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British ex-pats lose High Court battle over right to vote in EU referendum
by John Aston, Press Association
April 28, 2016, 10:48 am Updated: April 28, 2016, 10:49 am
EU referendum (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
The legal challenge was brought by 94-year-old Second World War veteran Harry Shindler, who lives in Italy, and lawyer and Belgian resident Jacquelyn MacLennan.
They argued they were being illegally denied the chance to vote because they have lived in other European countries for more than 15 years.
They asked two judges sitting in London to declare Section 2 of the EU Referendum Act 2015, which establishes “the 15-year rule” for overseas electors, unlawfully restricted their right to freedom of movement under EU law.
But Lord Justice Lloyd Jones, sitting with Mr Justice Blake, ruled section 2 did not restrict their rights and rejected their application for judicial review.
The judges also ruled that, even if there were a restriction of EU free movement rights, it would be “objectively justified”.
The ruling will come as a blow to ex-pats who fear that a referendum decision in favour of Brexit could seriously disrupt their lives.
The court heard that “a very substantial number” of the estimated two million Britons living and working in Europe are being disenfranchised.
Aidan O’Neill QC, appearing for both Mr Shindler and Ms MacLennan, argued at a one-day hearing earlier this month that the 15-year rule was arbitrary, and “absolutely no reason for it” had been identified by the Government. In fact there was a manifesto commitment to abolish it.
The Government was basing the franchise on those “with the closest of links to the UK” – but no one had a greater interest in the outcome of the vote than Britons in Europe, said Mr O’Neill.
Victory for the “Leave” campaign could lead to Mr Shindler and Ms MacLennan becoming “resident aliens” in Europe.
Mr O’Neill said: “Without British membership of the EU these two British citizens will no longer be EU citizens.”
Their right to live, work, own property, retire, receive health care free at the point of use, paid for by the NHS, could be placed in jeopardy.
Government lawyers asked the judges to rule the ex-pats’ case “unarguable”.
James Eadie QC said the 2015 referendum legislation did not interfere with free movement rights and was not open to challenge on EU law grounds.
Mr Eadie said the impact of a “leave” vote on those caught by the rule “would be subject to negotiation with other member states and cannot be predicted at this stage”.
Mr Eadie also warned that a win for Mr Shindler and Ms MacLennan could lead to it being impossible to hold the referendum as planned on June 23.
But Mr O’Neill said the Government claim was exaggerated, adding: “There is plenty of time for the necessary changes to be done.”
Lawyers acting for the ex-pats confirmed they will seek leave to appeal directto the Supreme Court.
Richard Stein, from law firm Leigh Day, expressed “disappointment” with the High Court decision and said: “We now intend to take the legal battle to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, so that all British citizens living elsewhere in the EU can be part of the democratic process to vote in this referendum, which will have a very real impact on their lives.
“We believe that there is precedent for fast-track legislation being put through Parliament in a matter of days in response to court judgment, so there would be no need for the referendum to be delayed if the Supreme Court rules in our favour.
“Since this is a vote in a referendum rather than in an election there is no need to link the votes of Britons in Europe to any particular constituency in the UK. Possession of a British passport should be enough.”
Ms MacLennan said: “The Government made a manifesto commitment to enfranchise all British citizens, no matter how long they have been abroad, saying that they thought that ‘choosing 15 years, as opposed to 14 or 16 years, is inherently like sticking a dart in a dartboard’ and that ‘if British citizens maintain British citizenship, that brings with it rights, obligations and a connection with this country, and that that should endure’.
“We just want the Government to keep its promises.”
Brexit campaigners are offering a ‘fantasy future’ outside the EU, says Alistair Darling
Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars hopes party members will start backing Brexit
Prime Minister says UK has ‘taken back control’ as Brexit transition period ends
‘Time to let the grass grow over Brexit battlefield’, argues Lamont
EU ambassadors give green light to post-Brexit trade deal
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Matt Nathanson Talks Sinead O’Connor’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss
The popular singer-songwriter does not hold back about his passionate feelings for Sinead O’Connor’s artistry. Warning: there is cussing.
By Matt Nathanson | August 11, 2014
Matt Nathanson
Matt Nathanson is a songwriter and musician from San Francisco. In 2007, his release Some Mad Hope produced the smash hit single “Come On Get Higher” and subsequent hit singles “Car Crash,” “Falling Apart” and “All We Are.” His current single is “Headphones (feat. LOLO)” and he is on tour now with Gavin DeGraw across the US. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram
(Photo credit: Brendan Walter)
music commentary
sinead o’connor’s music gives zero fucks.
it always has.
it doesn’t care about trends or “cool.”
it doesn’t play a role.
it feels closer to art in that way.
it feels pure. like it came directly from that magical place where
the brain can’t get to it and take it apart.
sinead o’connor doesn’t suffer fools. so she’s never really been
malleable by others either. i like to think this is because she’s irish.
but i kind of romanticize the irish. but that’s ’cause i’m irish.
and also, because every irish person i know takes no bullshit.
but anyway, regardless… i think being irish has a lot to do with it.
sinead has always written direct lyrics.
no flourishes.
no unnecessary shit.
sometimes it knocks me out.
sometimes it makes me cringe.
being raw and earnest…
sometimes, for me, it strikes me as corny.
but that’s just my fear talking.
vulnerability is not something i do well.
but it is something sinead does VERY well.
she’s always been that way.
on some level, it’s like listening to a child talk.
she dials into that kind of unburdened voice when she writes.
and it makes me uncomfortable. like all good shit should.
unfiltered and true to the feelings.
AND HOW RARE AND FUCKING GLORIOUS IS THAT?!!
to have an artistic voice that is so dialed into the self that it just
shits truth… that’s the only real currency we have as humans,
our own fucked-up, unique selves. sinead o’connor is all about this.
but back to the lyrics…
“you know i don’t much like life, i don’t mind admitting that it ain’t right/
you know i love to make music/
but my head got wrecked by the business/
everybody wants something from me/
they rarely ever want to just know me.”
“take me to church, i’ve done so many bad things it hurts/
yeah take me to church/
but not the one that hurts/
’cause that ain’t the truth and that’s not what it’s for.”
“i’m the only one i should adore”… ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!!
sinead has ALWAYS written like this.
“last day of our acquaintance,”
“i want your (hands on me)”…
NAKED words. so fucking direct. and so fucking HONEST.
but on her last bunch of albums, her melodies have broken out of the
traditional pop thing… they wander. in this incredible way. and the words
are more exposed. and you’re glued to them. around every turn.
and she wraps her voice around ‘em. all awkward and raw…
and it just works.
i mean, her voice is a fucking gift.
it can rip your head off — “the voice of my doctor”
it can bring you down to the fetal position — “streetcars”
and it can plug you into THE. FUCKING. SUN — “take me to church.”
her songs are like private letters that are written with a REFUSAL to
be misinterpreted. it makes every album she makes seem crucial.
like electricity.
how crazy is it that someone who’s been kicked around so much by
the press and the public can remain this transparent in their art?
now, that’s a fucking artist right there.
to be thin-skinned enough to create from a place this honest, while at
the same time being thick-skinned enough to remain SO thin-skinned.
i got compromise in my blood. and it sucks.
so, for me, sinead o’connor’s transparency is the promised land.
artists show us our own shit by showing us theirs.
kanye west does this. pete townshend does this.
art needs to come from an unmolested place.
and these days that is so rare. and should be fucking celebrated.
this album is a long throw.
it unfolds.
it doesn’t grab me by the collar like her last record did.
and she is not the same artist who made the lion and the cobra…
or i do not want what i haven’t got. and why the fuck should she be??
leave that to the terrified!
there is not another sinead o’connor.
no one does what she does.
she is an individual. and her art is unique.
and because of that… i am forever hooked.
i’m invested in sinead o’connor. the same way i’m invested in kanye west.
or paul thomas anderson. or haruki murakami.
i want to follow them. i want to go where they go. as they evolve.
and they always evolve… ’cause they’re starving for it.
and i take what i can from what they make.
they spill. and i get to sift through it and find myself.
David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) Talks Jonathan Liebesman’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Jim Hemphill (The Trouble with the Truth) Talks Trish Sie’s Step Up All In
Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group) Talks the Melvins’ Tres Cabrones
Meshell Ndegeocello Talks Michael Jackson’s Xscape
Steve Wynn (the Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, the Baseball Project) Talks Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Hypnotic Eye
Peter Holsapple (the dB’s, Holsapple & Stamey, Continental Drifters) Talks Chrissie Hynde’s Stockholm
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Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/redeeming-side-auto-industry-collapse/)
The redeeming side of the auto industry collapse
By Myles Spicer () | December 26, 2008
Like many serious – even disastrous – events, there is often a “bright” side to the issue. Sometimes this is called “the lemon to lemonade” dynamic; and so it is true with the current collapse of the American auto manufacturers. So how can such a cataclysmic event bring our society and economy any benefits? Let us count the ways.
American Business Strategic Planning
I happen to own both Honda stock and Ford. I have owned Honda shares for years; and while it too is depressed, the way that company is run compared to Ford is dramatically different. There are two major differences: the Japanese have a long term strategy for their business model which runs well into the future. Thus, they have pre-planned products and technology which is “right for the times”. American businesses look to quarterly profits – primarily because that is how the few very top executives assure their compensation (especially as related to their generous stock options). Hopefully, now exposed, this will benefit all American businesses with stronger strategic planning in the future. Secondly, there is a marked difference in executive pay between foreign businesses, and those in the United States.
The Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases.
The disparity in compensation between the “average” worker and top executives in American businesses has changed dramatically in recent decades. It is now estimated that the difference between the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and the lowest paid worker is over 300 times! While this may seem acceptable to some, such a disparity does not exist in foreign companies, where top executives earn much more reasonable salaries (European top execs get about 1/3 that of their American counterparts; Japanese typically about 10 times the lowest paid worker). A current example is now exposed in this auto malaise, where Rick Wagoner of GM was given a 33% INCREASE in his salary earlier this year (pre-bailout), PLUS he is eligible for up to $3.5 million in incentive payments and a grant of 165,563 shares of GM stock if he meets the targets. He will also receive 500,000 stock options that will vest over three years and 75,000 restricted stock options that will vest in three to five years. GM lost $38 Billion last year; and Wagoner’s total compensation for that period was reported to be over $10 million. In short, American corporations seem to operate in the bizarro world on this subject.
One of the key issues exposed in this auto crisis was the cost of health care to American manufacturers as opposed to their foreign counterparts. The fact is that those countries which offer some sort of national health plans (not necessarily “socialized” medicine), allow companies to shed this huge and growing expense – and have healthier workers to boot. As President-elect Obama has pointed out, resolving the issue of health care costs is not a separate issue from an economic recovery, it is an essential component in the solution. The auto crisis has shed a light on this subject.
This critical, but constantly dismissed subject, has been part of an American dialogue for over 30 years now…ever since the first gas crisis of the 70’s. Now, it is finally getting not only attention, but hope for a resolution. And it is primarily due to the auto industry problems. If there is a successful “bailout” of the industry, the development of “green” technology will finally be mandated, not just urged. The industry itself has long fought better mileage CAFÉ standards, and the Bush administration has been equally compliant. Whether a Big 3 remains, or goes out of business, those days are past. With the arrival of Obama…the thrust of enlightened foreign manufacturers…and the congressional insistence on greener cars in the future, the world now has a better chance to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The auto crisis accelerated this process.
Nothing has been more enlightening in this crisis than “pulling back the curtain” of unfettered free market economics. The decline of our economic system and consequent failure of the auto industry is in part the result of poor public/private partnerships of American-style capitalism – with lack of oversight and transparency. The aforementioned issues of executive pay; caving in on CAFÉ standards through excessive lobbying; out of control health care costs from a failed system; and lack of pressure to create new technology to reduce our consumption of foreign oil are just part of the equation. Worse yet are the crocodile tears of those conservative Senators who ostensibly do not want government to “interfere with private businesses”. Politicians who rail against any government support of private enterprise, while slyly moving taxpayer funding under the table. Problem is, it is their states who are ones who have subsidized the foreign manufacturers the most. Moreover, the plants in these states are assembly plants using many components made primarily overseas. And, their subsidies are essentially gifts – not loans – as has been proposed in this bailout.
Take Senator Richard Shelby, of Alabama – leader of the opposition group which scuttled the bailout plan in the recent vote. In 1993,Alabama offered tax incentives, highway improvements, site acquisition and preparation, utilities and more in a package that amounted to $253 million – about $170,000 per job — for a $300 million Mercedes-Benz plant that now employs 1,700.
Mercedes played one site against the other, adding new incentives from one state to the ideal contract that it expected from the others. Other automakers learned from them.
Alabama officials felt that they had to offer more than other states to attract investment. Altogether, the state has spent nearly $700 million to lure auto-related industries.
In 1999, Alabama offered $158 million in incentives to get Honda to build a $400 million, 1,500 employee plants to build its Odyssey minivans. That’s about $105,000 per job. The plant opened last year. And, South Korean automaker Hyundai took Alabama up on an offer of $253 million, or $126,000 per job, for a $1 billion, 2,000-job plant making sedans and sport-utility vehicles. Alabama also landed Toyota’s $220 million V-8 engine manufacturing plant that will open next year.
No wonder Shelby opposes helping rust-belt industries – how disingenuous. Yet, Alabama is still a state which announced a budget deficit this year.
Again, adversity often brings opportunity, and the auto crisis has done that in several other ways. Among them, it has aligned labor and management on the same path to help save the industry, in ways not previously seen (this, despite Republican efforts to attack labor in the recent bailout vote). “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”…and here the “enemy” is the demise of the American auto industry. Hopefully, it has made top management more sensitive to pay differences which are not only unfair, but destructive to business and morale; and consequently, probably added stronger oversight in boardrooms. It could, if there is a positive outcome, actually bring profit to the American taxpayer, as it did with the Chrysler bailout in earlier years. And, if successful, it could create a new, better, and stronger automobile industry which will make America proud, as it did in the past. So… here’s a toast, with a nice cold glass of lemonade, for a successful outcome.
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Ban Saudi Oil
October 12, 2018 Posted by Raúl Ilargi Meijer at 1:12 pm Finance Tagged with: Bezos, Branson, consulate, hypocrisy, Khashoggi, MBS, oil, Saudi, Trump, Turkey, weapons 6 Responses »
Alfred Eisenstaedt Egyptian Fishing Boats. Suez Canal near Port Said 1935
According to Middle East Eye, Richard Branson, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Economist editor-In-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, World Bank president Jim Yong Kim, New York Times, Financial Times, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshah, Viacom CEO Bob Bakish and AOL founder Steve Case have all withdrawn from Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference, to be held this month in Riyadh. Branson also put a $1 billion investment plan on hold.
Also, on Wednesday, former US energy secretary Ernest Moniz said that he had suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia’s planned mega business zone NEOM, to which he was named on Tuesday. The Harbour Group, a Washington firm that has been advising Saudi Arabia since April 2017, ended its $80,000 a month contract on Thursday. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is still scheduled to speak at the conference, as is Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, but they won’t risk the damage to their reputations.
All this is due, obviously, to the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a former close aquaintance of the Saud family, who moved to the US and wrote for the Washington Post (how’s Amazon’s Saudi business, Jeff Bezos?) after falling out with the House of Saud.
As the what someone actually labeled “unfolding diplomatic crisis” takes shape, there is really only one thing to say about these people and organizations: they the worst group of hypocrites ever. And their reasons to boycott the conference must be questioned.
Because before Khashoggi vanished they all apparently though it was quite okay to go feed at the Saud trough, despite the still ongoing slaughter of millions of people in the ‘war’ in Yemen. Which makes one suspect it’s not so much about their principles but about their public image.
Donald Trump said he won’t stop weapons sales to the Saudi’s because they would just buy their arms from someone else, like Russia (it would be interesting to get Putin’s view on Khashoggi). And while Trump is completely wrong here, at least he’s not hypocritical about it.
Not selling guns and tanks is by no means the most forceful action vs MBS and his dad, and not just because they can buy them elsewhere. What’s much stronger as a protest against what apparently happened to Khashoggi is to hit the Sauds where it hurts: in their wallet. That wallet is being filled by the sale of oil.
Simply stop buying their oil. Tell Shell and Exxon and BP and Total to get the hell out of the country. It’s just that to top off the hypocrisy, the best -only?- replacement for Saudi oil is Russian oil, and the US and Europe are engaged in a long drawn out smear campaign to isolate Russia from their world order.
But as long as Richard Branson flies his planes on Saudi oil, what’s the use of him boycotting a conference? Well, other than he hopes it makes him look good in the eyes of the world and feel good about himself? The carnage in Yemen has been going on for years, and all that time Branson has been silent. And was planning to get into a $1 billion investment as emaciated Yemeni babies are fed leaves.
And the idea is not to single him out, those major media organizations and the World Bank are just as bad. They all just hope that no-one will notice or speak out when they grab the Saudi money, and that when they are caught in the middle they will collect applause for making their ‘heroic’ decision not to attend a conference.
That said, it’s interesting to see the story move through the media. Is it the power of Jeff Bezos that gets it so much -and sustained- attention? Did the Saudi’s know that Turkey had their consulate bugged? Isn’t that against international law? How much Saudi oil does Turkey use? Did US intelligence know what was going to happen? Did Turkey?
Why so much more interest in this case than all the other disappearing journalists? Khashoggi is/was no Christ; he was close to the royal family for years while women and gay people and dissidents were under severe threat.
Just more hypocrisy. And if we want to end that, let’s boycott Saudi oil. Let’s use different oil, or none. And until then let’s not fall for the stage performances of all those who all of a sudden want to be seen as principled actors. That’s just about as bad as sawing a guy into pieces.
Debt Rattle June 13 2018
June 13, 2018 Posted by Raúl Ilargi Meijer at 8:49 am Finance Tagged with: capital flight, extinction, G7, Germany, hypocrisy, Italy, May, Monsanto, protectionism, Target2, Tesla, Trump 8 Responses »
John French Sloan South Beach Bathers 1908
• Capital Flight to Germany in Full Swing (Mish)
• The Big Italy Short Was Hiding In Plain Sight (R.)
• G7 Summit Highlights Western Leaders Hypocrisy (Lacalle)
• Donald Trump Was Right. The Rest Of The G7 Were Wrong (Monbiot)
• Centrists Very Concerned That Donald Fucking Trump Isn’t Hawkish Enough (CJ)
• May Heads Off Major Defeat After Last-Minute Climbdown To Rebels (Ind.)
• Tesla To Cut 9% Of Staff In Profitability Drive (G.)
• Americans Just Paid Off A Ton Of Credit-Card Debt—But Here’s The Bad News (MW)
• India Farmers Sow Unapproved Monsanto Cotton Seeds, Risking Arrest (R.)
• One in Three British Mammal Species Could Be Gone Within A Decade (Ind.)
“The only door left open is door number 3.”
I have commented on Target2 liabilities before. Perhaps a Mish-modified translation from the Welt article Imbalance in the Euro System Reaches a New Record will ring a bell. The central banks of Germany’s euro partners Italy, Spain and France owe the Bundesbank almost a trillion euros . This is a new high. – more than ever before. Tendency continues to rise. There is no security for this money. Read that last line again and again until it sinks in. Italy is €464.7 billion in the hole. Spain is €376.6 billion in the hole. Creditors owe Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland over €1.157 trillion. In May, Italian liabilities increased by almost 40 billion euros.
“Capital flight to Germany is in full swing,” says Hans-Werner Sinn, longtime head of the Ifo Institute and one of the most prominent economists in the Federal Republic. Originally, Target2 was designed to facilitate cross-border transactions within the eurozone. The system achieved this goal. From the point of view of critics, this means that the Deutsche Bundesbank provides long-term unsecured and non-interest-bearing loans to the central banks of other eurozone countries , especially the central banks of southern countries Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Target2 is a fundamental problem of the Eurozone. • The ECB guarantees these loans. • As long as they are guaranteed, then hells bells, why not make more loans? Germany will pay one way or another. Here are the possibilities. 1) Germany and the creditor nations forgive enough debt for Europe to grow. This is the transfer union solution. 2) Permanently high unemployment and slow growth in Spain, Greece, Italy, with stagnation elsewhere in Europe 3) Breakup of the eurozone. Those are the alternatives. Germany will not allow number 1. It is unreasonable to expect number 2 to last forever. The only door left open is door number 3.
Nothing about this needs to be invented.
The marriage of politics and finance in Italy regularly produces strange offspring. But a suggestion, floated over the weekend in the country’s most-respected newspaper, of a James Bond-style plot by some big investors to sink Italian financial markets added a new twist. More curious was the theory’s abrupt disappearance by Monday. The episode highlights the degree to which Europe’s most chaos-resilient economy has entered a risky new paradigm with the arrival of the most populist government since the Italian Republic’s founding in 1946. On Saturday, Corriere della Sera, the Milanese voice of the establishment, published an article which speculated that some investors betting against Italian assets might have helped engineer a market crisis.
The trigger for the Italian panic was the May 15 publication by Huffington Post’s Italian website of a draft version of the new government’s “contract”, which included language pertaining to a possible exit from the single European currency. That document, HuffPo has said, arrived in an unmarked envelope. Markets went haywire over the prospect that the government cobbled together by the two parties who gained the most seats in the March election – the right-wing League and hard-to-label 5-Star Movement – would adopt an explicitly anti-euro platform. The difference between the yields on 10-year German and Italian government bonds surged to almost 320 basis points from just around 130 basis points before the draft appeared. Any bets against Italian sovereign credit would have produced a tidy profit.
Corriere has substantially revised the story. It no longer includes language that one hedge fund, Brevan Howard, considered defamatory. That firm’s AH Master Fund, run by Alan Howard, gained 37 percent in May, thanks in part to bets on the direction of Italian assets. On Tuesday, the newspaper appended an author’s note to the piece in which it said: “We never intended to accuse or suggest that there were any kind of offenses or improper conduct by Howard in trading or in his involvement in the case of documents filtered to the Huffington Post.” In a statement to Reuters Breakingviews, the author, Federico Fubini, defended the piece. “We have run a fact-based article whose substance remains.” The paper decided “to amend the text to avert a potentially time-consuming case in foreign courts.”
EU, China protectionism.
The G7 failure to come to terms on trade highlights the problem of governments trying to macromanage trade. And no, the failure to even agree to disagree cannot be blamed on President Trump and his new-found economic nationalism. The list of countries with the largest trade surplus with the United States is led by China, which exports $375 billion more than it imports. It is followed, very far away, by Mexico ($71 billion), Japan (69 billion), Germany (65 billion), Vietnam (38 billion), Ireland (38 billion) and Italy ($31 billion). Not surprisingly, the markets with most protectionist measures against the United States are China, the European Union, Japan, Mexico and India.
These facts explain much more about the failure of the G7 summit than any Manichean analysis on Trump, Trudeau, Macron, or any of the leaders gathered there. During the last twenty years, the world has carried out a widespread practice in governments’ disastrous idea of “sustaining” GDP with demand-side policies. Build excess capacity, subsidize it, and hope to export that excess to the United States. Especially China, Germany, and Japan have economies with high state interventionism and therefore very high excess capacity, in part due to a high personal savings rate. Steel and aluminum, like the automobile industry, are examples of building unnecessary capacity and subsidizing it, country by country, hoping it will be somebody else who closes its inefficient factories to be able to export more to that country.
In Germany, the influence of the automobile industry over the government is legendary. What isn’t are the relatively high tariffs American manufacturers face when exporting to Europe and the low tariffs America itself imposes on automobile imports. What is also ironic is that modern-day protectionism didn’t start with Trump. Barriers against global trade increased between 2009 and 2016. The World Trade Organization warned, year after year, since 2010, about the increase in protectionism. The Obama administration, faced with the exponential increase in its trade deficit, was the one that introduced the highest number of protectionist measures between 2009 and 2016. The only difference between Trump and Obama was that Obama didn’t publicize this much and the mainstream media didn’t complain.
True, these deals need a sunset clause.
He gets almost everything wrong. But last weekend Donald Trump got something right. To the horror of the other leaders of the rich world, he defended democracy against its detractors. Perhaps predictably, he has been universally condemned for it. His crime was to insist that the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) should have a sunset clause. In other words, it should not remain valid indefinitely, but expire after five years, allowing its members either to renegotiate it or to walk away. To howls of execration from the world’s media, his insistence has torpedoed efforts to update the treaty.
In Rights of Man, published in 1791, Thomas Paine argued that: “Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself, in all cases, as the ages and generations which preceded it. The vanity and presumption of governing beyond the grave is the most ridiculous and insolent of all tyrannies.” This is widely accepted – in theory if not in practice – as a basic democratic principle. Even if the people of the US, Canada and Mexico had explicitly consented to Nafta in 1994, the idea that a decision made then should bind everyone in North America for all time is repulsive. So is the notion, championed by the Canadian and Mexican governments, that any slightly modified version of the deal agreed now should bind all future governments.
But the people of North America did not explicitly consent to Nafta. They were never asked to vote on the deal, and its bipartisan support ensured that there was little scope for dissent. The huge grassroots resistance in all three nations was ignored or maligned. The deal was fixed between political and commercial elites, and granted immortality. In seeking to update the treaty, governments in the three countries have candidly sought to thwart the will of the people. Their stated intention was to finish the job before Mexico’s presidential election in July. The leading candidate, Andrés Lopez Obrador, has expressed hostility to Nafta, so it had to be done before the people cast their vote. They might wonder why so many have lost faith in democracy.
[..] Trump was right to spike the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He is right to demand a sunset clause for Nafta. When this devious, hollow, self-interested man offers a better approximation of the people’s champion than any other leader, you know democracy is in trouble.
Caitlin again.
[..] by far the most common concerns being expressed about the Singapore summit are based not on a fear of this administration making insufficiently aggressive demands of Pyongyang, but on pure ridiculous nonsense. “President Trump seems to have given away two or three of the major things that Kim Jong-Un wanted,” Schumer complained at the aforementioned press conference. “A meeting. The flags next to each other. Now a delay of exercises with South Korea, without getting anything in return.” Huh? A meeting? Flags next to each other? I can kinda-sorta-almost see into Schumer’s twisted reality tunnel when it comes to temporarily suspending military drills along the DPRK’s border as an act of good faith, but on what planet is having a meeting or putting two flags next to each other a win of any kind?
Well, going by the outcry I’m seeing from Twitter pundits, the concern appears to be that it “legitimizes” Kim Jong-Un. What exactly that means is hard to fathom in terms of actual, tangible reality, but for years that term has been passed around like it has as much relevance as war or starvation sanctions. This imaginary product of “legitimacy” is, according to influential mainstream political commentators, meant to be withheld from Kim until he gives up everything he has and grovels on his belly begging for it. This just shows you the power of narrative, where repeating some meaningless placeholder syllables over and over again can create the illusion that a purely mental construct is as relevant in peace negotiations as nuclear warheads.
It isn’t hard to see through for anyone who doesn’t have a vested interest in subscribing to that narrative, though, and Pyongyang certainly has no such interest. [..] There are many, many perfectly valid things to criticize the Trump administration for. Opening up peace talks with North Korea is not one of them, and anyone who says it is is not a friend of humanity. The fact that nobody on either side of the aisle seems to have their foot anywhere near the brake pedal when it comes to war should concern us all, and we need to do something about it.
Might as well stop the whole process right now.
Rebel Conservatives have forced Theresa May into a climbdown, handing parliament greater control of Brexit if she fails to seal a deal. After the prime minister was threatened with what could have been a damaging commons defeat, she promised key concessions in dramatic last minute talks with pro-EU rebels. It is likely to mean her accepting a deadline by which she must secure a deal with Brussels, if she wants to stay in the driving seat for negotiations. Her ministers must now spell out the detail of her compromises within days, with Tory rebels warning a failure to do so would reignite the prospect of a major commons loss destabilising her leadership.
It followed a day which started with the resignation of a minister and passed into febrile commons debate that saw ministers bargaining openly with rebels in the chamber. Rebel MP Nicky Morgan told The Independent: “The whole point of what has come about is that we are going to have a process to this, something which does not simply allow us to drift into a hard Brexit.” The row was precipitated by the Lords last month passing a plan that would have given parliament the power to direct Ms May’s actions if she failed to seal a Brexit deal later this year. Ministers were demanding Tory MPs vote it out of existence in the Commons on Tuesday, but had also refused to consider a more palatable compromise proposed by the former Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve.
It would have instead seen Ms May being tied into a strict timetable of having to set out her own proposals if she failed to seal a deal by November, and then gain parliamentary approval for them – the stronger powers for MPs to direct her action would only come into play if a deal had still not been reached by February.
What, no new loans?
Tesla is slashing thousands of jobs, its chief executive, Elon Musk, announced Tuesday, as the electronic car company attempts to hit production targets and reach profitability. Musk called the job cuts, which will affect about 9% of the company’s more than 40,000 employees, “difficult, but necessary” in a tweet that contained the email he had sent to employees announcing the layoffs. “What drives us is our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable, clean energy, but we will never achieve that mission unless we eventually demonstrate that we can be sustainably profitable,” the billionaire entrepreneur wrote in the email.
The job cuts will be centered on salaried employees, not factory workers, Musk said, writing, “This will not affect our ability to reach Model 3 production targets in the coming months.” Tesla has been under intense pressure to prove that it can achieve mass production of the Model 3, its first mass market vehicle. The company has yet to reach Musk’s goal of producing 5,000 cars a week – originally promised for the end of 2017. At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting on 5 June, Musk said he believed the company would hit the 5,000 cars-a-week goal by the end of June, and that he thought the company could be profitable later this year.
They paid off so much because they owe so much.
A lot of Americans paid big credit-card bills in the first quarter of 2018. And they still have a long way to go. Americans repaid $40.3 billion in credit card debt during the first quarter of 2018, according to a new analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Reserve and credit agency TransUnion by the personal-finance website WalletHub. That’s the second-highest amount paid off in one quarter since the first quarter of 2009, when consumers paid off more than $44 billion. Now, the bad news: That doesn’t mean their debts are getting that much smaller. Americans ended 2017 with $91.6 billion in new credit-card debt, the largest annual amount since 2007 and 104% above the post-recession average.
Outstanding credit card debt is at the second-highest point since the end of 2008, the report said. In 2017, Americans hit a record high of $1.021 trillion in outstanding revolving debt (often categorized as credit-card debt). In April 2018, they still had more $1.030 trillion to pay off, according to the Federal Reserve. Consumers’ recent debt payoff “is not as dramatic as the dollar amount makes it seem,” said Nick Clements, the co-founder of personal finance company MagnifyMoney, who previously worked in the credit industry. The reason: The total amount of credit-card debt Americans have has also been growing.
How Monsanto sneaks in illegal seeds.
Many Indian farmers are openly sowing an unapproved variety of genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds developed by Monsanto, as the government sits on the sidelines for fear of antagonizing a big voting bloc ahead of an election next year. India approved the first GM cotton seed trait in 2002 and an upgraded variety in 2006, helping transform the country into the world’s top producer and second-largest exporter of the fiber. But newer traits are not available after Monsanto in 2016 withdrew an application seeking approval for the latest variety due to a royalty dispute with the government. The herbicide-tolerant variety, lab-altered to help farmers save costs on weed management, has, however, seeped into the country’s farms since then. Authorities say they are still investigating how that happened.
“I will only use these seeds or nothing at all,” said Rambhau Shinde, a farmer who has been cultivating cotton for nearly four decades in the western state of Maharashtra. The federal environment ministry said last year planting the seeds violated the Environment Protection Act, and farmers who did so were risking potential jail terms. But many farmers are desperate to boost their incomes after poor yields over the past few years and are willing to ignore the warnings. A government official in New Delhi, who deals with matters related to GM crops, said it was difficult to keep farmers away from something that they saw benefit in. “If you don’t allow them to plant legally, illegal planting will happen,” the official said, requesting anonymity, adding that Monsanto had yet to reapply for an approval to sell its latest variety of GM cotton in India.
Bats and cats and rats.
Populations of much-loved British mammals including hedgehogs and water voles have dropped by up to two-thirds over the past 20 years, and many more are threatened with imminent extinction. Even some apparently common creatures such as rabbits have been driven into decline by human pressures such as harmful farming activities and climate change. These findings come from a review carried out by the Mammal Society and Natural England, the first of its kind to be conducted in more than two decades. The country has undergone significant changes since the last analysis in 1995, and some of the species at risk then – including badgers and otters – have since made considerable recoveries.
However, pesticide use, invasive species and road deaths have all taken their toll, and the scientists behind the study have warned Britain is on “a precipice” and must take urgent action to save its mammals. “This is happening on our own doorstep so it falls upon all of us to try and do what we can to ensure that our threatened species do not go the way of the lynx, wolf and elk and disappear from our shores forever,” said Professor Fiona Mathews, chair of the Mammal Society. The review, which made use of data collected by members of the public as well as scientists over the course of decades, covered all 58 of the country’s land mammal species.
The scientists constructed the first ever “red list” for British mammals, and found 12 are threatened with extinction. This means animals like the wildcat, greater mouse-eared bat and even the black rat are likely to be gone forever from Britain’s shores within the next 10 years. However, they noted this is likely to be an underestimate, and the real number could be as high as one in three.
Debt Rattle February 13 2017
February 13, 2017 Posted by Raúl Ilargi Meijer at 10:49 am Finance Tagged with: collapse, EU, Flynn, Greece, Growth, hypocrisy, repricing, trade deficit, Trudeau, Trump 10 Responses »
New York City Under 26 Inches Of Snow, 1947
• Why Does Economic Growth Keep Slowing Down? (StLouisFed)
• The Market Will Be Repricing Dramatically Downward – Stockman (CNBC)
• Jim Rogers: “A Lot Of People Will Disappear” (ZH)
• US Trade Deficit Last Year Was Widest Since 2012 (WSJ)
• Trump Reviews Top White House Staff After Tumultuous Start (Pol.)
• Mike Flynn’s Position as National Security Adviser Grows Tenuous (WSJ)
• Refugee-Embracing Trudeau Set to Bite His Tongue on Trump Visit (BBG)
• Romania Protests Enter Day 13, Call For Government Of ‘Thieves’ To Resign (G.)
• Germany Repatriates Gold Faster Than Planned As Faith In Euro Plunges (RT)
• Brussels’ Hypocrisy Over The Closing Of Borders (Nikos Devletoglou)
• Greece: The Low-Noise Collapse Of An Entire Country (FE)
Even though the St. Louis Fed people can’t seem to read their own numbers properly, or at least interpret them, here it is. As the Automatic Earth has said for many years: the peak of our wealth was sometime in the 1970’s or even late 1960’s.
Everything after that was borrowed or printed. Here’s the proof. Sent this to Nicole earlier saying ‘We’ve been vindicated by the Fed itself.’ “Real GDP growth fell and leveled off in the mid-1970s, then started falling again in the mid-2000s”
The U.S. economy expanded by 1.6% in 2016, as measured by real GDP. Real GDP has averaged 2.1% growth per year since the end of the last recession, which is significantly smaller than the average over the postwar period (about 3% per year). These lower growth rates could in part be explained by a slowdown in productivity growth and a decline in factor utilization. However, demographic factors and attitudes toward the labor market may also have played significant roles. The figure below shows a measure of long-run trends in economic activity. It displays the average annual growth rate over the preceding 40 quarters (10 years) for the period 1955 through 2016. (Hence, the first observation in the graph is the first quarter of 1965, and the last is the fourth quarter of 2016.)
Long-run growth rates were high until the mid-1970s. Then, they quickly declined and leveled off at around 3% per year for the following three decades. In the second half of the 2000s, around the last recession, growth contracted again sharply and has been declining ever since. The 10-year average growth rate as of the fourth quarter of 2016 was only 1.3% per year. Total output grows because the economy is more productive and capital is accumulated, but also because the population increases over time. The next figure compares long-run growth rates of real GDP and real GDP per capita. Both series display similar behavior. Although population growth has been slowing, the effect is not big enough to change the qualitative results described above. The third figure adds long-run growth rates of real GDP divided by the labor force. Dividing by the labor force instead of the total population accounts for the effects of changing demographics and labor market attachment.
From the 1970s until the 2000s, long-run growth rates of real GDP divided by the labor force remained well below those of real GDP per capita. There are two main factors that explain this: 1) Lower fertility and longer lifespans steadily increased the potential labor force relative to the total population. 2) Labor force participation increased significantly from the 1960s until 2000, largely driven by increased female labor force participation. When accounting for both of these factors, economic activity from 1975 to 1985 looks more depressed than in the two decades that followed. This seems consistent with the negative effects that the 1970s oil shocks and efforts to reduce inflation in the early 1980s had on the economy.
The trend in labor force participation reversed in 2000, as participation rates have been steadily decreasing since then. This explains why real GDP divided by labor force growth rates are now higher than real GDP per capita growth rates. Having accounted for the long-term effects of changes in demographics and labor market attitudes, we can now look at the effects of productivity growth and factor utilization. The final figure compares long-run growth rates in real GDP divided by the labor force with long-run growth rates in total factor productivity and long-run averages of capacity utilization (i.e., the actual use of installed capital relative to potential use). Note that data for capacity utilization are only available since 1967.
“The market is apparently pricing in a huge Trump stimulus. But if you just look at the real world out there, the only thing that’s going to happen is a fiscal bloodbath and a White House train wreck like never before in U.S. history.”
Stocks are booming under President Donald Trump, but long-time critic David Stockman warns traders are living in a “fantasy land” that can’t last —and Trump’s policies will derail the market for years to come. The former Reagan administration OMB director appeared on CNBC’s “Futures Now”last week to emphasize that Trump has become seemingly distracted by issues other than his proposed economic agenda. That should be a particular point of worry for investors, who Stockman argued have been far more optimistic about Trump’s presidency than might be warranted by the facts. In other words, while all three major market indexes continued to hit record highs last week, the former Reagan aide sees the current market rally as moot and not reflective of the current political climate.
“What’s going on today is complete insanity,” said Stockman. “The market is apparently pricing in a huge Trump stimulus. But if you just look at the real world out there, the only thing that’s going to happen is a fiscal bloodbath and a White House train wreck like never before in U.S. history.” Since the election, the S&P 500 Index has rallied more than 8%, the Nasdaq about 6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average a whopping 10%. Last week, all three benchmarks rallied to new record highs. Yet if anything, according to Stockman’s predictions, those gains may be lost. Most of Trump’s actions “[have] nothing to do with the economic agenda” he’s proposed, Stockman told CNBC. That, along with a debt ceiling debate that will take place on March 15 in Congress, and a market rally that has gone on for a while, leads Stockman to think that a big downturn is on the way.
“There’s going to be no tax action this year,” said Stockman, echoing the concerns of Goldman Sachs and a few other Wall Street economists who say Trump’s plans for the economy are facing mounting political risks. Last week, the president vowed that tax reform could happen this year, and promised an announcement within the next few weeks. “If there’s any next year it will be deficit neutral, which means it’s not going to add the $15 to earnings like these people expect,” Stockman said, speaking of the rosy expectations of some analysts who think tax reform could boost corporate earnings in the medium-term. “My argument is there is not going to be any economic rebound, there is not going to be any profit surge,” Stockman added. “Therefore the market will be repricing dramatically downward once it’s clear that that’s the case.”
Rogers adds a new dimension of doom: “..a lot of institutions, people, companies even countries, certainly governments and maybe even countries are going to disappear.”
On the Greater Depression… …get prepared because we’re going to have the worst economic problems we’ve had in your lifetime or my lifetime and when that happens a lot of people are going to disappear. In 2008 Bear Stearns disappeared, Bear Stearns had been around over 90 years. Lehman Brothers disappeared. Lehman Brothers had been around over 150 years. A long, long time, a long glorious history they’ve been through wars, depression, civil war they’ve been through everything and yet they disappear. So the next time around it’s going to be worse than anything we’ve seen and a lot of institutions, people, companies even countries, certainly governments and maybe even countries are going to disappear.
I hope you get very worried. When you start having bear markets as you I’m sure well know one bad thing happens and another bad thing happens and these things snowball just like in bull markets good news comes out then more good news comes out the next thing you know you’re five or six or seven years into a bull market. Well bear markets do the same thing and so we have a lot of bad news on the horizon. I haven’t even gotten to war. I haven’t even gotten to trade war or anything like that but you know things do go wrong.
On Trump and the possibility of trade wars…and real wars Mr. Trump has also said he’s going to have trade war with China, Mexico, Japan, Korea a few other people that he has named. He swore that on his first day in office he would impose 45% tariffs against China. He’s been there three weeks, two or three weeks and he hasn’t done it yet but he still got it in his head I’m sure or maybe he’s just another politician like all the rest of them. He says one thing and he doesn’t mean it at all but he does have at least three people in high levels in his group who are very, very keen to have trade wars with China and other people.
If he does that Eric, it’s all over. I mean history is very clear that trade wars always lead to problems, often to disaster, sometimes even to real war, a shooting war. So I don’t know, I’m not sure Mr. Trump knows. He said so many things and many of the things are contradictory. Now if he’s not going to have trade wars with various people then chances are for a while happy days are here… [The dollar is] going to go too high, may turn into a bubble, at which point I hope I’m smart enough to sell it because at some point the market forces are going to cause the dollar to come back down because people are going to realize, oh my gosh, this is causing a lot of turmoil, economic problems in the world and it’s damaging the American economy. At that point the smart guys will get out. I hope I’m one of them.
Sputtering engines all around.
The U.S. logged a $502.25 billion trade deficit in 2016, the largest in four years and a gap President Donald Trump is setting out to narrow to bolster the U.S. economy. The new president faces obstacles in the coming months and years, including the potential for a stronger dollar, larger federal budget deficits and low national saving rates compared with much of the rest of the world, all of which could force trade deficits to widen. As in past years, the 2016 gap reported Tuesday by the Commerce Department reflected a large deficit for U.S. trade in goods with other countries, offset in part by a trade surplus for services. The gap in terms of goods only was $347 billion with China last year, $69 billion with Japan, $65 billion with Germany and $63 billion with Mexico.
For December, the total trade gap decreased 3.2% from November to a seasonally adjusted $44.26 billion. Exports rose 2.7%, including increased sales of civilian airplanes and aircraft engines. Imports were up 1.5% in December, including a rise in car imports. [..] The interplay between trade, growth and employment is complex and difficult to manage. The U.S. has run trade deficits for decades, during periods of expansion and low unemployment as well as during recessions and high unemployment. The gap widened starting in the late 1990s with China’s emergence as a world trading power and recent research shows a surge of imports from China put downward pressure on U.S. wages and manufacturing employment.
Economists generally say trade has overall if uneven benefits, including lower prices for consumers.In 2016, the total deficit rose modestly from the prior year to its highest dollar level since 2012. But it shrank slightly to 2.7% as a share of U.S. economic output after hovering at 2.8% of GDP in 2013 through 2015. The gap fundamentally reflects the fact that Americans consume more than they produce relative to the rest of the world. To shrink the gap, they would either have to produce more or consume less. If Americans consumed less, the deficit could contract along with the broader economy, as happened during the 2001 and 2007-2009 recessions, leaving workers no better off. To produce more, U.S. firms could export more or take market share from imports. Tariffs could help that happen, but other countries might retaliate.
This was always going to happen. It’s been clear from the start that not all these people would last very long. It’s Trump-style: throw out some stuff and see what sticks. And this is where the anti-Trump stance of the media bites: WaPo or CNN or NYT or in this case Politico have lost any and all signs of objectiveness. Which colors their reporting on this too, or so one must assume. We could have done with some credible sources.
President Donald Trump, frustrated over his administration’s rocky start, is complaining to friends and allies about some of his most senior aides — leading to questions about whether he is mulling an early staff shakeup. Trump has told several people that he is particularly displeased with national security adviser Michael Flynn over reports that he had top-secret discussions with Russian officials about and lied about it. The president, who spent part of the weekend dealing with the Flynn controversy, has been alarmed by reports from top aides that they don’t trust Flynn. “He thinks he’s a problem,” said one person familiar with the president’s thinking. “I would be worried if I was General Flynn.”
Yet Trump’s concern goes beyond his embattled national security adviser, according to conversations with more than a dozen people who have spoken to Trump or his top aides. He has mused aloud about press secretary Sean Spicer, asking specific questions to confidants about how they think he’s doing behind the podium. During conversations with Spicer, the president has occasionally expressed unhappiness with how his press secretary is talking about some matters — sometimes pointing out even small things he’s doing that he doesn’t like. Others who’ve talked with the president have begun to wonder about the future of Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Several Trump campaign aides have begun to draft lists of possible Priebus replacements, with senior White House aides Kellyanne Conway and Rick Dearborn and lobbyist David Urban among those mentioned.
Gary Cohn, a Trump economic adviser who is close with senior adviser Jared Kushner, has has also been the subject of chatter. For now, Priebus remains in control as chief of staff. He was heavily involved in adviser Stephen Miller’s preparation for appearances on Sunday morning talk shows, which drew praise from the president. If there is a single issue where the president feels his aides have let him down, it was the controversial executive order on immigration. The president has complained to at least one person about “how his people didn’t give him good advice” on rolling out the travel ban and that he should have waited to sign it instead of “rushing it like they wanted me to.” Trump has also wondered why he didn’t have a legal team in place to defend it from challenges.
A very strange position to be in for a career intelligence man.
The White House is reviewing whether to retain National Security Adviser Mike Flynn amid a furor over his contacts with Russian officials before President Donald Trump took office, an administration official said Sunday. Mr. Flynn has apologized to White House colleagues over the episode, which has created a rift with Vice President Mike Pence and diverted attention from the administration’s message to his own dealings, the official said. “He’s apologized to everyone,” the official said of Mr. Flynn. Mr. Trump’s views toward the matter aren’t clear. In recent days, he has privately told people the controversy surrounding Mr. Flynn is unwelcome, after he told reporters on Friday he would “look into” the disclosures.
But Mr. Trump also has said he has confidence in Mr. Flynn and wants to “keep moving forward,” a person familiar with his thinking said. Close Trump adviser Steve Bannon had dinner with Mr. Flynn over the weekend, according to another senior administration official, and Mr. Bannon’s view is to keep him in the position but “be ready” to let him go, the first administration official said. Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, as of Sunday evening hadn’t yet weighed in, the official said. Mr. Flynn initially said that in a conversation Dec. 29 with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, he didn’t discuss sanctions imposed that day by the outgoing Obama administration, which were levied in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Mr. Flynn now concedes that he did, administration officials said, after transcripts of his phone calls show as much. He also admits he spoke with the ambassador more than once on Dec. 29, despite weeks of the Trump team’s insisting it was just one phone call, officials said. Mr. Pence, in television interviews, vouched for Mr. Flynn, based on a private conversation, and he was angered he repeated information publicly that turned out to be untrue, administration officials said. Messrs. Pence and Flynn spoke twice on Friday, one official said. If Mr. Flynn had promised any easing of sanctions once Mr. Trump took office, he may have violated a law that prohibits private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, legal experts have said.
Who does the headlines at Bloomberg?
More than two decades ago, with Donald Trump already atop a real-estate empire, a young Justin Trudeau set out to explore the world. He toured Europe and Africa with friends, hiding their beer from customs agents before boarding the Trans-Siberian railway to China. On the train, he sketched, read “War and Peace” and gazed at the remnants of the Soviet Union. It was a defining trip, he’d later write, that left him praising both diversity and compromise. Both values will be tested Monday. The now-45-year-old Canadian prime minister – hailed by Joe Biden as one of the last champions of liberalism – heads to Washington for his first meeting with the new U.S. president, 70, whose bellicose statements and immigration restrictions reveal a deep gulf between the two leaders. But U.S. liberals hoping for Trudeau to emerge as Trump’s foil shouldn’t hold their breath.
He’s already bit his tongue and focused almost exclusively on an economic relationship that accounts for three-quarters of Canada’s exports. The White House visit will test just how far Trudeau can go to woo the president and preserve trade without selling out his core values. “We both got elected on commitments to strengthen the middle class, and support those working hard to join it,” Trudeau said last week. “And that’s exactly what we’re going to be focused on.” He has little choice. Nearly two-thirds of all Canadian trade is with the U.S., the highest ratio of Group of 20 nations and quadruple all but Mexico. Almost all of Canada’s oil goes to the U.S. and most of the country’s manufacturing is geared toward meeting U.S. demand. Americans hold C$2.3 trillion ($1.8 trillion) in Canadian assets, almost exactly the same amount held by Canadians in the U.S. A Deutsche Bank report this month that looked at the potential impact of Trump policies on all the U.S.’s major partners found Canada would be among the hardest hit, forcing the country to cede about $70 billion in trade to the U.S. [..]
The threats to Canada from Trump’s agenda go beyond trade. Trump has shown an interest in overhauling the U.S. tax system in a way that would impose financial disincentives against imports. The border-adjusted tax plan would focus levies on domestic income and imports while exempting exports and offshore income. It has met opposition from retailers and oil refiners but is supported by major exporters. It’s unclear whether the president fully favors that approach. All this, however, is unlikely to be detailed Monday. Instead, Trudeau will seek to lay out a joint economic narrative with Trump. The prime minister’s conciliatory spirit traces back to that Trans-Siberian railway trip. On New Year’s Eve 1994, Trudeau drank vodka with the conductor, captivated by stories but abhorred by “his casual racism to our fellow passengers,” he wrote in his autobiography.
Corruption interrupted.
Tens of thousands of Romanians have braved the cold and returned to the streets in protest, calling on the government to resign as they accused it of attempting to water down anti-corruption laws. “Thieves! Resign!” chanted protesters gathered in front of the seat of government in Bucharest on Sunday night, as they used the lights from their mobile phones to project the blue, yellow and red colours of the Romanian flag. Up to 50,000 protesters took part in the Bucharest march, according to Romanian media reports. The authorities did not give any estimate of their own. Some 20,000 more took to the streets in other major cities, calling on the government to stand down. “We want to give the government a red card,” one of the protesters, 33-year-old businessman Adrian Tofan, said.
Sunday’s demonstrations, the 13th consecutive day of protests against the government, took place despite the administration backing down over a planned controversial decree which would have made abuse of power a crime punishable by jail only if the sums involved exceeded 200,000 lei ($47,500). The demonstrations, the largest since the ousting and summary execution of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, have continued despite the resignation on Thursday of justice minister Florin Iordache. “The justice minister’s resignation isn’t enough after what they tried to do,” said Tofan. Another demonstrator also said he had completely lost faith in the government. “We want this government to stand down. We don’t trust it, they want us to go backwards,” said Bogdan Moldovan, a doctor.
Highly speculative, but….“..some economists in Germany say the repatriated gold may be needed to back a new deutschmark should the eurozone collapse..”
Berlin is bringing home its gold reserves stored in New York, London and Paris faster than scheduled, Germany’s central bank said Thursday. The move is linked to surging euroskepticism, as new governments in France and Italy may ditch the single currency. The German Bundesbank has already moved 583 tons of gold out of New York and Paris, planning to have a half of its gold back in Germany by the end of 2017, which is ahead of the 2020 plan. The rest will be split between the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Bank of England. “We have a lot of discussions about Trump, regarding implications on monetary policy, macroeconomics, etc., but we trust the central bank of the US,” Bundesbank board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele told a news conference. “Trump has not triggered a discussion about the storage facility in New York,” he said.
As French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and Italy’s 5-Star Movement are openly calling to pull out of the euro, some economists in Germany say the repatriated gold may be needed to back a new deutschmark should the eurozone collapse. During the Cold War, 98% of Germany’s bullion was stored abroad, and so far the biggest repatriation was in 2000 when the Bundesbank repatriated 931 tons from the Bank of England. When the relocation is complete, Germany will still have 1,236 tons in New York, 432 tons in London and the rest in Frankfurt. The current repatriation involves moving 300 tons from New York and 374 tons from Paris. The Bundesbank said it is not worried about keeping gold in England despite Brexit, as London remains a key gold trading market and a safe place. Germany has the second-largest gold reserves in the world after the US with 3,381 tons.
Sir, It seems remarkable that today’s leaders of the EU, encouraged by the overreaction of the global mass media, reserve for themselves the appearance of virtue and goodness and generally resent the refreshing American principle summed up by president Donald Trump as America First. Americans have shed blood, along with vast material expense, defending human rights in Europe — regardless of ethnicity, geography, culture or religion, demonstrably having guaranteed the continent’s survival in freedom and subsequent prosperity, including that of Germany, after the second world war.
The EU’s hypocrisy offends. Indeed, it remains a mystery how Brussels feels justified in its heavy criticism of America’s increasing vigilance over its own borders when the EU itself continues to turn a blind eye to the formidable barbed-wire militarised fortifications erected all along the northern frontiers of Greece by its neighbours, pitilessly blocking the passage of hundreds of thousands refugees desperately fleeing the war in Syria. These refugees still dearly hope to reach Germany first and eventually other parts of Europe, but are instead inhumanely trapped in Greece practically under the authority of the EU — which, further, even condones the closing of borders in Austria and Hungary. These are provocative double standards. The scant remaining resources in Greece are already stretched to their limits.
Previously prosperous islands in the Aegean Sea – Chios, Samos and Lesbos were until recently celebrated high-profile tourist destinations worldwide – are currently overrun by multitudes of refugees, understandably aggressively inclined by now, at the expense of social cohesion elsewhere in Greece as well. Still worse, the country remains undeservedly caught in a deepening economic and financial crisis, a result of blind austerity policies inspired by Germany that the EU rigorously enforces to this day, manifestly ruling out growth and prosperity in Greece any time soon. Both the IMF and the European authorities still fail to appreciate that reducing Greek debt by one-third in the present circumstances would consistently reflect the social, economic and financial damage they themselves have caused by arbitrarily depressing the Greek economy since 2010.
Nicos E Devletoglou, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Athens, Greece
Bitter, bitter tragedy. “The human and social cost of this austerity policy is not included in the Excel tables of the Eurogroup. But it is paid cash by the population.”
European officials may argue that their bailout is working, they welcome the recovery of Greece and the budget surpluses, but the situation is quite different: passively we are witnessing the low-noise collapse of a whole country. While forecasts foresee a rebound of the Greek economy in 2016, with growth of at least 2.6%, these risks once again prove to be false. If a slight start was recorded at the beginning of the year, it continued to slacken. In the last few months, the engine seems to have stalled. According to Markit figures published on February 1st, manufacturing activity recorded its largest decline in 15 months. “The decline is related to both the decline in production and new orders. While rising import prices have accelerated to their highest level in 70 months, companies nevertheless lower their selling prices,” explains the economic and financial institute, pointing to the fall in consumption and the lack of outlets.
In seven years Greece’s GDP decreased by a third. Unemployment affects 25% of the population and 40% of young people between 15 and 25 years. One third of companies have disappeared in five years. Successive cuts imposed everywhere in the name of austerity now bite in all regions. There are no more trains, no more buses in whole parts of the country. No more schools, sometimes. Many secondary schools had to close in the most remote corners because of lack of funding. Per capita spending on health has declined by a third since 2009, according to the OECD. More than 25,000 doctors were dismissed. Hospitals lack personnel, medicines, everything. The human and social cost of this austerity policy is not included in the Excel tables of the Eurogroup.
But it is paid cash by the population. One fifth of the population lives without heating or telephone. 15% of the population has now fallen into extreme poverty compared to 2% in 2009. The Bank of Greece, which cannot be suspected of complacency, has drawn up a report on the health of the Greek population, published in June 2016. The figures it gives are overwhelming: 13% of the population are excluded medical care; 11.5% cannot buy prescription drugs; People with chronic health problems are up to 24.2%. Suicides, depression, mental illness show exponential increases. Worse: while the birth rate has fallen by 22% since the beginning of the crisis, the infant mortality rate almost doubled in a few years to reach 3.75% in 2014.
After seven years of crisis, austerity and European plans, the country is exhausted, financially, economically and physically. “The situation is getting worse. What we need most now is food. This shows that the problems relate to the essential and not the quality of life. It’s about subsistence,” says Ekavi Valleras, head of the NGO Desmos. And it is to this country that Europe asks moreover to assume alone or almost the reception of the refugees coming to Europe.
Debt Rattle February 4 2017
February 4, 2017 Posted by Raúl Ilargi Meijer at 10:24 am Finance Tagged with: allegiance, Amazon, ban, euro, Grexit, hypocrisy, Iran, judge, Trump, Vancouver, visa 1 Response »
Henri Cartier Bresson Paris 1952
• Judge Blocks Trump Travel Ban Nationwide (ZH)
• Airlines Told To Allow Banned Travelers Into US After Judge’s Order (G.)
• Trump’s Travel Ban Has Revoked 60,000 Visas For Now (R.)
• If Americans Truly Cared About Muslims, They Would Stop Killing Them (BAR)
• Iran To Name US Individuals Involved In ‘Helping And Founding’ Terrorists (ZH)
• EU Flirts With Hypocrisy In Criticising Trump’s Refugee Ban (EUO)
• America Is Shedding Its Whole Middle Class (Jim Kunstler)
• Vancouver Home Sales Plummeted 40% In 2016 On Foreign Buyer Tax (AFR)
• Amazon Accounts For 43% Of US Online Retail Sales (BI)
• UniCredit Writedowns Ring Alarm Bells For Italian Banks (R.)
• Euro Too Weak For Germany But Too Strong For Others (R.)
• Eurocrats ‘Beg States To Agree To Deeper Integration To Save The Bloc’ (Exp.)
• Grexit? Greece Again On The Brink As Debt Crisis Threatens Break With EU (G.)
“It’s a case of that magnitude, it’s a case that frankly I think will ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, so that would not surprise me one way or the other.”
Following a brief moment of ‘success’ for the Trump administration as a Boston judge ruled Trump’s immigration policy was not a Muslim ban, a Bush-appointed federal judge in Seattle, who said the states of Washington and Minnesota can sue claiming their residents were harmed by the ban, granted a nationwide temporary restraining order blocking Trump’s immigration ban. District Judge James Robart ruled the executive order would be stopped nationwide effective immediately: his ruling was the most comprehensive legal rebuke of Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order prohibiting immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Syria and four other nations from entering the U.S. for 90 days. Judges in Brooklyn, New York, Los Angeles and Alexandria, Virginia, had previouslyissued orders that are less sweeping.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson was delighted with the decision: “The Constitution prevailed today,” Ferguson said in a statement after the ruling. “It is not the loudest voice that prevails on the Constitution,” Ferguson continued speaking outside the courthouse. “We are a nation of laws, not even the president can violate the Constitution. It’s our president’s duty to honor this ruling and I’ll make sure he does,” Ferguson added hopefully. Good luck with that. In his ruling, Robart said that “the state has met its burden in demonstrating immediate and irreparable injury” while Fergsuon added that “Judge Robart’s decision, effective immediately, effective now, puts a halt to President Trump’s unconstitutional and unlawful executive order. It puts a stop to it immediately, nationwide.” The court order, effective immediately, will remain in place until the judge considers a motion – probably within a month – to permanently invalidate the president’s order, Ferguson said.
Ferguson, a Democrat, filed the lawsuit three days after Trump signed the executive order. The suit argued that the travel ban targets Muslims and violates constitutional rights of immigrants and their families. In his request for the order, according to Bloomberg, Ferguson had said the effects on the state included economic consequences for employers based there, including Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon.com. Expedia, based in Bellevue, Washington, had about 1,000 customers with flight reservations in or out of the U.S. from the seven countries, he said. Minnesota, like Washington, cited the effect of the ban on students at its colleges and universities, as well as health care centers including the Mayo Clinic. The state’s 5.4 million residents included 30,000 immigrants from the affected countries, it said in the lawsuit.
According to The Hill, in a phone interview with CNN Friday evening, Ferguson said he “expected win, lose or draw” that the case would move “fairly quickly through, up to the Ninth Circuit” Court of Appeals – “just because of the magnitude of the executive order.” And hinting that the Supreme Court showdown we suggested previously now appears inevitable, Ferguson added that he is “prepared for this case to go all the way to the Supreme Court whichever way the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals goes,” he said, anticipating a challenge to Robart’s ruling. “It’s a case of that magnitude, it’s a case that frankly I think will ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, so that would not surprise me one way or the other.”
Trump’s legal team senses difficulties ahead: “..The justice department later said it would not immediately file for an emergency stay..”
Customs officials have reportedly told US airlines that they can board passengers who had been barred from entering the country after a federal judge in Seattle ordered a temporary halt on Donald Trump’s travel ban for refugees and people from seven predominantly-Muslim nations. District judge James Robart granted a temporary restraining order on Friday after hearing arguments from Washington state and Minnesota that the president’s order had unlawfully discriminated against Muslims and caused unreasonable harm. It was not immediately clear whether authorities would comply with the broad order, especially after officials reacted in confusion a week earlier, detaining valid visa holders and arguing with lawyers.
Late on Friday, the White House released a statement saying that it would seek an emergency stay against Robart’s ruling; an earlier request for a stay by a justice department attorney had been denied by the judge. “At the earliest possible time, the Department of Justice intends to file an emergency stay of this outrageous order and defend the executive order of the President, which we believe is lawful and appropriate. The president’s order is intended to protect the homeland and he has the constitutional authority and responsibility to protect the American people,” press secretary Sean Spicer said. In a second “updated” statement, the White House removed the word “outrageous”. The justice department later said it would not immediately file for an emergency stay, at least on Friday night, and reports said Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had informed US airlines that they should board travelers who had been barred by an executive order last week.
Looks like the worst of the chaos may be over. Trump can’t afford too many court battles, certainly if he loses them. He’s being told to confer with the lawyers first now.
About 60,000 visas were revoked under U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily halting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, the State Department said on Friday, in one of several government communications clarifying how the order is being rolled out. The revocation means the government voided travel visas for people trying to enter the United States but the visas could be restored later without a new application, said William Cocks, a spokesman for consular affairs at the State Department. “We will communicate updates to affected travelers following the 90-day review,” he said. Earlier news reports, citing a government attorney at a federal court hearing, put the figure at more than 100,000 visas.
The government issued over 11 million immigrant and non-immigrant visas in fiscal year 2015, the State Department said. The immigration executive order signed by Trump a week ago temporarily halted the U.S. refugee program and imposed a 90-day suspension on people traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump said the measures would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks. Under President Barack Obama, Trump’s predecessor, the United States added those seven countries as “countries of concern” under its visa waiver program, effectively toughening U.S. visa procedures for individuals who visited those places during the past five years.
Trump’s executive order was at least in part informed by those restrictions. The new president, who took office on Jan. 20, went further by temporarily barring passport holders from those seven countries. The State Department first issued the guidance about revoking the visas on Jan. 27, the day Trump signed his executive order, according to a memo filed in a court case in Massachusetts. But confusion about the roll out of the order sparked protests at airports across the country where people had been detained and led to a wave of lawsuits filed by individuals, states and civil rights groups.
“.. so much American hatred is directed at Muslims that Democrats and establishment Republicans must struggle to keep the Russians in the “hate zone” of the American popular psyche.”
In the most dramatic expression of insider opposition to a sitting administration’s policies in generations, over 1,000 U.S. State Department employees signed on to a memo protesting President Donald Trump’s temporary ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries setting foot on U.S. soil. Another recent high point in dissent among the State Department’s 18,000 worldwide employees occurred in June of last year, when 51 diplomats called for U.S. air strikes against the Syrian government of President Bashar al Assad. Neither outburst of dissent was directed against the U.S. wars and economic sanctions that have killed and displaced millions of people in the affected countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Rather, the diplomatic “rebellion” of last summer sought to pressure the Obama administration to join with Hillary Clinton and her “Big Tent” full of war hawks to confront Russia in the skies over Syria, while the memo currently making the rounds of State Department employees claims to uphold “core American and constitutional values,” preserve “good will towards Americans” and prevent “potential damage to the U.S. economy from the loss of revenue from foreign travelers and students.” In neither memo is there a word of support for world peace, nor a hint of respect for the national sovereignty of other peoples – which is probably appropriate, since these are not, and never have been, “core American and constitutional values.” “The diplomatic ‘rebellion’ of last summer sought to pressure the Obama administration to join with Hillary Clinton and her ‘Big Tent’ full of war hawks to confront Russia in the skies over Syria.”
Ironically, the State Department “dissent channel” was established during one of those rare moments in U.S. history when “peace” was popular: 1971, when a defeated U.S. war machine was very reluctantly winding down support for its puppet regime in South Vietnam. Back then, lots of Americans, including denizens of the U.S. government, wanted to take credit for the “peace” that was on the verge of being won by the Vietnamese, at a cost of at least four million Southeast Asian dead. But, those days are long gone. Since 2001, war has been normalized in the U.S. – especially war against Muslims, which now ranks at the top of actual “core American values.” Indeed, so much American hatred is directed at Muslims that Democrats and establishment Republicans must struggle to keep the Russians in the “hate zone” of the American popular psyche.
Could be interesting.
Following the escalation on Friday morning, in which the US Treasury Department published a list of 13 Iranian individuals and 12 Iranian entities facing new restrictions following Iran’s recent ballistic missile test, Tehran promptly denounced the latest round of sanctions imposed by the US and said it would retaliate – something it has previously said it would do – however added a new twist when Tehran announced it would impose legal restrictions on American individuals and entities helping “regional terrorist groups”, a Foreign Ministry statement read as quoted by TV. For obvious reasons, this naming and shaming of US-based terrorists promises to be far more interesting than if Iran were to actually ban, say, the US national chess team. Such an action will quickly coalesce the world’s attention on a handful of US entities, putting under a microscope all of their offshore activities.
“The new sanctions … are not compatible with America’s commitments and resolution 2231 of the U.N. Security Council that endorsed the nuclear deal reached between Iran and six powers,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry statement said late on Friday.Tehran said it will react accordingly to any U.S. measure aimed at the Iranian nation’s interests. “In retaliation for the U.S. sanctions, Iran will impose legal restrictions on some American individuals and entities that were involved in helping and founding regional terrorist groups,” the Foreign Ministry statement said. It said names of the entities and individuals would be announced later, although it was not clear when exactly that is. As reported earlier, on Friday, the US Treasury Department blacklisted 13 individuals and a dozen businesses as part of the sanctions. The majority of the individuals in question are from Iran, as well as three Chinese nationals and two Arabs.
“Iran’s continued support for terrorism and development of its ballistic missile program poses a threat to the region, to our partners worldwide, and to the United States,” John E. Smith, acting director of the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said. He added that in countering what he called “Iranian malign activity,” Washington will not hesitate to put more pressure and restrictions “to address this behavior.” Countering rising US rhetoric, Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, said in a twitter post that “Iran unmoved by threats as we derive security from our people.” “We’ll never initiate war, but we can only rely on our own means of defense,” he stressed. Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan noted that Tehran “will not allow foreigners to interfere” in the country’s defense issues and insisted “the test did not violate the nuclear deal or (UN) Resolution 2231.”
Understatement of the year.
The EU rightly spoke out against Donald Trump’s entry ban on asylum seekers from Syria. But its own track record leaves much to be desired. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday (Jan 30) that the EU would continue to host refugees. “It’s our identity: we celebrate when walls are brought down and bridges are built,” she said in a tweet. Her comments appeared the same day a young man from Pakistan suffocated to death in a tent at the Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. He was trying to keep warm. It was the third death at the camp in a week. The misery of people is well documented in so-called hotspots set up by the EU in both Italy and in Greece. The conditions are so bad that many, including Syrian refugees, have volunteered to return to Turkey from the Greek islands.
The EU blames the Greek government. The Greek government blames EU states for not relocating asylum seekers and for sealing off the Western Balkan route. When Hungary erected a wall on its border with Serbia, the European Commission said it was a national issue. When a Syrian refugee protested against the barrier, Hungarian authorities gave him a 10-year prison sentence. The EU talks endlessly about solidarity. But in reality, solidarity does not exist except among the nameless volunteers on the ground. And some of those are risking jail for their efforts. One Danish woman went on trial for people-smuggling after giving a family of refugees a ride to Copenhagen. A similar case is unfolding in Sweden. Only around 10,000 people have been relocated from Italy and Greece to other EU states.
The two-year scheme, which ends in September, had called for 160,000. Many more have been kicked out. Almost 11,000 people were sent home last year, a four-fold increase compared with 2015 when 3,565 migrants were returned in 66 operations. Both EU commission and member states now appear to oppose issuing humanitarian visas for people in need. Germany may stand out as an exception after welcoming some 1 million in 2015. But the fact that the world’s richest nations are unwilling to properly care for the thousands stranded in Greece and on its islands is a disgrace. The task has largely been delegated to volunteers, NGOs and international aid organisations. With populist parties gaining ground in the Netherlands, France and Germany, the anti-immigrant discourse has also gone mainstream.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte last week told Muslims to “act normal, or go away”. France’s conservative presidential contender Francois Fillon has promised to erect national borders and German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere wants zones outside Europe to screen applicants before arrival. De Maiziere’s proposal is gaining traction. The plan is to offshore the problem to war-torn Libya. The job is already under way in a handful of other African states and Afghanistan. This is the EU’s invisible wall.
Good to see Jim is still reading the Automatic Earth.
I guess you’ve noticed by now that the center didn’t hold. Instead of a secure platform for political premises like tradition, precedent, rationality, and cultural norms, you see a fiery maw of sheer emotion between the camps of the so-called Left and the so-called Right. I say so-called because the campus Left and the Trump Right have escaped the categorical corrals they formerly occupied. And they may have left their customary official parties stranded and dying too. It may be fatuous to say whether that is a good or bad thing; it just is, for the moment. They are two halves of a polity so broken and so far apart that it is also hard to see how they might ever come back together into a consensus about how a society might operate successfully.
Not having a consensus — some substantial overlap between circles of perspective — it’s not surprising that America can’t construct a coherent view of what is happening, or make a plan for what to do about it. Mainly what’s happening is the running down of fossil fuel based techno-industrial economies, and the main symptom is falling standards of living, with fading prospects for future happiness and security. As I’ve said before, our economic picture is basically untenable due to the falling energy-return-on-investment of the crucial oil supply. At the high point of 1920s oil production the ratio was around 100-1. The shale oil “miracle” is good for about 5-1. The aggregate of all oil these days is under 30-1. Below that number, you’ve got to shed some activities in our complex economy (or they just get too expensive to support) — things like high-paying labor jobs, medical care, tourism, college, commuting, heating 2500 square foot homes…).
Oddly the way it’s actually working out is that America is simply shedding its whole middle class and all its accustomed habits and luxuries. At least that’s how it adds up in effect. Naturally, that produces a lot of bad feeling. President Trump is unlikely to be able to fix that essential problem, unless he can pilot the whole political-economy into a glide-path leading toward neo-medievalism — what I call the World Made By Hand. Trump’s call for restoring the factory economy of 1962 is a low-percentage prospect. Instead, he’ll be saddled with the collateral damage caused by the dishonest effort of his recent predecessors to borrow from the future to pay for the way we live now — that is, racking up debt.
This mighty debt-load, never before seen in history, and the accounting fraud that enables it, has helped produce all kinds of distortions, perversities, and fragilities in our money system (finance and banking) which can easily slip into collapse if a crucial prop fails here or there, and that is exactly what I think will happen under Trump. It will not be his fault, but he’ll get blamed for it. And when it happens, he won’t be able to give his attention to anything but that.
People don’t recognize it yet, but this is how you spell success.
Home sales in Vancouver plummeted 39.5% in January from a year ago and fell 11% from December, five months after the government slapped a tax on foreign buyers. January marked the sixth consecutive month of falling sales in Canada’s hottest real estate market, where an influx of mainly Chinese offshore buyers has helped push the price of a typical home to more than 12 times the median resident’s household income. Vancouver topped a list of cities around the world that UBS has identified as most at risk of a housing bubble. Sydney placed fourth after London and Stockholm. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said the monthly sales – 1523 homes sold in January – marked a 10.3pc drop on the 10-year average for the month.
‘It’s a lukewarm start to the year compared to 2016,” said Dan Morrison, the board’s president. “While we saw near record-breaking sales at this time last year, home buyers and sellers are more reluctant to engage so far in 2017.” The government of British Columbia – Vancouver is the province’s biggest city – acted last year to cool the market, slapping a new 15% tax on offshore buyers in August. The average benchmark price for detached properties in the Pacific port has fallen 17.8% to $C1,474,800 from a record high of $C1.83 million in January 2016. The average price has fallen 6.6% in the past six months and edged 0.6% lower from December. The composite benchmark price for all residential properties – detached, units and townhomes – has fallen 3.7% since June.
The BC Ministry of Finance earlier reported that the %age of sales in Vancouver to foreign residents had plummetted since the new foreign buyers’ tax went into effect on August 2. In September, foreign purchasers were involved in 1.3% of all transactions in the city of 1.5 million people. “From June 10 to August 1, the period before the additional tax took effect, foreign purchasers were involved in 13.2% of residential property transfers in Metro Vancouver,” a ministry statement said.
Companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon have become far too big for anyone’s good. Time to cut them down to size.
An analysis by Slice Intelligence released this week found that 43% of all online retail sales in the US went through Amazon in 2016, as the e-commerce giant’s market share continues to grow. According to the study, which analyzed more than 4 million online purchases, Amazon accounted for the majority (53%) of the growth in US e-commerce sales for the year. Simply put, Amazon’s already dominant share of the US e-commerce market is only increasing. It reportedly captured 33% of all US online purchases in 2015, according to Internet Retailer, up from 25% in 2012. If those estimates are correct, then the company increased its share of the US e-commerce market by 10% in 2016, an incredible accomplishment given that it already controlled such a sizeable chunk of the space.
Slice said that Amazon’s growth in 2016 was driven by sales in the electronics, home, and apparel categories. Electronics contributed to an estimated 18% of the company’s sales growth in 2016, as the number of US households that own an Amazon Echo device more than doubled from 2015. The next biggest contributors were the home and kitchen category (15%), apparel and accessories (12%), food (11%), and health and beauty (10%), illustrating that Amazon is seeing significant growth in consumer packaged goods (CPGs). The company’s recent expansion of its Dash Buttons to its online site and mobile app should help fuel further growth in these categories. Amazon’s success has also been fueled by high customer loyalty and brand awareness.
The Amazon Prime subscription service continues to grow: One study released last September by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners found that 20% of all US consumers are Prime members. Meanwhile, an Internet Retailer survey of 500 US consumers last December found that more than half of them (52%) go directly to Amazon when they shop online. Although the company faces a wide range of competition in the e-commerce market from both legacy retailers and new entrants, none of them can match Amazon’s customer loyalty and brand awareness when it comes to online shopping. Other online retailers will have to build up their brand awareness to compete with Amazon, but they’ll also likely need to sell through Amazon’s marketplace to stay relevant as its market share keeps growing.
Slo-mo suffocation. Much better to swallow the bitterness and start afresh.
UniCredit has heavily written down the value of its €700 million ($756 million) investment in Italy’s bank rescue fund and other investors are likely to follow suit, sources told Reuters, complicating efforts to stabilize the nation’s banking sector. Italy biggest bank has cut the value of its investment in the Atlante fund by significantly more than a third on its books, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The move is part of its plan to clean up its balance sheet before it taps the market for 13 billion euros in a share issue next week. By writing down the stake, UniCredit is indicating that it does not believe it will make money on the investment it made into the state-managed fund created to recapitalize a number of failing Italian banks and help the industry offload bad loans.
A source at another bank estimated UniCredit’s writedown could be closer to 70%. Intesa Sanpaolo, which together with UniCredit is Atlante’s biggest investor, on Friday said it had written down the value of its stake in the fund by 33%. A group of about half a dozen other banks that have invested in Atlante have held a series of meetings in recent days to discuss the scale of their own possible writedowns, said another source with direct knowledge of the talks. They are also likely to write down their investments by 30%, according to the source, who did not name the lenders. Atlante executives have acknowledged that the value of investments has fallen but have said the fund created last April has an investment horizon of five years and aims to create value for its backers over that period.
And that in a nutshell is what condemns the single currency.
In an attack on Germany, U.S. President Donald Trump’s top trade adviser said the euro was “grossly undervalued”, a charge which may ring true for the German economy but not for the 19-member currency zone as a whole. The adviser, Peter Navarro, said Germany, the euro zone’s economic powerhouse, was exploiting the euro exchange rate for trade purposes, a charge rejected by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. There’s no clear method of establishing how much a currency is under or overvalued but many economists think that some economic measures show the German economy could easily cope with a stronger euro. It hit a 14-year low of $1.0339 last month. Even German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Friday the single currency could be a bit stronger for Germany.
But he agreed with economists that this would make life hard for other euro members. For weaker economies such as Greece, economic measures show the exchange rate is too strong, and for the whole currency area it is only moderately underpriced. “The euro is below most estimates of fair value. And German exporters appear to be benefiting more than most,” said Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics. The White House is concerned about the exchange rate because German companies sell cars, vehicle parts, pharmaceuticals, planes and helicopters around the world, competing with American, as well as other European, manufacturers. Exports account for nearly half Germany’s economic output, with 9.5% going to the United States and around 35% to euro zone countries.
In 2015, the United States became the top destination for German exports, overtaking France for the first time since 1961 due to an upturn in the U.S. economy but also due to the weaker euro. The currency has lost more than 20% of its value against the U.S. dollar since mid 2014. A handful of recent reports found that while the euro was undervalued for Germany it was too strong for other countries. The World Price Index (WPI) published by research firm World Economics each month found that the euro was undervalued on a purchasing power parity basis, a measure that takes into account what money can buy in two different currencies based on inflation and the cost of living. A “German euro” was nearly 17% undervalued against the dollar in PPP terms, while a “French euro” was overvalued by nearly 5%. A “Greek euro” was overvalued by 7%.
“German exporters remain the beneficiaries of a system that is causing stagnation and unemployment in the rest of Europe,” World Economics said in the report. The IMF also said last year that the euro was undervalued by anywhere from 0 to 10% for the region as a whole. But for Germany that undervaluation was anywhere between 10 and 20%, making it the most undervalued exchange rate for any of the 29 countries and jurisdictions around the world covered in the report.
The last gasps: ..Mr Tusk will reportedly urge leaders to pledge allegiance to the crumbling Brussels bloc..”
