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Like a Servant
As tempting as it is to study in depth the character and nature of Laban from Genesis 24 to Genesis 28-31, there are other characters in these scenes that have perhaps much more to tell us about who we are and how we are to live, not in relationship to one another, but in relationship to our God.
One of the fundamental differences between these two scenes is the man with whom Laban is dealing. No, we're not talking about the difference between Eliezer (most likely) and Jacob; we are talking about the difference between a servant and a master.
Jacob was a master. He came to Laban on his own behalf, in search of his own wife, and fell in love with the object of his own affection. It's far easier to keep this man right where you want him because he's acting on his own account. Jacob was content to stay seven years, seven more years, seven more years because his beloved was where he was. Rachel was there. It was easy for Jacob to make this place home because he had there everything that he wanted; he was content.
On the other hand, Eliezer was a servant. He came to Laban on behalf of his master, Abraham, and his future master, Isaac. He was on a mission, and there was nothing for him in the land of Laban. There was nothing that could convince him to stay, no matter how cunning Laban might have been, because his loyalty and his life were elsewhere. He was operating on behalf of someone else, someone not present, and so he already had his marching orders. He could not be contented in a land far away because his life was elsewhere and already firmly established.
The importance of this cannot be overstated, particularly for those of us who are attempting to live a faithful life for the Lord. This world sometimes does a pretty good job of tempting us to stay, of drawing us into a certain place and telling us it's just fine there, of pulling us off-mission for its own sake (or simply for the sake of stopping us).
We have to remember that we are servants, not masters, to avoid this trap.
If we are masters, we're content just about anywhere. We take our lives with us, and they can be contented and fulfilled just about anywhere. It doesn't occur to us that this might not be our place because we have everything we want here. We set things up around us so that we're happy here. We travel with our households and everything in them, and there's nothing anywhere else that can call us away, call us back. At least, not right away. Not pressingly. It's easy to convince us to stay seven years, seven years, another seven years because we act on our own behalf; we're content wherever we are.
But if we are servants, then we'll always be restless for home. Our lives? They're somewhere else, and they're already firmly established. We're on mission, and it's difficult to distract us from that because there's nothing here that can satisfy us. We already have our marching orders, and all the wonders and glories of this world can't change them. We're living and acting on behalf of someone else, and it is His purpose that is our purpose. It is His glory that is our glory. It is His story that is our story. So no matter what, you cannot convince us to stay, for we are a people on the move by our very nature, servants of the One who sent us in the first place.
This is not the place to which we have come; it is the place to which we go. And we will always be working toward coming home.
If you want to defend yourself against the wiles of this world, if you want to make sure that you don't fall into any traps, if you want to be impervious to the snake, it's really quite as simple as this: remember that you are a servant, not a master.
You work for Him.
And you've got places to go, things to do, people to see, so there's no reason at all for you to get stuck here. No matter what Laban says.
A Prayer to Pray
What Is Real
No Mere Words
Something Propositional
Words and Ideas
In Need of Grace
The Sheepfold
On Healing
God's Purpose and Will
Matters of Life and Death
The Truth About Prayer
How Long, O Lord
Rich Theology
Failure of Imagination
Informed Faith
Choose Again
Limiting God
Beware the Snake
Shifting Questions
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Cash's Corner
By Alexandra Cash
In: Paris, United Kingdom
The grand event that I had been waiting for the most was my trip to Versailles Palace. Situated in a suburb of Paris just 20 km away and only a short 30 minute train ride from the city.
I was so excited to see Versailles because of my fascination of Marie Antoinette for the past several years. In those years I have read several books and articles on the late queen and had added a trip to her home to my life list. I was so happy that I got to make that dream come true and being on the palace grounds I felt closer to her than ever.
When the Palace at Versailles was built it was just a country village but today it is a working suburb of Paris with many residents. The court at Versailles was the height of political power in France from 1682 to late 1789 when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were forced to move from there at the beginning of the French Revolution.
Once Cynthia and I arrived in Versailles and took a short five minute walk from the train station to the palace, following the other tourists, we got in line to buy our tickets. This was the most pricey thing I bought in all of Paris. To have access to all the palace grounds and all its buildings was 25 euro or about $35. But it was worth everything to me to see as much of Marie Antoinette's life as possible.
We first toured the main palace which was mostly like driving cattle down the range. By most of the rooms we squeezed only having a few seconds to stop and admire and to take a photo. It surely was very crowded. But when I got to Marie Antoinette's apartments and got to see her bed I was so happy.
After we were finished with the palace we exited through the back and went out into the gardens where we saw a large and beautiful fountain and the grand canal.
There was music playing on the grounds that was reminiscent of the late 1700s. It was such a nice touch that added to the proper and royal feeling while being there. I was wearing a beautiful and girlie dress that fit just perfect for my royal visit.
After walking for about 20 minutes we arrived at the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette's estate. It was built in the 1760s and was later given to Marie Antoinette by her husband Louis XVI as a private place for her to relax. She would go there to escape from the formalities of court life and her duties as the French queen. Here she would entertain only those in her "inner circle" and she would find the solitude to be herself.
Now Marie Antoinette was far from a commoner but while at her estate she tried to be. From 1785 to 1792 The Queen's Hamlet was built not far from the Petit Trianon. A hamlet is a small rural settlement of of buildings not large enough to be considered a village. Here she was able to get back to nature as she had learned from the teachings of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau of the time period. The tiny village has many buildings and was a working farm able to produce eggs and milk that the Queen loved so much. In the eyes of the French people the Queen seemed to be merely amusing herself. But to Marie Antoinette she found serenity here.
I could understand exactly how she felt when I was there. Walking around through the nature was to liberating, it was a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time. The trees and flowers were all so lovely.
I'm Alex Cash.
I'm a lover of travel and adventure. I'm out in the world trying new things, meeting interesting people, and learning tons along the way.
Come along with me.
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Hong Kong Sharia finance goals elusive as second sukuk readied
Hong Kong: As Hong Kong readies a second sovereign Islamic bond sale, its goal of becoming a Sharia-compliant financing hub for Chinese companies remains elusive.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced plans this week to sell $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) of five-year sukuk, the same size and tenor as its debut issue in September that drew $4.7 billion of bids. Those notes last yielded 2.06 per cent, almost the same as the rate at issue and about twice the level of the government’s similar-maturity non-Islamic securities.
Hong Kong is vying with cities including London and Singapore to be a hub for the global Islamic finance industry, whose assets are forecast by Ernst & Young LLP to double to $3.4 trillion by 2018 from 2013. While the city government’s AAA- rating will ensure demand, Hong Kong is unlikely to host any corporate offers in the next one to two years as sukuk is seen as an “exotic instrument,” said Sergey Dergachev, a portfolio manager at Union Investment Privatfonds GmbH.
“It’s a journey for companies to tap the Islamic finance market as the Sharia concept is still a novelty there,” said Nik Norzrul Thani, chairman of Kuala Lumpur-based law firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co. “We have some enquiries from Chinese companies based in Hong Kong on the possibility of selling sukuk.”
Narrow spread
HKMA’s second offer should be well received given the oversubscription rate for Malaysia’s dollar sukuk last month, Nik Norzrul said. There were $9 billion of bids at that sale, compared with the $1.5 billion of 10- and 30-year notes sold.
Hong Kong will probably pay about 1.85 per cent on the five- year sukuk, Union Investment’s Frankfurt-based Dergachev said in an email interview on Tuesday. That would compare with the 2.005 per cent profit rate at its debut sale, which was 23 basis points above similar-maturity US. Treasuries, according to a Sept. 11 government statement. That was the narrowest spread ever achieved on a benchmark dollar issuance from an Asian sovereign outside of Japan, according to the statement.
The main objectives of Hong Kong selling sukuk are to demonstrate that the legal framework for issuance in the city is widely accepted internationally and to attract more issuers and investors to the local market, the HKMA said in an emailed response to questions on Wednesday, declining to give a time frame for the sale.
Competing hubs
The city has been trying to develop an Islamic financial market since as far back as 2007, with Airport Authority Hong Kong announcing the following year that it was looking to sell as much as $1 billion of sukuk, an offer that never eventuated.
“I hope that the sukuk issuance will catalyse the further growth of the sukuk market in Hong Kong by encouraging more issuers and investors to participate in our market,” Financial Secretary John C Tsang said in the September 11 statement.
As Islamic finance begins to expand outside of its strongholds in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, a number of financial centers are hoping to lure Sharia-compliant debt sales. UK and Luxembourg sold their debut sovereign Islamic bonds last year. Singapore, which introduced equal tax treatment for sukuk in 2006, had attracted S$4.4 billion ($3.3 billion) of sukuk sales as of last October, according to data from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Those numbers still pale in comparison to neighbouring Malaysia, which accounted for 58 per cent of the $300 billion of total outstanding sukuk worldwide at the end of November, according to the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman made up 30 per cent.
Excellent Infrastructure
The extent to which Hong Kong will be able to fulfil its Islamic finance ambitions will depend on whether the industry can gain traction in China. Ningxia, an autonomous region in northwest China, has said it’s considering a sukuk sale, while Qatar International Islamic Bank QSC signed an agreement last month with Chongqing-based Southwest Securities Co to develop Sharia finance products in Asia’s largest economy.
“Companies in Hong Kong and China can easily model their sukuk to that of Hong Kong’s government,” said Mohammad Azahari Kamil, chief executive officer of Asian Finance Bank Bhd in Kuala Lumpur. “I would expect more firms, especially the better quality ones, to tap the sukuk market as demand will be there given the bigger pool of investors.”
Hong Kong is one of the world’s major financial centres and the Bank for International Settlements ranked it as the fifth- largest currency trading hub in a 2013 survey. The city, which has a Muslim population of 270,000, changed its tax rules in July 2013 to put corporate sukuk sales on an equal footing with non-Islamic bonds.
“Hong Kong has very strong regulation and excellent infrastructure,” said Union Investment’s Dergachev. “There is huge scope for raising more investor awareness for sukuk in Hong Kong.
(Gulf News Market / 07 May 2015)
Labels: Hong Kong, sukuk
Digicel taps Islamic finance deal
The finance deal for the Denis O'Brien-owned business is the latest in a string of landmark Islamic finance deals over the past year, with debut sovereign Islamic bonds (sukuk) from Britain, Luxembourg and South Africa helping test the funding format across a growing number of jurisdictions.
Islamic financial products are structured to comply with religious rules including a ban on the charging of interest. They are increasingly popular with borrowers because they can tap into a huge Islamic investor base.
Sharia compliant deals can require multiple transfers of title of the underlying asset, and so can present regulatory challenges for new jurisdictions in areas such as tax.
The financing for Digicel's Myanmar Tower Company (MTC) will mark the first Islamic cross-border deal in the Asian country, law firm Clifford Chance said. "This transaction is also a milestone as very few cross-border financings in relation to Myanmar have been completed in recent years," said the law firm, which advised Doha-based investment firm QInvest on the deal. Due to regulatory and timing issues, MTC's parent company in Singapore is the initial borrower of the funds, with the terms of the deal allowing the Myanmar entity to replace the parent company when it is able to do so.
In 2013, MTC signed an agreement to build and lease telecommunication towers in Myanmar for Qatar's Ooredoo, which in August became the first foreign firm to begin operations in one of the world's last mobile frontiers. Norway's Telenor Group holds the only other international operating licence in Myanmar. As of March, Ooredoo had sold over 3.3m pre-paid SIM cards in Myanmar and hopes to expand coverage to reach 97pc of the population within five years.
(Business Newsletter / 07 May 2015)
Hong Kong Sharia finance goals elusive as second s...
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Islamic Development Bank to return to ringgit sukuk market
SARAJEVO May 5 The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) plans to sell local currency Islamic bonds (sukuk) in the Malaysian market this year after a three-year hiatus, the head of the Jeddah-based multilateral lender told Reuters.
The deal would be the fourth ringgit-denominated sukuk from the AAA-rated IDB, one of the largest issuers of sukuk alongside the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Qatar.
"It could be both, private and public placement," IDB president Ahmad Mohamed Ali said on the sidelines of an industry conference in Sarajevo, adding that specific size and timing of the deal would depend on market conditions.
"We have a very active cooperation and relationship with Malaysia and sometimes we need to have ringgit and we will act according to the needs and issue sukuk in ringgit."
The IDB board has approved the issuance of up to 400 million ringgit ($99.9 million) in sukuk this year, from a 1 billion ringgit programme listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2008.
It has raised a total of 700 million ringgit via three sukuk transactions since then, the latter a 5-year 300 million ringgit sukuk in July of 2013.
Last year, the IDB increased the ceiling of its flagship London-listed sukuk programme to $25 billion from $10 billion, aiming to expand its financing activities.
The bank, which operates to promote economic development in Muslim countries and communities, has 56 member countries and counts Saudi Arabia, Libya and Iran as its largest shareholders.
(Reuters / 04 May 2016)
Labels: Islamic development Bank, sukuk
Use Zakat for human devt
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged Muslims to use the institution of Zakat to promote equitable redistribution of wealth and foster a sense of solidarity among Muslims.
Ajimobi gave the advice recently during the annual distribution of Zakat by the Elders Consultative Forum of Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Oyo state chapter in Ibadan.
The governor, who was represented at the event by Mr AbdulJelil Busari, PermanentSecretary, Oyo state Teaching Service Commission, said Zakat was considered by Muslims as an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims.
Ajimobi called on the Muslims and groups to address the effective, efficient collection and management of Zakat fund.
He urged the forum to ensure that indigent Muslims have access to Zakat fund and other items and are managed in a sustainable way in order to get adequate reward from Allah. In his contribution, the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said that poverty was too rampant among the Muslims because the rich among them were not paying Zakat.
Shittu said that he was planning a poverty alleviation programme which was not politically motivated but aimed at assisting the less-privileged and would be done purposely for the sake of Allah.
(Vanguard / 06 May 2016)
Labels: zakat
Islamic Development Bank to return to ringgit suku...
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Reese Sunday, November 23, 2014 Book Review No comments
I’m continuing to plug along and read the science fiction and fantasy books that appear in NPR’s Top 100 list (public vote). The “score” isn’t so good. I’ve read (or listened to an unabridged audiobook) 31. I’ve watched a movie of an additional four, which doesn’t exactly count. I’ve got three more in hand, and... we’ll see how far I go. Some, which are listed as a single entry, are actually a series of books. So, for example, while I would like to say I’ve read the Top 10, I’ve read the Top 4, but #5 is R.R. Martin’s “Fire and Ice” series. I’ve seen enough snippets of the “Game of Thrones” to see t hat there’s not enough there to pique my interest. I like to have at least one protagonist, you see.
My latest conquest was #64, Susanna Clark’s “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.” I’d seen this around for years. The cover and typeface made me curious; the thickness (~1000 pages in paperback) discouraged me. That said, finding a copy for $2.99 can change one’s mind, especially after finding that it’s on The List.
It was deserving. In short, it’s about two magicians who rekindle magic in England. The “rekindle” is the key. The book is an alternative history approach where it is a given that magic was once commonplace in England, and everyone knows it. To this end, Clarke includes references to various historical books that shed light on some of the nuances of this. Footnotes galore, and often humorous. But it’s never tongue in cheek.
It’s also not a fast paced book. Story sections are not set apart in clear chapters, and, on occasion, even the following paragraph, without a separation line, abruptly changes the narrative direction. It’s strange, but it is imaginative throughout, and diction choices are often enough of a reward to keep plowing ahead.
So... I usually try to find some interesting quotes. This book is loaded with dry, penetrating wit.
“They were Englishmen, and to them, the decline of other nations was the most natural thing in the world. They belonged to a race blessed with so sensitive an appreciation of its own talents (and so doubtful an opinion of any body else’s) that they many not have been at all surprised to learn that the Venetians themselves had been entirely ignorant of the merits of their own city – until Englishmen had come to tell them it was delightful.”
“Such nonsense!” declared Dr. Greysteel. “Whoever heard of cats doing anything useful!”
”Except for staring at one in a supercilious manner,” said Strange. “That has a sort of moral usefulness, I suppose, in making one feel uncomfortable and encouraging sober reflection upon one’s imperfections.”
“Mr. Robinson was a polished sort of person. He was so clean and healthy and pleased about everything that he positively shone - which is only to be expected in a fairy or an angel, but is somewhat disconcerting in an attorney.”
“For, though the room was silent, the silence of half a hundred cats is a peculiar thing, like fifty individual silences all piled one on top of another.”
“Ha!' said the tall man drily. 'He was in high luck. Rich old uncles who die are in shockingly short supply.”
“But, though French, she was also very brave...”
“Can a magician kill a man by magic?” Lord Wellington asked Strange. Strange frowned. He seemed to dislike the question. “I suppose a magician might,” he admitted, “but a gentleman never would.”
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Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi): INFORMATION
Takashi Natsume continues to return the names of the spirits that have been written in the "Book of Friends" he inherited from his grandmother, Reiko Natsume. While Natsume is still aided by the chubby Nyanko-sensei, he's now helped by some of the friends he had made in his journey; be it human beings or spirits. As he becomes closer to both, Natsume faces the inevitable question of the sides he has to take especially when there is a conflict between the two.
slice of life, supernatural Violence, Mild Lanugage, Blood
Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi): Extras & Options
Click Here to Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S3 (Natsume Yujin-Cho San)
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 01: Natsume Captured
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 02: The Eastern Forest
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 03: The Little Ones
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 04: Stand-In
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 05: To You, From Bygone Days
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 06: The Other Side Of The Glass
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 07: The Gap Between Humans and Youkai
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 08: When I Was Deceived
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 09: The Moon-Splitting Festival
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 10: The God, Enshrined
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 11: A Single Photo
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 12: The Door of Memories
Watch Natsume's Book of Friends S4 (Natsume Yujin-Cho Shi) Episode 13: Long Way Home
Pokemon The Movie 2000 Movie 2
Happy Lesson Advanced
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
Area no Kishi
The Rising of The Shield Hero (Tate no Yusha no Nariagari)
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Art + Thought / AF 2008 - Steven Berlin Johnson
AF 2008 - Steven Berlin Johnson
Why the Web is like a Rainforest
Some technological revolutions arrive as revelation. You hear a human voice wafting out from a rotating plastic disk or see a moving train projected onto a screen, and you sense instantly that the world has changed. For many of us, our first encounter with the World Wide Web a decade ago was one of those transformative experiences: You clicked on a word on the screen, and instantly you were transported to some other page that was served up from a computer located somewhere else, across the planet perhaps. After you followed that first hyperlink, you knew the universe of information would never be the same.
Other revolutions creep up with more subtlety, built of tweaks and minor advances, not radical breakthroughs. E-mail took decades to gestate, but now many of us can’t imagine life without it. There’s a comparable quiet revolution under way right now, one that is likely to fundamentally transform the way we use the Web in the coming years. The changes are technical and involve thousands of individual programmers, dozens of start-ups, and a few of the largest software companies in the world. The result is the equivalent of a massive software upgrade for the entire Web, what some commentators have taken to calling Web 2.0. Essentially, the Web is shifting from an international library of interlinked pages to an information ecosystem, where data circulate like nutrients in a rain forest.
Part of the beauty and power of the original Web lay in its simplicity: Web sites were made up of pages, each of which could contain text and images. Those pages were able to connect to other information on the Web through links. If you were maintaining a Web site about poodles and stumbled across a promising breeder’s home page, you could link to the information on that page by inserting a few simple lines of code. From that point on, your site was connected to that other page, and subsequent visitors to your site could follow that connection with a single mouse click. In some basic sense, those two pages of data were interacting with each other, but the exchange between them was rudimentary.
Now consider how a group of poodle experts might use the Web 2.0. One of them subscribes to a virtual clipping service offered by Google News; she instructs the service to scan thousands of news outlets for any articles that mention the word poodle and to send her an e-mail alert when one of them comes down the wire. One morning, she finds a link to a review of a new book about miniature poodles in her in-box. She follows the link to the original article, and using a standard blogging tool like TypePad or Blogger, she posts a quick summary of the review and links to the Amazon page for the book from her blog.
Within a few hours of her publishing the note about the new book, a service called Technorati scans her Web site and notices that she has added a link to a book listed on Amazon. You can think of Technorati as the Google of the blog world, constantly analyzing the latest blog posts for interesting new developments. One of the features it offers is a frequently updated list of the most talked-about books in the blog world. If Technorati stumbles across another handful of links to that same poodle book within a few hours, the poodle book itself might show up on the hot books list.
After our poodle expert posts her blog entry, she takes another few seconds to categorize it, using an ingenious service called del.icio.us, which tags it with her content-specific title, like “miniature poodles,” or “dog breeding.” She does this for her own personal use—del.icio.us lets her see in a glance all the pages she has classified with a specific tag—but the service also has a broader social function; tags are visible to other users as well. Our poodle expert can also see all the pages that other users have associated with dog breeding. It’s a little like creating a manila folder for a particular topic, and every time you pick it up, you find new articles supplied by strangers all across the Web.
Del.icio.us’s creators call the program a social bookmarking service, and one of its key functions is to connect people as readily as it connects data. When our poodle lover checks in on the dog-breeding tag, she notices that another del.icio.us user has been adding interesting links to the category over the past few months. She drops him an e-mail and invites him to join a small community of poodle lovers using Yahoo’s My Web service. From that point on, anytime she discovers a new poodle-related page, he’ll immediately receive a notification about it, along with the rest of her poodle community, either via e-mail or instant message.
Now stop and think about how different this chain of events is from the traditional Web mode of following simple links between static pages. One small piece of new information—a review of a book about poodles—flows through an entire system of reuse and appropriation within hours. The initial information value of the review remains: It’s an assessment of a new book, no different from the reviews that appear in traditional publications. But as it ventures through the food chain of the new Web, it takes on new forms of value: One service uses it to help evaluate the books with the most buzz; another uses it to build a classification schema for the entire Web; another uses it as a way of forming new communities of like-minded people. Some of this information exchange happens on traditional Web pages, but it also leaks out into other applications: e-mail clients, instant-messenger programs.
The difference between this Web 2.0 model and the previous one is directly equivalent to the difference between a rain forest and a desert. One of the primary reasons we value tropical rain forests is because they waste so little of the energy supplied by the sun while running massive nutrient cycles. Most of the solar energy that saturates desert environments gets lost, assimilated by the few plants that can survive in such a hostile climate. Those plants pass on enough energy to sustain a limited number of insects, which in turn supply food for the occasional reptile or bird, all of which ultimately feed the bacteria. But most of the energy is lost.
A rain forest, on the other hand, is such an efficient system for using energy because there are so many organisms exploiting every tiny niche of the nutrient cycle. We value the diversity of the ecosystem not just as a quaint case of biological multiculturalism but because the system itself does a brilliant job of capturing the energy that flows through it. Efficiency is one of the reasons that clearing rain forests is shortsighted: The nutrient cycles in rain forest ecosystems are so tight that the soil is usually very poor for farming. All the available energy has been captured on the way down to the earth.
Think of information as the energy of the Web’s ecosystem. Those Web 1.0 pages with their crude hyperlinks are like the sun’s rays falling on a desert. A few stragglers are lucky enough to stumble across them, and thus some of that information might get reused if one then decides to e-mail the URL to a friend or to quote from it on another page. But most of the information goes to waste. In the Web 2.0 model, we have thousands of services scrutinizing each new piece of information online, grabbing interesting bits, remixing them in new ways, and passing them along to other services. Each new addition to the mix can be exploited in countless new ways, both by human bloggers and by the software programs that track changes in the overall state of the Web. Information in this new model is analyzed, repackaged, digested, and passed on down to the next link in the chain. It flows.
This is good news whether we love poodles or not, but it’s also good news economically because the diversity of the ecosystem makes it a fertile environment for small players. You don’t have to dominate the food chain to get by in the Web world; you can find a productive niche and thrive, partially because you’re building on the information value created by the rest of the Web. Technorati and del.icio.us both began as small projects created by single programmers. They don’t need huge staffs because they’re capturing the information supplied by the countless number of surfers who use their services, and they’re building on other tools created by other people, whether they work in a home office or in a vast international corporation like Google. All of which makes this the most exciting time to be on the Web since the glory days in the mid-1990s. And the revelations aren’t about to stop. As we figure out new ways to expand the complex information food chains of Web 2.0, we will see even more innovation in the coming years. Welcome to the jungle.
Steven Berlin Johnson in Wikipedia
www.stevenberlinjohnson.com
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Moondog is a made up name, with many musical and some sports connections.
Moondog was the adopted pen name of Louis Thomas Hardin (May 26, 1916 – September 8, 1999), a blind American composer, musician, poet and inventor of several musical instruments. He adopted the name "Moondog" in honor of a dog "who used to howl at the moon more than any dog I knew of." Moving to New York as a young man, Moondog made a deliberate decision to make his home on the streets there, where he spent approximately twenty of the thirty years he lived in the city. Most days he could be found in his chosen part of town wearing clothes he had created based on his own interpretation of the Norse god Odin. Thanks to his unconventional outfits and lifestyle, he was known for much of his life as "The Viking of 6th Avenue". A documentary about his life, "The Viking of 6th Avenue", is in production for release in 2014.
The horns forming part of our logo were inspired by the Viking helmet worn by Hardin.
Moondog was also the nickname of 1950’s disc jockey Alan Freed, sometimes referred to as the “father of rock n’ roll”. Freed called his radio show "The Moondog House" and billed himself as "The King of the Moondoggers". He had been inspired by an offbeat instrumental called "Moondog Symphony" that had been recorded by Louis Hardin. Hardin subsequently sued him and Freed was prohibited from future use of the name.
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Trailer for Dumb & Dumber Sequel Debuts on Fallon
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon premiered the first trailer for Dumb & Dumber To. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels return as Llyod and Harry respectively in the sequel to the 1994 classic. Check out the hilarious trailer ...
Ant-Man Gets Its’ New Director
Marvel announced today that they have hired Peyton Reed to helm the Ant-Man solo movie. Reed is best known for Bring It On, The Break-Up, and Yes Man. He will be replacing Edger Wright, who left the Marvel Studios project after...
Ghostbusters Returning to Theaters in August, New Blu Ray Editions as Well
2014 marks the 30th anniversary of one of the best comedies ever released (at least in this writers eyes) and is getting a full theatrical re-release coming August 29th. This date is about 2 months over the original opening wee...
Josh Trank to Direct Star Wars Spin-Off Film
Shortly after announcing that Gareth Edwards would be directing an upcoming Star Wars film, the official web site has revealed another director. Josh Trank, known for Chronicle and the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, will be ma...
Jupiter Ascending Delayed
The delays just keep hitting us, as Jupiter Ascending, scheduled to come out in July, has just been pushed back to February 2015. Jupiter Ascending, starring A-listers such as Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, comes from the Washo...
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About BirdLife Africa
BirdLife Partners Africa
Climate Change - Africa
Forests of Hope - Africa
Local Engagement and Empowerment...
Preventing Extinctions - Africa
Marine - Africa
Support us Africa
Contact BirdLife Africa
Africa begins Journey to Combat Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora
Some of the participants attending the Brazzaville meeting (Photo: Stephen Chacha)
By Ken Mwathe
African Governments meeting in Brazzaville, Congo, last week agreed to a set of steps to address illegal trade in wild fauna and flora. At the International Conference on Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora in Africa on 27-30th April 2015, leaders issued a strongly worded Brazzaville Declaration, agreeing to collaborate to stem the rising scourge that is estimated to cost African countries about US$200 million annually.
Among other things, the leaders agreed to abide by international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Flora and Fauna (CITES), to strengthen national laws, to build capacity of agencies and to address the needs and rights of local communities and indigenous peoples. They also emphasised the need for negotiation with countries through which illegal wildlife products transit as well as with destination countries. Africa will also seek support to combat illegal trade in wild fauna and flora, through a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Read the full Brazzaville Declaration
The Brazzaville meeting was prompted by concerns from spiralling illicit wildlife trade, which threatens iconic African species, including elephants, rhinos and birds, as well as rare plants and marine species. Previous meetings, among them, the 23rd African Union Summit of African Heads of State, the 15th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and the 2014 London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, called for concerted action to address the issue.
Experts from governments, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), African Union (AU), Regional Economic Commissions, civil society organisations and donors met in Brazzaville to develop an African Strategy to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade to coordinate action across the continent.
“It is a historic moment when words can be translated into action in tackling illegal and unregulated trade in wildlife products. The Strategy should be backed by political commitment and requisite financial resources to implement it. It is Africa’s opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the world and to future generations that we are worthy custodians of the natural wealth given to us – our wild fauna and flora”, said Ken Mwathe, the Africa Regional Policy and Advocacy Manager at BirdLife International. He said the strategy must take into consideration all taxa, including birds, which face immense pressure, with species such as vultures and parrots facing serious population declines.
Ken emphasised the view that the Strategy “should also address the livelihood needs of local communities, including their resilience to climate change, which has an indirect link to poaching and illegal trade. Regarding Strategy implementation, we propose use of interdisciplinary approaches that engage communities at the grassroots with less emphasis on enforcement through weaponry.” Read the full BirdLife International Statement
The third day of the Conference was attended by Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, Idriss Deby, President of the Republic of Chad and Daniel Ona Ondo, Prime Minister of Gabon. Together, they set fire to five tonnes of ivory to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against wildlife crime.
Bruce Liggitt, the Senior International Casework Officer at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB, BirdLife in the UK) said “The decision by African Governments to address illegal trade in wild fauna and flora is commendable. We call for urgent completion of the Strategy and more critically, tangible action against wildlife crime across Africa. This will complement wider conservation activities to address the drivers of biodiversity loss as well as efforts to ensure that development in Africa is both sustainable and equitable”
Story by Ken Mwathe - Ken.Mwathe@birdlife.org
Policy and AdvocacyIllegal wildlife tradeUNEPAfrican Union
BirdLife wins leadership in conservation award in Africa
BirdLife International is the first recipient of the exceptional leadership award in environmental management and governance in Africa. The award was given by NEPAD, an economic development programme of the African...
AfricaKenya
Social Links Africa
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Hosted By Sean Bianco
Host Sean Bianco brings you a full-length opera featuring great voices from the past and present followed by “Opera Potpourri.”
Saturday, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
on Music Station
Saturday, May 5, 2018 Permalink
At The Opera, Mozart: Idomeneo, May 5, 2018
Listen to Full Show
Idomeneo is an Italian language opera seria by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto was adapted by Giambattista Varesco from a French text by Antoine Danchet. Mozart and Varesco were commissioned in 1780 by Karl Theodor to produce the opera. The work premiered on January 29, 1781 at the Cuvilliés Theatre in Munich, Germany.
