mediated analgesia; Gauriau and Bernard, 2002). It is likely that this system of fear suppressing the pain system is still present in humans, allowing us to act and move rapidly in situations of threat (Mobbs et al., 2007).
FIGURE 4. Major structures involved in the Descending network. (5) Periaqueductal gray. (6) Locus coeruleus. (7) Caudal raphe nuclei. (8) Rostral ventrolateral medullary nuclei. (9) Dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Green arrows: Descending projections from periaqueductal gray. Blue arrows: Descending projections from the caudal raphe and locus coeruleus.
In addition to nociceptive modifications, the medial part of the emotional motor system is also involved in level-setting for arousal levels and muscle function – studies on rodents and monkeys indicate that this is accomplished through norepinephrine secretion from the locus coeruleus (Aston-Jones and Cohen, 2005; Lang and Davis, 2006) and cholinergic projections from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus in the upper pons (Bechara and van der Kooy, 1989; Homs-Ormo et al., 2003). Further detail regarding these important structures is provided in the section below on the Modulatory network.
Summary statement: The Descending network, otherwise referred to here as the emotional motor system, has a lateral part that triggers patterned emotional behaviors, while the medial part is responsible for level-setting in sensory and arousal systems that might be important in emotionally charged situations.
Modulatory Neurotransmitter Network – Valence, Arousal, and Reward
Since a major characteristic of an adaptive emotional behavioral response is flexibility, a network that modulates the autonomic, motor, affective and memory changes brought about by different stimuli is needed. The chief upper brainstem structures involved in this modulation are the neurotransmitter pathways arising from the upper raphe nuclei (serotonergic), the ventral tegmental area-substantia nigra pars compacta complex (dopaminergic), and the upper locus coeruleus (noradrenergic), which project widely throughout the hypothalamus, cortex and other parts of the forebrain. In addition, the laterodorsal and the pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei are sources of cholinergic fibers, which stimulate cortical activation through the thalamus. These structures are depicted in Figures 1, 5. Ascending projections from the brainstem to subcortical and cortical structures communicate the states of brainstem structures to more rostral regions of the nervous system, where these states contribute to affective experience. Since these pathways are involved in arousal and in the maintenance of consciousness (Jones, 2003), they are sometimes called the Ascending Reticular Activating System or Ascending Arousal Network (Moruzzi and Magoun, 1949; Edlow et al., 2012). The following sections on the various pathways that comprise the Modulatory network are in large part descriptions of the Ascending Reticular Activating System, albeit with a focus on how these relate to emotion.
FIGURE 5. The nuclei of the Modulatory network. (10) Substantia nigra. (11) Ventral tegmental area. (12) Raphe nuclei. (6) Locus coeruleus. (13) Pedunculopontine nucleus. (14) Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus.
The Valence-Arousal Model of Emotion and Its Critiques
The modulation of affective states by these upper brainstem-based pathways has been expressed through the two domains of valence and arousal. According to the circumplex model of emotions, each basic emotion is postulated to be a combination of these two domains, in differing degrees (Russell, 1980; Zald, 2003; Posner et al., 2009). In humans, valence correlates with pleasantness ratings, heart rate, and facial muscle activity, while arousal correlates with skin conductance, interest ratings and viewing time for stimuli (Lang and Davis, 2006). Both valence and arousal have significant impact on an organism’s relationship with the environment, influencing, for example, the allocation of attention and long term memory formation (Arbib and Fellous, 2004).
Recent work, especially in the neuroimaging literature, has raised questions about whether complex neurological processes like emotions can actually be represented by reducing to dimensions of valence and arousal. Kragel and LaBar (2016), in an interesting review of the nature of brain networks that subserve human emotion, argue that each emotion uniquely correlates with activation of a constellation of cortical and subcortical structures (Kragel and LaBar, 2016), and that the current neuroimaging data do not support the valence-arousal model of emotions. They focused on fMRI studies which have applied novel statistical methods collectively known as multivoxel pattern analysis to identify mappings between mental states and multiple measures of neural activity. The mainstay of earlier neuroimaging research on emotion was univariate pattern analysis, but multivariate analyses have the advantages of higher sensitivity, and the ability to detect counterintuitive relationships because of the lack of reliance on a priori hypotheses. These approaches also have the advantage of overcoming the assumption that dedicated modules or homogeneous neural units subserve each emotion, because they can investigate various neuronal populations at much larger spatial scales.
Kragel and LaBar (2016) suggest that while the use of machine learning approaches to large neuroimaging datasets is likely to expand in the near future, it might be premature to draw conclusions about neural substrates underlying each emotion, because the current studies using multivariate analyses have not all been consistent with one another. These differences may be coming from technical variations in the methods used to induce and assess the emotion and associated neural activations, but might also represent fundamental variations in the circuitry employed in different individuals, or even a lack of emotional “essences” that can be studied in a standardized manner across people and cultures. While this is a valid critique, we believe that the older valence-arousal classification still holds value in furthering our understanding of brainstem contributions to emotions and especially to basic emotions shared with intelligent animals. This debate may eventually be resolved with technical advances in functional neuroimaging and multidisciplinary approaches to studying emotional experiences (Immordino-Yang and Yang, 2017, in press).
The brainstem contains several structures that are likely of critical importance in the generation and experience of emotion. Most prior research on human emotion has focused on cortical mechanisms, largely because of the complexity of the brainstem coupled with the difficulty of analyzing brainstem functioning using current technologies. We have provided a conceptual overview of how tegmental structures of the brainstem are involved in emotion-related processes. Future research on the structural and functional connectivity of the human brainstem is needed to further understand its role in emotion. Such work will undoubtedly contribute to a more enriched and nuanced understanding of the neurobiology of human emotion in psychology and in affective neuroscience.
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