Desperate Eurocrat Donald Tusk will urge EU nations to agree to deeper integration and recommit to the sprawling superstate, a leaked report has hinted. Mr Tusk will reportedly urge leaders to pledge allegiance to the crumbling Brussels bloc and agree to “an ambitious vision” of “political consolidation”. The European Council president will cite “unprecedented external threats” during a meeting in Malta with leaders from EU nations as a reason for recommitting to the European project. According to Politico, the document which will be proposed to officials later today, says “the EU is at a historical turning point” and is “facing important internal challenges as exemplified by Brexit”. Tusk’s lackeys, along with Italian and Maltese officials, will use Friday’s meeting to draft the proposed “Rome declaration” which will outline a future vision for the bloc.
The document urges leaders to commit to “greater unity in foreign policy and more investments in our defence” and “further deepening the Economic and Monetary Union” – two key reasons why Britain chose to divorce itself from the EU. EU leaders will also be told to sign up to an ever-increasing swathe of legislative measure in June following the “Rome declaration” a few months earlier. The report moans that Trump, Brexit, terrorism, increased military expansion by Russia and the migrant crisis pose serious threats to the stability of the EU. It also details the financial instability in Greece as another hinderance to the volatile political union. It adds that the upcoming meeting in Rome in March should “offer an ambitious vision on how to preserve unity and achieve political consolidation”. The EU is set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome – which laid the basis for “ever closer union” between nation states and which critics argue has forced countries towards a federal Europe.
“We have become a society that has no hope, not even a slice or piece of hope for the future,” he sighed. “The only reason people want to stay in the euro is because they fear the consequences if we were to leave, but if things don’t get better that will change too.”
Syriza, like every governing party before it, has been hollowed out by the eviscerating effects of having to apply policies that it came to power vowing to oppose. On Tuesday its parliamentary spokesman took Greeks by storm proposing that Grexit be discussed “without taboo” in the 300-member house. The once unassailable popularity of Tsipras, meanwhile, has been pummelled by the implementation of some of the harshest measures to date and few believe he has the political capital to enforce another round of austerity. “It is not a can but a bomb being kicked down the road,” said one western diplomat. “In a world where liberal values are under threat we could be looking at a very dangerous scenario where the cradle of democracy also collapses.”
Bereft of growth and battered by cuts and tax increases, Greeks have become poorer and ever more cognizant of their own insolvency in a state where sovereignty exists in little more than name. One in three now live below the poverty line and unemployment hovers around 23%. The latest impasse has not only seen emigration levels rise and non-repayment of household and business loans soar but also nostalgia for the drachma grow. That is what worries Panagopoulos, the pollster, most. What was once a minority view is changing fast, with the majority of Greeks in a recent Alco survey saying it was wrong to have joined the euro. “We have become a society that has no hope, not even a slice or piece of hope for the future,” he sighed. “The only reason people want to stay in the euro is because they fear the consequences if we were to leave, but if things don’t get better that will change too.”
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Sitting Down With Fernando Alonso, Gentleman Savior of IndyCar
Europe's unluckiest great racer still loves F1, but he wouldn't mind just a sip of Indy 500 milk.
By Mike Guy May 23, 2017
Mark Thompson—Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso carries with him equal parts racing genius, poetic tragedy, and even a touch of melancholy. Like most drivers, Alonso is short of stature, with a muscular neck and intense focus. In person, sitting in a small office next to the World Trade Center in Manhattan, Alonso somehow looks older than his 35 years, with creased eyes and wild hair just starting to show a bit of gray. Of course, the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 driver is in impeccable shape after years old following a fitness and nutrition regime that gets more strict each year, as the F1 cars get more aggro, the g-loads higher, and his body just a little more worn down.
This season—what is surely the most miserable year of his remarkably unlucky, and yet still utterly dazzling, career in F1—Alonso is taking a break from a series of disastrous and embarrassing failures of the McLaren-Honda power unit (that's three DNFs in five races). He's even skipping the glitzy Monaco Grand Prix in favor of the down-home confines of Indianapolis 500, the largest race in the United States.
Why? Because he wanted to do something fun.
It's been more than a decade since his dazzling back-to-back World Driver's Championship in 2005 and '06, and Alonso, a legendarily tough competitor and exacting teammate brilliance on track are matched only by Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and perhaps the young and largely untested Max Verstappen. Alonso qualified surprisingly well at Indy, and will start the race in the top 10. Where he finishes is a roll of the dice.
Wearing a multi-branded sweater over a multi-branded polo shirt, Alonso takes a seat, sips from a bottle of water, and extends his hand: "I'm Fernando. How are you?"
Welcome to New York. Are you ready for this weekend?
I hope so. I think everyone is excited about this adventure. I know that in Europe, and in my home country of Spain, everyone is looking forward to this Sunday. Seriously good things could happen. My fingers, they are crossed.
When reinging Indy 500 champ Alexander Rossi came to IndyCar after spending time as a reserve driver in F1, he had some difficulty adapting to super-speedways and the IndyCar chassis, where most of the downforce is atop the car. He thought it was a handful to drive.
It has been not easy, that is for sure. But it was a quick adaptation for me. The team also helped a lot. We have six drivers with Honda, and a lot of experience on ovals from there, so we share a lot of advice as well. It has not been easy because we went through many different stages—running with a lot of downforce, running in groups, then with less downforce, then you put the boost up for Fast Friday and qualification trim—which is crazy fast—and there is the wind factor and then the tire degradation.
It is nearly impossible to repeat two laps in the same driving style and the same feeling. So once you think you learn something it disappears in the next lap. Maybe the wind picked up or something. But I'm surprisingly competitive. I have nothing to complain about.
You seem to be having a lot of fun. I feel like this is the Fernando Alonso I watched 10 years ago. The one who is, you know, not frustrated as hell with his equipment. Are you relieved?
Not really. Not until the race is over. I didn't expect to be competitive here. We made the announcement and I was thinking that maybe we go there and nothing feels right. Maybe the car makes me feel sick. Then I don't feel confident, and I don't enjoy the spirit of the race, and anything could happen. It's not like we started slowly, with a race called The 20 Miles of London, or something. We start with the 500 Miles of Indianapolis. That's no joke. It's a vicious race. We went from nothing to the biggest without even testing a car. It's a shoot of the dice.
Do you still consider Formula 1 to be the pinnacle of motorsports?
Yes. I think the Indy 500 stands out from the rest because the history behind the race, the names behind it, and it's a two week event. It's like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, another two week event. So there are races that have always been there in history, and they will be there forever. But as a series, as a championship, Formula 1 is the biggest. To have a small version of the Indy 500 or Le Mans every two weeks around the world, that is without equal.
How long are you going to let McLaren-Honda torture you in F1? Is there a limit to your patience?
Well, in a way we work in an environment that is healthy and is happy. But we are not performing. And that's the biggest thing. And in motorsport that is the only thing. If you don't perform... poof! The motivation and the commitment—everything is right. What's missing is the power unit. It's just not delivering what we were expecting.
So you're not going to follow Mark Webber to WEC?
Listen, I finish this contract with McLaren at the end of the year and I will have to make a decision. My intention is to stay in Formula 1. I've developed my skills around the F1 cars. I'd love to attempt different series, but just for my own growth, not really my career. You know? To come to IndyCar and race against the best oval drivers in the world. That's attractive. To go to endurance cars and race against the best there. To feel competitive there, that would make me pleased. but Formula 1 is my life.
Then again, I feel happy when I'm behind a steering wheel. Any steering wheel, really...
Oh yeah? Do you drive a Honda at home?
Which is your preferred car?
Hmmm. I don't know. Probably the Accord. Or the Civic Type R. That's a nice one. I don't really have fancy cars. I have a collection of Formula 1 cars in my museum in Spain. But street cars, not so much. Just say the Accord.
Fernando Alonso's McLaren-Honda Finally Finished a Race
Also, someone won the Spanish Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso Will Be Remembered For All the Wrong Reasons
Racing in the Indy 500 won't help 'Nando cement a legacy as one of the greats.
Fernando Alonso Says McLaren Has Until October to Prove They Can Win in 2018
If McLaren hasn't convinced him in five months, he says he'll start talking to other teams.
Fernando Alonso Earns $37,000,000 More Than Max Verstappen
2017 Formula 1 driver salaries run the spectrum from the superrich to the not-quite-enough to live in Brooklyn.
Fernando Alonso's Car Lets Him Down. Again.
Note to McLaren: This is getting ridiculous.
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Joe Biden Says Pete Buttigieg ‘Stole’ His Health Care Plan
REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Former Vice President Joe Biden said Monday that Pete Buttigieg, a surging rival for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, “stole” his health care proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act and allow people to choose a government-run insurance plan, known as a public option.
“He stole it,” Biden told reporters on his campaign bus in Iowa, according to Reuters. Biden added that reporters would have criticized him if he had copied someone else’s plan. “What would you have done to me? You’d have torn my ears off,” he said.
Biden’s and Buttigieg’s plans are very similar. Both propose to create a public option, extend federal subsidies for coverage and provide automatic enrollment for low-income Americans in states that have not expanded Medicaid under Obamacare. Both would maintain a private insurance market. Buttigieg calls his plan “Medicare for All Who Want It” — a term Biden has used in Iowa campaigning as well. But Buttigieg has also proposed capping hospital and provider prices at double what Medicare pays them and capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare.
It’s not the first time Biden has suggested Buttigieg and other have adopted his plan. He reportedly made similar comments — without an accusation of stealing — in an October interview with an Iowa television station. "Everybody's now adopted the Biden plan. You have Buttigieg, a good guy, and there's others — and I'm happy they're doing it — talking about 'Medicare for all who want it.' That's the Biden plan," he said, according to the Des Moines Register.
Responding to Biden’s comments, the Buttigieg campaign noted that the South Bend, Indiana, mayor had talked about “Medicare for all who want it” months before Biden officially entered the race.
The bottom line: Plenty of candidates besides Biden and Buttigieg have embraced a public option, but the Iowa caucuses are now exactly two months away, so you’re bound to see plenty of journalistic takes on how the gloves are now coming off as the field narrows and candidates jostle for position in the moderate or liberal “lane.”
After the Capitol Attack: What Happens Next
The fallout from Wednesday’s chaos at the Capitol continued Thursday — and will likely be felt for some time. Here are...
How Do We Respond to the Trump Insurrection?
Today, January 6, 2021, is a date which will live in infamy, to borrow President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s words...
McConnell Will Have Major Leverage Over a Biden Administration
Votes are still being counted and the winner of the presidential race remains uncertain, but the election results are...
Yuval Rosenberg
As editor in chief, Yuval Rosenberg oversees all aspects of The Fiscal Times' website and email newsletter. His writing has appeared in publications including BusinessWeek, CNBC.com, CNNMoney.com, Fast Company, Fortune, Newsweek, Money and Time.
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Daily Content Archive as of Wednesday, November 13, 2019
(as of Wednesday, November 13, 2019)
Definition: (verb) To render insignificant or less important in comparison.
Synonyms: eclipse, dominate
Usage: They were warlike little nations and defied, in those days, governments that overshadow them now as mountains overshadow molehills.
Defining Regular Verbs
All English verbs are either regular or irregular, depending on how they are conjugated. The majority are regular verbs. What does this mean? More...
The Black Army of Hungary
Elected king of Hungary in 1458 after a series of foreign rulers, Matthias Corvinus reigned for 32 years in what became a glorious period in Hungarian history. Matthias won a reputation as a crusader against the Ottomans. He conquered Moravia, Silesia, Lusatia, Vienna, Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola—successes largely due to his establishment of a standing army. Known as the Black Army of Hungary, it consisted of thousands of paid soldiers, including Hungarians as well as mercenaries from where? More...
Nevado del Ruiz Erupts in Colombia (1985)
When ash began to fall on the Colombian town of Armero, local authorities assured residents that it was safe to stay put, despite geologists' warnings to the contrary. It had been more than 140 years since the last serious eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz, known to residents as "the Sleeping Lion." That night, a lahar—a massive flow of mud and debris—swept down the side of the erupting volcano, destroying Armero. It was the worst natural disaster in Columbian history. How many people were killed? More...
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354 CE)
Augustine was bishop of Hippo, a Roman city that is now Annaba, Algeria. In his early 30s, he converted to Christianity, gave up his position as professor of rhetoric, became a bishop, and turned his home into a monastery. He served for more than 40 years. While he lay dying, Vandals destroyed his city but spared his library. His writings, which include Confessions and De Civitate Dei, deeply influenced Western Christianity. What now-extinct religion did he originally practice? More...
Money dignifies what is frivolous if unpaid for.
keep (one's) socks on
— To remain patient and calm, especially when beginning to become angry or upset with impatience. Usually said as an imperative. More...
Carberry Day (2020)
The students and faculty at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, celebrate the fictitious academic exploits of Professor Josiah Stinkney Carberry every Friday the 13th. On Carberry Day, small brown jugs appear around campus, and students and teachers fill them with change. The money goes to a book fund that Professor Carberry has set up "in memory of my future late wife, Laura." More...
Today's topic: lightning
nimbostratus cloud - Can drop precipitation but has no lightning or thunder. More...
artillery - A poetic term for thunder and lightning. More...
coup de foudre - A sudden unforeseen event or instantaneous and overwhelming passion, such as love at first sight; it is French, literally, "stroke of lightning." More...
lightning - Etymologically, lightning is simply something that illuminates or "lightens" the sky, a contraction of the earlier "lightening." More...
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APTOPIX Britain Mandela Global Reax
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron signs the book of condolence at the South African Embassy, in central London, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, following the announcement of the death of the former South African president Nelson Mandela, photo in background. Mandela passed away Thursday night after a long illness. He was 95. As word of Mandela's death spread, current and former presidents, athletes and entertainers, and people around the world spoke about the life and legacy of the former South African leader. (AP Photo/Nick Ansell, Pool)
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Town and Country Financial Corporation Reports Fourth-Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Town and Country Financial Corporation (the “Company”), (OTC Pink: TWCF), today announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2018.
Key highlights included:
23.4% increase in core net income, to $6.3 million in 2018, primarily driven by revenue growth;
28.5% increase in core net income in the fourth quarter of 2018, to $1.9 million, compared to $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017;
Net interest margin increase of 11 basis points, to 3.45%, from 3.34% in 2017;
Commercial loan growth of $57 million in 2018, or 15%, to $437 million as of December 31, 2018.
Reported net income, including securities gains and losses and other non-core items, was $1.8 million ($0.63 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2018 and $1.7 million ($0.60 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2017. For the full year, reported net income was $6.4 million ($2.25 per share), compared to $5.6 million ($1.98 per share) in 2017, a 13.9% increase.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Micah R. Bartlett, commented, “2018 was our best year yet on many fronts, as we achieved most of our goals. Commercial loan growth was strong, growing 15%, to $437 million. The mortgage business had another solid year despite higher interest rates, based on our expertise and product mix. We also saw record performance from an earnings standpoint, with net revenue in excess of $34 million and core net income of $6.3 million, both all-time highs. We are pleased with these results and we’re looking forward to continuing the trends established in 2018.”
Growth in commercial loans of $57 million was funded by a combination of deposit growth of $29 million, equity capital growth of $5.6 million, and reallocation of assets from the securities portfolio. Higher yielding loans, when compared to available investment yields, resulted in an increase in the net interest margin. The net interest margin increased from 3.37% in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 3.51% in
the fourth quarter of 2018, as a result of this balance sheet realignment.
Net interest income was $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. For the full year, net interest income was $23.4 million in 2018, compared to $21.5 million in 2017.
Noninterest income was $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. A slowdown in mortgage activity was the primary reason for the slight decline in noninterest income. However, noninterest income increased to $10.9 million in 2018, from $10.5 million in 2017.
Noninterest expenses were higher in 2018 than in 2017 due to investment in expansion in 2017, which affected part of 2017 and was fully in place in 2018. This is reflected in the 5% increase in noninterest expenses, to $25.6 million in 2018, from $24.4 million in 2017. The fourth quarter expenses were $6.3 million in 2018 compared to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Assets grew to $784 million at December 31, 2018, from $749 million a year earlier, and total deposits grew to $624 million as of December 31, 2018, from $592 million a year earlier. The loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, grew to $553 million at December 31, 2018, from $498 million a year
earlier. Nonperforming loans increased slightly but credit quality remained strong, with nonperforming loans at 0.67% of net loans at quarter-end compared to 0.46% a year earlier. The allowance for loan loss remained stable, at 1.05% at December 31, 2018, and 1.07% at December 31, 2017.
Town and Country Bank’s capital levels remained strong at quarter-end, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.29% and a total risked-based ratio of 13.08%. These ratios compare to 8.70% and 12.72% a year earlier. Consolidated equity capital grew to $59.5 million at December 31, 2018, from $53.9 million at December 31, 2017. Book value was $20.90 per share compared to $18.85 per share at December 31, 2017, an increase of 10.9%.
The holding company reported an investment in Town and Country Bank of $78.2 million at December 31, 2018, compared with $74.0 million as of December 31, 2017. Borrowings were $9.6 million and trust preferred securities were $14 million at quarter-end, as compared with $12.2 million in borrowings and $13.5 million in trust preferred securities as of December 31, 2017.
Town and Country Financial Corporation is the parent holding company for Town and Country Bank and Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services, Inc. with offices in Bloomington, Buffalo, Decatur, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Mt. Zion, Springfield, and Quincy. The Quincy branch operates under the name of Peoples Prosperity Bank. Town and Country Financial Corporation shares are quoted under the symbol TWCF.
Doug Cheatham
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
dcheatham@townandcountrybank.com
More Financial News
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Intel brings made-in-Vietnam products to the world: Ho Chi Minh City Party chief
Ho Chi Minh City Part chief Dinh La Thang has praised Intel Corporation for its contribution to the city’s development and for bringing products made in Vietnam to the international market.
The secretary of the municipal Party Committee, along with Le Thanh Liem, vice-chairman of the city’s administration, visited the factory of Intel Products Vietnam, located in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in District 9, on Tuesday afternoon.
During his conversation with the company’s leaders, Secretary Thang asserted that Ho Chi Minh City is ready for the fourth industrial revolution, in which Intel plays a significant role.
The official promised to provide the firm with favorable conditions to extend its operation in the southern metropolis.
He praised the corporation’s achievements in Vietnam in the past decade, highlighting that it had contributed some US$10 million to the local budget.
Intel Products Vietnam’s export value and capacity have increased by nearly one hundred times in the past 10 years, accounting for 12.4 percent of the city’s export revenue, the city’s Party chief continued.
Most importantly, Intel has introduced products manufactured in Vietnam to the rest of the world and cooperated with local universities in training high-quality human resources, Thang stated.
He asked the company to review its results in the past and focus on future accomplishments, spurring the development of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and facilitating Ho Chi Minh City’s plan to become a smart city with quality personnel.
He also expressed his hope that Intel would allow other businesses to cooperate and thus attract further investment into Vietnam.
According to Sherry Boger, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam, the development of the Southeast Asian country is similar to that of Intel.
The corporation has applied the most advanced technology to the operation of its factory in Vietnam, Boger continued.
Source: Tuoi Tre News
Photo: Intel Vietnam
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Thugs of Hindostan is Aamir Khan’s first flop in China market
BEIJING: Aamir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan failed to appeal to the Chinese audiences, the producers witnessed poor opening on Friday which will be his first flop in the Chinese market after a string of box office hits.
This is first movie that could not click in China after the massive success of his previous films 3 Idiots, Dangal and Secret Superstars which won him massive revenues besides a huge fan following.
Thugs of Hindostan raked 10.74 million yuan (USD1.56 million) at the box office and according to Chinese movie ticketing platform Maoyan, the film is estimated to get in only 96.1 million yuan, possibly the worst of Aamir Khan’s movie performances in China, sate run Global Times reported this weekend.
“Thugs” had performed miserably at the Indian box office too and the makers had hoped Aamir Khan’s popularity in China will help the film pull through but that did not happen, the report said.
Aamir Khan, who is known as Mi Shu or Uncle Mi in China, had produced a special Chinese edition.
Aamir had also promoted the film for almost two weeks before the release by visiting a number of major cities including Guangzhou, Xi’an, Nanjing and Shanghai.
Photo courtesy: www.theindianexpress.com
Aamir Khan Thugs of Hindostan
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COVID-19 General FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ
Coronavirus Website
COVID-19 Vaccine Website
Search FAQ:
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause illness in people and animals. The common cold is an example of a coronavirus.
What is the novel coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
What is SARS-CoV-2?
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. “SARS” stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome, “CoV” stands for coronavirus. This virus is similar to the SARS virus that emerged in China in 2002, hence the number “2.”
COVID-19 (“Coronavirus Disease 2019”) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a new (novel) coronavirus that initially emerged in Wuhan Provence, China in December 2019.
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. The following symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary a bit from person to person. Some people with COVID-19 infection have no symptoms (also known as asymptomatic). Children generally experience similar signs and symptoms of illness as adults. For additional information, see Children and COVID-19.
Virginians can use COVIDCheck, an online risk-assessment tool to check their symptoms and connect with appropriate health care resources, including COVID-19 testing. Visit VDH’s web page for more information on what to do if you feel sick.
For more information on symptoms of COVID-19, visit the CDC’s webpage: Symptoms of Coronavirus.
How soon after exposure do symptoms occur?
Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure.
COVID-19 is spread primarily through respiratory droplets (meaning moisture that comes from coughing, sneezing, singing, or talking). These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another. Close contact includes: being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period; provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19; direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19 (touched, hugged, or kissed them); shared eating or drinking utensils with someone that has COVID-19; sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you from someone who has COVID-19.
The virus may also spread by airborne transmission in certain circumstances. The infection may be transmitted by exposure to the virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space, and occur within enclosed spaces that have inadequate ventilation. On some occasions, the infected person may be breathing heavily, such as singing or exercising.
Although most spread involves sick people passing infectious droplets, some people don't ever have symptoms (asymptomatic people). The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from infected people who do not have any symptoms. Because this type of spread is possible, it is very important for everyone to follow recommendations for physical distancing, hand washing and masks, even if they do not feel sick.
For more information about how COVID-19 spreads, click here.
What do we know about aerosol transmission of the virus?
COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. These droplets (larger particles) and aerosols (smaller particles) are released when someone with COVID-19 sneezes, coughs, or talks. Current data supports the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) via airborne transmission under special circumstances. Short-range inhalation of aerosols is a possibility for COVID-19, as with many respiratory pathogens. The virus, in small droplets and particles can spread from an infected person to others who are more than 6 feet away and even after the person has left the space. Airborne transmission is a possibility, particularly in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces, and when the infected person is breathing heavily, such as when singing or exercising. Certain medical procedures performed in healthcare facilities can also generate fine aerosols.
What is known about virus transmission via contaminated surfaces?
The primary and most important mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person-to-person. Respiratory secretions or droplets expelled by infected individuals can contaminate surfaces and objects. Transmission may occur when a person touches surfaces contaminated with virus from an infected person and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes. Frequent hand washing and cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces (such as door knobs) can help prevent viral transmission.
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through sex?
The virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in semen and in feces of people who are infected with the virus. Transmission through respiratory droplets is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through drinking water?
The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas?
There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) should inactivate the virus in the water. The virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted primarily through close contact with other people. It is important that people take steps to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19, especially while there is on-going community transmission of the virus.
Can ticks or mosquitoes transmit COVID-19?
There is no evidence that either ticks or mosquitoes can transmit the virus that causes COVID-19.
Who is at risk for COVID-19?
Everyone is at risk if they are exposed to COVID-19. However, older adults and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness.
It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
What does close contact mean?
When assessing a person’s risk of exposure to COVID-19, close contact means being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period or having exposure to the person’s respiratory secretions (for example, coughed or sneezed on; shared a drinking glass or utensils; kissing) while they were contagious. For example, briefly walking by someone with COVID-19 in a store is not considered close contact.
A person with COVID-19 is considered to be contagious starting from 2 days before they became sick (or 2 days before they tested positive if they never had symptoms) until they meet the criteria to discontinue isolation.
What is contact tracing?
Contact tracing is a method often used by public health to prevent the spread of disease. For COVID-19, contact tracing means ensuring that everyone who has been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 is aware that they might have been exposed. The health department will check-in on the health status of people potentially exposed to the virus and provide them with information about how to prevent the spread of disease, including the importance of quarantine (which means staying at home and maintaining distance from others) and what to do if symptoms develop.
More information about contact tracing can be found here.
Does wearing a mask/cloth face covering impact contact tracing?
Masks do not impact VDH contact tracing efforts. We recognize that masks provide some protection, when used along with other daily protective activities such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. However, we do not compare cloth face coverings as source control to surgical or other masks such as N95’s, that are designed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to protect the wearer from splashes or sprays from blood or other body fluids or breathing or coughing. If you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, even while wearing a mask, you may still be contacted by VDH.
What are the most reliable sources of COVID-19 information?
For those with access to the internet, the best sources of up-to-date information are the Virginia Department of Health website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. You can also call 877-ASK-VDH3 for additional information.
Can I use ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect my skin?
UV light or lamps should not be used to disinfect your skin. UV radiation can irritate or harm your skin and eyes. If you need to clean up, wash your hands with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or take a shower and put on clean clothes.
Additional information about common COVID-19 myths can be found here.
Does staying at home weaken the immune system's ability to fight COVID-19?
There is no evidence that staying at home more during the COVID-19 outbreak can weaken the immune system (the part of your body that fights off germs).Our immune system is built up over many years and won’t suddenly stop working after a few months.Staying at home and being isolated from others can impact our health in other ways. Stress, depression, bad sleep patterns, lack of exercise, and eating unhealthy foods can all hurt the immune system.Work on healthy habits such as getting enough rest, managing stress, staying connected to friends and family, and eating a healthy diet. More information on food and COVID-19 can be found on CDC’s website. Exercising is also important. Getting out into the fresh air can be good for both our bodies and our minds.
Why might someone blame or avoid individuals and groups (create stigma) because of COVID-19?
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The Mitre Archives
Reserving the Old Library
The Mitre, Canada’s oldest student literary journal is published at Bishop’s University, Lennoxville, Quebec. Since 1893 and for a span of almost 60 years, it served as the sole vehicle for the sharing of campus news, alumni updates, sports accounts, opinion pieces, historical essays, photographs and much more – an invaluable source of information providing a broad perspective of life at Bishop’s and Lennoxville during this time period. As such, it also featured accounts from the war front via student letters sent to the journal. With the launching of publications such as The Campus newspaper (1944), and the Alumni Newsletter (1957), The Mitre eventually evolved into a creative arts magazine, featuring short stories, poetry, plays, photography and art works. Contributors include the university community: faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Bishop’s University.
Search the content of the PDF files
1890 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010
Volume 1: 1893-1894
1893-1894 Issue 1
1899-1900 Issue 4-5
Volume 10: 1902-1903
1919-1920 Issue 4 (Memorial)
Volume 76: 1969
1969 (Nuevue)
Volumes 77 to 86: 1970-1979
1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979
Volumes 87 to 96: 1980 – 1989
Volumes 97 to 106: 1990 – 1999
Volumes 107 to 116: 2000 – 2009
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Samoa better prepared for Covid-19 after measles outbreak
Reflections six months after the measles outbreak that killed 83 people.
Six months after the measles outbreak that killed 83 people, most of whom were children, UNICEF Pacific Representative Sheldon Yett talks about the long-term impact of the vaccination campaign and how Samoa is now better prepared for Covid-19.
I spoke to countless families in Samoa during the measles outbreak. Early on, there was some resistance to the idea of vaccination. But soon there was a wave of public pressure, nobody wanted to be the last person in the neighbourhood to get their child vaccinated.
I remember talking to a mother in the queue at a health centre. I asked her if she was worried. Maybe she had heard some of the misinformation out there about vaccines. Fake news about measles was rife at the time. “Yes, I have heard the stories,” she said. “But they are just stories. I know I need to get my baby vaccinated.”
She told me she had seen what could happen if she didn’t; children were dying. There was no doubt in her mind. She couldn’t have been more eager to wait in line and ensure her baby was protected as soon as possible. Now, more than six months later, the impact of the outbreak on families and the public health system cannot be overstated.
Samoa | ©UNICEF/UNI232405
Nine-year-old Senerita receives a measles vaccination in Leauvaa Village, as part of a UNICEF-supported National Vaccination Campaign.
In every corner of the country, people saw children die. That will have a lifelong impact. The immediate effect was increased public pressure to ensure that immunisation programmes run well and that those responsible for conducting routine immunisation are well-trained, well-compensated and well-supported.
The UNICEF vaccination campaign achieved 95 per cent coverage. Over 265,000 doses of the vaccine were procured. We know that some 85,000 children were vaccinated, 22,250 of whom were under the age of five.
It is important to have a campaign like this to stop an outbreak when immunisation rates are too low. But that’s no substitute for having high rates of routine immunisation, and having that nailed to the foundation of the public health system.
On that count, we’re still analysing the 2020 figures for measles vaccination coverage. However, increased coverage towards the end of 2019 is a very positive sign. There are other reasons to be hopeful. Large speciality refrigerators required to store vaccines were purchased and placed all around the country.
Three-year-old Josh awaits a measles vaccination in Leauvaa Village, as part of a UNICEF-supported National Vaccination Campaign.
Some 150 vaccine carriers used to carry the vaccine in communities were purchased, and used by the vaccinators themselves to go household to household. We also purchased things like ventilators, syringe pumps, nebulizers, a huge quantity of supplies and equipment. We provided training and deployed teams to go into communities. Every component necessary to ensure children are vaccinated was covered by UNICEF.
We’re really grateful to our donors. Stuff readers alone raised $27,000 for the campaign. Your ability to respond and help us get supplies where they need to go as quickly as possible was critical to stopping this outbreak. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Of course, measles isn’t the only childhood killer, children are vulnerable to other diseases as well: waterborne diseases, airborne diseases, all the other diseases of childhood. The equipment used to fight this outbreak will be used for other outbreaks, possibly even to fight Covid-19 should Samoa be affected by the virus.
It goes beyond even equipment and supplies. We spent a lot of time making sure that nurses were well-trained, contact tracing was observed stringently, and that accurate messages were distributed in communities. Those processes will serve the public health system well should there be a coronavirus outbreak.
Samoa | ©Unicef/UNI75209
A boy receives a measles vaccination at a temporary clinic in Lalomanu, a village on the eastern coast of Upolu, Samoa.
During the response to measles, it was important that community members understood the impact of so-called fake news. At the time, there was a lot of false information circulating about measles: rumours about a possible cure, misinformation about how the disease was being spread, and who was responsible.
The same kind of issues are true for Covid-19. Ministries need to know what to do; communities need to know what to do. Whether that be government officials or church leaders, not just public health authorities. Anyone in a position of influence in the community can help spread the right messages.
Wanda holds her six-month-old son Azamat, as he receives a measles vaccination in Leauvaa Village.
This experience gave people the impetus to step back and say “wait a minute, this doesn’t make sense”. It taught people the importance of looking at the best sources of public health news such as public health officials, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and our partners.
This is a lesson that will be carried forward in the event that there was a Covid-19 outbreak. The basics really do make all the difference. It’s pretty simple: we need to ensure that vaccines are in place, and that people are trained to administer them. When it comes to public health, borders are meaningless.
We need greater public understanding. All of us have a role to play here. It doesn’t just require epidemiologists and people with PhDs and public health degrees. It requires concerned citizens to ensure the lives and wellbeing of children are protected. Surely that is in everyone’s interest.
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Congress on Verge of Honoring Gabe Zimmerman
Posted By Jim Nintzel on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' office
Gabe Zimmerman with the Declaration of Independence
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote tomorrow to name a room at the U.S. Capitol in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, the "constituent whisperer" who was slain in the Jan. 8 shooting rampage. The press release from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' office:
The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to name a room in the Capitol in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, slain aide to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Zimmerman is the only congressional staff member to be slain in the line of duty.
Some 402 of the 435 members of the House are cosponsors of House Resolution 364, naming room HVC 215 in the Capitol Visitor Center as the Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Debbie Wassermann Schultz of Florida, a close friend of Giffords. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona was the lead Republican co-sponsor.
Numerous members of the House today spoke in support of the bill, with a vote scheduled for tomorrow. Because the room is on the House side of the Capitol, the resolution needs to be approved only by the House to be effective.
There will be a formal dedication of the room in early 2012 when a plaque bearing Zimmerman’s likeness will be unveiled.
“We deeply appreciate this show of support by the House of Representatives,” Ben Zimmerman, Gabe’s younger brother, said today, speaking on behalf of the Zimmerman family. “This is a wonderful way to memorialize my brother, Gabe.
“We especially would like to thank the offices of Reps. Giffords, Wassermann Schultz and the members of the Arizona delegation for their work in preparing and supporting this bill,” Ben Zimmerman added. “We also would like to thank the tremendous number of cosponsors on the legislation and the House leadership for bringing this bill to the floor for consideration. Finally, we would like to extended our warmest sympathies to the other victims of the Jan. 8 tragedy and their families for enduring this process of grief and struggle along with us.”
Gabe Zimmerman was slain Jan. 8 when a gunman opened fire at Giffords’ Congress On Your Corner event in Northwest Tucson. Five other people were killed and 13 people were wounded, including Giffords and two other members of her staff.
Zimmerman, 30, was Giffords’ community outreach director and one of the first people the congresswoman hired after she was elected to Congress in November 2006. He is the only congressional employee in the nation’s history to be slain in the line of duty.
“Gabe was a beloved member of Congresswoman Giffords’ staff and was responsible for establishing her highly effective constituent services operation,” said Pia Carusone, chief of staff for Giffords. “Gabe was a dedicated public servant and a friend to all. His commitment to Arizona and to the democratic process inspires us to help each other as fellow human beings and as citizens of a caring nation.”
Before joining Giffords’ staff when she took office in January 2007, Zimmerman was a 1998 graduate of University High School in Tucson, a 2002 graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz and a 2006 graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a masters’ degree in social work. He also was a social worker assisting troubled youth.
Zimmerman’s legacy led to the establishment of scholarships in his name at the University of California at Santa Cruz and Arizona State University; the dedication of the Davidson Canyon Gabe Zimmerman trailhead southeast of Tucson; the dedication of a memorial in his honor near Green Valley; a bench in his honor at his alma mater, University High School; and the establishment of the Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown, a series of three races in Tucson.
The world came to know Zimmerman through stories in the Arizona Daily Star, The Hill, Roll Call, the Arizona Republic, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and numerous other publications.
A copy of the resolution and a biography and photo of Zimmerman are attached. The photo shows Zimmerman with a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence that Zimmerman and Congresswoman Giffords’ office helped bring to Tucson last year.
Numerous members of Congress praised Zimmerman’s work for Giffords today. Among them:
· Speaker John Boehner of Ohio: “It is fitting to honor Gabe Zimmerman, who gave his life while faithfully discharging his duties under the Constitution, with a permanent memorial in the United States Capitol. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve, and today we honor Gabe’s memory and his service to the House of Representatives.”
· Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California: “In permanently naming a room in the Capitol complex after Gabe Zimmerman, we honor his life, which was cut far too short. We remember his commitment to the constituents of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and his patriotic public service. We also remember all who have suffered so much because of that terrible day. May our remembrance of Gabe be a comfort to the many who loved him.”
· Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, minority whip: “Gabe Zimmerman was one of these passionate and dedicated staffers who loved his job working for our beloved friend and colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. He was a bridge between the congresswoman and individuals and constituent groups in her district, fostering and expanding each day the most important relationships a member of Congress maintains.
“It is entirely fitting that we rename in his memory a room where, every day, members and our staff come together to further the representation of the American people. Every day when we enter that room, we will remember Gabe Zimmerman. Gabe Zimmerman died while serving his country and we honor him for that service. But let me say to every staffer who serves with us, by doing so we honor you as well, your contributions and the contributions of all staff who like Gabe strive to make this country a better one for all Americans. We send to Gabe’s parents our deepest sympathy for a loss that cannot be compensated, but tell them that we share their extraordinary pride in this American hero.”
· Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida: “On Jan. 8 in Tucson, tragedy struck this country in a shooting that shocked our nation and tore through the fabric of the congressional community. Six people died that horrific day, including congressional staffer Gabriel Zimmerman. He was a public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while doing what he loved — helping Arizonans.
“He was the first congressional staffer to be murdered in the line of duty in congressional history, and I can think of no better way to memorialize Gabe’s service and ultimate sacrifice than to have a meeting place in the Capitol Visitor Center forever carry his name and memory. I believe, as Gabby Giffords does, that our country has to be strong enough to come together to solve the challenges before us, and I’m proud that this resolution has the support of so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”
· Rep. Raùl Grijalva of Arizona: “In very rightly honoring Gabe Zimmerman’s life and selfless work for his country today, we also honor the many congressional staffers who work invisibly to improve the lives of the people they serve. Gabe was one of many unsung heroes doing five things at once every day to make this a better place to live without asking for recognition. I’m very honored to support this memorial to his life and his work on behalf of his community, which meant a great deal to more people than we’ll ever know.”
· Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona: “Today, we honored Gabe Zimmerman, a man who spent his life giving back to Arizonans and making our state a better place. Though naming something as simple as this room will never be enough for such a sacrifice, it is the right thing to do for Gabe — for all he did for Arizona and what he meant to the congressional family.”
· Rep. Ed Pastor of Arizona: “This is a very fitting tribute. Gabe was a dedicated public servant who truly worked for the betterment of his community and his district’s constituents. He took their troubles to heart and worked tirelessly to help them find resolutions. This room will serve as a reminder of the true meaning of public service and Gabe’s unyielding dedication to others.”
· Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona: “This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. Gabe’s name and presence here will remind everyone who walks in these halls of the meaning of duty, service and of passion for a cause.”
· Rep. Ben Quayle of Arizona: “Naming a room in the Capitol after Gabe won’t help ease the pain of the family, friends and coworkers who knew him, but it will ensure that his life is forever honored. Years from now, when members of Congress and staffers hold meetings in HVC 215, they will be reminded of Gabe’s story and the tremendous example he set.”
Tags: Gabe Zimmerman , Congress , ARizona news , Tucson news , Gabrielle Giffords
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Granada Reports moves from Quay Street to MediaCityUK
Granada Reports will bid farewell to their famous studio this weekend as they move to a new site at MediaCityUK in Salford.
Presenters, reporters, and crew will make the switch to a state-of-the-art studio on Sunday, with the first full bulletin from Salford on Monday evening.
This evening’s bulletin looked back at over 40 years of broadcasting from the famous building in Quay Street.
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Updated on Friday 22 March 2013 by TV Newsroom in ITV News
“Welcome to Life”, Documentaries on ITV
Sky Central now open..
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Home Politics Trump replaces U.S. attorney in Atlanta
Trump replaces U.S. attorney in Atlanta
Josh Gerstein
President Donald Trump has replaced the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta with another Trump-appointed prosecutor from southern Georgia, bypassing a top career prosecutor.
Trump’s move came after the U.S. attorney in Atlanta, Byung “B.J.” Pak, abruptly resigned Monday. Justice Department officials have declined to say whether Pak resigned voluntarily or was asked to do so.
U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Georgia Bobby Christine said on his office’s website that he was named as the acting U.S. attorney in Atlanta on Monday “by written order of the President.” Christine, a former state prosecutor and magistrate, has served as the senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, which includes the cities of Savannah and Augusta.
In tapping Christine, Trump bypassed the prosecutor who would normally take over on an acting basis in the event of an emergency or sudden vacancy, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine.
A White House spokesperson referred questions about the shuffle back to the Department of Justice.
Trump’s installation of a new leader in the U.S. attorney’s office in Georgia’s largest city comes as he continues to rail against the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for failing to move aggressively against what he has baselessly alleged was rampant fraud in the November election in Georgia and in other swing states.
Georgia election officials have rebutted Trump’s claims in detail. In addition, former Attorney General Bill Barr said late last year that he saw no evidence of widespread fraud that could have affected the outcome of the election. Barr declined to appoint a special counsel to investigate such claims before he resigned last month.
U.S. attorneys are typically replaced following a change in presidential administrations and some do leave in advance of the formal transfer of power. Pak had been expected to stay on through Inauguration Day.
Pak’s resignation and Christine’s assignment were first reported by Talking Points Memo, which quoted an internal memo from Pak attributing his hasty departure to “unforeseen circumstances.” As of mid-morning Tuesday, the “Meet the U.S. Attorney” web page that used to contain Pak’s biography simply said “will be added shortly.”
Last June, Barr made an awkward attempt to oust the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, and replace him on an acting basis with the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, who was viewed as more of a Trump loyalist. While Berman was tapped by the administration to take the job on an acting basis, he was never formally nominated to the post.
The attempted reshuffle prompted outrage from prosecutors in Berman’s office, some of whom had investigated Trump, his companies and his allies over campaign finance allegations and other issues. Barr ultimately backed away from the plan to install Carpenito and allowed the career first assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Audrey Strauss, to take the post on an acting basis.
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Home Politics U.K. strain likely spreading in hard-hit California, officials warn
U.K. strain likely spreading in hard-hit California, officials warn
Alexander Nieves
OAKLAND — More than two dozen new cases of the coronavirus strain that emerged in the United Kingdom have now been identified in San Diego County, as health officials warn that the potentially more contagious variant is likely elsewhere in the state already.
The county’s health agency on Tuesday reported that 24 new cases had been confirmed through genome sequencing of samples collected from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31. Four additional positive tests directly linked to those confirmed cases are expected to show the same strain, known as B.1.1.7. Those are by far the highest number of cases detected in California so far.
The mutated variant was confirmed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to have appeared in San Diego County last week, shortly after its presence in the United States was first documented in Colorado. The strain’s potential for wider spread could lead to more fatalities, even if the variant itself may not be more deadlier to a patient who contracts it.
The new strain has become a major cause for concern in a state that has seen a record surge since November. Hospitals are filled to capacity in Southern California and the Central Valley, forcing health care officials to ration care for patients in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, like many states, California’s vaccine rollout has been slow — to the point where Newsom conceded Monday it was "not good enough."
None of the 24 confirmed San Diego County patients, who range in age from 10 to over 70, are thought to have recent travel histories, pointing to an increase in community spread of the strain. Officials say that none of the infected individuals has died and one woman is recovering at home after being hospitalized.
Emerging variants of the coronavirus, including another strain recently discovered in South Africa, are believed to be more contagious than the virus that has already wreaked havoc on California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Tuesday, four cases had been identified in San Diego County and two in San Bernardino County, though health officials in other regions acknowledged that genome sequencing of samples is ongoing and that sample sizes have so far been small.
“We imagine, in fact one should just anticipate, that there will be others identified,” Newsom said Monday after announcing new cases in San Diego and San Bernardino.
In Los Angeles County, public health director Barbara Ferrer told supervisors on Tuesday that the U.K. variant has likely already infected people there and that it’s only a matter of time before its presence is confirmed.
Los Angeles health officials have sequenced just 80 samples to date, none of which have contained the genetic markers of the U.K. or South African variants. However, Ferrer cautioned that the sequencing process takes multiple days and the county’s sheer number of cases creates low odds of avoiding the new strains.
“We anticipate given how many people are testing positive here in LA County, that the variant is probably here and as we continue to do testing, and the CDC does some testing on some of our samples, we’re likely to find it.”
Los Angeles County has already been devastated by a holiday season surge of the original coronavirus strain, with new cases hovering in the range of 13,000 to 15,000 per day and hundreds of individuals succumbing to the virus in recent days.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health made the grim announcement that the total number of deaths had reached 11,000.
The region’s current spike in cases — a 905 percent increase since November 1, according to Ferrer — has been linked to the Thanksgiving holiday and doesn’t yet include an even deadlier wave anticipated after hundred of thousands of residents traveled during Christmas and New Year’s.
Already, the county’s overtaxed hospitals and Emergency Medical Services Agency have had to make decisions about who will receive care amid a shortage of beds, with ambulance crews told not to transport patients whose hearts have stopped and cannot be restarted in the field.
Hospitals around Los Angeles have also suffered from oxygen shortages, prompting EMS to circulate a memo Monday that only patients with oxygen saturation levels below 90 percent should be given supplemental supply.
San Francisco Public Health Director Grant Colfax said Tuesday that the new strain has not yet been detected in that county. But “we would not be surprised if and when it is detected in San Francisco or in the region,” he said at a press briefing.
Colfax said a number of labs, including the University of California, San Francisco, are conducting genome testing in an effort to detect the new strain. “Unfortunately there’s not a lot of capacity to do that so only a very small number of samples are sent to laboratories for this subtyping,” he said.
Health officials in Fresno County similarly said that U.K. variant had not yet been identified in the region, but that the chances of it being found in the near future are significant.
Victoria Colliver contributed to this story.
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Home › All Rules › Legal › Courts › Asking for a Crown Court Sentence to be Reviewed
Challenge an Unduly Lenient Sentence
Lenient or 'unduly' low sentences may be valid grounds to ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed. Follow these steps if you think a sentence is too low and find out how it may involve the Court of Appeal.
GET A SENTENCE REVIEWED: If you challenge the decision, it would be the Attorney General's Office that reviews a very low sentence.
Upon request, the office may look into a case with a sentence handed out by the Crown Court in England and Wales. But, they will only review certain types of cases, such as:
Child cruelty and some child sex crimes.
Crimes committed due to the race or religion of the victim.
Robbery, rape, murder, and some terror-related offences.
The most serious drug crimes and fraud activities.
Note: There is no legal requirement to be a person involved in the case to ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed. Cases can get reviewed even if only one person asks for the review.
Information needed to get a Sentence Reviewed
The Attorney General's Office is the department that carries out sentence reviews. But, you must make a request within 28 days of the original sentencing. You will need to provide as much information as possible, such as:
The full name of the person who got sentenced and the crime they committed.
The date that the sentence got handed out.
The name and address of the court where the case took place.
Once the Attorney General's Office receives a request they have 28 days to review the sentence given and then make their decision. Use this information to contact the Attorney General's Office in the United Kingdom.
Find out UK telephone call charges.
Note: The Attorney General's Office may decide to pass the details over to the Court of Appeal after they finish reviewing the case.
The Court of Appeal
If the Attorney General's Office send the case to the Court of Appeal, after their deliberations, they may decide that:
The sentence was not too low and it should remain unchanged. Thus, it will stay the same.
It was an 'unduly lenient sentence' (unreasonably low) and they can choose to increase it.
The request for a further review has no merits and they can refuse to hear the case altogether.
Note: Passing a case over to the Court of Appeal does not necessarily mean that they will change the sentence.
How to Request a Crown Court Review of an Unduly Lenient Sentence in United Kingdom
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Covid-19 Update - Statement
Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 1:05 pm on 14th October 2020.
Lord Newby Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords 1:05 pm, 14th October 2020
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness the Leader of the House for responding to questions on the Prime Minister’s Statement. Although we are discussing a Statement barely 48 hours after it was made, things on the ground, as the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, has said, have moved on apace since Monday. Infections have risen, deaths have risen rapidly, and people have become more confused and more worried.
In the Statement, the Prime Minister said the Government are seeking to balance the
“objectives of saving lives and protecting the NHS while keeping our children in school and … protecting jobs and livelihoods.”—[Official Report, Commons, 12/10/20; col. 23.]
What he did not do was level with the British people about what his scientific advisers have been proposing. We now know that last month, SAGE urged an immediate circuit breaker of more restrictive measures, because, as the noble Baroness said, and in its words,
“not acting now … will result in a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences.”
That was several weeks ago. No action was taken, and we do now have a “very large epidemic” on our hands. That is why my colleagues in the other place and those on these Benches support the leader of the Opposition’s proposal for a short circuit breaker, to give time to get firmly in place some measures to get the virus under control, in the hope that we might have some relaxation—albeit possibly temporarily—at Christmas. I have never seen the Prime Minister as one of nature’s Roundheads but as things stand, he looks set to succeed and follow Oliver Cromwell by cancelling Christmas as we know it.
The one welcome change in the Government’s position over recent days is that they have been willing, for the first time since March, to have a serious dialogue with civic leaders in those areas most heavily affected by the virus. This is extremely welcome but long overdue. However, it needs to go much further. The national test, track and trace system is failing, and failing badly. A large proportion of people who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive are still not being contacted. Some 27% of those asked to isolate do not do so. Will the Government now effect a step change in the role they give to all local directors of public health to implement the track, trace and isolate system in their areas? Will they do so across the country and not only, as currently envisaged, in very high-alert areas; and will they give them the resources they need to do the job properly? If they do not, I fear we are simply going to see a large increase in the number of areas requiring the highest level of restrictions.
The Prime Minister’s Statement seems to bring clarity to an extremely confused picture, but it simply does not. It is completely unclear, for example, on the criteria the Government will use to decide which areas fall into the “very high”, “high” and “medium” categories. Can the noble Baroness tell the House what those criteria are?
The Prime Minister said the measures announced on Monday could lead to additional measures if local government leaders agreed. What measures do the Government have in mind? What happens if the Government think additional measures are needed and local leaders do not? Equally, if local authority leaders think that more restrictive measures should be imposed in advance of any government initiative—as is now the case with Essex County Council, and which is, I believe, the policy of the Mayor London—what will the Government’s response be?
The Government have briefed that they are preparing to open some of the Nightingale hospitals. It is widely believed in Yorkshire that, as far as the Nightingale hospital in Harrogate is concerned, this will not happen, because the hospital simply does not have the staff available to allow it to operate safely. Can the noble Baroness assure the House that this is not the case?
The country is now at a very dangerous point. The Government are at odds with their own scientific advisers, many council leaders and many of their own Back-Benchers. Their rules are complex and, in some cases, perverse. Track and trace is a shambles: it has lost the confidence of the majority of the population. It is time for a reset.
(Citation: HL Deb, 14 October 2020, c1098)
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Dr. Elaine Heffner: The power of anger
Dr. Elaine Heffner More Content Now
Jul 24, 2018 at 10:53 AM Jul 24, 2018 at 10:53 AM
A documentary film about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, has an interesting audio exchange from the time she was a lawyer pleading a case before the court. Her goal was to educate the male members about the need to establish equality for women in the pursuit of justice. A justice asks if putting Susan B. Anthony on the dollar wouldn’t do it for her. The film interviewer asks how she was able to not explode in anger and Ginsberg replies, “Anger would not have helped me achieve my goal.” I thought of that exchange when coming across an upcoming book, “RAGE BECOMES HER — The Power of Women’s Anger,” by Soraya Chemaly, a writer and director of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project. Chemaly writes that women and girls are cut off from the expression of anger as a function of being feminine, and wonders what the world would look like if they were allowed to express the full range of their emotions without penalty. Anger is unquestionably a powerful emotion. Although Chamaly believes that men are given permission culturally to express anger in various ways, many people have difficulty managing that emotion. Its power lies in its intensity and the impulse to strike out physically evoked by the feeling. “I could kill you for that,” expresses the fear of action generated by the emotion. Young children struggle with feelings of anger often expressed directly by striking out at another. Parents struggle with the challenge of acknowledging children’s feelings while helping them learn how to control the behavior. Controls often have to be provided while they are learning. It is a measure of how threatening their acting out behavior seems that parents often feel compelled to use forceful measures in response to such behavior on the part of their children. Chamaly has a chapter on Mother Rage, which expresses the rage Chamaly feels on behalf of mothers over the idealization of motherhood and denigration of those choosing to not have children, the struggle that continues over abortion and the many attempts to interfere with women’s power over their own bodies. She documents many of the indignities visited upon women during pregnancy and childbirth at the hands of the medical profession and others. A stream of negative examples leaves the reader with the impression that having children is a source of torment inducing women’s rage, which they are unable to express. The degree to which motherhood and the treatment of mothers reduces her value as a person is an ongoing issue and continuing source of conflict for women. Helene Deutsch in “The Psychology of Women,” wrote that the conflict motherhood presents to women is “the inevitable conflict between the interests of the individual and those of the species.” This also refers to a conflict within women themselves. The psychiatrist Daniel Stern, described the Motherhood Constellation, a particular mindset that emerges during pregnancy and may last for months or years. This mindset, influenced also by culture and individual personality, is one in which a mother’s primary preoccupation is with her baby’s well-being and her own connection to the baby. In writing about the tasks of new motherhood, Stern describes the mother’s need to show first and foremost her ability to protect her child and to keep him alive. The stress involved in the baby’s dependence and her feeling of responsibility requires an environment in which she feels validated, encouraged and supported. Unhappily, in today’s world, these are needs too often unmet. And it is the frustration about these unmet needs that Chemaly would like expressed in women’s rage. — Elaine Heffner, LCSW, Ed.D., has written for Parents Magazine, Fox.com, Redbook, Disney online and PBS Parents, as well as other publications. She has appeared on PBS, ABC, Fox TV and other networks. Dr. Heffner is the author of “Goodenoughmothering: The Best of the Blog,” as well as “Mothering: The Emotional Experience of Motherhood after Freud and Feminism.” She is a psychotherapist and parent educator in private practice, as well as a senior lecturer of education in psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Heffner was a co-founder and served as director of the Nursery School Treatment Center at Payne Whitney Clinic, New York Hospital. And she blogs at goodenoughmothering.com.
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Watch daughter wait for separated mom's arrival
Juana sent a letter to CNN pleading to reunite with her daughter after the two were separated at the US border. Weeks later, the two shared an emotional reunion.
Updated: Jul 12, 2018 10:38 PM
Yoselyn spent a month apart from her family in a shelter for child migrants -- but it was the last three hours she spent waiting to be reunited with her mother that felt like an eternity, she says.
The 15-year-old and her mother left Guatemala in May, fearing for their safety, she says. They planned to join her father, an undocumented immigrant who had been living in Queens, New York since she was a baby.
But they were detained in Yuma, Arizona, and separated on June 3 with barely a chance to say goodbye, she says.
While her mother awaited news from Eloy Detention Center of her daughter's whereabouts, Yoselyn took her first-ever airplane trip to "la alberga" in California, where she stayed with other girls from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, she says.
Each day began at 7 a.m. with her brushing her teeth and ended at 9 p.m. with lights out in a room she shared with five other girls, she says. In between, every meal, class and activity was scheduled to the hour, she says. The adults in charge cared for her and the others "as if we were their children," she says. But she longed to be with her parents.
"It was OK. They treated us well," the soft-spoken teen says. "But I never want to go back."
Last weekend, she took her second plane ride from California to New York City, home of her father, an undocumented immigrant. This was more than the reunification of a family bearing the fallout of the Trump administration's hastily executed immigration policies. This would be the first time Yoselyn could remember seeing her father in person, the first time she could remember the family being together.
When Yoselyn arrived in New York on Sunday, July 8, her mother, Juana, was on the third day of a cross-country road trip from Arizona to join them.
On Wednesday afternoon, Yoselyn and her father, Adolfo, counted down the minutes until her scheduled arrival in Queens, where Adolfo shares an apartment with four other families from Central America.
"I'm very happy that we're going to be together. I prayed for this day and now it's finally here," Yoselyn says.
They didn't know how long they'll be able to stay together. Now Juana is in the system, and she faces an uncertain future. She declined to discuss the specifics of her release, citing fears that it could negatively impact her pending court case. But for the moment, she said, she was just looking forward to being with her husband and daughter again.
Yoselyn passed the time by playing games on the new phone her father purchased for her. An open door to the balcony circulated air through the stifled apartment and filled the quiet apartment with sounds of honking cars and airplanes flying overhead.
She sat on her father's bed next to a window facing the street. The pink-framed bed her father got for her sat across the room, next to toys and a stroller belonging to the other residents. But she didn't want to miss the moment of her mother's arrival, she said.
She pulled out from underneath the bed a box of "recuerdos" from her time in the shelter. She used most of her blocks of free time to paint and draw, her favorite activities. The pile of papers included drawings and a certificate in cosmetology bearing the logo of Southwest Key, which operates the facility in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
For one of her art projects, she used blue glitter to spell out a message for her mother: "Dios te bendiga mami" -- "God bless you, mommy." She prayed that she would be reunited with her mother in time to give it to her for her birthday on July 11, she says.
Now, she was anxiously awaiting the moment she could give it to her.
Her father, Adolfo, had taken a rare day off from working in construction to meet his wife. He gazed out a window in the kitchen, watching for the car that would bring her back to him.
A bouquet of red roses and two balloons sat on a table nearby. "Welcome Home" read one adorned with red white and blue stars; "Welcome Back" said the other.
"All this excitement to see her and she hasn't arrived yet," he said. "It's like time isn't moving."
Before he left Guatemala, Juana pleaded with him to stay, he says. "We will fight together here," he recalls her saying. He left so he could work and send money home to provide his wife and daughter with a better life, he says. He thought he would stay no more than two years, but time went quickly. He and his wife discussed the possibility of her coming alone and leaving Yoselyn with relatives.
"But she said, if I go, I'm bringing her, because I can't leave her," he says.
Finally, his wife and daughter could no longer wait for him to return, he says. People knew Juana had a husband in the United States and extorted her for money with threats of violence, he says.
Then, there was his "princesa," the teen he still calls "mi nena" -- my baby -- because that's what she was when he last saw her. They kept in touch over the years though phone calls and video chats. He had heard stories about immigrant children who forgot about their parents, and he didn't want to be one of those parents, he says.
As Yoselyn entered her teen years, he worried about the "bad men" lurking in the streets, harassing women as they walk by, he says.
"They had to leave for their safety."
Initially, Juana was scheduled to arrive around 5 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., they were still waiting. Yoselyn walked outside to the balcony, where the air was cooler than inside the house. She marveled at a squirrel bounding across a power line a few feet from her -- animals she rarely saw in her urban neighborhood in Guatemala, she says.
So far, she says she likes her new home, especially the parks and the mix of people of diverse backgrounds freely roaming the streets at all hours of the day. In Guatemala, she could never imagine leaving home without her mother or another adult. "It's too dangerous," she said.
By 7:30, they received word that she was 30 minutes away. When the car pulled up, Adolfo grabbed the flowers and balloons and followed his daughter downstairs.
Tears began streaming down Juana's face as soon as she stepped out of the car. She ambled slowly toward the home, clutching the arm of her escort as if for support.
Yoselyn was the first to fall into her mother's arms.
"I promised you I would get here," Juana wailed as her daughter buried her face in her mother's neck.
Moments later, Adolfo joined them. Neighbors stepped onto their porches to watch the moment neither Juana nor Adolfo was sure would ever come. They were a family again.
"Mi amor," Juana murmured, "I brought you your baby just as I promised I would."
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Daughters' wheat allergy inspires mom to found gluten-free bakery
Mom says daughter was punched in class, teacher did nothing
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John Pitt | 01 April 1995
America by rail
One of the best ways to see America is by rail: it's glamourous, cheap, and crosses glorious landscapes
Anything can happen on a train, and when the Broadway Limited paused early one evening at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a young Amish couple came on board. The man had a neat beard, a wide-brimmed hat and a long, black coat. He looked like Gary Cooper. His wife wore traditional dark clothes, black boots and a bonnet, and carried their baby asleep in a black shawl. Suddenly we were in the middle of a scene from Witness. All afternoon we’d been travelling among the flat fields and white farmhouses of Pennsylvania Dutch country, where the churches have wooden bell towers and cars are scarce. Now and then a horse-drawn buggy would trot surreally along a dusty road or wait beside the tracks for our train to pass. By the time we reached Lancaster it seemed quite natural to have an Amish family join us and share their picnic.
Chance encounters are part of what makes an American train journey such a rewarding experience. One day it might be a group of Korean schoolgirls heading for Niagara Falls, the next it’s Australian backpackers in New England. US trains are friendly places and you’re sure to run into someone interesting. You can learn a lot by sitting next to a Kansas City mortician or a drag artist on her way to entertain the troops in San Diego. Between the small towns and big cities you also see the country’s sheer size and variety, and get a feel for what this land must have been like before McDonalds and Coca Cola. Railroads opened up America more than a century ago, carrying hundreds of thousands of settlers west and enabling the natural resources to be exploited. Few Americans then lived more than twenty miles from the tracks and this intense folk memory still cuts deep into the national psyche, inspiring countless songs, movies and legends. Evocative names such as Union Pacific and Santa Fe continue to flourish and trains still sound a long, mournful horn as they round the bend at midnight.
A few hours before the Broadway Limited paused at Lancaster I’d been riding in a taxi through Manhattan to New York’s Pennsylvania Station. By tomorrow morning I would be in Chicago, having crossed the Susquehanna River on the world’s longest stone-arch bridge and travelled a giant horseshoe curve into the Allegheny Mountains. The Broadway Limited, like many trains, was almost full by the time it reached its final destination. Passengers tended to be either younger or older than the general population, since the middle-aged and families mostly go by car or plane.
First time by train
More people travel with Amtrak each year though and many told me they were on a train for the first time ever. Some were afraid of flying. Others thought trains glamorous, nostalgic, ecologically sound or more agreeable than the bus. Flying is faster but on a train you stay in contact with the country as it unrolls outside the wrap-around windows. Even glimpses of city backyards can be fascinating, though the run-down steel mills of Gary, Indiana, are dispiriting to wake up to on a wet morning. Trains are scheduled to go through the less prepossessing places by night and you can always take a copy of War and Peace for the occasional boring bits.
Federal government set up the Amtrak Corporation in 1971 to rescue long-distance trains after mass car ownership, interstate highways and increasing air travel had brought years of neglect and decline. Passenger services seemed likely to disappear for good. The last twenty years have seen a remarkable transformation, with new rolling stock brought in, lines reopened, running times improved and stations spruced up or completely renovated. The ornate building in Washington DC has been restored to its original grandeur, incorporating dozens of fancy shops and restaurants as well as a nine-screen cinema. Chicago’s Union Station has a marble and brass waiting room as big as a cathedral. Downstairs, there is a shower room where you can get cleaned up, share cigarettes with the attendant and listen to tales of when Al Capone came in for a shoe shine.
Amtrak’s 25,000 mile network now takes in almost every state, giving a choice of more than five hundred destinations. US trains have been called “the last civilised means of transport known to man” and they’re really hotels on wheels, complete with room service. Gleaming aluminium twin-decked Superliner coaches feature air-conditioning, cafes, rest rooms, dining rooms and observation cars. The reclining seats are big and soft and have leg rests so that you can snooze after a meal or sleep through the night. This is a good way to save on hotels and not at all difficult thanks to dimmed lights and a free pillow from the attendant. Choose a seat towards the middle of the car, away from the doors. Snacks and coffee are always available in the lounge car, where you can become better acquainted with your fellow passengers. Americans like to talk and on trains they’ll tell you their life story in hair-raising detail. Video films are shown most evenings, when the bar can become lively with impromptu parties. Poker games have been known to last until dawn. During happy hour, the cocktails are half price and the dips free, so get there early or you’ll be trampled in the rush.
Rocked to sleep
Overnight trains incorporate sleeping cars with snug bedrooms which range from single ‘roomettes’ to family size affairs. Even if some tend to be snug to the verge of claustrophobic it’s still a rare treat to be rocked through the night in a cosy bed. Sleeper fares include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining car, as well as coffee and a newspaper delivered each morning. Otherwise, dining car meals cost around $12, with lunch being best value. Favourites include New York steak, grilled chicken and some good American wines. When the steak becomes monotonous you can try a regional special such as freshly-caught trout or barbecued spare ribs. Some people come on board loaded down with their own supplies of food, beer and sodas, though this isn’t encouraged.
Almost all long-distance trains require reservations and you should book as far ahead as possible. This is especially important during summer months on popular routes like that of the Desert Wind, travelling between Chicago and Los Angeles. In the 1930s heyday of passenger trains the Desert Wind was frequented by such Hollywood luminaries as Errol Flynn, Clark Gable and Judy Garland. Sometimes a private car would be included, complete with dance floor and orchestra. After crossing the Colorado plains to Denver, the Desert Wind follows the original Oregon Trail towards the Rockies. Some people make this trip just for the scenery, so timetables are arranged to let the train chug and wind its way through these spectacular mountains by daylight.
After a night-time halt at Salt Lake City, where coaches to San Francisco and Seattle are disconnected, the Desert Wind crosses the Escalante Desert to Las Vegas, rising mirage-like out of the wilderness. Trains stop for half an hour virtually inside the Union Plaza Hotel, giving time for a quick burst on the slot machines. Clocks are suspiciously absent from Las Vegas casinos and the conductor told me that passengers sometimes become so engrossed they’re left behind. It’s worth staying over anyway to admire or scoff at the latest garish additions to the Strip or take advantage of some of America’s best value hotel rooms. The Union Plaza has a laundromat you can use without actually staying there. Like most of Las Vegas, it never closes. After leaving the “entertainment capital of the world” the Desert Wind travels through the Mojave Desert, haunt of jackrabbits, buzzards and Joshua tree cacti. If you’re lucky you might see coyotes. California’s gentler landscape intervenes before the train pulls into Los Angeles station, an atmospheric Art Deco building now sadly underused. Easy to imagine those pre-war Hollywood stars strolling beneath its Spanish arches or lounging in the huge brown leather armchairs.
One-dollar train fares
When the first transcontinental railroad reached Los Angeles in the 1860s only 10,000 people lived in southern California. One-dollar train fares soon brought many more. Today’s Sunset Limited crosses the country from coast to coast between Miami and Los Angeles by way of New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. This epic journey of 3000 miles takes you through Louisiana bayous, where alligators sun themselves beneath oak trees draped in Spanish moss, to the Rio Grande and the Mexican border. From there you spend an entire day crossing the Texas prairie, where hours go by with no sign of human beings apart from an isolated crumbling shack or single storey house. Great excitement broke out approaching “Judge” Roy Bean’s town of Langtry when we saw a pair of cowboys dressed in immaculate Tom Mix outfits. They rode snow white horses and posed with supreme nonchalance for a moment before vanishing into the endless sagebrush and mesquite.
Each long-distance train seems to acquire its unique personality. This may be because of the terrain it travels through, the nature of its passengers or the temperament of its staff. Amtrak attendants mainly act as if they’re in a 1930s movie and have the uniforms to prove it. The conductor maintains overall responsibility for the train and its crew but the person you see most of is your car attendant. This man (or as likely woman) helps with boarding, finds you a seat, brings your pillow, answers questions and generally cossets you throughout the journey. He may be funny, familiar, loud, laconic or bossy, but he’s always helpful and a mine of information.
Staff on the Coast Starlight seem particularly friendly, perhaps because they deal with predominantly young passengers. The Starlight goes from Seattle, close to the Canadian border, through the forests and mountains of Washington and Oregon to the palm trees of California. I spent most of one trip in the observation car, talking sixties music to a hippie woman with a surfer’s tan and cut-off jeans. She was fifty years old, once sang with the Grateful Dead and wasn’t ready to settle down yet. After her buddies got off at Oakland for a bus ride across the bay to San Francisco we continued through the vegetable fields of the Santa Clara Valley. She showed me Gilroy (the town which elected Marilyn Monroe its “garlic queen”), Castroville (where in 1949 an unknown Marilyn was the first “artichoke queen”) and Salinas (boyhood home of John Steinbeck).
Other people crowded to our side of the car as we began riding on cliff tops high above the Pacific Ocean. The stunning views of surf and rocks and off-shore oil rigs were shared solely with browsing cattle, since much of this area is owned by the military and only accessible by train. My hippie friend told me that in spring and autumn she saw migrating whales.
The golden days of US railroads
Many Amtrak trains have names which reflect the golden days of US railroads. The Empire Builder is called after a 19th century tycoon, James J Hill, and runs for 2000 miles along the track he built from Chicago to Seattle. It accompanies the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers past old riverboat towns before crossing hundreds of miles of North Dakota and Montana, a part of the country still inhabited by Native Americans. At Wolf Point I met a Blackfoot Indian who pointed out several ancient settlements and burial grounds located among the parched grasslands. Successive dry summers had turned the great northern plains yellow and uninviting so it was a relief when we started a steep climb into the Rockies. After passing through the longest rail tunnel in the Americas we crossed what Indians call Mystery Pass into Glacier National Park, packed with waterfalls and gorges of snow and ice.
The Southwest Chief also runs along a famous historic route. It’s Amtrak’s fastest train between Chicago and the Pacific, running partly along the path of the original Santa Fe Trail. This was first used by Indians and Spanish conquistadors then by fur traders, pioneer wagon trains and stage-coaches. At Dodge City you can look out on Boot Hill, where gunfighters lie buried next to the hanging tree. I stopped off at Flagstaff to take an Amtrak bus across the Arizona desert to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Steam railway enthusiasts can visit this phenomenon in a 1920s Pullman car pulled by a vintage steam locomotive. Services operate throughout the year from Williams, thirty miles west of Flagstaff, to the original 1910 South Rim Depot, just a few steps from the canyon edge.
Other steam trains are kept going by rail buffs throughout the country, mostly in picturesque areas or along historic lines. The Durango & Silverton Railway travels the Animas River Valley among the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, using a narrow gauge track constructed to transport workers to the Silverton mines. The Cumbres & Toltec Railway crosses the continental divide at Cumbres Pass, 10,000ft above sea level, and trundles through the beautiful Toltec Gorge. Anyone interested in North American railroad history should take time to visit one of the many excellent transport museums. California’s State Railroad Museum in Sacramento includes reconstructed Central Pacific buildings, a library and dozens of restored locomotives. Among the passenger, freight and mail cars is a sleeping coach which simulates sound, light and motion, making you feel as if you’re hurtling through the night.
Check the recliners
Routes east of the Mississippi mostly use single-deck coaches, because bridges and tunnels can’t always cope with the bulk of a Superliner. Some older coaches have a battered, lived-in appearance but are often preferred for their smooth ride. When choosing your seat on one of these “Heritage Fleet” cars, especially if you’re travelling overnight, it’s advisable to check that the reclining mechanism still works. Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains use modern single-level coaches between New York and Florida, rolling through the pine forests of Georgia and South Carolina to Savannah and Charleston. A hurricane devastated Charleston in 1988 but when I visited the city soon afterwards its brightly coloured mansions and cobbled streets had largely recovered. Silver Service trains continue south to Orlando (for Disney World), Miami (for Miami Beach and the Keys) and the beach communities on both coasts. During college breaks, these trains are alive with partying students on vacation. At other times you’re more likely to find sedate flocks of retired “snowbirds” escaping the northern winter.
Amtrak currently operates over two hundred trains, spanning the USA from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico. Some trains, such as the International and the Montrealer, cross the border to link up with Canada’s VIA Rail network. Ticket prices are often less than half the air fare and overseas visitors can buy 15 or 30-day passes. By combining long-distance trains with local networks and buses you can travel cheaply almost everywhere in the United States. Buses are routinely scheduled to connect with major train routes and through tickets can be booked via Amtrak, making it easy to plan an itinerary which lets you see more in a short time than would be possible any other way. American trains are not for those in a tearing hurry, but when the bell clangs and the conductor calls out “All aboard!” you’ll discover why the railroad experience remains so addictive. And you probably won’t get past page 100 of War and Peace.
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Wayamo Foundation
News and Events The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability’s successful mission to The Gambia
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability’s successful mission to The Gambia
Julio Ottaviano 9 November 2017 International Conferences, News and Events, News and Events AGJA
The Africa Group for Justice and Accountability and the Wayamo Foundation Send Successful Mission to The Gambia
For pictures click here.
From 31 October to 3 November 2017, the Africa Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) and the Wayamo Foundation sent a fact-finding delegation to The Gambia. The delegation arrived in The Gambia in response to an invitation by Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou. Its aim was to understand the nature of The Gambia’s ongoing transition from authoritarian rule under former President Yahya Jammeh to democracy and the rule of law. Over a series of broad consultations with key stakeholders in the transitional process, the delegation sought to understand the challenges and priorities regarding the achievement of justice and accountability in the country. The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mohamed Chande Othman and included human rights advocate Fatiha Serour (Algeria) and Wayamo Foundation Deputy Director Mark Kersten (Canada).
“During our visit, we witnessed a visible and determined commitment by Gambian authorities and civil society organisations to deliver marked change during this transitional process,” stated Othman. “While the primary responsibility for a new rebuild of national institutions and the setting of socio-development and law enforcement priorities belongs to The Gambia and its people, the international community and other partners have a critical role in assisting in this processes. The Africa Group stands ready to do its part.”
Over four days, the delegation held productive meetings with the Vice President, Minister of Justice, Foreign Minister, the Inspector General of the Police, the Speaker of the National Assembly, members of the National Assembly, the United Nations Development Programme, the embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, the Student Union of the University of The Gambia, and the Press Union of The Gambia. It also held a public event at the Law Faculty of the University of The Gambia with 250 guests, entitled “The Gambia in Transition — Lessons and Examples from Abroad”. The delegation was described by senior officials as the most thorough consultation sent to The Gambia to date.
After twenty-two years under the rule of Jammeh, the remarkable potential as well as the immense challenges facing The Gambia were clear to all members of the delegation. In the wake of the delegation’s consultations with key stakeholders, the AGJA and the Wayamo Foundation will consider how to move forward in offering a programme of training and capacity-building exercises relating to justice and accountability efforts for human rights violations and international crimes in the country.
Both the AGJA and the Wayamo Foundation reaffirm their commitment and ongoing interest in working with officials in The Gambia to help ensure that justice and accountability for the survivors and victims of human rights abuses and international crimes is achieved.
Adama BarrowAfrica Group for Justice and AccountabilityHassan Bubacar JallowInternational Criminal CourtReconciliation and Reparation Commission Bill 2017The GambiaTruth
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'It's a life-changing thing': Tiny houses give second chances to homeless veterans
Abigail Elise
Thirteen homeless veterans are getting new leases on life. The Veterans Community Project provides housing and resources for homeless veterans. The charity hopes to end homelessness among retired members of the military. "It's a life-changing thing for me, I've lived pretty hard for some years now. I have hope, they’ve given me hope," said U.S. Army veteran Marvin Gregory, one of the first to move into a tiny home.Residents can stay in the houses until they’re able to support themselves.The tiny homes were funded by donations from the community. Veterans Village will eventually hold 49 tiny homes.Each house is 240-square feet and connects to "city sewer, water, and electric services."Marvin looks forward to living with people who share similar experiences and he's grateful for another chance at life."I'm gonna get down on my knees and say a prayer and thank God for this, because this is a really big blessing," he said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Thirteen homeless veterans are getting new leases on life.
The Veterans Community Project provides housing and resources for homeless veterans.
Woman turns Greyhound bus into one incredible tiny home
Move over tiny houses: converted train cars are the latest travel trend
The charity hopes to end homelessness among retired members of the military.
"It's a life-changing thing for me, I've lived pretty hard for some years now. I have hope, they’ve given me hope," said U.S. Army veteran Marvin Gregory, one of the first to move into a tiny home.
Residents can stay in the houses until they’re able to support themselves.
The tiny homes were funded by donations from the community. Veterans Village will eventually hold 49 tiny homes.
Each house is 240-square feet and connects to "city sewer, water, and electric services."
Marvin looks forward to living with people who share similar experiences and he's grateful for another chance at life.
"I'm gonna get down on my knees and say a prayer and thank God for this, because this is a really big blessing," he said.
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The Wachau Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in 2000.
The World Heritage Convention was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972, in order to select areas of natural and cultural heritage and inscribe them on a list of world heritage that is of particular interest and value for the whole of humanity. By signing the Convention, each country commits to protect and conserve the monuments of extraordinary, worldwide importance, situated on its territory, which are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
As of January 2019, 1,092 sites in 167 countries are protected by the World Heritage Convention. The numbers are updated daily and an overview can be found here.
The Cultural Landscape in the sense of the World Heritage Convention
The Wachau is inscribed on the World Heritage List in the category "Cultural Landscape" and is thus part of the World’s Cultural Heritage. In the context of the guidelines, it is classified as a “continuing landscape”, which is characterised by a particular culture and continues its traditional way of life. The culture and landscape still influence each other and contribute their distinctiveness to the ongoing development of the landscape.
Austria and the World Heritage Convention
Austria acceded to the Convention in 1992. Since then, ten sites have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Federal Chancellery is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and is assisted by the Austrian UNESCO Commission and the Department for Culture of the province of Lower Austria. ICOMOS, an international association of experts specialised in the protection of cultural property, plays a key role in providing expert guidance.
The inscription of the Wachau Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List and its consequences
Following informational events for the local population, all municipalities in the Wachau unanimously submitted the application for “European Diploma of Protected Areas: Wachau”, supplemented with the historic centre of Krems and Göttweig Abbey, for consideration as a future World Heritage Site. On 30 November 2000, the UNESCO Commission in Cairns, Australia, decided to inscribe the Wachau on the list of World Heritage Sites.
The inscription of the Wachau on this list represented a highlight for the Arbeitskreis Wachau (Wachau working group) in its almost 30 years of existence at the time. Protecting the Wachau against large-scale and other substantial interventions has become a matter for the international community of states.
Henry Cleere, who deals with questions of world heritage as an international expert of ICOMOS, says about the prerequisites of a “continuing landscape”: “A landscape that is ‘frozen’ in its existing condition at the time of its inscription on the World Heritage List logically cannot be a ‘continuing landscape’.” It follows from this that being made a World Heritage Site is an accolade that has to be put into practice. Inscription on the World Heritage List is not associated with any form of law or regulation and no new competences are introduced. The existing rules and regulations remain fully applicable at federal and provincial level.
UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau - official documents and information
Austrian UNESCO Commission
ICOMOS Austria
Federal Chancellery of the Repulic of Austria
Office of Lower Austrian Provincial Government
Map of the Wachau Cultural Landscape
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Robert Uchida
The John & Barbara Poole Family Concertmaster Chair
Violin I
Photo by: Erik Visser
Canadian violinist Robert Uchida has been hailed for his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity” (Strings magazine). Robert joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster in 2013, having previously held the same position with Symphony Nova Scotia for seven years.
Robert was also invited to perform as Associate Concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2005–2006 season. Engagements as a guest leader have included projects with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Robert’s CD recordings include Requiem 21.5: Violin Concerto by Tim Brady for CentreDiscs, which won Classical Recording of the Year at the ECMAs, and the Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin by Andrew Violette for Innova Records.
A passionate teacher, Robert serves on the faculty at the University of Alberta and has held teaching positions at Acadia University, the Manhattan School of Music, and the National Arts Centre of Canada’s Young Artists Program. His students have continued their studies at the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and Guildhall School in London, and perform in ensembles in North America and Europe.
Robert holds a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Ottawa. His teachers and mentors include Andrew Dawes, Morry Kernerman, Patinka Kopec, Heratch Manoukian, David Stewart, and Pinchas Zukerman.