Idomeneo – Francisco Araiza
Idamante – Susanne Mentzer
Ilia – Barbara Hendricks
Sir Colin Davis – conductor
Philips CD - 1991
Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana, opera Intemezzo BUY Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony; Ondrej Lenard, conductor
Naxos 8550240
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Idomeneo BUY Bayerischen Rundfunks; Sir Colin Davis, conductor Francisco Araiza
For information not listed here, please visit Overnight and Weekend Classical Music
Older
At The Opera, Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera, April 28, 2018
Newer
At The Opera, Puccini - La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West), May 12, 2018
More From At the Opera
At The Opera, Borodin: Prince Igor, July 6, 2019
At The Opera, Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, July 13, 2019
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, June 29, 2019
At The Opera, Puccini: La Boheme (1972), June 22, 2019
At The Opera, Mozart: The Magic Flute, June 15, 2019
At The Opera, Verdi: Don Carlo (1971) June 8, 2019
At The Opera, Puccini: Madama Butterfly, June 1, 2019
At The Opera, Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkvalier, May 25, 2019
At The Opera, Ponchielli: La Gioconda, May 18, 2019
At The Opera, Cavalleria Rusiticana and Pagliacci, May 11, 2019
At The Opera, Jules Massenet: Herodiade, May 4, 2019
At The Opera, Arrigo Boito: Mefistofele, April 27, 2019
At The Opera, Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri, April 20, 2019
At The Opera, Beethoven: Fidelio, April 13, 2019
At The Opera, Donizetti: The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore) - April 6, 2019
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, March 30, 2019
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri Fund Drive, March 23, 2019
At The Opera, Rossini: Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy), March 16, 2019
At The Opera, Korngold: The Miracle of Helena, March 9, 2019
At The Opera, Puccini's Tosca, March 2, 2019
At The Opera, Saint-Saens: Samson st Dalila, February 23, 2019
At The Opera, Alexander Serov's Judith, February 16, 2019
At The Opera, Monsigny's The King and the Farmer and Mozart's, The Impresario, February 9, 2019
At The Opera, Puccini Double-Bill: Le Villi (The Faries) and Edgar, February 2, 2019
At The Opera, Donizetti: La Fille Du Regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment), January 26, 2019
At The Opera, Pietro Mascagni: Parisina, January 19, 2019
At The Opera, George Frideric Handel: Rinaldo, January 12, 2019
At The Opera, Verdi: La Forza Del Destino (The Force of Destino) January 5, 2019
At The Opera, Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus or The Revenge of the Bat, December 29, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera (CETRA 1954) December 15, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Il Trovatore (CETRA 1951) December 8, 2018
At The Opera, Mozart: Don Giovanni, December 1, 2018
At The Opera, Puccini: Il Trittico, November 24, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Otello, November 17, 2018
At The Opera, Puccini: Manon Lescaut, November 10, 2018
At The Opera, Flotow: Martha, November 3, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner: Gotterdammerung, October 28, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner: The Ring Cycle Part 4, "Gotterdammerung" October 27, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner: Siegfried, October 20, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner: Die Walkure, October 13, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner: Das Rheingold (MET 1951) October 6, 2018
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, September 29, 2018
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri Fund drive, September 22, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: La Traviata (La Scala 1955), September 15, 2018
At The Opera, Bellini: Norma, September 8, 2018
At The Opera, Ponchielli: La Gioconda, September 1, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Falstaff, August 25, 2018
At The Opera, Rossini: Guglielmo Tell, August 18, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Otello (CETRA 1955) August 11, 2018
At The Opera, Rossini: The Barber of Seville, August 4, 2018
At The Opera, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci (CETRA 1951) July 28, 2018
At The Opera, Puccini: Turandot (CETRA 1938) July 21, 2018
At The Opera, Giordano: Andrea Chenier (CETRA 1953) July 14, 2018
At The Opera, Puccini: Tosca (Cetra 1956) July 7, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Nabucco (Cetra 1951) June 23, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Aida, June 16, 2018
At The Opera, Puccini Double-Bill - La Boheme and Gianni Schicchi, June 9, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (1951-Cetra LP) June 2, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: I Due Foscari, May 26, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi: La Battaglia di Legnano, May 19, 2018
At The Opera, Rossini: The Barber of Seville, April 21, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi's Il Trovatore, April 14, 2018
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, April 7, 2018
At The Opera, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, March 31, 2018
At The Opera, Gustav Charpentier: Louise, March 24, 2018
At The Opera, Humperdink: Hansel and Gretel, March 17, 2018
At The Opera, Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur, March 10, 2018
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri Fund Drive, March 3, 2018
At The Opera, Wagner's Lohengrin, February 24, 2018
At The Opera, Verdi's Macbeth, February 17, 2018
At The Opera, Carlisle Floyd - Susannah, February 10, 2018
At The Opera, Richard Wagner - The Flying Dutchman, February 3, 2018
At The Opera, Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, January 27, 2018
At The Opera, Bellini: I Puritani, January 20, 2018
At The Opera, Korngold: Die Tote Stadt (The Dead City) January 13, 2018
At The Opera, Bizet: Carmen, January 6, 2018
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, December 30, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini's La Boheme and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors December 23, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Ernani, December 16, 2017
At The Opera, Wagner: Rienzi, December 9, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Don Carlo, December 2, 2017
At The Opera, Mozart: Don Giovanni, November 25, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Rigoletto, November 11, 2017
At The Opera, Ponchelli: La Gioconda, November 4, 2017
At The Opera, Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Part 4 - Gotterdammerung, October 29, 2017
At The Opera, Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Part 3: Siegfried, October 22, 2017
At The Opera, Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Part 2: Die Walkure, October 15, 2017
At The Opera, Richard Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Part2: Die Walkure, October 14, 2017
At The Opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen - Part 1: Das Rheingold, October 7, 2017
At The Opera, 5th Saturday All Opera Potpourri, September 30, 2017
At The Opera, Gounod: Faust, September 16, 2017
At The Opera, Beethoven: Fidelio, September 9, 2017
At The Opera, Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice, September 2, 2017
At The Opera, Giordano's Andrea Chenier, August 26, 2017
At The Opera, Richard Strauss: Salome, August 19, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: La Traviata, August 12, 2017
At The Opera, Donizetti - Anna Bolena, August 5, 2017
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, July 29, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini's La Boheme, July 22, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Falstaff, July 15, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini's Turandot, July 8, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi's Il Trovatore, July 1, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini's Madame Butterfly, June 24, 2017
At The Opera, Luigi Cherubini's Medea, June 17, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini's Le Villi and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, June 10, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Macbeth, June 3, 2017
At The Opera, Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte, May 27, 2017
At The Opera, Britten: Peter Grimes, May 20, 2017
At The Opera, La Rondine, May 13, 2017
At The Opera, Wagner: Rienzi, May 6, 2017
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, April 29, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Ernani, April 22, 2017
At The Opera, Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo: Pagliacci, April 15, 2017
At The Opera, Boito: Mefistofele, April 8, 2017
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri Spring Fund Drive, April 1, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini: Il Trittico (3 one act operas), March 25, 2017
At The Opera, Charpentier: Louise, March 18, 2017
Special Encore Presentation of At The Opera, Bellini: I Puritani, March 11, 2017
At The Opera, Special Encore Presentation, Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, March 4, 2017
At The Opera, Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia / Jussi Bjorling Carnegie Hall Recital, February 25, 2017
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri and The Threepenny Opera, February 18, 2017
At The Opera, Nicolai Gedda Tribute / La Forza Del Destino, February 11, 2017
At The Opera, Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress, February 4, 2017
At The Opera, Verdi: Rigoletto, January 28, 2017
At The Opera, Bizet: Carmen, January 21, 2017
At The Opera, Mozart: Don Giovanni, January 14, 2017
At The Opera, Puccini: Turandot, January 7, 2017
At The Opera, Johann Strauss: Die Fledermaus (The Bat), December 31, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: La Boheme and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, December 24, 2016
At The Opera, Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, December 17, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Attila, December 10, 2016
At The Opera, Ponchielli: La Gioconda, December 3, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Aida, November 26, 2016
At The Opera, Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur, November 19, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: Madama Butterfly, November 12, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: Manon Lescaut, November 5, 2016
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, October 29, 2016
At The Opera, Wagner: Gotterdammerung (The Twilight of the Gods) October 22, 2016
At the Opera, Die Walkure Act 3 Continued and Potpourri, October 09, 2016
At The Opera, Wagner: Die Walkure, October 8, 2016
At The Opera, Wagner: Das Rheingold, October 1, 2016
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri Fund Drive,September 24, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Rigoletto, September 17, 2016
At The Opera, Donizetti" L'Elisir d'Amore,(The Elixer of love) September 10, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: La Forza Del Destino, September 3, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: In Ballo in Maschera, August 27, 2016
At the Opera, Moussorgsky: Khovanshchina, August 20. 2016
At The Opera, Bellini: Norma, August 13, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Il Trovatore, August 6, 2016
At The Opera, Bellini: I Puritani, July 23, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: Tosca, July 16, 2016
At The Opera, Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, July 9, 2016
At The Opera, Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffmann, July 2, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Falstaff, June 25, 2016
At The Opera, Massenet: Werther, June 18, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: La Fanciulla del West, June 11, 2016
At The Opera, Mozart: Die Zauberflote, June 4, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Otello, May 28, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Aida, May 21, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: La Boheme, May 14, 2016
At The Opera, Triple Bill: Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi, May 7, 2016
At The Opera, Fund Drive All Opera Potpourri, April 30, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: La Traviata, April 23, 2016
At The Opera, Ponchielli: La Gioconda, April 16, 2016
At The Opera, Bizet: Carmen, April 9, 2016
At The Opera, Wagner: Lohengrin, April 2, 2016
At The Opera, Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, March 26, 2016
At The Opera, Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose), March 19, 2016
At The Opera, Rossini: Il Barbieri di Siviglia, March 12, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: Madama Butterfly, March 5, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) February 27, 2016
At The Opera, Saint-Saens: Samson et Dalila, February 20, 2016
At The Opera, Donizetti: La fille du regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment), February 13, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Simon Boccanegra, February 6, 2016
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, January 30, 2016
At The Opera, R. Strauss: Salome, January 23, 2016
At The Opera, Monteverdi: L'Orfeo, January 16, 2016
At The Opera, Verdi: Aida, January 9, 2016
At The Opera, Puccini: La Fanciulla del West, January 2, 2016
At The Opera, Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld, December 26, 2015
At The Opera, La Boheme and Amahl and the Night Visitors, December 19, 2015
At The Opera, Humperdinck: Hansel und Gretel, December 12, 2015
At The Opera, Donizetti: Don Pasquale, December 5, 2015
At The Opera, Dvorak: Rusalka, November 28, 2015
At The Opera, Giordano: Andrea Chenier, November 14, 2015
At The Opera, Bellini: Norma, November 7, 2015
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, October 31, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi: La Traviata, October 24, 2015
At The Opera, Rossini: Semiramide, October 17, 2015
At The Opera, Rossini: William Tell, October 10, 2015
At The Opera, Wagner: Gotterdammerung, October 3, 2015
At The Opera, Fund Drive Potpourri, September 26, 2015
At The Opera, Wagner: Siegfried, September 19, 2015
At The Opera, Wagner: Die Walkure, September 12, 2015
At The Opera, Wagner: Das Rheingold, September 5, 2015
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, August 29, 2015
At The Opera, Puccini: Tosca, August 22, 2015
At The Opera, Massenet: Werther, August 15, 2015
At The Opera, Strauss Jr. Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) August 8, 2015
At The Opera, Korngold: Die Tote Stadt (The Dead City), August 1, 2015
At The Opera, Beethoven: Fidelio, July 25, 2015
At The Opera, All Wagner Potpourri, July 18, 2015
At The Opera, Floyd: Susannah, July 11, 2015
At The Opera, Puccini: La Rondine (The Swallow) July 4, 2015
At The Opera, StraussJr.: Die Fledermaus, June 27, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi:Aida, June 20, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi: Il Trovatore, June 13, 2015
At The Opera, All Opera Potpourri, June 6, 2015
At The Opera, Gounod: Faust, May 30, 2015
At The Opera, Puccini: Manon Lescaut, May 16, 2015
At The Opera, Bizet: Carmen, May 9, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi: Simon Boccanegra, May 2, 2015
At The Opera, Puccini: Tosca, April 25, 2015
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, April 18, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera - The Masked Ball, April 11, 2015
At The Opera, Mozart: La Finta Giardiniera - The Pretend Garden Girl - April 4, 2015
At The Opera, Bellini: I Puritani, March 28, 2015
At The Opera, Verdi: Otello, March 14, 2015
At The Opera, Mozart: Ascanio in Alba, March 7, 2015
At The Opera, Ponchielli: La Gioconda, February 28, 2015
At The Opera, Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, February 21, 2015
At the Opera, Verdi: La Traviata (The Fallen Woman)
At the Opera, Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte
At the Opera, All Opera Potpourri
At the Opera, Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)
At the Opera. Giordano: Andrea Chenier
At the Opera, Beethoven: Fidelio
At the Opera, Mozart: Idomeneo: King of Crete
At the Opera, Die Fledermaus and The 3 Tenors Concert from 1990
At the Opera, Puccini's La Boheme and Menotti's Amhal and the Night Visitors
At the Opera, Bizet: Carmen, 12/13/14
At the Opera, Puccini: Tosca, 12/06/14
At the Opera, Opera Potpourri. 11/29/14
At the Opera, Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov, 11/22/14
At the Opera, Verdi: Rigoletto, 11/15/14
At the Opera, Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi, November 08, 2014
At The Opera, Puccini: Turandot, November 1, 2014
At The Opera, Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), October 25, 2014
At the Opera, Wagner's: Siegfried, 10/18/14
At The Opera, Puccini: Manon Lescaut, September 27, 2014
At The Opera, Opera Triple Bill: Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci and Gianni Schicchi, September 20, 2014
At The Opera, Fund Drive All Opera Potpourri, September 13, 2014
At The Opera, Handel: Ariodante, September 6, 2014
At The Opera, Opera Potpourri, August 30, 2014
At The Opera, Von Flotow: Martha, August 23, 2014
At The Opera, Gluck: Orphee et Eurydice, August 16, 2014
At The Opera, R. Strauss: Salome, August 9, 2014
At The Opera, Donizetti: The Elixer of Love August 2, 2014
At the Opera, Verdi: Un ballo in Maschera, 07/26/14
At The Opera, Verdi: Ernani, July 19, 2014
At The Opera, Korngold: Die Tote Stadt, July 12, 2014
At The Opera, Puccini: Turandot, July 5, 2014
At the Opera, Verdi: Don Carlo - 6/29/14
At The Opera, Puccini: Madama Butterfly, June 21, 2014
At The Opera, Rossini: William Tell, June 14, 2014
At The Opera, Gounod: Faust, June 7, 2014
At The Opera, Amilcare Ponchielli: La Gioconda, May 17, 2014
At The Opera, Carl Nielsen: Maskarade, May 10, 2014
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Waber, Bernard
Born on September 27, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bernard Waber was the youngest in a creative family. At age 8, he ushered in a movie theater after school, so he often saw only the last ten minutes of a movie. He made a game of inventing beginnings and middles.
When he returned from a tour of duty in World War II, he entered the Philadelphia College of Art. With a diploma and a new wife, he traveled to New York City, where he began working for the Condé Nast magazines as an illustrator.
Reading books to his three children inspired him to apply his pen and ink and watercolor style to his own picture books. His first book, Lorenzo, was published in 1961. Today, his characters are some of the most beloved in the library. Waber died May 16, 2013.
— Vicki Palmquist
author, Bernard Waber, children's books, children's literature, illustrator, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
Ward, Lynd
▼W (16)
Warner, Gertrude Chandler
Weisgard, Leonard
White, E.B.
White, T.H.
Wibberley, Leonard
Wiese, Kurt
Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Williams, Garth
Williams, Margery
Wisniewski, David
Wojciechowska, Maia
Wyeth, N.C.
Wyss, Johann David
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PolicyBristol
Cities could play a key role in pollinator conservation
Nadine Mitschunas
Given the pressures that pollinators face in agricultural land, cities could play an important role in conserving pollinators, according to a new study. The research, carried out by scientists at the Universities of Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Reading in collaboration with Cardiff University and the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), has revealed that gardens and allotments are good for pollinators, and lavender and borage are important garden plants that pollinators use as food sources.
The study, published today [Monday 14 January] in Nature Ecology and Evolution, has assessed all major urban land uses for pollinators. While there have been a few small-scale studies on pollinators in some urban land uses, this is the first-time scientists have considered cities in their entirety.
The research found that residential gardens and allotments (community gardens) are particularly good for pollinators, and lavender, borage, dandelions, thistles, brambles and buttercups are important plant species for pollinators in urban areas.
The team also designed a new measure of management success, based on community robustness, that considers the stability of whole communities of pollinators, and not just individual species. Robustness is a measure of how a community responds to species loss; robust communities can survive the disappearance of some species but species loss in fragile communities leads to a domino effect of other extinctions.
Dr Katherine Baldock, NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow and lead researcher from the School of Biological Sciences and the Cabot Institute at the University of Bristol, said: "By understanding the impact of each urban land use on pollinators, whether it's gardens, allotments, road verges or parks, we can make cities better places for pollinators."
The main recommendations from the study are:
Public greenspaces should be managed so they benefit pollinators. Parks, road verges and other public greenspaces make up around a third of cities but have fewer pollinator visits and resources for pollinators than other land uses. The research shows that increasing the numbers of flowers, for example by mowing less often, can help urban pollinators.
Gardens make up a quarter to a third of the area of UK cities and better garden management in new developments and existing gardens is likely to benefit pollinator conservation.
City planners and local councils should increase the number of allotments (community gardens) in towns and cities. Allotments (community gardens) are good for pollinators as well as people and increasing their area even by a small amount could have a large positive effect on pollinators.
Jane Memmott, Professor of Ecology at the University of Bristol and who leads the Urban Pollinators Project, added: "This is the first time a new measure of management success that considers the long-term sustainability of pollinator communities, and not just individual species, has been used in a practical conservation context.
"Rather than simply asking about how management affects the number of pollinator species or their abundance, we also ask how potential strategies affect the ability of pollinators to cope with species losses associated with environmental change. A good management intervention leads to more sustainable communities."
The researchers worked in collaboration with local councils and Wildlife Trusts during the research including: Bristol City Council; City of Edinburgh Council; Leeds City Council; Reading Borough Council; Avon Wildlife Trust; Yorkshire Wildlife Trust; Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust and the National Museum of Wales.
'A systems approach reveals urban pollinator hotspots and conservation opportunities' by Baldock KCR et al in Nature Ecology and Evolution
The UK Insect Pollinators Initiative is funded jointly by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), The Scottish Government and The Wellcome Trust. These five organisations share the common agreement that there is an urgent need for action for innovative research on insect pollinators.
About the Cabot Institute for the Environment
The Cabot Institute is a diverse community of 600 experts, united by a common cause: protecting our environment and identifying ways of living better with our changing planet. Together, we deliver the evidence base and solutions to tackle the challenges of food security, water, low carbon energy, city futures, environmental change, and natural hazards and disasters.
Policy research briefings
Academic Consultation Responses
PolicyBristol intranet
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Something to Consider in 2014
What kind of world will you dream up in 2014?
2013 is coming to a close. Going into the new year, it's often instructive to look back at the beginnings of things, and find wisdom that's worth holding on to, a kind of touchstone to our future. E.D. Powers wrote an article that, in bizarre backhanded fashion, attempts this for fans and writers of Fantasy. Unfortunately, a lot of the historical value (and there's more than a little) of his article is lost in his tone, starting with the title...
"Sorry, J.R.R. Tolkien is not the father of fantasy: The creator of 'The Hobbit' gets more credit than he deserves.''
Ouch. Without rehashing his point, what I think he was trying to say was that there was epic fantasy before Mr. Tolkien and that most of the successful modern fantasy writers were just as greatly influenced by Tolkien's contemporaries, the writers of early pulp fiction, and then later on by Dungeons & Dragons gaming. Let's just all agree that he unnecessarily ruffled a lot of feathers, acknowledge the disrespect, and see if there's something salvageable.
Beyond Mr. Power's enlightening history lesson, we can reconsider the psychological needs of the modern fantasy reader. One of the strengths of R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" is its complexity. The realism of the modern world overlaying the tropes of epic fantasy paints a picture of the often confusing, sometimes macabre global-village-butterfly-affect that holds the readers attention as they try to figure out, not just who the hero is amid a massive cast of heroes, but which one will survive long enough to finish his/her quest. It's wonderfully attuned to the modern zeitgeist , but is that what all fantasy readers need? I would say, no.
Hundreds of thousands of our citizens go to war. There is an entire generation that have sacrificed the best years of their life entrenched in tragedy, trauma, and the kinds of complexities that are as unreal to the remaining 99% of us as dragons, but every one of them just as lethal.
Here is my thought. Tolkien's Middle-Earth presents a conflict where acts of righteousness and evil are crystal clear and the heroes gather together to annihilate a monster that is practically invisible. When the heroes win, the world is returned to them changed, but forever theirs, forever in their debt, forever peaceful.
The thought came to me as I watched the Hobbit this past weekend and learned how to turn off my inner cynic. The The modern fantasy fan may, to borrow half a metaphor from science fiction, opt for the blue pill and a world that mimics are own with a clever underlying gestalt. End metaphor.
Still, others will need a different kind of medicine. A Carrollesque rabbit hole maybe be preferred. One depositing them in a place that, at its heart, resembles the Middle-Earth they fundamentally need, very similar the vets of the World Wars, when the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were first published.
Every sub-group of genre fan will have their preferences, many of them having nothing to do with escapism or fantasy. But if it were escape, if it were an outlet that was yearned for, I for one would never choose to escape to Westerios and stay. The Shire however, is a different story all together. Now, go build your worlds.
Your thoughts and disagreements are welcome.
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Colleges & Trade Schools in Gainesville Georgia
HomeGeorgia Gainesville
Schools in Georgia
Gainesville, GA Colleges and Trade Schools
Gainesville is a city within the county of Hall County, Georgia, United States. Since the year 2010, the city reached an estimated population of roughly 33,804. The city is a major hub of industry and manufacturing due to the presence of many processing plants. It has even earned a nickname as it the "Poultry Capital of the World". Gainesville is among the principal cities of the state of Georgia and is deemed a part of the Gainesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville and the Georgia-Alabama combined statistical area.
Since the year 2013, processing plants, farming and manufacturer remain significant economic driving forces in Gainesville. Manufacturing, farming and processing represent six of its top ten employers in the city. Of the 7,600 employees working in the city, nearly one-quarter of the overall population in Gainesville work in such fields. The higher proportion of every working-age individual occupies such fields. Processing plant work is most well-known business in the city. The statewide revenue exceeds $3 billion in the combined industries. These jobs provide abundant opportunities for numerous Hispanic workers, workers without higher education and adds to family diversity within the city and county. Gainesville has a very high proportion of Hispanic and Latino occupants. These occupants make up more than 40 percent of the city's population.
Popular Careers and Industries in Gainesville
Top employers for skilled workers with higher education in the Gainesville area include health/medicine jobs, state sponsored occupations, transportation, finance and real estate. The largest employer in the city of Gainesville is the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, employing over 5,200 workers. The William Wrigley Company also is home to a very large manufacturing facility in Gainesville, employing 700 workers. The Wal-Mart Supercenter in the city of Gainesville also employs more than 300 people. The retail industry is also bustling through the presence of the city’s main shopping mall, the Lakeshore Mall. As stated by Gainesville's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, top employers in the city include: Northeast Georgia Health System, Fieldale Farms, Pilgrim's, Mar-Jac, Kubota , Coleman Natural, Wrigley, The Longstreet Clinic, Koch Foods, ZF and MP Equipment.
Gainesville is viewed as the exchange, mechanical and retail focal point of Northeast Georgia. Poultry preparing is a noteworthy monetary employment opportunity for Gainesville. It's regularly called the chicken capital of the world. The city incorporates crafts and automotive businesses, for example, materials and attire, car parts and hardware. Tourism is additionally a major portion of the economy. Moreover, agribusiness is flourishing in the district. The region incorporates more than 40 Fortune 500 organizations and forty universal organizations. The district has pulled in organizations in businesses, for example, computer innovation, media communications, specialized support and programming advancement. The higher paying segments for work in Gainesville incorporate poultry preparing, education and training, tourism, assembling, medicinal services and development.
The absolute most prevalent employments in Gainesville that are basically filled by school graduates are enrolled attendants, discount and assembling deals delegates, instructors, restorative and clinical research facility specialists, family medicine and therapy offices, office administrators, appraisers, securities, products and money related administrations deals operators; and budgetary directors.
A rundown of the top careers in the Gainesville area includes the following employers: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Theragenics, Kiel Laboratories, ATEX, ZF Industries, Rockwell Automation, Wrigley Manufacturing Company LLC, Siemens VDO, Kubota Manufacturing of America and Peachtree Doors & Windows. Among top non-industrial employers in the city of Gainesville are: Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Walmart Super Center, Lake Lanier Islands and the Longstreet Clinic.
Eminent data about Gainesville: As of the year 2008, the average living cost estimate was at 89.2. The national normal is 100. The normal annual compensation in 2009 was $25,000. Around 15% of the populace beyond 25 years of age had a four year certification and around 9% have a graduate degree. Organizations in Gainesville offering entry to business associations include: the Hall Chamber of Commerce, the Monetary Development Hall County and Georgia Economic Developers Association The Gainesville Times presents to-date data about the business opportunities in Gainesville.
Other popular career opportunities in Gainesville, Georgia Metro Area include
Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees registered nurses, Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products, Elementary school teachers, except special education, Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education, Accountants and auditors, Chief executives, Medical and clinical laboratory technicians, Medical and health services managers, Sales managers, Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents.
Obtaining Certification in Top Gainesville Industries
Of the top careers offered in the Gainesville area, here is some information about career certification and working in each specific field:
Special Education Teachers: As of 2016, the Median Pay was roughly $57,910 per year. The Typical Entry-Level Education required is a bachelor's degree. There was no requirement for work experience in a related occupation. Similarly, there was no minimum requirement for On-the-job Training through an Internship/residency. As of 2014, the number of jobs available in the field across the United States was roughly 450,700. The Job Outlook for this career between the years 2014-24 was roughly 6% (As fast as average). The estimated employment change between 2014-24 was a growth of jobs by the addition of roughly 28,100 employment opportunities.
Specialized curriculum instructors work with understudies who have an extensive variety of learning, mental, behavioral, and physical handicaps. They adjust general training lessons and instruct different subjects, for example, reading, writing and math, to students with subtle and direct handicaps. They additionally help students improve essential abilities, for example, proficiency and correspondence strategies. They work with students with a wide range of serious handicaps. Workplace: Most custom curriculum educators work in government funded schools, helping students at the preschool, basic, center, and secondary school level. Others work is found in non-public schools, childcare administrations, and different foundations. Many jobs are only available during the conventional 10-month school year. However, some work year round.
Step by step instructions to Become a Special Education Teacher: Specialized curriculum instructors in government funded schools are required to have a four year certification and a state-issued affirmation or permit. Instructors in non-public schools regularly require a four year certification, however may not be required to have a state permit or accreditation.
Pay: The middle yearly wage for a specialized curriculum educators was $57,910 in May 2016. Work Outlook: Work as a specialized curriculum educator is anticipated to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as quick as the normal for all occupations. Business development will be driven by the corresponding interest for a specialized curriculum administrations. Many openings for work will come from the need to supplant instructors who leave the occupation.
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate: As of 2016, the median pay was roughly $51,850 per year. The median hourly rate of pay was roughly $24.93 per hour. The typical entry-level education required is a bachelor's degree. There was no requirement for work experience in a related occupation. The minimum requirement for on-the-job training is usually a long term on the job training period. As of 2014, the number of jobs available in the field across the United States was roughly 85,800. The Job Outlook for this career between the years 2014-24 was roughly 8% (as fast as average). The estimated employment change between 2014-24 was a growth of jobs by the addition of roughly 6,800 employment opportunities.
Duties of an Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate: Appraisers and assessors of land give a gauge of the estimation of land and the structures on the land for the most part before it is sold, sold, safeguarded, constructed on or posted for sale. Workplace: In spite of the fact that appraisers and assessors of land work in workplaces, they frequently spend an extensive piece of their day going to properties. Most work all day is amid general business hours. How to Become an Appraiser or Assessor of Real Estate: Most appraisers and assessors must be authorized or confirmed. However necessities fluctuate broadly. To acquire a license or confirmation, appraisers of private or business property normally should have no less than a four year college education. For assessors, most states set training and experience necessities that they should meet to hone. Pay: The middle yearly wage for appraisers and assessors of land was $51,850 in May 2016.
Job Outlook: Work of appraisers and assessors of land is anticipated to grow 8 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as quick as the normal for all occupations. Work openings ought to be best in ranges with dynamic land markets. Specialists ought to expect rivalry for jobs within the occupation.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians:
As of 2016, the median pay was roughly $50,930 per year. The median hourly rate of pay was roughly $24.48 per hour. Entry-level education required for this occupation varies from an associate’s degree or career certification to a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are varying requirements for work experience in a related occupation. Similarly, there is no minimum requirement for on-the-job training. As of 2014, the number of jobs available in the field across the United States was roughly 328,200. The job outlook for this career between the years 2014-24 was roughly 16% (much faster as average). The estimated employment change between 2014-24 was a growth of jobs by the addition of roughly 52,100 employment opportunities.
Duties of Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians: Restorative research facility technologists (generally known as therapeutic lab researchers) and medicinal lab specialists gather tests and perform tests to break down body liquids, tissue, and different substances. Work environment: A great portion of all medicinal research center technologists and specialists were utilized in doctor's facilities in 2014. Others worked in specialists' workplaces or analytic research centers. How to Become a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician: Medicinal research center technologists commonly require a four year college education. Professionals more often than not require a partner's degree or a postsecondary endorsement. A few states require technologists and specialists to be authorized.
The median yearly wage for medicinal and clinical research center technologists was $61,070 in May 2016. The median wage for medicinal and clinical research center professionals was $38,950 in May 2016. Work of medicinal research center technologists and professionals is anticipated to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, considerably speedier than the normal for all occupations. An expansion in the maturing populace is required to prompt a more noteworthy need to analyze medicinal conditions, for example, growth or type 2 diabetes, through research facility methods.
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents:
As of 2016, the median pay was roughly $67,310 per year. The median hourly rate of pay was roughly $32.36 per hour. The typical entry-level education required is a bachelor's degree. There was no requirement for work experience in a related occupation. The minimum requirement for on-the-job training is usually a moderate-term on-the-job training. As of 2014, the number of jobs available in the field across the United States was roughly 341,500. The Job Outlook for this career between the years 2014-24 was roughly 10% (as fast as average). The estimated employment change between 2014-24 was a growth of jobs by the addition of roughly 32,500 employment opportunities.