Robert loves volunteering and is honoured to have been inducted into the Ronald McDonald House’s Character Club in Edmonton. Robert is honoured to work as a concert artist for the Health Arts Society of Alberta.
He performs on a rare 1770 Guadagnini violin with Vision Solo Titanium strings by Thomastik-Infeld Vienna.
Concertmaster Chair Sponsor
The John & Barbara Poole Family
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NOWCAST WJCL 22 News at 6am
Tormenta FC ready to welcome fans to home games
WITH ITS PLANS... AND EVENTUALLY COMPLETE THE 20- 19 -- 2020 SEASON. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.. MANY SPORTS LEAGUES SHUT DOWN THREE MONTHS AGO ARE NOW GETTING READY TO RENEW THEIR SEASON. THAT INCLUDES THE SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC SOCCER TEAM. NOT ONLY ARE THEY GETTING READY TO BEGIN THEIR SEASON BUT THEY WILL ALSO WELCOME FANS TO THEIR GAMES AS WELL. HERE'S WJCL'S DAVE WILLIAMS WITH MORE. :26 - :34 :46 - :54 :54 - 1:03 (DARRIN VAN TASSELL) "WE THINK WE'VE GOT A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO PLAY, WE THINK WE CAN DO IT SAFELY WITH OUR FANS." AND THE TORMENTA FC WILL GET JUST THAT OPPORTUNITY. TUESDAY AFTERNOON THE USL LEAGUE 1 WILL OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE THOSE TEAMS WHO WILL HOST HOME GAMES AND IT'S EXPECTED THE TORMENTA WILL BE SELECTED AS THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO PLAY A GAME IN THEIR HOME WITH FANS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. (VAN TASSELL) "THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REDUCE OUR CAPACITY FROM 4000 TO 400, IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFERENT FAN EXPERIENCE, BUT WE'RE DELIGHTED WE'RE GOING TO BE ONE OF THE VERY FIRST TO GO AND WE DO ANTICIPATE BEING THE FIRST TO GO IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA." AND THE TORMENTA PLAYERS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK TO PLAYING SOCCER. (MIKIE ROWE) "THE PLAYERS, THE COACHING STAFF, THE OWNERS, WE'RE ALL IN THE MINDSET, WE'VE MISSED THIS SO MUCH, WE'VE MISSED GAMEDAY SO MUCH THAT WE'RE JUST EAGER TO GET BACK, IT'S OBVIOUSLY BEEN A LONG THREE MONTH PERIOD." (DAVE STANDUP) ONE THING FOR SURE WHEN THE TORMENTA FC DO BEGIN PLAY HERE ON JULY 18TH IT WILL BE A HOME GAME LIKE NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN SIMPLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS THEY HAVE TO HAVE IN PLACE. (VAN TASSELL) "WE'VE GOT TO SOCIAL DISTANCE BETWEEN GROUPS THAT WHOLE LEXICON WE'VE ALL GOTTEN TO KNOW ABOUT, IF IT'S A GROUP OF FIVE THEN THE NEXT GROUP THAT COMES IN, THEY'VE GOT TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE APART, IF IT'S A GROUP OF ONE, WE'VE GOT THAT PERSON THEIR OWN GROUP." IN STATESBORO.. DAVE WILLIAMS WJCL 22 N
Even though we're still in the middle of a global pandemic. Many sports leagues that were shut down three months ago are now getting ready to renew their season.That includes the South Georgia Tormenta FC soccer team.Not only are they getting ready to begin their season but they will also welcome fans to their games as well."We think we've got a responsibility to be able to play, " said Darin Van Tassell, Owner of Tormenta FC. "We think we can do it safely with our fans."And the Tormenta FC will get just that opportunity. Tuesday afternoon the USL League 1 will officially announce those teams who will host games and it's expected the Tormenta will be selected as the first professional team in the state of Georgia to play a game in their home stadium with fans since the pandemic began."That means we're going to have reduce our capacity from 4000 to 400," explained Van Tassell. "It's going to be a very different fan experience. But we're delighted we're going to be one of the very first to go and we do anticipate being the first to go in the state of Georgia."And the Tormenta players are excited about the opportunity to get back to playing soccer."The players, the coaching staff, the owners, we're all in the mindset, we've missed this so much," said Mikie Rowe, Tormenta FC forward. "We've missed game day so much that we're just eager to get back, it's obviously been a long three month period."One thing for sure when the Tormenta FC do begin play on July 18th it will be a home game like no one has ever seen simply because of all the safety protocols they have to have in place."We've got to social distance between groups that whole lexicon we've all gotten to know about," added Van Tassell. "If it's a group of five then the next group that comes in, they've got to keep their distance apart, if it's a group of one, we've got that person their own group."Fans are not required to wear masks, but it's recommended. You can find a complete list of the Tormenta health and safety guidelines here.
STATESBORO, Ga. —
Even though we're still in the middle of a global pandemic. Many sports leagues that were shut down three months ago are now getting ready to renew their season.
That includes the South Georgia Tormenta FC soccer team.
Not only are they getting ready to begin their season but they will also welcome fans to their games as well.
"We think we've got a responsibility to be able to play, " said Darin Van Tassell, Owner of Tormenta FC. "We think we can do it safely with our fans."
And the Tormenta FC will get just that opportunity. Tuesday afternoon the USL League 1 will officially announce those teams who will host games and it's expected the Tormenta will be selected as the first professional team in the state of Georgia to play a game in their home stadium with fans since the pandemic began.
"That means we're going to have reduce our capacity from 4000 to 400," explained Van Tassell. "It's going to be a very different fan experience. But we're delighted we're going to be one of the very first to go and we do anticipate being the first to go in the state of Georgia."
And the Tormenta players are excited about the opportunity to get back to playing soccer.
"The players, the coaching staff, the owners, we're all in the mindset, we've missed this so much," said Mikie Rowe, Tormenta FC forward. "We've missed game day so much that we're just eager to get back, it's obviously been a long three month period."
One thing for sure when the Tormenta FC do begin play on July 18th it will be a home game like no one has ever seen simply because of all the safety protocols they have to have in place.
"We've got to social distance between groups that whole lexicon we've all gotten to know about," added Van Tassell. "If it's a group of five then the next group that comes in, they've got to keep their distance apart, if it's a group of one, we've got that person their own group."
Fans are not required to wear masks, but it's recommended.
You can find a complete list of the Tormenta health and safety guidelines here.
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U.S.WND
Supremes asked to overturn non-unanimous convictions
'The right to a unanimous jury verdict is firmly rooted in America's history'
By WND Staff
The Rutherford Institute, which defends constitutional and religious rights, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow people to challenge convictions by juries that were not unanimous.
The court recently ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana that the Sixth Amendment requires all jurors to vote to convict a criminal defendant.
"Justice should always be available to those wrongly convicted," said constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute and author of "Battlefield America: The War on the American People."
"Thankfully, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that the right to a unanimous jury verdict is firmly rooted in America's history and fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty. This fundamental right must apply to all imprisoned persons, regardless of when they were convicted," he said.
The institute's friend-of-the-court brief was filed with the high court in a new case, Edwards v. Vannoy.
It joined with several other civil liberties organizations to ask that the Ramos decision, striking down state laws allowing non-unanimous convictions, be applied retroactively.
It would affect those convicted before the Ramos ruling.
The brief contends jury unanimity "is a fundamental constitutional right, and no person should be imprisoned without the assurances of guilt provided by a unanimous jury verdict."
The lawsuit was brought by Thedrick Edwards, who was 19 in 2006 when he became a suspect in a series of crimes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Police found nothing to connect him to the crimes in his home. But when Edwards surrendered to police, they interrogated him numerous times and "chained Edwards to a wall and, according to Edwards, used force to coerce him into waiving his right to counsel and confessing."
He was charged with counts of robbery and rape, and at trial, the prosecution produced no physical evidence connecting Edwards to the crimes. Only one of five eyewitnesses identified Edwards.
He was convicted, but at least one juror voted to acquit on each charge.
"At that time, all states except Louisiana and Oregon required jury verdicts supporting criminal convictions be unanimous. His final appeal in the state courts was denied in 2011. Edwards then filed a federal habeas corpus petition raising a Sixth Amendment challenge to the non-unanimous verdicts, but the federal courts denied the petition," the institute said.
His petition then went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court ruled in Ramos that a "trial by an impartial jury" guaranteed by the constitution includes the requirement that a jury reach a unanimous verdict in order to convict.
WND Staff
WND news editors compile reports for our readers.
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Lolohea: "The best is still yet to come"
Wed 19 Jul 2017, 03:00 PM
New Wests Tigers recruit Tui Lolohea says he feels he's settling in well to his new club, but believes the best — for himself and the team — is still yet to come.
One of his side's best last week against the Sea Eagles where his sharp footwork and running game threatened the Manly defence all afternoon, Lolohea said he was adjusting well under Coach Ivan Cleary, and was determined to keep working at producing his best footy.
"I'm feeling pretty good and getting better each week as I go on," Lolohea reflected.
"Ivan has helped me out a lot, and I can't thank him enough for what he's done.
"But I actually don't know how far off my best I am, to be honest.
"I don't think I've ever actually played to my best before and Ivan has said that to me too, so hopefully I'm building towards that and hopefully I can show that on the field soon.
"I think it's down to me playing the way I play for the full 80 minutes," he added.
"The games I've played, I've been good for 60 and then hidden for 20. So if I can get an 80-minute performance of myself playing the best that I can, I think I can help the team a lot."
Despite recording a loss in last week's game against the Sea Eagles, the wiry playmaker said there were plenty of positives to take from the game heading in to this week's clash.
"We let ourselves down with execution in the back end of last week's game," he added.
"If we can get better on our last plays especially, we'll be a different team.
"I know we're sitting towards the bottom end of the table, but the boys are still working hard to get a smile on our faces at the end of the game and be there singing the team song.
"We're all building together and I know the boys are ready to go this week against Parramatta."
See what Tui Lolohea had to say in full about this week's game in the video above!
Be there at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, July 23 when we take on the Parramatta Eels!
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Photo by Vince Fedoroff
HELPING BUILD THE NORTH – The new National Research Council Arctic program will help improve housing, transportation and resource development, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper, seen speaking this morning at Yukon College in Whitehorse.
College has role in new research plan
Prime Minister Stephen Harper kicked off his annual northern tour this morning
By Christopher Reynolds on August 21, 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper kicked off his annual northern tour this morning with the launch of a new $17-million research plan that will draw in industry partners and focus on technology geared to the North.
The goals are practical, he said, with an emphasis on resource development, transportation and reducing the cost of living for northerners who face higher energy costs due to their remote location.
On top of the $2 million-plus the federal government plans to pour into the program annually, construction and transportation companies as well as technology firms are expected to chip in an additional $65 million for research and innovation by 2022.
The plan is the latest rollout in the government’s declared prioritization of the North, with Arctic research, resource extraction, shipping lanes, military investment and northern sovereignty all in the foreground.
In the bowels of the college’s Cold Climate Innovation hub at the Yukon Research Centre, the Prime Minister unveiled the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) Arctic program, an eight-year plan for North of 60 “where the cost of having a home represents a significant portion of anyone’s income.”
Harper said the Arctic program will build on small-scale NRC investment into research on things like high-efficiency home insulation, which has yielded the “vacuum insulation panel” to make buildings up to 10 times more energy-efficient.
“The Government of Canada is committed to harnessing science, technology and research to further develop Canada’s North and improve the lives of northerners,” Harper told the assembled crowd of nearly 100.
He said he is hoping for more “construction game-changers” that will serve as “a bridge between the laboratory and the marketplace.”
The NRC Arctic program has set its sights on four main targets: community development, resource development, northern transportation and shipping, and marine safety technologies.
While some of the money will go toward improving the durability of northern housing, much of it will end up in broader economic research initiatives.
Reducing damage to boats in northern waters, extending the number of days ice roads can be used, increasing “survivability rates” in lifeboats and improving immersion suits “in a cold and harsh ocean environment” are among the program’s goals, the Prime Minister’s Office stated.
“Our government recognizes the full potential of the North,” Harper said today.
“We will continue to support northern development by ensuring sustainable, low-impact, responsible resource development in the Arctic, while creating jobs and improving the quality of life for residents of Northern communities.”
NRC president John R. McDougall, on hand for the event, cautioned that no mechanisms are in place to ensure partnerships with northern companies.
He added that efforts would be made to include local public and private sector partners.
“It’s improved energy efficiency, it’s new energy sources that don’t require these enormous volumes of fuel,” McDougall said of the program.
On Friday morning, Harper will continue his ninth annual northern tour by flying to Fort Smith, N.W.T., followed by four communities in Nunavut: Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, Iqaluit and York Sound.
Harper also plans to take part in the military’s Operation Nanook exercise aboard a naval vessel.
Four federal ministers are accompanying the Prime Minister: Bernard Valcourt, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development; Leona Aglukkaq, Environment, CanNOR, Arctic Council; James Moore, Industry; Ed Holder, Minister of State for Science and Technology.
On hand at today’s event at Yukon College were president Karen Barnes, who spoke briefly, Cold Climate Innovation director Stephen Mooney and MP Ryan Leef, who MC’d the launch.
Several territorial cabinet ministers were in attendance as well.
See commentary.
Right Move on Aug 22, 2014 at 12:07 pm
This is what government should be doing to kick start and support the development of the north. Russia is spending major dollars on arctic development because of the vast wealth of resources and don't think they will be laying claim to what every property they think they own. Housing, energy and community development are key issues to the north and Canada as a whole. The northern parts of all the countries in the world will become the major focus in the next 30 years. This is showing vision, just what we need in the north.
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Home » Celebrities » Grady Powell Wiki, Age, Height, Married, Wife, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Bio
Grady Powell Wiki, Age, Height, Married, Wife, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Bio
By Staff Writer | On: 28 Jun, 2017
Meg Meyer
Instagram, Twitter
6 Feet 2 Inches (189 cm)
Judy Powell (Mother), Bob Powell (Father)
Tyler & Wesley (Brothers)
Most of us just like to sit at home and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, hills, and deserts. It’s so easy to ignore the dangers lurking there when we are not a person like Grady Powell who is a reality television personality but more of a survival expert. He is one-half of the series Dual Survival who has to spend days in the wilderness of different remote locations with nothing but a basic survival kit and their knowledge about things of nature.
What Does Grady Do?
The survival expert comes from a family with a long history of serving in the Military, and he did the same after leaving his study of Graphic Design. At the age of 21, he entered the selection at the U.S. Army Green Beret. He is also one of the youngest soldiers to get into the Elite Brotherhood of Special Forces Operators.
As a part of the Army, he traveled to Iraq and northern Africa and has now retired. He won the NBC series Stars Earns Stripes alongside his partner Eva Torres in 2011 which brought him to the limelight. As a trained professional in tactical skills and defensive firearm implementation, he is an expert in the shooting, evasion, field medicine, and urban survival. He uses these during the journey for the series Dual Survival.
How Much is Grady’s Net Worth?
The former military personnel has traveled to different parts of the world during his tenure in the army. He has earned both respect and money from his career as a soldier. The majority of his net worth comes from the career he chose after that.
His training on various skills and tactics required for the survival in the wilderness landed him on the multiple shows. He became a winner on the series Stars Earns Stripes and was the man competing for an endurance race for National Geographic’s Ultimate Survival Alaska. He is currently the part of the series American Grit in which he works alongside John Cena.
Who is Grady Powell Dating?
The former Green Beret is not just a military man, but he has now mastered the field of entertainment. Beginning from the television commercial, he has now become a renowned name and a familiar face among the people. As per his IMDB page, his loves include the Irish whiskey, bacon, his mom Judy and a dog Bruce, but that’s not all he also has one another special person.
There were so many questions regarding him being gay when he starred on the series Dual Survival alongside partner Josh James, but the fact is that both of them have a separate family and are straight. Although he has not married yet, he has a long-time girlfriend, Kristi.
An active user of various social medias, he has shared different pictures of them spending time together. Although they have been dating for a long time now, he hasn’t revealed when he is going to make her his wife.
Grady Powell’s Short Bio:
Grady Powell currently aged 29 was born on 15th September 1987 St. Louis, Missouri. Among his parents, his father was a Vietnam Green Beret. His grandfather also served in the military and fought the WWII. The American National belongs to white ethnicity. The hard trained soldier and survival expert cum trainer stands tall with proper height and has a perfect body shape with excellent measurements.
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Visiting the district of Kiboga in Namunyuka village we saw the need of good quality education that could be available and affordable for any child within and the nearby communities. Most children of this area, if they ever get a chance to go to school, study under challenging conditions which has yielded to worrying number of school dropouts and that not without its long-term effect on the community.
In just two decades, at the national scale about 12.2 million pupils started primary one but only 6.96 million completed their primary schooling cycle and over 5.2 million (42.8 percent) dropped out.
What does this indicate? That at least 43 out of every 100 or 4 out of every 10 pupils, who started school, dropped out before completing primary 7. Therefore in the period of 15 years over 4.9 million school (about 42.6 percent) of the 11.5 million who started school dropped out and the majority are those from poor rural areas.
As YoChild-Africa we are convinced that we can be a solution to this need and provide long-lasting solutions to the problems children are facing to attain good quality education. We decided to stand in the gap by building our own school where every child will be able to attend and see their full potential being drawn out and their dreams come true.
Through educating and empowering the children in the four areas of spiritual, mental, physical and social development the school will be a learning centre with the focus on the wholesome development of a child.
The costs to build this school are 650.000 euro’s.
As we have the land in Kiboga to build, we are now raising funds to build the school and equip the school with the needed scholastic materials.
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Yorkton’s own Angus Vincent releases album
Devin Wilger / Yorkton This Week
Angus Vincent performs during the Sidewalk Concert series.
Yorkton singer-songwriter Angus Vincent has something to celebrate in 2020. His latest album, Pasiko, was released on Nov. 6, ending a year that began with the release of the single of the same name.
Vincent said that he didn’t confine himself to any particular genre with this album. The songs themselves tackle a variety of subjects, from issues in the world to his own life.
The First Canadian Designed and Built Fighter Jet
He felt that his song “What is Wrong” needed to get out this year, because it reflects the different issues that are facing the world through a difficult year.
“When you hear about injustices or hear about sad things going on in the world, it’s really hard to avoid that. I’m just hoping that it resonated with a lot of folks, in tune with what’s going on.”
But not every song is as serious, and he can’t resist writing a few love songs.
“I’m a sappy love song writer too, and I don’t mind a little ballad here and there.”
The album took a while to create. He started the recording process in 2019, and said that it he was happy to have the album, long in the works, finally available to the world.
“It was a weight that lifted off of my shoulders once I submitted it and it was good to go. It was a very proud moment, a very good moment. I had all of these songs waiting in the wings to be thrown out into the world.”
The title track, Pasiko, was picked as the opening track and the name of the album because it held a lot of sentimental meaning for Vincent. It’s inspired by his late grandmother, and features his Plains Cree language. The word means “get up,” and something his grandmother would say to encourage him to get up, complete his education. He said the song is about getting up and finishing what you start. Vincent admits that the words can also apply to writing an album.
“Finishing that project, it was such a good feeling, and those words were constantly in my mind when I was working on it.”
The entire project was recorded in Vincent’s home studio in Yorkton, and only one song - What is Wrong - had a collaborator, co-written by Arlis Albritton. Vincent said he’s hoping to collaborate with other songwriters more in the future.
“It helps me as a musician, helps me as a storyteller... I have all these stories I want to tell, but there’s nothing wrong with branching out, expanding horizons and utilizing somebody else’s skills and talents as well.”
Musicians in general are having a difficult time during the pandemic, with fewer opportunities to perform live. Vincent has been keeping busy, however, taking part in streaming concerts and being one of the artists in the Yorkton Arts Council and the City of Yorkton’s Sidewalk Concert Series, where concerts were held in the driveways of people in the city for the enjoyment of them and their neighbors.
“I’ve been very fortunate and blessed, there have been a few opportunities.”
It’s not the easiest year to release an album, with limited opportunities to promote it, but with the album done and ready to go, Vincent wanted to get the songs out into the world. He has been able to get radio play already, and is hoping that the record can build an audience even if he can’t tour behind it.
“The timing may not be the best, but honestly for me, there ain’t no time like the present.”
Check it out at https://angusvincent.com/
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Tammy Baldwin (US Senator, WI, Democrat)
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin (born February 11, 1962) is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Wisconsin since January 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 78th district, and from 1999 to 2013 represented Wisconsin’s 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
In the 2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin, Baldwin was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Republican nominee Tommy Thompson. In the 2018 United States Senate election in Wisconsin, Baldwin was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Leah Vukmir.
Baldwin, who is a lesbian, became the first LGBT woman elected to the House of Representatives and to the Senate in 1999 and 2013, respectively.[2][3][4] She also was the first woman to be elected to either chamber from Wisconsin.[2][3]
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Blogpost: On the contrary-"Jeremy Corbyn could win a snap election"
By peterg on July 14, 2016 No Comment
Blogpost: By Scott Nelson
Jeremy Corbyn could win a snap General Election, the Labour coup is designed to sabotage his chances
Left-wing politics continues to grow in post-Brexit Britain. David Cameron and the Tory and Labour Remain Campaigns severely underestimated people’s true feelings about the EU and immigration, but Brexit was also about the last decade in Britain.
Working class communities have been hit hard since Tony Blair introduced an open door immigration policy and the situation has worsened under Cameron. Local infrastructure remains to be under immense pressure; housing waiting lists are getting longer; the NHS is on the brink of collapse; classroom sizes continue to grow and GP surgeries are struggling to deliver healthcare. All of these issues are critical and need to be factored into the Brexit vote.
Blair is the reason why Labour has become toxic in working class areas, communities feel disconnected with the party and also feel that the party does not listen and does not care. When I campaigned for Labour in Thurrock, the aforementioned issues regularly came up on the doorsteps and people personally held Blair and Cameron responsible. Working class communities like Thurrock have turned to UKIP because it was the only party people felt was listening and addressing their concerns seriously. Nigel Farage may well be a Thatcherite but he used the right language which is how he was able to reach out to working class communities and gain their trust.
When the global economic downturn rocked Britain’s economy in 2008, hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs were lost and life became very difficult for working class communities. Labour was blamed for the crash, but it was actually the bankers who caused it, the very people who are still living a good life at our expense.
Since 2010, people like you and me have been held accountable for the 2008 crash in the form of Tory austerity. Working class communities are still struggling despite the crash hitting Britain 8 years ago, and Tory austerity is causing hardship, homelessness and deaths. The gap between Britain’s rich and poor is at its widest ever which has caused the biggest rise in inequality never seen on the current scale. Naturally, people are still feeling very angry and they finally got their voices heard on 23 June 2016 when 17 million voted for Brexit, and I was one of them.
After over a decade of feeling disenfranchised by Labour and by politics on the whole, a new era began on 12 September 2015 when Jeremy Corbyn was overwhelmingly elected as Labour leader. Corbyn has filled a huge void created by Blair and Cameron, but working class people now have a leader they are looking up to and have a lot of trust and faith in.
Corbyn has reached out to the millions of working class people who want change, the very people who have been hit hard by Tory austerity. These people have had enough of being treated like second class citizens and are sick and tired of the Establishment. Yet, despite the endless attacks against Corbyn by the Tories, Blairites and the gutter press, he has energised left-wing politics and the Left is growing stronger. The Establishment is petrified of Corbyn because he poses a big threat and that is why he has been under constant attack.
The attacks against Corbyn have been personal, vile and vicious. First he was labelled a terrorist sympathiser and that never worked; then an anti-Semitic smear campaign was launched against him and his supporters and that also never worked, and this is why the so-called Labour coup has been launched against him. But despite these attacks, Corbyn has remained defiant, positive and focussed on fighting Tory austerity, Trident and forming a new economic strategy which will benefit everyone and not just a few. These go against the principles of the Establishment and that is why they fear Corbyn and the Left coming to power and taking control.
Labour has performed brilliantly under Corbyn across the country, particularly in London, Wales and the North of England. Parliamentary and local by-election results show huge swings to Labour at the expense of the Tories and UKIP, yet none of these successes are widely celebrated by Labour or by the gutter press – and it does not take much to work out why.
Corbyn has huge support behind him and he has recently attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of supporters at rallies held across the country in his honour. Corbyn also has the backing of the Trade Unions and even the SNP has come to his defence against the Blairite-led Labour coup. TUSC and the SWP have also come to his defence.
Theresa May will be sworn in as Britain’s new Prime Minister this week and already Labour and the Lib Dems are calling for a snap election despite both parties being in disarray and completely unelectable at this moment in time. In the even of a snap election, both Labour and the Lib Dems are likely to perform worse than they did in 2015 which would result in the Tories gaining an even bigger majority.
Now is not the right time for a snap election because Labour is in crisis. The party should have united behind Corbyn and focused on a snap election but instead has decided that an unnecessary leadership challenge is more important. The timing of the leadership campaign is deliberate and is designed to undermine Corbyn’s authority and sabotage his chances of being elected as Prime Minister and forming a strong left-wing Labour government.
Blairites are clearly out of their depth if they think Blairism is the answer to Britain’s problems, and it is clear they are out of touch with working class communities. If Blairites did their research and visited working class areas, they would soon learn that Blairism is widely opposed and that they are the problem, they are the reason why Labour has become a toxic brand and they are the reason why over 1 million Labour supporters turned to UKIP in 2015. But they do not care and they have demonstrated that they are not prepared to listen.
Chilcot was a devastating indictment on Blair and his legacy, it has effectively killed Blairism once and for all. That said, Blairites continue to defend their warmongering idol and still think that rewinding back to 1997 is the answer to Britain’s problems.
If Blairism was popular then there would be rallies held across the country attracting thousands of supporters. I have yet to see one rally in honour of Angela Eagle, surrounded by thousands of supporters.
The Labour Party is in serious trouble and its problems have been caused by scheming Blairites who are only interested in their own self-interests, and if the party splits it will be their fault. In my opinion, Labour should split which will allow the Blairites to form their own Red Thatcherite party.
This is the scenario that would regularly occur at Westminster: While Corbyn’s Labour votes against more Tory austerity, against Trident and against Britain invading another Islamic country, Eagle and her Red Thatcherite party will be supporting or abstaining these crucial votes. That is the difference between Corbyn and Eagle: he has integrity and he puts ordinary people first, while her job is to appease floating Tory voters and the Establishment.
Written by Scott Nelson, former Labour Party member
Follow me on Twitter @SocialistVoice
Blogpost: On the contrary-"Jeremy Corbyn could win a snap election" added by peterg on July 14, 2016
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A free course in World Heritage
I am a fan of the Open University concept, where you can study a random subject at a high level whenever and from where it suits you. I even finished a Bachelor’s degree in Art History a few years ago at the Dutch Open University. One of the subjects in that curriculum was a disappointing introduction to Heritage management (I wrote a post about it in 2015). Last week I noticed that the UK’s Open University has a free course on my favourite subject of all: World Heritage. The course material gives an overview of what UNESCO’s World Heritage is about. Also it provides 5 case studies on specific WHS: New Lanark, Bath, Edinburgh, Lake District and Tarragona.
The easy to use course homepage
The course is equivalent to 10 hours of study. I clicked through it in some 45 minutes – the introductions about World Heritage, UNESCO, its procedures etc. were of course already well-known by me. I was more interested in the case studies.
New Lanark is presented as “an enormous success and [it] has gained many plaudits and awards for the long-term commitment of its trust and management to restoration”. After the factory closed in 1968, restoration already started 5 years later with the establishment of the New Lanark Conservation Trust. It went on a long track to inscription: it was brought forward first in 1986 and got inscribed in 2001. Looking back, “Revitalisation has had a major impact on the local community and region”. Although by some a nomination of industrial heritage like this is seen as “a response to misplaced nostalgia for working-class life in communities undergoing rapid change ..”.
There’s an interesting 14 minute audio file included about the preparation of the Lake District bid. Although already well-known in the UK, global recognition was still wanted. It had twice failed in the late 1980s, but now they were trying again and knew they had to deliver a special story. It was ‘saved’ by the establishment of the cultural landscape category in 1992, where it fits in better. ICOMOS UK even claims that the Lake District failures were instrumental in recognizing cultural landscapes as a separate category. What the proposal team also learned is that beauty in itself isn’t enough, you have to point at something under threat: here they found it with the disappearing hill farms. Representatives in the travel business were skeptical of getting additional red tape to deal with after inscription, but also hoped that the tourists were to stay a few days longer and be more interested in the culture and environment.
The relocation of Abu Simbel, where the WH story began
The information delivered in the course is mostly based on facts (I found no errors, which are so common in discussions about World Heritage). Only some subjective interpretation shines through. I was perplexed for example over this conclusion: “World Heritage has its own vocabulary, using the discourse of international diplomacy. Much of its documentation, originating in French, takes on a mid-Atlantic flavour in English, something readily appreciated from the numerous websites dedicated to the subject.” The last sentence alone makes me wonder about 3 things:
There’s a hint there that documentation in French is somehow ‘odd’. And I sense some bewilderment too, maybe because WH is a rare area where there’s no UK/US dominance?
“takes on a mid-Atlantic flavour in English” – what does mid-Atlantic mean in this sentence, native English speakers can you help me out here? I guess it’s not about the Azores… Google directs me to the Mid-Atlantic states—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Huh?
And those “numerous websites” – do they include ours? I am surely aware that with the WH comes a whole vocabulary which we all use in our reviews and forum posts, I even added a glossary.
Edinburgh, one of the case studies
The course is at its most informative when the UK sites and policies are discussed. For example how the UK selection process works (mostly decentralized among its constituent countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). However “It is unclear how the list of sites in overseas territories was arrived at”. Unfortunately the content of the course all stays quite superficial. But it still is worth an hour or so of your time as a WH aficionado.
Els - 8 December 2019
Solivagant 8 December 2019
Am on road at the moment with small keyboard and big fingers so can't write much. But "Mid Atlantic as used in UK has absolutely nothing to do with Mid Atlantic states as in US. It refers to the use of an English language which adopts some "Americanisms" in words, style and, if spoken, in accent. Churchill said that umUS/UK were 2 countries divided by 1 language and a native English speaker us very aware of differences. "Managerial speak" will be one area and may be what the WHS article was referring to. Of course with contemporary media etc "English English" is less and less commonly adopted!
Els Slots 8 December 2019
Thanks Alexander and Jay. From across the ocean (UK-side) meltwaterfalls reports that it sounds like the accent used by Frasier in the eponymous comedy series.
Alexander Parsons 8 December 2019
'Mid-Atlantic' or 'transatlantic' is basically a pretentious way of speaking that was popular amongst the rich decades ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_accent
Jay T 8 December 2019
As a mid-Atlantic resident in the US, I doubt he’s referring directly to any of our states, but rather to the style of international English employed at the UN and in Washington.
I’m not sure it’s an exact parallel, but I’m reminded of how newscasters in the US train to speak in a midwestern accent, which is most commonly understood by Americans.
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Home»Posts tagged with»DHS
U.S. tells agencies to delete Zoom amid concerns over Chinese spying
By World Tribune on May 3, 2020 China, Exclusives, Rest of The Best, Top Stories, U.S., Washington, World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, May 3, 2020 U.S. government agencies have reportedly stopped using the cloud-based video conferencing app Zoom after being warned that it was vulnerable to being hacked by “foreign spies,” a report said. The warning came from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence analysis which claimed Zoom’s Chinese workforce could work at […]
GAO report: U.S. wasted $66 million on 2,500-bed camp that averaged 30 immigrants
By World Tribune on April 23, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Rest of The Best, Top Stories, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
FPI / April 23, 2020 By Judicial Watch Against the advice of frontline agents, the U.S. federal government opened a temporary immigration detention facility that was barely used and cost a ghastly $66 million to operate for just five months. During that time the tent encampment situated in a rural west Texas community near the […]
Obama whistleblower Haney ‘murdered,’ say Louie Gohmert, Steve King
By World Tribune on March 9, 2020 Exclusives, Recent Hits, Top Stories, U.S., Washington, World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, March 9, 2020 Republican Reps. Louie Gohmert and Steve King recently delivered statements from the House floor contending that Obama-era Department of Homeland Security (DHS) whistleblower Philip Haney, who was found dead last month of what authorities had initially deemed a suicide, was actually murdered. Haney had long criticized what he called […]
Death of a whistleblower: Former fellow agent calls for independent investigation
By World Tribune on February 27, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Stateside, Top Stories, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, February 27, 2020 A former U.S. government intelligence analyst and investigator is calling on the Department of Justice to investigate the death of former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Philip Haney. According to law enforcement authorities, Haney, 66, was found dead on Feb. 21 about 40 miles east of Sacramento, California. […]
Update: Sheriff’s office has not determined that Obama era whistleblower committed suicide
by WorldTribune Staff, February 25, 2020 The death of former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official and Obama-era whistleblower Philip Haney has not been conclusively ruled as a suicide, according to the California sheriff’s office investigating Haney’s death. “Unfortunately, there was misinformation immediately being put out that we have determined Mr. Haney’s death to be […]
Obama administration whistleblower reportedly kills self
By World Tribune on February 23, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Recent Hits, Top Stories, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, February 23, 2020 A former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official, who had said that “one or more” terror attacks in the U.S. could have been prevented if not for the Obama administration’s prioritizing political correctness over safety, was found dead Friday from a gunshot wound, reports say. Philip Haney, as a […]
Elite Border Patrol unit being deployed to U.S. sanctuary cities
By World Tribune on February 16, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Rest of The Best, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, February 16, 2020 The Trump administration is sending members of an elite Border Patrol unit to sanctuary cities around the nation to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in locating and apprehending illegal immigrants. Members of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) will be helping ICE officers arrest criminal illegals who […]
Trump plan would cut $4.4 trillion, aim for balanced budget in 15 years
By World Tribune on February 10, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Rest of The Best, Top Stories, Top Story, U.S., Washington, World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, February 10, 2020 President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 aims for a balanced budget by 2035 and includes $4.4 trillion in spending cuts. The White House confirmed to reporters that the 2021 budget will total $4.8 trillion. Balancing the budget hinges on a continued healthy economy, including averaging 3 […]
Homeland Security blocks New Yorkers from Trusted Travelers Program
By World Tribune on February 6, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Rest of The Best, Stateside, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
FPI / February 6, 2020 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday that it was suspending thousands of New Yorkers from the U.S. Trusted Travelers Program (TTP). DHS said it made the move after leftist state officials enacted a sanctuary “Green Light Law” which allowed illegal immigrants to obtain New York drivers’ licenses […]
Administration deal returns migrants deep into Mexico; New funds for wall
By World Tribune on January 15, 2020 Americas, Exclusives, Mexico, Top Stories, U.S., World Links, World Tribune
by WorldTribune Staff, January 15, 2020 The Trump administration is curtailing the policy of releasing immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and is instead sending them deep into Mexico. The new policy is aimed at making it more difficult for repeat offenders to try and cross the border by returning them hundreds of miles away. The […]
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Gary B. Graves
Published: November 5, 2020, 5:14 pm
Tags: Sports, Bob Baffert
In an abnormal year, Breeders' Cup offers a bit of normalcy
Kentucky Derby winner Authentic is taken for a workout at the Breeders' Cup World Championship horse races at Keeneland Race Course Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. Authentic is scheduled to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic race Saturday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
LEXINGTON, Ky. – This year’s Triple Crown slate unfolded over 3½ months instead of six weeks and shuffled the marquee Kentucky Derby from its traditional first Saturday in May to Labor Day weekend — as the middle jewel.
Numerous tracks canceled meets and some returned with abbreviated schedules. Many cards went off without the noise of spectators, demonstrating the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on horse racing that continues to this day.
While it has made for a strange year and compacted path to this weekend’s $31 million Breeders’ Cup world championships at Keeneland, the 14 races running Friday and Saturday at the picturesque track provides some normalcy after a season of upheaval.
“It’s certainly getting back to normal in a feel way,” trainer Ken McPeek said this week. “It’ll be exciting to get fans back in. I know that a lot of them miss it, but I also know that a lot of them are watching real close. The sport’s done a good job staying out there in the limelight to some extent.”
High-quality competition helps and once again could determine the Eclipse Award favorites as the year’s best in several divisions. Saturday’s marquee $6 million Classic highlights the depth with a rematch between Belmont Stakes champ Tiz the Law and Derby winner Authentic, the Bob Baffert-trained pupil who went wire to wire and beat the race favorite by 1 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs.
And yet, both 3-year-olds are listed as betting choices below veterans and Baffert stablemates Improbable (5-2) and Maximum Security (7-2), who crossed the finish line first in last year’s Derby before becoming the first in 145 years to be disqualified for interference.
Not a bad way to enter the 10-horse Classic with a reigning Derby winner, a 3-year-old champion (Maximum Security) who has six wins and two seconds since that controversy, and another colt on a three-race winning streak.
“I’ve never been this strong before in the Classic,” Baffert said. “Usually, I’d be happy to have just one of those in the Classic. To have three is pretty amazing.”
The Classic nearly had all three Triple Crown race winners before filly and Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver opted to compete against her own gender in the $2 million Distaff. She’s the 2-1 second choice behind Monomoy Girl (8-5), who won this race two years ago and Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old filly.
Monomoy Girl has returned from missing 2019 because of a pulled muscle and colic to win all three starts in 2020, including the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs in September. Trainer and Louisville native Brad Cox briefly considered another tuneup before the Distaff but cited her previous competition schedule and said, “it seems to be working pretty well.”
Five feature races for 2-year-olds highlight Friday's card with nine on Saturday on dirt and turf.
Compared to previous years where Triple Crown qualifiers and other marquee races are spread throughout the spring and summer, the reshuffled schedule has helped many horses run their best entering the season finale.
“The Breeders’ Cup is perhaps the only sport in which the product on the field has actually benefited from the pandemic,” NBC Sports analyst Randy Moss said in a network release. “Because many racetracks were closed in the spring, horses couldn’t run as often, and now they are fresher and healthier in November than ever before.
“Now if only there were fans in the seats," he said.
Indeed, horsemen have lamented the absence of fans at tracks and particularly at a venue located in the heart of Bluegrass horse country.
Opinions have been more mixed on whether empty grandstands will benefit horses’ concentration this weekend. Considering concerns about whether the Breeders’ Cup would occur at all, the question almost seems welcome.
“This has been, you know, a crazy year,” trainer Mark Casse said. “I say all along, training horses is like putting a puzzle together. And this year, it’s like putting a puzzle together with no pictures, no corners or edges.”
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Ava DuVernay Is The Energy Frequency I Want To Be On All Year Long
"I think any black woman is a queen. It's just, do you know it? Do you see it in yourself? Do you recognize it, do you abide by that, do you define yourself as that?"—Ava DuVernay
It was almost this time last year that I wrote "Wanna Start Your Own T-Shirt Line? 7 Pros Will Show You How" for the site. I make no apologies for the fact that I am borderline obsessed with a good unisex, Bella Canvas, T-shirt in a large, that has a great message on it. I just like how tees give you the ability to convey a message without saying a single word. Well, aside from the not-lucky-but-blessed sweatshirt, Black Dope Marriage Coach and Harpo, Who Dis Woman? tees that I recently copped, something that I've also been looking for is a T-shirt that represents a woman who I personally think handles herself in such a phenomenal fashion that her name is actually gonna be used as a verb in my life (like "Girl, you just Ava'd that!") all of this year —Ava DuVernay.
To get into all that she's accomplished as a filmmaker and film distributor would require more than just one article. For now, I'll just say that if you're a fan of the OWN series Queen Sugar, thank Ava. If the series based on the Central Park Five, When They See Us, completely moved to you to anger, then tears, then admiration for the strength of the five men in the story, thank Ava. Selma? That's what earned her the bestowed title of being the first Black woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director and also best director when it came to the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2014. Maybe Black Love on your television screen is what you seek. Thanks to Ava, via her upcoming OWN drama, Cherish the Day, you're all set.
Honestly, to even begin to grasp all that Ava's accomplished, you'd need to get a glass of wine, curl up on the couch and review her Wikipedia page and website (not necessarily in that order either). For now, I'll just say that if you're a creative who's looking for some inspiration to breakout and do something that a shirt that I like says ("Keep Creating Dope Ass S—t 'Til Someone Notices"), unequivocally, Ava can serve as your muse. Case in point:
Reflecting on the decade. In 2010, I got a call from @BET. They heard I’d made an indie documentary about LA hip… https://t.co/Zj1p6EF0uX
— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay)1577740033.0
Can you tell I'm a fan? Indeed, I am. But today, it's not actually her resume that I want to get into. Rather, I'd like to simply take a little bit of your time to express why I personally find her name (Ava, if somehow you end up reading this, have you seen this T-shirt before? At first I thought it was about you) to be a verb—"a word that represents an action or a state of being". Because how she appears to move—as a woman who is gracious, focused, fearless, private and totally unbothered—is just how I want to handle whatever 2020 brings my way.
She's Gracious
To be gracious is to be "pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous". Even though Ava's Netflix series When They See Us did not earn a Golden Globe nomination (I'll touch a little more on that at the end of this piece), if you hop on over to Ava's Twitter page, you'll see her posting words of gratitude to folks like Brad Pitt and Robert De Niro for being co-executive producers on Selma and shouting out other accomplished individuals like Patricia Cardoso who is the first Latina director to be included in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. Interestingly enough, I'm not the only one who thinks that "gracious" is an appropriate adjective for her (click here for a really cool example).
There are a lot of narcissists in this world. Selfish and self-absorbed people too. It's a real gift if you've got the ability to still remember to be kind, to help others and shoot—to be freakin' polite. How cool is it that someone with the accolades that Ava has still makes the time to be thankful, supportive and to celebrate others? That is a trait all of us should have. No doubt about it.
She's Focused
To @TheAcademy, You disqualified Nigeria’s first-ever submission for Best International Feature because its in Engl… https://t.co/lumMVrLjqb
If you want to see Ava in a not-so-formal setting, check out her Shine On with Reese (that would be Witherspoon) interview from 2018. She talks about her first job being at a yogurt place, working as a publicist and not even picking up a camera until 32. Something that really stood out to me is her expressing just how much she loves what she does and how, "Your change from one career to another doesn't have to be all at once. It definitely and should be progressive." She also talks about "cobbling through" her film school experience for herself without ever sitting in a classroom (I can relate. I flunked out of college twice and still became a writer; we'll have to talk about that on another day). Instead, she said that she watched over 200 DVD commentaries of directors and determined in her mind, "I only have what's inside of me, and I had to be able to tell myself 'That's enough'."
Talk about drive. Talk about ambition. Talk about focus. No wonder she's able to introduce us to a new project—not just project but quality project—every time we blink. No wonder she also has the time to advocate for others (see "Ava Duvernay Just Hired A 50% Female Production Staff For Her New Series On OWN"). She's a living and breathing reminder that when you are crystal clear about your purpose and how it is designed to affect as well as benefit other people, it's hard to get distracted by…fame, trolls, critics, obstacles or even your own self-doubt. Focus y'all. Stay. Focused.
She's Fearless
@megynkelly You should be ashamed. Educate yourself before you talk about racism and legitimate claims. You sound l… https://t.co/TI4JsPtGUf
There is a doctor by the name of Ashish Patel who once said, "The elegance under pressure is the result of fearlessness." Man, if this doesn't embody Ava, I don't know what does because, looka here—if you never considered her to be fearless before, you should hang out on her Twitter page more often. Shoot, just the straight-up read alone that she dished out to Ms. Megan Kelly and the tweet she sent out to Jack (the CEO of Twitter) to hold y'all's president accountable are enough examples to remind us that our platform should be about more than stacking up followers. We should each use our gifts, talents, social media accounts and influence to stand up for what we believe in, to push back on things that we don't agree with, and to seek justice in the areas we are truly passionate about.
And what if we're disliked for it? Something tells me that Ava doesn't lose a lot of sleep over questions like that. Something tells me she's more in the lane of Margaret Thatcher—"If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything, at any time—and you would achieve nothing." That'll preach. A billion times over.
She's Private
I want to say that Ava tweeted it out herself sometime last year, but something that I find to be really cool about her is she's consistently active on social media; not her "team"—her. Still, you don't really know all that much about her personal life. Her Twitter bio says that she's (currently) a "Mom of 10" (she's referring to her creative babies). Her bio tells you that she's from Long Beach, California and her alma mater is the University of California. Still, you really don't know much more than that. Is she seeing someone? We don't know. What's her net worth? Rumors say that it's somewhere around (whew!) $60 million, but I've never heard her bring it up. We do know her age and, since she was born in 1972 (she's a Virgo, by the way), I totally get why she wanted everyone to nix the whole "Auntie Ava" thing. Per this tweet, I think she's a vegan. I'm assuming her favorite color may be black (only because I see her in it a lot). But really, what can we confirm?
And that's what I think is so dope. For the most part, all you know about Ava is related to her art—and her advocating for others; oh, and her sometimes putting folks in check. It's like she totally embodies a quote by an author named Katherine Neville— "Privacy—like eating and breathing—is one of life's basic requirements." To be able to pull that off in a world that is oh-so-very-nosey, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is a feat within itself. Then to be able to be private in a way where folks feel connected to you without them being in all of your business? That's an art form. One that more of us could stand to adapt, don't cha think?
She's Totally Unbothered
Upside of not being nominated for Golden Globe for WHEN THEY SEE US: I don’t have to juggle getting into hair, make… https://t.co/U4VRRmuHYt
*le sigh* The Golden Globes. Yeah, I'll spare y'all my soapbox thoughts on that awards program (or the politics of award shows, in general). What I will say is when I saw some of what was nominated while When They See Us was overlooked, I couldn't help but to immediately conjure up some of my own conspiracy theories. It really is crazy, just how much a lot of this world would rather be entertained—mindlessly so—than inspired. But you know what? I did get another Ava-related takeaway from it. If Omarion won the Totally Unbothered Award for 2019 (and he did), Ava has to at least be nominated for 2020. Just peep her tweet about the awards show (see above). Look at how she chose to look at it.
I don't personally know Ava, so I can't speak to why she's so calm, cool and collected about everything. But what I can do is speak to how her energy ministers to me personally—"Shellie, stick to your purpose, do your best and be your own biggest fan. If you commit to doing those things, not only will you be untouchable but unstoppable." Y'all, being unbothered is a superpower because it keeps you centered, balanced and able to keep pressing forward. We ALL need to be on that tip this year. Each and every one of us.
Something else that Ava once said is, "I love to see people just being regal in their own skin; it's just when they know who they are." Regal. Some synonyms for that word include royal, majestic and sublime. When you see yourself in this fashion, it's a lot easier to walk through this life, both online as well as off, yep—totally unbothered.
So yeah, call this a "jock piece" if you want. I don't care. The energy frequency that Ms. Ava DuVernay is on, that is what I totally aspire to this year. So, if somebody can point me in the direction of a really cool portrait T-shirt with her on it, I'd be grateful (sidebar, I'm on the hunt for a Yara Shahidi one too). For me, it's symbolic of the fact that you know you're truly on task when you motivate others.
Ava, big ups for doing that. Keep walking in your greatness, holding people accountable with your tweets and, in some ways, keeping us wondering. It's a part of your charm. Not only can I dig it. I totally appreciate it. It inspires me. It really does. Thank you.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
When They See Us: 5 Things You Didn't Know About The Central Park Five
What The Year Of 4 Has In Store For Your 2020 Energy
'A Wrinkle In Time' Is Representation Black Girls Need
Ava DuVernay Reps for 'All the Sisters' In Elle-- And It's Everything!
Feature image by Shutterstock
Did you know that xoNecole has a podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to join us for weekly convos over cocktails (without the early morning hangover.)
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Art afloat
Kim Kavin, Copy Editor/Contributor Yachts International
Snowbird’s high standard of construction and seaworthiness are well known to anyone familiar with Dutch shipyard Hakvoort, but her interior décor is among the most memorable to enter the charter market in years. She is like a floating museum of contemporary artwork, a space that has been wholly designed in tune with the art itself.
Cow hair is softer on the feet than you might think.
I know this because my mind was intently focused on how my bare toes felt as tufts of the stuff poked between them aboard the 127-foot (39-meter) Hakvoort Snowbird. The cow-hair flooring in the belowdecks foyer soon gave way to far more traditional, dark-stained French oak in the guest cabins, where the closets may have lacked the same stingray-skin upholstery that adorned the closet in the main-deck master, but where the wall paneling included white alligator skin that I just had to reach out and touch. And all of it was very different from the mother-of-pearl wall covering elsewhere on the yacht, which almost escaped notice. I was too busy looking around whatever bulkhead stood in my way, trying to catch a glimpse of the next piece of artwork that I might discover.
Such is the experience of being on board Snowbird, whose interior décor created such a buzz for management house Edmiston & Company during the May 2011 MYBA charter yacht show in Genoa, Italy, that the previously unknown yacht was fully booked for the summer season less than a month later.
“I think there are plenty of other boats with nice artwork on them, but none that have artwork displayed so cohesively as this one,” says interior designer David Ostrander of Iluminus Design Group. “To me, boats that are unique in a good way have the most marketability. Neutral is a term that’s overused. It can often mean a lack of vision. I think that color is what makes life interesting.”
Snowbird is the first megayacht whose interior Ostrander, who also happens to be the owner’s son, has designed. The family bought the yacht near the end of the build process when the original owner abandoned the project for financial reasons. Hakvoort had completed the interior to the original specifications, including the installation of fixed furniture. Snowbird never left the yard, Ostrander says, because his family immediately ordered an additional 3.5 million euros’ worth of work. Much of it was based around Ostrander’s vision, which stemmed from the piece “Shipboard Girl” by American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
“I was flipping through a catalog of all his works, and I thought the image portrayed such an interesting emotion,” Ostrander says. “I’m into the bold, bright, primary colors, and this woman’s face is just pure ecstasy. I thought, ‘This is what we want people to feel when they’re on the boat.’ I know it’s how I feel when I’m on a boat.”
It took nearly two months of searching worldwide before Ostrander and his family’s art advisor found one of the limited-edition prints, and from there, the rest of the yacht’s artwork and furnishings were chosen. Only one of the pieces on board, by American Color Field painter Kenneth Noland, is from the family’s original collection. The rest of the Snowbird collection was purchased specifically for the boat. Ostrander spent about a week measuring walls at the shipyard and determining color palettes, then another 10 days searching worldwide collections for pieces that fit the space as well as the theme. He wanted the art to be the starting point for everything else on board, from loose furniture to carpeting to fixtures. The décor was to work in tandem with the artwork, as opposed to simply having artwork hung on the walls.
“My hope is to be able to use this same process with yacht owners who like all kinds of art,” he says. “We started this particular collection from an artist I knew and a print that I loved. But you don’t have to know anything about art to create a cohesive décor this way. Another way is to show people different things in a museum or a gallery and ascertain not just what they like, but what really pushes their buttons. A lot of people look at art as decoration on the walls, but other people look at it as something that enhances their lifestyle. We’re aiming for that.”
Ostrander says he chose prints instead of painted canvases because prints are usually covered with hard acrylic, and thus are better protected should a charter client still getting his sea legs bump into them. The designer also used a great deal of 3M’s Dual Lock, a silicone product that works similarly to Velcro, but that can be used on wood surfaces without creating any damage.
“We have a lot of objects that look like they’re loose on Snowbird, but trust me, they’re fastened firmly,” he says. “It’s the number one thing that people have to consider when placing artwork or pieces of any kind aboard a yacht. Everybody worries about climate control, but with boats like these, it’s the fasteners that are usually the most important consideration.”
One of the most interesting pieces that isn’t nailed down, so to speak, is a leather game cube that was custom crafted during a four-month process by Geoffrey Parker in London. By simply flipping a cube that is the size of a small cocktail table, guests can play Backgammon, Monopoly or Scrabble. The cube created for Snowbird sits in the skylounge and includes an embossed version of the yacht’s logo.
Just a few feet away is a bar that Ostrander had custom-made specifically for the pleasure of charter guests. “The yacht originally didn’t have a bar, and we’re not big drinkers in my family, but we thought a bar would be a nice thing to have,” he says. “All of the leatherwork is custom on that, too. I had the leather on the barstools done by the same supplier that Ferrari uses.”
What’s most exceptional about the Snowbird interior is that it manages to be highly personalized without being personal. In the charter world, “personal” is a four-letter word, one that implies a client could never feel at home because the yacht is too representative of its owner’s tastes. Snowbird is certainly, and entirely, about Ostrander’s tastes and favorite things—as well as his mother’s love of Hermès orange—but the yacht has been designed in a way that somehow feels instantly comfortable to people coming aboard for the first time. Snowbird makes guests feel as though they are living within a truly artistic environment, as opposed to feeling like they are staring at somebody else’s most prized possessions.
Some of that ambiance, Ostrander says, is a function of the actual space with which he worked. While trends point toward ever-larger motoryachts, Ostrander believes Snowbird is close to an ideal size for creating a perfect onboard experience.
“I’m passionate about boats,” he says, “but I’m not the biggest fan of gigantic boats. I don’t see the need for anything bigger than 46 meters. There’s a difference to me between yachting and cruising, and I think some of these bigger yachts are starting to feel like cruise ships. I want a boat that lets me achieve everything that I want to do, but that still has intimate and personal spaces.”
Hakvoort Snowbird
LOA: 127ft. 11in. (39m)
Beam: 26ft. 3in. (8m)
Draft: 8ft. 3in. (2.55m)
Tenders: Novurania Chase 31, Novurania 430 DL RIB
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C18 DI-TA
Speed (max.): 12.7 knots
Speed (cruising): 10.5 knots
Range (max): 5,500 nm @ 9 knots
Stabilizers: VT Naiad Marine
Construction: steel hull, aluminum superstructure
Fuel capacity: 11,889 gal. (45,000L)
Freshwater capacity: 2,642 gal. (10,000L)
Classification: Lloyd’s Register, MCA
Naval architecture: Azure Naval Architects
Exterior styling: Cor D. Rover Design
Interior design: Iluminus Design Group/David Ostrander
Builder: Hakvoort
Charter agent: Edmiston & Company
netherlandson boardArchivesdutchNovember/December 2011
Kim Kavin is a national award-winning journalist who has been writing about yachts for two decades.
Stepping up
The Art of Elandess
Christensen Sweet Escape: Magnectic Personality
Enjoyable day and night
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Home / Explore film & TV / Latest from the BFI / BFI news, features and opinion / Features
Where to begin with Lillian Gish
Movies inspire a lot of passion, but the back catalogue of film history can be daunting. For every fan who’s obsessed with an actor, director or sub-genre, there’s another struggling to know where to start. Sometimes all it takes is the right recommendation to set you on your path from newbie to know-it-all…
Your next obsession: the luminous close-ups of Lillian Gish, ‘The First Lady of American Cinema’
Pamela Hutchinson
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Why this might not seem so easy
Buy tickets for The Wind at BFI Southbank
Veteran Hollywood director King Vidor once said that “the movies have never known a more dedicated artist than Lillian Gish.” She made her first film appearance in 1912 and her last in 1987 – that’s 75 years on screen. So, if you have decided it’s time to get up to speed on the work of ‘The First Lady of American Cinema’, you may be forgiven for feeling a little daunted at the outset.
Sadly for film history, not all of her movies survive, and counted among those lost is the first and last film she directed, 1920’s Remodeling Her Husband. However, the films that remain contain indelible, almost ethereal performances – and as you’ll learn when you watch them, Gish was an early master of cinema’s fundamental acting techniques. Simply put, she was the queen of the close-up.
There’s another reason you might hover on the threshold here. Gish was famous for playing waifs, vulnerable young women in an unfashionable mould we associate with Victorian melodrama. Gish’s talent demolishes those stereotypes, though. She has a raw, immediate presence on film that makes her waifs, if you want to call them that, vivid and timeless. Her mastery of pathos will pull you into the drama rather than invoke clichés.
She was always striving for emotional authenticity, and her best advice to performers was “never get caught acting”. Think of her genre less as melodrama and more like psychological horror, and you’ll be on the right track.
Where to start – The Wind
No question, you have to begin in Gish’s silent era heyday. Her final silent film, The Wind (1928), is a wonderful example of her resonance on screen, and her astute understanding of filmmaking itself. When Gish read the novel by Dorothy Scarborough it immediately fired her imagination and she planned to star in an adaptation of its story.
She chose the Swedish director Victor Sjöström to direct – she had admired him since 1921’s The Phantom Carriage, and they collaborated once before on The Scarlet Letter (1926) – and she sent legendary screenwriter Frances Marion a four-page synopsis for the basis of her script.
The Wind is a drama of sex, violence and hatred, both symbolised by and exacerbated by those driving winds, which were simulated on location in the Mojave Desert by airplane propellers. Gish plays Letty, a naive young woman from Virginia sent to live with relatives at an isolated ranch in Texas, at the mercy of the elements, and the men who work there. It was a terribly tough shoot, and the film’s brutal ending had to be changed to be softer and more optimistic, but Gish has never been more mesmerising or strong on screen.
What to watch next
There’s no true picture of Gish’s silent output without her collaborations with D.W. Griffith. She would remain devoted to him all her life, and they made scores of films together. So you owe it to yourself to binge-watch as many of their shorts as possible, including two gems from 1912: home-invasion thriller An Unseen Enemy (in which she co-stars with her sister Dorothy) and strikingly modern gangster drama The Musketeers of Pig Alley.
The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912)
For something really remarkable, try The Mothering Heart. It’s from 1913, when she had been working for the Biograph studio and her beloved Griffith for a year. In this dramatic two-reeler Gish plays a virtuous young wife, whose husband cheats on her with “an idle woman”. Gish takes the audience with her through passages of suspicion, despair, tragedy, fury and reconciliation. The intense close-up is already in her arsenal, as she approaches the camera in her grief, clutching her unborn baby’s clothes. But one of the film’s finest shots doesn’t show her face at all. She is hidden behind a tree, watching her husband leave with his mistress, and the image of her fragile hand grasping at the trunk is enough to evoke her heartbreak.
Now you’re attuned to Gish and Griffith’s tragic mode, you’re ready for the features. Start with Broken Blossoms (1919), in which she plays an abused girl in London’s East End who falls in love with a Chinese immigrant. The racial politics of this, despite the film’s fine intentions, have not aged well, but Gish’s performance has. The moment when she uses her fingers to force a smile on to her face is one of the most emotionally devastating scenes in movie history.
Way Down East (1920)
Don’t miss Way Down East (1920) either, starring Gish as a country girl led astray by an utter bounder, which climaxes with a famous chase down a frozen river. Gish contracted frostbite in her famously delicate fingers after spending hours face down on an ice floe in the name of art, but it’s a fantastic thrill sequence, which influenced the final scene in Vsevelod Pudovkin’s Soviet classic Mother (1926).
Gish regretted the coming of sound, which she felt meant that cinema no longer spoke a universal language, and instead she transferred her talent to the theatre for several years. She still appeared in films from time to time though. She’s unforgettably wonderful, and far from waiflike, as the wise, protective, shotgun-toting grandmother in Charles Laughton’s southern gothic thriller The Night of the Hunter (1955), for example. Here she delivers the line that sums up her entire career: “It’s a hard world for little things.”
You can also see her in prestige westerns such as 1946’s Duel in the Sun, which gave her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, and 1960’s The Unforgiven, which gives a few nods to her iconic role in The Wind.
The Whales of August (1987)
Her true swansong, however, was her final film, Lindsay Anderson’s 1987 The Whales of August: a film saturated with her particular tender sweetness. In this ruminative chamber piece, Gish and Bette Davis play two elderly sisters spending the summer in a beach house in Maine. Gish was 93 years old (and resolutely professional, if a little deaf) when she made this wistful film, playing a waif who finally grew up, but not too much – a little vain of the blonde streaks in her hair, but fondly remembering her long-deceased husband, and taking patient care of her cranky older sister. “Passion and truth,” she says, “that’s all we need.”
Where not to start
The most famous film Gish starred in is also the most notorious, with good reason. If you begin your Gish odyssey with Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation (1915), the chances are it will be over pretty fast. So don’t hurry. Gish’s performance here is fine, but none of the performances can ring true in a film founded on offensive racist caricatures. With apologies for spoilers, Gish’s character is a toxic interpretation of the waif type: she plays the ignorant daughter of a Yankee abolitionist, who learns to respect the Ku Klux Klan after she is threatened with rape. It’s horribly uncomfortable to watch, and you have many, many better Griffith/Gish collaborations to enjoy first.
News, features and opinion on the world of film.
10 great silent romances
10 great silent epics
Great actresses who turned in amazing performances in later life
Thirza Wakefield
Washed away: lost films by female directors
Isabel Stevens , Pamela Hutchinson , Ashley Clark , Jasper Sharp , Kim Morgan , Bryony Dixon , Louisa Wei
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Amy Coney Barrett: A Colossal Mistake
By: Sarah Brill | November 27, 2020
By Sarah Brill, Science and Technology Editor
Amy Coney Barrett was nominated for associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America by President Trump on September 26, 2020. On October 27 2020, she was sworn in. Being a Supreme Court justice is a lifetime appointment and after Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away on September 18 2020, President Trump was anxious and quick to fill the seat despite Ginsberg’s last wishes to have her seat replaced after the election had been called. Barrett has received vehement opposition from liberals and rightfully so.
Let’s break it down. One issue Amy Coney Barrett has attempted to litigate is abortion rights. In 2016, Barrett was a member of an organization called “Right To Life” which has been criticized on multiple occasions for misleading vulnerable women with false information whilst they attempt to seek abortion. She has also called the court ruling of Roe V Wade an “erroneous decision.” Barrett, like many politically right-winged people, does not support the concept of pro-choice. Pro-choice is the ability for a woman to have complete control over her body. No one should be forced into a pregnancy if the woman was raped, the woman’s life could be at risk, or the woman’s child could suffer or die. There are many other examples where abortion is acceptable, but it seems that the “right” does not understand that. If they cared about pro-life, I think they might want to care about the woman who is carrying the fetus rather than the fetus that is not formed. “Judge Barrett has defended herself on multiple occasions against charges that her religious faith might influence her in court. ‘I would stress that my personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear in the discharge of my duties as a judge,’ she once said.” Unfortunately her statement, whilst amicable in writing, is not true.
With regards to LGBTQ+ rights, Barrett, on multiple occasions, has refused to denounce prior writings and statements which, if implemented, could lead to a regression in LGBT+ rights. “Barrett has demonstrated hostility toward LGBTQ+ rights in her words and rulings. She defended the Supreme Court’s dissenters on the landmark marriage equality case of Obergefell v. Hodges, questioning the role of the court in deciding the case.” Additionally, she stated that Title IX protections, a harassment claim, does not extend to the transgender community. When asked whether she would uphold LGBTQ+ rights, she responded and said “I would not discriminate on the basis of sexual preference.” A seemingly innocent phrase with a Freudian slip locked into her response. Sexual preference is an outdated term that implies that people within the LGBTQ+ community have a choice of whether to be gay or not, for lack of a better phrase. Barrett, while again her intentions were amicable, she succeeded in answering the worst nightmares of the LGBTQ+ community; she will not respect them. How can a person uphold the rights of an entire community when she cannot change or accommodate her personal views?
We all are aware that President Trump will do anything to rip apart the framework of the Obama administration, so it is not surprising that he has declared Barrett a Supreme Court justice. It is also common knowledge that Trump wishes to get rid of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) leaving 23 million Americans without healthcare. Barrett could be the stepping stone towards that goal: in 2017 she opposed the ACA, then ObamaCare, critiquing John Roberts who famously voted to preserve the ACA. Because of her opposition in the past, she poses a true threat to those currently on the ACA.
Needless to say, this article barely scratches the surface of what Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is capable of doing, but there is this phrase I saw on the internet that best fits her actions, and her possible course of actions: Barrett will walk through all the door Justice Ginsberg opened, just to shut them all behind her and I think that is true.
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54303848
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/11/amy-coney-barrett-member-right-to-life-organization
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/amy-coney-barrett-gay-rights/2020/10/24/55064586-153b-11eb-ba42-ec6a580836ed_story.html
https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/the-human-rights-campaign-amy-coney-barretts-confirmation-is-a-sham-threatens-lgbtq-equality
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/13/amy-coney-barrett-dodges-abortion-healthcare-election-law-questions-hearing
https://www.vox.com/21514900/amy-coney-barrett-obamacare-supreme-court-california-texas-nfib-king-burwell-aca
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/5/6/21249786/trump-wants-end-affordable-care-act
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/amy-coney-barrett-feminism-rbg-supreme-court-seat/2020/10/09/824e78be-028b-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html
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King Khan and Dabang Khan Come face to face
By Safyan · August 4, 2017 · No comments
Actors · Tagged: Bollywood King, Dabang star, Indian celebraties, salman khan, shah rukh khan
King Khan and Dabang Khan
Mumbai, Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan and Dabang star, Salman Khan will appear on the small screen but they do not come with each other but against each other. The relationship between the two big khans, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan is very strange. Sometimes, they become against each other and they do not like to meet with other. Sometimes, they start their friendship and declare each other as brother. Both the artists are developing their friendship and they come close each other. Now there is news that they are going against each other once again.
According to Indian media, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are the superstars of movies and tv dramas. They host the Indian tv programs and they get the attention of their viewers. Salman Khan is the host of the most popular show, Big Boss from last 8 seasons while Shah Rukh Khan is also doing different shows on the tv and these shows also get popularity among the public. Now both the artists will be looking doing the different shows at the same time.
The most popular tv show of Salman Khan, Big Boss season 11 will be telecast at 09 pm during October this year and Shah Rukh Khan will also look hosting the show, ‘Nai Soch’ on Star Plus, which will also be released at 09:00 pm. The management of the Indian channel, Star Plus showed their concern for telecasting both the shows at the same time and there may be collision between these two shows. In both the shows, the super stars of Indian will appear and it will affect the rating and TRP of the show. The style and story of both the programs is different from each other and we sure that both the shows will get popularity among the public.
Big Boss is the most popular Indian tv show and it is watched in the homes with great interest. This program has highest weekend rating because Salman Khan gave the enjoyment to the viewers due to his chatter talk. On the other hand, Shah Rukh Khan brings new ideas every time to give the entertainment to their viewers. Now the viewers will decided who will be better on the small screen.
← Madhuri Told Name of Her Dream Cricketer
Divorce of Angelina Joolie and Brad Patt →
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Pete Doherty News, Reviews, Tour Dates and Videos
Read all of Addict Music's articles on Pete Doherty including news, reviews, videos, tour dates and free downloads.
The Libertines Reforming For Reading and Leeds Festivals 2010
March 29, 2010 by Addict Music
According to The Sun The Libertines are set to reform for an appearance at this years Reading and Leeds Festival.
Artists: Pete Doherty, Reading and Leeds Festival, The Libertines
Pete Doherty Arrested For Drugs Possession
June 11, 2009 by Addict Music
Pete Doherty has been arrested in Gloucester in the early hours of this morning (June 11). The former Libertine was taken into custody by police after he was seen driving erratically around the city. He was stopped roughly 30 minutes after finishing a solo performance at the Guildhall venue. A spokesman said for Gloucester police […]
Artists: Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty To Headline Love Music Hate Racism
May 22, 2009 by Addict Music
Pete Doherty has been announced as the headliner of this year’s Love Music Hate Racism Festival. The single-day event takes place at Stoke City FC’s Britannia Stadium on 30th May, and includes Kelly Rowland, N-Dubz, VV Brown and Reverend And The Makers on the bill. The line-up is N-Dubz Reverend And The Makers The Beautiful […]
Artists: Love Music Hate Racism, Pete Doherty
Pete Doherty to Play Proud Galleries
Pete Doherty has announced he is to play a one-off gig at Camden’s Proud Galleries, on the 22nd of April. Allready this year, the ex-Libertine has completed a full tour showcasing his debut album Grace/Wastelands. Throughout, fans have been treated to guest performances from Graham Coxon and the La’s Lee Mavers. Tickets for the show […]
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Vous êtes ici : Accueil / Archives / Archives - Revue de presse / The ugly truth about the beautiful game
The ugly truth about the beautiful game
Alex Duval Smith
"Heralded as a historic turning point for an unlucky continent, Africa's first-ever World Cup - which kicks off in Johannesburg next Friday - increasingly looks like the playground for the rich that its critics decry. As final preparations are made in the host cities to welcome some of the world's most famous, and most well-paid, sportsmen, tangible benefits elsewhere in Africa from the world's biggest sporting event look as elusive as ever.
"Under strict bylaws enforced at the insistence of football's governing body, informal traders - a crucial part of any African economy - have been banned around the 10 stadiums where matches will be played. Even the future of the most important legacy project of the tournament - public bus transport - is in the balance, amid government reticence to stand up to South Africa's powerful minibus-taxi industry. Sepp Blatter, the president of Fifa, which expects to earn more than £3bn from sponsorship and television rights, has insisted that the event is about "giving back to Africa what the continent has given world football" through its players. The organisation points to the 20 "centres for hope" - football academies - that it will build."
"The ugly truth about the beautiful game", La Clé des Langues [en ligne], Lyon, ENS de LYON/DGESCO (ISSN 2107-7029), mars 2010. Consulté le 21/01/2021. URL: http://cle.ens-lyon.fr/anglais/archives/archives-revue-de-presse/the-ugly-truth-about-the-beautiful-game
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make an appearance at the Olympics in 2016
View image | gettyimages.com
“It would be awesome to be in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.” says Zlatan Ibrahimovic who could get his wish to line out in the Olympics.
His country Sweden qualified for the tournament after reaching the European Championships Under 21 final.
Their opponents in the final are none other then Portugal, that could see a potential Rio match up between Ibrahimovic and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, was pushed on the topic recently and he didn’t dismiss it.
He said: “We can take three players over the age of 23. Cristiano is one of the hypotheses, but we have still not sat down to discuss it.”
With Neymar and Lionel Messi already lined up for the tournament, Rio 2016 could be the latest addition to the bucket list for sports fans.
Olympics Ronaldo Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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NH is committed to art and culture and awards the first NH Collection Contemporary Art Prize in ARCOMadrid.
By NH | 12:38
ARCOMadrid, one of the most important international fairs in the art world, has become the center of attention for several days. This year, more than 27,000 professionals have visited the fair at which the country of Colombia was the guest of honor. NH Hotel Group was present at ARCOMadrid thanks to our General Director BU Spain, Hugo Rovira, who presented the first NH Collection Contemporary Art Prize to José Dávila for his work Untitled 2014. The following is part of Hugo Rovira´s presentation:
“This prize makes up part of NH Hotel’s strong commitment to culture and to art as a vehicle for change and making the difference. It is a project of the company’s responsible artistic patronage which commits to the installment of conceptual and minimalistic art pieces in NH Collection Hotels, our Premium Brand which is present in Europe and Latin America. In this way, the art contributes directly to the extraordinary client experience in these hotels”.
In the following video we will provide a brief summary of ARCOMardrid and show you our Guest Relations space in the stand of our Premium NH Collection brand where the prize-winning piece was displayed. Pay attention! We’re sure you’ll love this piece!
The judges panel, made up of prestigious collectors of contemporary art, selected José Dávila’s work: Untitled 2014. The Mexican artist has participated in individual and group exhibitions since 1996. His works have been displayed in places such as the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, the Museum of Modern Art in Sâo Paulo and the Bass Museum of Art in Miami. In Untitled 2014, you can appreciate the turning axes around which Dávila develops his work: architecture and geometry. His work explores the relationship between fact and fiction and between space and time.
This is not our first commitment to art, as we already have works of art in our hotels from renowned artists such as Javier Mariscal, Agustí Puig and Manolo Valdés, among others. Come and discover them! For example, in the case of Untitled 2014, if you didn’t already see it at the fair and you want to enjoy this work by José Dávila you can see it at our NH Collection Eurobuilding Madrid.
The next morning, we organized in our NH Collection Eurobuilding in Madrid, a breakfast in honor of the jury and José Dávila, leader and ambassador of visual art in Mexico, to thank them for their cooperation.
Dávila is a leader in contemporary Latin-American art. As you already know, everyone interprets art, and especially contemporary art, in their own way. How would you interpret it? Don’t forget to tell us by leaving a comment at the end of this post!
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Bluebulb Projects' The Measure of Things presents:
Click the box above and enter your number, then make a unit selection if you wish, then click the "Show Me" button.
How much is 70?
Closest first | Highest first | Lowest first
It's about 40 times the number of Escalators in the State of Wyoming
In other words, the count of Escalators in the State of Wyoming is 0.03 times 70.
(2013 figures)
Source | Link | Mistakes? | Citations
It's about twenty times the number of Living U.S. Presidents
In other words, the count of Living U.S. Presidents is 0.05 times 70.
(a.k.a. Presidents of the United States; a.k.a. Presidents of the United States of America; a.k.a. POTUS), (2016 figures) (including current)
As of this writing, there are five living United States Presidents — President Carter, President Clinton, President Obama, and the second President Bush. At no point in U.S. history have their been more than six (6) living presidents, this circumstance having occurred three times.
It's about eight times the number of Symphonies Composed by Beethoven
In other words, 70 is 7.777777777780 times the count of Symphonies Composed by Beethoven, and the count of Symphonies Composed by Beethoven is 0.1285714285710 times that amount.
(a.k.a. Ludwig van Beethoven)
It's about four-and-a-half times the number of Living Kings and Queens
In other words, the count of Living Kings and Queens is 0.210 times 70.
(2015 figures) (distinct Monarchs)
It's about two-and-a-half times the number of Countries in the European Union
In other words, the count of Countries in the European Union is 0.380 times 70.
(a.k.a. EU) (2016 figures)
There are 27 member countries in the European Union, the latest member of which is Croatia. The EU is largely urban, with over twenty cities having a population of one million or more, and 75% of the population living in an urban area.
It's about one-and-a-half times the number of Teeth in a Great White Shark's Mouth
In other words, the count of Teeth in a Great White Shark's Mouth is 0.670 times 70.
(Carcharodon carcharias) (average; including developing rows)
It's about one-and-three-tenths times the number of Countries in Africa
In other words, the count of Countries in Africa is 0.770 times 70.
(2016 figures) (sovereign states recognized by the UN only)
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Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – review
I don’t know whether you know this or not, but Tom Cruise is the most awesome guy on the planet. Not having met Cruise personally, I know this only because that’s what the plots of all his movies are about. This plot comes in two variations. The first one is straight-forward: Tom Cruise is totally awesome! The second variation is a little less direct: People don’t appreciate how awesome Tom Cruise is! (Think of Jerry Maguire, in which his girlfriend dumps him and he loses his job, just to prove that even though he’s totally awesome, we should still sympathize with him because the world treats him so unfairly.) The interesting thing about Cruise’s latest effort, insofar as there is anything interesting about Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, is that it conflates these two strains into a single if somewhat uncomfortable hybrid.
In Phase One of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Cruise plays the super-awesome Ethan Hunt once again, who hangs off airplanes when he’s not out-fighting, out-running, and out-maneuvering everyone else in the film. In Phase Two of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, the CIA (in the person of Alan Hunley, played by Alec Baldwin) wants to kill Hunt because, in a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, Hunley doesn’t like the Impossible Mission Force’s carte blanche to engage in unsupervised covert ops. Consequently, while Hunt is busy trying to save the world yet again, his own ungrateful country is trying to terminate him with extreme prejudice.
It’s really not fair for such an awesome dude to be treated this way, but the plot plays well for viewers who think that America should kick-ass on the rest of the world, and that any sort of restraint is the result of scheming forces that want to undermine the good guys.
Unfortunately, this amalgam, instead of being more than the sum of its parts, turns out to be somewhat less, because the two phases, like musical notes out of phase with each other, tend to cancel out rather than combine. The filmmakers can’t spend half the movie showing us how awesome Cruise is and then expect the audience to worry that the CIA might actually catch and execute him. Likewise, when the filmmakers spend the other half of the movie showing Cruise easily evading the entire CIA, they can’t expect us to have any doubts that he will have any trouble defeating the villain du jour.
Which is rather unfortunate, because Phase One of the film is supposedly built around the concept that Hunt may have finally met his match, which would have been interesting if we had believed it. Of course, we don’t – the two-phase approach makes it impossible to even pretend to believe it, and it certainly doesn’t help that the fiendish mastermind is too blind to notice (or at least do anything about) the rather obvious double-agent he is employing. But at the end of the day, none of this really matters, because the movie’s only message is: even when Hunt meets his match, he still wins, because no one can match Cruise’s awesomeness!
Before I forget, let me mention that the plot mechanics are constructed around a MacGuffin that Hunt must steal from a super-duper high-security facility. There is an explanation for what this MacGuffin is and how it got into the facility, which makes a kind of movie sense at least; however, the MacGuffin actually turns out to be something completely different from what we were told (you need twists in this kind of spy thriller),. This raises a question the film never bothers to address: if the explanation of the MacGuffin’s identify was false, does the explanation for how it got into the facility make sense anymore?
I suppose one could dismiss all of this as mere pretext, the necessary plot elements to justify exciting set-piece, of which there are several. Unfortunately, the best one comes up front, with Cruise hanging off the side of a plane taking off from the runway. It’s a bold, can-we-top-this? gambit that overshadows the rest of the film; the following fight scenes, suspense scenes, and chase scenes (including a pretty nifty one on a motorcycle) are all good – but not that good.
With Cruise’s awesomeness blazing throughout the film, there is not much room for anyone else to shine. It’s nice to see Ving Rhames again, but I’ve already forgotten what if anything he contributed. Jeremy Renner cements his position as Hollywood’s top also-ran, treading water while waiting for the producers to spin him off into a Bourne-like sequel. Rebecca Ferguson is supposed to be amazing, but she’s just okay – good enough to play second fiddle, but no threat to the star. Alec Baldwin somehow manages to make his CIA prick fun to watch even before his change of heart (he’s basically Ralph Fiennes from SKYFALL).
In spite of my qualms I did find Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation reasonably diverting, and the ending even managed to build up a fair share of tension (though why I should have doubted that Cruise’s awesomeness would prevail, I don’t know). Maybe my expectations were too high. Its predecessor, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, supplied some actual thrills (for once, the danger seemed real rather than pretend), and I was expecting more of the same – an expectation seemingly confirmed by wildly enthusiastic reviews (93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).