Duties of a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: Securities, wares, and financial services sales agents work with purchasers and venders in monetary markets. They pitch securities to people, instruct organizations in hunt regarding financial specialists, and lead exchanges. Workplace: Securities, items, and money related administrations deals operators work in high-demand and high-stress situations and regularly work over 40 hours for each week.
How to Become a Securities, Commodities, or Financial Services Sales Agent: A four year certification is required for section level occupations, and a graduate degree in business organization (MBA) is valuable for headway. Pay: The middle yearly wage for securities, wares, and money related administrations specialists was $67,310 in May 2016. Job Outlook: Work of securities, items, and money related administrations deals specialists is anticipated to grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024, speedier than the normal for all occupations. Interest for speculation managing an account counseling administrations and products exchanging are probably going to make solid business development.
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
As of 2016, the median pay was roughly $60,530 per year. The median hourly rate of pay was roughly $29.10 per hour. Entry-level education required for this occupation varies from an associate’s degree or career certification to no higher education required at all. There are varying requirements for work experience in a related occupation. There is also a minimum requirement for moderate-term on-the-job training. As of 2014, the number of jobs available in the field across the United States was roughly 1,800,900. The job outlook for this career between the years 2014-24 was roughly 7% (as fast as average). The estimated employment change between 2014-24 was a growth of jobs by the addition of roughly 117,200 employment opportunities.
Duties of a Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representative: To pitch merchandise for wholesalers or makers to organizations, government offices, and different associations. They contact clients, clarify item includes, answer any inquiries that their clients may have, and arrange costs. Discount and assembling deals delegates work under weight on the grounds that their pay and employer stability rely on upon the measure of stock they offer. A few deals agents travel oftentimes. How to Become a Wholesale or Manufacturing Sales Representative: Certification necessities shift for manufacturing sales reps and rely on upon the sort of item sold. In the event that the items are not logical or specialized, a secondary school certificate is for the most part enough for passage into the occupation. In the event that the items are logical or specialized, deals delegates commonly require no less than a four year certification.
Pay: The middle yearly wage for reps, discount and assembling was $57,140 in May 2016. Work in the field is anticipated to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as quick as the normal for all occupations. Business development in this industry is projected to take after the economy all in all. Business openings ought to be best in autonomous offices, which work on an expense premise and speak to a few makers, rather than purchasing and holding the item they are offering.
Best Colleges & Trade Schools in Gainesville
Gainesville has three organizations of advanced education: University of North Georgia (once in the past Gainesville State College), which was set up January 8, 2013, accordingly of the combination of North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College; Brenau University, a private, not-revenue driven, undergrad and graduate-level advanced education foundation; and the Interactive College of Technology.
Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, United States, established in 1878, is a private, not-revenue driven, undergrad and graduate-level advanced education organization with numerous grounds and online projects. Presently the college selects around 3,500 undergraduate students who look for degrees extending from two-year degrees of expressions through doctorates. Brenau's educational programs stresses proficiency in the human sciences. Master’s degrees incorporate a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The fundamental grounds of the Georgia-based organization, which incorporates the Brenau Women's College, is in Gainesville with different grounds in Augusta,
Programs: Scholastically, Brenau contains four universities: Fine Arts and Humanities, Health and Science, Business and Mass Communication, and Education. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirmed full accreditation for Brenau in 2011. Since 2002, undergraduates have possessed the capacity to gain degrees from Brenau University through the web. The underlying mission of the online reviews program was to serve understudies who might work, travel, be handicapped, are geographically disconnected from establishments of advanced education, or homebound while tending to children or other relatives. In any case, Associate, baccalaureate, master's, and certification projects are currently accessible online.Some degrees, for example, the Master of Applied Gerontology, are just offered on the web. Be that as it may, online classes are likewise open to students enlisted in campus programs as a class-booking comfort.
In 2012 Brenau's online graduate projects in the College of Education positioned among the Top 10 in the country in a U.S. News and World Report production, and other graduate and undergraduate programs positioned well in the postings. Brenau University's Online MBA was named a GetEducated.com Best Buy for reasonableness and quality in the Online MBA, Regionally Accredited class in fall 2007.
The Women's College of Brenau University proceeds with the rich traditional and contemporary academic programs for ladies, serving both private and public college students. The mission of the college is reflected in their wide array human sciences training supporting its 30 or more majors, which prepare graduates for numerous future careers. The Women's College is notable for its exceptional direction in the expressive arts and for its projects to develop career aptitudes. The college also offers handicap-friendly degree programs.
Sidney O. Smith Jr. Graduate School: Toward the start of the 21st century taking after the primary decade of operations as a graduate level college, graduate projects at Brenau spoke to a little rate of the student body. By 2025, graduate students will make up a much greater part of the student population at the university. In spite of the fact that the college has a wide array of associate degrees available various areas, in 2008, the college built up its first "private" doctoral level college program. The program is a full-time, year-long co-instructive MBA program propelled in Gainesville and intended for global students.
Financial Aid:
Government Pell Grant:The Pell Grant is a government qualification for Undergraduate students who exhibit outstanding money related need and who have not earned a four year college education. Government SEOG: The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is accessible in different sums for Undergraduate students with uncommon money related needs. Aid is often given to Pell Grant beneficiaries and there are restricted assets accessible. Government Direct Loans: Government Direct Loans are credits for undergraduates to help pay for the cost of a Student's training. The loan specialist is the U.S. Branch of Education. Government Direct Subsidized Loans depend on money related need. The government pays the tuition during each academic year and is renewed on a term by term basis. Government Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not solely based on money related need. The government does not pay the enthusiasm for these advances. Students may ask for payment installments until reimbursement starts. In any case, the student is in charge of all payments that accumulates. You can survey more data about government directed loans and financing costs online at www.studentloans.gov.
Direct PLUS Loans: Guardians or families of college students and graduate students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan at www.studentloans.gov by tapping on Start PLUS Application Process in the wake of marking in on the site (the parent ought to sign in). A PLUS Loan requires financial soundness for the parent (or Graduate Student), and applying for PLUS credit endorsement makes a hit on your credit report. On the off chance that you list Brenau University on your PLUS application, the college will be informed electronically with respect to your qualification to obtain stores. On the off chance that a parent is denied a PLUS Loan accordingly of credit pre-screening, the student might be qualified to obtain extra Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan stores. For more data about Federal Direct PLUS Loans and all other government understudy help programs, please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG): This program is designed to dedray educational cost help to Georgia inhabitants who wish to seek extra aid after an Undergraduate degree at a private school or college in Georgia. Qualified students must be selected full time (at least 12 semester hours) in an undergrad program of study. You may apply for the GTEG by either finishing the FAFSA online at or finishing the state allow application online at www.gacollege411.org.
Trust Scholarship: Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is accessible to Undergraduate Georgia inhabitants who have exhibited scholastic accomplishment. The grant gives cash to help undergrads with their instructive expenses of going to school in Georgia.. Student Access Loan (SAL) Program: The Georgia Student Access Loan is a credit of final resort for undergrad Georgia inhabitants who have great difficulty in their school financing.
The University of North Georgia: (UNG) is an instructive organization that was set up by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents on January 8, 2013. With more than 16,000 enlisted students, the University of North Georgia is the 6th biggest state funded college within Georgia. Inside UNG, there are five schools which altogether offer more than one hundred degrees, and additionally thirteen graduate degrees and one doctoral degree. 696 students are included in the college's ROTC program, which is affiliated with the Military College of Georgia. The college is one of six senior military schools in the United States.
Online Programs: The University of North Georgia's Distance Education and Technology Integration (DETI) program is intended to make acquiring a degree less demanding for students. It does this by making classes accessible on the web and by furnishing the grounds with new technical innovation. By putting classes on the web, this program gives greater adaptability for students, particularly for non-customary students. These students may include working students, students with families, travelling students, abroad students or deployed military students. Having the capacity to get to the University of North Georgia's authorized classes from afar gives more students the chance to acquire a degree.
DETI is worked by sixteen staff individuals in the Administration, Student Success, Instructional Design, and Technology Integration divisions. These are joined by the various educators who instruct the classes. These individuals from the workforce and staff are situated in the Library and Technology Center on the Dahlonega grounds, and additionally the Blue Ridge, Gainesville, and Oconee campuses.
Campus Programs: For undergraduates the University of North Georgia offers 129 two year degrees and baccalaureate degrees, and additionally a few master’s and doctorate programs. For graduates, the college offers thirteen graduate degree programs and, in addition, one doctoral program. As a state-certified establishment, UNG is the main college in Georgia to offer a minor in administration. The school is likewise a leader ROTC Center in Chinese. This programs helps cadets become capable in Chinese dialect and culture.However, every campus chapter differs as far as which degree educational program they can enroll in.
The Dahlonega campus concentrates on Baccalaureate and graduate projects, and is the just a single of the four campuses that offers Pre-Professional Programs. Some baccalaureate programs, a large portion of which are training or business related, are accessible at the Gainesville Campus, while related degrees are offered at both the Gainesville and Oconee grounds. As of Fall 2014, Gainesville grounds is currently offering a four year college education in Communication and offering three focused programs in Film and Digital Media, Multimedia Journalism, and Organizational Leadership.
The University of North Georgia gives a variety of administrations to proficient and proceeding with instruction. A portion of the projects gave incorporate authority advancement, photography classes, PC preparing, English and outside dialect classes, travel, and industry certifications.These courses are intended to help individuals and organizations with occupation development and in addition recruitment. Courses can be taken at any University of North Georgia grounds for a varying expense. UNG additionally gives a great many online expert and proceeding with instruction classes on the off chance that you can't take classes on grounds. UNG additionally gives space to occasions, for example, corporate occasions, gatherings, meetings or camps. Facilities for occasions incorporate meeting rooms, halls, classrooms, diners, remote web, and parking.
Scholarships and Grants:
The University of North Georgia and its supporters gladly furnish UNG students with grants. You may apply for this subsidizing by presenting an application to one or a large portion of the UNG assets recorded beneath that meet your conditions. Subsidizing is likewise dispensed to particular schools and offices inside the college. You ought to contact your significant territory with inquiries in regards to their particular application forms. Visit the university's website page to discover contact data for each student’s particular divisions.
Scholarships include: UNG Foundation Scholarships, Scholarship Endowments, UNG Foundation Scholarship Application and Admissions/New Student Scholarships. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also offers scholarship programs to new students (not including Cadets) applying for admission to UNG. For Cadets, there are three types of scholarships offered through Office of Undergraduate Admissions administers. These three scholarships include academic, leadership and presidential tuition waivers. Specific available scholarships include: Admissions - Academic Scholarships, Leadership Scholarships, Presidential Tuition Waivers, Honors Program Presidential Scholarships,Special Program Scholarships, Cadet/ROTC, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), Latino Success & Leadership Scholarships, NSF S-STEM Scholarship, Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Study Abroads, Veterans scholarships, and External Scholarships
Resources in Gainesville, GA
City School Stystem - http://www.gcssk12.net/
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Detroit Artist Hired By City To Paint Mural —Dumb Racist Cops Arrested Him…
As a former Law-Enforcement officer I am more than pissed at the people who indulge and engage in lives of crime, then blame police officers when they are arrested for their crimes.
As a consequence, I spend a lot of my time writing about the rule of law and its importance in free societies.
But I am also equally as concerned about the Police officers who continue to act contrary to the laws and their oaths.
Policing is not about being common bullies and punks when challenged.
But we are witnessing case after case in which police in America are resorting to dangerous violence, even when they are wrong on the reasons they approach citizens.
Whether we are talking about my native Jamaica or the United States, ignorance, racism and sheer stupidity by police officers have been features and not bugs.
Far too many police officers do not use common sense in carrying out their duties but rather default to violence than apply de-escalation strategies when in the wrong.
In instance, after instance, we see cases of American police using violence against people of color in situations in which they would absolutely not have done so had the subject being white.
The Racism of American police officers has been a sore issue for as long as America has had police departments, particularly as it relates to African-Americans.
The problem has been magnified exponentially since the FBI warned that white Supremacists have been infiltrating police departments across America.
The elevation of Donald Trump to the Presidency has only served to embolden Racism across America and the police departments are certainly not immune from that influence.
When police display blatant racism and stupidity and engage in lying, escalating simple situations, create fraudulent charges in order to criminalize innocent citizens those of us with a conscience are forced to speak out against it.
This is the racist idiocy which occurred in the case below.
Detroit artist Sheefy McFly has been making a name for himself, so much so that the city recently commissioned him to paint a series of murals honoring the Motor City as part of its City Walls initiative. But on Wednesday, as McFly was working on the piece, he was confronted by Detroit police, who thought McFly was vandalizing a viaduct. McFly—born Tashif Turner—tried to explain that he was hired by the city to do the mural. But since he didn’t have his city-issued permit in hand, police arrested him, reports the Detroit Free Press. The artist was arrested for resisting and obstructing police, according to Detroit Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Nicole Kirkwood. During the confrontation, McFly was also found to have a 10-year-old outstanding traffic warrant.
McFly spoke to the Free Press about the experience:
As McFly tried to explain the situation to the police, he said more officers arrived with “four or five police cars” on site. And even as a city official showed up to vouch for the artist and spoke with a DPD supervisor, McFly said the situation escalated. …McFly said when he walked away to check his bag for his permit, officers tried to detain him, with one of the officers putting her hand on his neck.“They treated me like a felon even though I was commissioned by the city to do this,” said McFly, who added that he felt “depressed” after being arrested for the first time. “I felt threatened for my life,” said McFly. “I felt like if I really didn’t keep my composure, they would’ve beat my (expletive).”
According to the Detroit Metro Times, McFly had already shown his paperwork once before to Detroit police, on the first day he began the mural. McFly ended up spending a night in jail, where he says he slept on a mat on the floor of an unclean cell. “It felt like animals in a cage,” he said. The city is chalking up the arrest to a miscommunication between city officials and police. “When we’re doing murals, we have a police lieutenant we work with to make sure surrounding precincts are aware that it’s a city-sponsored program and the artists have permits,” said Brad Dick, who oversees the City Walls program. “Unfortunately, some random officers who weren’t associated with the nearby precincts drove by and saw him and thought it was an unauthorized action. They stopped him and he didn’t have his permit with him.”
City Walls is intended to be a deterrent to vandalism: The idea is that commissioned artists beautifying Detroit with government-approved artwork can help drive down illegal graffiti. McFly, who is is also a musician, was working on his first mural of 10 contracted by the city. He’s one of 25 artists selected as part of the multi-year project. The mural he was working on before police arrested him was “an homage to local pop culture featuring Cartier glasses and a quote from the late Detroit rapper Blade Icewood,” according to the Free Press. “It’s crazy to be painting something for the city and get arrested for it,” McFly told radio station WWJ following the arrest. “If the police didn’t know me then, they know me now.”Police dropped the charges against McFly on Thursday, though he still has to appear in court on July 3 on the traffic charge.
Author Anne Branigin
This story appeared in the https://www.theroot.com/a-detroit-artist-was-commissioned-by-the-city-to-paint-1835972906
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Healthy places
The Benefits Research Programme ‑
Enabling action through research
Climate change and NCDs share similar root causes, such as urbanization, mechanization, overconsumption and motorized transport.
Cities are central to the solution, having more than 50% of the world’s population and 70% of the total carbon emissions. Novo Nordisk and C40 formed a research‑based partnership aimed at ensuring that urban climate action is beneficial to both the environment and the health of urban citizens. The programme has supported 18 cities with technical support, hosted 2 masterclasses using Copenhagen as a classroom for learning and knowledge‑sharing and presented successful climate cases advocating for more investment in urban climate actions.
Included partners: C40, Novo Nordisk (Cities Changing Diabetes), Gehl.
Supporting organizations: Arup, City of Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, University of Zürich, University of Cambridge.
Cities are central part of the solution to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and increasing sustainable mobility for both health, convenience and the environment. They are responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and home to more than 50% of the world’s population.
Cities are faced by several barriers to taking effective climate actions, one of which is to make a good case for it. The distal ways in which climate change have been portrayed can make it seem less immediate and tangible compared to other problems. That’s what the Benefits research programme set out to strengthen.
What has the project done?
C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. In late 2015, Novo Nordisk and C40 formed a research-based partnership aimed at ensuring that urban climate action is beneficial to both the environment and the health of urban citizens. This collaboration aimed at generating new insights into a range of benefits of climate action – in particular the health of city populations. At the heart of the partnership lies the pivotal role of cities in the fight against climate change and poor health. Therefore, we chose to focus on the co-benefits of climate actions on health, social, environmental and economic parameters.
Five pilot cities helped to map out some of the co‑benefits of climate actions. Using the learnings from those cities, the project focused in on urban mobility projects aimed at moving people from motorized transportation to active mobility through walking or cycling. The programme further developed by sharing learnings and challenges faced by cities during Masterclasses in Copenhagen. Here, the city was used as a classroom to discuss good mobility solutions and inspire new approaches. Masterclass participants would bring a project from their own city to receive technical support, before, during and after the masterclass and how to incorporate the co-benefits thinking into their own project.
The ‘Benefits of Walking and Cycling’ research is built upon three years of forward-thinking work between CCD and C40 supporting 18 cities to provide the evidence base for the health, economic and climate benefits of walking and cycling. An objective of the C40/CCD partnership has been to learn how cities can strengthen the case for investment in climate actions by demonstrating the derived health benefits. The results show benefits of investing in walking initiatives and help the city estimate potential benefits/drawbacks of urban actions and how similar interventions could be expanded across the city. The well-being of the city is important to the well-being of its citizens.
Working with the C40 Walking & Cycling Network, we have translated the outcomes from our leading research into a cutting edge, easy-to-use tool, to empower cities to measure the benefits in their own cities. This, combined with technical support, knowledge-sharing and good advocacy work has led to many cities moving forward with great urban mobility initiatives to tackle both climate and health challenges.
Cities increasingly working with data collection, analysis and documentation
C40 has provided training and technical assistance for 18 cities
2 Masterclasses held in Copenhagen with 12 cities participating
Impact assessment tool developed and available online for all to use
Co-benefit measurements have been used locally to increase investment in mobility projects
18 cities have been supported through the programme (not incl. pilot cities).
In 2016, 5 cities were part of the pilot project to develop the benefit methodology: Mexico City, New York City, Johannesburg, Santiago, and Melbourne
In 2017, six cities received technical support on their mobility projects: Buenos Aires, Houston, Milan, Nairobi, San Francisco, Santiago
In 2017, six cities participated in the Masterclass in Copenhagen: Bangalore, Barcelona, Bogota, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver
In 2018, six new cities participated in the 2nd Masterclass in Copenhagen: Mexico City, Moscow, Nanjing, Rome, Rotterdam, Tel Aviv
Click below to see three examples of cities that have benefitted from the programme:
Bangalore – Tender Sure
Mexico City – Massive Bike Parking Facilities
Rotterdam – Superblock Oude Western
See more results from the programme and additional case studies at c40.org/benefits
Work is ongoing in the cities that have been involved in the programme and solutions are being implemented over the coming years. The programme and its outcomes are further being disseminated through the C40 Walking & Cycling Network and the tool is made widely available for everyone to use.
Find the tool and guidance for its use here. In October 2019, the C40 Mayors Summit in Copenhagen will be the next big touch point and give cities a change to discuss progress and share solutions on creating urban climate actions.
Read more about our other actions here
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Dan Fogelberg Musical
Dan Fogelberg - Music & Lyrics
Characters & Settings
Project Elements
The Dan Fogelberg Musical - PART OF THE PLAN - OFFICIAL FACEBOOK page
Come on our journey as we develop Part of the Plan - a New Musical with Music & Lyrics by Dan Fogelberg!
The OFFICIAL DAN FOGELBERG FACEBOOK page
It's all in the title.
The OFFICIAL DAN FOGELBERG website
For all things Daniel Grayling Fogelberg.
The LIVING LEGACY OF DAN FOGELBERG website
Dedicated to continuing the legacy of Dan's artistic genius - his words and music - for his legions of fans around the world as well as for those who are seeking music that can teach and inspire them.
The FOGELBERG FOUNDATION OF PEORIA website
A not-for-profit celebrating the artistry and legacy of Dan Fogelberg in his hometown and beyond.
The DON'T LOSE HEART website
Founded by Jean Fogelberg after having served as the primary caregiver for her beloved Dan during his battle with prostate cancer.
Caregivers supporting caregivers.
The Art & Photography of Jean Fogelberg
Feast your eyes on Jean's original and unique works of art - a melange of paintings, photography, paintography, and fabrics.
© 2018 K-Squared Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Purchase CDs Below
CDs Available Here:
The Spirit Of Christmas – David Britton
Available on iTunes and Amazon and Spotify
Christmas – David Britton
Available on iTunes and Amazon
Hold Fast – David Britton
World-class Baritone and Nashville recording artist, David Britton, brings a unique sound to his audiences, by blending his big voice with a signature orchestral rock instrumentation. This approach is the result of Britton’s eclectic musical heritage, which included drumming in a rock band through high school and college, before beginning a career in opera. Over the past couple of years, Britton has emerged onto the scene with albums which take full advantage of both the classical training as well as the rock style creating music that is at times both intimate and grandiose.
David began studying classical voice at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, where he discovered a love for opera and art song. He continued to refine his voice by studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he earned his Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance. His experience has included performances under the auspices of Opera San Jose, Opera Santa Barbara, Festival Opera, Intermountain Opera, Livermore Valley Opera, and the North Bay Opera.
He also made his Carnegie Hall debut in New York, as Townsend Harris in The Dawn of Japan by Toroku Takagi with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. With more than twenty roles in David’s catalogue, highlights include his well-received interpretations of Mozart’s Count Almaviva (Marriage of Figaro), and Don Giovanni.
Born to international missionary parents, David Britton spent his early years on the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. During childhood, he developed his love for music and diverse cultural styles while singing in churches around the world with his family and learning language skills in English, Italian, French and German.
David now resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife and 2 children. He is a frequent guest soloist at Scottsdale Bible Church with one of the largest contemporary worship congregations in the southwest region.
He shares a little of his vision and hope: “In a world that is is full of so much turmoil and pain, it is my goal to use music to shed a glimmer of light; to bring comfort to those that grieve, peace to those at war, hope to those that fail, encouragement to those that feel alone, joy to those in despair.
I am grateful for the opportunity to create music that does not fit within any specific genre, that allows me to leverage the unorthodox musical influences of my life, that people of all generations and tastes may find something that speaks to them. Above all else it is my desire that those who listen may see past me to the One who created all things. That they may feel enriched by the texts I am privileged to sing, and that they may be inspired to dig in and hold fast to those things that matter most. And that all glory may go to God, the caretaker of my soul. Soli Deo Gloria!
I Heard The Bells Lyric Video by David Britton
Never Enough from The Greatest Showman
Sounds of the Season Concert Trailer – Short Version
Stille Nacht/Silent Night – LIVE
Whispers (The Angel’s Song) – Live
The Wexford Carol
about 4 weeks agoWhere is David? Take a guess below! https://t.co/qmbJKzfYqm
about 4 weeks agoAnd here we go...! Squishy seats :) #kneesneedtobreathe #kneesarepeopletoo! #gladidonthavetowalk https://t.co/suDkNAYC3D
© 2019 David Britton. Design by Britt Leigh Design. Powered by Wordpress
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Dale D. Anthony
1. Peggy Ann Cruze
2. Doris
Dale D. Anthony , Jr.
Deborah Anthony
Douglas Anthony
Donald Anthony
Dale D. Anthony 1
Born: 22 Sep 1933, Darke County, Ohio, USA
Marriage (1): Peggy Ann Cruze in 1999 in Darke County, Ohio, USA
Marriage (2): Doris
Died: 16 Mar 2011, Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, USA at age 77
Buried: Miami Memorial Park, Covington, , KY
Dale D. Anthony Sr., age 77, of Greenville, Ohio, Passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:45 AM at his residence. He was born on September 22, 1933 in Darke County, Ohio, to the late Roy & Anna (Cable) Anthony.
Dale worked as a machine repairman for Hobart Manufacturing in Troy, Ohio. He was a member of the United States Navy serving in the Korean War. He was a member of the Darke County Horseshoe Club, Greenville Creek Church and attended the First Untied Methodist Church in Greenville. Dale loved fishing, hunting and mushroom hunting and he was also a Taxidermist.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife, Doris Anthony; sisters, Helen Crawford, Irene Magoteaux, Lois Butts, and Thelma Goodpastor; brother, Donald Lloyd Anthony.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Cruize) Anthony of Greenville, Ohio, whom he married in 1999; children and spouses, Dale D. (Janet) Anthony Jr. of Fredericktown, Ohio, Deborah (Sam) Sarver of Lexington, Ohio, Douglas (Marilyn) Anthony of Vernon, Texas, and Donald (Jennie) Anthony of Covington, Ohio; step children, Gregory Leas of Greenville, Ohio and Robert (Jeanette) Leas of Greenville, Ohio; 17 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; siblings, Harold (Marge) Anthony of Greenville, Ohio, Edith Hawkins of Greenville, Ohio, Roma (Dick) Stump of Kenansville, Florida, Lester "Bud" (Helen) Anthony of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Billy (Janet) Anthony of Sidney, Ohio, and Wilma (Jack) Reck of Rocky River, Ohio; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a service held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio, with Pastor Joe Payne officiating. Burial will follow in the Miami Memorial Park in Covington, Ohio. Family will receive friends from 1:00-2:30 PM prior to the service on Saturday. There will be a Graveside Military Service conducted by the Greenville Veterans Honor Guard.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to the State of the Heart Hospice or Darke County Horseshoe Club.
Dale married Peggy Ann Cruze, daughter of Alvin Leroy Cruze and Marrella Niswonger, in 1999 in Darke County, Ohio, USA. (Peggy Ann Cruze was born about 1937.)
Dale next married Doris.
1 "Darke Journal Obituaries - Dale D. Anthony," <i>Darke Journal</i>, 17 March 2011; digital images.
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Top 9 Shows Like Gossip Girl
Shows Like Gossip Girl
1 Pretty Little Liars
2 One Tree Hill
3 The Carrie Diaries
4 The Vampire Diaries
5 Privileged
6 The O.C.
7 Friday Night Lights
9 Gilmore Girls
CW sure has hell made a mark for itself as a channel that consistently churns out excellent shows, like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Arrow and The Flash. However, even though the superhero and fantasy genre is becoming more and more popular, the demand for teenage drama never really stops coming in. And of course, the best example of one of the most popular teen drama shows in the history of television is Gossip Girl. This show took the world by a storm and was pretty much the talk of the town every time a new ep aired. But…. good things always come to an end, and so did Gossip Girl. But don't worry, there are other TV series just like Gossip Girl.
Sure it has been a long time since Gossip Girl aired, but if you’re looking for similar shows that can satiate your need for romance, drama and comedy – all in one, then keep an eye out for the following 9 shows:
A group of 4 girls suddenly starts getting mysterious texts from their dead girlfriend, all of which contain explosive secrets about their past. On finding out they’re all being victimized, they decide to come together to stop the person behind these messages. The show is a little slow in the beginning, but once you decide to stick through, it’s worth the wait and watch. ABC’s flagship show has constantly been criticized for one thing or the other, but don’t let that bother you. If you liked Gossip Girl, you’re sure to Love Pretty Little Liars as well.
Even though the primary audience of this Warner Brother show is teens and young adults, you can still enjoy the show if you happen to like Gossip Girl. Yes, there are certain clichés and certain cheesy moments in the series, but all of that is forgiven because the show deals very smartly with issues and topics like drugs, extra marital affairs, relationships and what not.
And where do I even begin on the casting? Each and every single cast member is a treat for the eyes, and most of them give brilliant performances. All characters are easily relatable, and don’t be surprised if by the end of the series you end up falling completely in love with at least one character.
This Sex and the City prequel made a lot of waves for the right reasons. If you’re already a fan of the show, then you’re going to enjoy it. And it is definitely one of the shows like Gossip Girl because it revolves around everything that you love so much – high school life, drama, romance, relationships and sex. The lead of the show is the strong headed Carrie Bradshaw, who shares her day to day experiences of her teenage life with the audience. And with Carrie being Carrie, you can be assured of a lot of shit happening in her life. Oh, and did I mention it’s set in the early 80s? It’s a feast for your eyes.
Now, now, don’t start rolling your eyes. Sure, the show is about vampires and supernatural creatures, BUT it has a high school setting. The female lead is a teenage girl who is stuck in a love triangle that involves two vampire brothers. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? The show is extremely successful among its target audience, so much so that it spawns a spinoff series called The Originals.
This comedy drama is based on a book by Zoey Dean titled How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. It consists of 28 episodes only, with each ep being around 40 minutes long. The protagonist is a 23-year-old girl, who, due to a drastic turn of events, is forced to live as a tutor for two bratty rich girls. What happens when the rich and the poor clash? It makes for some hilarious comedy and great scenes between the 3 female leads.
The O.C. (Orange Country) is one of those shows like Gossip Girl that revolves around the lives of teens. Yes, love, sex, relationships and drama form the crux of the series, but what it also handles beautifully is the relationship between parents and children. Like Privileged, it’s a drama comedy and if that’s your thing then go for it! Do keep in mind though that it has a total of 92 episodes.
We’ve had many shows that revolve around the daily happenings in the lives of teens, so how about one that focuses on the school’s football team instead? Throw in rich school children, parents with power and huge egos, the struggles of the teens themselves… and you have a boiling pot of teen drama. Needless to say, if you’re a sports fan, then this series is a given for you.
If you’ve watched the Beverly Hills, then you will like 90210 as well. If you haven’t, no worries. It’s a CW show that tries to capitalize on the success of Gossip Girl by making it very similar to GG’s premise and characters. It has 5 seasons to it, so if you have a lot of time on your hands and nothing to lose, go ahead and watch it.
I know, I know. It’s not really a new series, but hey, it’s a damn good one, so why skip it? It’s one of those classic shows like Gossip Girl that not only focuses on the teen aspect, but on the parents as well. Set in a small town, the show’s protagonists are a single mother, her daughter, and everything that happens in their lives. Social class, work and relationships are just few of the many issues touched in the series, and by the way it is also full of very colorful characters.
Always try my best to be that healthy and happy girl~
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eurorscg-pr.com
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Tansy Davies
Tansy Davies joins IU Jacobs School of Music
The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music has appointed Tansy Davies Associate Professor of Composition, effective from 1 August 2019.
Davies is currently an Associate Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and was Composer-in-Residence at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw during the 2018-19 season, a position that culminated in the premiere of her major new ensemble work Soul Canoe, written for Asko|Schönberg.