Sadly, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation winds up seeming a bit like someone who tells you he’s funny instead of telling you a joke. The film insistently harps on Cruise’s awesomeness, without fully achieving awesomeness itself.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (July 31, 2015). Directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie, from a story by McQuarrie and Drew Pearce, based on the television series by Bruce Geller. With: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Simon McBurney, Jingchu Zhang, Tom Hollander, Jens Hulten, Alec Bladwin. In IMAX 3D. PG-13. 131 mins.
Movies, Reviews
Christopher McQuarrie, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION, Mission: Impossible, spy-fi, Tom Cruise
Bond 23 is 'Skyfall'
Via the Press Release:
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23rd James Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL.
The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007.
The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th 2012 and in North America on November 9th 2012.
Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.
In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
“We’re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig. We’ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure,” said Wilson and Broccoli.
The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes. The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead.
The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale.
Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director.
Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.
Movies, News
007, Daniel Craig, Ian Fleming, James Bond, Judi Dench, SKYFALL, spy-fi
Tom Powers No Comments
The CW's 'Secret Circle'
The CW announced its Fall schedule, with just one new genre show, the “teenage witch” drama THE SECRET CIRCLE.
THE SECRET CIRCLE will join THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on THURSDAYS, while spy-fi series NIKITA will take the departed SMALLVILLE’s Friday 8:00 PM slot, before the returning SUPERNATURAL.
THE SECRET CIRCLE – “Cassie Blake was a happy, normal teenage girl – until her mother Amelia dies in what appears to be a tragic accidental fire. Orphaned and deeply saddened, Cassie moves in with her warm and loving grandmother Jane in the beautiful small town of Chance Harbor, Washington — the town her mother left so many years before—where the residents seem to know more about Cassie than she does about herself.
As Cassie gets to know her high school classmates, including sweet-natured Diana and her handsome boyfriend Adam, brooding loner Nick, mean-girl Faye and her sidekick Melissa, strange and frightening things begin to happen. When her new friends explain that they are all descended from powerful witches, and they’ve been waiting for Cassie to join them and complete a new generation of the Secret Circle, Cassie refuses to believe them—until Adam shows her how to unlock her incredible magical powers. But it’s not until Cassie discovers a message from her mother in an old leather-bound book of spells hidden in her mother’s childhood bedroom, that she understands her true and dangerous destiny.
What Cassie and the others don’t yet know is that darker powers are at play, powers that might be linked to the adults in the town, including Diana’s father and Faye’s mother—and that Cassie’s mother’s death might not have been an accident.
The series stars Britt Robertson as Cassie Blake, Thomas Dekker as Adam Conant, Gale Harold as Charles Meade, Phoebe Tonkin as Fay Chamberlain, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Melissa, Shelley Hennig as Diana Meade, Louis Hunter as Nick, Ashley Crow as Jane Blake and Natasha Henstridge as Dawn Chamberlain.
Based upon the book series by L.J. Smith (author of The Vampire Diaries book series), THE SECRET CIRCLE is from Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Scream, Dawson’s Creek), Andrew Miller (Imaginary Bitches), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo. Elizabeth Craft (The Vampire Diaries, Lie to Me) & Sarah Fain (The Vampire Diaries, Lie to Me) were executive producers on the pilot which was directed by Liz Friedlander (The Vampire Diaries, 90210).”
News, Television
CBS Television Studios, Kevin Williamson, L.J. Smith, spy-fi, SUPERNATURAL, The CW, THE SECRET CIRCLE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, Warner Brothers Television, witches
NBC's 'Chuck' Gets Reprieve
According to Deadline.com, NBC is going to give borderline SF/spy action-comedy CHUCK a 13-episode committment for next season. The show has been regarded a “bubble” series, meaning it’s survival is always in question, for the past two years.
The article also speculates that the peacock network’s sci-fi tinged drama THE EVENT will NOT be renewed. Never seen it, haven’t met anyone who watches regularly, and nothing about the promos ever made me included to tune in, so I’m not surprised.
Then again quite a number of genre shows I have no interest in seeing thrive, so what do I know?
CHUCK, NBC, spy-fi, THE EVENT
'The Event' Premieres Tonight -Teaser
From NBC. COM:
“THE EVENT is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter, “The Class”), an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila (Sarah Roemer, “Disturbia”), and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.
Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including newly elected U.S. President Elias Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, “In Treatment”); Sophia Maguire (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes, “ER”), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Leila’s shadowy father (Scott Patterson, “Gilmore Girls”). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.
Ian Anthony Dale (“Daybreak”), Clifton Collins, Jr. (“Star Trek”), Taylor Cole (“The Violent Kind”), Lisa Vidal (“The Division”), Bill Smitrovich (“The Practice”), and Emmy winner Željko Ivanek (“Damages”) also star in the ensemble drama.
THE EVENT is a production of Universal Media Studios and Steve Stark Productions. Evan Katz (“24”) serves as executive producer/showrunner; Steve Stark (“Medium,” “Facing Kate”) serves as executive producer; Jeffrey Reiner (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” “Trauma”) is director/executive producer; and Nick Wauters (“The 4400,” “Eureka”) is creator/co-executive producer.”
Science Fiction or not? Probably, but in a mininal way.
THE EVENT - Cast
News, Trailers
DISTURBIA, NBC, spy-fi, THE EVENT
CHUCK Season 4 Premiere – Trailer
CHUCK returns with it’s season 4 premiere “Chuck vs. The Anniversary” TONIGHT at 8/7c on NBC.
“Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Morgan (Joshua Gomez) go on a rogue globe-spanning mission to find Chuck’s mom (Linda Hamilton).
Meanwhile, Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey (Adam Baldwin) follow a trail to Russia as they investigate the mysterious Volkoff Industries and its operative, Marco (Dolph Lundgren).
Back at home, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) delivers big news to her family.”
Click for Larger
It’s nice to see Linda Hamilton (THE TERMINATOR, BEAUTY & THE BEAST) back on television.
CHUCK airs Mondays at 8:00 pm/7 Central on NBC.
News, Television, Trailers
CHUCK, Linda Hamilton, NBC, spy-fi, THE TERMINATOR
Never Say Never Again (1983) – Blu-ray Review
Much was made in 1983 of the return of Sean Connery to the role of James Bond, in spite of the fact that Roger Moore’s most recent outings had been spectacular financial successes. But the outer space extravagance of Moonraker in 1979 had set many Bond fans pining for the simpler days of the Connery era, and television showings of the older films proved increasingly popular. Eon (the official Bond production company) responded, and the next film, 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, was a noticeably scaled-back effort; even so, the nostalgia for Connery’s films continued to grow. The demand was there – but not just anyone can make a James Bond film, right?
In the late ’50s (before the Bond films were even a gleam in Eon’s eyes), producer Kevin McClory and writer Jack Whittingham worked with Ian Fleming on a series of story treatments for a proposed film series based on the Bond charcter but not on the Bond books. The films never materialzed, but Fleming later published as Thunderball. The problem was that the author apparently used numerous story elements (including Blofeld and Spectre) from the treatments developed with McClory-Whittingham, who were understandably peeved. Years of legal battles followed with the end result not only that the aggrieved parties received their due credit on future editions of the book (“based on a screen treatment by K. McClory, J. Whittingham and the author”), but also that McClory held onto theatrical rights to the story – which is why McClory is credited as producer of 1964’s THUNDERBALL, which is “presented by” the usual Bond producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry J. Saltzman. Almost two decades later, American producer Jack Schwartzman acquired those rights and made Connery – in the midst of a pre-Untouchables career slump – a handsome offer, and a new title was taken from a remark made by Connery’s wife after he pledged never to play Bond again.
The biggest problem with NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN proved to be a tough hurdle – the fact that it had already been made. Even though Thunderball is lauded as part of the ‘classic Connery package’, it’s always been one of the more problematic Bond films. NEVER SAY NEVER AGAINdoesn’t so much fix them as swap them out – the ridiculous plastic surgery gambit is replaced by the equally silly ‘implant a duplicate of the President’s cornea’ routine, and underwater action is just as dull as it had been 20 years ago. Fortunately, the remake manages to come through with an absolutely first rate supporting cast, including Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo, Max von Sydow as Blofeld, Bernie Casey as Felix Leiter, and the Jackal himself, Edward Fox as ‘M’. On the feminine side, a fabulously young Kim Basinger makes an early appearance alongside one of our favorite ’80s vixens, Barbara Carrera (still looking great in the accompanying featurette).
This cast would be a treat in any film, but they brighten up the Bond universe considerably. Austrian-born Brandauer was fresh from his art house triumph in Mephisto and contributes what is likely the most deeply layered performance in the entire Bond series and presents more than a match for Connery, then in his early 50s and in enviable physical shape. NEVER SAY NEVER AGAINis solidly directed by Irvin Kershner – a hot ticket after The Empire Strikes Back, though best remembered by this reviewer for his superb 1977 television docudrama Raid on Entebbe. He allows the cast room to breathe and inhabit their roles (something that many “official” Bond films have forgotten) but also has a tendency towards flat lighting and stiff staging that can occasionally feel like an expensive TV film (the SPECTRE board meeting is a particularly haphazard affair, almost as if the set hadn’t been finished in time and they were forced to make do at the last minute). Kershner also manages to unobtrusively cater the film to Connery’s advanced age, keeping the actor’s action sequences grounded in the realm of the physically conceivable. Other aspects, however, like the grating disco-jazz Michel Legrand score and some regrettable fashion choices have dated the film badly. We remember the way films in the Eon series used Ken Adam’s sets and Derek Meddings’ miniatures to create a sense of the spectacular, while NSNA is content to be Remo Williams in a tuxedo.
The vagaries of corporate library acquisition have brought the home video rights for NEVER SAY NEVER AGAINback to MGM (the longtime home of Eon Productions) who are releasing the title on Blu-Ray in a cross promotion with Quantum of Solace , and the 3rd volume of “official series” HD releases. The image itself is quite nice after a shaky opening credit sequence (likely because of the opticals used to add the titles to the screen). The picture looks good, with Douglas Slocombe’s unaffected lighting turning out rather crisply and without any obvious filtering.
We were also surprised by the number of extras present, including “The Big Gamble,” a refreshingly honest documentary on the film’s difficult production history. In this regard, it’s a pleasant respite from the docus on the “official” Bond films that only feature stories that utilize keywords like “honored”, “thrilled”, and “professional”. The late producer Jack Schwartzman (father of Jason and husband of Talia Shire) was really just an attorney who spotted the legal loophole that allowed for a remake of Thunderball outside of Eon’s auspices, and was unprepared for the complexities of shooting a film on this scale. We especially enjoyed listening to the un-credited writers bemoan the addition of the execrable theme song to the otherwise well done opening gag.
There is also a commentary track featuring Kershner and Bond expert (and former Cinefantastique contributor) Steven Jay Rubin who has his hands full keeping the director from lapsing into describe-what’s-onscreen mode. Other featurettes include “Bond is Back,” focusing on Connery’s return to the role and “The Girls of Never Say Never Again, “which is self-explanatory. But our favorite extra has got to be the theatrical trailer – it’s a howler, reeking of Cannon Films ballyhoo at best and high-rent early ’80s porn at worst.
Blu-ray, Movies, Reviews
1983, James Bond, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, spy-fi
Drew Fitzpatrick 1 Comment
Quantum of Solace – Blu-Ray Review
At a scant 106min, QUANTUM OF SOLACE is the shortest Bond film of the official Eon Production line, and the shortest in history after the made-for-television Casino Royale in 1954. Not that length matters (!), but it is a testament to the extent that series producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are willing to go to offer the public a suitably stripped-down and streamlined Bond experience.
In fact, QUANTUM removes so many of the historic bells and whistles of the character that there’s little left but a re-cast 4th entry in the Jason Bourne franchise (even the clever titles that spell out the location in various fonts are done in the same style as The Bourne Ultimatum). That’s not meant as an insult, just an expression of personal preference. We grew up in the 70s and our Bond was Roger Moore; his cocked eyebrow and knowing wink went down perfectly for younger viewers who never knew that the movies needed to be taken so deadly seriously. Moore knew the source of his appeal, and never worked quite as hard as Sean Connery to sell the increasingly outsized productions that surrounded the character from Thunderball onward. In fact, Moore’s patented performance style hadn’t changed much since his tenure as Simon Templar in The Saint – the role which initially brought him to the attention of the Bond producers – and this child of the “me decade” still hotly disputes any pejorative remarks about Moore’s interpretation of the character (interestingly, television commitments kept him out of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in much the same way it prevented Pierce Brosnan’s Bond debut in The Living Daylights).
After Brosnan left the series (if that’s the story you believe) we were not at all thrilled with talk of the need to “re-imagine” Bond for the 21st Century – taking away the gadgets, the women, the drinking, and making James Bond into something more closely resembling an MI6 agent existing in the real world. Advance word that Daniel Craig (effective, if a bit miscast in the superb Munich) had a personal abhorrence for guns didn’t bode well, either, but like almost everyone else we were gobsmacked by 2006’s Casino Royale, a risky reboot for the series that jettisoned many beloved artifacts in favor of a more serious tone (Casino Royale is actually the third adaptation of Fleming’s story, after the aforementioned, and forgettable, television version, and the 1967 psychedelic hootenanny that must been seen to be believed). Realizing that all but the most ludicrous high-tech gadgetry elicit scarcely more than a yawn from contemporary audiences, the producers eliminated Q branch altogether, forcing Bond to use his wits and fists (and the ubiquitous GPS tracker) and making Craig easily the most physically agile Bond in history. Though digital assists abound, they are well hidden; gone are too-obvious stunt doubles of yore, replaced by an actor who seems genuinely capable of performing the demanding stunts on display. Villains were retooled as well, no longer dwelling in undersea superstructures or hollowed-out volcanoes and plotting the extinction of the human race; they now sold realistic weapons to realistic terrorists. All in all, it was a staggering transformation, not unlike walking into your grandfather’s garage expecting to see a Rolls Royce only to be greeted by a BMW concept car.
2008’s QUANTUM OF SOLACE picks up just a few moments after Casino ended, with the enigmatic Mr. White in custody and about to be rigorously questioned by Bond (Craig) and M (the suddenly indispensable Judi Dench), when a traitor reveals himself and allows White to escape. Records found in the traitor’s flat lead Bond to Haiti where he finds Dominic Greene (Craig’s Munich co-star, the very Polanski-looking Mathieu Amalric), who is chairman of an ecological group, Greene Planet – which is, of course, a front for a global organization called Quantum, specializing in terror, assassination, blackmail, and even the toppling of governments. It’s a deal for the latter that Greene is currently negotiating – aiding a Bolivian general’s proposed junta in exchange for a seemingly worthless patch of land in the middle of the Bolivian desert. While spying on Greene, Bond also eyes his mistress, Camille (Olga Kurylenko), whose family had been murdered by the general years earlier. Greene attempts to give Camille to the general as part of their deal, but she is rescued by Bond, who then follows Greene to Austria for a clandestine meeting of the Quantum group held during a performance of Tosca, where Bond learns that its membership reaches high into his own government.
This above plot sketch only really covers the film’s first half and even then I’ve omitted the return of Bond confidants Felix Leiter (again played by the great Jeffrey Wright, who really ought to be given more to do), Rene Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini, always welcome), and this installment’s “disposable” Bond girl, Strawberry Fields (Gemma Arterton), whose name and ultimate fate nicely bookend with an earlier film in the series. A major complaint from critics was that the film was difficult to follow, owing to its short running time and overstuffed plot, though we found no such difficulty.
However, it is true that at 106 minutes the film feels ‘paired down to essentials’ to the point that it almost stops feeling like a Bond film at all. Casino Royale ran nearly a half hour longer, yet actually felt shorter as the story had room to breathe. By comparison, viewing QUANTUM can feel like watching a film with the remote control in the hands of an impatient male teen who fast-forwards through all the “slow bits”. The first 20 minutes alone feature more choreographed fights, major stuntwork and effects than comparable action films fit in by the halfway mark.
Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko
Anyone seeking a replay of the unusually touching relationship between Bond and Vesper Lynd won’t find it here, as we found Kurylenko a significantly less interesting presence than Eva Green (as, it would appear, does Craig). Fortunately, the action sequences are spectacular – particularly a brutal chase and shootout in the opening section – and several of the locations (including the staging of the Quantum shareholders meeting and the spectacular eco-hotel in the middle of the Bolivian desert used for the film’s climax) are truly memorable. We don’t know what in director Marc Forster’s resume (which runs a narrow gamut from Monster’s Ball to Stranger Than Fiction) made him seem ideal for an action-heavy Bond picture, particularly one where the emotional content has been so greatly reduced from its predecessor It could be said that the director’s chair on a Bond film is the most sought-after second unit job in all the world, but that might sound crass, so we won’t. The show works just fine, and Forster deserves the credit.
The apparent measure of success for QUANTUM OF SOLACE is to have the character of James Bond work in the new millennium – to turn him from an outdated avatar of the martini & Playboy era into a living, breathing, and marketable commodity for today, and there’s no question that this has been accomplished. The viewer is left to decide for themselves how much of the series’ essence can be paired away before all that remains is just one more expensive– albeit effective – action picture.
The MGM/UA Blu-Ray is as sharp and detailed as we’ve come to expect from a major release. We saw the film at NYC’s greatest standing movie palace, the Ziegfeld Theater, and the disc faithfully reproduces that immersive experience. The image has retained some grain, which matches the Bourne-ish shooting style, and should please the DNR watchdogs out there. The DTS HD Master Audio is a nicely aggressive mix, the type that had this reviewer flipping through Crutchfield catalogs and wondering if it might be time to upgrade the sound system – it is one of the best sounding discs we have ever heard. The extras are of the EPK variety; interesting, but anyone who watched any of the making-of featurettes on television prior to the film’s release will notice a feeling of déjà-vu. All are, rather thoughtfully, presented in HD:
“Another Way to Die” Music Video
Bond on Location featurette
Start of Shooting featurette
On Location featurette
Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase’ featurette
Director Marc Forster’ featurette
The Music’ featurette
Theatrical and Teaser trailers
No crystal ball is required to tell that a more deluxe edition will arrive in time to promote the 23rd Bond film, but the previous Blu-Ray versions of Casino Royale seemed virtually identical to this reviewer, so don’t get caught unnecessarily double dipping.
DVD, Movies, Reviews
James Bond, spy-fi
Drew Fitzpatrick No Comments
World is Not Enough (1999) – Film & DVD Review
The James Bond films have not been `films` since FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. Or, to put it more precisely, they have become `James Bond films,` a sort of genre unto itself with a well-established formula and a level of audience expectation that cannot be ignored without peril. Elements like credibility and drama take a back seat to exotic locations, beautiful women, clever quips, fast-paced action, exciting stunts, lavish sets, and elaborate effects. While movie audiences eat this up with each new entry in the series, the Bond purists, those who remember the character as he appeared in Ian Fleming`s novels, yearn for a return to a more serious Bond. Not that the novels were without their outrageous elements (come on, 007 fought a giant squid in the novel of DR. NO), but Fleming captured a sense of gritty reality amidst all the glamour. In fact, it was this sense of continual danger that was at the core of the books. As Timothy Dalton was fond of pointing out, Bond`s vices (smoking, drinking, women) were an oasis from his everyday reality. This was a man who could die any day, at any moment, so he took his pleasures where he found them.
In the films, these elements, which had been for Bond a mere respite, became instead the true focus of attention. Especially during the Roger Moore era, Bond became a fantasy of what a secret agent would be: an infallible, good-looking superhero who never got his hair mussed, always won the fights, and never seemed in real danger (although Moore did perfect a comic grimace he used whenever faced with a supposedly imposing enemy, such as Richard Kiel`s Jaws).
Of course, Sean Connery had shown that it was possible to play this character as if it were the real thing. Maybe the actor wasn`t exactly what Fleming had in mind, but he did sell the character to the audience. Although he was ever ready with a quip, his sense of humor somehow never attacked the integrity of the film itself: while you were watching, you were in that world, and your suspension of disbelief remained in place.
With Dalton, fans got a return to a hard-edged, serious Bond. Unfortunately, the actor was ill-served by his films, especially LICENCE TO KILL, which was, theoretically, designed as a showcase for his interpretation of the character. What emerged from that debacle, however, was an abject lesson in how resistant the series had become to change. While we were supposed to take the film seriously, the same outrageous stunts and action intruded at regular intervals (in the film`s low point, the incredibility of Bond`s actions actually becomes a plot point, making the villain distrust the henchman relating the events). While we are supposed to be thrilled by the personal vendetta between Bond and Sanchez (an excellent Robert Davi), that element is all but eclipsed by a closing chase scene that replaces the actors with stunt men and abandons drama for action.
Sadly, Dalton never got another chance to make the role his own. Instead, after a six year gap, we got Pierce Brosnan as a new Bond for the `90s. What immediately became apparent in GOLDENEYE was that Brosnan, despite his REMINGTON STEELE background, was not going to play the lethal secret agent like a walking self-parody. Unlike Dalton, he imbued his Bond with humor, but unlike Moore, he wasn`t reluctant to explore the serious side of the character. In effect, he tried to combine the best elements of Moore and Dalton, creating a new version of 007 that in some ways harkened back to Connery.
TOMORROW NEVER DIES was a considerable improvement over GOLDENEYE. Somehow, the Bond elements clicked into place: great villain, great women, great action, great Bond. Yet somehow, in the build up to the release of THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, the previous film has become the whipping boy-dismissed as all action and no story-and WORLD has been presented as the antidote, a film that alters the traditional Bond formula by infusing it with greater drama and characterization.
Well, I`m here to tell you that it just ain`t so. The film tries very hard, and sometimes the effort pays off, but overall this is a compromised effort that recalls LICENCE TO KILL in the wrong way: it`s a film that tries to be different but lapses back into the same old, obligatory set pieces. This is really too bad. After all, both Connery and Moore hit their stride with their third outing as Bond (GOLDFINGER and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, respectively), and we had every reason to hope that the same would be true of Brosnan. As he has aged with each subsequent appearance, he has grown into the role: he has lost some of that boyish charm that threatened to make his Bond appear lightweight, and replaced it with a more seasoned sense of experience; in short, he`s starting to project the image of a man who`s been around the block a few times and knows where the bodies are buried.
Alas, this was not to be. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH begins with an excellent pre-credits sequence that works because it undermines our comfortable expectations. After an initial adventure and narrow escape, the film doesn`t cut to the credits but goes to the headquarters of MI6, which are violated with a deadly explosion that precipitates an exciting boat chase down the Thames. The assault on a setting we are used to seeing used only as a means for exposition (to set up the plot) creates a genuine surprise, and the boat chase works with only a few gimmicks, instead opting for visceral impact. The whole sequence is over-the-top in the best Bond manner: thrilling in a fun kind of way but not so absurd as to render its hero in cartoon superhero terms.
Things proceed well with the opening credits and theme song–a fine tune composed by David Arnold and performed by Garbage that recalls the classic Bond themes like `Goldfinger.` But then the movie proper starts, and the plot kicks in. The big mistake that follows is that the filmmakers obviously want to render a film with more dramatic impact, but they are afraid to sacrifice the traditional elements in order to achieve this. The result alternates between slow dialogue scenes and intrusive action scenes; worse, the two elements are often not well integrated. The worst example of this is the helicopter attack on the caviar factory. At a time when the films should be barreling headlong toward the rescue of M (Judi Dench), instead it stops for a set piece that in no way advances the story. Far more damning, it`s not such a great scene that it justifies its own existence. There are lots of shots of damage being inflicted, lots of shots of people running, but no sense of danger or suspense, no sense of narrative–of people gaining or losing the upper hand, or turning the tide against their attackers. The sequence might have been just tolerable if it had ended when Bond`s car launches a rocket that explodes the copter, but no–there is a second helicopter, allowing the sequence to drag on even further, to no real advantage.
The problem, clearly, is that Michael Apted is no action director, so he apparently lavished his attention on the character scenes and left the second-unit people to do what they wanted, whether or not it meshed with his work. What was really needed was an approach like that of James Cameron or John Woo, who know that action is character-how a character behaves under duress or in danger is as much a part of storytelling as what he says when alone with another person.
With the attempt at drama thus undercut, the film`s pace drags woefully in the middle. The attempt to play Electra King (Sophie Marceau) as a believable love interest (rather than just a sex object) is partially successful, but it never generates as much heat at Teri Hatcher`s role in TOMORROW NEVER DIES-and she had much less screen time, to boot. The film`s twist, that Electra is the real villain of the story, does work fairly well (at least it`s not obviously telegraphed), but we never understand her conviction that Bond won`t have the nerve to kill her. Certainly, we in the audience never believe he will hesitate, and when the big moment finally comes, Apted throws it away with a reaction shot to M, instead of focusing his camera in on the faces we want to see in this critical moment of life and death: Bond and Electra.
At least, Marceau is more than just beautiful; her accent and European looks are appropriately exotic for a Bond movie. The same cannot be said for Denise Richards. Sure, she is gorgeous enough to be a Bond woman, but in the middle of a film striving for greater characterization, her Dr. Christmas Jones is an underwritten tag-along character with little to distinguish her. Worse, she is saddled with unspeakable techno-babbble dialogue that recalls a bad episode of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. The result, sadly, provokes laughter in all the wrong places. Again, using TOMORROW NEVER DIES as a point of comparison, Michelle Yeoh managed to present herself as a worthy colleague to Bond, and her martial arts skills gave an added punch to the film. With Dr. Jones, we wonder why Bond is even dragging her along. (Yeah, I know, she`s supposed to diffuse the atomic bomb, but Bond knows how to do that himself-or at least, he had learned by the time of OCTOPUSSY.)
Robert Carlyle pulls a few worthwhile moments of unexpected vulnerability out of the villainous Renard, but the character does not rank among Bond`s most memorable foes. Carlyle projects far more danger as the volatile barroom brawler in TRAINSPOTTING. Here, is almost subdued. This supposedly more realistic opponent simply lacks the larger-than-life flare that Jonathan Pryce brought to TOMORROW NEVER DIES.
The script has some good points. The dialogue is often witty, but for every clever line, there is at least one howler (like the film`s closing pun about Christmas coming more than once a year). At least Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese make the most of the traditional gadget scene. Llewelyn is in fine form, finally with someone else to play off of rather than just Bond; in fact, it`s fun to see Q and 007 have a third party as the target for jibes so that at last they can stop sparring with each other. The hints of surrogate father-son loyalty actually fill the screen with some genuine warmth. And Cleese, of course, is a scream as Q`s apprentice. He gets more laughs in a few minutes than are to be had in the rest of the film.
Okay, so THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH aims to achieve something more than its predecessor and trips up on its own ambition. Does that make it a bad Bond movie? No, despite the lags in pacing, the film does deliver the goods. There are delightful moments, some good set pieces, occasionally surprising plot twists; Maria Grazia Cucinotta is so good as the lethal lady in the opening sequence that we miss her presence throughout the rest of the film, and Brosnan giving a more mature performance as Bond. There is even an effective torture sequence that recalls the grueling sense of pain and fear that Fleming put into his books. But in every way, the film is inferior to its immediate predecessor. It may be good p.r. to present the new Bond film as a dramatic antidote to the all-action formula of previous Bonds, but the truth is that some of those action packed movies (including TOMORROW NEVER DIES) did generate genuine emotional responses, often much more effectively than the current film. More than anything, a Bond film should be fun, movie-going entertainment. This film indeed delivers the goods; it`s just bogged down in an attempt to do more that ultimately delivers less.
DVD DETAILS
The special edition DVD presents the film with a beautiful picture and great sound, complimented by excellent computer graphics animation for the menus, but the audio commentaries and supplemental material represent a big too much self-congratulatory back-patting for those of us who found the film unbalanced and occasionally frustrating, despite its many fine sequences.
Besides the film itself, you get the film’s trailer, a music video featuring Garbage performing the title tune, and a souvenir booklet featuring some interesting facts, such as the tidbit that the title (the Bond family motto) originated in Ian Fleming’s novel On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. There are also two audio commentaries, several behind-the scenes clips, and a “making of” documentary that is a fairly typical promo piece, featuring brief interviews with Pierce Brosnan and Desmond Llewelyn.
The audio commentaries and the behind-the-scenes clips, called the “Secrets of 007,” can be accessed through “special features” in the menu. The DVD offers the option of having the “Secrets” interrupt the film. During key sequences, a 007 logo flashes on the screen; pressing “Enter” on your remote control takes you to the extra footage, which is presented without narration or explanation. Sequences covered include the boat chase, the opening titles, the hologram, the missile silo, and the submarine finale. Basically, what you get is images from the film intercut with shots of cameras filming the action, plus occasional storyboards and even, in the helicopter sequence, earl CGI renderings superimposed onto the live action plates. Perhaps the most interesting vignette shows how Bond’s X-Ray glasses were achieved: actors were filmed first with regular costumes, then again with special costumes revealing the shapes of guns beneath translucent clothing; then the two were matted together.
If you’ve already seen the movie and don’t mind having it interrupted, these sequences are fairly entertaining if not all the informative; certainly, no secrets are revealed, unless you’re someone who knows nothing about how films are made. If you don’t want to interrupt the film, you can access these clips by clicking on them in special features. This is especially useful if you’ve already watched the film twice (once for each audio commentary) and don’t want to sit through it again just for the behind the scenes footage. Actually, I had both the second audio commentary and the behind-the-scenes function running simultaneously on my second viewing, which worked out fine, as often the commentary provided helpful behind the scenes information that was then illustrated by the extra film clips. The only real downside of this approach is that the last “Secret” is followed by credits for the behind-the-scenes footage—the one time that sitting through the extra scenes really impede the flow of watching the film.
The first audio track features director Michael Apted; the second one includes production designer Peter Lamont, action unit director Vic Armstrong, and composer David Arnold. Both tracks are filled with information that should be of interest to Bond fans, but they are not as lively and entertaining as they could have been, perhaps because everyone is too busy praising the film’s virtues. Sure, there’s a lot to be proud of on view, but would it hurt here and there to admit that maybe—just maybe—things could have turned out a little better? (The closest we get is Arnold’s admission that he felt dubious about the script attempts to generate sympathy for Renard, who—after all—is planning to blow up 8 million people.)
Michael Apted, in particular, is guilty of still talking about Denise Richards as if her casting were a real coup, and no one is willing to acknowledge that killing off Maria Grazia Cucinotta before the opening credits leaves the film with a gaping hole that neither Richards nor Sophie Marceau is able to fill. Apted also re-roasts the old chestnut about wanting the Bond girls to be more than merely decorative; apparently, he is unaware that this is said by almost every director and actress who has worked on the franchise, almost from its inception. Overall, this is definitely an instance when an interviewer might have improved things considerably by asking a few pertinent questions; as it is, David Arnold never even gets around to explaining why there’s a song on the soundtrack album that’s not in the film itself (“Only Myself to Blame”).
Okay, not to be too harsh, here’s a quick sampler of some of the good tidbits you’ll discover (and this only a sampler; there are many more to be gleaned from the disc itself): Maria Grazia originally auditioned for the role of Electra King, but when Michael Apted didn’t think her English was up to the demands of the role, she accepted the smaller role of the Cigar Girl assassin just for a chance to work in a Bond movie. During Bond’s fall down the dome after dropping off the balloon, in several takes the stunt man missed the rope he was supposed to grab; the film’s editor suggested leaving in one of the misses before cutting to a shot of the successful grab. Producer Michael G. Wilson makes his obligatory cameo during the casino scene. Arnold took advantage of the same sequence to compose what he calls “John Barry” type music, thinking that the location lent itself to the loungy jazz approach. Pierce Brosnan’s twitching head, just before he kills Renard, visually echoes Robert Carlyle’s own mannerism as the villain, who tends to shake just before perpetrating each new atrocity.
And most interesting of all, the boat chase down the Thames that gets the film off to such a great start was originally not intended to be part of the pre-credits sequence. After preview audiences found the original opening (Bond’s descent down a rope to escape an office) unspectacular in the action department, the credits were pushed back until after the attack on MI6 headquarters (including the explosion that kills Electra’s father); with so much material pushed up front, the chase had to be shorted to prevent the sequence from running too long.
In short if you loved this movie, then this disc is the way to own it; or, if you’re a hard-core Bond fan who must have every film in his personal collection, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re a casual viewer or one who was disappointed in the film itself, a rental of the disc will prove rewarding, but you won’t be disappointed when you have to return the DVD to the store.
One last complaint: Apparently, the audio commentaries were recorded before the death of the actor who has played Q since almost the beginning of the series, which goes almost totally unmentioned. Only at the very end, after the final credits have run, is there a suitable acknowledgment of his passing: “In Loving Memory of Desmond Llewelyn.” Certainly after such a long contribution to the films, his passing warranted more of a tribute than that.
NOTE: The original special edition DVD is now out of print. The title was re-issued, with new cover art, as part of one of the many James Bond box sets that have been released (usually to cash in on interest created by the release of a new film). At this time, the film was also released on DVD in a Two-Disc Ultimate Edition. You can find other DVD releases of the title in the Cinefantastique Online Store.
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999). Directed by Michael Apted. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Bruce Feirstein, story by Purvis & Wade, based on the character created by Ian Fleming. Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Denise RIchards, Robie Coltrane, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn, John CLeese, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Samantha Bond.
Copyright 1999 Steve Biodrowski
James Bond, spy-fi, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Get Smart (2008) – Film Review
By Steve Biodrowski
This comedy does not need to “Get Smart;” it issmart. The screenplay takes the familiar gags from the ’60s sci-fi spoof (the cone of silence, the shoe phone, Hymie, etc.) but instead of trotting them out and expecting us to laugh merely because we recognize them (think THE FLINTSTONES), writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember update and re-imagine the old jokes in a way that is fresh and new, creating an updated version of the material that stands on its own as a hip, contemporary comedy, not a lifeless museum piece recreation. (One of the film’s more sly gags is that CONTROL is now located behind the facade of a museum.)
Equally important, director Peter Segal – along with an assist from the cast and crew, of course – understands that the word “comedy” is a license to laugh, not a license to slack off. Unlike the recent genre of spoof movies (SUPERHERO MOVIE, EPIC MOVIE, etc), Read More
GET SMART, spy-fi
Steve Biodrowski 7 Comments
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5/17/97: Twenty years ago, Delma Cowart forced off the track in the Winston Open
PHOTO: Rubbin's Racin' Forums
On May 17, 1997, Delma Cowart finished last in the Winston Open at the Charlotte Motor Speedway when his #0 Masters Economy Inns Ford was disallowed without completing any of the 50 laps.
A “Clown Prince of Racing” in the tradition of Joe Weatherly, a man known to say “I never won a race, but I never lost a party,” the soft-spoken driver from Savannah, Georgia remains one of stock car racing’s most beloved veterans. Like Harry Gant, Cowart was – and remains – a practiced handyman, his expertise in building swimming pools and septic systems. By his own admission, Cowart got into racing in the 1970s just so he could make the best parties in Daytona Beach. “All my friends was going to Daytona,” he said in a recent interview, “and in order to get into the party, you had to own a race car, so I got one.” Sure enough, Cowart made those parties, and on at least one occasion played piano with the band.
Cowart’s first race car ran in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series, which at the time was transitioning into what is today the NASCAR XFINITY Series. In 1981, when Anheuser-Busch signed on as title sponsor of the new NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, Cowart considered his options going forward. Even with the sanctioning body’s new regulations that reduced the wheelbase for its Winston Cup cars, the price difference between a Busch and Cup car was relatively modest, just $3,000 to $5,000. So as the ’81 season ended, Cowart sold his Busch car and bought a Buick Regal. The listed owner was Heyward Grooms, who would later sponsor Cowart’s car through his company Heyward Grooms Construction.
Cowart chose car #0 from the start, and acquired sponsorship from hometown auto shop Coastal Transmissions to run at his home track in Atlanta. He then surprised the field by grabbing the 40th and final spot in the starting grid, outpacing seven other drivers who had raced earlier that season: Ronnie Sanders, Mike Alexander, Billie Harvey, Dick May, Bruce Hill, Bobby Wawak, and Bob Schacht (for Hill, who passed away this past week, the Atlanta race was his final Cup attempt). Even more impressive, Cowart finished a strong 18th, 13 laps down to race winner Neil Bonnett.
Over the next six seasons, Cowart ran no more than five races a year, each time competing on the fastest tracks in Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Daytona saw him improve his career-best finish with a 17th in the Firecracker 400, won by Bobby Allison. It was some vindication for the owner-driver, who from 1982 through 1997 entered the Twin 125-mile qualifiers every year, but only four times – 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1992 – did he qualify for the “Great American Race.” 1992’s 25th-place finish which secured him a spot in Richard Petty’s final 500 may have been one of his greatest accomplishments. Running near the tail end of the field, Cowart avoided a 13-car pileup on the backstretch, placing him 27th on Sunday’s grid. It was his first Cup start since 1987, and one of his last in a points race.
Now with sponsorship from Masters Economy Inns, which would back the H.L. Waters-owned white-and-green #0 for the rest of Cowart’s Cup career, the driver fought against the same long odds as other underfunded drivers. One particular challenge was getting engines, which required some bartering: “Back then, I got some engines from Junior Johnson,” said Cowart, “and the way I got them was I traded his engine builder a swimming pool for an engine. Junior wouldn’t sell to anybody who was running against him engines at that particular time. Of course, it’s changed drastically now. You got like only two – Chevrolet people build engines, Ford people build engines altogether – but back then, each team had their own independent engine builder and you couldn’t buy an engine unless you knew somebody.”
Competing on NASCAR’s fastest tracks also proved dangerous. During his Sportsman days in 1979, it was Cowart whose #09 Chevrolet Nova slammed full speed into the rear of Joe Frasson’s stopped #50 Mercury, triggering an explosive fireball that left Frasson with severe burns to his face. Frasson managed to climb from his car, but Don Williams, also involved in the wreck, lost his life. In 1988, Cowart again found himself surrounded by fire when he rear-ended J.D. McDuffie’s brand-new #70 Rumple Pontiac. Pinned against the outside wall by the crashing Ralph Jones, Cowart’s contact intensified an existing oil fire under the hood, leaving McDuffie with severe burns to his unprotected hands. Through it all, Cowart managed to keep his health – and his sense of humor – and was always back in Florida for another try at NASCAR’s biggest race.
By 1997, Cowart, now 55, had begun to turn his attention to ARCA, where he again ran his #0 on the superspeedways. His best finish in the series was a pair of 10th-place runs in 1991, which came at Talladega and the Texas World Speedway. In February, he’d run his 16th and final Twin 125, which he left with a damaged race car. On Lap 17, as the leaders lapped him in Turn 4, Cowart lost control and slid into 3rd-place Geoffrey Bodine, sending both cars spinning into the grass. Cowart hit the inside wall flush with the driver’s side, leaving him last in the race and out of the 500 field. It was the latest in a series of frustrations. In ’97, Cowart hadn’t made a start in a Cup points race since July 26, 1992, when he ran 37th of 40 in the DieHard 500 at Talladega. In a combined 80 career Cup entries (including the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994), he’d failed to qualify 59 times (including two withdrawals), and in the 21 he’d made, he failed to finish 13 of them.
May’s running of the Winston Open was an opportunity for a much-needed pay day. He’d run the event just once before, finishing 25th in the 36-car field in 1996 (Brad Teague drove his car there in ’95), and was back to running the white-and-green Ford for his return in ’97. He would line up 30th in the 31-car field, one spot ahead of Ed Berrier in the #95 Feed The Children Chevrolet for longtime single-car team Sadler Brothers Racing. A 32nd entry, a #55 Ford fielded by Michael Waltrip and driven by Joe Ruttman, was withdrawn. As to what happened to Cowart that weekend, it’s best let the driver tell it, as he did years later on the Growing Bolder Radio Show:
“We went up there for the Winston Open, and they invited all the Winston Cup teams – it was just a money race, it wasn’t a points race, it wasn’t none of that. So we got there you know on time and everything, which is unusual for me, but we got there on time, got out on the race track about 10:30 that morning, wiped an engine out. Well, I had another engine in the truck, but the problem was I’d bought the engine from Rusty Wallace and he had Tilton(?) stuff for the clutch and the starter and all that stuff and I’d been running Quartermaster. . .
“. . .Make a long story short, them boys they worked all day to get it cranked, finally they got it cranked ‘bout time they said ‘Gentlemen, start your engines’ out on the race track. I cranked mine up in the garage area, pulled it out behind everybody, and made about five laps before they black-flagged me. But my theory is this: I went there to race, I worked, they worked all day to race, there wasn’t no way in the world I wasn’t gonna get in that car crank it up and try to race.”
Cowart wasn’t credited with completing any laps, and was classified last in the 31-car field with no share of the purse. TNN’s original broadcast indicates Cowart was on the track coming to the green flag, but fell to the rear on the backstretch and pulled onto pit road just as the race started.
30th went to Gary Bradberry, whose #19 Child Support Recovery International Ford suffered a vibration after 16 laps (the car owned by TriStar Motorsports, who currently fields Cole Whitt’s #72 Chevrolet in Cup). 18th went to owner-driver Brett Bodine, handling woes to blame on his #11 Close Call Calling Card Ford. Out the same lap in 17th was Robby Gordon, then attempting his first full season for car owner Felix Sabates. Rounding out the Bottom Five was Dave Marcis, who prior to the green made an unscheduled stop in his #71 RealTree Chevrolet along with Morgan Shepherd.
Cowart never entered or attempted another Cup race, though he did try to enter one more ARCA superspeedway event, coming up short of a spot in October 11, 1997 race at Talladega. His non-entry to the 1998 Daytona 500 marked the first time he didn’t start the Twin 125s since 1981. As of his interview for Growing Bolder, Cowart had returned to Savannah, Georgia, and is still working on swimming pools and septic systems. For more on Cowart, be sure to click the links in my “Sources” list below for Growing Bolder’s excellent interviews.
*This remains the first and only last-place finish for the #0 in the Open event prior to the All-Star Race. The number has also finished last in 19 Cup Series points races, but none since Cowart’s oil leak after 38 laps of the 1985 Daytona 500. For all his challenges, that was Cowart’s only last-place finish in a Cup points race. His other three came in exhibitions (1986, 1997 Twin 125s, 1997 Winston Open).
*As of this writing, the only other last-place finisher in any of NASCAR’s top three divisions (points or exhibition) to be listed as “disallowed” was John Andretti during the 2000 Budweiser Shootout. Unlike Cowart, Andretti was “disallowed” by the Petty team’s longstanding non-participation in the Pole Award program.
31) #0-Delma Cowart / 0 laps / disallowed
30) #19-Gary Bradberry / 16 laps / vibration
29) #11-Brett Bodine / 27 laps / handling
28) #40-Robby Gordon / 27 laps / clutch
27) #71-Dave Marcis / 32 laps / engine
*1997 Gatorade Twin 125s, CBS
*1997 Winston Open, TNN
*Growing Bolder Radio Show: Delma Cowart
*Growing Bolder Radio Show: One of a Kind
*Racing-reference.info
*Ultimate Racing History
Posted by Brock Beard at 12:01 AM
Preliminary Entry List Storylines: Dover
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XFINITY: Stephen Leicht – XFINITY race winner and ...
5/30/76: Terry Ryan’s journey from Iowa short trac...
Preliminary Entry List Storylines: Charlotte
CUP: Matt Kenseth’s All-Star last-place finish by ...
CUP: Corey LaJoie leads brief appearance by BK Rac...
TRUCKS: Todd Peck drives Copp truck for Mittler to...
5/17/97: Twenty years ago, Delma Cowart forced off...
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CUP: Ryan Newman last in wild Kansas race; Carl Lo...
TRUCKS: Stewart Friesen scores first Truck Series ...
3/1/92: John McFadden’s “grocery getting” a lesser...
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XFINITY: Ray Black, Jr. out early at Talladega; la...
9/28/03: Larry Foyt’s rough rookie season culminat...
Preliminary Entry List Storylines: Talladega
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Workstream, a platform for deskless work, raises $10 million to serve local businesses
Deskless workers make up 80% of the global workforce, but to Desmond Lim, that job title is his entire world. Lim grew up in Singapore and saw his father wake up every morning, six days a week, at 5 a.m. to start his job as a driver. Lim and his mom, who worked as a […]
Deskless workers make up 80% of the global workforce, but to Desmond Lim, that job title is his entire world.
Lim grew up in Singapore and saw his father wake up every morning, six days a week, at 5 a.m. to start his job as a driver. Lim and his mom, who worked as a cleaner, joined his father from time to time in the van. Lim realized there needed to be an easier way for hourly, or deskless, workers to find jobs quickly.
Lim is the founder of Workstream, an end-to-end software solution to help small-and-medium businesses fill open positions. Today, the startup announced it has raised a $10 million Series A round, bringing its total known financing to $12.5 million.
The Bay Area-based company’s core customer is hiring managers in industries that have large turnover, like hospitality, restaurant, supermarket and delivery businesses.
Workstream automates a lot of the processes that usually take place over the span of a few weeks. The company says its technology can help businesses save 70% time on hiring. It also adds transparency, so instead of a job-seeker walking into a Target, filling out an application and hoping for the best, it provides a platform to make conversation between seekers and employers more accessible.
There are two parts to Workstream’s product. First, job-seekers can turn to the platform for the entire job searching process, from open gigs to onboarding once they secure the job. A free one-stop shop to look for reliable jobs tackles the challenges Lim’s father faced back in Singapore. The job seeker dashboard also has built-in reminders to make sure users can stay on top of interviewing.
The other part of Workstream’s business tackles the employer side. Businesses with high employee churn struggle to find reliable talent that doesn’t ghost on them. An employer can post to as many as 24 local job boards with one click, as they are integrated with Workstream. Workstream helps employers communicate more directly with potential hires through real-time messaging, video conference integration and text message reminders about topics like interview timing and paperwork.
A critical feature of Workstream is that it focuses on communication with workers through text messages instead of e-mails. Front-line and deskless workers are often the most disconnected members of the global job force due to a lack of access to company-issued e-mail addresses, and to be frank, time on their hands. Individuals who are spending long stretches of time on the go need to give real-time updates in a low-tech and inclusive way. The digital divide is real, and Workstream’s focus on mobile-based text messages can get employees hired within the same day.
An example of this in action is that anytime an applicant applies for a job, they get a text message from the employer that has additional information. The text might include background in culture or additional questions in the form of multiple choice. Questions are tailored specifically for the busy and often stacked lives of hourly workers, focusing on metrics like distance from work and ability to access reliable transportation.
The company charges employers a fee based on how many hires they make per year and what features they choose to enroll in.
While Workstream is entering the crowded space of recruiting platforms, it might be able to win simply because of its focus: local businesses. The company noted that many hiring platforms coming out of Silicon Valley are built for knowledge workers, like Lever or X. In contrast, Workstream’s focus on local businesses is tailored an inch wide and a mile deep. Ethos-wise, it is a nod to Lim’s childhood spending hours in his father’s van.
Local businesses are not dealing with as many customers right now due to shelter-in-place orders due to COVID-19. Because small and medium-sized businesses have more time on their hands, Lim says they have been more open during client calls to try new software, contactless hiring and video messaging. The startup currently has 5,000 hiring managers it works with, including franchise businesses like Jamba Juice and Dunkin’ Donuts. The company is finding inbound interest from medical and manufacturing companies, too.
“We’re getting a lot fewer people saying that they don’t know how to use video conferencing,” Lim said. “They’re rethinking their systems.”
These factors helped the company, which landed an impressive group of investors and closed the round before the pandemic slowed funding.
The latest round was led by Founders Fund and Basis Set Ventures. Other investors include Affirm CEO Max Levchin, DoorDash CEO Tony Xu, Lattice CEO Jack Altman and Lucidchart CEO Karl Sun. Workstream also attracted dollars from a number of former and current leaders at companies like Slack, Brex, Airbnb, Instacart, Pinterest and more.
While stacked rounds have their ups and downs, an all-star group of firms is a helpful credit to have for founders who don’t necessarily come from traditional Silicon Valley networks, like Lim.
The company did not disclose valuation, revenue or profitability with this new financing round, but said investors have been telling the startup to spend more money and reinvest in growth.
The advice is a stark contrast to what we’ve been hearing from investors these days amid market turbulence and pleas to extend the runway. And perhaps that means that Workstream’s business can afford to bet on itself, the market be damned.
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MSU partners with renowned Stratford Festival
Michigan State University and Wharton Center for Performing Arts have formed a partnership with North America’s largest classical repertory theatre, the internationally renowned Stratford Festival of Canada. A series of annual teaching and performing residencies in East Lansing provide students and community members with opportunities to meet professional theatre artists, gain insight into the creative process and explore the works of classic playwrights through master classes and lecture-demonstrations.
The Stratford Festival residency expands on Wharton Center’s tradition of offering a diverse array of educational opportunities to enhance the understanding and appreciation of performing arts.
During the series of residencies, the first of which took place in late October and early November 2006, teaching artists from the Stratford Festival were integrated into classrooms of several different colleges to discuss topics from the classic works of Shakespeare including historical/cultural perspectives of plays, methods of staged interpretations and careers in theatre. During the most recent residency, MSU Department of Theatre students had extensive opportunities to learn about and experience stage combat, set design and theme/voice coaching. Additionally, community members enjoyed opportunities to experience Stratford through staged readings and public lectures, including a discussion with award-winning director Richard Monette, as part of the World View Lecture Series.
Some actors visiting MSU this year include Graham Abbey, Sean Arbuckle, Don Carrier, Laura Condlln, Keira Loughran, Sara Topham, Nicolas Van Burek, Jeffrey Wetsch and set designer John Pennoyer. The actors currently are in productions such as “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Don Juan,” “Coriolanus,” “Henry IV, Part 1,” “London Assurance,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Duchess of Malfi,” “The Liar,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and “Ghosts.”
The artist-in-residency program in 2008 will offer MSU students and community a chance to interact and learn from some of the theatre’s most talented actors. Events include an additional discussion with Richard Monette, panel discussions with the actors and readings of new Canadian scene work with the actors.
MSU’s artist-in-residency program with the Stratford Festival of Canada works in partnership with the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the College of Arts and Letters, the Department of English, the Department of Theatre, the English Language Center, the College of Education, the MSU Honors College, James Madison College, and the Residential College in Arts and Humanities.
Kent Love, Wharton Center
E-mail: loveke@msu.edu
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FW 190F-8/R1 emergency landed near Brande 5/5 1945.
The aircraft belonged to I./ SG 151 ? and was coded Weisse 44.
T/o Grove ? Op: Flight back home to Germany ?
Two aircrafts approached Grarup outside Brande from the north when one of these apparently got problems and belly landed the FW 190 at approx. 08:00 hrs. The landing became a bit bumpy as the chosen field had a ditch crossing it. The pilot hit his head on the instrument panel and passed out. The other aircraft circled the area a couple of times and then continued towards south.
Mathias Mathiasen who lived on a farm just east of the field ran over to the aircraft and got the pilot out of the FW 190. When the pilot came to again, Mathias took him to the farm.
When the pilot was settled in the house, he complained about his private belongings that was still in the plane. The daughter and daughter in law of the house was instructed where to find his belongings and walked over to the FW 190. The items should be found in a bag behind a panel on the left had side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. When they reached the aircraft, a number of Danes was already there and the bag had disappeared.
When they told the pilot about it, he was sorry because there had been some personal papers in the back as well a dagger of honour presented to him when he had flown against the Russians in Finland. Detective Constable Hougaard who was the head of the resistance movement in Brande was called for and he conficiscated the pilots pistol and called the German garrison in Brande and asked them to pick the pilot up.
What happened to him afterwards is not known.
The FW 190 was left in the field until summer. And quite a few local people liberated parts from it before it was finally scrapped.
It should be remembered that the German capitulation in Holland, Northern Germany and Denmark took place at 08:00 hrs on the morning of 5/5 1945.
Sources: Newspaper: Vejle Amts Folkeblad 6/5-45, Maciej Goralczyk.
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A List of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Organizations and Independent Media Outlets You Can Support
In the wake of the U.S. election there is a lot of asking, “what can I do?”
Before we attempt to find any answer to that question, we have to first take responsibility for our inaction. “What can I do?” is not a question to be posed merely in the wake of tragedy or in the midst of a crisis, it is a question we must ask ourselves every single day. In fact, every single day we vote with our words and actions. We can volunteer. We can make a meal. We can challenge a sexist statement. We can stand up for what is right.
This is a website about food, but I would like it to be a website that tackles issues of race, gender, social inequity through the lens of food. Food can unite us, bring us together. It can be our common ground. We should be fighting for a more sustainable, just food system every day, but right now, that feels even more important.
Food is tied to a multitude of issues: worker rights, health, immigration, environment, social justice, equality. Without farmworkers, there is no food on our plate. With a destroyed planet, there is no food on our plate. We must fight for the rights of people who raise our food and the planet that we grow it on.
There are many organizations and independent media organizations out there working hard to improve the food system, tackling everything from environmental to social issues. There are numerous actions that we can take, but donating to these organizations and independent media outlets that are helping to drive these issues forward is a good start.
Since we’re about to head into holiday mode, I challenge you to consider making a contribution in the name of a more equal, just and sustainable world. This is just the tip of the iceberg; research organizations doing work in your region, there are plenty of opportunities to donate and volunteer.
Center for Science in the Public Interest is a national public interest group which works to protect human health and the environment. They are behind many of the campaigns to keep junk food out of schools, improve food safety laws and reduce the consumption of soda and other sweetened drinks.
Civil Eats is a daily, independent news source devoted to critical thought about the American food system and how to change it.
EarthJustice is the largest nonprofit environmental law organization, tackling issues like pesticides, fracking and the ocean ecosystem.
Edible Communities publishes local food publications around the country.
Food and Water Watch is an organization dedicated to healthy food and clean water for all. The organizations stands “up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.”
Farm Labor Organizing Committee is dedicated to giving farmworkers a voice as well as addressing industry issues, working both in the United States and Mexico.
Food First was founded in 1975 by Joseph Collins and Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet. Since then they have continued to work to end injustices that cause hunger, publishing articles, books and research on the root causes of hunger and empowering individuals to build local movements.
Grist is an online media outlet devoted to independent environmental journalism.
Mother Jones is a reader-supported nonprofit news education, doing independent and investigative reporting on a variety of important issues, including food.
National Family Farm Coalition supports fair prices, local jobs and fresh food by representing family farms and rural groups.
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
National Young Farmers Coalition is dedicated to representing and mobilizing young farmers, supporting independent family farms and sustainable farming practices.
Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network works to provide education and training to small-scale underserved farmers and their communities on the best practices for creating sustainable and economically viable agricultural projects and programs.
Union of Concerned Scientists tackles some of the world’s most pressing issues with science-based solutions, including transforming our food system.
Women Food & Ag Network is a network of women farmers promoting sustainable and community agriculture structures that ensure ecological and social justice for all.
Yes Magazine is an advertising-free publication that focuses on creating a healthy planet and vibrant communities, giving a powerful voice to people making change.
Spicy Cauliflower and Carrot Soup with Pumpkin Seed Dukkah
Food is Caring (+ a Recipe for Pumpkin Oatmeal Pudding)
Strawberry Cardamom Cordial
Sliced Rye and Almond Pepparkakor
A Podcast About Food, Race, Class and Gender: Q&A with Soleil Ho of Racist Sandwich
Addressing Gender Norms and Sexual Orientation Through Food: An Interview with L.M. Zoller of I’ll Make it Myself
Using Food to Change the Thanksgiving Narrative
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24 november • Overig Wiskunde
Risk has been one of the most beloved board games since its release more than sixty years ago. With this classic board game, a fun evening with your friends or family can soon turn into an hours-long war where alliances are forged, troops are lost and battles are won. This family game has brought a lot of joy as well as quarrels and has produced many victors over the years. But what exactly is the best way to conquer the world? Is there a way to ensure your victory? In this article I will analyze the game of Risk from a mathematical point of view focusing on two main game elements: the battles decided by the roll of the dice and the occupation of different continents.
Risk is a game of chance and strategy. One can win by conquering territories and by doing so, destroying the armies of your opponents. Since its release, there have been many versions and adaptations of the game, but the basic rules have stayed the same. The map is divided into 6 continents and 42 territories as shown below. Players may attack adjacent territories, as well as the territories separated by water but connected by a red line (additionally Alaska and Kamchatka are also connected). At the beginning of the game, the territories are divided among the players and the players decide how to position their armies. Once a player has his or her turn, they can choose to receive new troops to reinforce their army (the number of which is determined by their current armies on the board). Or a player can choose to attack another player by trowing with the dice, after which their opponent has the opportunity to defend themselves. The final stage of a player’s turn is the troop movement stage, where a player is allowed to move some of his armies to different territories.
Source: Garrett Robinson / MIT
Being victorious in Risk is a combination of luck and strategy. The most important task to win the game is of course to conquer territories from other players. This is done using dice, which makes it very accessible for statistical analysis. When a player attacks another player, he can choose to throw with one, two, or three dice depending on the number of troops used for the attack. In his turn, the defender is allowed to use one or two dice, also depending on the number of troops at the current territory. The attacker must throw first, after which the defender can choose how many dice they want to throw. To decide which army loses the battle, the players compare the highest die rolled by each. If the attackers die is higher, the defender loses one army from the territory under attack. If each player rolled more than one die, they also compare the two next-highest dice and repeat the process. In case of an equal throw, the defender is the winner.
Source: UltraBoardGames
Battles between two players
In a paper by professor Jason A. Osborne, he analyzes the stochastic progress of a battle between two players for any of the 42 territories using a Markov Chain. His analysis is as follows. Let us denote the number of attacking armies prior to the battle by , and the number of defending armies by . Consequently the state after the roll of the dice is denoted by . Since the state at time is completely determined by its predecessor, we have a Markov Chain:
The states of this Markov process can be ordered. All states where both and are positive are transient states. Thus the probability that, starting in state , the process will ever reenter state is smaller than . However, the states where either or are absorbing, once these states are entered they are never left again. Naturally, this is the case since in such states the battle is over, and either the defender has lost all its armies in the corresponding territory or the attacker has lost all armies they used to attack the desired territory. The corresponding probability matrix can be given by
where is the matrix containing the probabilities of going from one transient state to another, and is the matrix containing the probabilities of going from a transient state into an absorbing state. Now, let denote the probability that the defender loses armies when rolling dice against an attacker rolling dice, e.g. is the probability that the defender loses zero armies when trowing with two dice against the attacker who throws with three dice. There are only 14 of such probabilities, which can be seen in the table displaying the probabilities which make up the probability transition matrix. We denote the unordered outcome when rolling three dice by , and the unordered outcome when rolling two dice by . In general, denote the outcomes of the rolls of the attacker, while the and represent the outcomes of the rolls of the defender. For the roll of a dice we have of course a discrete uniform distribution with possible integers values from 1 until 6:
To calculate the probabilities in the transition matrix we use the ordered statistics of the outcomes such that and e.g. represents the highest die of the throw, the second to highest throw, and to lowest of the three.
When rolling three dice we have,
While when rolling two dice, we obtain
We can use these joint distributions to calculate the the transition probabilities. For example, we would calculate , the probability that the defender loses zero armies when trowing with two dice against the attacker who throws with three dice, by
Similarly, the other probabilities can be calculated, which are shown in the table below:
However, in most cases, the battle won’t be over after one throw of the dice. A series of throws is performed until either one of the players has lost all their armies, or the attacker decides to cease the attack due to unforeseen losses. Thus, Osborne continues his analysis. Let
denote the probability that the first and thus last visit from a transient state to an absorbing state is in turns. Let denote the matrix containing these transition probabilities. The total probability that the system goes from transient state to absorbing state is simply the sum of the probabilities for each , e.g. . And similarly we find
a matrix of the form . If the system ends in one of the last absorbing states from this matrix then the attacker wins, but if the system ends in one of the first absorbing states, the defender wins. Then if we let the initial state of the battle again be defined by the number of attacking armies and the number of defending armies, i.e. , we find
And hence we find the following probabilities:
Source: Jason Osbourne / NCSU
Which continent?
However, one cannot win a game of Risk by only focusing on single battles. To become victorious you also need a strategy with regards to which territories and thus which continents you are going to invade. This is because, at the beginning of each turn, a player receives a bonus for each complete continent they possess. When a player completely occupies one continent, they are rewarded in the form of extra troops, depending on the specific continent. The following figure depicts each continent more clearly, including its vulnerabilities such as the number of entries and the number of territories where a continent can be entered.
Source: Garret Robinson/MIT
An overview of this information is given in the table below:
From the table, one can see that Europe receives by far the highest bonus per territory, namely bonus per territory. While Africa, Australia, and South America have the lowest bonus per territory of . However, the number of territories might not be as important as it may seem. A successful strategy in Risk is not just about ensuring that you get the maximum bonus per territory, it’s also about minimizing the probability that your opponents invade one of your territories. Thus the ratio of armies rewarded per number of entries in a continent, and even more important, the ratio of armies rewarded per number of border territories should be an important determinant of your strategy. And of course, as any experienced Risk player might already expect, we see that Australia has the highest ratios in both categories, with only one entry and one border territory rewarded with a bonus of two troops. It also becomes evident that Europe might not be as strategic as the bonus over the number of territories ratio indicated. It also follows that, in general, North America will be relatively easy to defend, compared to other continents with a high bonus. While the most difficult to defend continents, relative to their bonus, are in fact Africa and South America.
The winning strategy
Of course, there is not one specific strategy to win in a game of Risk. Your chances are highly dependent on the choices and strategies of your opponents, and naturally also your luck when it comes to rolling the dice. There are, however, some strategic moves that will significantly increase your chances of winning the game. In general, when you try to take a continent make sure you have enough troops to hold the continent for another round until it is your turn again and you can reinforce your troops. Otherwise, the chance is high that other players will recognize your weak position and will attack. And also remember that troops that are placed within a continent are useless. Furthermore, your best chances to win a single battle are when you as an attacker have three dice, while your opponent only has one. Thus, at the beginning of the game, establishing your stronghold at territories where your opponents have a weak position will enlarge your chances at gaining the continent while ensuring the fewest casualties. With regards to continents, as expected, try to occupy Australia, since the bonus per border territory ratio is most favorable. On the other hand, Europe gives the highest bonus per territory, but comes at a larger risk, since many of Europe’s territories are border territories. Hence another safe choice, with a relatively high bonus and promising ratios, is North America. From our analysis, it also became visible, that as the number of armies increases, the probability that the attacker wins also increases. Osborne also depicts this in the following figure:
Source: Jason Osborne/NCSU
When you and your opponent both have five armies or higher, the attacker already has a slight advantage. Also, when the difference in armies equals two or more, the chances of winning an attack are significantly large that it is worth a try in most cases. Finally, in a “standard” game, where the attacker has three dice and the defender has two, the attacker also has a slight advantage. Thus, next time when you play a game of Risk with your friends or family, remember these tips, and completely annihilate your opponents.
Osborne, J. A. (2003). Markov Chains for the RISK Board Game Revisited. Mathematics Magazine, 76(2), 129.
Robinson, G. (n/a). The Strategy of Risk. MIT, https://web.mit.edu/sp.268/www/risk.pdf
This article is written by Fenna Beentjes
vorigeThe price of a COVID-free society
volgende Black Friday
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The EU Humanitarian Admission Scheme for Syrian Refugees in Turkey
Laura Robbins-Wright
PhD Candidate in Government, London School of Economics and Political Science
On 15 December 2015, the European Commission published a recommendation concerning a humanitarian admission scheme for Syrian refugees in Turkey. The recommendation follows a June 2015 decision to implement an intra-EU relocation programme and a scheme of resettlement from third countries. The document also builds on an action plan released in October 2015 and a more recent decision to provide €3 billion for a Refugee Facility that will “coordinate and streamline” the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees in Turkey. The recommendation calls for a “rapid, efficient and voluntary scheme” for the “orderly, safe and dignified arrival” of these individuals.
Three aspects of the recommendation stand out and merit further analysis. First, the Commission noted the importance of demonstrating solidarity with Turkey since the country hosts more than 2.2 million Syrian refugees at present. However, though Turkey hosts the largest absolute number of Syrian refugees, Jordan and Lebanon bear the greatest (relative) responsibility for these refugees. Indeed, whereas Syrian refugees comprise approximately 3 per cent of the total population of Turkey, they make up roughly 10 percent of the population of Jordan and more than 20 per cent of the population of Lebanon. Nevertheless, the recommendation to offer humanitarian admission to refugees from Turkey is perhaps to be expected given that the EU shares a border with Turkey and thousands of refugees have attempted the perilous journey across the Aegean into Greece. Furthermore, Turkey is a candidate for accession to the EU, while Jordan and Lebanon are simply considered to be part of the broader ‘European neighbourhood.’ Though negotiations on Turkish accession opened in 2005 and have proceeded slowly since then, the European Union and Turkey may be in the process of forging a new and more cooperative relationship in migration that could enhance refugee protection and “re-energize” these complex discussions.
Second, the recommendation also emphasises the voluntary nature of participation in the proposed scheme. The Commission indicated that all Member States, plus members of Schengen, are welcome to join the humanitarian admission programme. This approach is consistent with some of the previous intra-EU relocation efforts – namely EUREMA I and II. The decision to offer Member States a choice in participating in this programme is not especially surprising given the challenges the Commission faced in securing the agreement of some Member States on national quotas for the intra-EU relocation programme proposed last summer. In that context, recent media reports indicate that EU Migration Commissioner Dimitri Avromopoulos has acknowledged that “relocation does not work.” This statement is supported through data released on 20 January, 2015 which demonstrate that Member States pledged just over 4,200 places (as opposed to the Commission’s target of 160,000 places) and only 331 individuals have been relocated from Greece and Italy to date.
From a normative perspective, the desire to demonstrate international solidarity aligns with the principle of international cooperation outlined in the preamble to the 1951 Convention. However, this voluntary approach – combined with a clear lack of enthusiasm for the most recent relocation scheme – raises the age-old question of whether the European Union can truly achieve a cohesive approach to humanitarian protection.
Finally, the recommendation is notable for its strategic approach, as embodied in the desire to achieve a “sustainable reduction” in irregular migration from Turkey to the European Union. Since 2003, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has attempted to reframe resettlement as a strategic instrument for protection that emphasises the direct and indirect benefits of resettlement for refugees, host countries, receiving countries, and the international refugee protection regime. However, the organisation also recognised the importance of ensuring that such programmes do not create a “pull factor” for further migration. The UNHCR suggested that this can be achieved by establishing “clear and transparent” selection criteria. In this case, the Commission has proposed that only those who registered their presence with Turkish officials prior to 29 November, 2015 will be eligible for humanitarian admission. The Commission also recommends that participating countries assess why the individual fled Syria and examine their vulnerability and potential family ties within the European Union, among other criteria.
Though managing this humanitarian admission programme in a strategic manner could encourage Turkey to continue welcoming asylum seekers and also enable some Syrians to benefit from international protection, there are questions as to how Turkey will seek to manage ongoing arrivals. Furthermore, the UNHCR has noted that the decision to offer a durable solution to certain refugees can potentially create “bitterness and resentment” among ineligible groups, particularly in cases where these groups do not have access to effective protection in the host country. This raises questions about how the prospective decision to offer humanitarian protection to Syrian refugees will be perceived by the tens of thousands of Afghan, Iranian, and Iraqi refugees who have long resided in Turkey and may be obliged to wait up to 10 years for a decision on their respective applications for protection.
Though the recommendation offers clear operational guidelines, it does not indicate how many refugees can or should be offered protection through this proposed scheme. Instead, the Commission notes that the number of individuals offered admission should be determined according to UNHCR processing capacity, the number of displaced persons in Turkey, and the impact of efforts to reduce irregular migration to Turkey (a measure that has attracted criticism from the European Council on Refugees and Exiles). Furthermore, the Commission has recommended that participating Member States admit those granted subsidiary protection in an “equitable” manner. However, given the aforementioned challenges the Commission faced in securing Member State agreement on quotas for the intra-EU relocation programme, this could prove more difficult than anticipated. Overall, it remains unclear whether this humanitarian admission programme – if adopted – will have a meaningful impact on the substantial number of Syrian refugees residing in Turkey at present.
JHA4: chapter I:5
Photo credit: www.unhcr.org
Labels: asylum-seekers, Greece, refugee crisis, subsidiary protection, Syria, turkey, voluntary humanitarian admission
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Bargaining Chips No More: The Status of EU and UK citizens after Brexit
Today, the results of an inquiry into the status of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, set up by the NGO British Future, are released. I was a member of the panel of that inquiry, which sought to bring together supporters of both the Leave and the Remain side, from different political parties and from outside Parliament as well.
This blog post has three related objectives: a) to set out and defend the main recommendations of the inquiry regarding EU citizens in the UK after Brexit; b) to set out my own recommendations for what should happen to UK citizens in the EU after Brexit; and c) to discuss the idea (floated recently) of ‘associate citizenship’ of the EU for UK citizens after Brexit. Just to make clear, the second and third points were outside the remit of the British Future inquiry – but I think it makes sense to look at those issues in parallel today. Obviously, the comments here on the latter two points are mine alone, and my views on them are not necessarily shared by any of the other people on the panel.
Results of the Inquiry: Recommendations on EU citizens in the UK
The basic starting point of the inquiry is that EU citizens who were in the UK exercising rights on the basis of EU law before a cut-off date should retain their rights after Brexit. This was the explicit position of many senior people on the Leave side during the referendum campaign, and necessarily also reflects the views of those on the Remain side, who were advocating the continued application of EU free movement law to the UK.
It is also consistent with the international law principle of ‘acquired rights’ in international law. It’s unlikely that this principle could, by itself, ensure enforceable protection of specific individual rights in British law, for the reasons explained by Professor Douglas-Scott. However, the UK certainly ought to act to give practical effect to this principle. Equally, the proposal takes account of the barriers to expelling many EU citizens imposed by human rights law, discussed by Matthew White here.
Quite apart from legal considerations and political promises, it would give effect to basic ethical principles of humanity and fairness: it would be morally wrong to disrupt the lives of people who came to the UK legally and have contributed a great deal to it. Their anxiety and uncertainty about the future should be alleviated as soon as possible.
Our recommendation would in effect create a special ‘ex-EU’ status for EU citizens who were resident in the UK before the cut-off date. Those who were already entitled to permanent residence status as of the cut-off date would keep that status (or their entitlement to apply for it). Those who were resident in the UK as of the cut-off date, but who had not yet earned entitlement to permanent residence status could still obtain it over the next five years. Those who first arrive after the cut-off date would be entitled to invoke EU free movement law in the UK until Brexit Day, after which point they would switch to ‘ordinary’ UK immigration law status, whatever that might be. (It remains to be seen whether the EU and the UK negotiate some agreement on immigration issues, which might entail a preferential status falling short of free movement of people, after Brexit).
Ex-EU status for EU citizens in the UK would entail keeping all the same rights they would have had if the UK had stayed in the EU, in terms of access to employment and equal treatment. There are several advantages to this approach.
First of all, this approach would be easy to reciprocate on the EU side, for UK citizens living in the EU (more on that below). Secondly, it would be easier to administer: forcing all EU citizens in the UK to apply for a completely new distinctly British status would cost a fortune, and it would take years to process all the applications. Having said that, there will be some difficulties of implementation in practice, although some complications are unavoidable no matter what approach is taken to this issue. The report of the inquiry makes some detailed suggestions about how implementation could work.
Thirdly, the proposed approach would come with built-in legal clarity, since the rules governing EU free movement law are already the subject of EU legislation and many court judgments. Finally, it would be consistent with the government’s plans for a ‘Great Repeal Act’, which will keep EU law on the British statute book until Parliament (or, if given power, the executive) decides to amend or repeal it.
We chose a cut-off date of the official start of the process of leaving the EU. This is earlier than Brexit Day, on the basis that people that come after the notification date cannot expect to enjoy EU free movement rights in the UK indefinitely after Brexit Day. However, it is later than the referendum date, on the basis that EU citizens who arrived before the process of leaving the EU officially began should not be prejudiced.
Finally, why recommend that the UK act unilaterally, before the EU guarantees the status of UK citizens in the EU? Firstly, because of the principles of humanity and fairness discussed above: EU citizens in the UK should be regarded as ends and not means, and certainly not as bargaining chips. Secondly, because a principled position taken unilaterally by the UK could reduce the political tension on this issue, and make it easier to reach a bilateral agreement once talks start. If it adopts our recommendations as regards the position of EU citizens in UK law, the UK government could and should point out that it expects the EU side to agree to the same principles, particularly given that our recommendation would be easy for them to reciprocate.
UK citizens in the EU
So far, the EU has refused to negotiate on the status of EU and UK citizens post-Brexit, because the UK has not yet officially notified its intention to leave the EU. While it is unfortunate that negotiations have not already started, those who condemn the EU for its position but who also voted Leave should reflect that it was their vote that threatened the status of the people concerned in the first place.
Once Brexit negotiations begin, hopefully the negotiators will tackle this issue first and aim to reach early agreement on it, so that the people affected can make firm decisions about their future and administrations can prepare to implement the rules in practice. In principle, it should be easy to reach agreement, if both sides aim for a reciprocal ‘ex-EU’ status. Since the issue logically falls within the scope of Article 50 TEU, as an issue to be agreed as part of the Brexit process, it should not be necessary to get unanimous agreement of Member States or to subject the deal to national ratification by Member States (the Article 50 deal can be approved by a qualified majority of Member States in the EU Council).
As I suggested on the day after the referendum, it would be best to have rules in the withdrawal treaty on this issue which are legally binding, define the exact scope of the rule, can be supplemented by further joint measures if needed, and must be fully applied in further detail in national law. I suggested some wording for the Article 50 treaty (now amended to make clear that non-EU family members of UK and EU citizens are covered):
1. Any citizens of the UK residing in the EU as of [Brexit Day] and their family members, and any EU citizens residing in the UK as of that date and their family members, shall retain any rights which they acquired pursuant to EU free movement law before that date. They shall also continue to acquire rights which were in the process of acquisition as of that date.
2. The parties shall give full effect to this principle in EU or national law, as the case may be.
3. The EU/UK Joint Committee may adopt further measures to implement this rule.
The British Future report describes how the UK could implement such a legal obligation in its law. The EU side could best implement its corresponding legal obligation in the form of a short Regulation or Directive setting out general rules on ex-EU status, making consequential amendments to other EU laws. Later EU laws can then cross-refer to this basic law and/or the Article 50 deal.
Associate EU citizenship
Another issue much discussed in recent weeks is the idea of ‘associate citizenship’ for UK citizens in the EU post-Brexit. Presumably this would be offered not only to UK citizens in EU, but to other UK citizens too. It was first suggested by a Luxembourg MEP, and since then has been promoted by Guy Verhofstadt, who represents the European Parliament (EP) during Brexit talks.
There’s a lot of unpicking to do here. First of all, the UK press has described Verhofstadt as an ‘EU negotiator’ who will make this idea part of his ‘negotiating mandate’. But neither part of this statement is true. Verhofstadt does not ‘negotiate’ on behalf of the entire EU; he may well not even end up ‘negotiating’ on behalf of the EP. Article 50 TEU leaves it up to the EU Council (Member States’ ministers) to decide who negotiates, and they usually choose to designate the Commission (subject to a negotiating mandate from the Council) to negotiate with non-EU States. The Council might choose to designate itself as negotiator. It’s entirely unprecedented for it to designate the EP as negotiator, and there’s no reason to think it would start now.
The actual role for the EP is its power of consent (veto) over the final Article 50 treaty, as discussed further by Darren Harvey here. So Verhofstadt – if he has support from a majority of MEPs – could threaten a veto at the end of the process unless one of the EP’s demands are met. That’s significant, but not the same thing as being a negotiator.
The second big issue to unpick is the status of EU citizenship. Whenever it’s mentioned, a phalanx of keyboard warriors take to social media to argue ‘There's no such thing as EU citizenship, because the EU is not a State’. This is clearly false, as Article 9 TEU shows:
In all its activities, the Union shall observe the principle of the equality of its citizens, who shall receive equal attention from its institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. Every national of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall be additional to and not replace national citizenship.
So EU citizenship exists despite the EU not being a State (note that the ECJ has confirmed that the EU is not a State). However, that citizenship can only be obtained by means of holding citizenship of an EU Member State. It therefore seems obvious that UK citizens will lose EU citizenship after Brexit (unless they have dual nationality of an EU Member State), although some contest this interpretation.
It follows that ‘associate citizenship’ for UK citizens after Brexit is a new idea that would have to be established by way of Treaty amendment, entailing ratification by all Member States. Another route to this end would be for some or all Member States to agree formally or informally to offer their citizenship to UK citizens. Either route would give the full panoply of EU citizenship rights (free movement, voting, consular representation) to UK citizens. But equally either scenario sounds incredibly fanciful.
A simpler way forward is to aim to retain only some of the rights of EU citizenship for UK citizens – namely the free movement rights. Most of these rights could indeed be retained by adoption of an EU immigration law extending them to UK citizens, perhaps by means of a special ‘ex-EU’ status for all UK citizens, not just those living in the EU on Brexit Day. By way of exception, an EU immigration law could not address the issue of UK citizens entering the EU post-Brexit to work, since Article 79(5) TFEU leaves that issue up to Member States. However, a group of Member States could agree common rules on that between themselves.
Thirdly, as noted already, there’s nothing to ‘negotiate’ here – at least between the EU and the UK. All these scenarios are unilateral – the EU and its Member States can decide on what they want to offer to UK citizens (if anything) without approval from the UK – just as some UK citizens already have (or can obtain) dual citizenship of Ireland or other Member States. Of course, Member States may be unwilling to go down this road without some form of reciprocity from the UK, and the UK might be unwilling to offer that; but that is a purely political matter.
Next, what role does Verhofstadt actually have as a ‘negotiator’ here? Not much. Since any unilateral decision by the EU would not be negotiated with the UK (and Verhofstadt will not be ‘negotiating’ the Article 50 deal anyway), and the EP cannot directly force the other EU institutions or Member States to consider the idea of associate citizenship (in whatever form), there would be no explicit role for the EP unless the Commission tabled EU legislation. So it’s not clear why Verhofstadt makes a big fuss about this issue.
Maybe he simply wants the attention. That’s an understandable trait in a politician. However, there’s something not only cynical, but a little bit cruel, in raising false hopes. Unless Verhofstadt clarifies his objective and presents a plan for achieving it, he risks a backlash.