“Professor Davies has established herself as a highly individualized voice in composition today,” said Gwyn Richards, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean. “Her music doesn’t reside in an airtight box, but is, rather, out on the street, friendly, aggressive, mingling with rock. She blends classical, contemporary and rock elements, oft times influenced by art, architecture and ritual. Her arrival at Indiana University is highly anticipated.”
“It is truly a coup to welcome internationally renowned composer Tansy Davies to our thriving community at the Jacobs School,” said David Dzubay, chair of the Composition Department. “She will bring a fresh infusion of ideas, enlivening all that we do here in Bloomington and beyond. We are thrilled that she will be joining us!”
“I’m delighted to accept this position at the IU Jacobs School of Music,” said Davies. “I felt an instant affinity with the school when I visited a couple of years ago and enjoyed a stunning performance of my piano concerto ‘Nature.’ I have the strongest impression of the Composition Department, as people, musicians and teachers, and I look forward to working together to support the creation of amazing new music.”
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# 227 <9.22> Home Again
(revised 09/17/2018)
Mistake: In the scene in Sharpe's office, the close-ups and wide angle shots of Angela and Sharpe are from various takes that were combined in the editing process. This becomes apparent when Angela's hands are in different positions in subsequent frames.
Again, this is the typical mistake caused by the particular close-up filming technique - check # 011 (Lance and Lori) for details.
Vineyardist Phil Lentino from Lentino Vineyards (originally called Phil Pastorini from Pastorini Vineyards in early script drafts) claims to be the biggest and best grower in the Tuscany Valley. His grapes are $ 200,000 this year. - Is this a joke, or has this episode's writer really no idea of the show's history? The Agretti harvest seems to be forgotten?!
Danny mentions the ABC sitcom "Ozzie and Harriet".
Richard wants to build another extension to the Falcon Crest Victorian Mansion (again). - Typical author's negligence: BOB COCHRAN seems to have forgotten the mansion is not Richard's, but Angela's.
Tom Sharff is the Falcon Crest distributor in California. - The worse the scripts are, the more mysterious the distribution companies become (also compare # 208 for this problem).
The extension number of Richard's phone at the Falcon Crest Winery is 2728.
Illogical: Why does Richard not manage to get along with his work at Falcon Crest? He obviously had much more to do in the past when he was running Channing Enterprises, an international media group. - Another ridiculous script!
The way DAVID SELBY plays the scene on the phones is all Richard again.
Product placement: Richard brings Lauren a bottle of Perrier-Jouët (Fleur de Champagne).
Lauren's favorite ice cream is macadamia fudge.
Richard borrows three movies starring CARY GRANT from a video library.
The playground at the park (scene with Richard and Lauren) is the small park on the CBS-MTM backlot again (compare especially # 135).
Mistake: When the contracts are signed in the Falcon Crest Victorian Mansion dining room, the close-ups and wide angle shots are from various takes that were combined in the editing process. This becomes apparent when Richard first leans back in his chair in the close-up, but leans on the table in the subsequent frame.
Season time frame:
This episode opens a few days after the end of # 226, as it can be concluded from Angela's conversation with Sharpe on day 1 (about Danny's threat to commit suicide).
On day 4 of the current episode, Angela tells the family the news about Emma's baby, a daughter named Angela. Provided she was born after a regular pregnancy term and giving respect to the point of time when Emma became pregnant (mid-October 1989; compare # 214), it must be around mid-July 1990 now. - It remains a mystery, however, how such a long period of time went by since March 1990, the last more or less reliable point of time to be concluded from # 222 (see there). One possibility, however, might be that the baby was born prematurely, making it May or June 1990 now. Also some unseen period of time might have gone by right before Richard and Lauren's wedding at the end of the episode.
The suggestion to create a montage of visuals in slow motion for the finale of the episode (and the series) comes from director REZA BADIYI.
The original draft of the script did not contain any dialog during the wedding scene. Father Bob's words are written by FATHER BOB CURTIS himself.
As Richard and Lauren are married by Father Bob whereas Richard and Maggie were married by judge Pat Ambrose, it can be concluded that a marriage blessed by the church was not possible for Richard and Maggie because he was still married to Stephanie Hoffman from the Roman-Catholic perspective. This also indicates that Stephanie must have died in the meantime - otherwise, this problem would have also prevented a church wedding of Richard and Lauren.
When Lauren walks down the aisle, RICHARD WAGNER's "Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin" is played.
After Lauren and Richard's exchanging the wedding vows, FELIX MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY's wedding march from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is played.
Both pieces are performed by PATRICK O'HEARN in a synthesizer version.
Editing mistake: In the wedding scene, Richard grabs at Michael to hug him in one moment, but he hugs Kevin in the subsequent frame. - A part of the scene is missing.
Mistake: Angela has a look over the veranda of the Falcon Crest Victorian Mansion and the driveway during her soliloquy. For that purpose, a 1987 clip was reused, which was actually filmed for # 156 where, however, only a shorter part of this clip was used. - Inconsistency: As the driveway is supposed to have changed, as seen quite often this season (compare # 209), this part from Angela's point of view rather should have been filmed on the new exterior set of the mansion.
The aerial view of these vineyards during Angela's soliloquy is from Stolpman Vineyards on Ballard Canyon Road in Solvang, CA. The footage comes from filming this season's end credits. It features the northern part of the vineyard (filmed in northeastern direction), which was already used in segments 3, 2 and 5 of the end credits (see # 206). The footage in this episode is a continuation of the same helicopter flight, just a little more to the west. The way it is presented here is a reverse playback of that section of the flight though.
Angela's soliloquy is written by JANE WYMAN herself - the idea of at least mentioning all the important people from the past is an appropriate way to finish the program and a little compensation for this disastrous final season:
"Grandfather, how long has it been since you came to the valley and planted your first vine from Italy? I remember how you used to hold me on the saddle, riding through the fields and teaching me about the land and the vineyards and how precious they are together. Seems like only yesterday.
I think of all the people who've passed through these vineyards. There's Chase, Maggie, Cole, Vickie, and that feisty Melissa Agretti. And Erickson, killed in the plane crash that almost killed all of us. But I was spared to carry on your heritage.
Julia is safe and happy in the convent, and Emma and Frank will both be coming home soon. Oh, and Stavros. Oh, it was tempting, Grandfather, but in the end you knew I couldn't follow him and live in Greece, I couldn't leave Falcon Crest.
Training Lance to take over has been a challenge, but I think he's coming around, and for the first time I think Richard and I are beginning to understand each other.
Meanwhile, I'm going to do everything I can to keep the vineyards and the winery the jewel of the valley, just as you always dreamed they would be.
Yes, the past has its place, but I'll keep looking to the future. After all, there's a wedding today. Children are playing, more children are on the way... and of course the land. Always the land. People come and go, but the land endures.
I toast to you, Falcon Crest, and long may you live."
Cast & crew background: Angie's soliloquy is also JANE WYMAN's special tribute to the show's creator and executive producer for the first five seasons, EARL HAMNER, because the lines are reminiscent of EARL's concluding narration in the "Founder's Day" episode of "The Waltons".
Before the writers came to realize that CBS would definitely cancel the series, they planned to have a seasonal cliffhanger in order to lay the groundwork for a tenth season. Their plans included the following ideas:
The question might arise if Pilar's baby is really Lance's or possibly Jovan's.
Falcon Crest was still supposed to belong to Michael Sharpe, who had plans to pave it over to turn it into an industrial park. Angela's attempts to get the property back with the help of her family were supposed to be supported by Sydney. Angela and Sydney were to come up with a plan to publicly destroy Michael Sharpe - at the wedding of Sydney and Danny. While Danny was supposed to really love Sydney and have turned against Sharpe, Sydney was supposed to marry him out of convenience only. Although Danny was to know she is not in love with him, he was to agree to the wedding. The ceremony was to be Sharpe's final victory, however as Angela's plan was supposed to backfire. The writers' ideas called for final scenes in the style of "The Godfather" movie where Sharpe was to orchestrate the demise of all of his enemies during the sacred event of the wedding. He was supposed to destroy them all - to quote the season 9 bible, "whether financially, emotionally, or physically - leaving all of our 'Falcon Crest' characters to pick up the pieces of their lives next season."
← Previous episode...
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Home / UN condemns threats by armed group in Central African Republic
UN condemns threats by armed group in Central African Republic
By agency reporter
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) is warning a rebel movement against impeding humanitarian access, saying any threats to peacekeepers, aid workers or civilians are “unacceptable” and could be tried as warm crimes.
In a press release issued on 4 March 2017, the UN Integrated Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in CAR, known by its French acronym MINUSCA, warned leaders of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of the Central African Republic (FPRC) that they will be held individually responsible if such acts are carried out.
“Any attack targeting the civilian population, UN and humanitarian personnel is a war crime that can be prosecuted in accordance with Central African law and international law,” MINUSCA underscored.
The Mission called on the FPRC and all armed groups “to refrain from any interference with the work of humanitarian workers, as well as threats against international humanitarian organisations and civilian populations.”
“No armed group has the right to prohibit or impede the free access of humanitarian actors to vulnerable populations, even in areas where these groups continue to have a negative influence,” MINUSCA continued.
In the same statement, the UN Mission rejected attempts to justify the travel to Bambari of 40 or so heavily armed members of the coalition as peaceful.
“These men and the rest of the elements of the coalition violated the demarcation line established by MINUSCA, approaching Bambari with Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers, posing a risk of the city burning to disastrous consequences for the civilian populations,” the Mission said.
According to MINUSCA, “the threats contained in the communiqué of the FPRC prove once again its warlike character and the rejection by its leaders of any peaceful solution to the current crisis, as advocated by the Central African Government and by the international community.”
MINUSCA said it would pursue its mission impartially and “reserves the right to use all means at its disposal by the Security Council to achieve this, in support of the Central African Government.”
* United Nations http://www.un.org/en/index.html
Keywords:Central African Republic | attacks on civilians | peacekeepers | humanitarian agencies | war crimes | united nations
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Buy · Smoke
Habanos Festival
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UNIQUE SINCE 1492
21st Festival
Habanos s.a – Sitio Oficial
Habanos S.A. es la empresa líder mundial en la comercialización de puros premium.
Humidors Auction 2007
Archives, Habanos Festival, 9th Habanos Festival
Lot No. 1
H. Upmann Humidor
The H. Upmann Brand was created in 1844 by the Hermann and August H. Upmann brothers, and has since then enjoyed tremendous international recognition, starting with its success in winning many gold medals in world fairs held in the 19th century.
Featuring a wide array of sizes to delight its loyal smokers, H. Upmann is a world-class brand name. In 2005, Habanos S.A. recognized H. Upmann as a global brand. It is highly coveted in the world market and attracts smokers who look for a light to medium flavoured Habanos such as Sir Winston, Magnum 46, Coronas Majors amongst others.
Item Features
This Humidor harmoniously recreates the main attributes of the brand: a powerful image that has proved its value through time and a traditional recognition that has enabled it to amass major prizes and awards since its creation back in 1844. Completely handmade in solid cedar, this item offers shapes and forms that are very much in keeping with the brand’s attributes, featuring simple decorative elements that reflect the traditional sobriety of the brand. The humidor highlights the brand name, the logo and some elements of the brand’s cigar ring. The elegance of the humidor is enhanced through the use of some specific techniques: Joinery and Marquetry, with high levels of complexity, precision and hand crafting, making it a top-notch collector’s item where Art and Aesthetics are happily combined.
It contains: 160 Habanos: 20 Sir Winston, 20 Upmann No.2, 20 Magnum 46, 50 Prominentes and 50 Magnum 50.
Materials and Dimensions of the humidor: Mahogany, Cedar, Majagua. Dimensions: 1,10 x 0,67 x 0,42 m.
Artisan’s Information
This Humidor has been elaborated by artisan Joel Crespo Pérez, a self-taught craftsman who works as a blacksmith and a highly-skilled restorer of antiques. He has a vast experience in the production of furniture and special boxes for the Cuban cigar industry. His Humidors have been sold in previous auctions of Habanos Festivals. Samples of his restored works are to be found in various hotels and restaurants in Havana City.
Lot No.2
Partagás Humidor
Partagás, a brand created in 1845, is still attracting more and more admirers of its flavour and character. All its sizes are immediately recognized by its rich and intense flavor and some of them have become emblematic through the years such as the classic 8-9-8, the traditional Lusitania, the attractive Series D No. 4 and the majestic Serie P No.2, among others.
This modern humidor – produced and donated for this Auction by Mr Michel Perrenoud, incorporates all the “know-how”, of this famous and talented “humidorier” from Switzerland. By donating this masterpiece, he is offering us the possibility to keep an entire selection of Partagás cigars in perfect condition for smoking with calm and delight.
It contains 120 Habanos: 10 Lusitanias, 10 Serie P No.2, 50 Serie D No. 4 and 50 Serie D No. 3. The latter, is one of the best-selling Limited Edition releases to date.
A pyramid-shaped humidor in solid mahogany incorporating Partagás logo on the base elaborated by Michel Perrenoud in the small town of La Chaux-des-Fonds in Switzerland.
The wood comes from lumber plantations controlled by the regulations of the Keurhout foundation and according to the ITTO and UNCED preservation rules for forests.
The ironworks and the passive system humidifier are produced by specialist technician working at the Perrenoud factory, which was founded in 1973.
This unique model “Pièce Unique” needed many working hours and more than 100 operations to create it. 12 layers of lacquer have been carefully applied and it is polished by hand. Dimensions: 0,52 x 0,52 x 1,25 m.
Humidor Vegas Robaina Brand was created in June 1997. Its name comes from the idea of celebrating years of tradition and centuries-old knowledge and non-stop work of the Cuban “Veguero” or farm worker in the shape of one of the most prestigious tobacco growers: the legendary Alejandro Robaina, the “Habanos Ambassador”, who has become an example for younger generations of “vegueros”.
In 2007, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the brand; a brand which has gained an increased number of followers, due to its classic formats, because of its distinguished aroma and the prestige of his tobacco plantations.
Its blend, composed from selected tobacco leaves grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río province, has a richness and aroma with distinctive characteristics.
This humidor is made of Cuban cedar wood that has an aroma as natural as that of Cuban tobacco.
Some of the corporate brand elements are highlighted in the humidor, which looks like a Curing Barn, a sacred place for the “veguero”, where the process of natural air curing of the leaf guarantees the quality of each Habano.
The Curing Barn is one of the great symbols of the tradition and experience of Cuban vegueros because it is there that much of their time devoted to tobacco has been spent over the centuries.
It’s a carefully handmade humidor with a clear cut finish. A classic design that communicates the zeal, the tradition and the experience of the veguero, enhancing the humidor itself and reinforcing the brand’s attributes.
It is a unique piece with a depth of meaning and artistic value for collectors. It contains: 200 Habanos: A sample of the brand’s standard portfolio (Don Alejandro, Únicos, Familiar, Famosos y Clásicos) with 20 Habanos of each sizes and 2 sizes, which do not belong to its regular portfolio.: 50 Dobles and 50 Gorditos. Dimensions: 1,35 x 0,65 x 0, 75 m.
This humidor has been developed by the DECUBA group under the creative direction and execution of J L Milan Dominguez and with the participation of Adalberto Gonzalez.
J. L. Milan Domínguez, is a member of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Goods, official biographer of Alejandro Robaina. He is founder and Coordinator of the DECUBA group of artisans. From 1995 he works with Habanos s.a., Exclusive Distributors and Casas del Habano in the development of new products and the organization of events related to the culture of the tobacco. He has participated in 15 international events and 12 personal works have been auctioned. The Montecristo 70th Anniversary and Romeo and Julieta 130th Anniversary Humidors were auctioned in the VII and VIII Habanos Festivals.
Adalberto González Albisa, is a member of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Goods. It has participated in 12 international events and 10 pieces of important value like the Hoyo de Monterrey Humidor auctioned at the 4th Habanos Festival.
The works of the DECUBA group have been exhibited at 8 Habanos Trade Fairs, 5 Craft Fairs and they are commercialized with success in several markets. They stand out for their artistic value, originality and well-known quality and include the following examples: Anniversary V of Vegueros, Montecristo Compay Second 95, Vegas Robaina Anniversary 83, 85 and 86; The Habanos Collection of Partagás 2002, Hoyo de Monterrey 2003, Romeo and Julieta 2004, Montecristo 2005 and Trinidad 2006.
Montecristo Humidor and Compay Segundo Picture
Montecristo, created in 1935, is the world’s best-known Habanos brand. It was named after the hero of the book The Count of Montecristo by French writer Alexandre Dumas.
The Montecristo range of sizes attracts the most demanding smokers. Its exquisite blend is made up of exclusive tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region, the land of the world’s finest tobacco. Its medium-to-full flavour and peerless aroma keep captivating the hearts of both the most experienced smokers and newcomers worldwide. In 2004 Montecristo Edmundo was launched with remarkable success in all the markets. At the end of 2006 the Petit Edmundo reached the markets and, like its bigger brother, is gaining more and more followers every day.
Now in 2007, this legendary brand welcomes a Reserva cigar. Reserva is a title given to exceptional cigars made exclusively from tobaccos that have been specially aged for three years. A limited quantity will be made to be sold in numbered, black lacquered boxes of 20 Habanos. The size chosen is the Montecristo No. 4, the most popular size of Habano in the world. The Montecristo No. 4 Reserva pays homage to this wonderful cigar and all the smokers who enjoy it.
The humidor is based on the spirit of the novel by Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Montecristo.It is about the return of the Pharaoh, the ship that Edmundo Dantes commanded before becoming the Count of Montecristo.
It is a piece that recaptures the legend and turns it into a humidor with all the genuine flavor of the legend.
In fact, the humidor consists of several sculptures made in Silver, German nickel and Brass. It presents two sculptures at the stern that represent guardians at both corners, aimed at decorating and protecting the masterpiece from “evil spirits”.
The bowsprit figurehead, an ornamental sculpture with a man’s face that enhances the artistic and aesthetic level of the piece, compensates the structure of the ship’s bow. Crowning this work of art, in the upper part, there is a sculpture that is based in the most intimate feelings and character of the novel of Alexandre Dumas. It represents in a surrealist way the fusion of a dinosaur with an elephant, emphasizing the slender elegance of the pachyderm. It has a mechanism that is used to access and to lower the secretaire that lies in the base of the upper sculpture of the piece. This humidor also has 3 wheels of mahogany and dagame that provide mobility and originality to the masterpiece.
It contains: 250 Habanos: 10 Montecristo A, y 20 habanos of each one of the following sizes, elaborated specially for this occasion: Montecristo Especial, Montecristo Especial no.2, Montecristo No.1, Montecristo No.2, Montecristo No.3, Montecristo No. 4, Montecristo No.5 Montecristo Joyitas, Montecristo Edmundo, Montecristo Petit Edmundo, Montecristo Robustos Limited Edition 2006, Maravillas No.1. These 2 sizes do not belong to the regular portfolio of the brand. Dimensions: 1,26 x 1,40 x 0,59 m.
José Ernesto Aguilera Reina is an artisan, designer and self taught-Cuban goldsmith. He has wide experience and has been participated in many fairs and exhibitions in Cuba and abroad.
His works decorate various reception rooms, libraries, restaurants and murals in hotels in Havana. In the 1995 he was granted the distinction of “Master Craftsman” by the Cuban Ministry of Construction.
Since 1994 his works are marketed in different galleries of Arts. He exported 2 important humidors to France, and other works to Italy, United States, Russia, Germany and Mexico. He has participated in auctions and in other activities of great importance for Habanos s.a.:
Auction of the 7th Habanos Festival (Punch, 2005)
Auction of the 8th Habanos Festival (Montecristo, 2006)
Donation of El Quijote Picture, Auction 8th Habanos Festival (2006)
Curator of Guayasamín humidors
Replica of an H.Upmann Ancient humidor (Special Series 2006)
Replica of a Partagás Ancient Humidor (Special Series 2007)
Added to this lot is a beautiful picture featuring an excellent photographic reproduction -unpublished in its composition -of the Maestro Compay Segundo. Compay was a loyal Habanos smoker, mainly of Montecristo, and this year marks the centennial of his birth. This picture was donated for this auction by the photographer Miguel J. Puldón Villareal.
Photographer Information
Miguel J. Puldón Villarreal.Fotógrafo Cubano (1951)
He has been working for twenty-five years as photographer and has carried out 50 exhibitions (31 personal and 19 collective), 4 of them in other countries, such as Italy, Panama, Malaysia and at this moment an itinerant exhibition of his work is being exhibited in Malaysia and China. Several painters have been inspired by his pictures for their creations; among them Milton Bernal, who presented the outstanding musician’s painting of Compay Segundo, in the auction of the 7th Habanos Festival (2005).
He has exhibited in important galleries and other places of interest such as: Gallery Weil Art in Panama, Museum of Fine arts in Cuba, Convent of San Francisco de Asis, Conde de Villanueva hotel , Tobacco Museum, at the Conventions Center and in numerous Casas del Habanos and hotels of Cuba. He has participated in exhibitions summoned by the Fototeca of Cuba, by the UNEAC, by the ACAA, for the Office of the Historian of Havana City, for Habanos s.a., etc.
Cohiba Humidor
The name COHIBA was suggested by Celia Sánchez in 1966 and it quickly became famous starting from the registration of the brand. When it appeared in the international markets it was already well-known.
It is the most prestigious and elitist brand in the world of cigars. Cohiba is an ancient Indian word used by the Taínos to name “the bunch of leaves that they smoked”.
For many years the brand was only used as official gifts for heads of state and government personalities, national and foreign, up until 1982 when its international commercialization began.
It is made in the legendary cigar factory El Laguito, in Havana. The leaves used in the making of Cohiba are “the selection of the selection” of the best Vegas in San Juan y Martinez ‘and San Luis areas, in the region of Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río.
Cohiba also has one feature which makes it stand out from other Habano brands: Two of Cohiba’s filler leaves, the seco and ligero, undergo a third fermentation, which adds smoothness to the blend and an unmatchable aroma that can only be found within this brand.
This work consists in 1 sculpture and 3 majestic humidors, created by the noted sculptor and goldsmith RAÚL VALLADARES VALDÉS, a unique piece, to which he dedicated an entire year of work, with a purified technique and a very personal, original, exquisite style and with a high aesthetic sense. It is a rigorous sculpture dedicated to women in general; those who smoke cigars, those who roll cigars. It represents a genuine fusion between the elitism of the brand and the most beautiful creation of the human form.
It contains 400 habanos: A unique collection, which incorporates all Cohiba lines:
Línea Clásica: (Launched 1982)40 Lanceros
40 Coronas Especiales
20 Panetelas
20 Exquisitos
20 Robustos
40 Espléndidos
Línea 1492: (Launched 1992)
40 Siglo I
40 Siglo II
40 Siglo III
40 Siglo IV
40 Siglo V
40 Siglo VI
Línea Maduro 5: (Launched in 2007)
20 Secretos
10 Mágicos
10 Genios
Materials and Dimensions of the Humidor:
It’s made of Gold, Silver, Brass, Carrara Marble, Mahogany and Cedar. Dimensions: 2.40 x 1. 70 x 0.80 m.
Raúl Valladares Valdés: Born in Havana City in 1960, Raul is a self-taught sculptor and Cuban goldsmith, who has shown his work at numerous personal and collective exhibitions in Cuba and abroad. He is a very well-known artist in the world of Habanos for his luxurious Cohiba humidors in previous auctions. His educational work is recognized in the world of goldsmiths and Cuban sculptors, and he is also highlighted as collaborator on community and cultural activities in events that have contributed to the cultural development of the country.
He has obtained numerous prizes, medals and homages: Reward in the Biennial V “Domingo Ravenet”. Gallery Domingo Ravenet (1994). Reward to the best gold work sample, granted by Coral Negro in the 5th Edition of the International Craft Trade FIART’95. Gold Medal to a humidor line in the XV International Fair of the Havana (FIAH 1997). Medal Picasso granted by the World Council of the UNESCO (1997), Reward of the Cuba Association of Artisans and Artists (ACAA,1997). He has been honored in several occasions for his artistic work for the government of the town where he lives and for other Cuban institutions. Amongst his achievements as an artist is the accolade as the best sculptor of 2003, granted by the magazine BT Design Art Gallery, one of the most respected art magazines at a world level. He was honored with the distinction of the National Culture granted by the Council of State of Cuba.
He is the creator of Habanos Prizes Trophy and Majadahonda Prize, given by the UNEAC to artists of outstanding promise.
His works are exhibited in institutions and galleries in several parts of the world and in private collections in countries such as Germany, Spain, United States, France, Switzerland, Austria, Mexico, Italy, England, Greece, Holland, among others. Different personalities in the world own some works of the artist from HM the King from Spain to the cinema director Steven Spielberg.
He is member of the Cuban Association of Artisans and Artists (ACAA) and of the National Union of Writers and Artists from Cuba (UNEAC).
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Mineral Baths (Spa)
Mineral Baths (Spa) along Ashby Road in Hinckley, built 1849
An engraved view of the Mineral Baths c.1849
In Hinckley there were several Mineral Springs around the area during the 19th Century which were Cogg's Well, Christopher Stevenson's Spa, and the Priest Hills. There were also the ‘Holy Well’ London Road and the Mineral Baths to the North of the town along Ashby Road.
The Mineral Baths along Ashby Road were built by James Holier in 1849. In May 1849 the baths were open to the public, and ground has been laid out for the recreation of visitors attending to drink the water and take the baths.
Mervyn Patterson who wrote ‘An Historical Study of the Town and Neighbourhood (London and Hinckley 1849)’, states that 'Hinckley has for centuries been celebrated or the beauty of the country around and its healthfulness'. 'The Baths which have been built on the site of the mineral springs and are rapidly approaching completion, and it is expected they will be opened at the beginning of the next month.
19th May 1849 A report in the Leicester Mercury stated ‘Independent of the valuable properties of the water, the sanitary effects of a swimming pool in this neighbourhood must be widely felt'.
25th May 1849 The Leicester Journal wrote 'The building is in the Tudor style of architecture and has been erected by Mr Harrold, builder, who has now undertaken to build a swimming bath, in connection with the other baths, which, when completed, will be 60 feet long by 20 feet wide'. One acre of grounds was 'to be tastefully laid out during the summer'. 'It is a pleasing sign of the times that the sanitary condition of the people is being provided for, and we know of no means so conducive as "public baths" and we earnestly hope that the effects of the spirited proprietor will be duly supported'.
9th June 1849 An article in The Leicester Mercury said, ‘It was hoped that an arrangement could be made with the Hinckley Feoffees so that the factory operatives might swim and bathe there for 1d’.
14th July 1849 The Leicester Mercury wrote another article, 'These baths continue to increase daily in public estimation', attracting visitors from 'very remote distances'. 'I am quite prepared to see Hinckley containing its Pump Room and other places of fashionable resort, so that ages to come may yet record its celebrity amongst the Pierian Springs of more modern times'.
1874 Baxter wrote during the summer, 'These baths are situated on the side of the turnpike road leading to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and about a quarter of a mile out of the town. The building is a very convenient one, and ample accommodation was afforded to bathers. It comprised a swimming bath, with dressing boxes, together with hot and cold water and shower baths, at a charge of 6d., 9d., and 1s. The reputation of these waters, which were plentiful, made the vicinity a great public thoroughfare; but they never rendered the proprietor a fair remuneration for the outlay of his money'. After the death of James Hollier it was owned by Thomas Harrold (who was in partnership with Ben Law, Charlotte Brame's father), then after his death by Thomas Foxon, who licensed it and opened the adjacent 'pleasure grounds'.
1892 The Mineral Baths were demolished to make way for the new hotel ‘Mineral Baths Hotel’ that would be built by Messrs. Alsopp and Sons. In later years the Mineral Baths Hotel would change its name to ‘The Kiwi’ as a public house, and then finally to the ‘Ashby Tavern’.
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• Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Infertility
Male-Hormone Gene May Help Cause Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of infertility and type 2 diabetes, but little is known about its origins. Now, new research suggests a gene involved in male hormone production plays a big role in the disorder's development.
"We're starting to make headway on what causes PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome]. It's very frustrating for patients because it's poorly understood," said Dr. Andrea Dunaif, lead author of a new study on the syndrome.
"Because physicians don't know what causes PCOS, they will treat your symptoms. Through genetics, we're starting to understand the condition and may have specific therapies in the not-so-distant future," said Dunaif. She is chief of the endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease division at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine conditions in reproductive-age women, affecting up to 15% of premenopausal women, the researchers said. It causes numerous problems, including irregular menstrual cycles, excess facial hair, acne, infertility, weight gain and type 2 diabetes, according to the U.S. Office on Women's Health.
The study included 62 families where at least one reproductive-age daughter had PCOS. The researchers did a family-based genetic analysis to see which genes might play a role in PCOS.
"In about 50% of families, a gene important in regulating the production of testosterone had rare genetic variations. And elevated testosterone is a key abnormality in women with PCOS," explained Dunaif.
In the study, the researchers included genetic information from both parents and any daughters that didn't have PCOS as well.
A rare genetic variant was found on a gene called DENND1A. The specific variations in that gene were different from family to family, Dunaif said. The gene helps drive testosterone production in the ovaries, and too much testosterone is one of the hormonal abnormalities seen in PCOS.
Dunaif said the researchers are trying to look at the genetic variants to learn how they disrupt the normal function of the gene. Once they know how the gene is affected, they can start to think about manipulating the gene, she explained.
This genetic variant could be a good marker for detecting PCOS early, Dunaif suggested.
Dr. Tomer Singer is director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
"This study is really a step in the right direction. We've known that there was some genetic component because you often see PCOS in families, but this is really the first time there's a correlation with a specific gene," said Singer, who wasn't involved in the study.
And finding this genetic variant in so many of the families could lead to the development of a specific test that would allow women to be screened early in life, Singer said.
Knowing that they have PCOS at younger ages could give women options. Low-dose birth control is one treatment for PCOS if a woman isn't trying to have a baby, he said. And some women might want to freeze their eggs when they're young if they're concerned about possible infertility from PCOS later on.
The study findings were published online April 30 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Learn more about polycystic ovary syndrome from the U.S. Office on Women's Health.
SOURCES: Andrea Dunaif, M.D., chief, Hilda and J. Lester Gabrilove division of endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City; Tomer Singer, M.D., vice chairman, obstetrics and gynecology, director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and the residency program director, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; April 30, 2019, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, online
• Ovary
• Syndrome
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Testosterone
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Get your car shows, car cruises, and car races in before winter hits. The Kansas City calendar for July 29, 30, 31, 2011
Face it. It’s going to be hot. But that doesn’t mean life has to stop. This weekend, there are all kinds of car shows, car races, and car cruises that you can go to right here Kansas City and the surrounding areas. And when you have second thoughts about getting out there in the heat, think about how much you’ll miss this weather this winter when it’s cold, snowing, and nobody is doing anything.
The Liberty cruise is always one of my favorites. But there are other events from Bonner Springs to Belton, and Shawnee to Springfield.
Check out the full schedule of events below, and don’t forget to call ahead if weather might be an issue. And as usual, remember to e-mail me at kcissclub@hotmail.com if you have a future car-related event that you would like to see listed on this calendar later this summer.
Kansas City-area car shows and cruises
Friday, July 29. Overland Park, Kan. Hollywood Night’s Longbranch TGIF Cruise. Dan's Longbranch Steakhouse and Saloon, 9095 Metcalf, 66212. 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. For more information, call Dan at (913) 642-9555.
Friday, July 29. Bonner Springs, Kan. Bike Nite at Kobi's Bar and Grill, 113 Oak St. For more information, call (913) 422-5657.
Friday, July 29. Blue Springs, Mo. Winstead's Cruise Night. 7-Highway and I-70. 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Jim at (816) 841-2116.
Friday, July 29. Olathe, Kan. Subway Cruise Night presented by the Good Times Car Club. 539 E Santa Fe St, 66061. 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Subway at (913) 393-0363.
Friday, July 29-Sunday, July 31. Salina, Kan. 31st Anniversary Kustom Kemps of America Leadsled Spectacular and Run-What'ya-Brung Drags/model car show. For more information, call (417) 847-2940, or visit https://bransonsecure.com/k/events.htm.
Saturday, July 30. Shawnee, Kan. Applebee’s Make a Wish Foundation Car Show. 11500 West 63rd Street, 66203. For more information, call (913) 962-1133, or e-mail eduardopepez@gmail.com.
Saturday, July 30. Belton, Mo. NAPA Auto Parts Car Show presented by the Posse Car Club. 138 East North Ave, 64012. 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. For more information, call Don at (816) 550-2105, or Jim at (816) 331-4909.
Saturday, July 30. Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Classic Cruisers Saturday Cruise. McDonald’s. I-55 to Hwy 32 (exit 150), go east 5 miles to first stoplight, then turn right on Hwy 61. McDonald's will be a couple of blocks down on the right. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call Scott at (573) 535-1063 or Harry at (573) 517-2294.
Saturday, July 30. Springfield, Mo. Elk's Lodge 409 Car Show and Pool Party. 2223 East Bennett. Car Show-10:00 a.m. Awards-3:00 p.m. For more information, call Bruce at (417) 299-5576, or e-mail sanbru417@sbcglobal.net.
Saturday, July 30. Jefferson City, Mo. Studebaker Car Show at Hy-Vee. 3721 W. Truman Blvd. 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, call Laura at (573) 291-6209.
Saturday, July 30. Jefferson City, Mo. Cruisin for MDA on High Street. 5:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. For more information, call (573) 680-9458.
Saturday, July 30. DeSoto, Kan. Grand Opening People's Choice Car Show. Carriage Houses of Johnson County. 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. 29230 W 83rd St. For more information, call Bill at (913) 244-4954, or visit http://www.chofjoco.com/.
Saturday, July 30. Independence, Mo. Cruisin' HiBoy Car Cruise. HiBoy Drive-In, 16721 E Gudgell Rd, 64055. 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. For more information, call (816) 350-2120.
Saturday, July 30. Liberty, Mo. Downtown Liberty Monthly Car Cruise. Kansas and Main Streets on the Square in Downtown Liberty. 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. For more information, call Gary at (816) 524-7669, or Werner at (816) 810-9487.
Saturday, July 30. Independence, Mo. Summer Cruise-In at the Hartman Heritage Center. Jackson Drive next to Buffalo Wild Wings. 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Jim at (816) 808-1154.
Sunday, July 31. O'fallon, Mo. Cruisin for MDA at JJ's. 200 Fort Zumwalt Square. 11:00 a.m. Proceeds go to St. Jude's Children Hospital. For more information, call (636) 978-1739, or visit http://www.jjsofallon.com/.
Sunday, July 31. Kansas City, Mo. Art of the Machine Display featuring the Heart of America Z Club. 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Kansas City’s City Market. For more information, visit http://www.thecitymarket.org/, or e-mail ppowers@copaken-brooks.com.
Kansas City and surrounding area car races
Friday, July 29. Kansas City, Mo. Friday Night Grudge. Kansas City International Raceway, 8201 S Noland Rd, 8201 S Noland Rd, 8201 S Noland Rd, 64138. For more information, call (816) 358-6700, or visit http://www.kcironline.com/.
Friday, July 29. Lebanon, Mo. Weekly Racing. Midway Speedway. 6 miles east on Highway 32 and then right on B Highway, the speedway is 1/2 mile down B Highway on the right-hand side. For more information, call (417) 588-4430, or visit http://www.lebanonmidwayspeedway.com/.
Friday, July 29. LaMonte, Mo. Weekly Racing. L A Raceway, 11649. For more information, call (660) 563-9878, or visit http://www.laraceway.com/.
Friday, July 29-Saturday, July 30. Grain Valley, Mo. Weekly Racing. Valley Speedway, 348 E Old 40 Hwy, 64029. For more information, call (816) 229-2222, or visit http://valleyspeedway.com/default.aspx.
Saturday, July 30. Kansas City, Mo. Door Slammer Championship. Kansas City International Raceway, 8201 S Noland Rd, 64138. For more information, call (816) 358-6700, or visit http://www.kcironline.com/.
Saturday, July 30. Lebanon, Mo. Weekly Racing. I-44 Speedway. 24069 Route 66, 65536. For more information, call (417)532-2060, or visit http://www.i44speedway.net/.
Saturday, July 30. Winston, Mo. Weekly Racing. I-35 Speedway. Interstate 35 and Highway 6, 64689. For more information, call (660) 749-5317, or visit http://www.i-35speedway.net/.
Saturday, July 30. Nevada, Mo. Midwest Outlaw Lightning Sprints. Nevada Speedway, S Barrett Ave, 64772. For more information, call (417) 667-5859, or visit http://www.nevadaspeedway.net/.
Saturday, July 30. Topeka, Kan. Super Saturday Showdown. Heartland Park Topeka Dirt Track, 7530 Topeka Blvd, 60610. For more information, call (785) 862-2016, or visit http://www.hpt.com/.
NASCAR on TV
This week, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series goes to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. This isn’t always the most exciting race that they run, but it is prestigious. Drivers consider this to be one of the most important events to win in their careers. Broadcast coverage moves to ESPN. Also, the trucks and Nationwide cars are going to run what may be their last races at the exciting Indianapolis Raceway Park. Another exciting bullring looks like it will disappear from the schedule due to “progress.” For more information, visit http://www.nascar.com/.
Friday, July 29. Indianapolis, Ind. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series AAA Insurance 200. Lucas Oil Raceway. 6:30 p.m. (c/t). Speed TV.
Saturday, July 30. Indianapolis, Ind. NASCAR Nationwide Series 30th Annual Kroger 200. Lucas Oil Raceway. 6:30 p.m. (c/t). ESPN2.
Sunday, July 31. Speedway, Ind. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by Big Machine Records. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 12:00 noon (c/t). ESPN TV.
Labels: Upcoming Events
Vintage car dealership photos from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The mother lode
I'm a real sucker for old car pictures. And nothing captures the feel of old cars more than the places they were sold. I mean, look at...
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Posted On : Jul 17, 2019 Published By : Edith Wharton
Summer None
Title: Summer
Author: Edith Wharton
Summer : Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton 229 Edith Wharton
Title: Summer : Edith Wharton
Posted by:Edith Wharton
About "Edith Wharton"
Edith Newbold Jones was born into such wealth and privilege that her family inspired the phrase keeping up with the Joneses The youngest of three children, Edith spent her early years touring Europe with her parents and, upon the family s return to the United States, enjoyed a privileged childhood in New York and Newport, Rhode Island Edith s creativity and talent soon became obvious By the age of eighteen she had written a novella, as well as witty reviews of it and published poetry in the Atlantic Monthly.After a failed engagement, Edith married a wealthy sportsman, Edward Wharton Despite similar backgrounds and a shared taste for travel, the marriage was not a success Many of Wharton s novels chronicle unhappy marriages, in which the demands of love and vocation often conflict with the expectations of society Wharton s first major novel, The House of Mirth, published in 1905, enjoyed considerable literary success Ethan Frome appeared six years later, solidifying Wharton s reputation as an important novelist Often in the company of her close friend, Henry James, Wharton mingled with some of the most famous writers and artists of the day, including F Scott Fitzgerald, Andr Gide, Sinclair Lewis, Jean Cocteau, and Jack London.In 1913 Edith divorced Edward She lived mostly in France for the remainder of her life When World War I broke out, she organized hostels for refugees, worked as a fund raiser, and wrote for American publications from battlefield frontlines She was awarded the French Legion of Honor for her courage and distinguished work.The Age of Innocence, a novel about New York in the 1870s, earned Wharton the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1921 the first time the award had been bestowed upon a woman Wharton traveled throughout Europe to encourage young authors She also continued to write, lying in her bed every morning, as she had always done, dropping each newly penned page on the floor to be collected and arranged when she was finished Wharton suffered a stroke and died on August 11, 1937 She is buried in the American Cemetery in Versailles, France Barnesandnoble
105 thoughts on “Summer”
this book is touted as "edith wharton's most erotic book". the introduction blabs on and on about its eroticism, and how scandalous it is. so i have devised a little drinking game. i invite you - i entreat you - to prepare a shot glass with your favorite scotch or whiskey, and do a shot every time you start feeling a little hot from all the sexy good times. i pretty much guarantee that shot glass will be untouched by the end of your readings. this book is not erotic, even in the broadest, most m [...]
Phrynne
Written in Wharton's inimitable style the prose in this novella is of course beautiful. Every word and phrase lends itself to defining summer in a small country town. It makes for beautiful reading.Charity is not a likeable character but I still felt sorry for her. It was apparent from the outset that life would probably not go well for her, especially in one of Edith Wharton's novels which are not famous for happy endings. The ending was pretty inevitable although it could have been worse.For a [...]
The summer version of Ethan Frome, but not quite as good.
❀Julie
This was another great read by Edith Wharton. Although not as favored as Ethan Frome which it has been compared to, I loved it for the similarities of the complex characters and relationships. This one was a sad sort of coming of age story but more profound than a simple summer romance, and far from formulaic. Apparently this was written based on Edith Wharton's own love affair which made it even more interesting and left me wanting to read more about her personal life. Definitely recommended fo [...]
I am so in love with the writing of Edith Wharton. It makes me feel foolish to have had such a writer in full view and passed her over for so many years in favor of lesser ones.Edith Wharton's Summer is a different kind of novel than the others of hers that I have read, but not one bit less rich and enthralling. The main character, Charity Royall, is unsure of her place in society, raised in the home of one of the most prominent men in a small town but always made aware that she comes "from the [...]
Charity Royall. I loved her, hated her, sympathized with her, and cried for her.She's a young woman at age 19, bored with her life in a small New England town. Adopted by Lawyer Royall at a young age, she was saved from a life of poverty on the "mountain". One would think she would have been grateful, but not Charity. She hates Mr. Royall for what she sees as her imprisonment in small town drudgery, and also for his proposal of marriage. Enter Lucius Harney, sophisticated man about town; a young [...]
Gabrielle Dubois
Summer is not my first Edith Wharton novel and I remember having already enjoyed, many years ago, The House of Mirth.The French edition in which I read Summer, had no preface or postface, only a backcover text, saying: This is a novel that treats the female sexuality, seen as a powerful and constructive vital force. This novel was very modern for the time, 1918. So I approached this novel, the way I like to: without notice, without knowing the story or having read any review. A direct dive into [...]
If you're looking for accessible classics, Edith Wharton's novellas are a good place to start. Although I preferred Ethan Frome over this book, both of these novellas resonated more strongly with me than Wharton's more popular novels (The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence).As in "Frome", "Summer" is set in a small New England town and centers around the complex relationships of just a few main characters. For me, this is where Wharton is at the top of her game. Love is never easy or straig [...]
Melki
Summer lovin', had me a blastSummer lovin', happened so fast*This one immediately made the jump onto my Characters I Want to Slap shelf when I was introduced to Charity Royall, a bored teen who is fortunate enough to have a job in a library, but she HATES it! (SLAP!) Charity is basically at the age when she hates EVERYTHING, particularly the older man who has rescued her from an uncertain fate up on the Mountain, and the gossipy, small town where she currently resides . . we all live in the same [...]
As much as I am fond of Edith Wharton's work, every time she writes about them poor peoples, I am weary. Her Ethan Frome, describing woes of some peasants, wasn't authentic or credible enough, IMO, and neither is Summer.The main character in this novella, Charity Royall, was "brought down from the Mountains" in infancy and raised by a big wig lawyer in a tiny town of North Dormer. Charity is smart, albeit not particularly educated, and holds a very peculiar position in town. She is too good for [...]
BAM The Bibliomaniac
Gotta love a book about a library!Very short novel. I think I finished it in about 6 hours? A story of what it means to have pride and hopes only to have them crash and burn. I related to Charity, I regret to say. I hope it's not a spoiler to say to you that I became pregnant at the age of 17, which completely changed my life, my goals, my outlook. I was rooting for Charity. I was really hoping she wouldn't make certain decisions that, because of where she lived, how she was reared, the times, s [...]
Intensely creepy and sordid. Although the novel's main plot is the romance between Charity Royall and her handsome young beau Lucius, I couldn't get past the whole incest thing (view spoiler)[(Charity ends up marrying her guardian, an alcoholic withered up older man - the man who raised herwho once called her a whore in public) (hide spoiler)]. There's also some extreme poverty herein which is almost painful to read about (much worse than in Ethan Frome - I'm talking some near animalistic mounta [...]
Book Concierge
3.5***When she was a young child, Charity Royall was rescued from “the Mountain” by Lawyer Royall, who is now her guardian. Now she’s eighteen, feeling bored in the small town of North Dormer, and itching to spread her wings. When she meets Lucius Harney, an architect from the city who is visiting his cousin, her eyes are opened to possibilities she hasn’t dared dream about. Their mutual attraction garners some unwanted attention and results in gossip that Charity ignores until it is too [...]
Laura Leilani
I was going to give 4 stars but the ending deserves an extra star. Reading about the way of life in a small town in the very early 1900's is like reading about a different planet. Charity was brought down from the mountain people to be raised in town. The mountain people are almost like animals- think Deliverance. The town is average for a small town of the time: no shops; no theaters; just some houses and a church. It's so hard to think of people living this way! Charity works part time in the [...]
Sherien
…She had always thought of love as something confused and furtive, and he made it as bright and open as the summer air…This is a story about a young girl from a very low social status who lives in a dull, dreary, 'sunless' world and does not have many options to alter that situation. This goes on until one summer a man enters her life, turns her world up side down, and sparks some light of hope of happiness. Will her relationship with this man finally bring a brighter light to her dark world [...]
I was told this book was dirty, and well, to be fair, I was told it was dirty "for Wharton," which I suppose is true as far as it goes, but still: oblique references to illicit trysts aren't exactly begging for the fap when you fade out after they hold hands. Remind me this though: next time I'm sitting next to a leathery woman from Lowell on the bus and she's all "Hey, what are YOU reading?" and I say "Edith Wharton" and she mishears me and thinks I said "It's for work," and gives me a lecture [...]
Edith Wharton once again manages to draw me into one of her stories - a relatively simple novella, where much is at stake for the main character, Charity, who seems to be a mix of other of Wharton’s heroines (she’s feisty, opinionated and isolated). There is a lot to stand in a young woman’s way: There are the opinions of other people, as in Wharton’s New York based novels, and there is the bleak, forbidding countryside (or mountain, in this one) as in Ethan Frome. Above all, there are s [...]
Do you ever find yourself giving something good a lower rating than something sort of formulaic and meh because the latter is fine for what it is, but the former is on a different scale with all the other Edith Whartons and you know that she can do better?
I'm really kicking myself for not having written this review sooner, because I seriously forgot pretty much everything about this bookwhich in itself is probably a sign that I found it so-so. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of reading Wharton's The Age of Innocence, which I completely loved, but Summer was so different that I had to keep checking the cover to make sure I was really reading an Edith Wharton novel. Where The Age of Innocence was all glitz and glamour, Summer was a very subdue [...]
Marialyce
Edith Wharton was certainly a lady who could put words to a page that could definitely propel a reader quickly through a book. It was certainly true with this novel. Simply stated and told, it is a novel of the awakening of a young, unsure, woman, Charity, who seems held back in attitude by her questionable roots. Born to an unwed mother in a mountain community of dirt and squalor, she is rescued by the Royall family after her father is convicted of manslaughter. Raised within this household, Ch [...]
Liina Bachmann
I have yet failed to read anything less than 4 stars from Wharton and this is no exception. For most people "Summer" is about first love, sexual awakening and the constraints society put upon women during the era the book was written. For me altogether different tones resonated in this short novel. Despite the lush New England summer being the setting the novel was claustrophobic. Charity leads a life in a small village and an attempts to escape it. She also questions her own place in society as [...]
As always, Wharton shows a brilliant ability to observe and articulate the strange little nuances of human motivation and behavior. Additionally, this story paints a fascinating picture in which time and place are superimposed onto each other: the stages of Charity Royall's life are tied to different parts of regional geography that, while physically close together, appear to be worlds apart. And the season of summer becomes a microcosm for life itself, from birth to maturation to death.This isn [...]
This is a book about a girl's sexual awakening and the pure pleasure she derives from it. Of course, there are consequences involved, especially since this is a poor girl near the bottom of the social ladder in a small western New England town. Summer is very different from The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocence where sex was either avoided, unfulfilled or occured offstage. This book deals with both sexuality and class distinction and touches on incest as well. While these topics are openly [...]
Alejandro Orradre
Descubrí la novela Estío por casualidad, mientras buscaba una versión de bolsillo de otra obra muy conocida de Edith Wharton -nada más y nada menos que La edad de la inocencia-, entre las novedades de una librería escondida en las callejuelas de la Barcelona más desconocida.La novela parecía responder en parte a cómo fue descubierta: unos parajes inhóspitos, una época pasada el libro deambula por esos parajes al tiempo que nos descubre a una protagonista, Charity, que vive atrapada en [...]
An intensely sad story about a naive young girl who follows her heart and suffers the consequences. Charity Royall lives in a country village and longs for something to happen in her life. (view spoiler)[She is sweet but not totally innocent, aware of her power as a woman and not afraid to exercise it with the guardian who took her in as a child and who has long wanted her as his wife. Charity is 18 the summer Lucius Harney comes to town, and the two become lovers. But there will be no marriage, [...]
Elizabeth (Alaska)
Such a short, sad tale.Charity Royall was "brought down from the mountain" into a town at the edges of civilization, northwestern Massachusetts I believe. But the household seems not to have been a loving one. The Summer of the title Charity is about 18 years old. She is uneducated and unsophisticated and very very lonely.Wharton writes of Charity so that I felt great empathy for her. Charity yearns for love and life as do most young women, but her hope in achieving it is small. Summer brings a [...]
Narges
A classic, what can I say, a woman betrayed by a man and saved by another man as usual. But it wasn't a boring read. I'm not very impressed by it, it was a three star
Dov Zeller
Lots of plot elements revealed here about Adam Bede and Summer. I am far behind in my reviews, partly because GR has been so slow for me that it is barely manageable; partly because I feel overwhelmed by the distance between the reviews I want to write and the reviews I have it in me right now to write. Today GR is working a little faster (don't get me wrong, I still have to wait a good twenty seconds for a page to load). I am going to try to write something rather than nothing.Some folks see Su [...]
Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)
Edith Wharton's novella, Summer (1917), while still very Ethan Frome-ish, is the antithesis of the frosty and wintry characters and landscape of Ethan Frome. Summer is charged with an erotic undercurrent that runs through it. The novella starts in the Spring with young Charity Royall daydreaming in a meadow full of wildflowers, buzzing insects, birds singing, and the sap coursing through the branches of the trees with new leaves unfurling. Her world has just emerged from the cold grip of winter, [...]
Jenny Blounts
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would! It has all of the compelling romance and drama that one would expect from a short novella about the sexual coming-of-age of a young woman in a small New England town and, admittedly, that's what kept me turning the pages. However, Wharton is no writer of silly, frivolous romances. The story of Charity Royall is also one of complex class structures, gender limitations, the discovery of one's identity, and missed opportunities. Charity Royall, [...]
Operation Breakout
Simpson's Sheep Just Want to Sleep!
Saito Mokichi jisen kasyu Asa no hotaru
L'oeil D'or Claude Mellan, 1598 1688: Bibliothèqu...
Comes a Horseman
Albert: Killer In The Woods
Jump Girl
The Summer of Alyssa (Ameliorae Amovis #1)
Someone Else's Daughter
The Bellamy Bird
Unexpected Love
Theme: Rara-Academic by Edith Wharton
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About Sikh Education Society
ABOUT SIKH EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY
The Sikh Educational Society ventured into the realm of higher education with the establishment of the first Sikh National College, Lahore in 1937-38. This college was later re-established at Qadian (Punjab) in 1948. It was followed by the opening of the Sikh National College at Banga (Punjab) in 1953.Under the visionary leadership of the fore-sighted Sikh leaders, the Society further expanded its academic domain by setting up four premier educational institutions in Chandigarh, namely Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Collegiate Public School. All are located in Sector 26, Chandigarh and this has become the epicenter of education.
It was in 1973 that the Sikh Educational Society set up Guru Gobind Singh College for Women in Chandigarh to cater to the growing need for quality higher education for women. The mission was to provide the best education and values to young women to become responsible citizens, to serve humanity and to enhance the quality of their lives. In furtherance of its mission, the college focuses upon empowering young women with holistic and liberal education, analytical reasoning effective problem solving and leadership skills and the ability to fulfill their responsibilities to local and global communities.
The Sikh Educational Society with its proactive approach and relentless efforts is managing six educational institutions with the objective of imparting comprehensive modern education with an ethical dimension. Tenets of Sikhism are the abiding values on which the Management and staff base their functioning. The ambience of the institutions reflects the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, and the students internalize this atmosphere. This prepares the young minds to face the challenges of life with conviction, confidence and courage.
Guided by an enlightened and supportive Management drawn from different walks of life, the college has been moving conscientiously in the direction of achieving its cherished goals. The illustrious office -bearers of the Executive Committee of the Sikh Educational Society are:
S.Gurdev Singh Brar I.A.S.(Retd.),
S.Kulbir Singh Chief Engineer(Retd.),
Col.(Retd.) Jasmer Singh Bala,
S. Karandeep Singh Cheema
Joint Secretary
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Joginder Singh Sawhney Member
S Karnail Singh Doad Member
Principal (retd.) Harnarinder Singh Member
Principal (retd.) Joginder Singh Member
S Sukhpal Singh Kang Member
S Mehtab Singh, PCS (retd.) Member
Dr Kulminder Singh Dhillon Member
Dr Jaspal Singh Randhawa Member
Dr Balkar Singh Member
Er S S Virdi Member
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Mike Bullard Radio & TV Personality
AFTER DINNER SPEAKER
CELEBRITY AUCTIONEER
CUSTOM COMEDY
OPEN MIKE SHOW
ROAST COMEDIAN
Mike Bullard Bio
Mike Bullard accomplished something no other Canadian had before: hosted Canada’s first truly successful nightly talk show. Running for six unprecedented seasons, “Open Mike” (1997), was one of the longest running late-night talk shows in North America. The Gemini award-winning series was the most-watched late-night talk show in Canada’s largest market, comparable in popularity and success to late-night heavyweights Letterman and Leno.
Open Mike Show Awards
1999 – Gemini best talk information series
2000 – Hugo award (gold medal) Chicago International Television festival
2001 – Gemini Best music variety program series
One of Canada’s most recognized celebrities, Mike Bullard is a multi- disciplinary comic who has published a book, Open Book: Little Thoughts from a Big Head (Doubleday), and has also recorded a CD, “Stick 2 Comedy” (BMG). Recognized as “Favourite Talk Show Host” by the readers of TV Guide, Mike Bullard has come a long way from the grind of Canada’s comedy club circuit, where for over a decade he cultivated a reputation as one of the quickest and cleverest club wits in the country. A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Bullard worked full-time at other occupations while simultaneously pursuing his comedy career, playing over 1400 gigs in his spare time. Indeed, it was only weeks before “Open Mike” launched in the fall of 1997 that Bullard quit his day job at management job at one of the nation’s biggest corporations.
“Open Mike” debuted quietly in November of 1997 on The Comedy Network and went on to be picked up by the conventional CTV network in 1998. Appearing on both networks, Bullard’s razor sharp, often self-deprecating humour, insightful jabs at the human condition and his ability to engage in unscripted banter with audience members made Open Mike a favourite with television viewers and in 2002 he was voted one of the top 10 Funniest Canadians in a nationwide poll.
The series gradually achieved status as a key component of the entertainment scene in Canada. Often credited with fostering a Canadian star system, the show has featured a mix of celebrity guests from the worlds of film, television, stage, sports, music and politics on both sides of the border. Notable guests have included Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee, Enrique Iglesias, Kathie Lee Gifford, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, Nickelback, Burt Reynolds, Barenaked Ladies, Joan Rivers, Bo Derek and Prime Minister Jean Chretien. While he has enjoyed his success, Mike Bullard remains a Canadian “everyman”, tirelessly working on behalf of dozens of charities and giving back to the community. He makes over 150 appearances a year for organizations such as The United Way, Big Brothers and Sisters, Foster Parents Plan, Casey House, The Humane Society and the Hospital for Sick Children, among others.
When I need an event to be a success I book Mike Bullard. His hosting and humour works everywhere and for everyone. Funny and classy, Mike makes you look good for inviting him. – MC Marketing
For one hour, Mike Bullard took our group of 175 people and had them buckled over with laughter. His material was fresh, funny, and he had everyone’s attention as they didn’t know what was coming next. Our convention was a tremendous success and Mike Bullard was a huge part of it. We will certainly have him again in the future as he was diligent, professional, and courteous to everyone. –End Of The Roll
Mike Bullard has always been a favorite of mine personally. He hosted and performed at the Ha!ifax Comedy Festival in 2006 and was instantly a crowd favorite. It would be my pleasure to work with Mike in the future. Any client who works with Mike will get more than expected! – Halifax Comedy Festival
Mike Bullard was so great at the Sixth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, the Veterans LOVED him. I hope he is available to come out again next November. – MEDIchair Halton
Mike, thanks for the laughs and hopefully, you might consider returning for another event. – Sobey’s
The success of an event depends on having the right Master of Ceremonies, your ability to create energy and enthusiasm was obvious by the atmosphere in the room. On behalf of the organizing committee, and everyone at Peel Regional Police, I thank you for helping to make “Dinner with the Brass” a truly memorable occasion. – Chief of Police, Peel Region
I just want to send you a quick note on how impressed we were with Mike Bullard, he was outstanding, funny as hell! He was the MC at our event, and I can tell you that he kept things rolling along quite well. My wife and I never stopped laughing, he put on a great show and tell him his shirt looked great! (Inside joke!). Scott & Sherry, private event
Just a quick note to let you know how outstanding Mr. Bullard was at Yuk Yuk’s in Ottawa. Mr. Bullard was outstanding, cute as a button, personable, and charming and very respectful. We are still talking about Mr. Bullard’s performance and giggling, it was great to see him performing and clearly he is still on top of his game. Mike still has a huge fan-base and we are looking forward to seeing him on television again. We can’t stop thinking about him. – Diane & Rob, fans from Ottawa
Mike was the right choice for our event. It went fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Much appreciated, couldn’t have been better!!! – TD Bank
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You are here: Home / New York Police Will Support Honduras / Uncategorized / New York Police Will Support Honduras
New York Police Will Support Honduras
The Honduran police agents will be trained by police of the city of New York in different areas.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Rudolph Giuliani, famous former mayor of New York, fostered a cooperative approach between the Honduran and New York Police.
Yesterday it was confirmed that the Ministry of Security of Honduras will receive technical support in different areas from the New York Police Department (NYPD), United States.
The objective is to be able to continue with the process of purification and transformation of the National Police of Honduras.
The rapprochement between Honduran authorities and the New York Police was thanks to the management of the former mayor, now owner of the consulting company Giuliani Security & Safety (GSS).
The meeting with a view to having a better performance of the Honduran institution was under the auspices of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
A Honduran delegation that traveled to New York was integrated by the Minister of Security, General (r) Julián Pacheco, and Omar Rivera and Vilma Morales as representatives of the purification commission.
In addition, the director of the Police Directorate of Investigations (DPI), Ronmel Martínez; Luis Osavas, from the Directorate of Modernization, International Affairs and External Cooperation of the Secretary of Security, among other officers.
The officials visited the facilities of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, one of the most specialized universities in criminal justice and of great prestige in the USA.
http://www.laprensa.hn/honduras/1177073-410/polic%C3%ADa-nueva_york-honduras-rudolph_giuliani-seguridad
May 16, 2018 /by Jonathan Sieling
/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/nypdhonduras.jpeg 768 1024 Jonathan Sieling /wp-content/uploads/2017/04/logoxl.png Jonathan Sieling2018-05-16 13:33:022018-05-16 13:33:02New York Police Will Support Honduras
Amazonino hires former mayor of New York City for security measures in Mana... Amazon police receives praise from CEO of Rudolph Giuliani’s office
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Dumpsters.com Supports The Oscar Mike Foundation and Veterans Through Partnership with "Designing Spaces"
SOURCE Dumpsters.com
CLEVELAND, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dumpsters.com is proud to support The Oscar Mike Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to keep veterans active, through a partnership with the television show "Designing Spaces" which renovated the foundation's facility.
The Oscar Mike Foundation provides funding for injured vets who want to participate in adaptive sports with the goal of keeping them on-the-move – or what is known in the military as Oscar Mike. The compound in Rockford, IL features 17 beds, an adaptive weight-training room and an outdoor sports court. From March to October, the Oscar Mike facility hosts veterans every week as they participate in rigorous activities adapted to their capabilities.
To support this mission, the Designing Spaces's miniseries "Spaces of Hope" worked with a variety of charitable partners, including Dumpsters.com, to update the 9,000-square-foot compound to be completely handicap accessible, improve fire safety and add a new heating and cooling system.
"It was not so long ago our idea of getting the Oscar Mike compound completely accessible for all of the disabled veterans that we bring in was only a dream. But with the generosity of companies like Dumpsters.com, it became a reality. Our gratitude is immeasurable - thank you," said Noah Currier, the founder of The Oscar Mike Foundation.
Throughout the renovation, Dumpsters.com provided two 30 yard dumpsters to help clear away more than 10 tons worth of debris.
"We're thrilled to support this project which will help Oscar Mike provide important opportunities to veterans," said Michael Sancin, vice president of marketing at Dumpsters.com, after visiting the compound. "We're dedicated to giving back to communities we serve and there's no better way to do that than by supporting those who have served our country."