Finally, at least a few Leave supporters seem upset by this associate EU citizenship idea – although conversely some Leavers seem perfectly relaxed about it. But frankly, so what? If the EU made a unilateral offer to individual UK citizens, how could the UK government stop them accepting it? Even if the UK banned dual citizenship in general, or dual EU/UK citizenship in particular, the EU could still offer EU citizenship to UK citizens who were willing to denounce their UK citizenship to obtain it. If the UK then passed a law banning people from denouncing their UK citizenship to this end, there is no legal reason why the EU should recognise the effect of that law. If the UK then persecuted anyone who purported to denounce UK citizenship, those people could seek asylum in the EU.
Any Leavers who are really angry about the idea of UK citizens getting EU citizenship would be better off instead spending some time trying to understand why some of their fellow UK citizens value their EU citizenship so highly – and why all UK citizens should honour this country’s long history of respecting those with different points of view.
Barnard & Peers: chapter 13, chapter 27
Photo credit: timeshighereducation.com
Labels: associate citizenship, Brexit, British expatriates, British Future, dual citizens, EU citizenship, free movement of persons, Gisela Stuart, Guy Verhofstadt
Steve Green 11 December 2016 at 22:23
Some points.
Role of EP> I think you don't take into account the no standard trilogue way of operating in Brussels post TEU/TFEU. As Brexit is in effect a co-decision there will be a trilogue set up of the three institutions. The aim is to ensure not major Council/EP differences. EP will set up a Brexit committee which gather its thoughts. the trilogue meetings will be the venue for settling differences between Seeuws for the Council, Barnier for the EC and Verhofstadt for EP.
2. UK govt needs to say that it will continue the S1 payments for eligible British state pensioners in Eu27. Without this they will lose their residence rights under existing EU Decision on free movement as non-economic residents. They need to show adequate income and comprehensive health cover. Hence the S1 system. Few British state pensioners in EU27 could afford private health insurance. Of course would not be on offer for those who move to EU27 after Brexit day or even you harsher Art50 cut off day. This in effect kills the "retire in the sun" for many Brits after 2017 or 2019.
3. UK also needs to push several MS to offer their nationality to qualifying Brits and to allow them to keep their British nationality. Several including Spain do not allow dual nationality for Brits.
Steve Peers 11 December 2016 at 23:17
Thanks for your comments. 1 Trilogues apply to EU legislation (ie if there were a proposal for special status for UK citizens in the EU), but do not apply to international treaty negotiations. 2 Agreed - 'ex-EU' status for UK citizens in the EU also has a UK dimension, although the inquiry only covered EU citizens in the UK. But 'retire in the sun' is over anyway for UK citizens heading to the EU for the first time after 2019, unless the UK agrees a deal with the EU to cover this. 3 That would be nice but I can't see what leverage the UK has there without making concessions on something.
Kris von Habsburg 12 December 2016 at 00:02
Probably the direction it will go. Not due to the recommendations but since these are already announced political stances. Although the risks are in getting to agree. Even though there may be certain acquired rights and a moral high ground the reality is that many politicians simply don't consider that. Their purpose is the outcome no matter what (I should say "who") and/or safeguarding against loss of votes. History shows us that in these situations the (moral) rights of the few are often neglected. We all know we should have certain rights, that is not the issue... the issue is how far right politicians and society are willing to go in their misguided endeavour. In that they can write/create any law they want, ignoring all decency, fairness and morals. That is the danger. How far are they willing, or pushed by the momentum, to go. Later you'll get "ich habe das nicht gewusst".
Ngo Chun Luk 12 December 2016 at 01:22
Great analysis. I'm just not sure if the idea of 'associate citizenship' is feasible within the current EU framework. Of course, you could see it as individual MS or the EU adopting a privileged immigration regime for UK citizens. But this 'status' would be frail and nowhere near comparable to the EU citizenship that UK citizens (would no longer) possess. Anything more than that, however, seems to contradict the (text and) spirit of Article 18 TFEU, which explicitly links EU citizenship to MS nationalities. An 'associate citizenship' would seem, IMO, to be moving towards a true 'EU nationality' separate from MS nationalities.
Just as an aside, is there any particular reason that, in your proposed provision to the Article 50 treaty, that you chose 'Brexit day' as the cut-off date? It seems a bit contradictory to your earlier statement of taking the 'Brexit notification day' as the cut-off date, given that after said date, EU citizens could not legitimately expect to keep their rights as EU citizens in the UK.
Thanks for your comments. I don't think 'associate citizenship' is that frail compared to other non-EU citizens - if you're comparing it with EU citizenship it might be a different conclusion. On the cut-off date you're right, I was sticking with my initial proposal, not the British Future cut-off date - which the panel recommended as a compromise based on what it thought the UK government and public opinion could accept.
Very interesting analysis. I wonder what can happen to Eu citizens who are also British nationals. Especially regarding the rights of their family members who are EU citizens only. Many thanks for your attention. Laura
Thanks. Do you mean a) people who are dual citizens of the UK and another Member State, or b) people who are UK citizens only, given that the UK is part of the EU for now? If the family members are EU citizens then they can obtain EU citizen status (and ultimately permanent residence status) in their own name if they are working or self-sufficient; the case law says that self-sufficient includes people who have been supported by family members.
Thanks for your king answer, Mr Peers. I'm Italian and also a British national. My mother is Italian and failed the "habitual residence test" after 9 months she was living here, exactly when I became a British Citizen., because I was no longer a an EEA citizen. We changelled the DWP and lost the First Tier Tribunal appeal. I support her and she has a tiny State Italian Pension. We will try with the Upper Tribunal. Thanks for your valuable opinion. Laura
Blogulec 12 December 2016 at 10:24
Unstable internal policy of the EU - from the UK or not - is a gateway to the Chinese economy. America has vast country, Australia is huge, Asia has several major countries and especially labor. Only Europe is still divided into small states, whose people continue to fight each other. The ideal situation for the "Asian tigers". If from the start, the EU was one nationality for citizens of accession countries - which is not dominant design for better and worse - then no one would feel worse. Too many people in the EU are considered to be worse than others. UK as a country with colonial traditions should lead by example, he can merge the nations and form a coherent policy. I think in the last decade did not go too well the British politicians on the world stage.
I do not want to offend anyone.
Take a bow! The suggestion that Britain should colonise the remaining EU perfectly sums up 2016!
Hi Steve, very interesting article.
Your article doesn't mention what will happen to those non-eu family members of Brtish Citizens who return to the UK after exercising treaty rights in another member state aka Surinder Singh.
Will their non-eu family members be able to complete the 5 year period to obtain permanent residence under EU rules providing the British Citizen returns to the UK before the cut-off date? After all a returning British Citizen is classed as a proxy EEA national.
This category of people should also be covered by the general 'ex-EU' status and the cut-off date. Logically this would apply by means of them coming back before the cut-off date (in the British Future suggestion) or before Brexit Day (in my suggested solution for the Article 50 deal).
The UK is a party to the EEA Agreement.
The EEA Agreement is a mixed agreement and part of EU-Law.
Acquired rights are dealt with in the EEA Agreement – see further below.
The UK would have to withdraw from the EEA Agreement in a simultaneous process with its witdrawal from the EU, as membership of the EEA is reserved for EU Member States and for EFTA Member States.
Acquired rights are dealt with in the EEA Agreement in the context of the EEA decision making procedure by which new EEA relevant acquis is Incorporated into the EEA Agreement in order to maintain the “homogeneity” between EEA Law (i.a. the EEA Agreement) and EU Law. In case there is failure to reach an agreement in the EEA Joint Committee, which is the joint decision taking body under the EEA Agreement, (see Article 102 EEA) then, under certain conditions, provisional suspension of the relevant part of the EEA Agreement may occur.
In an Agreed Minute to the EEA Agreement acquired rights are, in a situation of provisional suspension, given protection jointly by all the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement. This protection could serve as a starting point for negotiations on protection for “acquired rights” during negotiations on UK withdrawal from the EU and the EEA.
The Agreed Minute in question is contained in the Final Act to the EEA Agreement “Agreed Minute Ad Article 102 (6) EEA” and lists the following examples of acquired rights:
– a suspension relating to free movement of workers will not affect the right of a worker to remain in a Contracting Party he had moved to before the rules were suspended,
– a suspension relating to freedom of establishment will not affect the rights of a Company in a Contracting Party in which it had established itself before the rules were suspended,
– a suspension in relation to Investment, e.g. in real estate, will not affect Investments made before the date of suspension,
– a suspension relating to procurement will not affect the execution of a contract awarded before the suspension,
– a suspension relating to the recognition of a diploma will not affect the right of a holder of such a diploma to continue his Professional activities thereunder in a Contracting Party not having awarded the diploma.
For further reading see the book;
EEA Law, A Commentary on the EEA Agreement, Fritzes, 1993, pages 143 – 146.
ISBN 91-38-92200-2, Norberg, Høkborg, Johansson, Eliasson, Dedichen.
Lucien Dedichen
Steve Peers 5 January 2017 at 05:29
Thanks for this comment. This would indeed be a good text to use as a starting point, although it would probably be necessary to refer to other groups (the future status of workers' children, for instance) and specify some more details. The EEA provision would not apply as such to Brexit since it is a different process to that regulated by Article 102 EEA.
Dr Michael Ward 19 January 2017 at 13:05
I find a number of arguments here confusing:
Assuming some or all EU citizens in the UK *are* allowed to stay they will have to be issued with papers/stamps by the Home Office (an organization devoted to being as obstructive as possible http://badreason99.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/sorry-this-is-about-home-office-and.html) and the Home Office will have to check that everyone meets the criteria that have been set. Three million times over. In 2 years. I don't see how "Ex-EU" status is going to help.
Also, there isn't really symmetry with the plight of UK citizens in the EU. The EU has limited powers to tell its members how to treat non-EU citizens within their own borders (though some rules are common). So a "bilateral" agreement isn't really possible. Is it?
Or have I misunderstood.
Steve Peers 19 January 2017 at 13:29
On the second point, see my reply to Simon Gardner's comments in this recent blog post: http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/brexit-prime-minister-sets-wrong-course.html
As I suggest there, the issue is within the scope of Article 50, but in any event your assertion as to limited EU powers relating to non-EU citizens isn't correct. There are a number of EU laws on various aspects of immigration and asylum for non-EU citizens, and the only power ruled out by the Treaties is the power to decide on the number of labour migrants coming from non-EU countries. (And given that Member States vote on EU laws in the Council it's odd to refer to the EU 'telling' its members to do things).
Is it such a huge assumption that EU citizens *are* allowed to stay? As long as the UK has the Human Rights Act and the ECHR there are legal barriers to mass deportations, plus it's not the policy of anyone except an extreme fringe. No reason for the Home Office to check everyone - for those with permanent residence already there's no need to check them again. The two year period is indeed unrealistic in respect of the number remaining, but note the Prime Minister's recent speech referred to an 'implementation' phase during which more of this work could be done.
What about the EU citizens who have been here, sometimes for decades, as have I, and have not exercised our treaties rights? This is something we (I) never knew until now. I know ignorance of the law is no excuse, so am asking for your opinion as to our right to stay. If we don't qualify, will we be asked to leave? Or will we be refused a permanent residency card which might mean that our access to GP, hospital, bank will be curtailed? Or that a new employer will refuse to hire us on the basis of not being a lawful resident? Or that we will not be able to get back in the country, should we leave for a short period of time? Many thanks for taking the time to consider my question.
Steve Peers 7 February 2017 at 12:47
Thanks, this is a good question that affects a lot of people. For those who have been here as a spouse or partner without being employed or self-employed at all, who have not obtained comprehensive sickness insurance, there is a possible problem. If the government waives the CSI requirement, that should solve the problem for many, in if EU law is also still 'kept running' for those here before Brexit Day or another cut-off date, as detailed above. If the government doesn't waive that requirement then there could be problems - not in terms of deportations (as long as the Human Rights Act and the ECHR apply, anyway) but the other issues you mention. But even on that point the Home Office has been wrongly sending out deportation notices already.
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959 views 4 likes 0 comments
FIM Speedway Grand Prix 15 Available Now
FIM Speedway Grand Prix 15, the long-awaited, realistic speedway simulator, developed by Softplanet Studios under license from BSI Speedway Limited, has been launched today.
Speedway is one of the most unique motor sports with supporters across the globe. The sport sees competitors racing on unique motorbike setups – namely with tremendous power and no brakes. The latest game focuses on the most important and prestigious speedway competitions – The Grand Prix, which determines the Individual World Champion. This title was created by SoftPlanet Studios and produced under license by BSI Speedway Limited, so players will find all the stadiums and riders from the 2015 season – with stars such as Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock, Jaroslaw Hampel and Nicki Pedersen.
In FIM Speedway Grand Prix 15 the player will need to show his skills and tactics in the fight for the title of World Champion. The game includes two driving modes: arcade for beginners and simulation, where the player has control over rider’s body balance. FIM Speedway Grand Prix 15 is reflecting the nuances of the sport that can decide who wins the race, such as dynamically changing track surface that creates zones of better and worse grip.
During races players will hear the renowned and well regarded speedway commentator – Nigel Pearson. The game includes a multiplayer mode which allows online racing for 2-4 players simultaneously.
The game is available as of 1st of December 2015 on PC for $24.99, while Australian fans can expect a release later in December on this platform, as soon as the age rating is approved locally.
Gaming News, Video Game Trailers
Gaming NewsVideo Game Trailers
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Appice Premiere New Song "Monsters And Heroes" Featuring Paul Shortino
You're unlikely to find a phenomenon like Carmine and Vinny Appice a second time in the history of rock music. For more than forty years, the two brothers have been among the most sought-after and renowned rock drummers worldwide. Carmine and Vinny (each of them on his own) can be heard on numerous legendary albums and have toured countless times with some of the world's greatest acts. Carmine embarked on his musical path in the 1960s with the unforgotten VANILLA FUDGE, manning in the course of his illustrious career the drums for superstars such as Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne, among others. His brother Vinny, who is eleven years his junior, looks back on an equally spectacular career, having worked with acts such as BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL and DIO, among others. With the exception of the live album "Drum Wars - Live!" (2014), there has been no direct collaboration between the two so far. That's about to change!
"Sinister" is the first joint studio album by Carmine and Vinny and was recorded with the support of a number of prestigious guests. Vinny says: "As Ringo said: with a little help from our friends."
"Sinister" consists of a total of thirteen tracks, recorded by Carmine and Vinny together with distinguished colleagues. "Killing Floor" and "Future Past" feature the wonderful Craig Goldy (together with bassist Tony Franklin), Franklin resurfacing, together with Paul Shortino, on "Suddenly" and on "You Got Me Running". Shortino also lends his awesome vocals to "War Cry" and the programmatic "Monsters And Heroes", the latter also featuring BULLETBOYS guitarist Mick Sweda, while Shortino teams up with WHITESNAKE stringsman Joel Hoekstra on "War Cry". Talking of vocals: "Sinister", "Danger" (bass: Phil Soussan), "In The Night" (guitar: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal) and "Sabbath Mash" (guitar: Erik Turner, keyboards: Erik Norlander) are all sung by Jim Crean, while Chas West recorded the vocal parts for "Killing Floor", Scotty Bruce featuring on "Future Past" and Robin McAuley on "Riot". The biggest surprise of all: Carmine himself doubles as vocalist on "You Got Me Running". Vinny says: "Carmine has been singing lead and background for years. He's a very good singer and I"m glad he sang one number on this record."
The lyric video for the song "Monsters And Heroes" can now be seen below.
Carmine Appice comments on the song and lyric video: "The song 'Monsters And Heroes' is a song about the great Ronnie James Dio. The song is a tribute to his legacy. The track features both Vinny and I on drums as well as special guest Paul Shortino (who wrote the lyrics) handling the vocal duties. We all knew Ronnie very well and wanted to do this video so everyone can see what a great tribute this is to Ronnie. Check it out it is a piece of rock art!!!"
Adds Vinny: "'Monsters And Heroes' is special song that was inspired by the greatest singer and person in rock! My friend Ronnie James Dio. This is a special tribute to the man who gave us such great music and words and also took the time for all his fans who he loved."
"Sinister" will be released on October 27 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipack, double gatefold vinyl, download and stream.
01. Sinister
02. Monsters And Heroes
03. Killing Floor
04. Danger
05. Drum Wars
06. Riot
07. Suddenly
08. In The Night
09. Future Past
10. You Got Me Running
11. Bros In Drums
12. War Cry
13. Sabbath Mash
Lineup and guests
Carmine Appice (drums, vocals)
Vinny Appice (drums)
Jim Crean (vocals)
Paul Shortino (vocals) (ROUGH CUTT, ex-QUIET RIOT)
Robin McAuley (vocals) (MSG)
Chas West (vocals) (ex-LYNCH MOB)
Scotty Bruce (vocals)
Craig Goldy (guitar) (ex-DIO, ex-GIUFFRIA)
Bumblefoot (guitar) (ex-GUNS N' ROSES)
Joel Hoekstra (guitar) (WHITESNAKE)
Mike Sweda (guitar) (BULLETBOYS)
Erik Turner (guitar) (WARRANT)
David Michael Phillips (guitar) (KING KOBRA)
Tony Franklin (bass) (ex-BLUE MURDER, ex-THE FIRM)
Phil Soussan (bass) (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE)
Johnny Rod (bass) (KING KOBRA, ex-W.A.S.P.)
Jorgen Carlson (bass) (GOV'T MULE)
Top photo of Carmine Appice and Vinny Appice was taken by Joey Wester
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net
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QUEEN LADETTE
“Let me say that what happened in Paris was by far not the worst thing that happened to me in that relationship,” Ulrika Jonsson declares, almost visibly flaring with defiance.
“It was not the physical damage, it was the psychological bullshit that went with it. The bruises heal but those things stay with you.”
It’s an odd, not to say ignominious, position I find myself in: bullying the bullied; trying to force the victim into re-living her most traumatic experience, especially when I only have the opportunity to so do because she is only here because she is – of all things – doing her bit for charity.
But that is what I’m doing, as we sit almost knee-to-knee on the floor of a photographic studio in North London, like some sort of wacky therapy session – trying to coax Ulrika Jonsson into talking about the very thing she says she’d rather not think about ever again, namely the time she was attacked by Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore in a bar in Paris last June, and the way it has affected her public image, her career, and her current relationship.
There’s something rather poignant about the way, that in the end, her resilience cracks.
I can’t help thinking it’s because she’s used to it.
Ulrika made her name, and won a place in the nation’s hearts, on Shooting Stars as the butt of Vic & Bob’s playful practical jokes and gentle ribbing (“Ulrika ! Nordic, Ryvita-eating, Ulrika !”).
She would invariably end up gamely doing whatever they wished, without necessarily always understanding what was going on.
One of her favourites, she beams gaily, was the time they had her on all fours up on a car bonnet (in skin-tight leather trousers), cleaning the windshield with her backside, wiping away the dandruff that, they explained, had amassed since she had given up her Heads & Shoulders commercials.
Such heady, innocent fun, she concedes, seems a long time ago now.
These days, she finds dismayingly, that she is almost just as well known for the assault that took place during the World Cup when Collymore (her boyfriend at the time) after he found her pouring drinks for a bar full of Scottish football fans.
Drunk, he told her to leave, and then, when she refused, dragged her to the floor, and began punching and kicking her.
Pictures of “her bruised and battered face” dominated the front pages for days.
Some people might think that the public nature of the whole episode (the attack as well as the ramifications of the aftermath) would have been one of the worst aspects about it.
But Jonsson seizes on the opportunity to deny that this was the case.
“I was very lucky that it was so public,” she asserts firmly. “I was very lucky.”
The psychological complexities of such an interpretation are obvious, and she admits that in fact the public nature of it helped stop her from “brushing it under the carpet”, and forced her to accept the attack for what it was.
“I might have pretended it hadn’t happened, even to myself, because nobody would have known about it.”
But the actual explanation for her viewpoint has a more practical foundation.
“Because I think I would have been injured alot worse otherwise, if it hadn’t been in public. If three people hadn’t jumped on him and stopped him.”
(Collymore’s public apologies afterwards included the football fan who had to resort to head-butting him to stop him.)
Besides, Ulrika Jonsson has grown used to undergoing private ordeals in public.
Collymore’s assault was just the apex of a series of trials and tribulations she has spent the last five years suffering this way.
“I guess it started with the breakdown of my marriage and a month later my father died,” she reflects distantly as if the full grimness of it is only just beginning to dawn on her.
“Then it was almost like a domino effect. There were moment of happiness since then, but never true contentment.”
As a cautionary tale about the perils of celebrity – the casual, almost random manner in which it is bestowed and then, just as easily, destroyed, and the price you may, ultimately have to pay for it – Ulrika Jonsson’s story would be hard to beat.
She is in many ways, the ultimate celebrity of the 90s: famous for her name (you always want to add that exclamation mark that always seems to accompany it), famous for her looks, her body (in particular the 32inch DD bust she used to tout as “perfect”); famous for the tabloid romances with other celebrities: famous for being in the papers.
For the first few years of her fame, Ulrika seemed to combine all the classic credentials of harmless, minor celebrity, like a real-life version of Nicole Kidman’s ambition-ridden weathergirl in Gus Van Sant’s film, To Die For: the bubbly small-town/girl-next-door blonde who got lucky.
Having been plucked by chance, from secretarial obscurity, to present the weather (on TVAM), her career snowballed all the way to the centre of the mainstream television jackpot – presenting Gladiators and The Big Breakfast, winning awards like Rear of The Year, The Woman Most Men Would Like To Go To Bed With, and being raved about as “the new Joanna Lumley” before being re-invented by Vic & Bob as a post-modern pin-up, the dolly-bird it was cool for even broadsheet columnists to drool over.
“Everyone’s favourite babe,” The Guardian tagged her. “The perfect light entertainment figure for the modern age.”
Her instantly identifiable, heavily marketable name, helped secure a string of £ 100, 000+ commercials for Walkers Crisps, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Berlei. “Ulrika-ca-ca-cash”, one paper called her.
She was popular, rich and even, amazingly, happy – and in 1994 had a son Cameron with her husband, cameraman, John Turnbull.
Since 1995 though when Vic & Bob decided to stop doing Shooting Stars, Ulrika’s life has become a savage example of how celebrity turn on its head and turn in on you.
People think famous people are protected from the problems of real life, because fame puts a vacuum round them.
But when things start to go wrong, it only makes them worse.
In the second half of the 90s, even Ulrika’s name turned from a blessing into a burden, guaranteeing every minor or major crisis became fair game for public consumption.
Her marriage fell apart when she was photographed kissing another man in the street.
The paparazzi, who she says, “physically make me shake” – have tracked her down taking her son to school, looking like a bag lady, doing her shopping.
They even turned up at her father’s funeral.
Even her tattooist took the chance to see his story.
“Ulrika pulled down her knickers, pushed her bottom in the air and asked me: Tattoo My Bum !”
Since her solo show It’s Ulrika !, written by Vic & Bob and so painfully laboured it was re-christened Vic & Bob’s Revenge, flopped, she has got used to the delight of people noting the way her career has dived – the relish with which they have pointed out how her singing voice or her abilities as a comedienne have let her down.
She has been told she has lost her looks, run out of money, and become an embarrassment.
Only the other day, she laughs, a woman came up to her in the street and told her “how much fatter she looked in real life.”
These are minor problems compared to some that she has faced.
Whereas many celebrities suffer from stalkers, Ulrika (again unwittingly) found her name all over the front pages as a man due to appear in court under new anti-stalking laws committed suicide – the second time this had happened to her.
The previous man had stalked her for two years, “bombarding” her with obscene letters and phone calls and turning up at her house.
Just as if seemed finally to be fading from the public eye, stories emerged that Collymore had tried to ingratiate himself with his team-mates at Fulham (where he has just finished playing on loan for three months) by showing polaroids and even playing videos of himself and Ulrika on the team coach.
As if the actual assault itself was not bad enough, above all the public nature of it seemed to inspire an almost endless series of attacks tearing her to shreds.
Feminists have disowned her. Men’s magazines have dismissed her as a tart. Her character and morals have been branded a disgrace. “How Low Can Ulrika Sink ?” being a fairly common theme.
Her previous relationships have been picked over and pulled apart (“Why is Ulrika So Attracted To The Wrong Man ?”), with her relationship with Hunter from Gladiators and a one-night stand with Chris Evans put on a par with the bad judgement she showed towards Collymore.
She has seen her relationship with her mother (who abandoned her for years at a time when she was a child) and her father (“a compulsive womaniser” who subsequently raised her) have been pored over in public.
Even her relationship with her 5 year-old son, who she has brought up virtually alone, has been mocked and damned, with one story claiming that Cameron had refused to call her mummy, complaining: “you’re not mummy, you’re Ulrika Jonsson.”
“Such a fucking lie !” she explodes, grabbing my knee as if to emphasise the outrage. “Bullshit ! Of course he calls me mummy, he sleeps with me every night !”
What she had done to deserve all this is anyone’s guess – except of course enter the world of celebrity.
When we first meet Ulrika Jonsson is being photographed lying on the floor bursting out of a black Azagury dress she is nearly wearing – all part of the promotion she is doing for ITV’s annual fund-raiser Men For Sale, in which she will be auctioning off nights out with the likes of Davide Ginola, Jean-Claude Van Damme and, somewhat improbably, Michael Bolton to raise money for children’s charities.
At first it seems as if the events of the last year have taken their toll on her.
She has changed. Her hair is longer and the figure slightly fuller but the grin she gives to the camera looks forced and hollow.
Her attempts at the kind of laddish flirtation and bonding she perfected on Shooting Stars shows precious little of the charm it had before. The light seems to have gone out of her.
She visibly blanches and virtually flinches the first time I mention Collymore’s name, but rather touchingly, even the slightest show of sympathy towards her seems to brighten her spirits.
I mention the answer Liza Minnelli gave when I asked her whether all the extraordinary traumas she had been forced to deal with had made her stronger.
“No,” Minnelli said, “they only make people think you are.’
The comparison seems to flatter her into candour.
“I think that’s true, because there are times when you want to just lie down and be run over, but you do have to march on. I mean, I have a 5 year-old son. I have to keep going. And there are times when I despise the fact that I have to be strong. I really despise that because you want to be able to be weak and you want to be able to have that ability, to not cope actually because that’s very human.”
“In a way, the most difficult thing about it all,” she muses, as if she’s almost making an observation about someone else, “is feeling you’re not supposed to moan – because you’ve got money, and you’re famous and doing these fantastic things… What you really want is to accept is that you’re not as strong as you think you are, or as capable of coping as you think you are.”
She is by now, presumably coming to terms with the fact that the incident with Collymore is what someone once called “a paragraph” – meaning an incident worthy of a paragraph in anyone’s obituary.
We are used to reading about celebrities such as Pamela Anderson or Lesley Ash being attacked by their partners but hers was such an extraordinary incident it continues to hold a fascination for us.
It’s hard to think of another celebrity who has been beaten up in public at all – let alone by another celebrity, and in the company of other celebrities (Ewan McGregor, Richard Wilson, Ally McCoist) and in front of the press.
“I felt rather embarrassed by it actually,” she admits rather bashfully. “I felt slightly awkward that everybody knew and there was all this anger about it. I was in shock for a long time – because of what happened, but also because of what was happening to me afterwards, publicly.”
One of the most shocking things about the Collymore incident is that the fact that it took place in public seemed to turn it into a public event, and turned Ulrika herself into public property; a symbol for all sorts of social ills.
“It was like you could imagine them holding a forum – holding some sort of fucking big debate about Ulrika Jonsson and her past….”
It was used to explore theories that her sense of abandonment as a child (by her mother, and, more temporarily, her father) meant that she was attracted to womanisers like her father or people whose anger could match her own – but turn her into the victim rather than the problem.
It was speculated that she had an irrationally jealous nature herself (like Collymore) – ever since her mother had re-appeared in her life with half sisters usurping her place in her mother’s affections and that this explained why she always sought to be the centre of attention.
All of it seemed intended to imply, at some level, that she had in some way contributed to or even deserved the attack.
One of the things that had fuelled Collymore’s jealousy was said to be the fact that – to the cheers of the Scottish fans – Ulrika had repeated her much-publicised trick on Shooting Stars of downing a pint of lager in seven seconds.
Stories were brought up again of the times she turned up paralytic on stage during one night of the Shooting Stars live tour and drank 7 pints of Guinness during an interview in Loaded (in which she was – to make matters worse – photographed wearing handcuffs.)
The briefest mention of this re-ignites her outrage.
“One columnist – it was a woman – wrote: ‘listen, no man should ever beat up a woman, Ulrika, so you keep having all the beers you like !’ But this wasn’t an issue of me being drunk ! Or about me flirting ! If I had wanted to run through that bar topless, I did not deserve to get my head kicked in.”
Even now, she still feels the need to defend herself – a classic victim symptom.
“I am such a boring person in terms of going out,” she beams.
“I’m at home six nights out of seven. I live out of London. I don’t go clubbing or to restaurants. I go to the occasional film premiere. My son is my life. I don’t have friends in showbiz. All my friends are fellow mums.”
Somehow, somewhere along the lines, the tide had turned against her – especially when it was reported that she had gone back to him.
“That was my second chance gone !” she laughs brightly – seemingly acknowledging herself that this was her own fault.
“It was like, ‘well now you deserve everything you get. Now you’re sober and you went to see him !”
She denies they ever got back together (“absolutely !”), and again finds herself going to some lengths trying to justify herself, reasoning (as much with herself as anyone) that she was still virtually in shock.
“There was nothing romantic about it – it was just a way of resolving things for myself. I didn’t understand what I was going through. Or what I needed to do to get rid of this situation.”
Although she seen a psycho-therapist after separating from her husband (“stuff to do with my past and all that. Nothing over-dramatic”), she did not have counselling over the attack – even though it was by the man who was her partner at the time.
“In a way that was the problem. That was why I ended up having this fucking stupid meeting with him. That was my way of trying to take it into my own hands. That was such a big mistake. It was just a way of resolving things for myself, in my fucking head about what had gone on. It was almost like the victim talking to the criminal, facing up to him… It would make me steer clear of any situation where you would even be abusive to me verbally now.”
Sub-consciously, she admits, part of what she was doing was probably secretly seeking to find a way of deciding that what Collymore had done was OK, rather than face the reality of accepting it had happened – again a classic victim mentality.
This is the bravura of the bullied – trying to believe that such incidents are, after all, only evidence of love.
“Listen, if you have somebody that tells you these things only happen because we’re so passionate about each other, you believe it. Or I did.”
Even her own suggestion of this seems to wound her.
“It wasn’t in any way a loving relationship, a relationship where I was scared of losing love… It’s what psychologically he had hold of, in here (taps her head). That was very frightening and until you actually are able to exorcise it, you can’t move on.”
When I suggest that you could say the same of ‘love’, she almost physically raises her head as if to proudly declare herself above it now.
“No !” she says firmly. “This was not love. It was not ever love. It was an on-off thing, ridiculous. It was in no circumstances love, and I know that now, because I know real love now.”
Ironically, after all the things her name and her fame has given her, it’s entirely possible that her nine month relationship with Marcus Kempen might not have happened at all if it wasn’t for the fact that he had never heard of Ulrika Jonsson.
It’s only when she starts talking about her relationship with Kempen that her face really lights up and she instantly becomes the animated, pretty presence that used to shine on Shooting Stars.
“He didn’t know who I was !” she giggles, overjoyed. “The most wonderful thing in the world – because he had no pre-conceived ideas.”
In the end it was only the presence of the paparazzi, she says, that made him ask her, in an awkward German accent, ‘Ulrika – are you telling me you are famous ? Then I had to explain I’d presented Gladiators and this other show where I’m just verbally abused the whole time !”
The relationship has helped her finally put everything behind her, she says, although there still seem to be veiled references to Collymore in the way she describes Kempen as “someone with no edge…not a power-seeker who tries to control me.”
Asked if the public price she has paid for her fame was worth it, she says it would “sound very cynical if I said yes, and I don’t feel like that. I think that, somehow, it was fate – you can’t change it.”
She says she wouldn’t have swapped it for “a quiet life, married to someone, being an air hostess, which is what I wanted to be”, but she is thinking about having more children, and even “thinking about packing it all up now.”
“I’d certainly like to give it a fucking go !” is how she puts it.
She has “no idea” what she’ll be doing one year from now. Her current career has fallen back into the kind of light entertainment pap that Vic & Bob used to use her to parody: the Midweek Lottery, the Royal Variety Show, Eurovision, and now Men For Sale.
“The bastards have left me high and dry !” she laughs, seemingly not really caring.
As we make our way out, her good humour has grown so far she even finds herself laughing at the way that sometimes when she’s walking around, she’ll get the occasional van-driver or builder shouting “Oi ! Where’s Stan then ?” at her, which seems pretty awful.
“Yeah, you feel like saying ‘probably beating the shit out of someone else !” she smiles. “But I don’t.”
This is, I suppose, as good a way of any of judging whether she has got over it or not.
If she bumped into Collymore now, she shrugs, blithely,
“I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. There was a time when I think I would have got angry, but not now.”
As we are leaving, she wanders over to a couple of colleagues flicking through the day’s papers. You can almost detect a tinge of jealousy or a touch too much curiosity as she flicks through the first few pages, glancing at pictures showing “Jordan’s New Look”, Sheryl Gascoigne’s new modelling job, or Melinda Messenger’s latest way of getting her picture in the papers.
Part of her mind must think about the fact there was a time when Ulrika’s name could have been on all of these.
“VILLA STAR IN DEATH SMASH” she reads out loud.
It turns out not to be a story about Stan Collymore but his team-mate, goal-keeper David James.
Her interest is duly noted, but so is the ease with which she closes the paper and, as she heads home, leaves it behind her.
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MARY SINGS THE BLUES
“I just try and do what Mary would do – all the time”
– Mary J. Blige
New York. The night before Valentine’s Day.
Snow is falling and, at least as far as Mary J. Blige is concerned, in terms of romance the forecast is also looking decidedly frosty.
“What about Valentine’s Day ?!“ she challenges when I mention it, as much as to make small talk as anything.
This is not the false modesty or bravado of a star who knows perfectly well that her success is matched by her (albeit brooding) allure and is so bound to be surrounded by admirers.
Last year, Mary’s tally of Valentine’s Day cards was, she emphasises, precisely One and this year she isn’t expecting any. She hasn’t sent any either.
“No I haven’t,” she bridles, with a pout. “I don’t have nobody to send a card to !”
Despite the fact that virtually every song she has ever sung has been about the joys or heartbreak of being in love, hip-hop’s Queen of Soul is not only single, she has been for a year or more now. Alone again, naturally. Neither is it because she is secretly pining for someone.
“Nah, I’m not even lookin’,” she says with not entirely convincing defiance. “It’s better to be on my own. That’s how I’m feelin’ right now.”
So it’s true then. Mary J. Blige really does equate love with pain.
“That’s right,” she nods determinedly. “It’s just pain. That’s it. I know that if I go lookin’, I’m finished…”
Anyone listening to Mary J. Blige’s new album Share My World or its remarkable predecessor, the deeply romantic, classic of modern sorrow, My Life will not be surprised to learn any of this (the songs, the voice), although it’s never easy to know where the persona stops and the actual person starts.
With Mary though, you could always feel there wasn’t really that much difference.
Although press-wise, she gained something of a reputation as a bitchy primadonna or a difficult diva, on record, emotionally, her persona has always been that of the spurned suitor, the lonely lover who never finds what she is looking for and who accepts that her life is going to be made up of “if only”s and “I want the one I can’t have”s.
Even on the title track, which is based on a riff from Roy Ayers’ Sunshine, a seemingly generic, up-beat, line like “Life can only be what you make it” is followed by the sentiment “when you’re feeling down/you should never fake it/If you looked at my life/and seen what I’d seen….” she sighs.
Coming after her (more manufactured) 1992 debut,What’s the 411, she told one interviewer the motivating force for taking more control of My Life, was that “most of the songs were about pain. I couldn’t take no more.”
Musically full of deft references to old school soul from Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Barry White, and with a tour-de-force vocal performance that brought to mind comparisons with Anita Baker and even Aretha, My Life was one of hip-hop’s breakthrough albums. Mary was hailed as “the voice of a generation.”
Despite of (or perhaps because of) the album’s massive success, Mary herself remained something of an enigma, seemingly struggling to come to terms with her fame, and how to present herself.
Certainly she seemed to have a more complex nature than the rash of composite hip-hop-girls-with-soul who followed.
“Yeah,” she would sigh, “I was always a deep kinda kid.”
Interviewers complained that in person, contrary to what they had read about her, the great diva was moody and even depressed, or so shy and reticent, they didn’t get anything out of her.
She picked up that habit of truly strange superstars – talking about herself in the third person, “doing the Mary thing” or explaining something by shrugging and saying simply “that’s what Mary does.”
“I just try to do what it is,” she says to me at one point, talking about her music. “Not what everybody else is doin’. I try and do what Mary would do, all the time.”
She seemed to grow more and more defensive, defining her work in terms of survival, and her life in terms of struggle. This (presumably) was something she taken with from growing up in the projects of New York’s Yonkers.
One of four kids, she was raised by her mother, a nurse, and elder sister La Tonya, who still sings with her today and is an almost constant companion.
When she was 20, more for the neighbourhood block parties than anything else, she made tape of herself singing Anita Baker’s Caught Up In The Rapture, and ended up, almost inadvertently, with a deal with MCA.
What’s the 411 ? went top 10 in the Billboard charts, selling three million copies worldwide, and helping start the wave New Jill Swing wave taken up by the likes of SWV, Jade, and Xscape.
Mary though was not like them. She was somehow all things to all men. She could do glamour but had the roots to represent. She was tough but exuded this acute sense of suffering. She was indubitably, a strong woman, with
Attitude with a capital A, but over-sensitive, easily wounded.
All of this went into 1995’s My Life (produced for Bad Boy by her mentor of the time, Sean “Puffy” Combs), which, even for fans, was a revelation, and in turn, sparked its own set of imitators – Faith Evans, Monica, Brandy.
(“You know who’s frontin”” she would spit.)
Besides Anita’s You Bring Me Joy and Rose Royce’s show-stopper, I’m Goin’ Down, her confidence was such she even covered Aretha’s You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.”
“Just like Billie Holliday’s shit was kinda blue,” said Puffy at the time, “Mary is blue in her own way. She doesn’t have any prior training. She just sings from her heart.”
A series of scene-stealing cameos followed: with Method Man on You’re All I Need To Get By” (for which she won a Grammy), Love Don’t Live Here Anymore (with Faith Evans) and, most recently on Ghostface’s utterly miserable trek through the trials and tribulations of ghetto life, All That I Got Is You.”
The devastating hip-hop gospel of Not Gon’ Cry from Waiting To Exhale, spent weeks in the American top three.
For a while though, there seemed a real danger that Mary would be remembered for more certain other aspects of her reputation – more as a drama queen than a soul queen, not so much troubled as troublesome. She would turn up hours late for shows or interviews, surrounded by an entourage, either sulking, being truculent or throwing tantrums. Her bad reputation culminated with a disastrous show at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, where she was booed after a ridiculously short set with no encore. (She later claimed she had been forced to do the show despite the death of her cousin in a shooting.)
She started getting letters addressed to “Bitch of the Year”.
Her image became such a problem, her record company had her spend 17 weeks on an Artist development course, being coached on etiquette and interview technique, and studying books like Donald S. Passman’s seminal All You Need To Know About The Music Business”.
Andre Harrell told Vibe at the time, “the whole experience (of fame, success) was overwelming for her. She wasn’t ready to be put under the microscope in that fashion. Two things can happen when you put people in that kind of light before they are emotionally and mentally prepared to
handle it: they are lash out or totally withdraw.”
Mary did both, admitting to Time Out, “London cleared up alot in my mind. I knew that if I didn’t learn from that, I’d be finished.”
But whilst the press was lauding My Life as the “first great soul album of the 90s” and hailing the appearance in interviews of “a new Mary”, all her good work was undone with a bad-tempered spat with Veronica Webb for Interview.
Having waited for hours, Webb’s piece centred on Mary smoking, and drinking with her entourage, bristling at Webb’s ‘stupid” questions and eventually challenging her to take their differences outside. Not surprisingly, Mary’s
threat to the rather earnest supermodel that she could “fuck her up” became the most memorable line she had uttered in an interview for years.
Two years on and Mary’s reputation still precedes her.
The atmosphere in the top floor photographic studio on Broadway is tense; waiting for one royal hurricane to blow in.
But to everyone’s astonishment, she is on time, on the dot, almost unrecognisable by the lack of big entrance, so low-key in fact that only the presence of her man-mountain bodyguard suggests she might be Somebody.
By the end of a long day with her, we are all congratulating ourselves on having got through it without any tantrums or diva dramas, although quite why we should take any of the credit is anyone’s guess.
Still only 26, she is actually a slight, quiet figure, with a strawng New York accent and cool croaky voice, younger and shyer than everyone had expected. Rather than take over the room with her personality, she keeps to herself, seemingly so wary of crossing anyone, she’s got no interest in mingling.
She and la Tonya both have Japanese tattoos on their hands – Mary had the symbol for Strength done last summer in LA. Five others confirm the image of her as “really just a little projects girl”, rather than a soul diva. She has her name in gothic capitals on one bi-cep and an elaborate cross on the other (“for all the members of my family that’s passed”). She has a butterfly on her back (“which symbolises women”) and one on the inside of
her thigh that “is just shit that hurt real bad.”
“It’s a rose. That’s just how I was feeling that day…”
“Like a rose ?” laughs her sister.
“My God, I felt like I was being tortured.”
She has one other tattoo but she isn’t even going to tell me where, let alone show me.
“It’s on her booty !” laughs her sister, prompting a roar of laughter from Mary and her make-up girls.
“What did your mum say ?“
“She said she was goin’ to get one !” Mary cries with consternation. “I was like, no mommy, no.”
Once the tape is on though, Mary’s guard is firmly down. There is something slightly lost and hunted about her – as if she has been burnt by so many previous run-ins with the media that her spirit has been broken.
I try buttering her up by laying on praise for Seven Days, the stand-out track on the new album, which, I tell her, has the feel of a Me And Mrs. Jones storyline to it; a classic.
But she just says back: “Yeah.”
You don’t get many of those in a lifetime…
Talking about other songs on the album gets nowhere.
“They’re kinda deep, huh ?“ she says softly.
She’s seems so meek it’s something of a relief when she loses her rag in the middle of a phone interview with the writer of a British rap magazine who persists in asking her why she parted company with Puffy.
“Get this motherfucker off the phone”, she snaps, holding the phone away from her.
Mary’s problem as far as the press is concerned seems to be that, she just hasn’t got enough of an agenda or ego to put into interviews anymore. It all rebounded on her when she did.
Asking something a bit different just throws her off.
“I know what you’re saying,” she sighs after a long struggle to say something, “but I’m trying to get the answer the right way for it.”
Even talking about Veronica Webb, she shrugs and says quietly, “she’s just another person that’s trying to bring me down. Jealousy can take over in a minute. I will never understand it for as long as I live,” she drawls almost to herself, sounding like an old-timer.
Her sister, La Tonya, on the other hand, seems more like the old Mary, ready to step into something at the slightest opportunity.
When I (innocently) ask her if Mary’s coat is real or fake fur, she gets right into it straight away:
“Fake fur, real fur, makes no difference. Don’t even think about that one when you’re wearing yo’ belt and yo’ leather shoes.”
I was only asking.
Later on, taking a break, Mary tells me she and LaTonya are “real similar” but that she is (gulp) “worse”.
“We’re just Capricorns,” she shrugs with a smile. “With Capricorns, you don’t mess with them. Even with the nicest ones. She is harder,” Mary says, almost fondly. “But she’s sensitive in alot of areas I’m not – like, dealing
with people when it’s all in a rage and people wanna fight. Now I would be like: “I am not dealing with this. That’s her area right now. I did it too long. I can’t fuck with it man.”
Still maybe the fierce Mary temper was better than the way she is now, so wary there’s something rather sad and almost lonely about her. When I ask Mary what her weaknesses are, she sounds both naive and world-weary, stung by her experiences.
“People, to me, they play on you, when you’re a nice person. They think that your kindness is a weakness and they try to use it against you, to hurt you and that’s what makes me mad because I’m trying to do the right thing. I’m trying to turn my life around – for me. That’s all the shit I’m trying to get away from.”
As for her best quality, there’s something beaten about the way she says it’s that “I can see that shit coming. I know how to just X it out. After you get hurt so much, you really see it coming, even if they come at you with a smile.”
As the day goes by though, thankfully her mood improves. She keeps to herself, hangs with her sister and her home-girls, gossiping and laughing until she’s called to do something.
All day, the new album plays in the background, with Mary looking for ways to perfect it up to the last minute. A George Benson scat over the end of Seven Days produces groans and is eventually taken off the song. With a flourish of old no-nonsense Mary-ness, she comes stomping out of her dressing room, puts on another track and turns the volume up before stomping back with not an instant of recognition for anyone else in the room.
The new album is very much in the same smooth, smoochy, vein of My Life, with Mary sounding eerily like a young, hipper, Anita Baker on the jazzy title track or Aretha on Not Gon’ Cry”.
In the tradition of My Life, the brilliantly addictive I Can Love You brilliantly plays on the riff off Lil Kim’s Queen Bitch and Everything has a neat steal from The Stylistics’ You Are Everything. (There are rumours that Lil Kim is going to do a rap on I Can Love You – a rumour, La
Tonya tells me, that “is so on-the-low, even I just found out about it.”
Mary’s favourite, she says, is Searching.
“It’s deep,” she nods to herself. “It’s mad deep.”
Otherwise, It’s On, Searching and I Can Love You are instant hits, immediate, neat beats imbued with Mary’s warm feeling of melancholy and resignation – emphasising that persona, of a girl who though only 26 has been this way for years – like a Simone or a Holliday.
On the cool groove of Keep Your Head, she sings wanly, “every day’s a struggle” and even on the new single, a rather generic Jam & Lewis stomper, Love Is All We Need, the fade-out features the seemingly spontaneous, soulful, entreaty, “I wanna be happy”.
(No-one sings the line “I want to be happy” as often as Mary does.)
“In a case like mine, I never get what I want,” she complains.
“I sing about the things not that I can’t have but that I would like to have. As far as a man goes, I never get what I want.”
Maybe, I say, she should read that book The Rules, written for 90s women to keep the power over their men – the principal “rules” being things like “Never call him”, “Always end the call first”, and so on. (On her records at
least, Mary is always waiting for the man of her dreams to call and invariably ends up calling him.)
Maybe you need to play hard to get, Mary.
“Definitely. I cannot chase a man. If he’s not calling you, please do not call him.”
“Don’t talk to a man first,” I read to her.
“I wouldn’t,” she says firmly, “No I just wouldn’t. I got that one down. I get men, they come and talk to me, but I just can’t even see myself getting with nobody for a while. Love is not for me right now.”
It’s kind of sad to hear her say, “I don’t expect for a man to take care of me. Like with a man…. I really don’t want all of your time but, like, whatever time you can give me, I don’t mind having it. I would like to have it, you know.”
Maybe Mary’s rep doesn’t help.
“Men are intimidated by strong women, yeah. Why ? Because we’re not goin’ to take their shit. That’s one reason right there.”
Good Morning America that morning, had featured the authors of a book of chat-up lines (“You’re So Fine, I Would Drink a Tub of Your Bath-Water”), the most popular of which seemed to be telling the girl, “Excuse me, I have to go and phone my mother – I told her I would call her if I ever met an Angel.”
“Yeah that’s corny,” Mary laughs. “But if it’s real, it’s not corny. Men say they love you, when they don’t even know you.”
She looks rather forlorn at the question of what she does for fun instead.
“Nothing, I really don’t have nothing.”
Eventually she comes up with going to the gym (“I eat alot”) and ”I try to drink alot of water. What I enjoy, I go home and sleep and do my work. That’s the best thing to me. I hang out with my sister. I really don’t do that much. Not like I used to.”
At home, she’s been listening to Candi Staton (“I listen to that song every day”) the Fugees, the Wu, “buggin” out on Prince. I got the Young Disciples on my CD right now. Alanis Morrissette. She’s saying some stuff too. If I watch TV, I just watch movies all day. Old Sidney Poitier movies or Harry Belafonte movies. The talk shows upset me cos we’s always disgracin’ ourselves. I can’t even mess wit’ them.”
Her favourite movie though is the only time she wonder if there is another side to Lady of Pain way. It’s something rather less tragic than Greta Garbo.
“Blazing Saddles” !” she exclaims, cracking up at the memory.
“Damn that movie is funny. My stomach wuz hurtin’ !”
For her shoot of the day, Mary is wearing a figure-hugging purple Alaia dress, high heels and purple glamour wig.
Maybe it’s because it’s all nearly over, or she just needed time to relax, but now she is really having a good time. She is having a ball in fact, dancing and miming energetically to Chaka Khan and Dru Hill, singing her heart out even when the camera’s gone.
This is the Mary we were all waiting for – Mary The Performer, The Star, showing off, strutting her stuff, dancing with her hands high above her head, Indian cigarillo hanging coolly from her lips, putting on the attitude.
She looks dressed to kill, hotter than July, the lethal Diva who would eat any man for breakfast.
“Imagine goin’ to a party in this dress !” she screams above the music, looking at herself in the mirror.
All the men in the room were probably thinking just that.
Mary, though, to the end, just does what May would do all the time, and inevitably has the last word.
“You would look so stupid !” she says, roaring with laughter.
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Doing Business in Lithuania http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania
This economy profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Lithuania. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).
Lithuania – European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/countries/lithuania_en.htm
2016-2017 economic projections from the Eurpoean Commission
Starting a Business in Lithuania http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania/starting-a-business
Overview of Lithuania Economy – This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for Lithuania. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
Business environment in Lithuania http://www.balticexport.com/?article=uznemejdarbibas-vide-lietuva
In the guidelines for Lithuania’s economic development, no branch of industry has been given special priority, however, a strategic decision was taken to promote innovation, investment in modern technologies and industries that create high added value.
BUSINESS CLIMATE Investment Climate http://www.infolex.lt/portal/ml/start.asp?act=dobiz&lang=eng&file=business.climate.html
Lithuania began a comprehensive economic reform program following the country’s declaration of independence in 1990.
Establishing a Presence
Business Types – Possible types of company to register in Lithuania http://www.partnerinlithuania.com/en/services/types-of-the-company-in-lithuania.html
listing of the most popular types of company (forms of incorporation), having status of a legal person, are permitted to operate in the Republic of Lithuania
Business Registration Requirements – Starting a Business in Lithuania http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania/starting-a-business
This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Lithuania.
Business Registration Requirements – Company establishment process in Lithuania http://www.partnerinlithuania.com/en/services/company-establishment-process-in-lithuania.html
Business Types – Types of legal entities in Lithuania http://www.euromig.com/immigration/immigration-to-europe/business-immigration-program/immigration-to-lithuania/types-of-legal-entities-in-lithuania/
Lithuania is the most advanced and promising Baltic countries, where doing business is quite reliable and secure. The most common types of registered companies in the Republic of Lithuania are: private limited liability company, public limited liability company and Individual enterprise (sole proprietorship). Business in Lithuania is regulated by the laws: Civil Code, Joint Stock Companies Act, law on Public Institutions and other legal documents.
Corporate – Lithuania Corporate Tax Rate http://www.tradingeconomics.com/lithuania/corporate-tax-rate
The Corporate Tax Rate in Lithuania stands at 15 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Lithuania averaged 15.50 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 20 percent in 2009 and a record low of 15 percent in 2007. Corporate Tax Rate in Lithuania is reported by the State Tax Inspectorate.
Corporate – Paying Taxes in Lithuania – Doing Business http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania/paying-taxes
This site providesa detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes.
Personal – Lithuania Personal Income Tax Rate http://www.tradingeconomics.com/lithuania/personal-income-tax-rate
The Personal Income Tax Rate in Lithuania stands at 15 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lithuania averaged 26.86 percent from 1994 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 33 percent in 1995 and a record low of 15 percent in 2009. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lithuania is reported by the State Tax Inspectorate.
Personal income tax – Lithuanian Tax Guide http://taxguide.lt/personel-income-tax/
Income tax is levied on individuals who are resident in Lithuania for tax purposes or on individuals who are not resident but receiving a Lithuanian sourced income.
VAT – Lithuanian VAT – Meridian Global Services http://www.meridianglobalservices.com/country-profile-lithuania/
The standard rate of VAT is 21 percent. There are reduced rates of 5% and 9% for certain goods and services.
VAT – Value added tax (VAT) – VMI webpage http://www.vmi.lt/en/?itemId=10071126
Details on VAT issues in Lithuania
Lithuania – US Department of State http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/lithuania.html
See Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements
Visa | The Official Gateway of Lithuania https://www.lietuva.lt/en/tourism/travelling_tips/visa
A visa-free entry to Lithuania is granted to citizens of 78 states; however, arrivals from some of them must be holders of diplomatic, service, special or biometric passports.
Telecom/IT – Lithuania – Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Lithuania-Telecoms-Infrastructure-Operators-Regulations-Statistics-and-Analyses.html
Lithuania’s small telecoms market is among the more developed in Eastern Europe. A number of alternative operators offer services although the incumbent TEO is still the dominant operator in the fixed-line and broadband sectors.
Transportation in Lithuania http://www.truelithuania.com/topics/practicalities/transportation-get-in-around
A guide to all forms of public and private transportation in Lithuania
Getting around Lithuania on local transport http://www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania/transport/getting-around/local-transport
Transport tips on getting around Lithuania like a local.
Telecommunications in Lithuania – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Lithuania
An overview of telecommunications in Lithuania
Employer Obligations
Employment of foreigners in Lithuania https://www.ldb.lt/EN/INFORMATION/SERVICES/Pages/Placementofforeigners.aspx
Scope of employment regulations including minimum wage, worktime restrictions, employee representation
National Labour Law Profile: Lithuania http://www.ilo.org/ifpdial/information-resources/national-labour-law-profiles/WCMS_158913/lang--en/index.htm
See “Labor rights in the Constitution”
Labor Market Regulation in Lithuania http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania/labor-market-regulation
This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Lithuania.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2010-2011/europe/lithuania.html
Unemployment, retirement and disability regulations in Lithuania from the US Social Security Administration
Culture/Living
Lithuania – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/lithuania.html
See “Customs and Etiquette in Lithuania” on this site
Climate of the World: Lithuania http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Lithuania.htm
The climate of the Lithuania can be described as typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around -5°C, but in some cases winter months can be quite colder with temperatures far below zero, about -20°C or lower and strong, cold northeasterly winds.
Climate | The Official Gateway of Lithuania https://www.lietuva.lt/en/about_lithuania/geography_climate/climate
Lithuania’s climate is characterized by seasonal weather changes
Cost of Living in Lithuania http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Lithuania
Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more
Business etiquette in Lithuania http://businessculture.org/eastern-europe/lithuania/business-etiquette/
The dos and don’ts of business etiquette in Lithuania
Demographics – Lithuania – The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lh.html
Features map and brief descriptions of the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues
Safety – Lithuania – US Department of State http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/lithuania.html
US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Lithuanian government
Safety – Lithuania – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/lithuania/
Travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Education – structure of education system in lithuania http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/lithuaco.htm
The Lithuanian education system is implemented at 7 levels, which are comparable to the ISCED classification system. Education institutions can be state or non-state (municipal, private or other). According to the Lithuanian Constitution, education is compulsory until the age of 16
Education – Lithuania Education System – Classbase http://www.classbase.com/countries/Lithuania/Education-System
Education at all state, non-tertiary institutions is free now, except for pre-school which is partly subsidized. The primary school program takes 4 years to complete, nominally between ages 6 to 11. Some schools specialize in this stage only, while others provide all 3 phases of school education.
Holidays and observances in Lithuania http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/lithuania/
Schedule of National holidays and Observances
Holidays – Lithuania Public Holidays http://publicholidays.eu/lithuania/
2015-016 public holidays in Lithuania
Demographics – Lithuania Demographics Profile http://www.indexmundi.com/lithuania/demographics_profile.html
Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment
OEC – Lithuania (LTU) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/ltu/
Lithuania is the 69th largest export economy in the world and the 30th most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI). In 2013, Lithuania exported $28.4B and imported $34.3B, resulting in a negative trade balance of $5.94B. In 2013 the GDP of Lithuania was $45.9B and its GDP per capita was $15.5k.
Lithuania customs https://lithuania.visahq.com/customs/
Import-export regulations from Lithuanian customs
Lithuanian Customs – LITAR http://litarweb.cust.lt/taric/web/main_EN
Import and export regulations and procedures from Lithuanian Customs
WTO | Lithuania https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/lithuania_e.htm
This site provides key information on Lithuania’s participation in the WTO. Lithuania has been a member of WTO since 31 May 2001. As of 1 May 2004 it is a member State of the European Union (more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.
Housing and Rentals
Lithuania Hotels, Hostels & Accommodation http://www.lonelyplanet.com/lithuania/hotels
Lithuania has a wide choice of accommodation options to suit most budgets, including hotels, guesthouses, farmstays, hostels and campgrounds.
Lithuania Lodging http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g274947-Lithuania-Hotel-Deals.html
Best hotels in Lithuania
Lithuania Tourism: Best of Lithuania http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g274947-Lithuania-Vacations.html
A complete travel guide for Lithuania
Lithuania Travel: Welcome to Lithuania! The official websit http://www.lithuania.travel/en-gb/
Find and learn all about travelling to Lithuania: cities, events, routes, tourist information centers, attractions
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Marvel Avengers Assemble in 3D & 2D
When Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the director of an international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., encounters an unexpected enemy that threatens global safety and security, he finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins for Earth’s mightiest heroes. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and two of the world’s greatest assassins, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), must assemble to defeat Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the darkest villain the Earth has ever known.
Marvel One-Shot: item 47
A Visual Journey
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth
Directors: Joss Whedon
Audio Description: English
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – 1.78:1
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: 17 Sep 2012
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LTER SITES ▼
ARAVA LTSER Platform
Migda
Negev Highlands
Park Shaked
Sdot Yam
SITES HE
פארק שקד
PUBLICATIONS & MEETING
Ramat Hanadiv
LTER Sites & LTSER Platforms
Established at 1997
General Site Description:
In September 1993, Ramat Hanadiv inaugurated the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) station as part of the global and Israel LTER network. One of the main areas of activity at the station is a long-term monitoring program. The long-term monitoring program includes continuous monitoring of several parameters and organisms as determined in advance: Gazelles, chukars, passerines, butterflies, herbaceous vegetation, and woody vegetation. A meteorological station has been established in the park to collect climactic data. The information is gathered and stored in a web-based database providing baseline data that can serve in the future as a point of reference. Our aspiration is that the combination of monitoring and management will in the long term enable the conservation and enrichment of the diversity of species, communities, landscapes, and processes of the Mediterranean landscape. In addition to the activities of the LTER station, Ramat Hanadiv is also implementing dozens of studies focusing on a wide range of fields. These studies are carried out by students and researchers from universities throughout Israel. In the Israeli context Ramat Hanadiv is a unique case of a natural area that is actively managed, intensively studied and mapped on all levels. As such, it cam serve as an example of nature conservation and management of Mediterranean ecosystems in Israel.
Purpose of Site:
Ramat Hanadiv plays a leading role in the management of natural and cultural resources based on sustainable interactions between man, nature and the environment, and encourages understanding and appreciation of this ideal. Our aspiration is that the combination of monitoring and management will in the long term enable the conservation and enrichment of the diversity of species, communities, landscapes, and processes of the Mediterranean landscape
History of Site:
At the southern end of Mount Carmel, between Zikhron Ya’akov and Binyamina, lies Ramat Hanadiv, a natural gem dedicated to the memory of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Ramat
Hanadiv is a living memorial to Baron Edmond de Rothschild, operating for the benefit of current and future generations of the entire Israeli public. Ramat Hanadiv plays a leading role in the management of natural and cultural resources based on sustainable interactions between man, nature and the environment, and encourages understanding and appreciation of this ideal. To fulfil this mission, we invest great effort in innovative management, scientific research, environmental education, and invite visitors to enjoy the Memorial Gardens, the Nature Park and the Visitors Pavilion. Ramat Hanadiv is a unique case of a natural area that is actively managed, intensively studied and mapped on all levels. As such, it can serve as an example of nature conservation and management of Mediterranean ecosystems in Israel.
Creativo 5.0 by RockyThemes.
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Hitachi To Stop Producing TVs By Year-End
After Pioneer decided to shut down its TV business in 2009, Hitachi yesterday announced they are ready to stop producing and outsourcing all production of TVs to makers in Taiwan and other Asian countries. And even though Hitachi said they will continue selling TVs in the future, this sounds very much like a long goodbye.
The move isn’t a big surprise, as it’s notoriously difficult to make money with TVs. Many of the big electronics makers have been struggling to bring their TV business into the black recently, i.e. Sony or market leader Samsung (Hitachi expects to lose money on that segment in the current fiscal year, too).
The company has just one flat panel production plant left in Japan, which it plans to close by year-end, according to reports in Japanese media.
It’s good timing to drop out of the TV business, five months after the March 11 earthquake in Japan (which hurt Hitachi’s sales), the switch in Japan from analog to digital TV broadcasting two weeks ago (which triggered a massive demand for new TVs that’s now ending), and five days after the company announced a 97% year-on-year drop in net profit for the quarter through June.
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Home » ADHD » Vaccines and Pregnancy: The Criminal Conspiracy to Create Autism
Posted on Mar 15, 2016 in ADHD, Allergies, Autism, Autoimmunity, Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia, Depression, Digestive Disorders, Dr. Buckley, Infections, Medical politics, Newletters, Pediatrics, Toxicity, Vaccines | 0 comments
Vaccines and Pregnancy: The Criminal Conspiracy to Create Autism
By: Dr. Matthew Buckley, PSc.D, CTTH
The CDC has been given an annual budget of over $11 billion dollars to spend (R), which is provided under the auspices of protecting the American public from various health care threats, but are they really doing that? There’s plenty of incriminating data available to prove that they’re doing just the opposite of that.
Consider the following facts:
1) Executives within the CDC, including Dr. Frank DeStefano, are alleged to have cooked research data in order to conceal a link between the MMR vaccine and autism in black children, according to Dr. William Thompson, who has been given whistleblower protection status for bringing this fact to light. The study in question was published in 2004 in the Journal of Pediatrics, and has not been retracted despite the admission by Dr. Thompson that the paper is fraudulent. This is highly important since many pro-vaccination pediatricians will point to this study as “proof” that the MMR vaccine doesn’t cause autism, and is therefore “safe and effective”. Journalist Ben Swann has put together an excellent micro-documentary covering this sensational story that is being ignored by the mainstream media.
Truth in Media: CDC, Vaccines and Autism from Ben Swann on Vimeo.
2) Dr. DeStefano strikes again. In 2009, Dr. Frank DeStefano, was serving as the “Immunization Safety Officer” for the CDC, when the “Price C., Robertson A., Goodson B. (2009) Thimerosal and Autism Technical Report.” was published. This report revealed that the flu vaccine given during pregnancy led to an 8x greater risk of developing autism than those who didn’t receive the flu vaccine. This data was however considered “insignificant”, and was left out of the abstract but is found within the body of the paper. (R)
3) Virtually all degenerative disease, autism included, can be characterized as persistent inflammation with biomarkers of elevations in pro-inflammatory immune signaling molecules called cytokines. Research has established a very clear link between an increase in these pro-inflammatory cytokines during pregnancy and autism, aka “Maternal Immune Activation”. (R) (R) (R)Persistent inflammation is most commonly expressed as an elevation in the following cytokines: Interferon gamma (IFN-y), Interluekin 1b (IL-1b), Interluekin 6(IL-6), and Interluekin 17 (IL-17). Interleukin 17 is perhaps the most significant, and has established itself as the most important cytokine for perpetuating autoimmune conditions. This is certainly no secret to any competent immunologist within the CDC. (R) (R)
It’s worth noting that the injectable form of the flu vaccine is an inducer of IL -6 (R), and IL-6 has been shown to do couple deleterious things to our immune system. One, it leads to a persistence in viral infections!(R) Two, it also promotes the creation of IL-17 (R) (R). This revelation has very serious implications for anybody interested in protecting their brain and body, since this combination will promote an inflamed brain, aka microglial activation.
4) Research data on the biochemical mechanisms of immune response to vaccines suggests that virtually ALL vaccines work by inducing IL-17. This too is no secret to the CDC. The authors from the following study acknowledge the real dangers associated with vaccines inducing IL-17, but it seems a minor afterthought to them. This paper from 2010 is about the “modernization” of vaccines, and it clearly illustrates the overall dangerous imprecision that is vaccine science and application. (R) Here’s a quote from that paper:
IL-17 is a key player in the inflammation and tissue destruction associated with autoimmune disease models such as Experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE)[52] and collagen-induced arthritis[77]. Most autoimmune models deliver antigens in adjuvants such as Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) [52]or pertussis toxin [39] to induce the inflammatory disease phenotype. Although CFA was initially thought to drive potent Th1 responses, it is now clear that CFA can drive differentiation of naïve T cells into Th17 pathway[52]. Further pertussis toxin can also induce pathogenic Th17 inflammatory responses in the setting of vaccination[39]. These studies highlight the need for detailed characterization of adjuvants prior to inclusion into vaccine strategies since the delicate balance of IL-17 in vaccine induced immunity may define tissue destruction or immune protection.
5) Research shows autism to be an inflammatory condition, with elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines being found in the blood of the autistic population. There are now NUMEROUS studies verifying this evidence(R)(R)(R)(R), and one of the most notable, when considering the fact that many, if not all, vaccines work by activating the production of IL-17 is from the following study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation in 2012.(R)
Serum IL-17A levels were raised in the group with autism, and the levels correlated significantly with the severity of autism. This is the first study to measure levels of IL-17A in relation to the severity of autism, to our knowledge. Further research, with a larger subject population, is warranted to determine whether the increase of serum IL-17A levels plasma has a pathogenic role in autism, and whether anti- IL-17A therapy could be useful
So the authors of that study wonder if “anti-IL 17A therapy could be useful?” Here’s a clue for them, how about avoiding those immune skewing vaccines which promote IL 17 production in the first place?
More recently, a 2016 study involving mice further supports the damaging link between IL 17A production in mothers and the production of autism in their offspring.(R)
We find that Maternal Immune Activation induces an abnormal cortical phenotype, which is also dependent on maternal IL-17a, in the fetal brain. Our data suggest that therapeutic targeting of TH17 cells in susceptible pregnant mothers may reduce the likelihood of bearing children with inflammation-induced autistic spectrum-like phenotypes.
Microencephaly caused by vaccines, and not Zika?
Have you heard about Zika virus causing microencephaly (shrunken heads)? I suspect you have. There’s a race to create a vaccine for it, and vaccines sell a lot better when the general public is scared of viruses when there is a vaccine available. Would you be surprised to learn that before the increased reporting of microencephaly in Brazil, that the Brazilian government mandated the DTaP vaccine for pregnant women? They did. (R) Would you be surprised to learn that the DTaP vaccine increases IL 17 production? It does.(R) Would you be surprised to learn that the US government knew that the DTaP vaccine increases the risk of microencephaly in 1991? You shouldn’t be, because they did.(R)
But, aren’t vaccines proven to be effective in preventing infection before they’re approved for use?
No, in order for a vaccine to be approved, the vaccines must be able to demonstrate the production of antibodies. No proof of disease prevention is required for approval. It’s assumed that the production of antibodies equates to a protection against the pathogen that the vaccine was created for. This, however, is not an entirely accurate assumption.
What “effective” vaccines do is activate the immune system, and this activation is highly dangerous for many people, especially pregnant women, and those with a tendency towards over producing the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Those with a deficiency of melatonin and toxic guts are going to be at much higher risks as I detailed in a previous post.
But, what about polio and small pox? Wouldn’t we all be paralyzed from polio, if we survived small pox if it weren’t for vaccines?
Making diseases disappear isn’t difficult if you get to control the definition of what constitutes a disease and how the epidemiological data is tabulated. The scam of making diseases disappear following vaccination campaigns is glaring when you look at the recent news about India being declared polio free following a “successful” vaccination program.
It’s worth nothing that polio and Acute Flaccid Paralysis are clinically identical. You might find it odd that following the “successful” polio vaccination campaign that cases of acute flaccid paralysis have skyrocketed in India.
Dr. Susanne Humphries has done an excellent job exposing the details of the polio scam.
Dr. Sherry Tenpenny has also done excellent work in exposing the small pox vaccine scam as well.
What’s really happening?
So, are we to believe that the CDC is filled with a bunch of bumbling fools that don’t really know what they’re doing, or is there something more sinister going on here?
If the CDC had clear evidence in 2004 that there was a link between autism and the MMR vaccine, but cooked the data to conceal that link, what does that tell you about the integrity of the CDC?
If the CDC had clear evidence in 2009 that giving the flu vaccine to pregnant women increased the risk of autism by 8x the general population, but chose to bury that data within their study, what does that tell you about the integrity of the CDC in watching out for your health?
If the CDC knows all of this, and subsequent research since 2009 reveals that a mother experiencing an excited immune system, aka “maternal immune activation”, has a much greater probability of having an offspring with autism, schizophrenia, and other neuro-immuno health challenges such as microencephaly, how can it reasonably be argued that the CDC is looking out for our health when they continue to recommend mercury laden flu vaccines to pregnant women? The amount of mercury in those shots is 100 times higher than what the EPA has stated as “safe” for pregnant women to consume.(R) If they know that each person has a different expression of immune system response, why do they continue to recommend a “one size fits all” approach with vaccines? This is criminal neglect at a minimum, and modern day Joseph Mengele”ism” at worst.
Mandatory vaccines for all is on the agenda
There is an agenda to make vaccinations mandatory for everybody, per the “Healthy People 2020” plan. (R) You can be sure that very coercive means will be employed by the government to compel all to comply with their dangerous vaccine dictates.
The health care cost to care for an autistic individual over their lifetime is estimated to be around $2 million, conservatively speaking. Now consider that current trends in autism suggest an increased rate of incidence to reach 1 in 2 individuals by 2025, according to MIT scientist, Dr. Stefanie Seneff (R). Who will care for these individuals? Who will care for us when we’re old? Think about it.
Ask yourself, could any jihadist with a foreign biological agent dropped from a broken vial in the middle of a city, as in a Hollywood production, cause this much destruction as we’re currently dealing with? Not likely. The enemies have embedded themselves within our own institutions, and it’s up to us to expose them and extract them from their places of power before it’s too late. This is our reality and the vaccine issue is really just scratching the surface of how deep this problem goes. I encourage all to become familiar with the recently peer reviewed epidemiology paper related to the global depopulation agenda that is accelerating by the day and come to terms with its implications and the necessity to act now to stop it. Your voice matters. Use it. Please spread the word!
About the author: Dr. Buckley is a 2002 graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic. He entered the health care field largely to understand and resolve his personal struggles with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia which began late in his teens. His ongoing study of functional medicine, nutrition, nutrigenomics, applied kinesiology, and energetic medicine has provided him with keen insight and understanding into the holistic dynamics of the body and how we lose and maintain our health. He has maintained a busy practice in Austin, Texas for the past 13 years and works with people of all ages interested in maximizing their health, and overcoming the modern scourge of all forms of chronic illness.
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Martha Munizzi
You're here » Music Lyrics Index » M » Martha Munizzi » The Best Is Yet To Come » New Season Lyrics
Album: The Best Is Yet To Come
Track: New Season
New Season Lyrics
Hallelujah.Cause it's a new season,it's a new day yeah. His fresh anointing I can feel it, it's flowing my way. Oh (4 x's). It's a season of power and prosperity.Yes it is.It's a new season and it's coming to me. Oh if you believe that lift your hands and say; It's a new season, it's a new day, it's a new day. Fresh anointing frsh anointing,is flowing my way,is flowing my way it's a season of power it's a season of power and prosperity and prosperity. Yes it is.It's a new season and it's coming to me Oh.
Chorus #1
It's a new season
It's a new day
Oh (5 x's) Fresh anointing
Fresh anointing
Is flowing my way
It's a season of power
And prosperity
It's a new season (5 x's)
Oh (5x's).Listen. The devil's times of no longer can he bother me cause the controller of the universe he fathers me and in transference all your children's children will be free. It's a new season,It's a new season. If you don't know but now you need to know it's Jubilee your debts are cancelled and your children ought to be in victory.Yeah. It's all available to you right now just taste and see. It's a new season.
It's a new season Yeah
It's a new ,It's a new season
I know it's a new season for you
Yeah (6x's)
It' a new season
Oh if you believe it would you just say Yeah (6 x's).The new millenium presents a new horizon and no greater time for us to make a choice and take a stand all that we need is resting safely in the Master's hand it's a new season it's a new season.
All that was stolen is returned to you a hundred fold it's right in the fire but you're coming out gold.
Do you believe it? Do you believe it?Yes I believe it.I feel the need to explain I feel the need to explain.Look at somebody next to you look them right in the eye you might need a little help here a little bit of light here.Tell them all that was stolen. All that was stolen.Is returned to you.Is returned to you a hundred fold, a hundred fold.Make sure they enjoy that part. Is that alright with you? Is that okay if we return this a hundred fold back to you? It's right in the fire tell them, It's right in the fire. It's right in the fire. But you're coming out. But you're coming out. Gold. Gold. Grab them by the hand and pull on them gently just say you're coming you're out. You're coming out. I want you to understand that. Now this is a church with many generations representing in it. There's some seasoned vetren and there's some young folks. And maybe some of you weren't raised in church all of your life so maybe you might relate to what we're saying a little bit better if you remember the words to that prophetic song by Diana Ross. What she say Margaret?
I'm coming out
What she say now?
Come on Come on you don't have to stay there you don't have to stay there.
I want the world to know
I'm coming out yeah
I want the world to know got to let it show
All right let's try it one more time
All that was stolen say
All that was stolen is returned to you a hundred a hundred fold. It's right in the fire but you're coming out gold. Cling to his hand yes to every diamond take a hold it's a new season.
Freash anointing
It's a new season coming to me
(3 x's)
Back To The Best Is Yet To Come Song List
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Home Biography Marilyn Denis
Marilyn Denis
Birth date: 1 Jul, 1958
Age: 62 yrs
Occupations: Radio personality
Citizenship: United States of America
Birth place: Edmonton
Education: University of Idaho
Description: Canadian broadcaster
TwitterID: MarilynDenisCTV
Marilyn was born on 1 July 1958. She was born in Alberta in Canada. There is no information about her parents and it is also not know if she has any sibling or not. Marilyn’s childhood was spend in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and she complete her schooling from Pennsylvania itself. It is known that she later went to University of Idaho to complete her graduation and she earned her degree in radio, advertising and TV.
Don't Miss: Mandy Patinkin
Marilyn started her career just after her graduation and she started with a radio station in Idaho. She later got an offer to work with Calgary and she also worked with CJAY FM. In 1986, Marilyn got a chance to work for CHUM – FM as a host an even today, she works there as a host for the show Roger, Rick and Marilyn. It is known that Marilyn also hosted a few talk shows. After 19 years of work with City line, Marilyn decided to quit her job with her employer as the former station was taken over by one of the competitor of CHUM – FM. Later in 2008, Marilyn got an offer to host another show. The name of the show was Marilyn Denis Show and the show was aired on CTV. The show aired its first episode in 2011 and the show was widely loved by the audience.
During her career, Marilyn was awarded with several awards. In 2005, she was honoured with Gemini Award under the category of Viewer’s Choice Award. She was honoured with the same award in 2006 as well. In 2006, Marilyn also received the Rosalie Award. The award is given to the best Radio Programmers. Later in 2007, Marilyn was honoured with Gemini Award again. This time she won the award under the category for Best Host in a Lifestyle Information Series.
She is surely at top of the pyramid in her career. It is also known that Marilyn also underwent a plastic surgery as she was aging. This surgery helped her in lifting up her face and eliminating all the wrinkles. It is speculated that she took Botox injection. Whatever it is, Marilyn looks much younger and beautiful now and she still possesses a charm in her personality and her face.
Marilyn got married in later years of her life but it is known that due to some of the differences, she filed a divorce case and she also gave birth to a son from her marriage with her ex-husband. The name of her son is Adam. Her son also works for FM station in Toronto. At present, she owns a house in Downtown in Toronto, Canada and she lives there with her son. There is no information about Marilyn’s annual salary but it is known that her net worth is estimated to be 5 Million US Dollars. She has a huge fan following on social media platform like twitter and she reached this point through her hard work. Her complete biography can be read at Wikipedia and other online sources.
Last Modified: Jul 4, 2020
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Three subjects arrested for robbery in Akron
On March 31st, 2011 at approximately 1908 hours, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the Casey’s General Store in Akron, Iowa that they had been robbed. The clerk advised that two (2) Hispanic males robbed her and took an undetermined amount of cash. The clerk advised that the subjects ran from the business and got into a vehicle and fled the scene.
A private citizen observed what had happened and followed the vehicle east out of Akron, Iowa and then the vehicle continued south on county road K-13. Once they reached the intersection, the vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto county road C-38 and lost control and went into the south ditch. At that time, three subjects fled from the vehicle but were apprehended by Plymouth County Deputies and Akron Police Department. A fourth subject fled the scene in Akron, Iowa and still has not been found.
The three (3) subjects that were apprehended are all juveniles:
1. Arturo Perez (16)
1522 Jones Street
Sioux City, Iowa
2. Fernando Perez (16)
3. Carolina Perez (15)
All of these subjects were charged with Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony. Carolina Perez was transported to the YES Center in Cherokee, Iowa and Arturo and Fernando Perez remain in custody at the Plymouth County Jail.
A fourth subject is still at large at this time.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Akron Police Department were assisted by the Hinton Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.
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Home Photography Noah Wilson: Our Land
Noah Wilson: Our Land
Photographer Noah Wilson, during a artist residency at the San Francisco dump, found and processed early 20th century negatives of National Parks. In the following artist writing, he describes his process in detail.
The photographs in this series developed out of landscape imagery appropriated from an archive of early 20th century negatives that I acquired while working as artist in residence at the San Francisco dump. Many of the pictures depict scenes from our National Parks, as well as numerous other locations throughout the American West.
These negatives have a nitrocellulose base (a medium used between 1889-1930s, but replaced in the 1920s by Kodak “Safety Film” because of the early medium’s proclivity to decay and self combust). Due to the unstable nature of this film, the negatives exist in various stages of deterioration and distress.
I’m interested in reinterpreting these landscape images to show not just the place but also the passage of time, as described in the slow degradation of the photographic medium.”
I’ve used a flatbed scanner and sunlight as a backlighting source to record both the photographic information and the surface of the negatives. I make several scans of each negative at different times of day, and depending on the quality of the sunlight (diffused or direct), I capture varying interpretations of each negative. Diffused light allows the flatbed to record more of the film surface, and direct light illuminates more of the photographic image. Sunlight and the degradation of the film brings color into these, otherwise, monochromatic images. I build each of the pictures out of several scans made at different times of day to create a composite image.
Through this process, I’m interested in reinterpreting these landscape images to show not just the place but also the passage of time, as described in the slow degradation of the photographic medium.
Photographic images are static containers, never commensurate with the living, evolving subject that they hold, and in the end, I’m trying to create a picture that describes the place that was photographed as well as the film artifact as an imperfect record.
Noah Wilson : OUR LAND Series
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Noah Wilson graduated with an MFA from San Jose State University and a BA in Art History from Humboldt State University. He’s had solo exhibitions at Haines Gallery and Dolby Chadwick Gallery. In 2010, he was awarded a Joan Mitchell Foundation Fellowship allowing him to travel, photograph and attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center. Locally, he’s worked as Artist in Residence at Recology (aka, the San Francisco Dump), and he’s maintained an active residency at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley for the past two years. In 2011, he ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund photographic research in Montana and Wyoming for his ongoing Ground Truthing project. He is currently developing an edition of prints for SF Camerawork’s fine print editions.
CONTACT NOAH WILSON:
noahmwilson.com
noahwilson.projects[at]gmail[dot]com
Contributing Artist
Latest posts by Contributing Artist (see all)
UnnikrishnanRaveendranathan: Blood Money - September 21, 2015
Noah Wilson: Our Land - January 15, 2015
Golnaz Shahmirzadi: Forbidden Beauty - January 13, 2015
Post Tagged: Conceptual art, Experimental Photography
Reviews content here
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Simply Streep.com - The Meryl Streep Archives
The Simply Streep Archives has gathered details on all of Meryl Streep's feature films, television, theatre and voice narration, and also features an extensive library of articles, photographs and video clips. You can browse the collection by Ms. Streep's career or through a year-by-year summary.
Browse the complete works Feature Films (59) Television Films & Series (8) Theatre Productions (55) Audio: Films & Television (11) Audio: CDs, Podcasts, Radio (27) Audio: Documentaries (52) Documentaries (26) TV Presentations (35) Theatre Readings (12) Educational Videos (11) Online Videos (27) Commercials (5)
Select a year 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969
Home > Television Appearances > 1981 > The Today Show (September 28, 1981)
Filename: cap006.jpg
Album name: Frederik / The Today Show (September 28, 1981)
URL: http://www.simplystreepmedia.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=169418
www.simplystreep.com | Simply Streep - The Meryl Streep Archives | Created in 1999
Simply Streep - The Meryl Streep Archives is created by a fan, is a non-profit fansite and not affiliated with Ms. Streep herself or her management in any way. The cause of this website is to represent the work of Meryl Streep in an accurate and up-to-date version for fans all over the world. I do not claim ownership for any information or material published on this website. If any copyright holder wishes to have specific content removed, please contact me. Enjoy your stay!
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BECTON DICKINSON & CO
e10vk
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2011
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4802
incorporation or organization) 22-0760120
1 Becton Drive
(Address of principal executive offices) 07417-1880
Title of Each Class Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ
As of March 31, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $17,370,014,569.
As of October 31, 2011, 214,890,631 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held January 31, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
Item 1. Business
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. Properties
Item 4. [Reserved]
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES 86
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
Item 1. Business.
Becton, Dickinson and Company (also known as “BD”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in November 1906, as successor to a New York business started in 1897. BD’s executive offices are located at 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, and its telephone number is (201) 847-6800. All references in this Form 10-K to “BD” refer to Becton, Dickinson and Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated by the context.
BD is a global medical technology company engaged principally in the development, manufacture and sale of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents used by healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public.
BD’s operations consist of three worldwide business segments: BD Medical, BD Diagnostics and BD Biosciences. Information with respect to BD’s business segments is included in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and is incorporated herein by reference.
BD Medical produces a broad array of medical devices that are used in a wide range of healthcare settings. BD Medical’s principal product lines include needles, syringes and intravenous catheters for medication delivery (including safety-engineered and auto-disable devices); prefilled IV flush syringes; syringes and pen needles for the self-injection of insulin and other drugs used in the treatment of diabetes; prefillable drug delivery systems provided to pharmaceutical companies and sold to end-users as drug/device combinations; regional anesthesia needles and trays; sharps disposal containers; and closed-system transfer devices. The primary customers served by BD Medical are hospitals and clinics; physicians’ office practices; consumers and retail pharmacies; governmental and nonprofit public health agencies; pharmaceutical companies; and healthcare workers.
BD Diagnostics
BD Diagnostics provides products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostics specimens, as well as instruments and reagent systems to detect a broad range of infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections (“HAIs”) and cancers. BD Diagnostics’ principal products include integrated systems for specimen collection; safety-engineered blood collection products and systems; automated blood culturing systems; molecular testing systems for infectious diseases and women’s health; microorganism identification and drug susceptibility systems; liquid-based cytology systems for cervical cancer screening; rapid diagnostic assays; and plated media. BD Diagnostics serves hospitals, laboratories and clinics; reference laboratories; blood banks; healthcare workers; public health agencies; physicians’ office practices; and industrial and food microbiology laboratories.
BD Biosciences produces research and clinical tools that facilitate the study of cells, and the components of cells, to gain a better understanding of normal and disease processes. That information is used to aid the discovery and development of new drugs and vaccines, and to improve the diagnosis and management of diseases. BD Biosciences’ principal product lines include fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers; monoclonal antibodies and kits for performing cell analysis; reagent systems for life science research; cell imaging systems; laboratory products for tissue culture and fluid handling; diagnostic assays; and cell culture media supplements for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The primary customers served by BD Biosciences
are research and clinical laboratories; academic and government institutions; pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; hospitals; and blood banks.
During the second quarter of 2011, BD acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Accuri Cytometers, Inc, a company that develops and manufactures personal flow cytometers for researchers. The fair value of consideration transferred totaled $205 million, net of cash acquired.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, BD acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Carmel Pharma Inc., a Swedish company that manufactures the PhaSeal® System, a closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials. The fair value of consideration transferred was $287 million, net of cash acquired.
Additional information regarding these acquisitions is contained in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BD’s products are manufactured and sold worldwide. For reporting purposes, we organize our operations outside the United States as follows: Europe (which includes the Middle East and Africa); Japan; Asia Pacific (which includes Australia and all of Asia except Japan); Latin America (which includes Mexico and Brazil) and Canada. The principal products sold by BD outside the United States are needles and syringes; insulin syringes and pen needles; diagnostic systems; BD Vacutainertm brand blood collection products; BD Hypaktm brand prefillable syringe systems; infusion therapy products; flow cytometry instruments and reagents; and disposable laboratory products. BD has manufacturing operations outside the United States in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Geographic information with respect to BD’s operations is included under the heading “Geographic Information” in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Foreign economic conditions and exchange rate fluctuations have caused the profitability related to foreign revenues to fluctuate more than the profitability related to domestic revenues. BD believes its activities in some countries outside the United States involve greater risk than its domestic business due to the factors cited herein, as well as the economic environment, local commercial and economic policies and political uncertainties. See further discussion of this risk in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
BD’s products are marketed in the United States and internationally through independent distribution channels and directly to end-users by BD and independent sales representatives. No customer accounted for 10% or more of revenues in fiscal year 2011. Order backlog is not material to BD’s business inasmuch as orders for BD products generally are received and filled on a current basis, except for items temporarily out of stock. BD’s worldwide sales are not generally seasonal, with the exception of certain medical devices in the BD Medical segment, and respiratory and flu diagnostic products in the BD Diagnostics segment, that relate to seasonal diseases such as influenza.
BD purchases many different types of raw materials, including plastics, glass, metals, textiles, paper products, agricultural products, electronic and mechanical sub-assemblies and various biological, chemical and petrochemical products. Certain raw materials (primarily related to the BD Biosciences segment) are not available from multiple sources. In the case of certain principal raw materials that are available from multiple sources, for various reasons (including quality assurance and cost effectiveness), BD elects to purchase these raw materials from sole suppliers. In cases where there are regulatory requirements relating to qualification of suppliers, BD may not be able to
establish additional or replacement sources on a timely basis. While BD works closely with its suppliers to ensure continuity of supply, the termination, reduction or interruption in supply of these sole-sourced raw materials could impact our ability to manufacture and sell certain of our products.
BD conducts its research and development (“R&D”) activities at its operating units and at BD Technologies in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The majority of BD’s R&D activities are conducted in the United States. Outside the United States, BD conducts R&D activities at BD Diagnostic Systems in Quebec City, Canada and Suzhou, China, BD Pharmaceutical Systems in Pont de Claix, France, and BD Medical Surgical Systems in Tuas, Singapore. BD also collaborates with certain universities, medical centers and other entities on R&D programs, and retains individual consultants to support its efforts in specialized fields. BD spent approximately $476 million, $431 million and $405 million on research and development during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Fiscal 2011 spending included a $9 million charge resulting from the discontinuance of a research program.
Intellectual Property and Licenses
BD owns significant intellectual property, including patents, patent applications, technology, trade secrets, know-how, copyrights and trademarks in the United States and other countries. BD is also licensed under domestic and foreign patents, patent applications, technology, trade secrets, know-how, copyrights and trademarks owned by others. In the aggregate, these intellectual property assets and licenses are of material importance to BD’s business. BD believes, however, that no single patent, technology, trademark, intellectual property asset or license is material in relation to BD’s business as a whole, or to any business segment.
BD operates in the increasingly complex and challenging medical technology marketplace whose dynamics are changing. Technological advances and scientific discoveries have accelerated the pace of change in medical technology, the regulatory environment of medical products is becoming more complex and vigorous, and economic conditions have resulted in a challenging market. Companies of varying sizes compete in the global medical technology field. Some are more specialized than BD with respect to particular markets, and some have greater financial resources than BD. New companies have entered the field, particularly in the areas of molecular diagnostics, safety-engineered devices and in the life sciences, and established companies have diversified their business activities into the medical technology area. Other firms engaged in the distribution of medical technology products have become manufacturers of medical devices and instruments as well. Acquisitions and collaborations by and among companies seeking a competitive advantage also affect the competitive environment. In addition, the entry into the market of manufacturers located in China and other low-cost manufacturing locations are creating increased pricing pressures, particularly in developing markets. Some competitors have also established manufacturing sites or have contracted with suppliers located in these countries as a means to lower their costs. New entrants may also appear, particularly from these low-cost countries.
BD competes in this evolving marketplace on the basis of many factors, including price, quality, innovation, service, reputation, distribution and promotion. The impact of these factors on BD’s competitive position varies among BD’s various product offerings. In order to remain competitive in the industries in which it operates, BD continues to make investments in research and development, quality management, quality improvement, product innovation and productivity improvement in support of its core strategy — to increase revenue growth by focusing on products that deliver greater benefits to patients, healthcare workers and researchers.
Healthcare providers and related facilities are generally reimbursed for their services through numerous payment systems managed by various governmental agencies worldwide (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid in the
United States, the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, the Joint Federal Committee in Germany, the Commission d’Evaluation des Produits et prestations in France, the Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan, the Ministry of Health and the National Development and Reform Commission in China, among many others), private insurance companies, and managed care organizations. The manner and level of reimbursement in any given case may depend on the site of care, the procedure(s) performed, the final patient diagnosis, the device(s) and/or drug(s) utilized, the available budget, or a combination of these factors, and coverage and payment levels are determined at each payer’s discretion. The coverage policies and reimbursement levels of these third-party payers may impact the decisions of healthcare providers and facilities regarding which medical products they purchase and the prices they are willing to pay for those products. Thus, changes in reimbursement level or method may either positively or negatively impact sales of BD products.
While BD is actively engaged in promoting the value of its products for payers and patients, and it employs various efforts and resources to positively impact coverage, coding and payment processes in this regard, it has no direct control over payer decision-making with respect to coverage and payment levels for BD products. Additionally, we expect many payers to continue to explore cost-containment strategies (e.g., comparative and cost-effectiveness analyses, so-called “pay-for-performance” programs implemented by various public and private payers, and expansion of payment bundling schemes such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), DRG programs, and other such methods that shift medical cost risk to providers) that could potentially impact coverage and/or payment levels for current or future BD products.
As BD’s product offerings are diverse across many healthcare settings, they are affected to varying degrees by the many payment systems. Therefore, individual countries, product lines or product classes may be impacted by changes to these systems. Notably, the recently-enacted healthcare reform legislation in the United States (i.e., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”)) provides for numerous, substantive changes to U.S. healthcare payment systems. Many of the changes set forth in this statute have only recently been promulgated through formal regulations and most of them have yet to be implemented. At this time, it remains unclear whether, or how, the implementation of regulations pursuant to the PPACA might affect payments for BD products. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a further discussion.
BD’s medical technology products and operations are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and various other federal and state agencies, as well as by foreign governmental agencies. These agencies enforce laws and regulations that govern the development, testing, manufacturing, labeling, advertising, marketing and distribution, and market surveillance of BD’s medical products. The scope of the activities of these agencies, particularly in the Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific regions in which BD operates, has been increasing.
BD actively maintains FDA/ISO Quality Systems that establish standards for its product design, manufacturing, and distribution processes. Prior to marketing or selling most of its products, BD must secure approval from the FDA and counterpart non-U.S. regulatory agencies. Following the introduction of a product, these agencies engage in periodic reviews of BD’s quality systems, as well as product performance, and advertising and promotional materials. These regulatory controls, as well as any changes in FDA policies, can affect the time and cost associated with the development, introduction and continued availability of new products. Where possible, BD anticipates these factors in its product development and planning processes.
These agencies possess the authority to take various administrative and legal actions against BD, such as product recalls, product seizures and other civil and criminal sanctions. BD also undertakes voluntary compliance actions such as voluntary recalls.
BD also is subject to various federal and state laws, and laws outside the United States, concerning healthcare fraud and abuse (including false claims laws and anti-kickback laws), global anti-corruption, transportation, safety and health, and customs and exports. Many of the agencies enforcing these laws have increased their enforcement activities with respect to medical device manufacturers in recent years. This
appears to be part of a general trend toward increased regulation and enforcement activity within and outside the United States.
BD believes it is in compliance in all material respects with applicable law and the regulations promulgated by the applicable agencies (including, without limitation, environmental laws and regulations), and that such compliance has not had, and will not have, a material adverse effect on our operations or results. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
As of September 30, 2011, BD had 29,369 employees, of whom 12,041 were employed in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). BD believes that its employee relations are satisfactory.
Becton Dickinson France, S.A. (“BD-France”), a subsidiary of BD, was listed among approximately 2,200 other companies in an October 27, 2005 report of the Independent Inquiry Committee (“IIC”) of the United Nations (“UN”) as having been involved in humanitarian contracts in which unauthorized payments were suspected of having been made to the Iraqi Government in connection with the UN’s Oil-for-Food Programme (the “Programme”). In connection with the IIC’s report, Becton Dickinson AG, a Swiss subsidiary of BD, received a letter of inquiry from the Vendor Review Committee (“VRC”) of the United Nations Procurement Service dated November 22, 2005. The letter of inquiry said that the VRC is reviewing Becton Dickinson AG’s registration status in light of BD-France being listed in the IIC’s report and asked us for any information we might be able to provide relating to the findings of the report. BD conducted an internal review and found no evidence that BD or any BD employee made, authorized, or approved improper payments to the Iraqi Government in connection with the Programme. The representative utilized by BD in Iraq also unequivocally denied having made any such payments, and BD was unable to find any evidence of such payments being made by this representative. BD reported the results of its internal review to the VRC. In May 2008, BD received a letter from the UN stating that Becton Dickinson AG had been suspended from the UN Secretariat Procurement Division’s vendor roster for a minimum period of six months. We have requested that Becton Dickinson AG be reinstated. BD believes that the suspension has not had, and will not have, a material adverse effect on BD.
In May 2007, the French Judicial Police conducted searches of BD-France’s offices in France with respect to the matters that were the subject of the 2005 IIC report. We were informed that BD-France is one of a number of companies named in the IIC report that is being investigated by the French Judicial Police. In June 2009, the Belgian Federal Police contacted BD to interview certain individuals and review documents related to sales made under the Programme. We are cooperating fully with these investigations.
BD maintains a website at www.bd.com. BD also makes available its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K (and amendments to those reports) as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These filings may be obtained and printed free of charge at www.bd.com/investors. In addition, the written charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee of the Board of Directors, BD’s Corporate Governance Principles and its Code of Conduct, are available at BD’s website at www.bd.com/investors/corporate_governance/. Printed copies of these materials, BD’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and BD’s reports and statements filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, telephone 201-847-6800. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issues that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
BD also routinely posts important information for investors on its website at www.bd.com/investors. BD may use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD adopted by the SEC. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of BD’s website noted above, in addition to following BD’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this Annual Report.
BD and its representatives may from time-to-time make certain forward-looking statements in publicly-released materials, both written and oral, including statements contained in filings with the SEC and in our reports to shareholders. Additional information regarding our forward-looking statements is contained in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
An investment in BD involves a variety of risks and uncertainties. The following describes some of the significant risks that could adversely affect BD’s business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.
Current economic conditions could continue to adversely affect our operations.
The global economic conditions may result in a decrease in the demand for our products and services, increased pricing pressure, longer sales cycles, and slower adoption of new technologies. During fiscal year 2011, our revenue growth was adversely affected by conditions in the healthcare industry, including lower healthcare utilization, particularly in the U.S. and western Europe, cost containment efforts by governments and other payors for healthcare services and other factors. These conditions resulted in weaker overall customer demand and increased pricing pressure for some of our products. We anticipate that these industry conditions will continue for the foreseeable future. In addition, while the economic downturn has not impaired our ability to access credit markets to date, there can be no assurance that these conditions will not adversely affect our ability to do so in the future. The current macroeconomic conditions may also adversely affect our suppliers, and there can be no assurances that BD will not experience any interruptions in supply in the future. We have also experienced delays in collecting receivables in certain countries in western Europe, and we may experience similar delays in these and other jurisdictions experiencing liquidity problems. The continued weakness in world economies makes the strength and timing of any economic recovery uncertain, and there can be no assurance that global economic conditions will not deteriorate further.
We are subject to foreign currency exchange risk.
Over half of our fiscal year 2011 revenues were derived from international operations. Our revenues outside the United States may be adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. A discussion of the financial impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the ways and extent to which we may attempt to address any impact is contained in Item. 7, Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Any hedging activities we engage in may only offset a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting from unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We cannot predict with any certainty changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the degree to which we can address these risks.
Changes in reimbursement practices of third-party payers could affect the demand for our products and the prices at which they are sold.
Our sales depend, in part, on the extent to which healthcare providers and facilities are reimbursed by government authorities, private insurers and other third-party payers for the costs of our products. The coverage policies and reimbursement levels of third-party payers, which can vary among public and private sources, may affect which products customers purchase and the prices they are willing to pay for these products in a particular jurisdiction. Legislative or administrative reforms to reimbursement systems in the United States (as part of healthcare reform or otherwise, as discussed below) or abroad could significantly
reduce reimbursement for procedures using BD products, or result in denial of reimbursement for those products. See “Third-Party Reimbursement” under Item 1. Business.
Federal healthcare reform may adversely affect our results of operations.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “PPACA”) was enacted in March 2010. Under the PPACA, beginning in 2013, medical device manufacturers, such as BD, will pay a 2.3% excise tax on U.S. sales of certain medical devices. Sales of BD products that we estimate to be subject to this tax represented about 80% of BD’s total U.S. revenues in fiscal year 2011. We cannot predict with any certainty what other impact the PPACA may have on our business. The PPACA reduces Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals, clinical laboratories and pharmaceutical companies, and could otherwise reduce the volume of medical procedures. These factors, in turn, could result in reduced demand for our products and increased downward pricing pressure. It is also possible that the PPACA will result in lower reimbursements for our products. While the PPACA is intended to expand health insurance coverage to uninsured persons in the United States, the impact of any overall increase in access to healthcare on sales of BD’s products remains uncertain.
Efforts to reduce the U.S. federal deficit could adversely affect our results of operations.
As part of the law passed in August 2011 to extend the federal debt limit and reduce government spending, a bipartisan committee was established to identify up to $1.5 trillion in cuts to federal programs. On November 21, 2011, the joint committee announced that it would not reach an agreement by the prescribed deadline, which will trigger an automatic $1.2 trillion in additional spending cuts in the absence of further legislative action. Half of the automatic reductions would come from lowering the caps imposed on domestic discretionary spending and cutting domestic entitlement programs, including reductions in payments to Medicare providers. Government research funding could also be impacted as part of any deficit reduction. Any such reductions in government healthcare spending or research funding could result in reduced demand for our products or additional pricing pressure.
Price volatility could adversely affect costs associated with our operations.
Our results of operations could be negatively impacted by price volatility in the cost of raw materials, components, freight and energy. In particular, BD purchases supplies of resins, which are oil-based components used in the manufacture of certain products. Any significant increases in resin purchase costs could impact future operating results. Increases in the price of oil can also increase BD’s costs for packaging and transportation. New laws or regulations adopted in response to climate change could also increase energy costs and the costs of certain raw materials and components. These cost increases may adversely affect our profitability.
BD’s future growth is dependent upon the development of new products, and there can be no assurance that such products will be developed.
A significant element of our strategy is to increase revenue growth by focusing on products that deliver greater benefits to patients, healthcare workers and researchers. The development of these products requires significant research and development, clinical trials and regulatory approvals. The results of our product development efforts may be affected by a number of factors, including BD’s ability to innovate, develop and manufacture new products, complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals and reimbursement in the United States and abroad, or gain and maintain market approval of our products. In addition, patents attained by others can preclude or delay our commercialization of a product. There can be no assurance that any products now in development or that we may seek to develop in the future will achieve technological feasibility, obtain regulatory approval, or gain market acceptance.
We cannot guarantee that any of BD’s strategic acquisitions, investments or alliances will be successful.
As part of our strategy to increase revenue growth, we seek to supplement our internal growth through strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances. Such transactions are inherently risky. The success of any acquisition, investment or alliance may be affected by a number of factors, including our ability to properly assess and value the potential business opportunity or to successfully integrate any business we may acquire into our existing business. There can be no assurance that any past or future transaction will be successful.
The medical technology industry is very competitive.
The medical technology industry is subject to rapid technological changes, and we face significant competition across our product lines and in each market in which our products are sold. We face this competition from a wide range of companies. These include large medical device companies, some of which may have greater financial and marketing resources than we do. We also face competition from firms that are more specialized than we are with respect to particular markets. Other firms engaged in the distribution of medical technology products have become manufacturers of medical devices and instruments as well. In some instances, competitors, including pharmaceutical companies, also offer, or are attempting to develop, alternative therapies for disease states that may be delivered without a medical device. The development of new or improved products, processes or technologies by other companies (such as needle-free injection technology) may render our products or proposed products obsolete or less competitive. In addition, increasing customer demand for more environmentally-friendly products is creating another basis on which BD must compete. The entry into the market of manufacturers located in China and other low-cost manufacturing locations is also creating pricing pressure, particularly in developing markets. Some competitors have also established manufacturing sites or have contracted with suppliers located in these countries as a means to lower their costs. New entrants may also appear, particularly from these low-cost countries.
Consolidation in the healthcare industry could adversely affect BD’s future revenues and operating income.
The medical technology industry has experienced a significant amount of consolidation. As a result of this consolidation, competition to provide goods and services to customers has increased. In addition, group purchasing organizations and integrated health delivery networks have served to concentrate purchasing decisions for some customers, which has also placed pricing pressure on medical device suppliers. Further consolidation in the industry could exert additional pressure on the prices of our products.
The international operations of BD’s business may subject BD to certain business risks.
BD operations outside the United States subject BD to certain risks, including the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange (discussed above); the effects of local economic conditions; changes in foreign regulatory requirements; local product preferences; difficulty in establishing, staffing and managing foreign operations; differing labor regulations; changes in tax laws; potential political instability; trade barriers; weakening or loss of the protection of intellectual property rights in some countries; and restrictions on the transfer of capital across borders. The success of our operations outside the United States will depend, in part, on our ability to acquire or form and maintain alliances with local companies and make necessary infrastructure enhancements to, among other things, our production facilities and distribution networks.
Reductions in customers’ research budgets or government funding may adversely affect our BD Biosciences segment.
Our BD Biosciences segment sells products to researchers at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, government laboratories and private foundations. Research and development spending of our customers can fluctuate based on spending priorities and general economic conditions. A number of these customers are also dependent for their funding upon grants from U.S. government agencies, such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) and agencies in other countries. The level of government funding of research and development is unpredictable. There have been instances where NIH
grants have been frozen or otherwise unavailable for extended periods. The availability of governmental research funding may also continue to be adversely affected by the current economic downturn. Any reduction or delay in governmental funding could cause our customers to delay or forego purchases of our products.
A reduction or interruption in the supply of certain raw materials and components would adversely affect BD’s manufacturing operations and related product sales.
BD purchases many different types of raw materials and components. Certain raw materials (primarily related to the BD Biosciences segment) and components are not available from multiple sources. In addition, for quality assurance, cost-effectiveness and other reasons, BD elects to purchase certain raw materials and components from sole suppliers. The supply of these materials can be disrupted for a number of reasons, including current economic conditions as described above. While we work with suppliers to ensure continuity of supply, no assurance can be given that these efforts will be successful. In addition, where there are regulatory requirements relating to the qualification of suppliers, we may not be able to establish additional or replacement sources on a timely basis. The termination, reduction or interruption in supply of these sole-sourced raw materials and components could impact our ability to manufacture and sell certain of our products.
Interruption of our manufacturing operations could adversely affect BD’s future revenues and operating income.
We have manufacturing sites all over the world. In addition, in some instances, the manufacturing of certain of our product lines is concentrated in one or more of our plants. As a result, weather, natural disasters (including pandemics), terrorism, political change, failure to follow specific internal protocols and procedures, equipment malfunction, environmental factors or damage to one or more of our facilities could adversely affect our ability to manufacture our products.
BD is subject to a number of pending lawsuits.
BD is a defendant in a number of pending lawsuits, including purported class action lawsuits for, among other things, alleged antitrust violations and patent infringement, and could be subject to additional lawsuits in the future. A more detailed description of these lawsuits is contained in Item 3. Legal Proceedings. Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, we are not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which we are a party. In view of these uncertainties, we could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. Any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could adversely affect BD’s results of operations and cash flows.
BD is subject to extensive regulation.
BD is subject to extensive regulation by the FDA pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, by comparable agencies in foreign countries, and by other regulatory agencies and governing bodies. Most of BD’s products must receive clearance or approval from the FDA or counterpart regulatory agencies in other countries before they can be marketed or sold. The process for obtaining marketing approval or clearance may take a significant period of time and require the expenditure of substantial resources, and these have been increasing due to increased requirements from the FDA for supporting data for submissions. The process may also require changes to our products or result in limitations on the indicated uses of the products. Also, governmental agencies may impose new requirements regarding registration, labeling or prohibited materials that may require us to modify or re-register products already on the market or otherwise impact our ability to market our products in those countries. Once clearance or approval has been obtained for a product, there is an obligation to ensure that all applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements continue to be met.
Following the introduction of a product, these agencies also periodically review our manufacturing processes and product performance. Our failure to comply with the applicable good manufacturing practices, adverse event reporting, clinical trial and other requirements of these agencies could delay or prevent the
production, marketing or sale of our products and result in fines, delays or suspensions of regulatory clearances, closure of manufacturing sites, seizures or recalls of products and damage to our reputation. Recent changes in enforcement practice by the FDA and other agencies have resulted in increased enforcement activity, which increases the compliance risk for BD and other companies in our industry.
Product defects could adversely affect the results of our operations.
The design, manufacture and marketing of medical devices involve certain inherent risks. Manufacturing or design defects, unanticipated use of our products, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of our products can lead to injury or other adverse events. These events could lead to recalls or safety alerts relating to our products (either voluntary or required by the FDA or similar governmental authorities in other countries), and could result, in certain cases, in the removal of a product from the market. A recall could result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products. Personal injuries relating to the use of our products can also result in product liability claims being brought against us. In some circumstances, such adverse events could also cause delays in new product approvals.
We may experience difficulties implementing our enterprise resource planning system.
We are engaged in a project to upgrade our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. Our ERP system is critical to our ability to accurately maintain books and records, record transactions, provide important information to our management and prepare our financial statements. The design and implementation of the new ERP system has required, and will continue to require, the investment of significant financial and human resources. The total cost needed to implement the new ERP system may turn out to be more than we currently anticipate. In addition, we may not be able to successfully implement the new ERP system without experiencing difficulties. Any disruptions, delays or deficiencies in the design and implementation of the new ERP system could adversely affect our ability to process orders, ship products, provide services and customer support, send invoices and track payments, fulfill contractual obligations or otherwise operate our business.
Our operations are dependent in part on patents and other intellectual property assets.
Many of BD’s businesses rely on patent, trademark and other intellectual property assets. While we do not believe that the loss of any one patent or other intellectual property asset would materially adversely affect BD operations, these intellectual property assets, in the aggregate, are of material importance to our business. BD can lose the protection afforded by these intellectual property assets through patent expirations, legal challenges or governmental action. Patents attained by competitors, particularly as patents on our products expire, may also adversely affect our competitive position. The loss of a significant portion of our portfolio of intellectual property assets may have an adverse effect on our earnings, financial condition or cash flows. In addition, competitors may claim that BD products infringe upon their intellectual property. Resolving any intellectual property claim can be costly and time-consuming.
Natural disasters, war and other events could adversely affect BD’s future revenues and operating income.
Natural disasters (including pandemics), war, terrorism, labor disruptions and international conflicts, and actions taken by the United States and other governments, or by our customers or suppliers, in response to such events, could cause significant economic disruption and political and social instability in the United States and in areas outside of the United States in which we operate. These events could result in decreased demand for our products, adversely affect our manufacturing and distribution capabilities, or increase the costs for or cause interruptions in the supply of materials from our suppliers.
We need to attract and retain key employees to be competitive.
Our ability to compete effectively depends upon our ability to attract and retain executives and other key employees, including people in technical, marketing, sales and research positions. Competition for experienced employees, particularly for persons with specialized skills, can be intense. BD’s ability to recruit such talent will depend on a number of factors, including compensation and benefits, work location and work environment. If we cannot effectively recruit and retain qualified executives and employees, our business could be adversely affected.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Item 2. Properties.
BD’s executive offices are located in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. As of November 1, 2011, BD owned and leased 180 facilities throughout the world comprising approximately 17,081,296 square feet of manufacturing, warehousing, administrative and research facilities. The U.S. facilities, including Puerto Rico, comprise approximately 7,018,934 square feet of owned and 2,416,594 square feet of leased space. The international facilities comprise approximately 6,197,567 square feet of owned and 1,448,201 square feet of leased space. Sales offices and distribution centers included in the total square footage are also located throughout the world.
Operations in each of BD’s business segments are conducted at both U.S. and international locations. Particularly in the international marketplace, facilities often serve more than one business segment and are used for multiple purposes, such as administrative/sales, manufacturing and/or warehousing/distribution. BD generally seeks to own its manufacturing facilities, although some are leased. The following table summarizes property information by business segment.
Sites Corporate BD Biosciences BD Diagnostics BD Medical Mixed(A) Total
3 10 8 59 46 126
2 6 13 24 9 54
5 16 21 83 55 180
1,003,608 1,141,319 2,747,797 7,507,547 4,681,025 17,081,296
(A) Facilities used by more than one business segment.
BD believes that its facilities are of good construction and in good physical condition, are suitable and adequate for the operations conducted at those facilities, and are, with minor exceptions, fully utilized and operating at normal capacity.
The U.S. facilities are located in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, DC, Washington, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
The international facilities are grouped as follows:
— Europe, which includes facilities in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Norway, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
— Japan.
— Asia Pacific, which includes facilities in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Latin America, which includes facilities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
— Canada.
BD is named as a defendant in the following purported class action suits brought on behalf of distributors and other entities that purchase BD’s products (the “Distributor Plaintiffs”), alleging that BD violated federal antitrust laws, resulting in the charging of higher prices for BD’s products to the plaintiffs and other purported class members.
Case Court Date Filed
Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., et. al. vs. Becton Dickinson and Company
U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey March 25, 2005
SAJ Distributors, Inc. et. al. vs. Becton Dickinson & Co.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania September 6, 2005
Dik Drug Company, et. al. vs. Becton, Dickinson and Company
U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey September 12, 2005
American Sales Company, Inc. et. al. vs. Becton, Dickinson & Co.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania October 3, 2005
Park Surgical Co. Inc. et. al. vs. Becton, Dickinson and Company
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania October 26, 2005
These actions have been consolidated under the caption “In re Hypodermic Products Antitrust Litigation.”
BD is also named as a defendant in the following purported class action suits brought on behalf of purchasers of BD’s products, such as hospitals (the “Hospital Plaintiffs”), alleging that BD violated federal and state antitrust laws, resulting in the charging of higher prices for BD’s products to the plaintiffs and other purported class members.
Jabo’s Pharmacy, Inc., et. al. v. Becton Dickinson & Company
U.S. District Court,
Greenville, Tennessee June 7, 2005
Drug Mart Tallman, Inc., et. al. v. Becton Dickinson and Company
U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey January 17, 2006
Medstar v. Becton Dickinson
U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey May 18, 2006
The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale v. Becton Dickinson and Company
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York March 28, 2007
The plaintiffs in each of the above antitrust class action lawsuits seek monetary damages. All of the antitrust class action lawsuits have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Federal court in New Jersey.
On April 27, 2009, BD entered into a settlement agreement with the Distributor Plaintiffs in these actions. The settlement agreement provided for, among other things, the payment by BD of $45 million in exchange for a release by all potential class members of the direct purchaser claims under federal antitrust laws related to the products and acts enumerated in the complaint, and a dismissal of the case with prejudice, insofar as it relates to direct purchaser claims. The release would not cover potential class members that affirmatively opt out of the settlement. On September 30, 2010, the court issued an order denying a motion to approve the settlement agreement, ruling that the Hospital Plaintiffs, and not the Distributor Plaintiffs, are the direct purchasers entitled to pursue damages under the federal antitrust laws for certain sales of BD products. The settlement agreement currently remains in effect, subject to certain termination provisions, and the federal court of appeals has granted the Distributor Plaintiffs’ request to appeal the trial court’s order on an interlocutory basis. BD currently cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible losses with respect to these class action matters beyond the $45 million already accrued and changes to the amount already recognized may be required in the future as additional information becomes available.
In June 2007, Retractable Technologies, Inc. (“RTI”) filed a complaint against BD under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. vs. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-250, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integratm syringes infringe patents licensed exclusively to RTI. In its complaint, RTI also alleges that BD engaged in false advertising with respect to certain of BD’s safety-engineered products in violation of the Lanham Act; acted to exclude RTI from various product markets and to maintain its market share through, among other things, exclusionary contracts in violation of state and federal antitrust laws; and engaged in unfair competition. In January 2008, the court severed the patent and non-patent claims into separate cases, and stayed the non-patent claims during the pendency of the patent claims at the trial court level. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On April 1, 2008, RTI filed a complaint against BD under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. and Thomas J. Shaw v. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. 2:08-cv-141, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integratm syringes infringe another patent licensed exclusively to RTI. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On August 29, 2008, the court ordered the consolidation of the patent cases. On November 9, 2009, at a trial of these consolidated cases, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of RTI on all but one of its infringement claims, but did not find any willful infringement, and awarded RTI $5 million in damages. On May 19, 2010, the court granted RTI’s motion for a permanent injunction against the continued sale by BD of its BD Integratm products in their current form, but stayed the injunction for the duration of BD’s appeal. At the same time, the court lifted a stay of RTI’s non-patent claims. On July 8, 2011, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the District Court judgment that BD’s 3ml Integratm products infringed the asserted RTI patents and affirmed the District Court judgment of infringement against BD’s discontinued 1ml Integratm products. On October 31, 2011, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals denied RTI’s request for an en banc rehearing. The trial on RTI’s antitrust and false advertising claims is scheduled to begin in February 2012. With respect to RTI’s antitrust and false advertising claims, BD cannot estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss as there are significant legal and factual issues to be resolved. In the event that RTI succeeds at trial and subsequent appeals, however, any potential loss could be material as RTI will likely seek to recover substantial damages including disgorgement of profits and damages under the federal antitrust laws which are trebled. BD believes RTI’s allegations are without merit.
On October 19, 2009, Gen-Probe Incorporated (“Gen-Probe”) filed a patent infringement action against BD in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaint alleges that the BD Vipertm and BD Vipertm XTRtm systems and BD ProbeTectm specimen collection products infringe certain U.S. patents of Gen-Probe. On March 23, 2010, Gen-Probe filed a complaint, also in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleging that the BD Maxtm instrument infringes Gen-Probe patents. The patents alleged to be infringed are a subset of the Gen-Probe patents asserted against BD in the October 2009 suit. On June 8, 2010, the Court consolidated these cases. Gen-Probe is seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief. BD currently cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible losses for this matter as the proceedings are in relatively early stages and there are significant issues to be resolved.
BD believes that it has meritorious defenses to each of the above-mentioned suits pending against BD and is engaged in a vigorous defense of each of these matters.
BD is also involved both as a plaintiff and a defendant in other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.
BD is a party to a number of Federal proceedings in the United States brought under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. The affected sites are in varying stages of development. In some instances, the remedy has been completed, while in others, environmental studies are commencing. For all sites, there are other potentially responsible parties that may be jointly or severally liable to pay all cleanup costs.
Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, BD is not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which BD is a party. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, BD establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). In view of the uncertainties discussed below, BD could incur charges in excess of any currently
established accruals and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on BD’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following is a list of the executive officers of BD, their ages and all positions and offices held by each of them during the past five years. There is no family relationship between any executive officer or director of BD.
Name Age Position
Edward J. Ludwig
60 Director since 1999; Chairman since February 2002; Chief Executive Officer from January 2000 to October 2011; and President from May 1999 to January 2009.
Vincent A. Forlenza
58 Director and Chief Executive Officer since October 2011; President since January 2009; Chief Operating Officer from July 2010 to October 2011; and Executive Vice President from June 2006 to January 2009.
Donna M. Boles
58 Senior Vice President — Human Resources since June 2006.
Gary M. Cohen
52 Executive Vice President since June 2006.
David V. Elkins
43 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since December 2008; and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, North America and Global Marketing, AstraZeneca PLC from April 2006 to December 2008.
William A. Kozy
William E. Rhodes
57 Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development since October 2011; President — BD Biosciences from January 2009 to October 2011; and President — BD Biosciences, Cell Analysis from February 2006 to January 2009.
Jeffrey S. Sherman
56 Senior Vice President since June 2006; and General Counsel since January 2004.
Stephen Sichak
54 Senior Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain since January 2009; and President — BD Diagnostics, Preanalytical Systems from October 2004 to January 2009.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
BD’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As of October 31, 2011, there were approximately 8,674 shareholders of record.
Market and Market Prices of Common Stock (per common share)
By Quarter High Low High Low
$ 79.72 $ 66.60 $ 85.32 $ 73.67
Dividends (per common share)
By Quarter 2010 2011
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth certain information regarding BD’s purchases of its common stock during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011.
of Shares that
Total Number of
Purchased as Part of
May Yet be
For the Three Months Ended
Publicly Announced
Purchased Under the
September 30, 2011 Purchased(1) per Share Plans or Programs(2) Plans or Programs
738,976 $ 86.61 738,976 30,229,476
1,268,326 $ 79.08 1,267,188 28,962,288
(1) Includes 14,701 shares purchased during the quarter in open market transactions by the trust relating to BD’s Deferred Compensation and Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan and 1996 Directors’ Deferral Plan, and 0 shares delivered to BD in connection with stock option exercises.
(2) The repurchases were made pursuant to a repurchase program covering 21 million shares authorized by the Board of Directors on September 28, 2010, for which there is no expiration date. The Board authorized a repurchase program covering 18 million additional shares on July 26, 2011, for which there is no expiration date.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Years Ended September 30
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts
7,828.9 7,372.3 6,986.7 6,897.6 6,121.1
Research and Development Expense
Interest Expense (Income), Net
40.8 16.1 7.2 (3.0 ) 0.2
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
Income Tax Provision
Income from Continuing Operations
1,264.9 1,176.3 1,167.3 1,077.8 815.1
Basic Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
Dividends Per Common Share
Total PPE, Net
10,430.4 9,650.7 9,304.6 7,912.9 7,329.4
Total Long-Term Debt
2,484.7 1,495.4 1,488.5 953.2 955.7
Book Value Per Common Share
52.3 % 51.9 % 52.6 % 51.3 % 51.9 %
Return on Revenues(C)
Return on Total Assets(A)(C)
Return on Equity(C)
Debt to Capitalization(B)(C)
29,400 28,800 29,100 28,300 28,000
Number of Shareholders
8,713 8,887 8,930 8,820 8,896
Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding — Assuming Dilution (millions)
(A) Earnings before interest expense and taxes as a percent of average total assets.
(B) Total debt as a percent of the sum of total debt, shareholders’ equity and non-current deferred income tax liabilities.
(C) Excludes discontinued operations.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Description of the Company and Business Segments
Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) is a global medical technology company engaged principally in the development, manufacture and sale of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents used by healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. Our business consists of three worldwide business segments — BD Medical (“Medical”), BD Diagnostics (“Diagnostics”) and BD Biosciences (“Biosciences”). Our products are marketed in the United States and internationally through independent distribution channels and directly to end-users by BD and independent sales representatives. References to years throughout this discussion relate to our fiscal years, which end on September 30.
BD remains focused on delivering sustainable growth and shareholder value, while making appropriate investments for the future. BD management operates the business consistent with the following core strategies:
• To increase revenue growth by focusing on our core products that deliver greater benefits to patients, healthcare workers and researchers;
• To increase investment in research and development for platform extensions and innovative new products;
• To make significant investments in growing our emerging markets;
• To improve operating effectiveness and balance sheet productivity;
• To drive an efficient capital structure and strong shareholder returns.
Our strategy focuses on four specific areas within healthcare and life sciences:
• Enabling safer, simpler and more effective parenteral drug delivery;
• Improving clinical outcomes through new, accurate and faster diagnostics;
• Providing tools and technologies to the research community that facilitates the understanding of the cell, cellular diagnostics and cell therapy;
• Enhancing disease management in diabetes, women’s health and cancer, and infection control.
We continue to strive to improve the efficiency of our capital structure and follow these guiding principles:
• To maintain a solid investment grade rating;
• To ensure access to the debt market for strategic opportunities;
• To optimize the cost of capital based on market conditions.
In assessing the outcomes of these strategies as well as BD’s financial condition and operating performance, management generally reviews quarterly forecast data, monthly actual results, segment sales and other similar information. We also consider trends related to certain key financial data, including gross profit margin, selling and administrative expense, investment in research and development, return on invested capital, and cash flows.
Worldwide revenues in 2011 of $7.8 billion increased 6% from the prior year and reflected volume increases of approximately 4%, estimated favorable foreign exchange translation of 3%, and estimated price decreases of just under 1%, reflecting an ongoing downward trend. Worldwide revenue growth was also negatively impacted by about 2 percentage points due to an unfavorable comparison to 2010, which included strong sales related to the H1N1 flu pandemic, supplemental government spending in Japan and economic stimulus research spending in the U.S. We experienced strong international sales of safety-engineered products and strong growth in emerging markets, which was offset, in part, by weaker demand in Western Europe resulting from austerity measures and lower healthcare utilization. Sales in the United States of safety-engineered devices grew 1% to $1.12 billion in 2011 from $1.11 billion in 2010. International sales of safety-engineered devices grew 21% to $755 million in 2011 from $622 million in 2010, which included an estimated 8% of favorable foreign currency translation. International safety-engineered device revenue growth continues to be driven by strong growth in the Medical Segment, with the largest growth in emerging markets, including China and Latin America.
The healthcare industry is facing a challenging economic environment. The current economic conditions and other circumstances have resulted in pricing pressures for some of our products, and we expect this downward pricing trend to continue through fiscal year 2012. In addition, healthcare utilization in the U.S. and Western Europe remains constrained due to decreases in government and private healthcare spending, resulting in less demand for our products, and we also expect these conditions to continue into fiscal 2012. We are also experiencing increased raw material costs. Our anticipated revenue growth over the next three years is expected to come from business growth and expansion among all segments and regions of the world, and the development in each business segment of new products and services that provide increased benefits to patients, healthcare workers and researchers. Our ability to sustain our long-term growth will depend on a number of factors, including our ability to expand our core business (including geographical expansion), develop innovative new products with higher gross profit margins across our business segments, and continue to improve operating efficiency and organizational effectiveness. In addition to the economic conditions in the United States and elsewhere, numerous other factors can affect our ability to achieve these goals including, without limitation, increased competition and healthcare reform initiatives. For example, the U.S. healthcare reform law contains certain tax provisions that will affect BD. The most significant impact is the medical device excise tax, which imposes a 2.3% tax on certain U.S. sales of medical devices, beginning in January 2013. Sales of BD products that we estimate to be subject to this tax represented about 80% of BD’s total U.S. revenues in fiscal year 2011.
Our financial position remains strong, with cash flows from operating activities totaling $1.7 billion in 2011. At September 30, 2011, we had $1.6 billion in cash and equivalents and short-term investments. In 2011, cash outflows relating to acquisitions included the purchase of Carmel Pharma AB (“Carmel Pharma”), a Swedish company that manufactures the BD PhaSeal® System, a closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials, for $287 million, net of cash acquired. Cash outflows in 2011 also reflected the acquisition of Accuri Cytometers, Inc. (“Accuri”) a company that develops and manufactures personal flow cytometers for researchers, for $205 million, net of cash acquired. Capital expenditures were $515 million in 2011 as we continue to invest in capacity across our segments to support future growth. BD’s strong cash flow generation also provided the flexibility to continue to return value to our shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends. During 2011, we repurchased 18.4 million shares of common stock for $1.5 billion and paid cash dividends to our shareholders totaling $361 million. In November 2011, we issued $500 million of 5-year 1.75% Notes and $1 billion of 10-year 3.125% Notes, as discussed further below.
We face currency exposure each reporting period that arises from translating the results of our worldwide operations to the U.S. dollar at exchange rates that fluctuate from the beginning of such period. From time to time, we purchase forward contracts and options to partially protect against adverse foreign exchange rate movements. Gains or losses on our derivative instruments are largely offset by the gains or losses on the underlying hedged transactions. We do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We did not enter into contracts to hedge cash flows in fiscal year 2011 or 2012. The favorable impact of
foreign currency on revenues for 2011 reflected favorable foreign currency translation and a favorable comparison resulting from hedge losses recognized in 2010. For further discussion refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Results of Continuing Operations
Comparisons of income from continuing operations between 2011 and 2010 are affected by the following items that are reflected in our financial results:
• During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recorded a non-cash pre-tax charge of $9 million, or $0.03 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, resulting from the discontinuance of a research program within the Diagnostic Systems unit.
• During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a non-cash charge of $9 million, or $0.04 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, related to the elimination of the employer deduction of the Medicare Part D retiree drug subsidy under the U.S. healthcare reform law.
In addition, our 2011 results were unfavorably impacted by the effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that occurred earlier in the year. For the total fiscal year 2011, these events had an estimated unfavorable impact of about $15 million on revenues, and approximately $0.05 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations.
Medical Segment
Medical revenues in 2011 of $4.0 billion increased $211 million, or 5.6%, over 2010, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 3.3%.
The following is a summary of Medical revenues by organizational unit:
2011 2010 Change Impact
(Millions of dollars)
Medical Surgical Systems
$ 2,082 $ 2,010 3.6 % 3.2 %
866 786 10.3 % 3.5 %
Pharmaceutical Systems
1,059 1,001 5.8 % 3.4 %
Total Revenues*
* Amounts may not add due to rounding.
Revenue growth in the Medical Segment reflected strong growth of Pharmaceutical Systems and international safety-engineered product sales. Revenues of safety-engineered products increased 33.4% internationally, which included an estimated favorable foreign exchange impact of 9.7%. Revenue growth in the Pharmaceutical Systems unit was driven by double-digit growth in the United States, Japan and Latin America. U.S. revenue growth in the Pharmaceutical Systems unit in 2011 was aided by strong sales to companies producing certain generic heparin products. Revenue growth in the Diabetes Care unit resulted primarily from continued strong growth in worldwide pen needle sales. Medical revenues in 2011 also reflected an unfavorable comparison to the prior-year period that included strong sales related to the H1N1 flu pandemic primarily in the first half of the year. We estimate that this unfavorable comparison negatively impacted Medical’s revenue growth rate by approximately 2.2 percentage points.
Medical operating income in 2011 was $1.2 billion, or 29.5% of Medical revenues, as compared with $1.1 billion, or 29.5%, of revenues in 2010. Gross profit margin was higher in the current year than 2010 due to increased sales of products with relatively high gross margins as well as continued manufacturing productivity and lower manufacturing start-up costs. These favorable impacts on gross profit margin were partially offset by increases in certain raw material costs and higher pension costs allocated to the Segment. See further discussion on gross profit margin below. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of
Medical revenues in 2011 increased to 17.5% of revenues from 17.3% of revenues in 2010, primarily due to the acquisition of Carmel Pharma and unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by continued spending controls. Research and development expenses in 2011 increased $17 million, or 13%, and reflected continued investment in the development of new products and platforms, including new infusion therapy products and new pen needle introductions.
Diagnostics Segment
Diagnostics revenues in 2011 of $2.5 billion increased $161 million, or 7.0%, over 2010, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 3.1%.
The following is a summary of Diagnostics revenues by organizational unit:
Preanalytical Systems
Revenue growth in the Preanalytical Systems unit was driven by sales of safety-engineered products. Sales of safety-engineered products grew 3% in the United States, driven by BD Vacutainertm Push Button Blood Collection Set sales, and 15% internationally, which included an estimated favorable foreign exchange impact of 7%. The Diagnostic Systems unit experienced growth in worldwide sales of its automated diagnostic platforms, including the molecular BD ProbeTectm, BD Vipertm and BD Affirmtm systems, along with solid growth of its BD BACTECtm blood culture and TB systems and the BD Phoenixtm ID/AST platform and its healthcare-associated infections (“HAI”) product offerings. Diagnostics revenues in 2011 also reflected an unfavorable comparison to the prior-year period that included strong sales related to the flu pandemic in 2010. We estimate that this unfavorable comparison negatively impacted Diagnostics’ revenue growth rate by approximately 0.6 percentage points.
Diagnostics operating income in 2011 was $636 million, or 25.7% of Diagnostics revenues, compared with $607 million, or 26.2% of revenues, in 2010. Gross profit margin in the Diagnostics segment was relatively flat as compared to the prior year and reflected favorable foreign currency translation, offset by higher raw material costs, primarily resin. See further discussion on gross profit margin below. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of Diagnostics revenues increased by 30 basis points in 2011 to 21.5%, primarily due to investments in emerging markets and unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by continued spending controls. Research and development expense increased $13 million, or 9% over 2010 and reflected continued investment in the development of new products and platforms, including the BD MAXtm and new BD Vipertm platforms and menus.
Biosciences Segment
Biosciences revenues in 2011 of $1.3 billion increased $84 million, or 6.7%, over 2010, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 3.5%.
The following is a summary of Biosciences revenues by organizational unit:
$ 1,024 $ 951 7.7 % 3.4 %
Discovery Labware
317 306 3.6 % 3.6 %
Total Revenues
Biosciences revenue growth was primarily driven by instrument and reagent sales in the Cell Analysis unit. The segment’s overall revenue growth was affected by slower growth in sales of Discovery Labware products in the U.S. Revenue growth in 2011 was also negatively impacted by approximately 3.6 percentage points due to an unfavorable comparison to 2010, which included strong sales from U.S. stimulus spending and supplemental spending in Japan.
Biosciences operating income in 2011 was $376 million, or 28.1% of Biosciences revenues, compared with $354 million, or 28.2%, in 2010. The Segment’s operating income in 2011 reflected a higher gross profit margin than 2010 primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation and higher margins on service revenue. These favorable variances from the prior year were partially offset by amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition of Accuri and increases in certain raw material costs. See further discussion on gross profit margin below. Selling and administrative expense was 22.1% in 2011 as compared with 21.9% in 2010 and reflected unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by continued spending controls. Research and development spending increased $11 million or 12% and reflected spending on new products and platforms, including the BD FACS Versetm Analyzer and other next generation cell sorters and analyzers.
Geographic Revenues
Revenues in the United States in 2011 of $3.4 billion increased 2%. U.S. revenue growth was negatively impacted by approximately 2.4 percentage points due to an unfavorable comparison to 2010, which included strong sales related to the flu pandemic and stimulus spending. The Medical segment experienced strong sales of Pharmaceutical Systems products in the U.S. Diagnostics revenue growth was driven by solid growth in infectious disease and molecular diagnostic platforms. Revenue growth in the Biosciences segment was driven by the Cell Analysis unit, partially offset by lower sales growth of Discovery Labware products.
International revenues in 2011 of $4.5 billion increased 9.5%, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 5.9%. Overall, international growth was driven by sales in emerging markets, with especially strong performance in Asia Pacific and Latin America, which was partially offset by slower growth in Western Europe. International revenue growth was negatively impacted by about 1.5 percentage points due to an unfavorable comparison to 2010, which included strong sales related to the H1N1 flu pandemic and supplemental spending in Japan. Revenue growth in the Medical Segment was driven by strong sales of safety-engineered products. Diagnostic revenue growth reflected solid growth of Women’s Health and Cancer products within the Diagnostic Systems unit, as governments are expanding programs for cervical cancer screening in developing markets. Biosciences revenue growth was driven by the Cell Analysis unit’s instrument and reagent sales, primarily in emerging markets.
Gross profit margin was 52.3% in 2011, compared with 51.9% in 2010. Gross profit margin in 2011 reflected estimated favorable impacts of 20 basis points relating to foreign currency translation and 30 basis points relating to operating performance. The favorable impact from operating performance resulted from increased sales of products with relatively higher gross margins, increased productivity and lower manufacturing start-up costs, which were partially offset by increases in resin and other raw material costs and higher
pension costs. Gross profit margin in 2011 was also unfavorably impacted by 10 basis points as a result of the amortization of intangibles associated with the Accuri acquisition.
Selling and administrative expense in 2011 of $1.9 billion, or 23.7% of revenues, increased $130 million, or 8%, compared with $1.7 billion, or 23.3% of revenues, in 2010. Aggregate expenses reflected $46 million of unfavorable foreign exchange and increases in core spending of $53 million, reflecting funding to expand our business in emerging markets and higher shipping costs. Aggregate expenses also reflected a $6 million charge to bad debt expense related to European receivables, increased pension costs of $13 million and higher acquisition-related expenses of $6 million. Aggregate expenses for the year also included increased spending of $14 million related to our global enterprise resource planning initiative to update our business information systems. These increases were partially offset by a $7 million decrease in the deferred compensation plan liability, as further discussed below.
Research and development (“R&D”) expense in 2011 was $476 million, or 6.1% of revenues, compared with $431 million, or 5.8% of revenues, in 2010. The increase in R&D expenditures includes spending for new products and platforms in each of our segments, as previously discussed. R&D expense also included a non-cash impairment charge of $9 million in 2011 resulting from the discontinuance of a research program within the Diagnostic Systems unit.
Non-Operating Expense and Income
Interest expense in 2011 was $84 million, compared with $51 million in 2010. This increase reflected higher levels of long-term fixed rate debt, partially offset by lower average interest rates on the overall long-term debt portfolio. Interest income was $43 million in 2011, compared with $35 million in 2010. This increase resulted from higher interest rates and levels of investments outside the United States, net of investment losses on assets related to our deferred compensation plan. The related decrease in the deferred compensation plan liability was recorded as a decrease in selling and administrative expenses.
The effective tax rate in 2011 of 26.3% was lower compared with the 2010 rate of 29.2% and reflected a favorable impact of 1.3 percentage points due to certain tax benefits. These benefits resulted from the retroactive extension of the U.S. research tax credit as well as a European restructuring transaction. In addition, the 2010 rate was unfavorably impacted by 0.6 percentage points from the expiration of the R&D tax credit, and by 0.5 percentage points from the non-cash charge related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements.
Income and Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2011 were $1.3 billion and $5.59, respectively. The charge related to the discontinuance of a research program decreased income from continuing operations in 2011 by $9 million, or $0.03 per share. 2011 earnings also reflected an overall net favorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations of $0.28 per share. Income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2010 were $1.2 billion and $4.90, respectively. The charge related to healthcare reform decreased income from continuing operations in 2010 by $9 million, or $0.04 per share.
Financial Instrument Market Risk
We selectively use financial instruments to manage market risk, primarily foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk relating to our ongoing business operations. The counterparties to these contracts are highly rated financial institutions. We do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Exchange Risk
BD and its subsidiaries transact business in various foreign currencies throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada, Japan and Latin America. We face foreign currency exposure from the effect of fluctuating exchange rates on payables and receivables relating to transactions that are denominated in currencies other than our functional currency. These payables and receivables primarily arise from intercompany transactions. We hedge substantially all such exposures, primarily through the use of forward contracts. We also face currency exposure that arises from translating the results of our worldwide operations, including sales, to the U.S. dollar at exchange rates that have fluctuated from the beginning of a reporting period. From time to time, we purchase forward contracts and options to hedge certain forecasted sales that are denominated in foreign currencies in order to partially protect against a reduction in the value of future sales resulting from adverse foreign exchange rate movements. Gains or losses on our derivative instruments are largely offset by the gains or losses on the underlying hedged transactions.
Derivative financial instruments are recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. For foreign currency derivatives, market risk is determined by calculating the impact on fair value of an assumed change in foreign exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. Fair values were estimated based upon observable inputs, specifically spot currency rates and foreign currency prices for similar assets and liabilities. With respect to the derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2011, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar over a one-year period would decrease pre-tax earnings by $23 million, while a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar would increase pre-tax earnings by $23 million. Comparatively, considering our derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2010, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar over a one-year period would have decreased pre-tax earnings by $30 million, while a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar would have increased pre-tax earnings by $30 million. These calculations do not reflect the impact of exchange gains or losses on the underlying transactions that would substantially offset the results of the derivative instruments.
Our primary interest rate exposure results from changes in short-term U.S. dollar interest rates. Our debt and interest-bearing investments at September 30, 2011 are substantially all U.S. dollar-denominated. Therefore, transaction and translation exposure relating to such instruments is minimal. When managing interest rate exposures, we strive to achieve an appropriate balance between fixed and floating rate instruments. We may enter into interest rate swaps to help maintain this balance and manage debt and interest-bearing investments in tandem, since these items have an offsetting impact on interest rate exposure. For interest rate derivative instruments, fair values are provided by the financial institutions that are counterparties to these arrangements. Market risk for these instruments is determined by calculating the impact to fair value of an assumed change in interest rates across all maturities. A change in interest rates on short-term debt and interest-bearing investments impacts our earnings and cash flow, but not the fair value of these instruments because of their limited duration. A change in interest rates on long-term debt is assumed to impact the fair value of the debt, but not our earnings or cash flow because the interest on such obligations is fixed. Based on our overall interest rate exposure at September 30, 2011 and 2010, a change of 10% in interest rates would not have a material effect on our earnings or cash flows over a one-year period. An increase of 10% in interest rates would decrease the aggregate fair value of our long-term debt and related fair value hedges at September 30, 2011 and 2010 by approximately $90 million and $56 million, respectively. A 10% decrease in interest rates would increase the aggregate fair value of these same financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and 2010 by approximately $96 million and $59 million, respectively.
Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities in 2011 was $1.7 billion, unchanged from 2010. The change in operating assets and liabilities resulted from a net use of cash and primarily reflected higher levels of inventory and prepaid expenses. Net cash provided by continuing operating activities in 2010 was reduced
by discretionary cash contributions to the U.S. pension plan of $175 million. An additional discretionary cash contribution of $100 million was made to the U.S. pension plan in October 2011.
Net Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities
Our investments in capital expenditures are focused on projects that enhance our cost structure and manufacturing capabilities and support our strategy of geographic expansion with select investments in growing markets. Capital expenditures were $515 million in 2011, compared with $537 million in 2010. Capital spending for the Medical, Diagnostics and Biosciences segments in 2011 was $367 million, $93 million and $37 million, respectively, and related primarily to manufacturing capacity expansions.
Acquisitions of Businesses
Cash outflows relating to acquisitions of $492 million in 2011 were comprised of $287 million associated with the acquisition of Carmel Pharma and $205 million associated with the acquisition of Accuri. For further discussion, refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Net Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities
Debt Issuances and Payments of Obligations
On November 8, 2010, we issued $700 million of 10-year 3.25% Notes and $300 million of 30-year 5.00% Notes. Short-term debt decreased to 9% of total debt at the end of 2011, from 12% at the end of 2010. Floating rate debt was 16% of total debt at the end of 2011 and 24% at the end of 2010. Our weighted average cost of total debt at the end of 2011 was 4.9%, up from 4.6% at the end of 2010. Debt-to-capitalization (ratio of total debt to the sum of total debt, shareholders’ equity and net non-current deferred income tax liabilities) at September 30, 2011 was 35.8% compared with 23.7% at September 30, 2010.
On November 3, 2011, we issued $500 million of 5-year 1.75% Notes and $1 billion of 10-year 3.125% Notes. The net proceeds from these issuances are expected to be used for repurchases of our common stock and other general corporate purposes, which may include funding for working capital, capital expenditures, and acquisitions.
Repurchase of Common Stock
We repurchased approximately 18.4 million shares of our common stock for $1.5 billion in 2011 and 10.1 million shares for $750 million in 2010. In July 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 18 million of our common shares. When combined with the remaining shares under the September 2010 Board of Directors’ repurchase authorization, a total of approximately 28 million common shares remain available for purchase at September 30, 2011. We plan on share repurchases of $1.5 billion in 2012, subject to market conditions. Such repurchases are expected to be funded primarily by the newly-issued debt in November 2011, as discussed further above.
Cash and Short-term Investments
At September 30, 2011, total worldwide cash and short-term investments were $1.56 billion, of which $1.34 billion was held in jurisdictions outside of the United States. We regularly review the amount of cash and short-term investments held outside the United States and currently intend to use most of such amounts to fund our international operations and their growth initiatives. However, if these amounts were moved out of these jurisdictions or repatriated to the United States, there could be tax consequences.
Government Receivables
Accounts receivable balances include sales to government-owned or government-supported healthcare facilities. Because these customers are government-owned or supported, we could be impacted by declines in sovereign credit ratings or by defaults in these countries.
We continually evaluate all government receivables, particularly in Spain, Italy, and other parts of Western Europe, for potential collection risks associated with the availability of government funding and reimbursement practices. We believe the current reserves related to government receivables are adequate and this concentration of credit risk is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial position or liquidity.
We have in place a commercial paper borrowing program that is available to meet our short-term financing needs, including working capital requirements. Borrowings outstanding under this program were $200 million at September 30, 2011. We maintain a $1 billion syndicated credit facility in order to provide backup support for our commercial paper program and for other general corporate purposes. This credit facility expires in December 2012 and includes a single financial covenant that requires BD to maintain an interest expense coverage ratio (ratio of earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense) of not less than 5-to-1 for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters. On the last eight measurement dates, this ratio had ranged from 19-to-1 to 29-to-1. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2011. In addition, we have informal lines of credit outside the United States.
Access to Capital and Credit Ratings
Our ability to generate cash flow from operations, issue debt, enter into other financing arrangements and attract long-term capital on acceptable terms could be adversely affected in the event there was a material decline in the demand for our products, deterioration in our key financial ratios or credit ratings, or other significantly unfavorable changes in conditions.
BD’s credit ratings at September 30, 2011 were as follows:
Standard & Poor’s Moody’s
Senior Unsecured Debt
AA− A2
A-1+ P-1
Stable Stable
Upon review of our plans for the November 2011 debt issuance, Standard & Poor’s lowered BD’s Senior Unsecured Debt rating to A+ and its Commercial Paper rating to A-1, while affirming a rating outlook for BD of “Stable”. At the same time, Moody’s affirmed its Senior Unsecured Debt rating of A2 and Commercial Paper rating of P-1, but lowered its rating outlook for BD to “Negative”.
While further deterioration in our credit ratings would increase the costs associated with maintaining and borrowing under its existing credit arrangements, such a downgrade would not affect our ability to draw on these credit facilities, nor would it result in an acceleration of the scheduled maturities of any outstanding debt. We believe that given our debt ratings, our conservative financial management policies, our ability to generate cash flow and the non-cyclical, geographically diversified nature of our businesses, we would have access to additional short-term and long-term capital should the need arise.
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts and commitments that obligate us to make payments in the future. The table below sets forth BD’s significant contractual obligations and related scheduled payments:
2017 and
Total 2012 2014 2016 Thereafter
$ 235 $ 235 $ — $ — $ —
Long-term debt(A)
4,153 117 432 221 3,383
Purchase obligations(B)
506 286 184 36 —
Unrecognized tax benefits(C)
Total(D)
$ 5,111 $ 685 $ 690 $ 308 $ 3,428
(A) Long-term debt obligations include expected principal and interest obligations, including interest rate swaps. The interest rate forward curve at September 30, 2011 was used to compute the amount of the contractual obligation for variable rate debt instruments and swaps.
(B) Purchase obligations are for purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital requirements.
(C) Unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2011 of $112 million were all long-term in nature. Due to the uncertainty related to the timing of the reversal of these tax positions, the related liability has been excluded from the table.
(D) Required funding obligations for 2012 relating to pension and other postretirement benefit plans are not expected to be material. In October 2011, a discretionary cash contribution of $100 million was made to the U.S. pension plan.
2010 Compared With 2009
Worldwide revenues in 2010 of $7.4 billion increased 5.5% from the prior year and reflected volume increases of approximately 6%, unfavorable foreign exchange translation of 0.1%, inclusive of hedge losses, and price decreases of 0.4%. The increase is attributable to solid revenue growth in the Medical Segment, continued improvement in Biosciences sales and, to a lesser extent, growth in Diagnostics Segment revenues.
Comparisons of income from continuing operations between 2010 and 2009 are affected by the following significant items that are reflected in our 2010 financial results:
• During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a non-cash charge of $9 million, or 4 cents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements.
• During the third quarter of 2009, we recorded a tax benefit of $20 million, or 8 cents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, relating to various tax settlements in multiple jurisdictions.
• During the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $45 million, or 11 cents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, associated with the pending settlement in certain antitrust class action litigation.
Medical revenues in 2010 of $3.8 billion increased $239 million, or 6.7%, over 2009, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 0.5%, net of hedge losses.
1,001 952 5.1 % (1.3 )%
Revenue growth in the Medical Surgical Systems unit continues to be driven by sales of safety-engineered products and prefilled flush syringes. Revenues of safety-engineered products increased 5% in the United States and 15% internationally, which included an estimated favorable foreign exchange impact of 3%, net of hedge losses. Revenue growth in the Diabetes Care unit resulted primarily from continued strong growth in worldwide pen needle sales and a co-marketing agreement in the United States. Revenue growth in the Pharmaceutical Systems unit was driven by double-digit growth in the United States, Japan and Asia Pacific. Revenues related to the H1N1 pandemic grew $15 million to $45 million for the Medical Surgical Systems unit and grew $10 million to $35 million for the Pharmaceutical Systems unit in 2010.
Medical operating income in 2010 was $1.1 billion, or 29.5% of Medical revenues, as compared with $1.0 billion, or 29.5%, of revenues in 2009. Favorable manufacturing productivity improvements were substantially offset by a slight decrease in gross profit margin resulting from unfavorable foreign currency translation, a modest increase in the cost of raw materials, and increased manufacturing start-up and restructuring costs. See further discussion on gross profit margin below. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of Medical revenues in 2010 declined to 17.3% of revenues from 17.5% of revenues in 2009, primarily due to continued diligent spending controls. Research and development expenses in 2010 increased $8 million, or 7%, and reflected continued investment in the development of new products and platforms.
Diagnostics revenues in 2010 of $2.3 billion increased $93 million, or 4.2%, over 2009, which reflected an estimated impact of favorable foreign currency translation of 0.2%, net of hedge losses.
1,121 1,083 3.5 % —
Revenue growth in the Preanalytical Systems unit was driven by sales of safety-engineered products. Sales of safety-engineered products grew 5% in the United States, driven by BD Vacutainertm Push Button Blood Collection Set sales, and 7% internationally, which included an estimated favorable foreign exchange impact of 1%, net of hedge losses. The Diagnostic Systems unit experienced growth in worldwide sales of its automated diagnostic platforms, including the molecular BD ProbeTectm, BD Vipertm and BD Affirmtm systems, along with solid growth of its BD BACTECtm blood culture and TB systems and the BD Phoenixtm ID/AST platform. Revenues related to the flu pandemic were $13 million in 2010 compared with $22 million in 2009 for the Diagnostic Systems unit.
Diagnostics operating income in 2010 was $607 million, or 26.2% of Diagnostics revenues, compared with $607 million, or 27.3% of revenues, in 2009. The Diagnostics segment experienced a decline in gross profit margin that reflected unfavorable foreign currency translation and start-up costs associated with acquisitions. This decline was partially offset by sales growth of products that have higher overall gross profit margins, in particular, safety-engineered products and the BD ProbeTectm and BD Vipertm systems. See further discussion on gross profit margin below. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of Diagnostics revenues remained the same in 2010 at 21.2%, due to continued spending controls. Research and development expense increased modestly over 2009 and reflected continued investment in the development of new products and platforms with particular emphasis on our molecular platforms.
Biosciences revenues in 2010 of $1.3 billion increased $53 million, or 4.4%, over 2009, which reflected an estimated impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation of 2.4% due to hedge losses. Biosciences revenues reflected a larger portion of our hedge losses, which are allocated to the segments based on their proportionate share of international sales of U.S.-produced products.
$ 951 $ 905 5.2 % (2.6 )%
306 299 2.2 % (1.4 )%
$ 1,257 $ 1,204 4.4 % (2.4 )%
Revenue growth in the Cell Analysis unit reflected increased demand for instruments and reagents and was aided by stimulus programs in the U.S. as well as supplemental funding in Japan. Revenue growth in the Discovery Labware unit reflected increased sales to major biopharmaceutical customers, offset by reduced private label sales compared with 2009.
Biosciences operating income in 2010 was $354 million, or 28.2% of Biosciences revenues, compared with $362 million, or 30.1%, in 2009. The decrease in operating income, as a percentage of revenues, reflects lower gross profit from the unfavorable impact of hedge losses, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Selling and administrative expense was 21.9% in 2010 as compared with 21.6% in 2009 and reflected new direct selling programs and inflationary factors. Research and development expense increased $10 million, or 11%, and reflected spending on new product development and advanced technology.
Revenues in the United States in 2010 of $3.3 billion increased 5%. Overall, growth was led by sales of safety-engineered products, which increased 5% to $1.11 billion from $1.06 billion in 2009, as well as sales of Diabetes Care products. Revenue growth also reflected sales of immunocytometry instruments and reagents, aided by stimulus programs in the U.S.
International revenues in 2010 of $4.1 billion increased 6%, and reflected nominal impact from net foreign currency translation. Sales growth was led by double-digit growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Japan. International sales of safety-engineered devices grew 9.5% to $622 million in 2010 from $568 million in 2009, which included an estimated impact of net favorable foreign currency translation of 1.4%. Sales growth in Western Europe was unfavorably impacted by continuing adverse macroeconomic conditions and an unfavorable comparison to 2009, which included flu-related sales that did not reoccur in 2010.
Gross profit margin was 51.9% in 2010, compared with 52.6% in 2009. Gross profit margin in 2010 reflected an estimated unfavorable impact primarily from hedging activity of 90 basis points. Partially offsetting these losses was a net favorable operating performance impact of 20 basis points. Operating performance reflected higher sales of products with higher gross margins, partially offset by higher manufacturing start-up and restructuring costs, higher pension costs, and increases in certain raw material costs.
Selling and administrative expense in 2010 of $1.7 billion, or 23.3% of revenues, increased $41 million, or 2%, compared with $1.7 billion, or 24.1% of revenues, in 2009. This increase reflected $32 million of unfavorable foreign currency translation. Increased spending in 2010 included $18 million in core spending, $16 million related to our global enterprise resource planning initiative to update our business information systems, and $15 million in pension costs. Aggregate expenses for 2009 reflected the $45 million litigation charge previously discussed.
Research and development (“R&D”) expense in 2010 was $431 million, or 5.8% of revenues, compared with $405 million, or 5.8% of revenues, in 2009. The increase in R&D expenditures includes spending for new products and platforms in each of our segments, as previously discussed.
Interest expense in 2010 was $51 million, compared with $40 million in 2009. This increase reflected higher levels of long-term fixed rate debt, partially offset by lower interest rates on floating rate debt and a benefit from higher levels of capitalized interest. Interest income was $35 million in 2010, compared with $33 million in 2009. This increase resulted primarily from higher investment levels. Other income (expense), net in 2010 included the gain recognized on the sale of the extended dwell catheter product platform of $18 million and a write-down of investments of $14 million.
The effective tax rate in 2010 of 29.2% was higher compared with the 2009 rate of 26.1% and reflected the unfavorable impact of certain unusual items. The 2010 rate was unfavorably impacted by 0.6 percentage points from the expiration of the R&D tax credit, and by 0.5 percentage points from the non-cash charge related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements. In addition, the 2009 rate reflected a 1.2 percentage point benefit due to various tax settlements in multiple jurisdictions.
Income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2010 were $1.2 billion and $4.90, respectively. The non-cash charge related to healthcare reform decreased income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2010 by $9 million, or 4 cents, respectively. The current year’s earnings also reflected an overall net unfavorable impact of foreign exchange fluctuations of 26 cents, including hedge losses. Income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2009 were $1.2 million and $4.73, respectively. The tax benefit discussed above increased income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2009 by $20 million, or 8 cents, respectively. The litigation charge discussed above decreased income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2009 by $28 million, or 11 cents, respectively.
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities in 2010 was $1.7 billion, unchanged from 2009. The change in operating assets and liabilities resulted from a net use of cash and reflected higher levels of accounts
receivable and inventory. Net cash provided by continuing operating activities was reduced by discretionary cash contributions to the U.S. pension plan of $175 million and $75 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Capital expenditures were $537 million in 2010, compared with $585 million in 2009. Capital spending for the Medical, Diagnostics and Biosciences segments in 2010 was $369 million, $109 million and $50 million, respectively, and related primarily to manufacturing capacity expansions.
Cash outflows relating to acquisitions of $281 million in 2010 primarily related to a cash outflow of $275 million associated with the acquisition of HandyLab, Inc. For further discussion refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
On July 30, 2010, the Company sold the Ophthalmic Systems unit and the surgical blades platform. The sale of the critical care and extended dwell catheter product platforms was completed on September 30, 2010. Cash proceeds received in the fourth quarter 2010 from these divestitures were $260 million, net of working capital adjustments. For further discussion refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The change in short-term debt reflected the repayment of $200 million of 7.15% Notes, due October 1, 2009, using the proceeds from the issuance of $500 million of 10-year, 5.00% Notes and $250 million of 30-year, 6.00% Notes in May 2009. Short-term debt decreased to 12% of total debt at the end of 2010, from 21% at the end of 2009. Floating rate debt was 24% of total debt at the end of 2010 and 32% at the end of 2009. Our weighted average cost of total debt at the end of 2010 was 4.6%, down from 4.9% at the end of 2009. Debt-to-capitalization (ratio of total debt to the sum of total debt, shareholders’ equity and net non-current deferred income tax liabilities) at September 30, 2010 was 23.7% compared to 26.8% at September 30, 2009.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For any given estimate or assumption made by management, it is possible that other people applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances could develop different estimates. Actual results that differ from management’s estimates could have an unfavorable effect on our consolidated financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
Revenue from product sales is typically recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; product price is fixed or determinable; and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.
For certain instruments sold from the Biosciences segment, we recognize revenue upon installation at a customer’s site, as installation of these instruments is considered a significant post-delivery obligation. For certain sales arrangements, primarily in the U.S., with multiple deliverables, revenue and cost of products sold are recognized at the completion of each deliverable: shipment, installation and training. These sales agreements are divided into separate units of accounting and revenue is recognized upon the completion of
each deliverable based on its relative selling price. The relative selling prices of installation and training are determined based on the prices at which these deliverables would be regularly sold on a standalone basis. The relative selling prices of instruments are based on estimated selling prices. These estimates represent the quoted sales contract price in each arrangement.
BD’s domestic businesses sell products primarily to distributors who resell the products to end-user customers. We provide rebates to distributors that sell to end-user customers at prices determined under a contract between BD and the end-user customer. Provisions for rebates, which are based on historical information for all rebates that have not yet been processed, as well as sales discounts and returns, are accounted for as a reduction of revenues when revenue is recognized.
Impairment of Assets
Goodwill and in-process research and development assets are subject to impairment reviews at least annually, or whenever indicators of impairment arise. Intangible assets with finite lives, including core and developed technology, and other long-lived assets, are periodically reviewed for impairment when impairment indicators are present.
We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. Our reporting units generally represent one level below reporting segments and we aggregate components within an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics. For our 2011 annual impairment assessment, we identified six reporting units. Potential impairment of goodwill is identified by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value. Our annual goodwill impairment test for 2011 did not result in any impairment charges, as the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.
We generally use the income approach to derive the fair value for impairment assessments. This approach calculates fair value by estimating future cash flows attributable to the assets and then discounting these cash flows to a present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. We selected this method because we believe the income approach most appropriately measures our income producing assets. This approach requires significant management judgment with respect to future volume, revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital use, appropriate discount rates and other assumptions and estimates. The estimates and assumptions used are consistent with BD’s business plans. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the asset, and potentially result in different impacts to BD’s results of operations. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.