The renovation project spans three episodes of Designing Spaces airing on Lifetime. The series premiered June 6 with additional episodes on June 13 and June 20. You can catch Dumpsters.com on the June 20 episode at 7:30 a.m. EDT.
About Dumpsters.com
Launched in 2016, Dumpsters.com is a fast-growing company dedicated to delivering an innovative dumpster rental experience. With a customer-first focus, Dumpsters.com matches homeowners, contractors and businesses with quality dumpster rental services. From property cleanouts and renovations to the ongoing disposal needs of restaurants, hotels and retail stores, Dumpsters.com simplifies the waste removal experience. Dumpsters.com is headquartered in Cleveland and offers dumpster rental service in over 400 cities nationwide. Clear the way for what's next at www.dumpsters.com.
View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dumpsterscom-supports-the-oscar-mike-foundation-and-veterans-through-partnership-with-designing-spaces-300870372.html
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Kansas City Swept Up In Powerball Fever
A Powerball ticket will be drawn tonight at 9:59 p.m., and Kansas City residents have been flocking to stores in hopes of grabbing a winning ticket. Currently, the Powerball jackpot sits at $500 million.
According to the Multi-State Lottery Association, there is a 60% chance a ticket will win today, and those odds may increase as last-minute buyers gobble up tickets. There hasn’t been a winner since October 6. Currently, the $500 million jackpot is the second highest in lottery history, behind only the $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March.
Odds of winning this Powerball are currently one in 175 million. Still, that hasn’t stopped Kansas City residents from lining up outside of stores this morning in hopes of grabbing the winning ticket.
Sales for Powerball reached a record $3.96 billion this year, and are expected to reach nearly $5 billion next year. Half of the proceeds from the ticket sales go into the prize pool, and one-third of that goes into the jackpot. The remaining prize money then goes into several lower prizes, including the $1 million second prize. The other half of the ticket sale money is inserted into lottery operations in 42 states, Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands. The money is also used for charitable efforts such as education.
Despite the dreams of winning shared by the thousands of Kansas City residents, there are many cautionary tales of lottery winners from the past. Many have squandered their new fortune by being overly greedy, while others say the new money led to divorce and the deterioration of their personal lives. These stories are well-publicized, but have no effect on the thousands who are hoping to buy a winning ticket and change their lives forever.
Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.
Labels: kansas city news, Kansas lotteyr, kc news, lottery tickets, lottery winners, Missouri lottery, Powerball, Powerball drawing, Powerball numbers, Powerball odds, Powerball ticket
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In Lieu of 1000 Words: People's Liberation Big Band on International Workers Day
Name a jazz big band with a score-in-waiting for the silent film Battleship Potemkin. Go ahead, name one.
Okay, I’ll name it for you: The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City.
Now, name a jazz big band which mocks then performs (actually, mocks and performs) selections by Kurt Weill, sung by two jazz vocalists and a renowned operatic tenor.
I’ll give you a hint: It’s the same jazz big band which performed selections to scenes from the silent film Battleship Potemkin at The Record Bar before a couple hundred people on International Workers Day, May 1st.
If you’re thinking this jazz big band show must have been half crazy, well, that’s part of the fun. And I think it’s more than half.
I’ve pictured The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City before (here). The whimsy behind some of the best big band music you’ll hear – best because of the outstanding talent taking that stage – makes their first Sunday of the month shows some of the most anticipated in Kansas City. Especially twice a year when they add special guests and features for jazz shows like none other you’ll find around here.
Guests like vocalist Shay Estes, superb Tulsa vocalist Annie Ellicot, and opera tenor Nathan Granner. And features like, well, a projector showing a silent film.
Maybe you had to be there for this to make sense. So let’s try this: Take a glance at the scenes below from The People’s Liberation Big Band International Workers Day show. It was as wonderful as it looks (as always, clicking on a shot should open a larger version of it).
The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, directed by Brad Cox, playing portions of their score to the silent film Battleship Potemkin. They have a complete score ready if a theater would show the film. Anyone?
Tulsa super jazz vocalist Annie Ellicot, Kansas City super jazz vocalist Shay Estes, and super jazz bassist and sometimes vocalist Jeff Harshbarger sing while The People's Liberation Big Band performs.
Opera tenor Nathan Granner joins Shay to sing jazz with the band.
Jeffrey Ruckman on accordian with Annie on vocals
Nathan, Annie and Shay sing
Annie Ellicot and Shay Estes enjoy the band
Annie sings, Brad Cox directs, both with intensity
Annie and Shay fronting The People's Liberation Big Band
The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City on International Workers Day at The Record Bar
Posted by kcjazzlark 1 comment:
Labels: Annie Ellicot, jazz, kansas city, Nathan Granner, People's Liberation Big Band, Shay Estes
Commission Tales 5: Friends
Sometimes you wonder why you do it.
I wasn’t paid for chairing the Kansas City Jazz Commission.
First you do it because you believe in the cause, because you believe this organization deserves another chance to thrive.
You do it because you have experiences and you meet people you wouldn’t experience or meet any other way.
When your name and face become tied to the cause, you do it because you want to be tied to a cause which, ultimately, succeeds.
The full Jazz Commission held monthly meetings. I put them in City Hall, in part for the symbolism of this beleaguered commission meeting there.
Among the people who attended every month was Bennie Moten’s daughter, Zella Mae. I did not know her well. Zella Mae rarely spoke during the meetings.
One month, at the end of the meeting, Zella Mae stayed while I gathered the papers and supplies I brought with me. She stopped me at the door. There, Bennie Moten’s daughter clasped my hand between her two palms and said, “You’ve done more with the Jazz Commission than anyone since the start. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
You do it for moments like that.
We had enemies in City Hall. But we also had friends.
On the phone was a woman I knew from my jazz festival days. She had been involved in civic groups and we met somewhere along the way and remained friends. I didn’t know her husband was an assistant city manager. It had been awhile since we talked, so I was a little surprised when she called.
A city commission was meeting at her home the next night. It would be a casual evening. They would have drinks and finger food. Among the people there would be the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. Also there would be the chairman of the City Council’s budget committee who wouldn’t release the Jazz Commission’s funding and who wouldn’t meet with me.
Her husband suggested she invite me. Would I like to come?
I arrived early. The Chamber chairman and the budget committee chairman arrived together. During the meeting part of the evening, we stood on opposite sides of the living room. And during the mingling, they seemed to mingle away from me.
Towards the end of the evening, the assistant city manager tapped me on the shoulder and suggested I step into the kitchen. Now.
The Chamber chairman was standing at the sink, washing his hands. The budget committee chairman stood next to him. I walked up and introduced myself to the Chamber chairman. Cordially, we talked. He asked me about the Jazz Commission. I described the people involved. I described our plans. The budget committee chairman joined the conversation. What would we do with the city funding? I laid out how we could parlay it into more funds and stage events to benefit the city.
The conversation ended and we shook hands. The Chamber chairman and the budget committee chairman left. I had the chance to say everything I would have said in a meeting in City Hall. The Jazz Commission was no longer a nebulous body, in the budget committee chairman’s view, wasting city dollars. We had a face which he now knew. He knew our plan. I felt good.
Less than a week later, the councilman who had first befriended us phoned me. The budget committee chairman came to him with a new deal. $15,000 of the $20,000 budgeted for the Jazz Commission would go to the Commission and $5000 would go to another community group. I hesitated for just a moment. The councilman quickly added, “This is the best deal you’re going to get. You need to take it.” I did.
The funding would come up at the next budget committee meeting. The councilman suggested I bring supporters to speak in favor of it. As it turned out, they weren’t needed. The committee chairman introduced the funding, he introduced me, I spoke, reporters took notes, it passed unanimously. The committee chairman smiled the entire time, as if we were friends. The next week, the funding passed the entire City Council. The City Council continued to fund the Kansas City Jazz Commission each year I was chairman, and beyond.
Our former treasurer pled guilty and agreed to repay all of the stolen money. The incident would be removed from the person’s record when repayment was complete.
On a regular basis, we received checks from the county, passing along to the Jazz Commission the money being repaid. I don’t remember now how long it took. A year? Two years? But I remember seeing the letter from the county which accompanied the final payment, telling us that the full amount was restored.
By that time, the Kansas City Jazz Commission had moved on to new battles, but also to stage successful events and to contribute to the city.
By then, the events which precipitated those checks felt like they happened a long time ago.
Posted by kcjazzlark No comments:
Labels: jazz, Jazz Commission, kansas city
Commission Tales 4: Damage Control
Books and magazines on the shelves, a desk littered with pens and papers, and a telephone with a red light flashing for messages unheard.
In 1987, the Kansas City Jazz Commission kept an office in the Lincoln Building at 18th and Vine. But our executive director had left for a job in California. The new vice chairman, treasurer, secretary and I were looking over what we’d inherited.
The audit report was out. Our former treasurer was being prosecuted. Our executive director was gone. But we had an office. An office with a phone which kept flashing an annoying red light.
The vice chairman opened a desk drawer and rifled through some papers, then pulled one out. Startled, she blurted out, “Look at this.”
It was documentation for nearly half of the Jazz Commission expenditures which the City Auditor’s audit, and the article on the front page of the newspaper, and the news stories on TV, said were undocumented.
I called the auditor the next day. He said that he took the documents the outgoing executive director gave to him before leaving for California, and whatever expenditures were not covered by those went into the audit report as having no documentation.
Wasn’t any effort made to find the rest of the documentation? I asked. We found paperwork for half of what the audit said was undocumented with just a couple minutes of scrounging through the office. Why didn’t the auditor’s office call us and ask us to look for the remaining documentation?
After the executive director left, the auditor said, no effort was made to find anything more. All the “missing documentation” could be in the Jazz Commission office, he conceded. He never explained why neither he nor his staff called us before the report was released to see if we’d care to check.
And in part due to that, the Jazz Commission was being raked across the public coals.
An editorial in the newspaper chastised the Jazz Commission. An editorial cartoon pictured us as buffoons falling out of a pub crawl bus.
The Jazz Commission’s first chairman sent a message, through a mutual friend, that we needed to meet with the editorial board at The Kansas City Star.
Fortunately, two members of our executive committee knew what the editorial board was. I wasn’t one of them.
But they quickly explained that this was all of the staff writers, editors and cartoonists who contribute to the newspaper’s editorial pages. One of the executive committee members who already knew this arranged the meeting.
The vice chairman, treasurer, secretary and I went. We were ushered into a conference room in The Star’s building at 18th and Grand, and The Star staff members entered. We were greeted warmly.
I brought copies of the documentation we found in the Jazz Commission’s office and handed them out. I explained how this accounted for half of the expenditures which the audit report claimed were undocumented. Then we discussed the Commission, our goals, our plans, what would happen if we never received our city funding.
The conversation was friendly but professional. One Star staff member, before asking a question, wondered if the discussion was on the record. Since a reporter in the room was taking notes, everything I said assumed it was (which was also the consensus of the room).
The next day a story ran towards the back of the newspaper, near the obituaries. About two thirds of the way through it said we claimed to have documentation for some of the questioned expenditures. A few days later, an encouraging editorial supporting our efforts appeared. That helped. Future editorials would grow even more supportive.
At the end of the meeting, we chatted informally for a few moments, then The Star staff filed out of the room.
I looked around the table. All of The Star staff members had left the paper, the documentation, which I’d distributed. They took all of the pens and pads they brought into the room, but a single sheet of paper sat before each of their chairs. I stopped a moment, then walked around the table and picked each one up.
Oddly, I felt compelled to leave The Star’s conference room in the same shape as I found it.
Behind the scenes, the council member who first befriended us and the chairman of the budget committee talked, but the chairman still wanted to give our funding to another civic group. I heard details which led me to suspect that the chairman and the mayor’s assistant who leaked the audit report to the press were also discussing the Jazz Commission. But I couldn't confirm that. Neither would speak to me.
Then one afternoon I received a phone call. A friend had an idea. This might work. This might lead to the Jazz Commission’s funding being released.
I was invited to the meeting of another commission.
The story concludes in the next blog post.
Commission Tales 3: Angry Chair
I was lucky.
Because however much I may recount these Jazz Commission stories from my perspective, I was part of a team. The Jazz Commission’s vice chairman, treasurer, secretary, other members and I solved the Commission’s problems collectively. We didn’t always agree. Not everyone left the group amicably. That doesn't matter. Together, a team of wonderful, dedicated jazz fans resuscitated the Kansas City Jazz Commission.
I was also lucky because, I discovered, the Jazz Commission had friends inside and outside of City Hall. We needed them.
The Commission’s former treasurer was being prosecuted for stealing $6400 of city funds from the Jazz Commission. We were audited by the City Auditor and the unfavorable result was leaked to the newspaper. An attorney testified before a City Council committee that the Commission should be denied city funding, and nobody from the Commission showed up to defend us, angering the committee chairman. Meanwhile, two Commission chairmen resigned within a couple months of each other and our executive director took a job in California.
The new vice chairman and I decided to start by visiting the City Council office of the committee chairman who didn’t like us. The Commission’s funding was stuck in his committee. Neither of us knew how City Hall worked. This seemed to be the best place to begin finding out.
The committee chairman’s assistant was friendly. She smiled. Could we visit with the councilman? He’s a busy man (translation: no). How can we discuss with him the Commission’s budget? You might send him a memo (translation: you can’t). Could we do anything to see the Commission’s budget brought up in committee again? A councilman needs to do that (translation: no, you can’t). Thank you for your help. You’re welcome (translation: go away, losers).
I don’t remember now if the vice chairman needed to leave after that or if the next day I returned to City Hall alone. But the next logical step seemed to be to try to meet another councilman on the budget committee. I went to the office of a freshman council member. He greeted me immediately. He liked jazz.
Sometimes when you meet someone, you hit it off immediately, as if you’re lifelong friends. You don’t know why, you just do. That was the case between me and this council member. As we talked, as I laid out plans for the Jazz Commission, the councilman was engaged. He would be our advocate in the budget committee.
But there was a problem.
The committee chairman had developed a plan to give all of the Jazz Commission’s funding to another civic group. Away from the City Council, that group was this councilman’s law client. The chairman thought that assured him of this councilman’s support. But it didn’t. Well, it probably didn’t.
The councilman took me into the office of another freshman council member who was also part of the budget committee. He introduced us, laid out my case, and she was on our side. They both suggested I return after lunch, with the Commission’s vice chairman, when the committee would publicly meet, and speak before the committee.
They didn’t tell the committee chairman they suggested that.
After lunch, before the budget committee, the council member who befriended us reintroduced the Jazz Commission’s funding. The committee chairman was surprised. This wasn’t on his agenda. The two council members I’d met said there were two people from the Jazz Commission in the room who would like to speak. The committee chairman was surprised and not happy. This wasn’t on his agenda. We spoke. With controlled anger, the committee chairman asked why we had not testified before.
“Forgive us,” I responded. “I work as Production Manager in a small graphics studio. She,” as I gestured towards the Commission’s vice chairman, “is a photographer. We’re quickly learning how things work in this building.”
The committee chairman said nothing. The fourth member of the budget committee looked bemused. Two reporters, who had not been covering what was expected to be an uneventful committee meeting, rushed into the room. The budget committee meeting was adjourned. The committee chairman looked towards the two council members who introduced us and angrily said something, then left. The reporters approached. What had they missed? they asked. What precipitated that outburst? What happened?
I later found out we were, momentarily at least, the talk of City Hall. And the Jazz Commission’s funding was back in play.
The two council members who brought us this far told us that we needed to meet individually with each of the other City Council members, just as we had met with the two of them, to build support for the Jazz Commission’s funding. They would delay reconsideration until we had that support.
We were definitely learning how things worked in that building.
I, often with another Jazz Commission Executive Committee member, met with each of the other, mostly sympathetic, City Council members. All except one. The chairman of the budget committee would not see us. And he held significant say in when or if the Jazz Commission’s funding would be brought up again in his committee. He would not again be blindsided.
Then, one afternoon, the wife of an assistant city manager called me. I knew her from my days with the jazz festival. Her husband had a suggestion to help.
But first, we were told by a former Jazz Commission chairman that we needed to meet with The Kansas City Star.
More, in the next blog post.
Jazz, the Next Generation
The table for tomorrow’s history is being set during the day, each Saturday.
I’ve written about and photographed the Mutual Musicians Foundation at 1823 Highland (here and here). Once the black musicians' union building, today it is a National Historic Landmark known for all night jazz jams. It’s not just Kansas City’s most historic structure, but one of the most historic buildings in jazz history.
But not all of the significant activity there happens overnight.
Each Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m., students receive music lessons from Kansas City’s accomplished jazz musicians. The program, headed by trombonist Osmond Fisher, is free to the students.
That’s right. There is no charge.
The day I was there, student ages spanned from 5 to high school. The band, dubbed Young Jazz Masters, rehearsed for a performance at the Gem Theater, less than a block from the Foundation, as part of the 18th and Vine Festival. That festival, co-produced by the American Jazz Museum and Penn Valley Community College, gave 45 student bands the chance over two days to perform and be critiqued on the Gem stage.
If you’re interested in the Mutual Musicians Foundation Saturday program, either with a student to participate or with a donation to support it, contact the Foundation at 816-471-5212 or Osmond Fisher at 216-256-8332.
For me, it was a treat to hear the Young Jazz Masters practice in a building which has hosted so much jazz history. And it was a delight to cheer them in the student competition.
How much a treat and how delightful? Decide for yourself through the photos below. As always, clicking one should open a larger version of it.
Young Jazz Masters, directed by Osmond Fisher, rehearse inside the Mutual Musicians Foundation
Students practice...
...While enveloped by jazz history
Taking instruction
The horn section starts at age 5 (and can blow)
Appreciating the solo
This horn player is dubious of the photographer
Young Jazz Masters rehearse prior to...
...Taking the stage at the Gem Theater. My prediction: This isn't the last time many of them will be on that stage.
Back at the Foundation. I don't usually post photos of people who mug for the camera, but who can resist a beaming multi-instrumentalist surrounded by history?
Labels: jazz, kansas city, Mutual Musicians Foundation
In Lieu of 1000 Words: People's Liberation Big Ban...
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Entries in Among Wolves [2016] (1)
Among Wolves (2016)
Monday, February 18, 2019 at 10:40PM
War in Peace
In the closing scene of Among Wolves, a former paramilitary commander in the Bosnian War named Lija talks about a gang of horses who, when faced by an approaching pack of wolves, closed ranks and formed a circle, from which they desperately hind-kicked their attackers. A quarter-century after the conflict, Lija heads a biker gang called The Wolves who, in a cosmic twist, has made a name for itself in the region, both as protectors of endangered wild horses and keepers of the national spirit in their hometown of Livno.
“It’s a fight for survival,” he says. “It is a great thing to see”.
Shawn Convey’s documentary is full of seemingly irreconcilable contrasts like this, ones that point out the madness of war as well as the natural inevitability of conflict between and among species. The Wolves look like hardened rebel bikers. Indeed, the senior membership have been physically and spiritually re-shaped by atrocities that should forgive passersby for judging these tattered books by their covers. But they have also, to a person, learned the correct lesson of combat: though sometimes necessary, it is never a cause for admiration or celebration. There is nobility in defending one’s homeland, especially in the face of overwhelming odds, but the cost of watching one’s friends disintegrate and one’s lands be pock-marked by bombs, littered with shells, and haunted by unexploded mines is nearly incalculable.
There’s a second layer to the metaphor of the horses and the wolves (or, I guess, the Wolves), and it involves the bikers’ internal generational conflict. During one of the gang’s meetings, which takes place in a crowded conference room where Lija shouts out the agenda from behind a desktop computer, one of the twenty-something Wolves is reprimanded for disrupting a nearby town with his obnoxious stunt-riding. This behavior goes against the pack’s code of conduct, which allows for all kinds of wild revelry during Wolf-approved functions, but prohibits any activities that would cause the peaceful communities around Livno to think badly of the group.
The biker in question admits to wrongdoing, and jokes his way down the humility ladder from Indignant to Subservient. Lija understands the impulses that drive the younger Wolves, most of whom weren’t even alive during the war. The elders take it upon themselves to coach the up-and-comers, not by drilling in horror stories of their days on the front lines, but by showing them the value of community outreach—by putting them through the rigors of donating blood; performing maintenance on a nearby school/orphanage; helping to deliver and unload nearly a million Euros worth of medical supplies to a hospital; and checking on those horses.
In the last thirty-plus years, Livno has all but wasted away. The replacement population is largely uninterested in sticking around, and the Wolves have formed a circle around their city, fiercely kicking at the after-effects of modernity. At one point, Lija laments, “Food prices go up. Phone prices go down”. The world of Livno and the world at large, it feels to him and his brothers, has either forgotten their sacrifices or was never forced to understand them in the first place—a direct result of the Wolves’ having taken a stand to ensure a future for their people in which they’d have the freedom to bury the past.
Part of the younger Wolves’ education involves a visit to an abandoned military base. To them, it’s a field trip, just like their appearance at a memorial dedication, which comes at the very end of the film. But to Lija and the elder Wolves, running their hands along a tank barrel and listening to the story of how one mass grave became a call to Never Forget, the tangible reminders of their still-fresh horrors are opportunities to make tangible the new fight, the good fight to keep their beloved people from making the same mistakes that turned them into killers and victims.
I don’t know anything about the Bosnian War beyond a line from Kevin Smith’s Clerks, a Wikipedia entry that made my brain hurt by paragraph two, and Shawn Convey’s documentary. Among Wolves doesn’t expound on the conflict, doesn’t offer the audience insight into whose side they should be on, who the sides even were, or what they were fighting about. The immersion made me feel stupid, frankly, but by the end I understood that Convey’s documentary isn’t about the Bosnian War. It’s about war, period. No matter the region, race, or reason of the parties involved, it’s good for absolutely nothing—except, perhaps, as a reminder that sometimes people who survive the worst are capable of doing the best.
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS
JEROME S. TILZER, et al.,
Appellants,
DAVIS, BETHUNE & JONES, L.L.C., et al.,
Appellees.
1. Missouri's compulsory counterclaim rule does not require a client to litigate a claim for legal malpractice in response to an attorney's motion to enforce an attorney's fee lien in the underlying action that gave rise to both the malpractice claim and the attorney's fee lien.
2. The doctrine of collateral estoppel applies only to those issues that were necessarily and unambiguously decided in a prior adjudication.
3. A non-class action aggregate settlement is a settlement of the claims of two or more individual claimants in which the resolution of the claims is interdependent. Key features of interdependency are a condition that a specific percentage of claimants must accept the settlement and an allocation among the claimants of a maximum aggregate settlement fund under which each claimant cannot accept or reject his or her share of the settlement without affecting the other claimants' settlement shares.
4. In determining whether to order documents to be filed under seal, the district court should balance the parties' and the public's interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information contained in the documents against the public policy of having court records open to public scrutiny. The district court's determination to seal documents is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.
Appeal from Johnson district court; JAMES F. VANO, judge. Opinion filed April 3, 2009. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings.
William J. Skepnek, of Skepnek Fagan Meyer & Davis, P.A., of Lawrence, argued the cause, and Trey T. Meyer and Mark T. Emert, of the same firm, and Steven M. Smoot, of Smoot Law Firm, P.C., of Houston, Texas, were with him on the brief for appellants.
Daniel E. Hamann, of Deacy & Deacy, LLP, of Kansas City, Missouri, argued the cause, and Dale L. Beckerman and Spencer J. Brown, of the same firm, were with him on the brief for appellees Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C. and Grant L. Davis.
Cathy J. Dean, of Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Todd A. Gangel and Lori C. McGroder, of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P., of Kansas City, Missouri, were on the brief for intervenors/appellees Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Eli Lilly and Company.
The opinion of the court was delivered by
JOHNSON, J.: Jerome S. Tilzer, individually and as plaintiff ad litem for Rita Tilzer, Todd A. Tilzer, and Jill Jokelson, (hereafter collectively referred to as Tilzers) appeal the granting of summary judgment in favor of the defendants, Grant L. Davis and Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC, (hereafter collectively referred to as Davis), in this legal malpractice action. Tilzers raise four issues on appeal: (1) whether Tilzers' legal malpractice claims are compulsory counterclaims to Davis' motion to enforce an attorney lien in a prior Missouri state court action and therefore barred by res judicata in the present action; (2) whether Tilzers' claims are barred by collateral estoppel based upon the litigation in the Missouri action; (3) whether the district court erred in ruling that the "Global Settlement" in the Missouri action was not an "aggregate settlement" within the meaning of Rule 4-1.8(g) of the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 4-1.8[g]); and (4) whether the district court erred in ordering certain documents to be sealed. We find that the district court did not abuse its discretion in ordering that the confidential settlement documents be filed under seal. However, the court did err in holding that Tilzers' claims were compulsory counterclaims in the Missouri action and that collateral estoppel applied to the aggregate settlement issue. Therefore, we reverse and remand.
FACTUAL OVERVIEW
In September 2001, Rita Tilzer hired attorney Grant L. Davis and his firm Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C., to represent her in an action against drug manufacturers Eli Lilly and Company and Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company for negligently enabling pharmacist Robert Courtney to dilute her cancer drugs. The lawsuit was one of several hundred individual suits filed in Jackson County, Missouri, by cancer patients or their surviving family members; Davis represented many, but not all of the plaintiffs. After Rita Tilzer died in January 2002, her husband and children were substituted as plaintiffs. Derek E. Jokelson, an attorney from Philadelphia and son-in-law of Rita Tilzer, acted as cocounsel for Tilzers after being admitted pro hac vice in the Missouri proceeding. Jokelson is not a named defendant in the Kansas malpractice action.
After commencement of the trial in another patient's separate case in October 2002, the pharmaceutical companies offered a settlement proposal. After mediation, a settlement agreement was reached in which all plaintiffs who had filed a lawsuit against the companies were eligible to "opt in." Under the agreement, titled "Global Settlement," the defendants would establish a settlement fund of not less than a specified amount and not more than a specified amount, with the exact amount to be determined through binding arbitration.
The Missouri trial judge, Judge Lee Wells, appointed two special masters. One was a former circuit court judge and the other was a former Missouri Court of Appeals judge. Judge Wells worked with the special masters to develop a system for evaluating the individual claims, apparently with a view to avoiding the Global Settlement being classified as an aggregate settlement. Essentially, the special masters would apply uniform standards to each claimant who had opted in to the settlement and would determine the amount of money each claimant would receive from the settlement fund.
Tilzers opted in to the settlement agreement and completed the applicable claim form. The documents that Tilzers signed included an agreement to keep the terms of the settlement confidential. The special masters established the dollar amount to be awarded to Tilzers, and Judge Wells approved that award, despite Tilzers' objection. On November 24, 2003, the pharmaceutical companies filed a motion to enforce the settlement agreement, requesting that the court order Tilzers to execute a dismissal with prejudice and otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. Two days later, Davis filed a motion to enforce an attorney's lien in the Missouri case.
Tilzers opposed the motion to enforce settlement, arguing that the agreement was "(1) illegal and unethical on its face; (2) [was] in violation of Rule 4-1.8(g); and (3) [had] been obtained through deceit and fraud in factum." At a December 22, 2003, hearing, Tilzers acknowledged that a formal response to the attorney's lien motion had not yet been filed, but advised Judge Wells that Tilzers' arguments in opposition to Davis' attorney's lien motion would track Tilzers' response to the drug companies' settlement enforcement motion. With the parties' consent, the judge continued the hearing on Davis' attorney's lien motion to January 2, 2004.
On December 30, 2003, Tilzers filed a counterclaim against Davis, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, and breach of contract. Tilzers asserted the same claims in a separate action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas prior to January 2, 2004. That separate federal court action was subsequently dismissed for lack of complete diversity.
At the scheduled motion hearing on January 2, 2004, Tilzers sought a continuance to allow for discovery on its counterclaim. Tilzers expressed concern that the legal malpractice claim might later be deemed a compulsory counterclaim to the motion for enforcement of the attorney's lien, and, if so, Tilzers asserted that they were entitled to fully litigate the matter, including the right to conduct discovery and to submit the question to a jury. Judge Wells expressed a desire to conclude the Missouri case and denied the continuance. However, the judge informed the parties that he did not intend for his ruling on the attorney's lien motion to foreclose any future legal malpractice action. The Tilzers withdrew from the hearing to avoid a later claim that they were collaterally estopped on their legal malpractice claims. The court heard the testimony of Grant Davis and Jerome Tilzer.
In its January 14, 2004, order, the court granted Davis' motion on the attorney's lien and memorialized its order granting enforcement of the settlement agreement. Judge Wells specifically found that the Global Settlement was not an aggregate settlement within the meaning of Rule 4-1.8(g), because of the methodology developed by the court and special masters. The court also found no credible evidence of any misconduct by Davis.
The Tilzers did not appeal the Missouri trial court's rulings. On April 5, 2004, Tilzers dismissed their counterclaim. Approximately 3 weeks later, Tilzers filed the instant legal malpractice action in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, claiming breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and fraud arising from Davis' representation in the Missouri action. Tilzers specifically alleged that the Missouri settlement agreement was effectively an aggregate settlement and that Davis had failed to comply with the disclosure requirements of Rule 4-1.8(g).
During discovery in the Kansas malpractice action, Tilzers filed a motion to compel the testimony of Grant Davis, to which they attached documents containing information which they had agreed to keep confidential in the Missouri proceeding. The pharmaceutical companies intervened to request that the Kansas court order that any documents, pleadings, or other materials containing the terms of the Missouri settlement agreement be filed and maintained under seal. Over Tilzers' objection, the Kansas court granted the intervenors' motion.
Davis filed a summary judgment motion, claiming that the malpractice claims were compulsory counterclaims to the motion to enforce his attorney's lien in the Missouri action and, accordingly, were now res judicata in the Kansas action. Further, Davis argued that the aggregate settlement question, as well as the other claims of legal malpractice, were litigated as defenses to the motion to enforce the attorney's lien in the Missouri proceeding, and, therefore, the doctrine of collateral estoppel also precluded relitigating the issues in the current proceeding. The Tilzers responded with their motion for partial summary judgment, asking the court to find that Davis participated in the making of an aggregate settlement without providing Tilzers with the disclosures required by Rule 4-1.8(g).
The Johnson County District Court granted summary judgment to Davis, finding that all of Tilzers' claims arose from the attorney-client relationship in the Missouri action for which Davis had sought to enforce an attorney's fee lien. The Kansas court interpreted the Missouri compulsory counterclaim rule as requiring Tilzers' malpractice claims to have been asserted in the Missouri action, and, accordingly, found Davis "entitled to summary judgment on the codified res judicata claim preclusion grounds." Further, the Kansas court determined that Tilzers were collaterally estopped from relitigating the aggregate settlement question.