BD maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances are included in our tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, management evaluates factors such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carry back and carry forward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset.
BD conducts business and files tax returns in numerous countries and currently has tax audits in progress in a number of tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, we record accruals for uncertain tax positions based on the technical support for the positions, our past audit experience with similar situations, and the potential interest and penalties related to the matters. BD’s effective tax rate in any given period could be impacted if, upon resolution with taxing authorities, we prevailed in positions for which reserves have been established, or we were required to pay amounts in excess of established reserves.
Deferred taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely reinvested. At September 30, 2011, the cumulative amount of such undistributed earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the United States was $3.8 billion. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized
deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.
We are involved, both as a plaintiff and a defendant, in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, product liability, antitrust and environmental matters, as further discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. We establish accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). A determination of the amount of accruals, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue and, when appropriate, is developed after consultation with outside counsel. The accruals may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in our strategy in dealing with these matters.
Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, we are not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which we are a party. In view of these uncertainties, we could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. Accordingly, in the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on BD’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated net cash flows.
Benefit Plans
We have significant net pension and other postretirement benefit costs that are measured using actuarial valuations. Pension benefit costs include assumptions for the discount rate and expected return on plan assets. Other postretirement benefit plan costs include assumptions for the discount rate and healthcare cost trend rates. These assumptions have a significant effect on the amounts reported. In addition to the analysis below, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional discussion.
The discount rate is selected each year based on investment grade bonds and other factors as of the measurement date (September 30). For the U.S. pension plan, we will use a discount rate of 4.9% for 2012, which was based on an actuarially-determined, company-specific yield curve. The rate selected is used to measure liabilities as of the measurement date and for calculating the following year’s pension expense. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption, although reviewed each year, changes less frequently due to the long-term nature of the assumption. This assumption does not impact the measurement of assets or liabilities as of the measurement date; rather, it is used only in the calculation of pension expense. To determine the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, we consider many factors, including our historical assumptions compared with actual results; benchmark data; expected returns on various plan asset classes, as well as current and expected asset allocations. We will use a long-term expected rate of return on plan assets assumption of 7.75% for the U.S. pension plan in 2012. We believe our discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumptions are appropriate based upon the above factors.
Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions for our U.S. pension and other postretirement plans are as follows:
• Discount rate — A change of plus (minus) 25 basis points, with other assumptions held constant, would have an estimated $8 million favorable (unfavorable) impact on the total U.S. net pension and other postretirement benefit plan cost.
• Expected return on plan assets — A change of plus (minus) 25 basis points, with other assumptions held constant, would have an estimated $2 million favorable (unfavorable) impact on U.S. pension plan cost.
Share-Based Compensation
Compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions is recognized in net income using a fair value measurement method. All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the statement of operations as compensation expense (based on their fair values) over the vesting period of the awards. We determine the fair value of certain share-based awards using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model that incorporates certain assumptions, such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional discussion.
BD and its representatives may from time to time make certain forward-looking statements in publicly released materials, both written and oral, including statements contained in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, and our reports to shareholders. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and other words of similar meaning in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of future operations and financial performance, as well as our strategy for growth, product development, regulatory approvals, market position and expenditures. All statements that address operating performance or events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to volume growth, sales and earnings per share growth, cash flows or uses, and statements expressing views about future operating results — are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of future events. The forward-looking statements are, and will be, based on management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and speak only as of their dates. Investors should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections. Investors are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Furthermore, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulations.
The following are some important factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking statements. For further discussion of certain of these factors, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.
• The current conditions in the global economy and financial markets, and the potential adverse effect on the cost of operating our business, the demand for our products and services, prices for our products and services due to increases in pricing pressure, or our ability to produce our products, including the impact on developing countries. Also, the increase in sovereign debt during the financial crisis as a result of governmental intervention in the world economy poses additional risks to the global financial system and economic recovery. We sell to government-owned or government-supported healthcare and research facilities, and any governmental austerity programs or other adverse change in the availability of government funding in these countries, particularly in Western Europe, could result in less demand for our products and additional pricing pressures, as well as create potential collection risks associated with such sales.
• The consequences of the healthcare reform in the United States, which implemented an excise tax on U.S. sales of certain medical devices, and which could result in reduced demand for our products, increased pricing pressures or otherwise adversely affect BD’s business.
• Future healthcare reform in the countries in which we do business may also involve changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms.
• Changes in domestic and foreign healthcare industry practices that result in a reduction in procedures using our products or increased pricing pressures, including the continued consolidation among
healthcare providers and trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment (including changes in reimbursement practices by third party payors).
• Our ability to penetrate developing and emerging markets, which also depends on economic and political conditions and how well we are able to acquire or form strategic business alliances with local companies and make necessary infrastructure enhancements to production facilities, distribution networks, sales equipment and technology.
• Regional, national and foreign economic factors, including inflation, deflation, and fluctuations in interest rates and, in particular, foreign currency exchange rates, and the potential effect on our revenues, expenses, margins and credit ratings.
• New or changing laws and regulations affecting our domestic and foreign operations, or changes in enforcement practices, including laws relating to trade, monetary and fiscal policies, taxation (including tax reforms that could adversely impact multinational corporations), sales practices, price controls and licensing and regulatory requirements for new products and products in the postmarketing phase. In particular, the U.S. and other countries may impose new requirements regarding registration, labeling or prohibited materials that may require us to re-register products already on the market or otherwise impact our ability to market our products. Environmental laws, particularly with respect to the emission of greenhouse gases, are also becoming more stringent throughout the world, which may increase our costs of operations or necessitate changes in our manufacturing plants or processes or those of our suppliers, or result in liability to BD.
• Product efficacy or safety concerns regarding our products resulting in product recalls, regulatory action on the part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or foreign counterparts, declining sales and product liability claims, particularly in light of the current regulatory environment, including increased enforcement activity by the FDA.
• Competitive factors that could adversely affect our operations, including new product introductions (for example, new forms of drug delivery) by our current or future competitors, increased pricing pressure due to the impact of low-cost manufacturers as certain competitors have established manufacturing sites or have contracted with suppliers in low-cost manufacturing locations as a means to lower their costs, patents attained by competitors (particularly as patents on our products expire), and new entrants into our markets.
• The effects of events that adversely impact our ability to manufacture our products (particularly where production of a product line is concentrated in one or more plants) or our ability to source materials or components from suppliers that are needed for such manufacturing, including pandemics, natural disasters, environmental factors or cyber attacks.
• Fluctuations in the cost and availability of oil-based resins and other raw materials, as well as certain sub-assemblies and finished goods, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships (particularly with respect to sole-source suppliers), and the potential adverse effects of any disruption in the availability of such items.
• Difficulties inherent in product development, including the potential inability to successfully continue technological innovation, complete clinical trials, obtain regulatory approvals in the United States and abroad, obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement for new products, or gain and maintain market approval of products, as well as the possibility of infringement claims by competitors with respect to patents or other intellectual property rights, all of which can preclude or delay commercialization of a product. Delays in obtaining necessary approvals or clearances from the FDA or other regulatory agencies or changes in the regulatory process (including potential 510(k) reforms) may also delay product launches and increase development costs.
• Fluctuations in the demand for products we sell to pharmaceutical companies that are used to manufacture, or are sold with, the products of such companies, as a result of funding constraints, consolidation or otherwise.
• Fluctuations in university or U.S. and international governmental funding and policies for life sciences research.
• Our ability to achieve our projected level or mix of product sales. Our earnings forecasts are based on projected volumes and sales of many product types, some of which are more profitable than others.
• Our ability to implement our ongoing upgrade of our enterprise resource planning system, as any delays or deficiencies in the design and implementation of our upgrade could adversely affect our business.
• Pending and potential future litigation or other proceedings adverse to BD, including antitrust claims, product liability claims and patent infringement claims, and the availability or collectibility of insurance relating to any such claims.
• The effect of adverse media exposure or other publicity regarding BD’s business or operations, including the effect on BD’s reputation or demand for its products.
• The effects, if any, of governmental and media activities regarding the business practices of group purchasing organizations, which negotiate product prices on behalf of their member hospitals with BD and other suppliers.
• The effect of market fluctuations on the value of assets in BD’s pension plans and on actuarial interest rate and asset return assumptions, which could require BD to make additional contributions to the plans or increase our pension plan expense.
• Political conditions in international markets, including civil unrest, terrorist activity, governmental changes, restrictions on the ability to transfer capital across borders and expropriation of assets by a government, including the recent civil unrest in parts of the Middle East.
• The impact of business combinations, including any volatility in earnings relating to acquired in-process research and development assets, and our ability to successfully integrate any business we may acquire.
• Our ability to obtain the anticipated benefits of restructuring programs, if any, that we may undertake.
• Issuance of new or revised accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The information required by this item is included in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in Notes 1, 12 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Reports of Management
Management’s Responsibilities
The following financial statements have been prepared by management in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include, where required, amounts based on the best estimates and judgments of management. The integrity and objectivity of data in the financial statements and elsewhere in this Annual Report are the responsibility of management.
In fulfilling its responsibilities for the integrity of the data presented and to safeguard the Company’s assets, management employs a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance, at appropriate cost, that the Company’s assets are protected and that transactions are appropriately authorized, recorded and summarized. This system of control is supported by the selection of qualified personnel, by organizational assignments that provide appropriate delegation of authority and division of responsibilities, and by the dissemination of written policies and procedures. This control structure is further reinforced by a program of internal audits, including a policy that requires responsive action by management.
The Board of Directors monitors the internal control system, including internal accounting and financial reporting controls, through its Audit Committee, which consists of seven independent Directors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm, the internal auditors and management to review the work of each and to satisfy itself that they are properly discharging their responsibilities. The independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee and meet with its members, with and without management present, to discuss the scope and results of their audits including internal control, auditing and financial reporting matters.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Act of 1934. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment and those criteria, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2011.
The financial statements and internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young’s reports with respect to fairness of the presentation of the statements, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, are included herein.
David V. Elkins William A. Tozzi
Chief Executive Officer and
President Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President and
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Becton, Dickinson and Company as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Becton, Dickinson and Company at September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Becton, Dickinson and Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 23, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
We have audited Becton, Dickinson and Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Becton, Dickinson and Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Becton, Dickinson and Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Becton, Dickinson and Company as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011 of Becton, Dickinson and Company, and our report dated November 23, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Cost of products sold
Selling and administrative expense
Total Operating Costs and Expenses
(84,019 ) (51,263 ) (40,389 )
(6,209 ) 497 (3,850 )
Before Income Taxes
Income from Discontinued Operations
Net of income tax provision of $792, $40,703 and $19,975
6,142 141,270 64,258
Basic Earnings per Share
$ 5.72 $ 5.02 $ 4.85
Diluted Earnings per Share
See notes to consolidated financial statements
Thousands of dollars
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(117,083 ) 330 29,358
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans
(62,228 ) (130,461 ) (242,478 )
Unrealized gain on investments, net of amounts recognized
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of amounts realized
(33,200 ) 44,884 (82,073 )
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax
(212,091 ) (85,247 ) (295,152 )
$ 1,058,903 $ 1,232,363 $ 936,451
Thousands of dollars, except
per share amounts and
numbers of shares
Cash and equivalents
Trade receivables, net
Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other
Core and Developed Technology, Net
Capitalized Software, Net
$ 10,430,428 $ 9,650,694
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accrued expenses
Salaries, wages and related items
Long-Term Employee Benefit Obligations
Deferred Income Taxes and Other
Common stock — $1 par value: authorized — 640,000,000 shares; issued — 332,662,160 shares in 2011 and 2010
Capital in excess of par value
Common stock in treasury — at cost — 117,844,159 shares in 2011 and 102,845,609 shares in 2010
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net
Income from continuing operations, net
Adjustments to income from continuing operations to derive net cash provided by continuing operating activities, net of amounts acquired:
Deferred income taxes
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
(117,539 ) (116,500 ) (91,462 )
(237,953 ) (34,340 ) (22,059 )
Accounts payable, income taxes and other liabilities
Pension obligation
80,837 (102,967 ) (68,574 )
Other, net
Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operating Activities
Capitalized software
Change in short-term investments
120,445 34,550 (338,228 )
Sales of long-term investments
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
(492,081 ) (281,367 ) —
Divestiture of businesses
— 259,990 51,022
Net Cash Used for Continuing Investing Activities
(1,039,337 ) (699,965 ) (1,067,050 )
Change in short-term debt
34,251 (200,193 ) 1,196
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments of debt
(35 ) (76 ) (311 )
(1,500,001 ) (750,000 ) (550,006 )
Issuance of common stock and other, net
Excess tax benefit from payments under share-based compensation plans
Net Cash Used for Continuing Financing Activities
(714,382 ) (1,222,687 ) (79,696 )
3,470 85,251 58,329
Net cash used for investing activities
(173 ) (5,661 ) (5,912 )
Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents
(2,815 ) 5,790 (390 )
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents
(40,707 ) (178,255 ) 563,767
Opening Cash and Equivalents
Closing Cash and Equivalents
Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts and numbers of shares
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Becton, Dickinson and Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) after the elimination of intercompany transactions. The Company has no material interests in variable interest entities.
Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase.
Short-term investments consist of time deposits with maturities greater than three months and less than one year when purchased.
Inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market.
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are principally provided on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives, which range from 20 to 45 years for buildings, four to 12 years for machinery and equipment and one to 20 years for leasehold improvements. Depreciation and amortization expense was $348,522, $347,402 and $312,321 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill, core and developed technology, and in-process research and development assets arise from acquisitions. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company’s reporting units generally represent one level below reporting segments, and components within an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics are aggregated. Potential impairment of goodwill is identified by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, estimated using an income approach, with its carrying value. The annual impairment review performed in fiscal year 2011 indicated that all six identified reporting units’ fair values exceeded their respective carrying values.
The review for impairment of in-process research and development assets, as well as core and developed technology assets, compares the fair value of the technology or project assets, estimated using an income approach, with their carrying value. In-process research and development assets are considered indefinite-lived assets until projects are completed or abandoned, and these assets are reviewed at least annually for impairment. Core and developed technology assets are amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 20 years, using the straight-line method, and are periodically reviewed for impairment when impairment indicators are present.
Other intangibles with finite useful lives, which include patents, are amortized over periods principally ranging from one to 40 years, using the straight-line method. These intangibles, including core and developed
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
technology, are periodically reviewed when impairment indicators are present to assess recoverability from future operations using undiscounted cash flows. To the extent carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results based upon the excess of the carrying value over fair value. Other intangibles also include certain trademarks that are considered to have indefinite lives, as they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely, and are reviewed annually for impairment.
Capitalized software, including costs for software developed or obtained for internal use, is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization expense is principally provided on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives, which do not exceed 10 years. The current balance primarily includes capital software investments related to a global enterprise resource planning initiative to upgrade the Company’s business information systems. Amortization for this project has not commenced because the program has not yet been placed in service. Amortization expense related to capitalized software was $23,173, $32,181 and $46,485 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation
Generally, foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency is the local currency of operations and the net assets of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. The U.S. dollar results that arise from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.
Revenue from product sales is typically recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; product price is fixed or determinable; collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue for certain instruments sold from the Biosciences segment upon installation at a customer’s site, as installation of these instruments is considered a significant post-delivery obligation. For certain instrument sales arrangements, primarily in the U.S., with multiple deliverables, revenue and cost of products sold are recognized at the completion of each deliverable: instrument shipment, installation and training. Installation and training typically occur within one month after an instrument is shipped. These sales agreements are divided into separate units of accounting and revenue is recognized upon the completion of each deliverable based on its relative selling price. The relative selling prices of installation and training are determined based on the prices at which these deliverables would be regularly sold on a standalone basis. The relative selling prices of instruments are based on estimated selling prices. These estimates represent the quoted sales contract price in each arrangement.
The Company’s domestic businesses sell products primarily to distributors that resell the products to end-user customers. Rebates are provided to distributors that sell to end-user customers at prices determined under a contract between the Company and the end-user customer. Provisions for rebates, as well as sales discounts and returns, are based upon estimates and are accounted for as a reduction of revenues when revenue is recognized.
Shipping and handling costs are included in Selling and administrative expense. Shipping expense was $276,797, $255,765 and $250,941 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
All derivatives are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company in the management of its foreign currency and interest rate exposures. From time to time, the Company hedges forecasted sales denominated in foreign currencies using forward and option contracts to protect against the reduction in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from export sales. The Company also periodically utilizes interest rate swaps to maintain a balance between fixed and floating rate instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Any deferred gains or losses associated with derivative instruments are recognized in income in the period in which the underlying hedged transaction is recognized. In the event a designated hedged item is sold, extinguished or matures prior to the termination of the related derivative instrument, such instrument would be closed and the resultant gain or loss would be recognized in income.
United States income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries where such undistributed earnings are indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. Deferred taxes are provided for earnings of foreign subsidiaries when those earnings are not considered indefinitely reinvested. Income taxes are provided and tax credits are recognized based on tax laws enacted at the dates of the financial statements.
The Company conducts business and files tax returns in numerous countries and currently has tax audits in progress in a number of tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, the Company records accruals for uncertain tax positions, based on the technical support for the positions, past audit experience with similar situations, and the potential interest and penalties related to the matters.
The Company maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, management evaluates factors such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carry back and carry forward periods and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset.
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates or assumptions affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company recognizes the fair value of share-based compensation in net income. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
Note 2 — Accounting Changes
In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued revised revenue recognition guidance affecting the accounting for software-enabled devices and multiple-element arrangements. The revisions expand the scope of multiple-element arrangement guidance to include revenue arrangements containing certain nonsoftware elements and related software elements. Additionally, the revised guidance changes the manner in which separate units of accounting are identified within a multiple-element arrangement and modifies the manner in which transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables. The Company adopted the revised revenue recognition guidance for new arrangements it entered into on or after October 1, 2010. The adoption of these new requirements did not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance amending the variable interest consolidation model. The revised model amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity and requires a qualitative, rather than quantitative, analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The Company’s adoption of the amended variable interest consolidation model on October 1, 2010 did not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In September 2011, the FASB issued revised annual goodwill impairment testing guidance. The revised requirements allow entities to first qualitatively assess whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Further testing of goodwill for impairment under the quantitative model is required only if an entity determines, through the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that a given reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The revised goodwill impairment testing requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and early adoption is permitted. The Company intends to apply the revised requirements in its fiscal year 2012 goodwill impairment review processes. No significant impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements is expected upon adoption of these revised requirements.
Note 3 — Shareholders’ Equity
Changes in certain components of shareholders’ equity were as follows:
Capital in
Stock Issued
Excess of
at Par Value Par Value Earnings Compensation Shares Amount
Balance at September 30, 2008
$ 332,662 $ 1,359,531 $ 6,838,589 $ 14,694 (89,584,786 ) $ (3,532,398 )
Cash dividends:
Common ($1.32 per share)
(317,361 )
Common stock issued for:
Share-based compensation plans, net
38,919 2,283,887 11,608
1,330 24,110 309
Common stock held in trusts, net
3,212 (91,681 ) (3,212 )
(8,211,500 ) (550,006 )
(742 ) 34,790 742
(10,058,820 ) (750,000 )
$ 332,662 $ 1,624,768 $ 8,724,228 $ 17,164 (102,845,609 ) $ (4,806,333 )
1,711 3,316 (1,711 )
(18,434,281 ) (1,500,001 )
Common stock held in trusts represents rabbi trusts in connection with deferred compensation under the Company’s employee salary and bonus deferral plan and directors’ deferral plan.
The components of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income were as follows:
Foreign currency translation adjustments(A)
Benefit plans adjustment(B)
Unrealized loss on investments(B)
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges(B)(C)
$ (670,000 ) $ (457,909 )
(A) Foreign currency translation adjustments that were attributable to goodwill in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 were $(12,525) and $2,044, respectively. The adjustments primarily affected goodwill reported within the Medical segment.
(B) Amounts are net of tax.
(C) The unrealized losses on cash flow hedges at September 30, 2009 were $(54,593), net of tax.
The change in foreign currency translation adjustments represented a loss in fiscal year 2011 which is mainly attributable to the weakening of the Euro, as well as certain currencies in Latin America, against the U.S. dollar during fiscal year 2011.
The income tax (benefit) provision recorded in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 for the unrealized (loss) gain on investments was $(40), $0 and $25, respectively. The income tax (benefit) provision recorded in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 for cash flow hedges was $(20,348), $27,509 and $(50,302), respectively. The income tax benefit recorded in fiscal years 2011, 2010, 2009 for defined benefit pension, postretirement plans and postemployment plans was $47,575, $67,829 and $146,554, respectively. Income taxes are generally not provided for translation adjustments.
The unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges included in other comprehensive (loss) income for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are net of reclassification adjustments of $0, $(19,512), and $65,012, net of tax, respectively, for realized net hedge gains (losses) recorded to revenues. These amounts had been included in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in prior periods. The tax (benefit) provision associated with these reclassification adjustments in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0, $(11,959) and $39,846, respectively.
Note 4 — Earnings per Share
The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) for the years ended September 30 were as follows:
Average common shares outstanding
Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — assuming dilution
Note 5 — Commitments and Contingencies
Rental expense for all operating leases amounted to $70,113 in 2011, $65,000 in 2010, and $64,500 in 2009. Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases are as follows: 2012 - $47,516; 2013 — $40,428; 2014 — $33,244; 2015 — $27,721; 2016 — $23,367 and an aggregate of $44,557 thereafter.
As of September 30, 2011, the Company has certain future purchase commitments aggregating to approximately $505,586, which will be expended over the next several years.
Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, the Company is not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which the Company is a party. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). In view of the uncertainties discussed below, the Company could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, excess liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows.
The Company is named as a defendant in the following purported class action suits brought on behalf of distributors and other entities that purchase the Company’s products (the “Distributor Plaintiffs”), alleging that the Company violated federal antitrust laws, resulting in the charging of higher prices for the Company’s products to the plaintiffs and other purported class members.
The Company is also named as a defendant in the following purported class action suits brought on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s products, such as hospitals (the “Hospital Plaintiffs”), alleging that the Company violated federal and state antitrust laws, resulting in the charging of higher prices for the Company’s products to the plaintiffs and other purported class members.
U.S. District Court, Greenville, Tennessee June 7, 2005
On April 27, 2009, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the Distributor Plaintiffs in these actions. The settlement agreement provided for, among other things, the payment by the Company of $45,000 in exchange for a release by all potential class members of the direct purchaser claims under federal antitrust laws related to the products and acts enumerated in the complaint, and a dismissal of the case with prejudice, insofar as it relates to direct purchaser claims. The release would not cover potential class members that affirmatively opt out of the settlement. On September 30, 2010, the court issued an order denying a motion to approve the settlement agreement, ruling that the Hospital Plaintiffs, and not the Distributor Plaintiffs, are the direct purchasers entitled to pursue damages under the federal antitrust laws for certain sales of BD products. The settlement agreement currently remains in effect, subject to certain termination provisions, and the federal court of appeals has granted the Distributor Plaintiffs’ request to appeal the trial court’s order on an interlocutory basis. The Company currently cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible losses with respect to these class action matters beyond the $45,000 already accrued and changes to the amount already recognized may be required in the future as additional information becomes available.
In June 2007, Retractable Technologies, Inc. (“RTI”) filed a complaint against the Company under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. vs. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-250, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integratm syringes infringe patents licensed exclusively to RTI. In its complaint, RTI also alleges that the Company engaged in false advertising with respect to certain of the Company’s safety-engineered products in violation of the Lanham Act; acted to exclude RTI from various product markets and to maintain its market share through, among other things, exclusionary contracts in violation of state and federal antitrust laws; and engaged in unfair competition. In January 2008, the court severed the patent and non-patent claims into separate cases, and stayed the non-patent claims during the pendency of the patent claims at the trial court level. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On April 1, 2008, RTI filed a complaint against BD under the caption Retractable Technologies, Inc. and Thomas J. Shaw v. Becton Dickinson and Company (Civil Action No. 2:08-cv-141, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas). RTI alleges that the BD Integratm syringes infringe another patent licensed exclusively to RTI. RTI seeks money damages and injunctive relief. On August 29, 2008, the court ordered the consolidation of the patent cases. On November 9, 2009, at a trial of these consolidated cases, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of RTI on all but one of its infringement claims, but did not find any willful infringement, and awarded RTI $5,000 in damages. On May 19, 2010, the court granted RTI’s motion for a permanent injunction against the continued sale by the Company of its BD Integratm products in their current form, but stayed the injunction for the duration of the Company’s appeal. At the same time, the court lifted a stay of RTI’s non-patent claims. On July 8, 2011, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the District Court judgment that the Company’s 3ml BD Integratm products infringed the asserted RTI patents and affirmed the District Court judgment of infringement against the Company’s discontinued 1ml BD Integratm products. On October 31, 2011, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals denied RTI’s request for an en banc rehearing. The trial on RTI’s antitrust and false advertising claims is scheduled to begin in February 2012. With respect to RTI’s antitrust and false advertising claims, BD cannot estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss as there are significant legal and factual issues to be resolved. In the event that RTI succeeds at trial and subsequent appeals, however, any potential loss could be material as RTI will likely seek to recover substantial damages including disgorgement of profits and damages under the federal antitrust laws which are trebled. BD believes RTI’s allegations are without merit.
On October 19, 2009, Gen-Probe Incorporated (“Gen-Probe”) filed a patent infringement action against BD in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaint alleges that the BD Vipertm and BD Vipertm XTRtm systems and BD ProbeTectm specimen collection products infringe certain U.S. patents of Gen-Probe. On March 23, 2010, Gen-Probe filed a complaint, also in the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of California, alleging that the BD Maxtm instrument infringes Gen-Probe patents. The patents alleged to be infringed are a subset of the Gen-Probe patents asserted against the Company in the October 2009 suit. On June 8, 2010, the Court consolidated these cases. Gen-Probe is seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief. The Company currently cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible losses for this matter as the proceedings are in relatively early stages and there are significant issues to be resolved.
The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to each of the above-mentioned suits pending against the Company and is engaged in a vigorous defense of each of these matters.
The Company is also involved both as a plaintiff and a defendant in other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.
The Company is a party to a number of Federal proceedings in the United States brought under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. The affected sites are in varying stages of development. In some instances, the remedy has been completed, while in others, environmental studies are commencing. For all sites, there are other potentially responsible parties that may be jointly or severally liable to pay all cleanup costs.
Note 6 — Segment Data
The Company’s organizational structure is based upon its three principal business segments: BD Medical (“Medical”), BD Diagnostics (“Diagnostics”) and BD Biosciences (“Biosciences”). These segments are strategic businesses that are managed separately because each one develops, manufactures and markets distinct products and services.
The Medical segment produces a broad array of medical devices that are used in a wide range of healthcare settings. The principal product lines in the Medical segment include needles, syringes and intravenous catheters for medication delivery (including safety-engineered and auto-disable devices); prefilled IV flush syringes; syringes and pen needles for the self-injection of insulin and other drugs used in the treatment of diabetes; prefillable drug delivery devices provided to pharmaceutical companies and sold to end-users as drug/device combinations; regional anesthesia needles and trays; sharps disposal containers; and closed-system transfer devices.
The Diagnostics segment produces products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostic specimens, as well as instrument systems and reagents to detect a broad range of infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections (“HAIs”) and cancers. The principal products and services in the Diagnostics segment include integrated systems for specimen collection; safety-engineered blood collection products and systems; automated blood culturing systems; molecular testing systems for infectious diseases and women’s health; microorganism identification and drug susceptibility systems; liquid-based cytology systems for cervical cancer screening; rapid diagnostic assays; and plated media.
The Biosciences segment produces research and clinical tools that facilitate the study of cells, and the components of cells, to gain a better understanding of normal and disease processes. The principal product lines in the Biosciences segment include fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers; monoclonal antibodies and kits for performing cell analysis; reagent systems for life science research; cell imaging systems; laboratory products for tissue culture and fluid handling; diagnostic assays; and cell culture media supplements for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Company evaluates performance of its business segments and allocates resources to them primarily based upon operating income. Segment operating income represents revenues reduced by product costs and operating expenses. From time to time, the Company hedges against certain forecasted sales of U.S.-produced products sold outside the United States. Gains and losses associated with these foreign currency translation hedges are reported in segment revenues based upon their proportionate share of these international sales of U.S.-produced products.
Distribution of products is primarily through independent distribution channels, and directly to end-users by BD and independent sales representatives. No customer accounted for 10% or more of revenues in any of the three years presented.
Revenues(A) 2011 2010 2009
Segment Operating Income
Total Segment Operating Income
Unallocated Expenses(B)
(477,891 ) (418,799 ) (440,239 )(C)
Segment Assets
Total Segment Assets
Corporate and All Other(D)
$ 10,430,428 $ 9,650,694 $ 9,304,624
93,435 108,941 102,432
Corporate and All Other
(A) Intersegment revenues are not material.
(B) Includes primarily interest, net; foreign exchange; corporate expenses; and share-based compensation expense.
(C) Includes charge associated with the settlement with the direct purchaser plaintiffs (which includes BD’s distributors) in certain antitrust class actions.
(D) Includes cash and investments and corporate assets.
Revenues by Organizational Units 2011 2010 2009
$ 1,024,445 $ 951,238 $ 904,517
The countries in which the Company has local revenue-generating operations have been combined into the following geographic areas: the United States (including Puerto Rico), Europe, Asia Pacific and Other, which is comprised of Latin America, Canada, and Japan.
Revenues to unaffiliated customers are based upon the source of the product shipment. Long-lived assets, which include net property, plant and equipment, are based upon physical location.
Long-Lived Assets
Note 7 — Share-Based Compensation
The Company grants share-based awards under the 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan (“2004 Plan”), which provides long-term incentive compensation to employees and directors consisting of: stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), stock options, performance-based restricted stock units, time-vested restricted stock units and other stock awards.
The amounts and location of compensation cost relating to share-based payments included in consolidated statements of income is as follows:
The associated income tax benefit recognized was $26,342, $28,532 and $31,307, respectively.
Stock Appreciation Rights
SARs represent the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of common stock having a value equal to the difference between the market price of common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price on the date of grant. SARs vest over a four-year period and have a ten-year term. The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model that uses the following weighted-average assumptions:
2.40% 2.60% 2.73%
24.00% 28.0% 28.0%
Expected life
7.8 years 6.5 years 6.5 years
Fair value derived
Expected volatility is based upon historical volatility for the Company’s common stock and other factors. The expected life of SARs granted is derived from the output of the lattice-based model, using assumed exercise rates based on historical exercise and termination patterns, and represents the period of time that SARs granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate used is based upon the published U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar life. The dividend yield is based upon the most recently declared quarterly dividend as of the grant date. The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised during 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $9,185, $2,831, and $406, respectively. The Company issued 81,848 shares during 2011 to satisfy the SARs exercised. The actual tax benefit realized during 2011, 2010, and 2009 for tax deductions from SAR exercises totaled $3,459, $1,031 and $154, respectively. The total fair value of SARs vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $31,992, $33,640 and $24,888, respectively.
A summary of SARs outstanding as of September 30, 2011, and changes during the year then ended is as follows:
Contractual Term
SARs Exercise Price (Years) Value
Balance at October 1
7,659,155 $ 70.46
2,216,436 76.64
(555,155 ) 66.58
Forfeited, canceled or expired
Balance at September 30
9,027,037 $ 72.14 7.07 $ 35,203
Vested and expected to vest at September 30
Exercisable at September 30
The Company has not granted stock options since 2005. All outstanding stock option grants are fully vested and have a ten-year term.
A summary of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and changes during the year then ended is as follows:
Weighted Average
Options Exercise Price (Years) Value
(2,927,278 ) 35.28
(48,519 ) 32.22
3,457,351 $ 40.61 2.04 $ 113,078
Cash received from the exercising of stock options in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $103,267, $72,770 and $53,019, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from stock option exercises totaled $45,829, $28,660 and $16,931, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $137,720, $89,943 and $53,630, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0, $0 and $6,083, respectively.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Performance-based restricted stock units cliff vest three years after the date of grant. These units are tied to the Company’s performance against pre-established targets, including its average growth rate of consolidated revenues and average return on invested capital, over a three-year performance period. Under the Company’s long-term incentive program, the actual payout under these awards may vary from zero to 200% of an
employee’s target payout, based on the Company’s actual performance over the three-year performance period. The fair value is based on the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Compensation cost initially recognized assumes that the target payout level will be achieved and is adjusted for subsequent changes in the expected outcome of performance-related conditions.
A summary of performance-based restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and changes during the year then ended is as follows:
Units Date Fair Value
Forfeited or canceled
Balance at September 30(A)
Expected to vest at September 30(B)
(A) Based on 200% of target payout.
(B) Net of expected forfeited units and units in excess of the expected performance payout of 180,182 and 2,488,737, respectively.
The weighted average grant date fair value of performance-based restricted stock units granted during the years 2010 and 2009 was $75.63 and $62.50, respectively. The total fair value of performance-based restricted stock units vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $15,430, $24,357 and $33,712, respectively. At September 30, 2011, the weighted average remaining vesting term of performance-based restricted stock units is 1.08 years.
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units
Time-vested restricted stock units generally cliff vest three years after the date of grant, except for certain key executives of the Company, including the executive officers, for which such units generally vest one year following the employee’s retirement. The related share-based compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period or in the case of certain key executives is based on retirement eligibility. The fair value of all time-vested restricted stock units is based on the market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.
A summary of time-vested restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and changes during the year then ended is as follows:
Expected to vest at September 30
The weighted average grant date fair value of time-vested restricted stock units granted during the years 2010 and 2009 was $75.58 and $62.96, respectively. The total fair value of time-vested restricted stock units vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $36,009, $36,675 and $29,535, respectively. At September 30, 2011, the weighted average remaining vesting term of the time-vested restricted stock units is 1.36 years.
The amount of unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards as of September 30, 2011, is approximately $80,744, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining life of approximately 2.09 years. At September 30, 2011, 7,717,344 shares were authorized for future grants under the 2004 Plan.
The Company has a policy of satisfying share-based payments through either open market purchases or shares held in treasury. At September 30, 2011, the Company has sufficient shares held in treasury to satisfy these payments in 2011.
Other Stock Plans
The Company has a Stock Award Plan, which allows for grants of common shares to certain key employees. Distribution of 25% or more of each award is deferred until after retirement or involuntary termination, upon which the deferred portion of the award is distributable in five equal annual installments. The balance of the award is distributable over five years from the grant date, subject to certain conditions. In February 2004, this plan was terminated with respect to future grants upon the adoption of the 2004 Plan. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, awards for 97,705 and 106,293 shares, respectively, were outstanding.
The Company has a Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors which reserves for issuance of 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. No restricted shares were issued in 2011.
The Company has a Directors’ Deferral Plan, which provides a means to defer director compensation, from time to time, on a deferred stock or cash basis. As of September 30, 2011, 97,628 shares were held in trust, of which 4,212 shares represented Directors’ compensation in 2011, in accordance with the provisions of the plan. Under this plan, which is unfunded, directors have an unsecured contractual commitment from the Company.
The Company also has a Deferred Compensation Plan that allows certain highly-compensated employees, including executive officers, to defer salary, annual incentive awards and certain equity-based compensation. As of September 30, 2011, 508,144 shares were issuable under this plan.
Note 8 — Benefit Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of its employees in the United States and certain foreign locations. The Company also provides certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to qualifying domestic retirees. Postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefit plans in foreign countries are not material. The measurement date used for the Company’s employee benefit plans is September 30.
Net pension and other postretirement cost for the years ended September 30 included the following components:
Pension Plans Other Postretirement Benefits
$ 88,692 $ 72,901 $ 55,004 $ 5,842 $ 5,007 $ 3,441
93,228 90,432 87,480 13,143 14,190 15,338
Expected return on plan assets
(103,081 ) (99,199 ) (86,819 ) — — —
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost
(1,294 ) (1,091 ) (1,099 ) (686 ) 4 (463 )
Amortization of loss (gain)
55,735 41,812 17,235 4,465 3,408 (143 )
Amortization of net asset
(34 ) (47 ) (59 ) — — —
Curtailment/settlement loss
1,096 — — — — —
$ 134,342 $ 104,808 $ 71,742 $ 22,764 $ 22,609 $ 18,173
Net pension cost attributable to foreign plans included in the preceding table was $34,429, $25,820 and $24,971 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The change in benefit obligation, change in fair value of plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these plans were as follows:
Other Postretirement
Pension Plans Benefits
Change in benefit obligation:
Beginning obligation
$ 1,911,295 $ 1,635,334 $ 260,124 $ 249,593
Plan amendments
(3,683 ) 60 — (6,702 )
Benefits paid
(108,381 ) (101,394 ) (25,776 ) (25,046 )
Actuarial loss
22,146 224,890 8,277 16,233
Other, includes translation
(6,856 ) (10,928 ) 7,848 6,849
Benefit obligation at September 30
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Beginning fair value
$ 1,413,848 $ 1,209,135 $ — $ —
Actual return on plan assets
1,391 109,310 — —
Employer contribution
53,505 207,775 — —
(108,381 ) (101,394 ) — —
(7,633 ) (10,978 ) — —
Plan assets at September 30
Funded Status at September 30:
Unfunded benefit obligation
$ (643,711 ) $ (497,447 ) $ (269,458 ) $ (260,124 )
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30:
$ 3,217 $ 143 $ — $ —
(6,042 ) (6,492 ) (18,188 ) (17,875 )
(640,886 ) (491,098 ) (251,270 ) (242,249 )
Net amount recognized
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes at September 30:
Net transition asset
$ 398 $ 513 $ — $ —
Prior service credit
Net actuarial loss
$ (901,555 ) $ (836,241 ) $ (64,640 ) $ (60,310 )
Foreign pension plan assets at fair value included in the preceding table were $419,452 and $402,298 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The foreign pension plan projected benefit obligations were $500,969 and $560,640 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following at September 30:
Accumulated Benefit
Projected Benefit
Obligation Exceeds the
Fair Value of Plan Assets Fair Value of Plan Assets
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
$ 989,043 $ 1,224,095 $ 1,215,513 $ 1,406,349
The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service credit for pension benefits that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into net pension costs over the next fiscal year are expected to be $(62,700) and $1,772, respectively. The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service credit for other postretirement benefits that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into net other postretirement costs over the next fiscal year are expected to be $(4,645) and $690, respectively.
The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension plan information were as follows:
Discount rate:
U.S. plans(A)
5.20 % 5.90 % 8.00 %
Foreign plans
Expected return on plan assets:
U.S. plans
Rate of compensation increase:
Benefit Obligation
(A) Also used to determine other postretirement and postemployment benefit plan information.
At September 30, 2011 the assumed healthcare trend rates were 7.6% pre and post age 65, gradually decreasing to an ultimate rate of 5.0% beginning in 2024. At September 30, 2010 the corresponding assumed healthcare trend rates were 7.8% pre and post age 65, gradually decreasing to an ultimate rate of 4.5% beginning in 2027. A one percentage point increase in assumed healthcare cost trend rates in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2011 by $8,566 and the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of 2011 annual expense by $828. A one percentage point decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates in each year would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2011 by $7,617 and the aggregate of the 2011 service cost and interest cost by $723.
Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets
The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon expectations of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, the Company considers many factors, including historical assumptions compared with actual results; benchmark data; expected returns on various plan asset classes, as well as current and expected asset allocations.
Expected Funding
The Company’s funding policy for its defined benefit pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet legal funding requirements, plus any additional amounts that may be appropriate considering the funded status of the plans, tax consequences, the cash flow generated by the Company and other factors. While the Company does not anticipate any significant required contributions to its pension plans in 2012, the Company made a discretionary contribution of $100,000 to its U.S. pension plan in October 2011.
Expected benefit payments are as follows:
Postretirement
Plans Benefits
$ 128,921 $ 18,188
Expected receipts of the subsidy under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which are not reflected in the expected other postretirement benefit payments included in the preceding table, are as follows: 2012, $2,314; 2013, $2,440; 2014, $2,549; 2015, $2,623; 2016, $2,684; 2017-2021, $13,800.
The Company’s primary objective is to achieve returns sufficient to meet future benefit obligations. It seeks to generate above market returns by investing in more volatile asset classes such as equities while at the same time controlling risk with allocations to more stable asset classes like fixed income.
The Company’s U.S. plans comprise 69% of total benefit plan investments, based on September 30, 2011 market values, and have a target asset mix of 65% equities and 35% fixed income. This mix was established based on an analysis of projected benefit payments and estimates of long-term returns, volatilities and correlations for various asset classes. The mix is reviewed periodically by the named fiduciary of the plans and is intended to provide above-market returns at an acceptable level of risk over time.
The established target mix includes ranges by which the target may deviate in order to accommodate normal market fluctuations. Routine cash flows are used to bring the mix closer to target and a move outside of the acceptable ranges will signal the potential for a formal rebalancing, based on an assessment of current market conditions and transaction costs. Any tactical deviations from the established asset mix require the approval of the named fiduciary.
The U.S. plans may enter into both exchange traded and non-exchange traded derivative transactions in order to manage interest rate exposure, volatility, term structure of interest rates, and sector and currency exposures within the fixed income portfolios. The Company has established minimum credit quality standards for counterparties in such transactions.
The following table provides the fair value measurements of U.S. plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2011 and 2010.
Plan Asset
Quoted Prices in
Balances at
Active Markets
for Identical
Unobservable
2011 Assets (Level 1) Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3)
Fixed Income:
Mortgage and asset-backed securities(A)
$ 165,042 $ — $ 165,042 $ —
Corporate bonds(B)
111,954 — 111,954 —
Government and agency-U.S.(C)
41,885 26,577 15,308 —
Government and agency-Foreign(D)
6,836 — 6,836 —
Other(E)
Equity securities(F)
562,047 435,847 126,200 —
Cash and cash equivalents(G)
37,237 37,237 — —
$ 933,278 $ 499,661 $ 433,617 $ —
Government and agency-U.S. (C)
15,960 — 15,960 —
$ 1,004,550 $ 460,285 $ 544,265 $ —
(A) Values are based upon a combination of observable prices, independent pricing services and relevant broker quotes.
(B) Values are based upon comparable securities with similar yields and credit ratings.
(C) Values of instruments classified as Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. Values of instruments classified as Level 2 are based upon quoted market prices from observable pricing sources.
(D) Values are based upon quoted market prices from observable pricing sources.
(E) Classification contains various immaterial investments and valuation varies by investment type. Values are primarily based upon quoted market prices from observable pricing sources.
(F) Values of instruments classified as Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. Values of instruments classified as Level 2 are based on the net asset value provided by the fund administrator, which is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, less its liabilities and then divided by the number of fund units outstanding.
(G) Values are based upon quoted market prices or broker/dealer quotations.
The U.S. portion of fixed income assets is invested in mortgage-backed, corporate, government and agency and asset-backed instruments. Mortgage-backed securities consist of residential mortgage pass-through certificates. Corporate bonds are diversified across industry and sector and, while consisting primarily of investment grade instruments, include an allocation to high-yield debt as well. U.S. government investments consist of obligations of the U.S. Treasury and its agencies.
The non-U.S. portion of fixed income investments consists primarily of corporate bonds in developed markets but includes an allocation to emerging markets debt as well. The value of derivative instruments is not material and is included in the “Other” category provided in the table above.
Equity securities included within the plans’ assets consist of publicly-traded U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities. In order to achieve appropriate diversification, these portfolios are allocated among multiple asset managers and invested across market sectors, investment styles, capitalization weights and geographic regions.
A portion of the U.S. plans’ assets consists of investments in cash and cash equivalents, primarily to accommodate liquidity requirements relating to trade settlement and benefit payment activity.
Foreign plan assets comprise 31% of the Company’s total benefit plan assets, based on market value at September 30, 2011. Such plans have local independent fiduciary committees, with responsibility for development and oversight of investment policy, including asset allocation decisions. In making such decisions, consideration is given to local regulations, investment practices and funding rules.
The following table provides the fair value measurements of foreign plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2011 and 2010.
Total Foreign
Corporate bonds(A)
$ 34,905 $ — $ 34,905 $ —
Government and agency-U.S.(B)
1,065 1,065 — —
Government and agency-Foreign(C)
Other(D)
Equity securities(E)
215,309 201,325 13,726 258
Cash and cash equivalents(F)
Real estate(G)
10,688 — — 10,688
Insurance contracts(H)
$ 419,452 $ 240,268 $ 89,893 $ 89,291
9,486 — — 9,486
62,333 — 89 62,244
(A) Values are based upon comparable securities with similar yields and credit ratings.
(B) Values are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded.
(E) Values of instruments classified as Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. Values of instruments classified as Level 2 are based on the net asset value provided by the fund administrator, which is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, less its liabilities and then divided by the number of fund units outstanding.
(F) Values are based upon quoted market prices or broker/dealer quotations.
(G) Values represent the estimated fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investment value or cost, adjusted for any accumulated earnings or losses.
(H) Values approximately represent cash surrender value.
Fixed income investments include corporate, U.S. government and non-U.S. government securities. Equity securities included in the foreign plan assets consist of publicly-traded U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities. Real estate investments consist of investments in funds holding an interest in real properties. The foreign plans also hold a portion of assets in cash and cash equivalents, in order to accommodate liquidity requirements.
The following table summarizes the changes, for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, in the fair value of foreign pension assets measured using Level 3 inputs:
Securities Estate Contracts Assets
$ 494 $ 8,987 $ 59,078 $ 68,559
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets held at September 30, 2010
— 558 2,075 2,633
Relating to assets sold during the period
(199 ) 185 — (14 )
Purchases, sales and settlements, net
7 122 — 129
Transfers in (out) from other categories
(3 ) — 4,866 4,863
Exchange rate changes
(32 ) (366 ) (3,775 ) (4,173 )
(4 ) 46 2,613 2,655
— 1,363 14,710 16,073
— — 92 92
(5 ) (207 ) (1,314 ) (1,526 )
$ 258 10,688 $ 78,345 $ 89,291
The Company utilizes a service-based approach in accounting for most of its postemployment benefits. Under this approach, the costs of benefits are recognized over the eligible employees’ service period. The Company has elected to delay recognition of actuarial gains and losses that result from changes in assumptions.
Postemployment benefit costs for the years ended September 30 included the following components:
$ 13,327 $ 11,409 $ 9,944
Amortization of prior service credit
Amortization of loss
The unfunded status of the postemployment benefit plans, which are not funded, was $137,575 and $112,751 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes for the net actuarial loss was $116,442 and $76,220 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The estimated net actuarial loss that will be amortized from the Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into postemployment benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $13,942.
Savings Incentive Plan
The Company has a voluntary defined contribution plan (“Savings Incentive Plan”) covering eligible employees in the United States. The Company matches contributions for eligible employees to 75% of employees’ contributions, up to a maximum of 4.5% of each employee’s eligible compensation. The cost of
the Savings Incentive Plan was $36,535 in 2011, $34,097 in 2010 and $36,438 in 2009. The Company guarantees employees’ contributions to the fixed income fund of the Savings Incentive Plan, which consists of diversified money market instruments. The amount guaranteed was $240,113 at September 30, 2011.
Note 9 — Acquisitions
Carmel Pharma
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Carmel Pharma, AB (“Carmel”), a Swedish company that manufactures the BD PhaSealtm System, a closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials. The fair value of consideration transferred totaled $287,111, net of $5,047 in cash acquired. The Company intends for this acquisition to expand the scope of its healthcare worker safety emphasis, especially in the area of parenteral medication delivery.
The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and Carmel’s results of operations were included in the Medical segment’s results from the acquisition date. Pro forma information is not provided as the acquisition did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. These fair values are based upon the information available as of September 30, 2011 and may be adjusted should further information regarding events or circumstances existing at the acquisition date become available.
Product rights
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Posts tagged "Mitchell"
Moses v. Mitchell, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 09-040-17)
1 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS PLYMOUTH, ss. SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-0823 MOONIE MOSES1 vs. LISA MITCHELL, REBECCA DONAHUE, JOHN P. FREITAS, CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, ANDREW DEVALLES, AND BRIAN SCHWENK MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER ON CROSS-MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS Plaintiff Moonie Moses, an inmate at Old Colony Correctional Center (“OCCC”), brings this case in the nature of certiorari under G.L. c. 249, §4, against Lisa Mitchell, Rebecca Donahue, John P. Freitas, Christopher Anderson, Andrew DeValles, and Brian Schwenk (“Defendants”), officials and employees of OCCC, alleging violations of Department of Correction regulations governing discipline he received as the result of a disciplinary report (or D-Report). Before the Court is Moses’ motion for judgment on the pleadings. The Defendants oppose and cross-move for judgment on the pleadings. After hearing, and in consideration of the parties’ memoranda of law and oral arguments, the Court ALLOWS Plaintiff’s motion for judgment on the pleadings and DENIES Defendants’ motion. FACTS In D-Report 345786, Correctional Officer John Freitas alleged that on August 24, 2015, Moses insulted and threatened him. Specifically, Freitas alleged that Moses “called this officer ‘a piece of shit and then continued to say if you were in my neighborhood in Dorchester I wish 1 The case file, identifying plaintiff as “Moses Moonie,” reverses Mr. Moses’ first and last names. 2 you would take a bullet to the head.’” Moses was charged with four offenses – threatening another with bodily harm, in violation of Disciplinary Code Section 3-04; use of obscene, abusive or insolent language or gesture, in violation of Disciplinary Code Section 3-26; conduct which disrupts the normal operation of the facility of unit, in violation of Disciplinary Code Section 3-27; and violation of any departmental rule or regulation, in violation of Disciplinary Code Section 4-11. Although the D-Report reads as if Moses’ alleged statement was made directly to Freitas, it is undisputed that it was not. Instead, whatever statement Moses made was heard by Correctional Officer Oana T. Farese, who reported it to Freitas. Indeed, the record of the disciplinary hearing reflects Freitas’ statement that “[s]he [Farese] told me she heard the statements. I don’t recall when she told me. … I asked Moses did he say it. He said it was misinterpreted. I’m going to go with what the CO tells me.” Freitas’ statement makes clear that Moses’ position was that what he said had been misunderstood, which is his position before this Court. Farese’s testimony, which Freitas credited, was thus critical in deciding whether any offense had occurred and any discipline was appropriate. Moses thus requested, pursuant to the regulations that governed the proceeding, that Farese be produced as a witness at the disciplinary hearing, proffering that she could […]
Posted by Massachusetts Legal Resources - November 13, 2017 at 5:54 pm
Categories: News Tags: 0904017, Lawyers, Mitchell, Moses, Weekly
Commonwealth v. Mitchell (and two companion cases) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-010-16)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA, 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us 12-P-719 Appeals Court COMMONWEALTH vs. MARKEESE MITCHELL (and two companion cases[1]). No. 12-P-719. Suffolk. September 10, 2015. – January 28, 2016. Present: Green, Rubin, & Hanlon, JJ. Homicide. Practice, Criminal, Motion to suppress, Admissions and confessions, Voluntariness of statement, Sentence, Severance, Confrontation of witnesses, Argument by prosecutor, Instructions to jury. Evidence, Voluntariness of statement, Statement of codefendant, Verbal completeness, Relevancy and materiality, Knife, Bias. Constitutional Law, Admissions and confessions, Voluntariness of statement, Sentence, Confrontation of witnesses. Indictments found and returned in the Superior Court Department on April 18, 2008. Pretrial motions to suppress evidence and to sever were heard by Charles J. Hely, J.; the cases were tried before Judith Fabricant, J., and a motion for a postconviction evidentiary hearing, filed on December 3, 2012, was heard by her. Richard L. Goldman for Terrance Pabon. Richard B. Klibaner for Pedro Ortiz. Jeanne M. Kempthorne for Markeese Mitchell. Amanda Teo, Assistant District Attorney (Mark A. Hallal, Assistant District Attorney, with her) for the Commonwealth. HANLON, J. After a jury trial, the defendants, Markeese Mitchell, Terrance Pabon, and Pedro Ortiz were convicted of murder in the second degree in connection with the stabbing death of Terrance Jacobs. Paul Goode also was indicted, tried with the defendants, and convicted of murder in the second degree. Goode’s direct appeal originally was consolidated with the others; however, by motion and pursuant to an order of this court, Goode’s appeal was severed. Goode’s statement to the police was admitted at trial and is the predicate for one of thedefendants’ common claims of error, under Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 135-137 (1968). Pabon and Mitchell claim error in the denial of their respective motions to suppress their statements to the police. They also contend that, because they were between the ages of fourteen and seventeen when the crime occurred, they ought to have been afforded individualized sentencing, in light of Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012), and Diatchenko v. District Attorney for the Suffolk Dist., 466 Mass. 655 (2013). In addition, some or all of the defendants claim error in the admission of Pabon’s statement to the police; certain evidentiary rulings at trial; certain remarks made by the prosecutor in closing argument; the denial of their request for a jury instruction on withdrawal from […]
Posted by Massachusetts Legal Resources - January 28, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Categories: News Tags: 1101016, cases, Commonwealth, companion, Lawyers, Mitchell, Weekly
Commonwealth v. Mitchell (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-108-14)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us SJC‑11487 COMMONWEALTH vs. MARCUS MITCHELL. Bristol. February 3, 2014. ‑ June 18, 2014. Present: Ireland, C.J., Spina, Cordy, Botsford, Gants, Duffly, & Lenk, JJ. Eavesdropping. Evidence, Wiretap. Search and Seizure, Electronic surveillance, Warrant. Practice, Criminal, Interlocutory appeal, Motion to suppress, Warrant. Indictments found and returned in the Superior Court Department on May 6, 2011. A pretrial motion to suppress evidence was heard by Thomas F. McGuire, Jr., J. An application for leave to file an interlocutory appeal was allowed by Spina, J. in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk. David B. Mark, Assistant District Attorney, for the Commonwealth. Richard B. Klibaner for the defendant. GANTS, J. Under the Massachusetts electronic surveillance statute, G. L. c. 272, § 99 F, the Commonwealth is required to obtain a warrant before it may conduct an “interception,” which is defined as the secret recording or transmitting of the contents of any wire or oral communication without the consent of all parties to the communication. G. L. c. 272, § 99 B 4. However, under the “one-party consent exception,” set forth in § 99 B 4, “it shall not constitute an interception for an investigative or law enforcement officer . . . to record or transmit a wire or oral communication if the officer is a party to such communication or has been given prior authorization to record or transmit the communication by such a party and if recorded or transmitted in the course of an investigation of a designated offense as defined [under § 99 B 7].” The primary issue presented on appeal is the scope of the one-party consent exception, that is, whether a telephone call recorded by the police between the defendant and a cooperating witness is an “interception” requiring a warrant under § 99 F, where the cooperating witness, despite being instructed by a law enforcement officer to elicit information regarding a “designated offense,” instead elicits information only about a subsequent unrelated crime that is not a “designated offense.” A Superior Court judge concluded that the recording was not made “in the course of an investigation of a designated offense,” and therefore allowed the defendant’s motion to suppress the recording, because the cooperating witness did not attempt to discuss the “designated offense” during the recorded telephone call. We reverse the allowance of […]
Posted by Massachusetts Legal Resources - June 18, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Categories: News Tags: 1010814, Commonwealth, Lawyers, Mitchell, Weekly
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Salvelinus is a genus of salmonid fish often called char or charr; some species are called "trout". Salvelinus is a member of the subfamily Salmoninae within the family Salmonidae. The genus has a northern circumpolar distribution, and most of its members are typically cold-water fish that primarily inhabit fresh waters. Many species also migrate to the sea.
Most char may be identified by light-cream, pink, or red spots over a darker body. Scales tend to be small, with 115-200 along the lateral line. The pectoral, pelvic, anal, and the lower aspect of caudal fins are trimmed in snow white or cream leading edges.
Many members of this genus are popular sport fish, and a few, such as the lake trout (S. namaycush), are the object of commercial fisheries and aquaculture. Occasionally, such fish escape and become invasive species.
Deepwater char are small species of char living below 80 m in the deep areas of certain lakes. They are highly sensitive to changes in the quality of the water and one species, Salvelinus neocomensis, was driven to extinction in the twentieth century.
As with other salmonid genera, the delimitation of species in Salvelinus is controversial. FishBase in 2015 listed 54 species or subspecies in this genus, many of which have very narrow local distributions. Fourteen localised species are listed from the British Isles alone, although these traditionally, and still by the national conservation and fisheries authorities, are all considered to represent the widespread Arctic charr (S. alpinus). Twenty species are listed from the Asian part of Russia, including several localised taxa from in each of the Kamchatka, Chukotka and Taimyr peninsulas. One of these is the long-finned char, which phylogenetically is part of the Salvelinus group although it has been so far classified into another genus Salvethymus.
The Arctic char (S. alpinus) is the most broadly distributed Salvelinus species. It has a circumpolar distribution, and it is considered the most northern of all freshwater fishes. In North America, five relatively well defined species are present, which, apart from the Arctic char, comprise the brook trout (S. fontinalis), bull trout (S. confluentus), Dolly Varden trout (S. malma) and lake trout (S. namaycush).
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DreamWorks and Ford Announce Exclusive Partnership on Need for Speed Movie
June 10, 2013 | Filed under: Gaming,Gaming PR | Posted by: Kristofer Brozio
Meh, whatever… I guess this is exciting but I also guess it means the movie will be mostly an advertisement for Ford….
Today, DreamWorks Studios’ Stacey Snider, Partner and Co-Chair, and Ford Motor Company’s Jim Farley, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, are pleased to announce an exclusive partnership for the feature film “Need for Speed,” which will include significant integration of Ford products, along with extensive media promotion by Ford at the time of the film’s release on March 14, 2014. The announcement coincides with the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang for the film, during Electronic Arts’ press conference at E3 Expo in Los Angeles later today.
The Ford-designed and created made-for-movie Mustang will be featured prominently throughout the film and become part of the mythology of the movie. The “Need for Speed” Mustang features a custom-designed wide body, unique 22-inch alloy wheels, and larger air intakes to feed the supercharged V8 engine under its classic Mustang twin-nostril hood.
“’Need for Speed’ is rooted in Americana, and when we were casting our hero car for the film, Ford Mustang was the obvious choice,” said Snider. “With its 50-year history in film, the iconic Mustang is the perfect co-star for Aaron Paul. We are privileged to have such an esteemed partner like Ford working with us on this film and look forward to seeing their Mustang up on the big screen next year.”
Ford also provided the production with an F-450 truck known in the film as “The Beast,” as well as another Mustang to serve as a specially designed camera car, which allows the filmmakers to capture car racing action in new and exciting ways.
“Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing. The story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes – one that begins as a mission for revenge but proves to be a journey of redemption.
“Ford Mustang is a symbol of freedom and optimism that allows you to be the person you dream of being, making it the perfect fit for this story,” said Farley. “Ford is excited to partner with DreamWorks and Electronic Arts as they bring the epic gaming franchise of ‘Need For Speed’ to the big screen, allowing us to go further with them as they tell their great story on the global stage.”
The movie is based on Electronic Arts’ popular video game series of the same name. It is one of the most successful racing video game franchises in the world, with more than 140 million games sold. The film stars Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”), Dominic Cooper (“Captain America”), Imogen Poots (“Fright Night”) and Michael Keaton (“Batman”), and is directed by Scott Waugh (“Act of Valor”). George Gatins and John Gatins developed the story and wrote the screenplay. John Gatins, Patrick O’Brien and Mark Sourian are producing. The Walt Disney Company is distributing the film in the United States and select international territories, while Mister Smith Entertainment is handling distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. DreamWorks’ partner Reliance will distribute the film in India.
“’The Need for Speed’ movie will embody everything that fans of action racing films want to see – hot cars, high-stakes street racing and mind-blowing stunts,” said Scott Waugh, director of the “Need for Speed” film. “The adrenaline-fueled story across America will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”
The next game in the “Need for Speed” franchise, “Need for Speed Rivals,” will be available Nov. 19, 2013 for the Xbox 360® game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. The game will launch on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 4 later this year.
About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include Spielberg’s "Lincoln," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. The film has grossed over $270 million at the worldwide box office and was nominated for twelve Academy Awards® with Daniel Day-Lewis winning for Best Actor. Other releases include "Real Steel," starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Shawn Levy, Steven Spielberg’s "War Horse," based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and "The Help," which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award® nominations with Octavia Spencer winning for Best Supporting Actress. Upcoming films include the comedy "Delivery Man," starring Vince Vaughn, the WikiLeaks drama "The Fifth Estate," and car racing actioner "Need for Speed."
DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
In 2014, Ford Mustang will celebrate a milestone anniversary and become the newest member of a very exclusive club – vehicles in continuous production for 50 years. Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability sets it apart from other sports cars and it’s why the car connects so well with drivers – with a worldwide base of avid fans to prove it. The Mustang attitude of limitless possibilities is universal and enduring, it’s truly part of our cultural fabric and evokes a variety of emotions – freedom, independence and optimism – just to name a few. Fans around the world will be honoring that heritage with numerous celebrations as the original pony car heads into the next 50 years.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA has more than 275 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.
In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.
Origin, The Sims and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Mass Effect is a trademark of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. Battlefield, Battlefield 4 and Frostbite are trademarks of EA Digital Illusions CE AB. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Rivers has career-high 41 as Rockets down Kings 129-112
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Austin Rivers scored a career-high 41 points off the bench and the Houston Rockets used a big third quarter to pull away and cruise to a 129-112 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
"He's been playing well and obviously, tonight was his night," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He played great."
Rivers made six 3-pointers as Houston improved to 4-1 at Disney on a night the Rockets played a second straight game without Russell Westbrook, who has a bruised right quadriceps.
"I believe I'm a premier scorer. That's just how I feel," Rivers said. "But I'm on a team where that's not required of me. Every night I play with the best scorer in the NBA, and I play with one of the other best scorers too with James (Harden) and Russ. So you've got to play a role and buy in. That's what winning basketball is."
Harden added 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Houston.
The Kings fell to 1-5 in the bubble after being eliminated from playoff contention earlier Sunday when Portland beat the 76ers. Sacramento's playoff drought is now 14 years, which is the longest active streak in the NBA.
"We have to understand and change our mindset as far as what it takes to win," Sacramento coach Luke Walton said. "The main thing I hope we take from this whole bubble experience is learning that lesson firsthand and playing these type of games night in and night out."
De'Aaron Fox had 26 points for the Kings.
D'Antoni was impressed with Houston's work on defense Sunday and likes how his team has improved in that area since it's been in Florida.
"I think they're starting to enjoy it even," he said. "So, lot of emphasis on it, a lot of talk and everybody has bought in so it makes it fun to play that way."
The Rockets were up by 24 early in the fourth quarter when Sacramento used an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 97-81 with about 9 1/2 minutes remaining.
Rivers made two free throws after that before the Kings used a 7-2 run, with 3s from Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield, to make it 102-88 with about 8 minutes to go.
Houston got back on track after that, using a 11-4 run to push the lead to 113-92 with less than 5 minutes left and most of the Rockets starters went to the bench for good after that.
Houston was up by seven in the third quarter before scoring the next eight points, with 3s from Ben McLemore and Robert Covington, to make it 74-59 with about 7 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.
A shot by Harrison Barnes got the Kings within 14 points later in the third before a 12-4 spurt by Houston extended the lead to 91-69 with about a minute left in the third.
Rockets: D'Antoni said Westbrook and Eric Gordon (sprained left ankle) could both return for the next game on Tuesday. Gordon hasn't played since the season restarted after he was injured in a scrimmage. ... McLemore had 20 points and made six 3-pointers.
Kings: Richaun Holmes sat out with right hip soreness. ... Kent Bazemore didn't play because of a sore left calf. ... Barnes had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Rockets: Play San Antonio on Tuesday.
Kings: Play New Orleans on Tuesday night.
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George, Washington
Title: George, Washington
The Gorge Amphitheatre in George
Location of George, Washington
0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population (2010)[2]
• Estimate (2014)[3]
Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
PDT (UTC-7)
City of George
George is a city in unusual place names.[5]
The city is known for being near the Sasquatch! Music Festival.
The city also celebrates national holidays such as the Fourth of July, and Washington's Birthday, with cherry pies. It bakes the world's largest cherry pie every year on July 4, and serves it to the crowd.[6]
Climate 2.1
2010 census 3.1
George began as a large irrigation district between Quincy and Moses Lake. In the early 1950s, the need for a town to support the local agriculture business was evident, and the Bureau of Land Management agreed to 339 acres (1.37 km2) for this purpose. The winning (and only) bid was that of the local pharmacist, Charlie Brown. Brown invested his own money into the venture, and with help from a University of Washington instructor, the town structure was planned. The plan included streets, utilities, etc.
When filing the papers for the town with the BLM, Brown decided that the town should be named as a respectably humorous salute to the first President of the United States,
Cities in Washington (state)
Cities in Grant County, Washington
Populated places established in 1957
1957 establishments in Washington (state)
Municipalities and communities of Grant County, Washington, United States
County seat: Ephrata
Electric City
Coulee Dam‡
Hartline
Wilson Creek
Banks Lake South
Desert Aire
Moses Lake North
Cristóbal, Colón
^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010".
^ a b "American FactFinder".
^ a b "Population Estimates".
^ "George".
^ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. pp. x.
^ "Largest cherry pie: George, Washington sets world record". World Record Academy. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ a b City of George website - history http://www.ci.george.wa.us/history.html
^ Climate Summary for George, Washington
The median income for a household in the city was $21,181, and the median income for a family was $23,571. Males had a median income of $21,667 versus $13,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $7,779. About 33.0% of families and 36.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.8% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
There were 141 households out of which 49.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.74, and the average family size is 4.39. In the city the age distribution of the population shows 37.7% under the age of 18, 16.5% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 14.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 118.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 140.1 males.
As of the census of 2000, there were 528 people, 141 households, and 106 families residing in the city. The population density was 879.2 people per square mile (339.8/km²). There were 162 housing units at an average density of 269.8 per square mile (104.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.11% White, 0.57% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 16.10% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 60.23% of the population.
The median age in the city was 24.8 years. 35.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28% were from 25 to 44; 15% were from 45 to 64; and 6.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.1% male and 45.9% female.
There were 131 households of which 60.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 11.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 16.8% were non-families. 8.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.82 and the average family size was 4.14.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 501 people, 131 households, and 109 families residing in the city. The population density was 376.7 inhabitants per square mile (145.4/km2). There were 168 housing units at an average density of 126.3 per square mile (48.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 38.1% White, 1.4% Native American, 59.9% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 75.0% of the population.
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.33 square miles (3.44 km2), all of it land.[1]
The town was officially incorporated on July 4, 1957 at a ceremony including the governor of Washington.[7]
Incidentally, the citizens of the town have named their streets after varieties of cherries grown in the area, such as Bing and Royal Anne.
Grant County, Washington
Douglas County, Washington, Columbia River, Okanogan County, Washington, Adams County, Washington, Lincoln County, Washington
New York City, United States, American Civil War, Hawaii, Western United States
Western Australia, World War I, Iceland, European Union, Washington, D.C.
University of Texas at Austin, University of California, Berkeley, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Association of American Universities, Arizona State University
Family, Polygyny, Bride price, Islam, Love
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Discover the Lost letters
Read the Lost letters
Meet Terry Tamminen
Meet the Audiobook Cast
Meet William Shakespeare
Blog & Comments
Sign up to read the Lost letters
Reviews of The lost letters
A Reader’s Guide to The Lost Letters
The Challenge of Deciphering Elizabethan Handwriting & Spelling
Be among the first to read the book or review the pre-publication manuscript.
The Lost Letters of William Shakespeare: The Undiscovered Diary of his Strange Eventful Life and Loves will soon be available as an audio book, e-book, and printed edition, edited and adapted after more than two decades of painstaking research by Terry Tamminen.
Sign up to review the pre-publication manuscript, to receive a special early edition of the book, and to discover more unique insights into Shakespeare’s life and work.
I’d like to download the Prologue and Scribe’s Notes at no cost to learn more about how these letters were discovered and adapted.
E-book formats. (.epub & .mobi)
Please tell me when the early edition of the book is available, along with special discounts and offers on print, electronic, and audio versions and extras.
Tell me how I can participate in reviewing the pre-publication manuscript.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
“The Lost Letters bring Shakespeare’s world to life. It shows how experiences in his life influenced and brought colour to his works. Dotted with references to Shakespeare’s plays, it is like reading about an old and familiar friend: you recognise people, phrases and events which, in turn, inspired characters, speeches and scenes or even, in the case of his visit to Denmark, a whole play.
When Mr. Perkin advises young Shakespeare on the art of acting he starts with the words “All the WORLD…is a stage…William. Every man…a player” – words which must have burned themselves into Shakespeare’s brain as he was to adapt them years later into Jacques’ speech in As You Like It. Words which are still in common use today.
Terry Tamminen explores his own journey to Shakespeare in the introduction he writes to each letter as well as providing a quick explanation of the context of each letter.
Fact or fiction, it is a good read and most entertaining. I am eagerly anticipating the next book.”
The Right Honorable Lord Barker of Battle PC
“Terry Tamminen has unearthed an extraordinary resource that will challenge scholars and fascinate lovers of the works of William Shakespeare in equal measure.”
Ned Record, Creative Director, Hollywood Shakespeare
“Far from leaving Shakespeare on that pedestal that many keep him on (away from the common man, and towards the gods), Lost Letters shows us the story of a young artist who is trying to make a life for himself. That he is a mortal man who experiences sadness, triumph, and the occasional stomach pain. We are able to see the man who would become humanities greatest writer as he figures this out for himself.
Moreover, by making comparisons of his own life to Shakespeare’s, author Terry Tamminen gives us (the reader) permission to do the same. By drawing these parallels, we are given the chance to strive to our own greatness, just as Shakespeare did.
This book not only has the power to change history, but also one’s destiny.”
“Are Shakespeare’s Lost Letters historical fact or historical fiction? I care not, as Terry Tamminen has written with a passion and a dedication that o’erleaps itself and served up a delicious feast for all those that love the Bard of Avon. A great work by a great writer!”
Robb Rice, Founder, Malibu Summerstage Theatre
“I was a bit intimidated by all the old English text, but when I started reading it, I really got into following the Bard on his “Elizabethan Road Trip.” The prologue is a brilliant start and really draws the reader in. The annotation is critical in quickly understanding the meaning of old English terminology. I can’t wait to read more about how he ascends in recognition.”
John Cronin, English teacher
“Historically accurate, funny, gritty, bawdy, and engaging; I will be very surprised if there’s an English lit course in the world that won’t use it as a text–and millions will read it for fun. Shakespeare has never been this approachable.”
Indrek Kaing
“This book is for people who enjoy mental time-travel. By the time Terry’s journey with the plot of this book started, I was a 10-year-old boy, growing up in Estonia, the former Soviet Union. I did not understand why we lived as we did. Why we could not think and act freely. I did not understand it at all until we managed to restore our independence in 1991. Frankly, I still cannot believe that we had such a regime of the Soviet Union for 50 years, but that is totally another story. The reason I had to start my review like this was that my only rescue from this insanity was reading books. The lively stories from history became favourites. I guess that from that period the storytelling bug grew into me as well and that is why I enjoyed Terry’s book so much. I really do not need proof that it is all 100% truth as the story itself is an adventure on many levels to enjoy.
As I have mentioned my interest towards time travel, my most enjoyable nuances were the detailed descriptions of the atmosphere were the situation are taking place: the politics at the time, the environment and architecture, indoors vs outdoors, temperatures at the location, time of the day, season, weather, fashion, lights, smells, tastes, feelings – all of it. One of my most favourite writers is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his series of “Sherlock Holmes”. When most of the people tend to concentrate on the criminal case of those stories, for me it is the least intriguing part of all. For me, each time I open one of his books, I disconnect myself from this world and travel into London to the years of 1878-1903, where Sherlock Holmes adventures are described. I can breathe and smell those houses and places, feel the temperatures and lights. It takes talent to write like this. But as this example does not match up with William Shakespeare’s story, I bring a better one.
In 1844 a French writer, Alexandre Dumas senior, published a story of “Three Musketeers” with the lead character d’Artagnan, who was a poor young man leaving his home to go to Paris and join the elite guard of musketeers. Everyone who has read the book knows what I’m talking about, but if you have not, please do and you shall not regret. Those stories helped me to learn about France and Paris. The living standards, cuisine, fashion, ethics back then. Again, an absolutely superb piece of writing. What is the most magnificent part of this example is the timing. The “Three Musketeers” original story took place in years 1625-1628, no matter that finally published more than 200 years later. Why this is important? William Shakespeare lived 1564-1616 and not that far away. So, one might say that this period in history had a significant matter to the literature as such in several places around the world if not globally.
“The Lost Letters of William Shakespeare” took me on a journey which is really difficult to describe, but as you’ve just read about my passion for such literature, you can imagine my satisfaction from reading it. What makes it even better is the Terry Tamminen personal story within the main story and frankly, I cannot say one is more important than the other because of the complement each other. Terry’s mysterious contact with Miss B, who loaned him the letters, is something that gives me the chills even when I am writing this review right now. You will have a chance to learn how big and long is Terry Tamminen’s passion for William Shakespeare actually. But foremost I am extremely grateful for the letters itself. I don’t want to give the readers any wrong expectations as this book would be one long continuous adventure, building up excitement towards the end of the book. No, this is a book which actually contains letters from William Shakespeare to his friend “Coz” in Stratford, as young William dreamed of going to “the land of gold” in order to return rich and support for his family. As in Alexander Dumas “Three Musketeers” d’Artagnan left home to go to Paris, so did the young William Shakespeare, leaving home to go to London in order to earn some money for the boat ticket that would take him to the Americas.
Being now 40 years old and a father of 4 children, I can honestly relate to the feelings William has shared privately to his friend in those letters. I can take myself into that period, and you know what? Life is not that much different today, from the perspective of human behaviour, emotions, ambitions and existence. We now write on computers instead of paper and move around in electric vehicles, but what is in deep inside of us has remained pretty much the same.
As this was the first bunch of the letters described in one book, I am looking forward to the next ones, to continue my journey in William’s shoes in the late 1500s.
Dear Terry, I honour your passion and commitment of 30 years of stubborn work to be able to share this story with us. I do keep my hopes up that one day we will find out who was this mysterious Miss B and background of the secrets of those letters.
Pringi, Viimsi, Estonia
PS! I have read the book and also listened to the audiobook as my eyesight is not the best those days and the most comfortable time to read/listen to this book is either in commute or gym. The audiobook as lively as the book, so I can recommend both without hesitation
By Terry Tamminen
It takes a lot of hubris to ‘edit’ Shakespeare, but this Reader’s Guide will give you a sense of how I went about the task, including the changes I made to the actual text to make it more accessible and enjoyable for the modern reader. The pages I was given were not in chronological order; many times pages from one letter were mixed in with another one; and some pages were apparently missing entirely, so my approach at the time was to simply transcribe what was in front of me and sort it all out later – – thus, two decades of hard work to make sense of it all, in addition to the challenges as described below.
Here is the last page of Shakespeare’s will:
Although he signed it, there is no evidence he wrote the will itself, but this will give you an example of the way he and his contemporaries wrote letters and legal documents. Very little punctuation or paragraph formatting; words and names spelled various ways within the same document (and often not the way we spell them today); lots of abbreviations that meant something to the intended reader, but mystify the modern one.
Yes, the text in that example is in English! See if you can match the final lines to this transcribed text, which does not correct irregular spelling, but does adjust the letters in words that would completely confuse the modern reader (more of that explained below):
I give, devise, and bequeath to my sonne in lawe, John Hall gent., and my daughter Susanna, his wief, whom I ordaine and make executours of this my last will and testament. And I doe intreat and appoint the saied Thomas Russell esquier and Frauncis Collins gent. to be overseers hereof, and doe revoke all former wills, and publishe this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my [seale] hand, the date and yeare first above written.
My Editing Approach
Now that you have seen an actual example of Elizabethan writing, what follows is how I approached the task of formatting Shakespeare’s letters for the modern reader:[1]
Colloquial Elizabethan English is at times quite familiar, but at times thoroughly perplexing, for example the use of “you” for addressing someone of higher age or station, while using “thou” for familiars (like so much of Elizabethan grammar and usage, this is not applied consistently).
Some letters in words were written differently than we see today. For example, ‘s’ was written like ‘f’ except when capitalized, in which case it appeared as ‘S’. ‘V’ was usually written as ‘u’. Needless to say, I modernized such instances. The letters “i” and “j”; “s” and “f”; and “u” and “v” were interchangeable, sometimes depending on where the letter appeared in a word. “y” sometimes replaced “th”, so the word “the” could be written as “ye”, or abbreviated as “t’” or “th’”. Numbers were often expressed as lower case Roman numerals, with the last “i” written as “j”, for example, “8” would appear as “viii” or “viij”.
I left some irregularities where they seemed to matter to Shakespeare, such as capitalizing certain words like ‘Fortune’.
Some abbreviations and contractions are similar to modern English (can’t, couldn’t) but others are not common today (o’er for over; ne’er for never; in’s for in his; ‘prentice for apprentice; enow for enough). I left many of those as Shakespeare wrote them, because they are all generally easy to understand in context and were common for Elizabethan letter writing.
Shakespeare used little punctuation, except the use of a period after a number (which is confusing for modern readers, because a period usually means the end of a sentence). Therefore, spelling and punctuation have been regularized and modernized and things like possessive apostrophes have been added where needed. When I just wasn’t sure or thought the original should speak for itself, exactly as is, I insert footnotes or Editor’s Notes for explanation to the best of my ability.
Shakespeare did use a form of quotation marks at times and wrote some recounted dialogue with indentations to suggest it was a certain speaker, but otherwise followed no standard method of describing speech. I have therefore standardized the dialogue he recounts using modern quotation marks and attributions of the speaker for clarity.
Shakespeare sometimes uses ‘Master’ when referring to the senior members of the company, but in later letters uses ‘Mr’ or ‘M.’ when he seemed to be in a hurry. For consistency, I use ‘Mr.’ except when used in other contexts where the full spelling is more appropriate.