The Kansas court denied Tilzers' motion for partial summary judgment, reasoning that because "the amount that each of [Davis'] clients would receive [under the settlement] was not and could not have been known by the lawyers prior to the announcement to all of the opted in claimants . . . this could not be an aggregate settlement contemplated by the rules of professional conduct."
Tilzers filed a timely appeal of the summary judgment rulings, and the case was transferred to this court, pursuant to K.S.A. 20-3018(c).
STANDARDS OF REVIEW
Procedurally, this case involves the review of the district court's rulings on summary judgment motions, the standard for which has been stated as:
"'"'Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The trial court is required to resolve all facts and inferences which may reasonably be drawn from the evidence in favor of the party against whom the ruling is sought. When opposing a motion for summary judgment, an adverse party must come forward with evidence to establish a dispute as to a material fact. In order to preclude summary judgment, the facts subject to the dispute must be material to the conclusive issues in the case. On appeal, we apply the same rules and where we find reasonable minds could differ as to the conclusions drawn from the evidence, summary judgment must be denied.' [Citations omitted.]"'" Smith v. Kansas Gas Service Co., 285 Kan. 33, 39, 169 P.3d 1052 (2007).
To the extent we are called upon to interpret statutory provisions, we will exercise unlimited review. Genesis Health Club, Inc. v. City of Wichita, 285 Kan. 1021, 1031, 181 P.3d 549 (2008). However, we accord deference to the district court's determination of which, if any, documents or pleadings are to be filed under seal, and we will review that determination for an abuse of discretion. Cf. In re Tax Appeal of City of Wichita, 277 Kan. 487, 513, 86 P.3d 513 (2004) (district court has discretion over discovery matters and any decision made by the court in that regard will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear abuse of that discretion).
COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM
The district court agreed with Davis' argument that Tilzers' malpractice claims in the Kansas action were barred by res judicata based upon Missouri's compulsory counterclaim rule. That rule provides in relevant part:
"(a) Compulsory Counterclaims. A pleading shall state as a counterclaim any claim that at the time of serving the pleading the pleader has against any opposing party, if it arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim and does not require for its adjudication the presence of third parties of whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction." 1 Mo. Court Rules § 55.32 (2008).
Citing to Jewish Hosp. of St. Louis v. Gaertner, 655 S.W.2d 638, 641 (Mo. App. 1983), the Kansas court found:
"Under the plain meaning of Rule 55.32(a) and the interpretation given to that language by Missouri courts, a claim for damages based upon negligent performance of services arises from the same transaction as does a claim for non-payment for those same services. Thus, in an action by an attorney to recover fees from a client, a malpractice claim by that same client would be a compulsory counterclaim."
Tilzers' arguments had focused on whether Davis was an "opposing party" within the meaning of the rule, rather than challenging whether the malpractice claims arose from the same transaction that gave rise to the attorney's fee lien. The district court acknowledged Tilzers' argument that Gaertner is distinguishable because it was an independent collection action, where the malpractice claimant was the named defendant and the party seeking unpaid fees was the plaintiff, i.e., they were unquestionably "opposing parties." Here, in contrast, Davis was not a party to the underlying action. Tilzers contended that the distinction was critical because a counterclaiming defendant in an independent collection action possesses procedural benefits which were unavailable to Tilzers in the motion proceeding, such as the right to conduct discovery and the right to a jury trial.
The district court rejected the argument, finding that in applying the counterclaim rule in Missouri, an attorney seeking to enforce an attorney's fee lien in the underlying lawsuit is just as much an opposing party to the client (or former client) as if the attorney had brought a separate lawsuit against the former client to collect the fees. For support under Missouri precedent, the district court cited to Hemme v. Bharti, 183 S.W.3d 593, 596 (Mo. 2006), for the proposition that
"The counterclaim rule is not limited to claims by a defendant against a plaintiff–Rule 55.32(a) does not use those labels. So it is possible for co-parties in some circumstances to be 'opposing parties,' for example, when one co-party brings a claim for its own damages against another co-party. In that circumstance, they would be opposing parties–though both originally are co-defendants–and, thus, would be subject to the compulsory counterclaim rule."
Hemme involved a personal injury action in which the plaintiff and defendant had been codefendants in a previous action. In the prior case, the personal injury defendant (then codefendant) had cross-claimed for indemnity and contribution, but the personal injury plaintiff (then codefendant) had not cross-claimed for the personal injury being claimed in the current personal injury lawsuit. The trial court found that the personal injury claim was compulsory in the prior action and therefore barred by res judicata in the current action. The Missouri Supreme Court reversed, holding that "[t]he compulsory counterclaim rule does not require a defendant against whom a cross-claim for indemnity, contribution or apportionment of fault is asserted to set forth her claim for injuries against her cross-claiming co-defendant in a response." 183 S.W.3d at 595. In the dictum quoted by the Kansas court, Hemme was explaining that the compulsory counterclaim statute was not textually limited to plaintiffs and defendants, so that a possibility remained that co-parties could be "opposing parties" under some circumstances. However, the opinion did not stretch so far as to suggest that a nonparty to an action could trigger the compulsory counterclaim statute by filing a motion to enforce a lien against the judgment rendered in that action.
Although the Kansas court recited that Missouri law would govern the claim preclusion issue, it relied heavily on an opinion from the New Mexico Court of Appeals, Computer One, Inc. v. Grisham & Lawless, P.A., 141 N.M. 869, 873, 161 P.3d 914 (Ct. App. 2007), rev'd 144 N.M. 424, 188 P.3d 1175 (2008), which involved similar facts and a similar compulsory counterclaim statute. There, the law firm representing Computer One in a contract action entered into a settlement agreement. Computer One refused to comply with the settlement, claiming the law firm did not have authority to enter into the agreement. The law firm withdrew and subsequently filed notice of a charging lien against the settlement proceeds. The other party to the contract dispute sought court enforcement of the settlement agreement. The trial court found that the law firm was authorized to enter into the agreement and ordered its enforcement.
Computer One objected to the attorney's fee charging lien, arguing that the fees were unreasonable and excessive and renewing the claim that the firm never had authority to enter into the settlement agreement. The court dismissed Computer One's objections as untimely filed and ordered disbursement of the settlement funds including payment of the attorney's fee lien.
Over a year later, Computer One brought a legal malpractice claim against the firm, asserting negligence in handling their claims and settlement negotiations. The firm moved for summary judgment, arguing that the malpractice action was precluded because it was a compulsory counterclaim to the charging lien. The firm also argued that the malpractice allegations were substantively the same as the defenses asserted against the charging lien, and therefore those allegations could not be relitigated. The New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's granting of summary judgment for the law firm, reasoning that Computer One met the definition of an "opposing party" to the firm's charging lien, even though the charging lien was filed in the underlying lawsuit. 144 N.M. at 428.
Subsequent to the district court's memorandum decision in this case, the New Mexico Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals, finding that an "opposing party" under that state's compulsory counterclaim law, Rule 1-013(A), "'must be one who asserts a claim against the prospective counterclaimant in the first instance.'" 144 N.M. at 430. Since the lien was asserted in the underlying litigation and not in a separate collection action naming Computer One as the defendant, the adversarial requirement had not been met. The Supreme Court further explained:
"The notion of fair notice implicit in Rule 1-013(A) follows one's status as an opposing party. Nothing in that rule speaks about 'degrees of hostility' or a 'sufficiently adversarial' relationship, or other terms susceptible to a variety of interpretations, as a substitute for being an 'opposing party.' Nothing in Rule 1-013(A) would force a compulsory counterclaim on one who is not first a 'party.' Given the grave consequences of Rule 1-013(A), we think that rule is better served by a sense of certainty and predictability implicit in the notion that one must first be a 'party' before one can be an 'opposing party.' . . . [A]n attorney does not transform his former client into either, merely by taking steps to secure attorney fees in the same underlying proceeding.
"On the other hand, if the Firm had wanted to file a separate suit for breach of contract against Computer One for its attorney fees, then . . . Computer One would have had to press its legal malpractice allegations simultaneously as a compulsory counterclaim. [Citation omitted.] The Firm chose not to do so." Computer One, 144 N.M. at 431.
While the New Mexico precedent is not binding authority, its reasoning is persuasive, especially in light of Missouri case law establishing the methods by which attorneys may recover fees from their clients: (1) By proceeding against the client; (2) by proceeding against the defendant, either by motion in the original case or in an independent proceeding; or (3) by proceeding against the judgment itself. Nelson v. Massman Const. Co., 120 S.W.2d 77, 89 (Mo. App. 1938). By moving to enforce an attorney's fee lien in the underlying action, Davis was proceeding against the judgment itself, not against the former client. Such an action does not transform the former client into an "opposing party" for purposes of the compulsory counterclaim rule. To invoke that rule, Davis had to file an independent action against Tilzers, i.e., had to become a "party" in the first instance.
In conclusion, the district court erred in finding that Missouri's compulsory counterclaim rule required Tilzers to assert their legal malpractice claims as a response to Davis' motion to enforce an attorney's fee lien in the underlying Missouri lawsuit. Summary judgment on the issue of claim preclusion is reversed.
COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL
Alternatively, the Kansas court found that Tilzers were precluded from relitigating the aggregated settlement issue in the present case under the doctrine of collateral estoppel. That doctrine operates to preclude the reconsideration of issues that were actually litigated in the prior proceeding, in contrast to claim preclusion which bars the assertion of claims which should have been brought in the prior proceeding. See Hollida v. Hollida, 190 S.W.3d 550, 555 (Mo. App. 2006). Thus, although we have found that Tilzers' malpractice claim was not barred in the present case, we must also determine if Tilzers can assert their aggregate settlement issue as a basis for that claim in Kansas. Cf. Computer One, 188 P.3d at 1184-85 (issues litigated in defending against attorney's fee lien precluded in subsequent malpractice action).
The district court applied Missouri law to the collateral estoppel question. See Durfee v. Duke, 375 U.S. 106, 109, 11 L. Ed. 2d 186, 84 S. Ct. 242 (1963) (Full Faith and Credit Clause of United States Constitution requires State enforcing foreign judgment to apply rendering state's law if more preclusive than that of enforcing state). The parties do not challenge that choice of law. The Missouri test has been stated as:
"In deciding whether collateral estoppel applies, the following four factors are considered: (1) is the issue in the present case identical to the issue decided in the prior adjudication; (2) was there a judgment on the merits in the prior adjudication; (3) is the party against whom collateral estoppel asserted the same party or in privity with a party in the prior adjudication; and (4) did the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted have a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior suit[?] The doctrine applies only to those issues that were necessarily and unambiguously decided. [Citation omitted.]" State ex rel. Johns v. Kays, 181 S.W.3d 565, 566 (Mo. 2006).
Tilzers concede that the first factor (identical issue) and the third factor (identical parties) were both met in this case. They challenge the applicability of collateral estoppel based upon the second and fourth factors, asserting that the Missouri court did not enter a judgment on the merits and that Tilzers did not have a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in that proceeding.
The second collateral estoppel factor was considered in Wilkes v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 92 S.W.3d 116, 121 (Mo. App. 2002), which stated:
"A judgment on the merits is one rendered when it is determined which party is in the right after argument and investigation, as distinguished from a judgment rendered upon some preliminary or technical point, or by default, and without trial. [Citation omitted.] Where there is a question of whether a previous decision went to the merits of the case, no preclusive effect is given to the earlier decision."
Wilkes found that the requirement of a judgment on the merits of an issue was satisfied in a summary judgment where the court's memorandum of decision reflected that it had considered and resolved the issue. 92 S.W.3d at 121.
Tilzers argue that Wilkes is distinguishable because the parties in that case had filed a petition and an answer and had engaged in discovery. In contrast, the Tilzers point out that they filed a counterclaim which was dismissed without a responsive pleading. They claim that "[t]here was no argument or investigation, no judicial determination of which party was in the right." We disagree.
In challenging the enforcement of the settlement agreement, Tilzers explicitly argued that the Global Settlement was invalid because it was an aggregate settlement within the meaning of Rule 4-1.8(g). The Missouri court rejected that argument, finding that the settlement was not an aggregate settlement within the purview of Rule 4-1.8(g). With respect to the attorney's fee lien motion, Tilzers' counsel clearly advised Judge Wells that part of the defense to the motion was that Davis violated the disclosure requirements of Rule 4-1.8(g). Given that those disclosure requirements are only triggered by an aggregate settlement, Tilzers were simply advancing the same issue, i.e., whether the Global Settlement was an aggregate settlement. In short, the issue was clearly argued to the Missouri court.
Granted, Judge Wells did explicitly state that it was not the court's intent to foreclose a subsequent malpractice action by ruling on the motion to enforce the attorney's fee lien. However, the Missouri court clearly considered the issue of whether the Global Settlement was a Rule 4-1.8(g) aggregate settlement and resolved that issue adversely to the Tilzers, i.e., the court made a "judicial determination of which party was in the right" on that particular issue. Moreover, the Missouri court offered its reasoning for that decision. In other words, consistent with Wilkes, the Missouri court entered a judgment on the merits of the aggregate settlement issue.
To the extent Tilzers complain about the posture of the pleadings in the case at the time of judgment or the lack of an opportunity to fully investigate the issue prior to judgment, they are challenging whether the issue was ripe for a judgment on the merits. However, that query does not affect the second factor of whether the Missouri court did, in fact, enter a judgment on the merits.
In analyzing the fourth factor or element of collateral estoppel, i.e., whether Tilzers had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the Missouri lawsuit, the Kansas court noted that Missouri courts look at an additional four factors to resolve this step, to wit:
"(1) did the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted have a strong incentive to litigate the prior adjudication; (2) does the second forum afford the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted procedural opportunities not available in the first action; (3) is the prior judgment, upon which collateral estoppel is based, inconsistent with one or more prior judgments; and (4) was the forum in the first action substantially inconvenient to the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted[?]" Wilkes, 92 S.W.3d at 122.
The third and fourth factors are not in play in this case. There was no prior inconsistent judgment, and the Missouri proceeding was not inconvenient for the parties.
On the first factor, the Kansas court rejected Tilzers' argument that they did not have a strong incentive to litigate the issue in the Missouri lawsuit because that action was not the "'proper forum to fulfill their rights.'" The court opined that Tilzers "strongly wished to litigate the issue of the aggregate settlement," but that they "just wished to litigate the issue in this court, not in Missouri." That rationale appears to overlook that the aggregate settlement issue was simply a component of Tilzers' overarching claim that Davis had committed malpractice in representing them in the Missouri action. Tilzers "strongly wished" to fully litigate their entire claim of malpractice in a manner consistent with the procedural and substantive rights which would have been available to them in a separate malpractice lawsuit. Once Judge Wells clarified that he was going to rule on the motion to enforce the attorney's fee lien without a full litigation of all of the malpractice allegations and without prejudice to further litigation on the question of malpractice, the Tilzers had scant incentive to partially litigate their claim on the aggregate settlement subissue.
The Kansas court acknowledged that Tilzers had "a stronger argument on the second factor"–that the Kansas proceeding offered procedural opportunities not available in the Missouri action. Nevertheless, the district court determined that Tilzers did have some discovery opportunities in Missouri and that they had failed to identify any witness or document that was not available to them in Missouri. That rationale is unpersuasive.
The short time line in the motion proceedings made meaningful discovery impracticable. Moreover, it is counterintuitive to declare that the unavailability of discovery is not prejudicial unless the complaining party can identify the witnesses and documents that would have been discovered. One of the purposes of the discovery process is to enable a party to learn of those witnesses and documents which will be useful in the litigation. On the other hand, Tilzers do not explain how having a jury as the factfinder or having discovery to obtain additional facts would have affected Judge Wells' ruling on the legal effect of the Global Settlement. Nevertheless, there can be no question that the independent lawsuit in Kansas offered Tilzers procedural opportunities that were unavailable to them in the Missouri proceedings on Davis' motion.
Additionally, the collateral estoppel doctrine in Missouri only applies "to those issues that were necessarily and unambiguously decided" in the prior adjudication. See Kays, 181 S.W.3d at 566. While Judge Wells unambiguously ruled that the Global Settlement was not invalid as an aggregate settlement, his ruling on the issue in the context of the attorney fees motion is less straightforward. More importantly, however, a ruling on the aggregate settlement issue does not appear to have been necessary for Judge Wells' decision on Davis' attorney's fee lien motion.
The Missouri court announced that its order enforcing the attorney's fee lien would not affect Tilzers' malpractice claims against Davis. Apparently, the court viewed the task presented by the attorney's fee lien motion to be a calculation of the amount of fees that Tilzers contracted to pay Davis and a determination of the reasonableness of those fees. In that event, the aggregate settlement issue was only relevant, if at all, to the question of whether Tilzers were entitled to an offset against Davis' attorney's fee lien based on malpractice. If the Missouri court was declining to rule on the malpractice claim, it had no reason to reach the subissue within that claim regarding any violations of the disclosure requirements of Rule 4-1.8(g). In other words, the ruling on the aggregate settlement issue was gratuitous and unnecessary to the decision rendered on the attorney's fee lien.
Perhaps more fundamentally, Rule 4-1.8(g) is a rule of professional conduct defining an unethical conflict of interest for an attorney representing two or more clients in a particular action. It is not a statutory provision governing the validity of settlement agreements, i.e., rendering aggregate settlements unlawful as a matter of law. Indeed, if all of the plaintiffs in the Missouri lawsuit had been represented by separate counsel, Rule 4-1.8(g) would not have applied, regardless of the terms of the settlement.
Likewise, compliance with the ethical rule is not necessarily a condition precedent to the enforcement of an attorney's fee lien. The preamble to the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct (KRPC) Rule 226 (2008 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 391) explains the scope and function of the rules, clarifying that an ethical violation does not establish a per se claim for malpractice:
"Violation of a Rule should not itself give rise to a cause of action against a lawyer nor should it create any presumption in such a case that a legal duty has been breached. In addition, violation of a Rule does not necessarily warrant any other nondisciplinary remedy, such as disqualification of a lawyer in pending litigation. The Rules are designed to provide guidance to lawyers and to provide a structure for regulating conduct through disciplinary agencies. They are not designed to be a basis for civil liability. Furthermore, the purpose of the rules can be subverted when they are involved by opposing parties as procedural weapons. The fact that a Rule is a just basis for a lawyer's self-assessment, or for sanctioning a lawyer under the administration of a disciplinary authority, does not imply that an antagonist in a collateral proceeding or transaction has standing to seek enforcement of the rule." KRPC (Preamble-Scope) 2008 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. at 395.
Likewise, this court has opined:
"An attorney's violation of the ethics rules cannot create a cause of action to adverse litigants or even to clients. This is because the ethics rules do not impose a legal duty on the attorney owing to either a client or a third party. Occasionally, attorney conduct which violates an ethics rule may also violate an independent legal duty and a cause of action may ensue. It is the violation of the independent legal duty, not the ethics rule, that gives rise to a cause of action." OMI Holdings, Inc. v. Howell, 260 Kan. 305, Syl. ¶ 1, 918 P.2d 1274 (1996).
Thus, even in the Kansas malpractice action, a finding that Davis violated Rule 4-1.8(g) is unnecessary. Obviously, the Missouri action was not an attorney disciplinary proceeding, and an interpretation of the applicability of the ethical rules was not required. Accordingly, the Kansas district court erred in applying the doctrine of collateral estoppel.
AGGREGATE SETTLEMENT
The Kansas district court's decision included a denial of Tilzers' motion for partial summary judgment on the question of whether Davis participated in making a Rule 4-1.8(g) aggregate settlement without making the requisite disclosures. The district court found that the Global Settlement was not an aggregate settlement because the information required to be disclosed under the rule was not and could not have been known. We disagree with the analysis. The lack of information would actually support a finding that it was an aggregate settlement.
To review, Missouri Rule 4-1.8(g) provides that an attorney representing two or more clients is not to participate in an aggregate settlement of the clients' claims, unless each client has given a written, signed, and informed consent to the settlement. To obtain the consent, the attorney's disclosure to the clients is to include the existence and nature of all of the claims and of the participation of each person in the settlement.
The parties acknowledge that neither Kansas nor Missouri has any law specifically defining an aggregate settlement. We have located no assistance from the law of any of our sister states. We note that Tilzers cite to Straubinger v. Schmitt, 348 N.J. Super. 494, 792 A.2d 481 (2002), and Davis cites to Arce v. Burrow, 958 S.W.2d 239, 245 (Tex. App. 1997), aff'd in part and rev'd in part, 997 S.W.2d 229 (Tex. 1999), but find neither case to be sufficiently on point to assist with interpreting whether the terms of the Global Settlement constituted an aggregate settlement.
Although not cited by either party, we note that the American Law Institute (ALI) has recently completed a 5-year project on the development of the Principles of the Law of Aggregate Litigation, issuing its Tentative Draft No. 1 on April 7, 2008. The ALI distinguishes between class action and non-class action aggregate settlements, defining the latter as follows:
"Definition of a Non-Class Aggregate Settlement
"(a) A non-class aggregate settlement is a settlement of the claims of two or more individual claimants in which the resolution of the claims is interdependent.
"(b) The resolution of claims in a non-class aggregate settlement is interdependent if:
(1) the defendant's acceptance of the settlement is contingent upon the acceptance by a number or specified percentage of the claimants; or
(2) the value of each claim is not based solely on individual case-by-case facts and negotiations." Principles of the Law of Aggregate Litigation § 3.16, p. 322.
Under this definition, interdependency is the key. The commentary notes that the definition incorporates the two settlement characteristics that render claims interdependent: (1) collective conditionality and (2) collective allocation. The former suggests that a settlement conditioned on the acceptance of a specific percentage of claimants is an aggregate settlement. The latter establishes the existence of an aggregate settlement if the value of each claim is determined by any method other than on an individual basis. The ALI also recognizes the possibility of "multiclaimant nonaggregate settlements," which it defines as a settlement where the defendant is "willing to negotiate an individual, fact-specific settlement for each claimant without setting a cap on the aggregate damages or insisting that a set percentage of the potential claimants agree to the settlement." Principles of the Law of Aggregate Litigation § 3.16, p. 325.
The ALI provides a helpful illustration:
"An attorney represents 100 plaintiffs complaining of various injuries caused by an allegedly defective drug manufactured by Defendant. During settlement negotiations the attorneys for the plaintiffs and Defendant individually assess each claim with a goal that the total settlement would equal $1 million. Defendant agrees to the settlement only if at least 95 percent of all of the claimants agree. The settlement is an aggregate one under subsection (b)(1), even though the amounts were individually negotiated, because Defendant has conditioned its acceptance of the settlement on a set percentage of claimants agreeing to the settlement and because Defendant placed a cap on the collective settlement." Principles of the Law of Aggregate Litigation § 3.16, p. 325-26.
Similarly, Tilzers point us to the ABA definition, which states that "an aggregate settlement occurs 'when two or more clients who are represented by the same lawyer together resolve their claims or defenses or pleas.'" ABA/BNA Lawyers' Manual on Professional Conduct, p. 51:377 (2006). The ABA Manual notes that "a settlement of a group of related claims is an aggregate settlement unless (1) a particular amount is negotiated on behalf of each individual plaintiff, and (2) each plaintiff is free to accept or reject the offer without affecting anyone else's settlement." ABA/BNA, p. 51:378.
Under the ALI definition, the Global Settlement had both characteristics of interdependency which define an aggregate settlement. There was collective conditionality because the pharmaceutical companies were granted the right to opt out of the settlement if fewer than all of the covered plaintiffs accepted the proposed settlement. Although Judge Wells attempted to circumvent the conditional allocation characteristic by appointing special masters to individually assess each claim, the Global Settlement contained a maximum amount that the defendants would pay into the settlement fund and provided for an across-the-board minimum payment to all opt-in claimants. In other words, each claimant did not receive individualized, fact-specific damages, but rather each claimant received an individualized, fact-specific allocation of a proportion of the capped settlement fund, subject to a minimum award for every participant.
Likewise, the Global Settlement runs afoul of the ABA guidelines. A particular amount of damages was not negotiated on behalf of each individual plaintiff. Rather, a percentage of the total settlement fund was established for each individual plaintiff. Thus, the amount awarded to one plaintiff directly affected the amount of the other plaintiffs' awards. More importantly, each plaintiff was not free to accept or reject the special masters' proffered award, as poignantly illustrated by Judge Wells' order forcing Tilzers to accept their calculated share of the pot.
Therefore, notwithstanding the concerted effort of Judge Wells and the special masters to devise a mechanism to avoid labeling the Global Settlement as an aggregate settlement, the defining characteristic of interdependency remained intact. The terms of the Global Settlement contained all of the important features of an aggregate settlement.
The Kansas district court was seduced by Judge Wells' opinion that the Global Settlement could not be an aggregate settlement because the information that Rule 4-1.8(g) required to be disclosed to obtain an informed consent was not available to Davis. However, that dearth of information was the direct result of the interdependent characteristics of the Global Settlement, i.e., the information could not be ascertained because the arrangement was an aggregate settlement. Rather than establishing a non-aggregate settlement, the unavailability of the information required to be disclosed by Rule 4-1.8(g) simply corroborated that it was an aggregate settlement and rendered it impossible for Davis to obtain an informed consent under the rule. The district court's ruling to the contrary was erroneous.
SEALED DOCUMENTS
Finally, Tilzers challenge the district court's granting of the intervening drug companies' motion to maintain the confidentiality of the settlement agreement reached in the Missouri action. Tilzers base their complaint upon the public's interest in knowing the details of the settlement agreement.
Tilzers do not dispute that they entered into and personally signed a confidentiality agreement on at least two of the documents involved in the Missouri settlement and that the Missouri court memorialized the confidentiality agreement by entering appropriate protective orders in that proceeding. Accordingly, they acknowledge that the intervenors have a contractual right to have the settlement terms remain confidential. Nevertheless, they suggest that private contract rights must always give way to the public interest, and they contend that the intervenors failed to show any public interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the settlement agreement.
First, we ascribe more significance to an entity's rights under a court-approved settlement agreement than Tilzers would suggest. In deciding whether information should be sealed, a court should consider the interests of the party seeking confidentiality, as well as the public's interest. Cf. In re Tax Appeal of City of Wichita, 277 Kan. 487, 514, 86 P.3d 513 (2004) (in deciding whether to permit discovery, court should balance the interest in obtaining the information against the resisting party's interest, as well as the public interest in maintaining confidentiality of the material). Obviously, the intervenors had an interest in shielding all of the terms of their current settlement offer from future plaintiffs.
In addition, the law and policy of this State is to favor out-of-court settlements of disputed claims. See, e.g., Bright v. LSI Corp., 254 Kan. 853, 860, 869 P.2d 686 (1994) (recognizing a strong public policy supporting settlement); Kennedy v. City of Sawyer, 228 Kan. 439, 461, 618 P.2d 788 (1980) ("Settlements between injured parties and tortfeasors are favored in the law."). As the intervenors and Davis point out, it is unlikely that a settlement would have been reached in this case without the confidentiality provision. Certainly, settling over 300 individual lawsuits without trial is in the public interest.
In contrast, Tilzers do not contradict the intervenors' argument to the district court that publicizing the settlement terms would not advance Tilzers' claims of malpractice in the Kansas case and maintaining the confidentiality of the settlement terms would not impede the pursuit of the legal malpractice action. Instead, Tilzers simply declare that the impact upon them of the partial sealing of documents "has no significance." We take that as a concession that the court order sealing certain documents did not prejudice Tilzers in the prosecution of their legal malpractice action.
The overarching theme of Tilzers' impassioned argument on this issue appears to be that the public has a right to know that the pharmaceutical companies orchestrated an illegal settlement of a highly publicized and emotional case. Tilzers are in the wrong venue to make that argument. This is a legal malpractice action, where the most that will be established is that Tilzers' own former attorneys breached a legal duty by laboring under a conflict of interest among several clients involved in a single settlement agreement. The legality of the pharmaceutical companies' actions in proposing the settlement will not be implicated in any manner. Judge Wells' ruling that the settlement agreement was legal and valid will not be overturned. In short, Tilzers should have attempted to shine the light of public scrutiny upon the Missouri proceedings, rather than attempt to circumvent the Missouri court's protective orders in this Kansas proceeding.
In conclusion, we find that the Kansas district court's order sealing those documents that contained confidential information about the Missouri settlement agreement was not an abuse of discretion. However, the district court's granting of Davis' summary judgment motion is reversed, and the matter is remanded for further proceedings.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings.
DAVID J. KING, District Judge, assigned.
Updated: April 03, 2009.
URL: http://www.kscourts.org/Cases-and-Opinions/opinions/supct/2009/20090403/99678.htm.
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My daughter, Laurian, has a security blanket that's really soft and cuddly. It gives her comfort not only in the way it feels, but in the way it makes her feel. It makes her feel safe for many reasons, but the biggest reason is one that she can't explain. It was given to her even before she was born, so it's always been with her. She was swaddled in it since day one. Its mere presence is what gives her comfort.
It's no surprise that most people have heard the Christmas story recited by Linus in Charlie Brown's Christmas by Charles Schultz. Linus is unassuming. We take him as a little bit of a weakling, and that makes us feel good about ourselves. He sucks his thumb and carries a security blanket! We probably all relate to Linus, though. Like Laurian and Linus, we may not suck our thumb or carry a security blanket in the form of clothe, but oh, more often than not, we carry a security blanket. It may be in the form of a liquid, a pill, a person, a thing, a position, or a number. I find it ironic, though, that my most secure state of being never has anything to do with something I can see, touch, smell, or taste. Linus's monologue gives us a rare scene where Linus lets go of his blanket. What gives him courage to let go? It is in the telling, no...the believing in the story of the birth of Jesus. Its longevity and constancy is why we, like our little cartoon friend, can find courage to let go of false securities and feel the swaddling of a Love that has no measure. In the birth of that Son is where we find peace, love, comfort, acceptance, and hope in the One who has always been present among us.
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79.0°, Partly Cloudy
Hofstra's Wright-Foreman is NBA bound
Utah Jazz select Pride's No. 2 all-time scorer in second round
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2019 12:00 pm
Hofstra's two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Justin Wright-Foreman, right, was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications
By Andrew Coen
While in high school, future Hofstra basketball standout Justin Wright-Foreman penned a note in the attic of his Queens home with the words “future NBA star.”
The 6-2 guard will now get a chance to turn that prediction into reality after the Utah Jazz selected him with the 53rd pick in the second round of the National Basketball Association draft held at the Barclays Center in nearby Brooklyn on June 20. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum made the announcement just after midnight last Friday as Wright-Foreman waited anxiously for his name to be called about 20 miles away while watching the draft with family and friends at a private party in Roosevelt.