In many cases I have added words that were likely in the original, but have been obscured by blots, smudges and holes in the paper (as you can see was also the case in the excerpt from Shakespeare’s will). Other times, I added words for clarity and, in my first draft, I put brackets around those added words. But upon re-reading I found that distracting, so since it doesn’t happen very often, those have become footnotes. Shakespeare often added notes in the margins too, which I incorporated into the text where relevant. For example, in the beginning of Letter One, Shakespeare referred to the “Trinity tor”. I assumed he meant the Holy Trinity Church, the most visible landmark of Stratford from a distance. In my first draft of this book, I used “spire” instead of “tor” (which meant door or hill in Elizabethan English, either of which would have been obscure to the modern reader). Realizing that the spire was not added to the church until the 1700s however, I later changed this to “tower”, in an attempt to remain faithful to the text Shakespeare wrote, but to be somewhat clearer for the modern reader about what he likely meant.
When a word that is not commonly used in modern English appears for the first time in the letters, I made a footnote with the definition, then summarized all such words in the Glossary.
The letters were mostly written on two sides of the page but designed to be folded shut with a seal and John Combe’s name on one blank section. The dates were placed beneath Shakespeare’s signature, but I have put them at the top of each new letter to aid the reader in following the chronology. Speaking of dates, England in Shakespeare’s time used the old Julian calendar (Europe had already converted to the more accurate Gregorian calendar, but England waited until 1752 to follow suit), so dates cited in his letters may be as much as ten days off of our modern dating system.
Finally, my research, led me to corroborating sources for many of the facts and stories that Shakespeare reports directly or from others. In some cases, I have adapted these sources to complete missing sections. For example, in Letter 14, Shakespeare repeats what he was told by his neighbor Van Meteren, who had given oral and written summaries of the fate of the Spanish Armada to other contemporaries. There is at least one page missing from that letter, so I augmented Shakespeare’s report with those additional sources to complete the otherwise consistent description. In another example, in Letter 9, I found another source of Miles Phillips’ account of his travels in the Americas and used it to better understand and augment Shakespeare’s version to add clarity and color.
An Edited Example
Here then is an excerpt from the letters and the result of my editing approach:
Brbg [hole in paper] our tasks b’ding th’animls an couryng our goods from pryng eys whyle taking from th’wagons onlie those few personals th’ wuld prove for us through th’night. Mastr J was alredy retired to a special room at th’top floore whyle M Perkin conuersed with th’host of th’inn and some fewe added dignitaries as I took them to be from the town itself. I heard talk of meate an drink aplentie, most wellcome to my acheing joynts and heated stomack. In the yard w’us were other trauelers, mostlie carryers of goods. One carryer gaue us pause speaking to his fellow but loud enow that all might heare: look you master Robin this house is turned vpside downe since th’t old Ostler dyed. meat here you dare not eat and th’Pease and Beans are as danke as a dogs [illegible]. Poor ol’ostler poor fellow quoth Robin th’othr carryer a crookd old man with narie a toothe ins mouth nor haire ons head as he pulled a ticke from’s horse’s neth’rs. He neuer joy’d since the price of oats rose: twas the death of him.”
In the book, that passage became…
Mr. Burbage directed us in our tasks of bedding the animals and covering our goods from prying eyes, while taking from the wagons only those few personals that would provide for us through the night. Mr. Johnson was already retired to a special room at the top floor while Mr. Perkin conversed with the host of the inn and some few added dignitaries, as I took them to be, from the town itself. I heard talk of meat and drink aplenty, most welcome to my aching joints and heated stomach. In the yard with us were other travelers, mostly carriers of goods. One carrier gave us pause, speaking to his fellow, but loud enough that all might hear:
“Look you, Master Robin. This house is turned upside down since old Ostler died. Meat here you dare not eat and the peas and beans are as dank as a dog’s [illegible].”
“Poor old Ostler, poor fellow,” quoth Robin, the other carrier, a crooked old man with nary a tooth in’s mouth nor a hair on his head, as he pulled a tick from his horse’s nether regions. “He never joyed since the price of oats rose; it was the death of him.”
A Few Mysteries Solved
Now you have an idea of what Shakespeare’s letters to John Combe looked like and why it took me a quarter century to decipher and put them in context. I was only able to work on the project in my spare time (and set the whole thing aside for several years when I took on an all-consuming ‘day job’ in the cabinet of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger). But it was the Internet that ultimately accelerated my learning curve and ability to complete the first book.
For example, Shakespeare writes of meeting Miles Phillips and hearing his amazing story of sixteen years as a captive in the Spanish territories of North America. I was able to find few other references to Miles and his story until the web allowed me to search far more references at once than any library could offer. The result was discovering that he had also told his story to a contemporary historian, who included it in a book of similar tales from the New World. As mentioned above, that allowed me to validate what Shakespeare wrote about, but also to add key details to Miles’ account that Shakespeare passed over or were largely illegible. In such instances, I footnote the sources.
If you are familiar with Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, you will recognize some of the people, places, and language that later found their way into his work. He often seemed to be absorbing dialogue and situations, which later made his writing so real and compelling. I wondered, for example, how so much of his observations and the things he heard in Denmark (Letter 5) could have been recalled so clearly when he wrote Hamlet fifteen years later. I found the answer in Letter 50 (which will appear in Book Two) when he expresses gratitude to John Combe’s brother for opening a chest where the letters were stored (while John was apparently away from Stratford, but Shakespeare was home writing Love’s Labours Lost in 1593).
As you will see, the letters are quite long, but that was not unusual for Elizabethan correspondence (they were prolific letter-writers and savers). One of my research references was a book on the life of Shakespeare’s patron, the third Earl of Southampton, which is over 500 pages, mostly his correspondence and some commentary on it.[2]
Letters were often the only means of sharing news before newspapers became common and much of 16th century England was small towns and rural villages, where news traveled mainly by word of mouth or by letter. Reports from New World voyages, rumors of war, conspiracies, beheadings and the Plague – all front page news today – would have been reported in letters. All of that said, I suspect Shakespeare’s letters were long because he meant them as a record for his son in case he was unable to return from his voyages. Whatever the reasons, fortunately for posterity, 16th Century paper was fairly sturdy (made largely of cloth fibers, not wood pulp), although, like anything that old, some pages became more brittle than others over time.
[1] It is my intention to use some proceeds from the publication of this book to complete and publish an academic version of these letters that will approximate the exact versions shown to me, so scholars can conduct their own research and draw their own conclusions, including a detailed chronology and citations to the countless sources that illuminated them for me.
[2] The Life of Henry, Third Earl of Southampton: Shakespeare’s Patron. Charlotte Carmichael Stopes. . University Press, Cambridge, 1922.
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How would the SMART solar incentive program work?
On June 5, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) issued emergency regulations establishing the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. These regulations were promulgated as a result of legislation passed in April 2016, which requires DOER to establish a new solar incentive program. DOER is accepting comments on the SMART program until July 11th.
If you haven't had time to read the regulations but want to understand the basics, this blog post outlines the key program highlights of the program. Subsequent blog posts will provide more in-depth materials, template letters and talking points to help you better understand the program and submit comments to DOER.
SMART in short
The SMART Program is designed to support the development of an additional 1,600 MW of solar. It pivots from the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (also known as SREC) framework to a declining block compensation mechanism. The compensation paid through the SMART program will ultimately be administered through a tariff approved by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). Solar projects less than or equal to 25 kW will receive the SMART program tariff for a period of ten years. Larger projects, up to 5 MW in size, will receive the tariff for twenty years.
The 1,600 MW of capacity in the program is divided up between the utilities and further divided into eight capacity blocks with set compensation levels that decline with each block (i.e. “declining blocks”). The first 100 MW of the SMART program is reserved for a competitive solicitation (also known as an “auction”) that will set the initial a base compensation rate for the program. As a result, it’s impossible to know now exactly how much compensation solar projects will receive until the competitive solicitation takes place. However, the regulations set a ceiling price for the competitive solicitation, so it is possible to know the maximum base compensation rate at the start of the program: $0.15 per kWh for solar projects less than 2 MW and $0.14 per kWh for larger projects. This rate will be enhanced, through a base compensation rate factor, for certain types of projects. For example, small-scale solar projects (i.e. 25 kW or less) will receive a base compensation rate that is 200% of the clearing price for projects between 1 and 2 MW in the competitive solicitation.
The SMART program also includes “adders” for different projects up to 1 MW based on their location, e.g. rooftop versus parking canopy, and offtaker-type, e.g. community shared solar (CSS) versus low-income. For example, a community shared solar project developed on a landfill in the first block of the program would receive a CSS adder of $0.05 cents per kWh and a landfill adder of $0.04 cents per kWh. Adders are also included for solar projects that include energy storage or solar trackers. All adders are capped at 320 MW per adder type, meaning adders may not be available for the duration of the SMART program. The regulations specify limits on how many and what kinds of adders solar projects can use, and include an overall compensation cap that is equivalent to 230% of the clearing price for the competitive solicitation.
Critically, both the compensation level and adders automatically decline by 4% per capacity block, so the compensation available to new solar projects will decrease as more solar is built. Greenfield subtractors can further reduce the total amount of compensation a solar project would receive, when located on certain types of land. In addition, solar projects must comply with a number of land use criteria and siting restrictions in order to be eligible for the program.
Finally, the program outlines an Alternative On-Bill Crediting Mechanism (AOBCM), which could, in theory, allow non-net-metered projects to assign bill credits to different electricity accounts in a manner similar to virtual net metering and avoid net metering cap constraints. However, the draft regulations provide no detail on how the mechanism will work in practice. For example, it’s currently not clear if the AOBCM will allow credits to be shared across utility territories and load zones, something which would make it easier for urban and low-income residents that don’t own a sunny rooftop to benefit from solar. Addressing the load zone issue is crucial: to give one example, Eversource customers who live in densely populated Eastern Massachusetts communities like Boston would be able to access solar built in nearby National Grid communities in less dense suburban communities where solar is more easily sited. The draft regulations also do not provide a clear legal foundation for such a mechanism or specify how credits will be valued.
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NICHOLAS POUSSIN: 17TH CENTURY BAROQUE MASTER
Nicholas Poussin was a French Old Master who once excelled in the Baroque style, but gave up the style after a disastrous event, and preferred to paint in Classicism instead until his death. He mainly painted mythological, historical, and religious subjects. Operating mainly in Rome until his death in November of 1665, he was known to have started the French Classical tradition after being inspired by both Greek and Roman mythologies.
Nicholas Poussin was born in June 1549 in a town near Les Andelys, Normandy. He was taught Latin but showed talent in drawing instead. Pretty soon he got noticed by a painter who was visiting Les Andelys from 1611-12, Quentin Varin and Varin expressed his wish to teach the young Poussin. Poussin learned and by the age of 18, he left his home for Paris to further his study of art. Before he got there he made a small stopover in Rouen, where he worked for Noel Jouvenet. When he finally reached Paris he worked and studied under Mannerists Ferdinand Elle and Georges Lallemand, greatest French Mannerist of his time. While in Paris he got to know other works by Italian Masters, especially the engravings by Marcantonio. Marcantonio’s works had a profound impact on Poussin that he attempted to visit Rome twice between 1619 and 1622. Both of which, failed.
During all this time in Paris, he was working with the Jesuits and was taking commissions from them and the Archbishop of Paris. For the Jesuits, he worked on six large paintings and for the Archbishop, he was tasked to paint what came to be as The Death of the Virgin for the Notre-Dame Chapel. The painting went missing during the onset of the French Revolution afterward: apparently, it was hidden in the Louvre, sent to Brussels, and was hidden in Sterrebeek where it remained until 2000. He also collaborated with Philippe de Champagne and accepted commission work for a set of drawings from Giambattista Marino based on Ovid’s mythology. It was he who encouraged Poussin all the more to visit Italy. Twice Poussin made an attempt to get there, twice he failed and turned back for some unknown reason. But finally, in 1624, after he went to Venice to study Renaissance art, he finally arrived at the city of his dreams.
Roman Days
Poussin’s arrival in Rome marked a change in his life. After deciding to settle there he began a grueling one year where he had no money. Poor he maybe he didn’t let that discourage him and started to paint several religious and mythological works to attract potential sponsors and commissions. During this time he painted the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus as an altarpiece for one of the St. Peter’s Cathedral chapels, a work that he was counting on to promote his name in Rome.
It didn’t work. People were so unimpressed by the Baroque style painting that he even lost a commission to another artist. It failed to give him the exposure he was desperate to get. Finally, he fell sick. Alone in Rome, with no one to turn to, poor and riddled with a disease it seems that this is how he’s going to meet his end. Except he didn’t. Instead, he was rescued by a woman: Anna Maria Dughet, the daughter of Jacques Dughet, a French cook and restaurant owner. Anna took care of Poussin while he was sick and he fell for her. This is how he became a member of the Dughet family. So he marries her immediately after he recovered.
Meanwhile, Poussin became so disillusioned with the Baroque style that he dropped it and picked up Classical as a new style instead. He began to paint for private collectors, some of which fell into the hands of Cardinal Barberini, a member of one of the most powerful families in Italy at the time. In 1635 his fame even managed to reach back into Paris, where Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis Richelieu was so impressed that he asked Poussin to make two more for him: the Le Triomphe de Pan and Le Triomphe de Bacchus. Richelieu was once again impressed and Poussin continued to accept work from him since. By 1639 he was invited to work in Paris for the King, Louis XIII, and Richelieu. He declined, but Richelieu won’t have no for an answer. So Poussin left for Paris after they demanded that he works for them, leaving his wife home, and arrived in France in December 1640.
Paris And Back Again
It was a short visit and it was one he didn’t like: not only was he unfit for the tasks set upon him but the King’s court is riddled with politicians scheming. He did, however, manage to finish plenty of the work given to him, although there are some which he didn’t. Simon Vouet, First Painter to the King, and his allies were jealous of the King favoring him. Getting sick of all the intrigue being tossed at him by Vouet’s clout, he eventually lied to the King that he may be allowed to go back home in Rome and fetch his wife. When he got there he never showed any sign that he has an intention to go back to Paris. Luckily, Richelieu died in December of 1642. The King died soon after.
Back in Rome
Back home, he was finally able to finish the Seven Sacraments collection of paintings that he started before leaving for Paris. He continued to paint in the Classical style, from The Holy Family on the Steps to The Holy Family in 1650, to The Four Seasons, he showed to everyone that he was, indeed, one of the leading painters in all of Europe. After finishing The Four Seasons collection for Richelieu’s nephew in 1664 the artist finally died at the age of 71 the following year.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image Nicholas Poussin, self-portrait via Wikimedia
2nd image Spring (The Earthly Paradise), by Nicholas Poussin via Wikipedia
1090 1 Art, Paintings Editor Nicholas Poussin, visual arts
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← PIETRO DA CORTONA: 17TH-CENTURY ARCHITECT AND BAROQUE QUADRATURISTA PAINTER GENTILE BELLINI: 15TH-CENTURY VENETIAN PAINTER →
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Lowered Expectations: The Modus Operandi of The World Boxing Council
May 2, 2011 by Paul Magno 1 Comment
by Tim Harrison
Much can, and has been said of the shady practices of the sanctioning bodies that rule the sport of boxing. Greed, corruption, arrogance, and unscrupulous back-door dealings are synonymous with the four major organizations that have the privilege to crown world champions.
The World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) have had boxing in a chokehold for decades now. Working hand-in-hand with unscrupulous promoters and power players in the game, the 4 major sanctioning bodies have done their best to kill the interest of the mainstream media, as well as casual fans.
From alleged unfair, U.S.-dominant influence on the WBA in the 1960’s to the IBF’s rankings fixing scandal of the late 1990’s, to the multiple titleholders in weight classes that the sport is plagued with today, the sanctioning bodies have had a free run at the pockets of the fighters for far too long.
While it is unclear who is pulling the strings of whom; the promoters or the sanctioning bodies, it is clear that they go hand-in-hand when speaking of what is wrong with boxing today.
For those of us that hope for change in the sport, a few ideas are tossed around: a strong, authoritative central commission, promoters that have to play by the rules set forth by said central commission, and a clean and incorruptible sanctioning body to recognize true champions. We have recently seen the emergence of the World Boxing Board (WBB), based in Puerto Rico, as well as the Independent Boxing Syndicate, as detailed by The Boxing Tribune (insert link here).
For those of us that hope for real, tangible and effective change for the advancement of the sport, it is the emergence of such sanctioning bodies that inspire the fleeting moments of hope; hope that these upstarts will abide by their initial promises to return integrity and honesty to this sport that we love and fight for. We hope that our faith in the good of the promises of these upstarts will inspire real change, and will last longer than the temporary inebriation of a shot of strong whiskey.
Is it at all possible for an upstart organization such as the WBB or the IBS to come in and unseat the big boys at the table? Based on the lowered expectations of boxing fans and media alike, it is. Only time will reveal any results.
As you will read in this extensive series, the current power structure is utterly corrupt and incapable of reform. New blood is needed if we are to bring about any change to boxing. Absent any honesty and integrity, we may indeed see the wreckage of this once-great gladiator sport strewn along the dilapidated highway to irrelevance.
Depending on who you speak to, the WBC may be the worst of the bunch. Jose Sulaiman and his gaggle of “yes” men have done their best to ruin the integrity of the sport, all while fattening their wallets.
Increasing U.S. interests dominating the WBA gave birth to the WBC in 1963. Originally designed to give a more even worldwide rankings distribution, the WBC deviated from its course long ago, and finding its way back appears to be a fool’s errand for Sulaiman and crew. To the uninformed layperson, the rankings and practices of the WBC may appear right as rain. To those that actually follow the sport, serious questions have been raised.
Most recently unheralded prospect Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the Silver titlist in the jr. middleweight (154 lb) division, was gifted the opportunity to fight for the vacant WBC jr. middleweight title. Alvarez was set to defend his Silver title in a tune-up bout with EBU welterweight (147 lb) titleholder Matthew Hatton. After a request by Golden Boy Promotions, the WBC, in a two-thirds vote, elected to put its recently-vacated title on the line between a prospect who, in his own words, was not yet ready for title contention, and a journeyman from the welterweight division. For the second consecutive time, the WBC jr. welterweight title was to be contested at a catch weight of 150 lbs (the first being Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito, November 13, 2010).
It should be noted that Matthew Hatton’s more accomplished brother, Ricky, has a promotional deal with Golden Boy, the promoter of Alvarez. This deal does not unequivocally mean it had any influence on Golden Boy’s decision to petition the WBC, but it is worth mentioning, given the fact that Ryan Rhodes (WBC International titleholder, #3-ranked WBC contender at 154) was available at the time, and would have made a more logical choice of opponent.
If you look back less than 2 months prior to the Alvarez-Hatton farce, you will see the curious case of Sergio Martinez. In January, middleweight champion Sergio Martinez was stripped of his title in favor of Sebastian Zbik, who was quietly being put in place to defend the title he would be awarded against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of former WBC champion and Mexican icon, Julio Cesar Chavez. The WBC’s overwhelming desire to have Chavez fight for one of their titles was apparent, as evidenced by his high rankings in both the middleweight and jr. middleweight divisions, absent quality opposition on his record.
After HBO refused to approve Zbik as an opponent for his March 12 mandatory defense, Martinez was shown the door, and was subsequently “promoted” to Champion Emeritus. Some in the compliant and complacent media took the press release announcing Martinez’s “promotion” and ran with it, touting his new status as an honor and a privilege. Critical thinking remained, however, as quiet voices did their best to call attention to the possible motivation for the WBC’s actions.
Surprisingly enough, this was not the first time Martinez was given the old “heave-ho” by the WBC. Following his April 2010 victory over WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, Martinez was given a June 23, 2010 deadline to decide between defending the WBC’s middleweight or jr. middleweight titles. This took place shortly after the WBO dusted off its rule book and used a seldom-enforced rule to strip Martinez of his middleweight title.
The aforementioned Chavez Jr. lurking in shallow waters, yet still highly-ranked, may or may not have been the clear motivating factor behind the WBC’s move to rip one of its titles from Martinez’s waist. As we have watched the events unfold, it appears as though the second time will be the charm.
Shady practices have long gone hand-in-hand with bogus titles at the WBC. Champion Emeritus is one of many bogus titles recognized by the WBC.
The Silver title was created, we were told, to replace Interim titles. The Silver title first appeared in 2010, with Justin Savi as its inaugural winner. The Silver title was not received with open arms, however. In his May 22, 2010 bout with Rafael Marquez, Mexican legend Israel Vazquez rejected the opportunity to fight for the WBC Silver featherweight title, prompting an angry open letter from Jose Sulaiman, which read more like a diary entry of the head cheerleader chronicling her rejection by the Varsity Quarterback.
Despite the appearance of Silver titles, Interim titles existed until Zbik’s elevation to full champion in January, taking nearly a year to fade away. International titles, yet another title recognized by the WBC, serve a dual purpose; to give regional stars title recognition, while giving another revenue stream to the WBC.
Bogus titles certainly aren’t the only blemish on the face of the WBC. A simple review of the WBC’s rankings will reveal a number of oddities.
Former middleweight kingpin Kelly Pavlik sits comfortably in the #1 spot of the WBC’s super middleweight rankings, despite a recent, relevant fight in the division. Pavlik has 1 fight within the 161 to 168-pound range to qualify as a super middleweight; a 2008 164-pound catch weight, non-title win over Jermain Taylor. After outgrowing the middleweight division, followed by a short stint out of boxing to get a handle on a reported alcohol problem, Pavlik came back to a comfortable spot in his new weight class.
In another recent rankings head-scratcher, prior to his November 13 curb-stomping at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito miraculously shot up the WBC’s jr. middleweight rankings after a lackluster victory over welterweight club fighter Roberto Garcia. After a long stint as a welterweight, a 15-month period of inactivity (12 months of which were due to his infamous “plaster gate” suspension), and 1 fight in the division, Margarito found himself in the position to fight for the vacant WBC jr. middleweight title.
All Margarito needed was an opponent.
Enter Manny Pacquiao. Need I say more?
I shouldn’t, yet I shall.
Any sanctioning body that is able to collect 3 percent of Manny Pacquiao’s fight purse can sit back and happily count its earnings. Margarito’s surprise ranking eerily came after Martinez’s ouster from his perch atop the 154-pound WBC class, and just prior to the announcement that he would be the next lamb led to slaughter on Pacquiao’s bunny hop through the pea patch of historical significance. The prospect of collecting another 3 percent of a Pacquiao fight purse was too much to pass up for the organization, that only 1 year prior, created the WBC welterweight Diamond title exclusively for Pacquiao’s November 2009 WBO welterweight title affair with Miguel Cotto.
Further exposing the true meaning and motivation of the Diamond title, the WBC attempted to offer yet another WBC welterweight Diamond title to the winner of last May’s Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight. Thankfully both Mayweather and Mosley thumbed their noses at Sulaiman’s blinged-out vanity piece.
As an aside, Bernard Hopkins and WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal elected to shell out a sanctioning fee for a Diamond title, in addition the the fee for the WBC light heavyweight title, when May 21 rolls around.
The WBC is not alone in their campaign to line their pockets at the expense of the integrity and honor of the sport of boxing. As you will see in part 2 of this series, the WBA has certainly done their share.
You can e-mail Tim with questions or comments at: timharrison65@gmail.com, follow him on twitter at: www.twitter.com/TheTimHarrison, or find him on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/officialtimharrison.
Paul Magno
Paul Magno has over thirty-five years of experience in and around the sport of boxing and has had his hand in everything, from officiating to training. As a writer, his work has appeared in Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, Inside Fights, The Boxing Tribune, Fight Hype, Man Cave Magazine, Bleacher Report, and The Queensberry Rules.
Filed Under: Featured, Opinion Tagged With: Antonio Margarito, Jose Sulaiman, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Sebastian Zbik, Sergio Martinez, WBC
Boxing, TV, and You
Augustus and Everything After; Magno’s Monday Rant
The Truth About Premier Boxing Champions
Being Gale Van Hoy; Magno’s Monday Rant
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Attorney General Mark Herring (Photo: Bob Brown RTD)
Herring Still Campaigning on Racial Justice Issues
written by Guest Contributor James Bacon May 15, 2019
Attorney General Mark Herring wants to be the next governor of Virginia, which means he first must win the Democratic Party nomination. Despite confessing several months ago that he once wore blackface as a college student, he has put race front and center in his bid for the state’s top office. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.
Last year Herring launched his gubernatorial bid on the proposition that a crescendo of white supremacist hate crimes warranted new hate crime legislation. The bills he favored got nowhere in the General Assembly. But he’s back, participating yesterday in a Loudoun County forum on how to counter racial inequities such as the lack of judicial diversity, offensive highway names, and how to quickly remove Confederate monuments, according to WJLA.
Are those really the top concerns of Virginia’s African-Americans? Not jobs? Not education? Not health care? I guess we’ll find out whether a white man cranking up the volume on symbolic but inflammatory racial issues is a winning political formula in today’s Democratic Party.
On matters of substance, Herring raised the point that of the 410 judges on Virginia circuit court, 50 are African American. That’s 12% compared to 20% of the population. What is to be done? If he had any remedies, WJLA did not report them.
Here’s a figure that Herring did not mention: Only 5% of attorneys nationally are African-American, according to the American Bar Association. (I could not find figures for the Virginia bar.) Relative to the number of African-Americans in the pool of potential judges, one could say that African-Americans are over represented in Virginia. The problem is that the legal profession is predominantly white and has been more or less forever, and given the predominantly white supply of new lawyers, the percentages are not likely to change anytime soon.
Raising the percentage of African-American jurists in Virginia confronts what is known as the “pipeline” problem. African-Americans are under-represented in the legal profession because they are under-represented in the law school population. African-Americans are under-represented in the law school population because they are under-represented in the college population. They are under-represented in the college population because they are under-represented among high school graduates. They are under-represented among high school graduates because… well, there it starts getting complicated. We can argue endlessly over how to apportion blame between institutional racism, dysfunctional schools, social pathologies arising from poverty, and a multitude of other possible causes.
If Herring has something serious to say about the pipeline issue or the high African-American dropout rate, I’m all ears. Personally, I believe that we need to address the problem at the source, and that the “source” of the problem precedes high school. Ultimately, if we want to improve cognitive development and educational achievement in all races, we must address how children are raised and enculturated in the family as infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Unless Herring is willing to endorse the idea of race-based quotas for the judiciary, law schools, and/or colleges — which, as far as I know, he has not — kvetching about the racial imbalance in the judiciary accomplishes nothing.
Herring Still Campaigning on Racial Justice Issues was last modified: May 15th, 2019 by Guest Contributor James Bacon
Mark Herring Black Judges
Guest Contributor James Bacon
A graduate of the University of Virginia, James A. Bacon has practiced journalism throughout Virginia – in Martinsville, Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Richmond. In 2002 he launched Bacon’s Rebellion as a non-partisan website and blog dedicated to public policy issues in Virginia. He lives in Henrico County.
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Hillary Clinton, the Lesser of Two Evils, and Pertinacious Right
written by Steven Brodie Tucker October 9, 2015
While Republicans rip their cloaks and gnash their teeth over the executive abuses of the Obama Administration, the Hillary Campaign is doubling down on authoritarian executive power; and she isn’t being shy about it. Worse even, this is exactly why Democrats still love her, scandals and all.
Hillary Clinton knows what Democrats want from their next president: someone who uses the bulked-up power of the presidency to drive a progressive agenda.
From closing the gun show loophole to tightening the “Volcker Rule” to cut down on risky speculative investing, Clinton is crafting plans to go it alone in major policy areas. That’s important because in an era in which Congress can’t function—particularly when power is closely divided between the parties–the executive actions a president takes unilaterally are among the most consequential policies enacted.
Sure, there are some Democrats who chew their nails when thinking about Clinton’s Machiavellian side, but most are nonetheless glad to see signs that she’s not going to get rolled by a Republican Congress. The scope of what she’s promising to do by herself is unprecedented from a top candidate for the presidency.
The view from inside the campaign, said one official, is that it’s important to be specific about how Clinton would use the unilateral powers of the presidency “because of the level of frustration” Democrats have felt when Obama’s priorities have been blocked by Republicans in Congress. Even if Democrats are able to elect one of their own as president in 2016, he or she is all but assured of facing a Congress in which one or two of the chambers are controlled by Republicans. – VOX
While Republicans gnaw at each other, Hillary Clinton is looking to become Lord Emperor of these United States of Government-Worship. Let’s just take a few moments to recognize the threat to the Republic Hillary Clinton represents, and consider whether or not we can allow such an individual power. Is she bad enough to vote for a Republican we don’t like?
The question this brings me to is whether or not Bush people can vote for Cruz, or Cruz people vote for Bush, or Bush or Cruz people vote for Trump? Sadly, I’m the problem with the Republican Party. I probably won’t vote for Jeb Bush or Donald Trump in a general election, essentially throwing away my vote in pursuit of a Hillary Clinton Presidency (if such a degrading choice even materializes). People like me need to begin taking responsibility for the conundrums we cause. The Pertinacious Right, whether Constitutionalist or Populist, have to be honest and willing to explain themselves to a nation willing to choose the lesser of two evils in an important Presidential Election.
I haven’t always been this way. I voted Libertarian in 2000, not being able to discern a reasonable difference between Bush and Gore; but I voted for Bush against Kerry, McCain against Obama, and Romney against Obama. So as a principled voter, I have an embarrassing and untrustworthy track record. That said, here I am, back to my old ways, unwilling to break for the lesser of two evils. I am desperately hoping that moderate Republicans will break for a Cruz candidacy, after he overtakes the Republican field, as I predict he will. How hypocritical.
How can I want Jeb! supporters to back Cruz or Carson or Paul, if I won’t back Bush? The reality is, that I can’t.
I must offer this in my defense: I can’t tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats. Bush, Trump, and Hillary Clinton all use different rhetoric, but will they govern differently? Well, I don’t know. I have established for myself a litmus test: does this candidate willingly abide by the Constitution—the original intent of the Constitution? See, I’m not an idealistic or democratic kind of guy. Liberty requires strict prohibitions on government, no matter how popular or persuasive that government may be.
I believe in the rule of law, the Constitution, Republican Federalism, and Liberty. I don’t see how voting for Jeb Bush or Donald Trump promotes what I believe in. This is hard to say out loud, because I know what it means. It means, I expect the Republican Party to agree with me or else I won’t support their candidates. It’s a hard line, it is uncompromising, and it is pragmatically unfair. But it is true.
So here I am, pointing out that a President Hillary Clinton will be far worse than a President Obama and declaring that I will not support the lesser evil.
Here’s the thing, though. I’m not alone. I’m nowhere near alone. I voted for Bush’s second term and it was devastating. I voted for McCain and he lost. I voted for Romney and he lost. I sacrificed my integrity each time for nothing. In the meantime, the Republicans in Congress have been funding every abuse of the Obama Regime. So this is a plea for help. Tell me, why should I vote for the lesser evil, when the lesser evil never wins—or when it does, does more harm than good?
Looking for comments of good sense, without actually expecting it.
Originally published on VAright.com
Hillary Clinton, the Lesser of Two Evils, and Pertinacious Right was last modified: October 11th, 2015 by Steven Brodie Tucker
HillaryJeb!TrumpTwo evils
Steven Brodie Tucker
Steven Brodie Tucker graduated with a degree in the art of Philosophy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, later studying economics and political science at George Mason. in 2017, he earned his M.A. in Public Policy Administration. Steven Brodie Tucker is a member of the Caroline County Republican Party and an activist for Constitutional and Republican principles.
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Not so fast, Paul Ryan
written by Rep. Dave Brat October 23, 2015
The Washington elites, who have missed every major call of this political season, are now informing us that the speaker’s race is just “inside baseball.” They could not be more wrong.
They should try answering my office phones for one day. My constituents and the American people are paying attention, and demanding their rightful place in our nation’s governance.
On Wednesday, the House Freedom Caucus, of which I’m a member, had a productive meeting with Congressman Paul Ryan. Ryan made his case for why he should be the next speaker of the House. Caucus members made their case for rules changes that would enable members to better serve the will of their constituents. He gave the members critical assurances on a number of significant issues.
But my constituents were not in the room, and so aren’t aware of the assurances that were made that night. As their representative, I want to make sure they are getting the facts. It’s my job to bring them into the room.
This is especially true because of the narrative that’s being promoted in the press suggesting that Congressman Ryan somehow pulled a fast one over caucus members — one headline at Politico went so far as to say Ryan “conquered the Freedom Caucus.” That kind of thing damages the goodwill that existed in our meeting.
Given the desire we all have to find common cause over shared principles, bomb-throwing like that serves no good purpose. It creates a toxic environment where voters are left in the dark. It’s time to cut through the clutter and provide clarity.
Shortly after Speaker Boehner announced his resignation, I released a list of ten commitments the next Speaker and all House leaders should make — a list that former House Speaker and author of the Contract with America Newt Gingrich referred to as “a very good list” that is “well worth looking at.” These commitments are not tied to individual candidates and were made available weeks prior to Congressman Ryan’s announcement.
As candidates for Speaker entered the race, I asked each of them whether they could commit to those 10 principles — on paper. The simple reason for this is that the American people deserve some sense of what their next Speaker will do.
So far, I’ve received confirmations from several candidates, but have yet to receive a written response from Congressman Ryan.
Congressman Ryan has rightfully noted that he does not want to submit to preconditions from any group. That is fine. But at the same time, he must give the American people some sense of the principles we can hold him to.
I respect Rep. Ryan and his passionate service to our nation. His budget credentials are unquestioned, and he can be a great spokesman who helps our party communicate on the economic challenges we face going forward.
I have always said that this Speaker’s race is not about the person. It is about the principles, and making the necessary structural reforms so that the process serves the best interest of the American people, and not just the political class.
Our national debt is approximately $19 trillion and we have almost $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities. In order to turn things around, we need to be unified. This is too important a decision to leave to a few people in Washington who think they should tell us who our next Speaker should be. For our party to be truly united, and get things done, our next Speaker will need the support of the American people. Communicating honestly with them is a good start.
Originally published at The Washington Examiner
Not so fast, Paul Ryan was last modified: October 23rd, 2015 by Rep. Dave Brat
Dave BratFreedom CaucusPaul RyanSpeaker of the House
Rep. Dave Brat
Congressman Brat represents Virginia's 7th Congressional District. He is a member of the House Budget Committee, Education and the Workforce Committee, and Small Business Committee. He and his wife, Laura, have two children, Jonathan and Sophia, who attend public school in Henrico County.
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Wadowice ‘offers a taste’ of what formed JPII
The small town of Wadowice, about an hour outside of Krakow, brims with the history of its most famous resident: St. John Paul II. During their second day in Poland, pilgrims from the archdiocese were able to tour his childhood home, visit the church where he was baptized, and even try his favorite dessert.
They were able to touch the baptismal font where he entered the faith, see the bed where he slept and walk through the kitchen where he broke bread.
For many pilgrims for whom St. John Paul II’s papacy extended through most of their lifetimes, visiting Wadowice was a surreal experience.
For Sister Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, traveling to Wadowice carried special meaning: She is his namesake.
Though taking the name of Karol Wojtyla was not Sister Karolyn’s first choice when she joined the order of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in 2006, she has since been inspired to live with the same faith and compassion that characterized the saint’s papacy.
“I feel like he chose me,” said Sister Karolyn. “I see now that God is calling me to grow into that identity and to walk in the footsteps of this great saint.”
Though this was Sister Karolyn’s second time visiting Wadowice, this year’s visit held special significance, as her namesake was declared a saint in 2014.
As soon as she walked into the church where St. John Paul II was baptized, she was moved to tears.
“When I was here before, he was still pope,” said Sister Karolyn. “This time, he was with me as a saint. I felt he was right there with me.”
“It is so incredible to be in the church where he was baptized, where he received his first Communion, where he was confirmed,” she continued. “While I was there, I prayed for his same courage, hope and zeal.”
The experience of visiting Wadowice was similarly powerful for many other pilgrims.
“We got a taste of what formed him: the deep faith of his community,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann during his homily at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska following the visit to Wadowice.
“He had a life of tragedy and could have become very bitter,” Archbishop Naumann continued. “But instead of becoming bitter, he was filled with gratitude and hope. He was a beacon of hope for the whole world.”
Carter Zielinski, a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, echoed Sister Karolyn’s and Archbishop Naumann’s amazement at walking in the footsteps of St. John Paul II.
“It’s pretty surreal,” he said. “It puts flesh on his life and upbringing. He lived in a parish, received sacraments like we all do. He grew up in a human way.”
Experiencing the humanity of such an inspirational saint stuck with many pilgrims, especially the younger generation who are too young to remember him as pope.
“Whenever you think of the saints, you don’t think of them as real people,” said Eleanor Melero, a parishioner of St. Joseph-Immaculate Conception in Leavenworth. “But to see his house and where he grew up made me realize that he didn’t come out of the womb a saint.”
“It makes me realize that a deeper relationship with God is possible,” she said.
Many pilgrims, including Archbishop Naumann, were also able to connect with the former pope in another way: They sampled kremowka, his favorite Polish dessert, at a local bakery in Wadowice.
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Modern Family: Season 11, Episode 11 “Legacy” (C+)
It’s been three years since I last watched this show, when it was nominated for Best Comedy Series the same season that I finally decided not to watch it. That didn’t happen for its final season, but it did score two nominations. The first – for this episode – is for guest actor Fred Willard, who was last nominated for this role a decade ago. Willard died at the age of eighty-six back in May, and he also guest-starred in a few episodes of “Space Force.” He’s certainly endearing, and the fact that Frank was fully cognizant of what he was doing at the supermarket and proud of his son for taking up the family profession – keeping things light and fun – only helped with that. Their car ejector device was a bit much, as was the rest of this episode, which felt more clunky and much less original than I remember this show being in its initial years (which makes sense). Mitchell and Claire being desperate to prove their father wrong about his making them leave their family trip early was revealed to be the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, while his latest “successful project” turned out to be his son Joe. Cam and Gloria have fun together and enjoyed helping the other get rid of problematic competition by wearing them down, and Manny even managed to get a phone number from a girl we first saw in the pilot episode of this show back in 2009 (played by the same actress). I did enjoy recognizing the Westfield Century City food court in Los Angeles as the setting of most of their antics.
Labels: Legacy, Modern Family
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Belarus deploys missile division to Polish and Lithuanian border
Friday, August 21, 2020 11:00:21 AM
The head of the Belarusian Defense Ministry Viktor Khrenin announced the start of large-scale tactical exercises in the Grodno region, near the border with Poland.
According to the Telegram channel VESTI, Alexander Lukashenko will personally monitor the course of the exercises.
Meanwhile, REN TV, citing the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, reports that Minsk has decided to strengthen the military group on the border with Poland and Lithuania.
The missile division, air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare equipment will be sent to the region.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense has already informed the attachés of Lithuania and Poland about military exercises, which are taking place from August 17 to 20 in the republic.
Earlier, after a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko ordered to put troops on alert on the western borders of Belarus. According to official data, Minsk is afraid of provocations by NATO.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said that Lukashenko's statements about preparations for the invasion of Belarus are groundless.
Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, Lukashenko
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A new approach to teaching English
By Roger Mirabito
A New York community college is changing its approach to developmental reading and English to increase student success.
Onondaga Community College (OCC) is about to change the way it teaches reading and writing. It’s all because of the tireless work of two English professors, coupled with work focused around a federal grant, and the reorganization of the college’s majors into eight schools.
“Students won’t be placed into developmental reading or developmental English anymore. We are building a course that is going to be receptive to the needs of all of our students and get them where they need to be in terms of their critical literacy skills,” said English Professor Malkiel Choseed.
Four years ago, OCC – part of the State University of New York system – tried a new approach to developmental education called the Accelerated Learning Program, or ALP. It allowed students to take a credit-bearing English course along with developmental writing in the same semester. The program worked well enough that OCC received a grant from SUNY’s Performance Improvement Plan to show other colleges how to replicate it.
As ALP was being implemented, Choseed and English Professor Michael O’Connor were discussing how they could improve ENG-103, or freshman composition.
“All of our research, our work and ALP showed any student could do college-level work if given an appropriate amount of support. We recognized we could build on our ALP program to provide those students with the support in a credit bearing ENG-103 as long as we integrated reading into that course,” O’Connor said.
”English has always had reading, just like the reading courses have always had writing. Critical reading has always been part of the learning outcomes at least for the last decade or so. What we were trying to do as we made the shift to eliminate the barriers that are part of non-credit developmental education courses is a recognition of the formal elements of reading instruction and how we can build those in. Both in our experience and our research it shows all students can benefit from reading instruction and all students can benefit from writing instruction,” said Choseed.
As this work was being done on developmental English and freshman composition, Integrated Learning Studies (ILS) Professors Pam Mullan, Sophia Marku and Stephanie Putman were rethinking the way reading instruction and study skills were being taught at OCC. In conversations with O’Connor and Choseed, they all realized their work could fit together and students would be better supported in developmental reading and writing instruction if the courses were integrated.
As a result of their collaboration, there will no longer be any developmental reading instruction at OCC. The work will now be done in freshman composition. ILS faculty will receive training to teach the course and help provide training in reading instruction for English faculty.
Two years ago, OCC was the recipient of a Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support Guided Pathways to Success, a five-year initiative designed to improve timely associate degree completion.
One of the program’s goals was to accelerate the path to completion for developmental students in English. Choseed and O’Connor had been working on restructuring ENG-103 in their spare time. Title III made it possible for them to speed up the process. “Getting release time through Title III helped us make progress. We were doing work in between classes while juggling our teaching load,” said Choseed. “To have time to drill down into the data was incredibly useful.”
At the same time, a workgroup consisting of OCC faculty and deans was participating in a series of Guided Pathways Institutes offered by SUNY. They studied topics such as advising, developmental education, and career and transfer issues. They also explored the possibility of putting all of OCC’s majors into eight different schools. The benefits of doing so would include an enhanced sense of belonging for students thanks to a strong connection to those within their school, fewer lost credits due to poor course selections, and ultimately higher rates of retention and completion. Work on the Schools concept ultimately became part of Title III.
Students enrolling at OCC for the fall 2020 semester will be the first to enter in the new format. Those taking ENG-103 will benefit from a smaller class size, with the number of students being reduced from 22 to 15. They’ll also engage with faculty members ready to think about them holistically.
“The key to success for our students isn’t just their academic skills. It’s everything plus their academic skills,” Choseed said. “It’s about having a conversation with students in which you recognize that problems they’re facing matter. As much as possible we have to be flexible and put them in contact with people who can help them,” said O’Connor.
At the center of all of this is the issue of equity. O’Connor believes the changes happening within ENG-103 will go a long way towards making a difference in students’ lives.
“By getting rid of developmental education and providing every student the support they need and the skills they need in a class that challenges them and makes them recognize their work to the institution, we firmly believe it is going to close the equity gap,” O’Connor said. “They’re not just getting through developmental education. They’re getting one step closer to graduation.”
There more to the story! Read it here.
Roger Mirabito
is the communications coordinator at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York.
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THINKING CURRENTS Participating Artists: Polit-Sheer-Form Office: HONG Hao, XIAO Yu, SONG Dong, LIU Jianhua, LENG Lin
Polit-Sheer-Form Office – artist collective: HONG Hao, XIAO Yu, SONG Dong, LIU Jianhua, LENG Lin (Beijing)
Do the Same Good Deed, 2014, single-channel video, color, sound, 8′.
A public performance in Guangzhou, China in 2014, which examined notions of individualism and collectivism, concerned with the idea of ‘we’ in a ‘me’ world. The piece presents a new Socialist order for the 21st century, within a society that has moved away from its traditional, collective ideals. A humorous edge underlies all works by the group—their name, “Polit-Sheer-Form Office” is translated literally as the “office of pure political form,” meant to sound like an absurd governmental bureau.
About the Artists / Collective:
Polit-Sheer-Form Office (PSFO) is an art collective founded in 2005 for the abstract purpose of purifying politics, culture, the economy, and everyday life for 21st century mankind. PSFO seeks to revive a collective way of life associated with their youth, without nostalgia for the politics of the era. The group’s boundary-blurring projects involve talking, traveling, eating, reading, and playing together to resist current ideologies of consumerism and establish a contemporary form of Socialism based on the possibilities of shared experience. PSFO has held public performances in Guangzhou, China and in Times Square in New York City. They have been featured in group exhibitions at Art Space in Sydney and Documenta 12 in Kassel; in 2014 the group had a major solo exhibition at Queens Museum in New York.
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Investor Relations...
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Projects > Ten Trinity Square
Information Team
10 Trinity Square, London EC3
Client: Reignwood Investments
Size: 45,522sqm / 490,000sqft
Services: Architecture
The conversion of the historic Beaux-Arts Grade II* listed former Port of London Authority building in the City of London, designed by Sir Edwin Cooper in 1922, into a Four Seasons hotel and apartments. Apartments have been constructed above the hotel for private sale and a new elegant glazed rotunda in the courtyard references the original rotunda damaged during the Second World War. Following an ‘East meets West’ theme, the redevelopment references the history of the building as a centre for international trade and dialogue.
This complex redevelopment is the product of a careful collaboration with an international client, consultant and design team. As lead architect and executive interior designer, we have worked closely with the contractor, including a team of craftsmen and artisans, to carefully repurpose the existing spaces in the building, inserting new elements, textures and materials to create a thoroughly contemporary blend of history and hospitality. A new basement, excavated under the existing building, posed additional structural and archaeological challenges while the coordination of services through the new elements and existing historic fabric was essential to the success of the scheme.
The finished hotel has 100 guest rooms and 41 apartments, two restaurants - La Dame de Pic London and Mei Ume - and the Rotunda Bar; the historic UN Ballroom, a second function room called Merchants’ Hall, a suite of club and meeting rooms on the second floor and a luxurious spa and fitness centre.
Ten Trinity Square, London EC3 was named AA Hotel of the Year London 2018-19 at the annual AA Hospitality Awards, and the Mei Ume Restaurant in the hotel was named Best Overall UK Restaurant at the 2018 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, and also winner in the Luxury Restaurant category. The hotel was Runner Up in the 2017 City of London Building of the Year Awards and shortlisted in the ‘Listed Buildings over £5m’ category in the 2017 Architects' Journal Retrofit Awards.
It was winner of the annual City Heritage Award in 2019. The accolade is given to the Best Conservation or Refurbishment Project in the City of London. The plaque was unveiled by The Lord Mayor of the City of London in the hotel’s UN Ballroom, the historic setting for the inaugural reception of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946.
Suzette Vela Burkett
Gordon McQuade
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You are here: Home / News & Events / Press Release
Alchip Announces New Brand Slogan, “Silicon Heart of AI.”
05/13/2019 /in Press Release /by cyamashita
Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a leading fabless ASIC company, today announced the new brand slogan, “Silicon Heart of AI”, as one of its global branding strategies in AI market. As AI market continues to evolve and advance, Alchip not merely maintains the existing consumer and niche markets, it will also focus on AI and HPC fields……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Silicon-Heart-of-AI.jpg 227 253 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2019-05-13 16:21:192019-12-17 16:37:06Alchip Announces New Brand Slogan, "Silicon Heart of AI."
Alchip at ChipEx, May 13th in Tel-Aviv
Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a global leader in ASIC design service with advanced process technology such as 16nm/12nm/7nm and a TSMC VCA member, will participate and exhibit at ChipEx2019 Tel-Aviv, Israel on Monday, May 13, 2019……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ChipEx2019-banner.jpg 260 269 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2019-05-10 16:11:442019-12-17 16:43:41Alchip at ChipEx, May 13th in Tel-Aviv
Alchip Technologies Entering Jinan State High-Tech Industry Development Zone
Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a leading fabless ASIC company, has been aggressively expanding for its global business recently. In addition to its China branches in Shanghai, Wuxi and Hefei, today Alchip announces that it has set up a subsidiary in Jinan, China. For the future operation scope……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Press-Release-Icon.jpg 320 400 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2018-11-16 16:02:442019-12-17 16:35:40Alchip Technologies Entering Jinan State High-Tech Industry Development Zone
With the maturity of 7nm process and the high demand of HPC/AI chips market in the advanced process technology, Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661) has won a few large orders from customers in Japan, China, Europe, and America. As a global leader in ASIC design service with advanced process technology, Alchip has successfully taped out its 7nm ASIC chips, prototyped, and began the volume production……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Press-Release-Icon.jpg 320 400 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2018-08-16 16:00:452019-12-17 16:35:18Alchip’s 7nm ASIC Chips Has Been Successfully Taped Out
Alchip’s Supercomputer Solutions are World-renowned
Along with the mature development of artificial technology, cloud service and virtual reality, market demands for HPC application are set to rise. Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a leading fabless ASIC company, has completed a number of HPC SoC solutions at 16nmFinFET……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/GRAPE-DR.jpg 120 120 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2018-06-21 15:52:122019-12-17 16:34:56Alchip’s Supercomputer Solutions are World-renowned
Alchip Technologies Entering Guangzhou State
Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a leading fabless ASIC company, announces the opening of Guangzhou office today. To optimize the performance and continuously create value for customers in China, Alchip has decided to expand its business to Pearl River Delta……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Press-Release-Icon.jpg 320 400 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2018-06-21 15:47:072019-12-17 16:34:28Alchip Technologies Entering Guangzhou State
Alchip Develops Advanced Technology to Provide AI Solution
Alchip Technologies Ltd. (TWSE: 3661), a leading fabless ASIC company, has fulfilled its ambition to make significant developments in AI and HPC field. Alchip is proficient in advanced technology to provide customized services to customers and is aiming to become the worldwide dominance in this technology revolution……
http://www.alchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Press-Release-Icon.jpg 320 400 cyamashita http://www.alchip.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Logo-Slogan.png cyamashita2018-06-21 15:40:222019-12-17 16:34:03Alchip Develops Advanced Technology to Provide AI Solution
High Performance Technology
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Southern Motors Manufacturing Association, Ltd. (1920-1923)
This is a Ranger radiator emblem (1920-1922) sam
Size: 88mm wide MM: Unknown
The Southern Motors Manufacturing Association, Ltd. was established for the manufacture of trucks, tractors and an automobile called the Ranger. The Ranger announced in September 1920 was a rakish-looking car with a 31 hp four-cylinder engine and offered in touring and roadster body styles. A 57 hp six-cylinder model was announced in 1921 but Southern Motors was in receivership in late 1922 followed by a merger with National Motors Corporation.
In 1924 a number of people associated with Southern Motors and National Motors were indicted for fraud. It was alleged that the six-cylinder Ranger had not been built at all and that only a few of the four-cylinder Rangers had actually been built and were mainly used to help defraud investors. The same few cars were apparently moved back and forth between the company's showrooms in downtown Houston and the factory, which was little more than an elaborate stage set on the edge of town. The same cars were effectively being driven out of the factory and then back again at the rear to start all over again, thereby making it appear that sales of the Ranger were good and that there was a steady production of new cars.
The few cars that were produced were mostly sold to stockholders. Ranger did offer a 2-ton truck with a smaller 1-1/2-ton model advertised in 1923. How many, if any, were actually built is not known.
The Emblems
The enamel Ranger radiator emblem shown above is very rare.
The Ranger emblem shown below is a two piece enamel emblem and is extremely rare. The precise use of this emblem is unknown. The design of the emblem is exactly like the central motive on the above radiator emblem. It is possible that this was an early Ranger radiator emblem, which was then replaced by a less expensive emblem design.
This is a two-piece enamel Ranger emblem (dates unknown) mjs
Size: 75mm wide tip to tip MM: Unknown
Labels: RANGER, texas
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Hard Surface Flooring
Ceramic/Porcelain: Hard Surface Flooring
Hard flooring (not to be confused with "hardwood") is a family of flooring materials that includes concrete or cement, ceramic tile, glass tiles, and natural stone products.
Ceramic tile are clay products which are formed into thin tiles and fired. Ceramic tiles are set in beds of mortar or mastic with the joints between tiles grouted. Varieties of ceramic tiles include quarry tile, porcelain, terracotta.
Many different natural stones are cut into a variety of sizes, shapes, and thicknesses for use as flooring. Stone flooring is uses a similar installation method to ceramic tile. Slate and marble are popular types of stone flooring that requires polishing and sealing. Stone aggregates, like Terrazzo, can also used instead of raw cut stone and are available as either preformed tiles or to be constructed in-place using a cement binder.
Porcelain stoneware can be used instead of natural stone. It is a ceramic material like a tile; however, it is typically 20 mm (0.79 in) thick and often comes in squares of 60 cm (24 in).
Concrete or cement finished floor is also used for its ability to be treated for different feel and its durability, such as polished concrete. Epoxy resurfacing of concrete flooring is used to update or upgrade concrete floor surfaces in commercial and residential applications.
Shaw Tile Flooring
Profile | Website | Design Tools
Shaw captures the ancient art of ceramics in its versatile collection of ceramic and porcelain tile products. Seven of our porcelain tile collections are manufactured with the environment in mind. At Shaw Floors, we are committed to doing the right thing for the environment, and we partner with Eco-friendly suppliers who share in that commitment. Working with like-minded companies is crucial to creating a healthier ecosystem by reducing the amount of natural resources we consume.
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2014 Forensic Genealogy Institute
I have written before about the fantastic educational opportunity that the Forensic Genealogy Institute offers. Now, keep in mind that when I say "forensic" as applied to genealogy, I mean it in the true definition of the word: "genealogical research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implication" (from the Web site of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy). I don't mean merely using science in your own genealogical research, such as when you compare the results of your DNA test with someone else's to determine if you might be related, or if you analyze the backs and edges of photographs to figure out if they were printed at the same time. Neither of those is forensic genealogy (no matter what a book might be called), because there's no legal implication in the results. Scientific? Sure. Forensic? Nope.
So now that we have that out of the way, the 2014 Forensic Genealogy Institute, to be held in Dallas, Texas from Monday–Saturday, March 24–29, offers in-depth instruction in tools and techniques for genealogists who are doing or want to do forensic research, along with real-world examples and business advice. Two tracks are offered: "Foundations in Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Evidence Analysis." More details are now available for the two tracks. The early-bird discount ends December 30, 2013 (only a few days from now!). A discount is also offered to those registering for both tracks.
In "Foundations in Forensic Genealogy", which will run Monday–Wednesday, March 24–26, 2014, the sessions to be offered include:
• How to establish a forensic genealogy business
• How to evalute the ethics of a case
• How to deal with the legal profession in complex research cases
• How a forensic genealogists establishes credibility as an expert witness
• A mock witness cross-examination, conducted by Michael Ramage, JD, CG
• "Forensic Techniques for Genetic Genealogy", which will explain the concepts of DNA and how it can be utilized by the forensic genealogist, taught by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG
The "Foundations" track is a prerequisite for "Advanced Forensic Evidence Analysis", which will follow immediately after, running Thursday–Saturday, March 27–29, 2014. Sessions will include:
• Current advances in DNA technology and application of the science by a forensic genealogist, taught by Debbie Parker Wayne, CG
• Department of Defense methods used to identify and confirm missing military personnel through the use of DNA and forensic genealogical work
• Finding missing heirs in an ethical and professional manner, taught by Michael Ramage, JD, CG
• A case study of heir searching with international consequences and lessons to be learned, taught by Catherine Desmarais, CG
• Insight into the process of dual citizenship, from clients to contracts to international case studies, taught by Melissa Johnson
• How to manage research projects and subcontracted researchers in foreign countries, taught by Catherine Desmarais, CG
• Who, what, when, where, and why forensic genealogists might need the services of a certified document translator
The instructors for the Forensic Genealogy Institute combined have more than 70 years experience in the field and its related specialties. The "Foundations in Forensic Genealogy" track is a comprehensive course of study covering research techniques, methods, business preparations, business forms, work products, legal and ethical courses with case studies, and more. The new advanced track is designed to present a new set of challenges and instructions each session. This year's "Advanced Forensic Evidence Analysis" will include instruction found nowhere else concerning allied and subspecialty fields to aid the forensic genealogist. Both tracks are designed as learning opportunities for those already experienced in the field, as well as for the professional considering accepting forensic cases.
So far, among those registered to attend the 2014 Forensic Genealogy Institute are:
• More than half of the genealogists who attended the original two Foundations tracks are returning for the new Advanced track.
• About a dozen people have signed up for the combination Foundations and Advanced tracks.
• Among those registered are 17 full-time forensic genealogists, several new forensic genealogists, three investigators, five attorneys, one journalist, and two paralegals.
• We have one Accredited Genealogist (AG), seven Certified Genealogists (CG), and one Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (FSA).
• Attendees will be coming from Canada (1), Germany (1), and 22 U.S. states, including one person from Hawaii.
Come join this diverse group of professionals (including me!) at the 2014 Forensic Genealogy Institute. And if you're on Facebook, Like the Institute's page there to keep up with the latest announcements.
If you are considering going, make your hotel reservation as soon as possible. Rooms may be scarce during the Institute due to sporting and other events in Dallas. Please use the hotel reservation link found on the Institute Web site. Rooms may not be available if you delay making your reservation.
Labels: citizenship, Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy, Department of Defense, DNA, forensic genealogy, Forensic Genealogy Institute, heir research
Janice M. Sellers February 20, 2014 at 11:43 AM
The Advanced Forensic Evidence Analysis track has added a special guest speaker. James J. Canik, the Deputy Director of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, will be the presenter for the sessions on Department of Defense methods used to identify and confirm missing military personnel and on the use of DNA and forensic genealogical work in the identification process. Presentations of this type are not open to the general public and are a rare opportunity for researchers. More details are available on the CAFG blog:
http://www.forensicgenealogists.org/CAFG-Forensic-Genealogy-Blog.html?entry=forensic-genealogy-institute-special-department
2014 Is around the Corner
"Nilgiri Hills: Christian Memorials 1822–2006"
"The Baobab Tree" Summer and Fall Issues
An Orphan Heirloom Needs to Finds Its Way Home
Genealogy Research in the East Bay via BART
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Chicago Area Courts Ban Electronic Devices, For Some
Criminal courthouses in Cook County, Illinois (Chicago and environs) will ban the public from bringing in electronic devices as of Jan. 15, under an order issued by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans in mid-December. See Gen’l Admin. Order 2012-8 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cnty. Dec. 11, 2012).
In a press release announcing the new policy, Evans cited concerns that people attending court proceedings were using cellphones to photograph – and intimidate -- witnesses, judges, jurors, and prospective jurors, to relay courtroom testimony to upcoming witnesses, and to stream judges’ comments during trial. “The court is sending a strong message to gang members and others that any attempts to intimidate witnesses, jurors, and judges in court will not be permitted,” Evans was quoted saying in the release. “The ban will help to ensure that justice is properly done by preserving the integrity of testimony and maintaining court decorum.”
The ban will apply to 12 of the 13 courthouses in county. The exception will be the Richard J. Daley Center Courthouse in Chicago, which handles civil, traffic and misdemeanor cases.
Under the order, members of the news media are exempt from the ban, and will be able to use electronic devices in courtrooms under the circuit court’s pending application for to participated in the extended media coverage experiment authorized by the Illinois Supreme Court. See In re: Extended Media Coverage in the Circuit Courts of Illinois on an Experimental Basis, M.R. 2364 (Ill. Jan. 24, 2012).
Others exempt from the ban include current or former judges; licensed attorneys; all law enforcement officers; all government employees; persons reporting for jury service; jurors (subject to the authority of the trial judges); building and maintenance workers, and equipment repair persons and vendors. But their use of the devices will be limited to public areas of the courthouses.
Individual judges may also issue orders allowing others to bring electronic devices into the courthouse, and may also opt to allow the devices to be brought into and used in their courtrooms.
The courts obviously need to be concerned about safety, the integrity of court proceedings, and decorum. But the new order is a broad hatchet, when a scalpel would have been more appropriate.
The overall effect of Cook County's new rules on electronic devices, like similar rules in other courts (D.C. Superior Court, Southern District of New York), is create a class system of "haves" (members of the media, lawyers, judges, etc.) and "have nots" (everybody else). In a building devoted to equal justice under the law.
Eric P. Robinson teaches media law and ethics at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and Baruch College, and is of counsel to the Counts Law Group. He was previously Deputy Director of the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media at the University of Nevada, Reno. Eric is a media and internet law attorney with extensive experience analyzing and writing on media, internet and freedom of expression issues, including tracking media and internet litigation and legislation. He also blogs at bloglawonline.com.
(Image courtesy of Flickr user Daquella manera pursuant to Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 license.)
Newsgathering
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Athletic | Bowling | Boxing | Bridge | Country | Cricket | Cycling | Fitness | Football | Golf | Gun | Gymnastics | Nightclubs | Photography | Rugby | Sailing
Corfe Castle Caravan Club
Corfe Castle caravan club in Dorset is an organisation representing caravanners in Corfe Castle.
The Caravan Club was founded in 1907 and now represents around 1 million members.
The Club was founded in 1907 as The Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland. Its aim was:
To bring together those interested in caravan life as a pastime
To improve and supply suitable vans and other appliances
To develop the pastime by collecting, publishing and supplying to members, books and periodicals and lists of camp sites
To arrange camping grounds.
The Club was not known as The Caravan Club until 1959 and celebrated its centenary on 14 June 2007.
The Caravan Club is a membership organisation. The Club is led by the Executive Committee, which airs policy issues with the Club Council. The council in turn is supported by the 10 Regional Councils. Their aim of the Regional Councils is to coordinate communications throughout The Club membership. Regional Councils provide a forum to discuss Club issues and to solve local and regional problems. Club members may also vote at the Annual Members Meeting.
The Club is a member of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), an organisation that represents the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users.
The Club has over 900 staff and an annual turnover of around £100 million.
The Club operates around 200 main Caravan Club sites and 2,500 smaller certificated "five-van" sites, known as CLs (Certificated Locations).
A Certificated Location (or 'CL') is an informal privately owned caravan site for up to 5 caravans in the United Kingdom. Visitors with caravans pay a small fee to the CL owner in order to pitch overnight. This is usually cheaper than larger commercial caravan sites. There are about 2500 CLs in the UK and are for exclusive use by Caravan Club members. Each year the Caravan Club issues a Certificate to those sites that continue to meet their standards, hence 'Certificated Locations'. Caravan Club members vote annually for the best Certificated Location in the 'CL of the Year' competition.
Most CLs are in the countryside, they are individually owned and can be on a farm or smallholding, on spare land next to a pub, golf course or hotel or on land attached to the owner's house. CLs need no site licence or formal planning permission, but are covered by two Acts of Parliament:
Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) (1963) Chapter 17.
The laws state that visitors with caravans must be members of The Caravan Club, who are required to act responsibly and to observe the Country Code and no more than 5 caravans may be accommodated on the site at any one time. Caravans may not stay for more than 28 days per visit and must be occupied overnight. CLs are for recreational purposes and only touring caravans, motor caravans or trailer tents are permitted - tents are not permitted, other than attached caravan awnings, toilet tents or small pup tents; and permanently sited (static) caravans are not permitted on the same landholding.
There are also a number of guidelines stated. For example CLs should be fairly level and have at least ½ acre of land; and have safe access for caravans including 12 ft wide gateway and safe approach road. If the landowner has a caravan site licence from their Local Authority, the Caravan Club is unlikely to issue a Certificate, unless the CL is entirely separate from the landowner's other business activities.
To become a CL, owners should provide an emptying point for chemical closets; a safe drinking water supply; A bin for dry rubbish; and public liability insurance cover. Some owners provide optional extras such as electrical hook ups, showers and toilets. Although exempt from planning permission, CL owners are liable to pay business rates and income tax on their profits.
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Child Raised ‘Gender Neutral’ to Avoid Stereotyping – Communication Studies
Child Raised ‘Gender Neutral’ to Avoid Stereotyping
January 27, 2012 coms Critical/Cultural Studies of Communication/Media 0
Meet Sasha...
A British couple who kept their child’s gender a secret for five years have revealed that the child is male. Beck Laxton and Kieran Cooper say that they kept their son’s sex under wraps because they wanted him to grow up free from society’s preconceived ideas about what constitutes gender-appropriate behavior.
The couple, who asked their midwives to withhold information even from them about the child’s gender for a half-hour after his birth, named their child Sasha and referred to him as “the infant,” rather than using gender-specific pronouns. Until recently, even most of the child’s relatives were uncertain whether Sasha was a girl or a boy.
Sasha’s parents allowed no television in their home and restricted him to gender-neutral toys. Rather than restricting him to gender-neutral clothing, however, they dressed him in boys’ clothing and girls’ clothing on alternate days.
Sasha’s enrollment in school prompted the decision to finally reveal his gender. His parents say that it became too difficult to keep Sasha’s gender a secret once he was attending school regularly. Laxton and Cooper are still unwilling to bow to convention, however. Even though his fellow students now know that Sasha is a boy, his school uniform still contains the same shirt girls at his school wear, complete with feminine gathers across the front. Further, his parents encourage him to wear flowered blouses on weekends.
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In an interview, Laxton stated that she wanted to avoid exposing Sasha to gender stereotyping because she considers it “fundamentally stupid,” and reported that she considers her own early gender conditioning harmful.
“Gender affects what children wear and what they can play with, and that shapes the kind of person they become…I just want him to fulfill his potential, and I wouldn’t push him in any direction.”
Decades ago, psychologist Sandra Bem pioneered the idea that masculine and feminine gender roles are restrictive and advanced the theory that androgyny is healthier. Although she later revised her theories somewhat, Bem attempted to raise her children without confining them to gender roles. However, she never tried to hide their sex or to force them to be gender neutral.
Psychologist Daragh McDermott, of Anglia Ruskin University, said that no one knows how raising a child to be gender neutral will affect the child because there has been little research conducted on the subject. However, he points out that it is impossible to raise a child without exposure to gender conditioning or stereotypes, since school, the media and society in general consciously and unconsciously enforce society’s gender roles. Studies have shown that even parents unconsciously reinforce gender norms during their interactions with their newborn infants. No matter what parents do, he says, children will develop their own gender identification, whether masculine, feminine or gender-neutral.
Job Dissatisfaction Stems From Unmet Employee Needs [Study]
Powerful People Are Shorter Than They Think [Study]
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Elephants - Wildlife Special
You are here: Wildlife Details Elephants - Wildlife Special
Posted by Simba Sunday, 20 August 2006 18:11
The Elephant
Information kindly provided by the African Wildlife Foundation - The African elephant and the Asian elephant are the only two surviving species of what was in prehistoric times a diverse and populous group of large mammals. Fossil records suggest that the elephant has some unlikely distant relatives, namely the small, rodentlike hyrax and the ungainly aquatic dugong. They all are thought to have evolved from a common stock related to ungulates. In East Africa many well-preserved fossil remains of earlier elephants have aided scientists in dating the archaeological sites of prehistoric man.
The African elephant is the largest living land mammal, one of the most impressive animals on earth.
Of all its specialized features, the muscular trunk is the most remarkable it serves as a nose, a hand, an extra foot, a signaling device and a tool for gathering food, siphoning water, dusting, digging and a variety of other functions. Not only does the long trunk permit the elephant to reach as high as 23 feet, but it can also perform movements as delicate as picking berries or caressing a companion. It is capable, too, of powerful twisting and coiling movements used for tearing down trees or fighting. The trunk of the African elephant has two finger-like structures at its tip, as opposed to just one on the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).
The tusks, another remarkable feature, are greatly elongated incisors (elephants have no canine teeth); about one-third of their total length lies hidden inside the skull. The largest tusk ever recorded weighed 214 pounds and was 138 inches long. Tusks of this size are not found on elephants in Africa today, as over the years hunters and poachers have taken animals with the largest tusks. Because tusk size is an inherited characteristic, it is rare to find one now that would weigh more than 100 pounds.
Both male and female African elephants have tusks, although only males in the Asiatic species have them. Tusks grow for most of an elephant's lifetime and are an indicator of age. Elephants are "right- or left-tusked," using the favored tusk more often as a tool, thus, shortening it from constant wear. Tusks will differ in size, shape and direction; researchers use them (and the elephant's ears) to identify individuals.
Although the elephant's remaining teeth do not attract the ivory poacher, they are nonetheless interesting and ultimately determine the natural life span of the elephant. The cheek teeth erupt in sequence from front to rear (12 on each side, six upper and six lower), but with only a single tooth or one and a part of another, being functional in each half of each jaw at one time. As a tooth becomes badly worn, it is pushed out and replaced by the next tooth growing behind. These large, oblong teeth have a series of cross ridges across the surface. The last molar, which erupts at about 25 years, has the greatest number of ridges but must also serve the elephant for the rest of its life. When it has worn down, the elephant can no longer chew food properly; malnutrition sets in, hastening the elephant's death, usually between 60 and 70 years of age.
The African elephant's ears are over twice as large as the Asian elephant's and have a different shape, often described as similar to a map of Africa. The nicks, tears and scars as well as different vein patterns on the ears help distinguish between individuals. Elephants use their ears to display, signal or warn when alarmed or angry, they spread the ears, bringing them forward and fully extending them. The ears also control body temperature. By flapping the ears on hot days, the blood circulates in the ear's numerous veins; the blood returns to the head and body about 9 F cooler.
The sole of the elephant's foot is covered with a thick, cushionlike padding that helps sustain weight, prevents slipping and deadens sound. When they need to, elephants can walk almost silently. An elephant usually has five hoofed toes on each forefoot and four on each hind foot. When it walks, the legs on one side of the body move forward in unison.
Sometimes it is difficult for the layman to distinguish between male and female elephants as the male has no scrotum (the testes are internal), and both the male and the female have loose folds of skin between the hind legs. Unlike other herbivores, the female has her two teats on her chest between her front legs. As a rule, males are larger than females and have larger tusks, but females can usually be identified by their pronounced foreheads.
Elephants can live in nearly any habitat that has adequate quantities of food and water. Their ideal habitat consists of plentiful grass and browse.
Elephants are generally gregarious and form small family groups consisting of an older matriarch and three or four offspring, along with their young. It was once thought that family groups were led by old bull elephants, but these males are most often solitary. The female family groups are often visited by mature males checking for females in estrus. Several interrelated family groups may inhabit an area and know each other well. When they meet at watering holes and feeding places, they greet each other affectionately.
Females mature at about 11 years and stay in the group, while the males, which mature between 12 and 15, are usually expelled from the maternal herd. Even though these young males are sexually mature, they do not breed until they are in their mid- or late 20s (or even older) and have moved up in the social hierarchy. Mature male elephants in peak condition experience an annual period of heightened sexual and aggressive activity called musth. During this period, which may last a week or even up to three to four months, the male produces secretions from swollen temporal glands, continuously dribbles a trail of strong-smelling urine and makes frequent mating calls. Females are attracted to these males and prefer to mate with them rather than with males not in musth.
Smell is the most highly developed sense, but sound deep growling or rumbling noises is the principle means of communication. Some researchers think that each individual has its signature growl by which it can be distinguished. Sometimes elephants communicate with an ear-splitting blast when in danger or alarmed, causing others to form a protective circle around the younger members of the family group. Elephants make low-frequency calls, many of which, though loud, are too low for humans to hear. These sounds allow elephants to communicate with one another at distances of five or six miles.
An elephant's day is spent eating (about 16 hours), drinking, bathing, dusting, wallowing, playing and resting (about three to five hours). As an elephant only digests some 40 percent of what it eats, it needs tremendous amounts of vegetation (approximately 5 percent of its body weight per day) and about 30 to 50 gallons of water. A young elephant must learn how to draw water up into its trunk and then pour it into its mouth. Elephants eat an extremely varied vegetarian diet, including grass, leaves, twigs, bark, fruit and seed pods. The fibrous content of their food and the great quantities consumed makes for large volumes of dung.
Caring for the Young
Usually only one calf is born to a pregnant female. An orphaned calf will usually be adopted by one of the family's lactating females or suckled by various females. Elephants are very attentive mothers, and because most elephant behavior has to be learned, they keep their offspring with them for many years. Tusks erupt at 16 months but do not show externally until 30 months. The calf suckles with its mouth (the trunk is held over its head); when its tusks are 5 or 6 inches long, they begin to disturb the mother and she weans it. Once weaned usually at age 4 or 5, the calf still remains in the maternal group.
Elephants once were common throughout Africa, even in northern Africa as late as Roman times. They have since disappeared from that area due to overhunting and the spread of the desert. Even though they are remarkably adaptable creatures, living in habitats ranging from lush rain forest to semidesert, there has been much speculation about their future. Surviving populations are pressured by poachers who slaughter elephants for their tusks and by rapidly increasing human settlements, which restrict elephants' movements and reduce the size of their habitat. Today it would be difficult for elephants to survive for long periods of time outside protected parks and reserves. But confining them also causes problems without access any longer to other areas, they may harm their own habitat by overfeeding and overuse. Sometimes they go out of protected areas and raid nearby farms.
The elephant is distinguished by its high level of intelligence, interesting behavior, methods of communication and complex social structure.
Elephants seem to be fascinated with the tusks and bones of dead elephants, fondling and examining them. The myth that they carry them to secret "elephant burial grounds," however, has no factual base.
Elephants are very social, frequently touching and caressing one another and entwining their trunks.
Elephants demonstrate concern for members of their families they take care of weak or injured members and appear to grieve over a dead companion.
Country: general Region: Africa - Wildlife Special
Published in Wildlife Details
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You are here Wildlife Details Elephants - Wildlife Special
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Automated Justice?
Lawmakers to consider automatic expungements for misdemeanors.
People convicted of drug possession or using a fake ID to get alcohol have almost no way to expunge those convictions from their record in Virginia. Photo by Michael Lee Pope.
By Michael Lee Pope
source: The Collateral Consequences Resource Center
Virginia is one of 10 states that offers almost no way for people convicted of misdemeanors to expunge their records, creating roadblocks for people trying to get a job or rent an apartment. Even when a jury finds defendants in Virginia not guilty or when prosecutors dropped charges, allegations remain on records as a stain that can cause problems for years to come. That’s why lawmakers are about to consider a proposal from the Virginia Crime Commission on automatic expungement, which is expected to be released early next week.
“For the relatively low-level, minor offenses I think there ought to be some sort of automatic mechanism where those records are at least sealed,” said Attorney General Mark Herring in an interview. “We should give a clean slate and a second chance to more Virginians who have earned it.”
Earlier this year, lawmakers considered about a dozen proposals on expungement. Some were narrowly tailored to what happens when charges were cleared from a record or when a jury failed to convict. Others were aimed at figuring out a way to expunge charges brought against victims of sex trafficking, a complicated procedure that requires convicted felons to prove they were victims of sex trafficking when the crimes were committed. Ultimately, lawmakers threw in the towel and asked the Crime Commission to study the issue and went home without accomplishing anything on expungement.
“There were a bunch of bills thrown up by lawmakers who had probably been contacted by constituents who tried to get expungements but couldn’t get it, so you had bills that were these tiny little piecemeal things,” said Andrew Elders, policy director for Justice Forward Virginia. “It was too complicated for everyone to put together in a very short session in a way that amounted to meaningful reform.”
FAST FORWARD to the summer, when protesters across the country were shining a spotlight on police brutality. Gov. Ralph Northam called a special session to rewrite the budget and address criminal justice reform; members of the Legislative Black Caucus identified automatic expungement as a their leading criminal-justice reform priority. House Majority Leader Charniele Herring of Alexandria also serves as chairwoman of the Virginia Crime Commission, which is expected to issue recommendations Monday to finish the work that was started earlier this year.
"We were looking at the current structure and adding a section to the currently existing section code, and that’s what made it complicated and difficult,” said Herring. “With automatic expungement, all that needs to happen is someone has served their time and not committed another offense. It’s more just, and it’s more equitable.”
“We should give a clean slate and a second chance to more Virginians who have earned it.”
—Attorney General Mark Herring
One issue that might cause some conflict in Richmond is a difference in approaches between the House and Senate. While House members have been pushing for an approach that identifies a limited number of crimes that would qualify for automatic expungement for misdemeanors like petty theft or marijuana possession, some members of the Senate are uncomfortable with creating a system that removes discretion of judges.
“We’ve been fighting hard to build discretion back into our system, whether it’s giving prosecutors the discretion to drop charges when they want to or giving judges and juries the discretion to impose a sentence they feel is appropriate instead of the General Assembly telling them what they can and can’t do,” said Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36). "Automatic expungement is the opposite of that.”
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM the Crime Commission are expected to outline which crimes are automatically expunged and how long a period of time needs to elapse before that happens. Misdemeanors like destruction of property or trespass are likely to be on the list while crimes like domestic violence or stalking are likely to be excluded. As for the amount of time that should elapse before the record is cleared, commissioners are looking at anywhere from three years to eight years.
“Expungements need to be an automatic process,” said Del. Mike Mullin (D-93), chairman of the House subcommittee that will be considering the issue. “People who have served their time, served their debt to society and have been of good behavior for a very long time have got the opportunity to start over in life.”
“If these are crimes of poverty, then to me that makes it clear to me that they should be expunged automatically.”
—Del. Paul Krizek (D-44)
One issue lawmakers will be wrestling with is whether they want to make any felony charges subject to automatic expungement. Many people in Virginia have felony convictions for drug possession, the result of a decades-long war on drugs that many criminal-justice advocates say has been a failure that has created disproportionate hardships for Black and Hispanic people who get caught up in the criminal-justice system. If the discussion about automatic expungement is limited to misdemeanors, these people would be left out of the conversation and not helped by the reform.
“I don’t think possession of drugs should be a felony. I think it should be a Class One misdemeanor,” said Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter. “If we could amend that down to a misdemeanor, it’s still a crime but it’s a much less serious one. Then that problem wouldn’t exist. If someone was arrested for a misdemeanor, then that would come under automatic expungement.”
IF VIRGINIA WERE to move forward on automatic expungement during the special session, the commonwealth would be on the vanguard of a criminal justice reform that’s been attempted in only a handful of states. Pennsylvania was the first state to create a model for automatic expungement in 2018, and a few other states have started moving in that direction since then. The real question for the Crime Commission and lawmakers are which crimes should be on the list for automatic expungement and how long defendants should have to wait before their record is cleared.
“The rationale I use when I look at this is, are these crimes of poverty?” asks Del. Paul Krizek (D-44). “If these are crimes of poverty, then to me that makes it clear to me that they should be expunged automatically.”
Expunging the Record
Progressive Prosecutors Lobby for Justice
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Virginia Progressive Prosecutors Call for Criminal Justice Reforms
Porter: New Diversion Program in Alexandria
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Lobbying for Leniency?
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