“I have dreamed of being an NBA player since I was five,” said Wright-Foreman, who was the nation’s second leading scorer in Division I college basketball with 27.1 points per game during a memorable senior season at Hofstra. “For it to come true is just unreal.”
Wright-Foreman is the 12th Hofstra player to be taken in the NBA draft and first since Charles Jenkins was a second-round pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2011. An NBA opportunity is the next step on a dramatic four-year journey for Wright-Foreman, who went from only netting 44 points in just 110 minutes of playing time his entire freshman season to finishing as Hofstra’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,327 points.
The dramatic turnaround to Wright-Foreman’s college career began to take flight 11 games into his sophomore season when he scored 14 points off the bench in the final six minutes of a 96-73 loss to then sixth-ranked Kentucky at Barclays Center. Wright-Foreman began to spend late hours in Hofstra’s practice facility perfecting his shooting and the extra work paid off in a big way with the lefty guard finishing his sophomore season averaging 18.1 points a game. He credits much of his rise to the tutelage of Hofstra assistant coach Craig “Speedy” Claxton, who spent 10 years in the NBA.
“Speedy has been my mentor and a big brother figure I could turn to,” said Wright-Foreman of Claxton, who as a player led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament during his senior season before getting selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 20th pick in 2000. “He has been a major help in telling me throughout to trust the process.”
Claxton, who first spotted Wright-Foreman while coaching in a basketball camp at Christ to King High School, said the little playing time he received as a freshman fueled him to become a “gym rat” and raise his game. The Hofstra legend was also impressed that through all the accolades that came Wright-Foreman’s way he remained humble and never grew complacent.
“I told him that if he worked hard it would pay off and I’m so glad it did,” Claxton said. “He now knows that despite getting drafted that it doesn’t guarantee him anything and he is going to have to continue working hard.”
The first step of Wright-Foreman’s path toward fulfilling his NBA dreams came last Sunday when he flew to Utah to get introduced by his new team along with the other Jazz draft picks. Wright-Foreman is slated to take the floor for the first time in a Jazz uniform during the first of three games in the Salt Lake City Summer League game against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 1. He will then get a chance to suit up for four scheduled Las Vegas summer league games before a national television audience.
“It still feels surreal,” said Wright-Foreman as he was preparing to head west for his chance to compete on basketball’s biggest stage. “I’m ready to work hard and do whatever the coaches need me to do.”
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Four Graduating Lamar Students Accepted To West Point
Four students from Lamar High School have been accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. An acceptance presentation was conducted at Lamar by West Point representative Col. Mike Jackson to welcome Kaitlyn Pennington-Hill, Joseph Devine, Steven Erzinger and Andrew Beltran. Principal James McSwain, Lamar’s JROTC director Lt. Col. David, West Point graduate (Class of 1999) Johnny Goff and Bronson Woods, a representative from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office, spoke.
Pennington-Hill earned a 4.3 GPA and graduated 75th out of 822 seniors. She was nominated by Lee and was recruited to run track for Army. Pennington-Hill was a magnet student at Lamar, and ran track for four years. She would like to become a medical doctor. “I’m very honored and blessed to have such a great opportunity to attend West Point,” said Pennington-Hill.
Joseph Devine was nominated by Congressman John Culberson and was recruited to run track for Army. Devine earned his pilot license at the age of 17 and is captain of the wrestling team. After graduating from West Point, he plans to be pilot in the Army.
“Through this experience, I have learned that anything is possible,” said Devine.
Steven Erzinger was recruited to play football for Army as an outside linebacker. He was nominated by Senator John Cornyn. Erzinger earned a 3.67 at Lamar and will major in operations research. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to attend West Point,” said Erzinger.
Andrew Beltran will attend West Point in one year after he attends the U.S. Military Prep School. He was appointed by Congressman Gene Green. “A little determination goes a long way and West Point can become a reality with discipline and determination,” said Beltran
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Criminal Procedure Act 2010
Amendment of Act of 1962.
11.— The Act of 1962 is amended—
(a) by the insertion of the following section after section 6B:
“Legal aid (re-trial order) certificate.
6C.— (1) Where—
(a) an application for a re-trial order has been made in relation to a person, and
(b) a certificate for free legal aid (in this Act referred to as a ‘legal aid (re-trial order) certificate’) is granted in respect of him or her by the Court of Criminal Appeal,
the person shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his or her case in relation to an application under section 8 or 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010 and to have a solicitor and counsel assigned to him or her for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 10 of this Act.
(2) A legal aid (re-trial order) certificate shall be granted in relation to a person in respect of whom an application under section 8 or 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010 has been made if (but only if)—
(a) an application is made therefor,
(b) it appears to the Court of Criminal Appeal that—
(i) the means of the person are insufficient to enable him or her to obtain legal aid, and
(ii) it is essential in the interests of justice that the person should have legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his or her case in relation to the application for a re-trial order.
(3) In this section ‘application for a re-trial order’ has the meaning it has in section 7 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010.”,
(b) in section 7, by the addition of the following subsection:
“(4) Where a legal aid (re-trial order) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, any fees, costs or other expenses properly incurred in preparing and conducting the person’s case in relation to the application to which the certificate relates shall, subject to the regulations under section 10 of this Act, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.”,
(c) in section 9(2), by the substitution of “, a legal aid (protection of persons order) certificate or a legal aid (re-trial order) certificate” for “or a legal aid (protection of persons order) certificate”.
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PROPHETS AND PROPHECY.
By: Emil G. Hirsch, J. Frederic McCurdy, Joseph Jacobs
—Biblical Data and Critical View:
I. Historical Development of Prophecy:
Moses and Samuel.
Prophetic Gilds.
Elijah, Reformer and Preacher.
Written Prophecy.
II. Utterances of the Prophets:
Amos.
Hosea.
Isaiah.
Habakkuk and Jeremiah.
Views of Philo.
—In Post-Biblical Literature:
Talmudic Views.
Mingled Censure and Consolation.
"Prophets of the Nations."
Views of Saadia.
Baḥya and Ibn Gabirol.
Judah ha-Levi.
The Maimonidean View of Prophecy.
Later Views.
Though many ancient peoples had their prophets, the term has received its popular acceptation from Israel alone, because, taken as a class, the Hebrew prophets have been without parallel in human history in their work and influence. This brief article will consider, first, the historical development of prophecy, and, second, the extant utterances of the Prophets.
Terms Used for the Prophetic Function. The name "prophet," from the Greek meaning "forespeaker" (πρὸ being used in the original local sense), is an equivalent of the Hebrew , which signifies properly a delegate or mouthpiece of another (see Ex. vii. 1), from the general Semitic sense of the root, "to declare," "announce." Synonymous to a certain degree was the word "seer" ( ), which, as I Sam. ix. 9 indicates, was an earlier designation than "prophet," at least in popular speech. The usage of these words gives the historical starting-point for inquiring as to the development of true prophetism in Israel. But there is an earlier stage still than that of, "seeing," for it may be observed that while Samuel was currently called "the seer," a prominent part of his manifold work was divining. There are several Hebrew terms for divination of one kind or another; but none of these is used as a synonym for "prophesying." Moreover, the words for "seer" are used quite rarely, the probable explanation being that the bulk of the canonical writings proceed from a time when it was considered that the special function of declaring or announcing characterized prophecy in Israel better than the elementary offices of divining or seeing. At the same time it must be remembered that "seeing" is always an essential condition of true prophecy; hence the continued use of the term "vision" to the last days of prophetic history, long after the time when seeing had ceased to be the most distinctive function of the prophet.
The historic order of Hebrew prophecy begins with Moses (c. 1200 B.C.). He was not a mere prototype of the canonical prophets, but a sort of comprehensive type in himself, being the typical combination of civil and religious director in one. His claim to be considered the first and greatest of the Prophets is founded upon the fact that he introduced the worship of Yhwh among his people, and gave them the rudiments of law and a new sense of justice wider and deeper than that of the tribal system. By him "direction" (Torah) was given to Israel; all later true prophets kept Israel in the same right course along the line of religious and moral development.
Samuel (c. 1050 B.C.) was the first legitimate successor of Moses. He was, it is true, characteristically a "seer" (I Sam. ix.), but the revelation which he gave referred to all possible matters, from those of personal or local interest to the announcement of the kingdom. Like Moses, he was a political leader or "judge." That he was also a priest completes his fully representative character.
But there was a new development of the highest significance in the time of Samuel. There were bands, or, more properly, gilds of "prophets" (doubtless in large part promoted by him), and these must be considered as the prototypes of the professional prophets found all through the later history. They seem to have been most active at times of great national or religious peril. Thus, after the critical age of the Philistine oppression, they are most prominent in the days of the Phenician Ba'al-worship, the era of Elijah and Elisha. They are not merely seers and diviners, but ministers and companions of leading reformers and national deliverers. That they degenerated in time into mere professionals was inevitable, because it is of the very nature of true prophetism to be spontaneous and, so to speak, non-institutional; but their great service in their day is undeniable. The viewis probably right which traces their origin to the necessity felt for some organized cooperation in behalf of the exclusive worship of Yhwh and the triumph of His cause.
After the establishment of the kingdom under David no prophet was officially a political leader, and yet all the existing prophets were active statesmen, first of all interested in securing the weal of the people of Yhwh. Naturally, they watched the king most closely of all. Nathan and Gad to David and Solomon, and Ahijah of Shiloh to Jeroboam, were kingly counselors or mentors, to whom these monarchs felt that they had to listen, willingly or unwillingly.
The next new type of prophecy was realized in its first and greatest representative, Elijah, who is found maintaining not merely a private, but a public attitude of opposition to a king displeasing to Yhwh, ready even to promote a revolution in order to purify morals and worship. In Elijah is seen also the first example of the preaching prophet, the prophet par excellence, and it was not merely because of religious degeneracy, but mainly because of the genuinely and potentially ethical character of prophecy, that a firmer and more rigorous demand for righteousness was made by the Prophets as the changing times demanded new champions of reform.
But the final and most decisive stage was reached when the spoken became also the written word, when the matter of prophecy took the form of literature. It was no mere coincidence, but the result of a necessary process that this step was taken when Israel first came into relation with the wider political world, with the oncoming of the Assyrians upon Syria and Palestine. Many things then conspired to encourage literary prophecy: the example and stimulus of poetical and historical collections already made under prophetic inspiration; the need of handbooks and statements of principles for the use of disciples; the desire to influence those beyond the reach of the preacher's voice; the necessity for a lasting record of and witness to the revelations of the past; and, chief of all, the inner compulsion to the adequate publication of new and all-important truths.
Foremost among such truths were the facts, now first practically realized, that God's government and interests were not merely national, but universal, that righteousness was not merely tribal or personal or racial, but international and world-wide. Neither before nor since have the ideas of God's immediate rule and the urgency of His claims been so deeply felt by any body or class of men as in the centuries which witnessed the struggle waged by the prophets of Israel for the supremacy of Yhwh and the rule of justice and righteousness which was His will. The truths then uttered are contained in the writings of the Later Prophets. They were not abstractions, but principles of the divine government and of the right, human, national life. They had their external occasions in the incidents of history, and were thus strictly of providential origin; and they were actual revelations, seen as concrete realities by the seers and preachers whose words both attest and commemorate their visions.
II. Utterances of the Prophets: Amos.
The first of the literary prophets of the canon was Amos. His brief work, which may have been recast at a later date, is one of the marvels of literature for comprehensiveness, variety, compactness, methodical arrangement, force of expression, and compelling eloquence. He wrote about 765 B.C., just after northern Israel had attained its greatest power and prosperity under Jeroboam II., and Israel had at last triumphed over the Syrians. In the midst of a feast at the central shrine of Beth-el, Amos, a shepherd of Tekoah in Judah, and not a member of any prophetic gild, suddenly appeared with words of denunciation and threatening from Yhwh. He disturbed the national self-complacency by citing and denouncing the sins of the people and of their civil and religious rulers, declaring that precisely because God had chosen them to be His own would He punish them for their iniquity. He rebuked their oppression of the poor, their greed, their dishonesty, as sins against Yhwh Himself; assured them that their excessive religiousness would not save them in the day of their deserved punishment; that, as far as judgment was concerned, they stood no better with Him than did the Ethiopians, or the Arameans, or the Philistines. The most essential thing in his message was that the object of worship and the worshipers must be alike in character: Yhwh is a righteous God; they must be righteous as being His people. The historical background of the prophecy of Amos is the dreadful Syrian wars. His outlook is wider still; it is a greater world-power that is to inflict upon Israel the condign punishment of its sins (v. 27).
Hosea, the next and last prophet of the Northern Kingdom, came upon the scene about fifteen years after Amos, and the principal part of his prophecy (ch. iv.-xiv.) was written about 735 B.C. Amos had alluded to the Assyrians without naming them. Hosea is face to face with the terrible problem of the fate of Israel at the hands of Assyria. To him it was beyond the possibility of doubt that Israel must be not only crushed, but annihilated (ch. v. 11, x. 15, etc.). It was a question of the moral order of Yhwh's world, not merely a question of the relative political or military strength of the two nationalities. To the masses in Israel such a fate was unthinkable, for Yhwh was Israel's God. To Hosea, as well as to Amos, any other fate was unthinkable, and that also because Yhwh was Israel's God. Everything depended upon the view taken of the character of Yhwh; and yet Hosea knew that God cared for His people far more than they in their superstitious credulity thought He did. Indeed, the love of Yhwh for Israel is the burden of his discourse. His own tragic history helped him to understand this relation. He had espoused a wife who became unfaithful to him, and yet he would not let her go forever; he sought to bring her back to her duty and her true home. There was imaged forth the ineradicable love of Yhwh for His people; and between the cries and lamentations of the almost broken-hearted prophet can be heard ever and anon strains of hopeand assurance, and the divine promise of pardon and reconciliation. Thus while prophecy in Northern Israel came to an end with this new and strange lyrical tragedy, the world has learned from the prophet-poet that God's love and care are as sure and lasting as His justice and righteousness.
The career of the next great prophet, Isaiah, is connected with the kingdom of Judah. Here the historical conditions are more complex, and the prophetic message is therefore more profound and many-sided. Isaiah deals much with the same themes as did Amos and Hosea: the sins of luxury, fashion, and frivolity in men and women; land-grabbing; defiance of Yhwh (ch. ii., iii., v.). To his revelation he adds the great announcement and argument that Yhwh is supreme, as well as universal, in His control and providence. Ahaz makes a dexterous alliance with Assyria, against the prophetic counsel, for the sake of check-mating Samaria and Damascus. Let him beware; Yhwh is supreme; He will dissolve the hostile combination; but Judah itself will ultimately fall before those very Assyrians (ch. vii.). The Ethiopian overlord of Egypt sends an embassy to the Asiatic states to incite them against Assyria. Isaiah gives the answer: God from His throne watches all nations alike, and in His good time Assyria shall meet its fate (ch. xviii.). The great revolt against Assyria has begun. The Assyrians have come upon the land. Again the question is taken out of the province of politics into that of providence. Assyria is God's instrument in the punishment of His people, and when it has done its work it shall meet its predestined doom (ch. x.). So the trumpet-tone of providence and judgment is heard all through the prophetic message till Jerusalem is saved by the heaven-sent plague among the host of Sennacherib.
While in the next century written prophecy was not entirely absent, another sort of literary activity—whose highest product is seen in Deuteronomy—was demanded by the times and occasions. Assyria had played its rôle and had vanished. The Chaldean empire had just taken its place. The little nations, including Israel, become the prey of the new spoiler. The wondrous seer Habakkuk (c. 600 B.C.) ponders over the situation. He recognizes in the Chaldeans also God's instrument. But the Chaldeans are even greater transgressors than Yhwh's own people. Shall they escape punishment? Are militarism and aggressive warfare to be approved and rewarded by the righteous God? (ch. i.). Climbing his watch-tower, the prophet gains a clear vision of the conditions and a provision of the issue. The career and fate of Chaldea are brought under the same law as the career and fate of Israel, and this law is working surely though unseen (ch. ii.). Habakkuk thus proclaims the universality of God's justice as well as of His power and providence.
In Jeremiah (626-581) prophecy is at its highest and fullest. His long and perfectly transparent official life full of vicissitudes, his protracted conferences and pleadings with Yhwh Himself, his eagerness to learn and do the right, his more than priestly or military devotion to his arduous calling, his practical enterprise and courage in spite of native diffidence, make his word and work a matchless subject for study, inspiration, and imitation. The greatest religious genius of his race, he was also the confessor and martyr of the ancient Covenant, and he still wields a moral influence unique and unfailing. What then did his life and word stand for and proclaim? Among other things, these: (1) the nature and duty of true patriotism: oppose your country's policy when it is wrong; at the peril of liberty and life, set loyalty to God and justice above loyalty to king and country; (2) the spirituality of God and of true religion (ix. 23 et seq., xxxi. 31); (3) the perpetuity and continuity of Yhwh's rule and providence (xvi. 14, 15; xxiii. 7, 8); (4) the principle of individual as opposed to tribal or inherited responsibility (xxxi. 29, 30).
These are a selection of the leading truths and principles announced by the Prophets. It will be observed: (1) that they are the cardinal truths of Old Testament revelation; (2) that they were given in the natural order of development, that is, according to the needs and capacities of the learners; (3) that they were evoked by certain definite, historical occasions. From the foregoing summary it may also be learned how the function as well as the scope of the prophet was diversified and expanded. In the most rudimentary stage are found traces of the primitive arts and practises of soothsaying and divination; and yet in the very beginnings of the prophetic work in Israel there can be discerned the essential elements of true prophecy, the "seeing" of things veiled from the common eye and the "declaring" of the things thus seen. If Israel presents the only continuous and saving revelation ever vouchsafed to men, the decisive factor in the unique revelation is the character of the Revealer. It was the privilege of the Prophets, the elect of humanity, to understand and know Yhwh (Jer. ix. 24), and it still remains profoundly true that "Adonai Yhwh doeth nothing unless He has revealed His secret to His servants the Prophets" (Amos iii. 7, Hebr.).
Besides the standard introductions and commentaries to the Old Testament and the prophetic literature: Knobel, Prophetismus der Hebräer, 1837;
Tholuck, Die Propheten und Ihre Weissagungen, 1860;
Baur, Gesch. der Alttest. Weissagung, 1860: Oehler, Das Verhältniss der Alttest. Propetic zur Heidnischen Mantik, 1861;
Kuenen, Prophets and Prophecy in Israel, 1877;
Duhm, Theologie der Propheten, 1875;
F. E. König, Der Offenbarungsbegriff des A. T. 1882;
W. R. Smith, The Prophets of Israel, 1882;
C. G. Monteflore, The Religion of Israel (the Hibbert Lectures for 1892): Darmesteter, Les Prophètes d'Israël, 1892;
Kirk-patrick. The Doctrine of the Prophets, 1892;
Smend, Lehrbuch der Alttest. Religionsgesch. 1893;
Cornill, Der Israelitische Prophetismus, 1894;
McCurdy, History, Prophecy, and the Monuments, 1894-1901;
Kittel, Profetie und Weissagung, 1899.
E. G. H. J. F. McC.Views of Philo. —In Post-Biblical Literature:
The first to reflect upon the phenomena of prophecy and to suggest that certain states, either mental or moral, are prerequisite to the reception or exercise of the prophetic gift was Philo of Alexandria. As in many others of his conceptions and constructions, so in his explanation of prophecy, he follows the lead of Plato, accepting his theory concerning mantic enthusiasm ("Phædrus," p. 534, ed. Stephanus). In order that the divine light might rise in man the humanmust first set altogether. Under the complete emigration of the mortal or human spirit and the inpouring of the immortal or divine spirit the Prophets become passive instruments of a higher power, the voluntary action of their own faculties being entirely suspended (Philo, "Quis Rerum Divinarum Hæres Sit," § 53). The prophet "utters nothing of his own": he speaks only what is suggested to him by God, by whom, for the time, he is possessed. Prophecy includes the power of predicting the future; still the prophet's main function is to be the interpreter of God, and to find out, while in the state of ecstasy, enthusiasm, or inspired frenzy in which he falls, things that the reflective faculties are incompetent to discover (Philo, l.c. §§ 52-53; "De Vita Mosis," ii. 1; "Duo de Monarchia," i. 9; "De Justitia," § 8; "Prœmiis et Pœnis," § 9; Drummond, "Philo Judæus," ii. 282; Hamburger, "R. B. T." ii. 1003, s.v. "Religionsphilosophie").
Yet this inspiration is held not to be the effect of a special and arbitrary miracle. Communion between God and man is permanently possible for man. Every truly good and wise man has the gift of prophecy: the wicked alone forfeit the distinction of being God's interpreters. The Biblical writers were filled with this divine enthusiasm, Moses possessing it in a fuller measure than any others, who are not so much original channels of inspired revelation as companions and disciples of Moses (Drummond, l.c. i. 14-16).
As might be expected from the method of the Tannaim and the Amoraim, no systematic exposition of the nature of prophecy is given by any of the Talmudic authorities. Still, mixed with the homiletic applications and interpretations of Biblical texts, there are a goodly number of observations concerning the Prophets and prophecy in general. Of these the following seem to be the more noteworthy.
The prophetic gift is vouchsafed only to such as are physically strong, mentally wise and rich (Shab. 92a; Ned. 38a). In fact, all the Prophets were "rich" (Ned. 38a). Prophets are distinguished by individual traits. In their language, for instance, they display the influence of environment. Ezekiel is like a rural provincial admitted to the royal presence, while Isaiah resembles the cultured inhabitant of the large city (Ḥag. 13b). Moses, of course, occupies an exceptional position. He beheld truth as if it were reflected by a clear mirror; all others, as by a dull glass (Yeb. 49b). This thought is present in the observation that all other prophets had to look into nine mirrors, while Moses glanced at one only (Lev. R. i.). With the exception of Moses and Isaiah none of the Prophets knew the content of their prophecies (Midr. Shoḥer Ṭob to Ps. xc. 1). The words of all other prophets are virtually mere repetitions of those of Moses (Ex. R. xlii.; see also Bacher, "Ag. Pal. Amor." i. 164, 500); in fact, but one content was in all prophecies. Yet no two prophets reproduced that content in the same manner (Sanh. 89a). Unanimity and concordance of verbal expression betray the false prophet (ib.). The Prophets, however, are worthy of praise because they employ phraseology that is intelligible, not even shrinking from using anthropomorphic similes and comparisons drawn from nature (Midr. Shoḥer Ṭob to Ps. i. 1; Pesiḳ. 36a; J. Levy, "Ein Wort über die Mekilta von R. Simon," pp. 2l-36; Bacher, l.c. iii. 191, note 4).
All prophecies were included in the revelation at Sinai (Ex. R. xxviii.; Tan., Yitro). Still, the "holy spirit" that descended upon individual prophets was not the same in degree in each case; some prophets received sufficient for one book, others enough for two books, and others only so much as two verses (Lev. R. xv.; comp. Bacher, l.c. ii. 447, note 1). Prophecy was sometimes contingent upon the character of the generation among whom the potential prophet lived (Sanh. 11a; Ber. 57a; Suk. 28a; B. B. 134a). All written prophecies begin with words of censure, but conclude with phrases of consolation (Yer. Ber. 8d; Midr. Shoḥer Ṭob to Ps. iv. 8; Pesiḳ. 116a; Jeremiah is in reality no exception to the rule). Only those prophecies were published that were valid for future days; but God will at some time promulgate the many prophecies which, because dealing only with the affairs of their day, remained unpublished (Cant. R. iv. 11; Meg. 14a; Eccl. R. i. 9). In connection with this the statement is made that in Elijah's time there lived in Israel myriads of prophets and as many prophetesses (Cant. R. l.c.). The prediction of peace must come true if made by a true prophet; not so that of evil, for God can resolve to withhold punishment (Tan., Wayera, on xxi. 1).
Judah ben Simeon attributes to Isaiah the distinction of having received immediate inspiration, while other prophets received theirs through their predecessors (Pesiḳ. 125b et seq.; Lev. R. xiii.); and, referring to such repetitions as "Comfort ye, comfort ye," he ascribes to him a double portion of prophetic power. A very late midrashic collection (Agadat Bereshit xiv.) designates Isaiah as the greatest, and Obadiah as the least, of the Prophets, and imputes to both the knowledge of all spoken languages. The prophetic predictions of future blessings were intended to incite Israel to piety; in reality, however, only a part of future glory was shown to the Prophets (Yalḳ. ii. 368; Eccl. R. i. 8). Where the prophet's father is mentioned by name, the father also was a prophet; where no place of birth is given, the prophet was a Jerusalemite (Meg. 15a). A chaste bride is promised that prophets shall be among her sons (ib. 10b). It is reckoned that forty-eight prophets and seven prophetesses have arisen in Israel. On the other hand, the statement is made that the number of prophets was double the number of those that left Egypt (ib. 14a). Eight prophets are said to have sprung from Rahab (ib.). Fifty is the number given of the prophets among the exiles returning from Babylon (Zeb. 62a). Every tribe produced prophets. With the death of the Former Prophets the urim and thummim ceased in Israel (Suk. 27a; Soṭah 48a).
Since the destruction of the Temple prophecy has passed over to the wise, the semidemented (fools), and the children, but the wise man is superior to the prophet (B. B. l2a). Eight prophets are mentionedas having filled their office after the destruction of the First Temple, Amos being among them. In the same passage Joel is assigned a postexilic date (Pesiḳ. 128b). The elders are, like the ḥakamim (see B. B. 12a), credited with superiority over the Prophets (Yer. Ber. 3b; Yer. Sanh. 30b).
Prophecy was not regarded as confined to Israel. The "nations of the world" had seven prophets (B. B. 15b; comp. Eccl. R. iii. 19). Before the building of the Tabernacle, the nations shared the gift with Israel (Lev. R. i.; Cant. R. ii. 3). The restriction of prophecy to Israel was due to Moses' prayer (Ex. xxxi. 16; Ex. R. xxxii.; Ber. 7a). To "the nations" the prophets come only at night (Gen. R. lii.; Lev. R. i.) and speak only with a "half" address (Lev. R. ix.); but to Israel they speak in open daylight. The distinction between the manner in which God speaks to the prophets of Israel and those of the "nations" is explained in a parable about a king who spoke directly to his friend (Israel), but to strangers only from behind a curtain (Gen. R. lii.). Again, to the "prophets of the nations" God discloses His will only as one stationed afar off; to those of Israel as one standing most close (Lev. R. i.). Balaam is regarded as the most eminent of the non-Jewish prophets (see Geiger's "Jüd. Zeit." vol. i.).
Under the stress of controversy Saadia was compelled to take up the problem of prophecy more systematically than had the Rabbis of the Talmudic period. As the contention had been raised that prophecy in reality was unnecessary, since if the message was rational reason unaided could evolve its content, while if it was irrational it was incomprehensible and useless, Saadia argued that the Torah contained rational and revealed commandments. The latter certainly required the intervention of prophecy, otherwise they could not be known to men. But the former? For them prophecy was needed first because most men are slow to employ their reason, and secondly because through prophecy knowledge is imparted more rapidly ("Emunot we-De'ot," p.12, ed. Berlin). The third argument is that reason can not evolve more than general principles, leaving man dependent upon prophecy for details. Men can, for instance, reason out the duty of thankfulness, but can not know, through mere reason, how to express their gratitude in a way that would be acceptable in God's sight. Hence the Prophets supplied what human reason could not supply when they established the order of prayers and determined the proper seasons for prayer. The same applies to questions of property, marriage, and the like.
But what is the criterion of true prophecy? The miracles which the prophet works and by which he attests the truth of his message (ib. iii. 4), though the degree of probability in the prophet's announcement is also a test of its genuineness, without which even the miracle loses its weight as evidence. The Prophets, indeed, were men, not angels. But this fact renders all the more obvious the divine wisdom. Because ordinary men and not angels are chosen to be the instruments of God's revelation, what of extraordinary power they exhibit must of necessity arouse their auditors and the witnesses of the miracles wrought to a realization that God is speaking through them. For the same reason the ability to work miracles is temporary and conditioned, which again demonstrates that the Prophets do not derive their power from themselves, but are subject to a will other and higher than their own.
To meet the difficulties involved in the assumption that God speaks and appears, so as to be heard and seen, Saadia resorts to the theory that a voice specially created ad hoc is the medium of inspiration, as a "light creation" is that of appearance (ib. ii. 8). This "light creation," in fact, is for the prophet the evidence of the reality of his vision, containing the assurance that he has received a divine revelation. It is thus apparent that Saadia denies the cooperation of the mental and moral qualifications of the prophet in the process of prophecy.
Baḥya repeats, to a certain extent, the arguments of Saadia in proof of the insufficiency of reason and the necessity of prophecy. Human nature is two-fold, and the material elements might not be held in due control were prophecy not to come to the rescue. Thus reason alone could not have arrived at complete truth. That miracles are the evidence of prophecy Baḥya urges with even greater emphasis than did his predecessor ("Ḥobot ha-Lebabot," iii. 1, 4). Nevertheless, he contends that purity of soul and perfection of rational knowledge constitute the highest condition attainable by man, and that these make one "the beloved of God" and confer a strange, superior power "to see the sublimest things and grasp the deepest secrets" (ib. x.; Kaufmann, "Die Theologie des Bachya," p. 228, Vienna, 1875).
Solomon ibn Gabirol regards prophecy as identical with the highest possible degree of rational knowledge, wherein the soul finds itself in unity with the All-Spirit. Man rises toward this perfect communion from degree to degree, until at last he attains unto and is united with the fount of life (see Sandler, "Das Problem der Prophetic," p. 29, Breslau, 1891).
Judah ha-Levi confines prophecy to Palestine. It is the and the ("Cuzari," i. 95). Prophecy is the product of the Holy Land (ib. ii. 10), and Israel as the people of that land is the one people of prophecy. Israel is the heart of the human race, and its great men, again, are the hearts of this heart (ib. ii. 12). Abraham had to migrate to Palestine in order to become fit for the receiving of divine messages (ib. ii. 14). To meet the objection that Moses, among others, received prophetic revelations on non-Palestinian soil, Judah gives the name of Palestine a wider interpretation: "Greater Palestine" is the home of prophecy. But this prophecy, again, is a divine gift, and no speculation by philosopher can ever replace it. It alone inspires men to make sacrifices and to meet death, certain that they have "seen" God and that God has "spoken" to them and communicated His truth to them. This is the difference between "the God of Abraham and the God of Aristotle" (ib. iv. 16). The prophet is endowed by God with a new inner sense,the (= "hidden [inner] eye"), and this "inner eye" enables the prophet to see mighty visions (ib. iv. 3). The test of the truth is the unanimity of the Prophets, who alone can judge of prophetic truth. The agreement of the "seers" as against the "blind" is the finally decisive factor. Judah ha-Levi demands of the prophet, lest he mistake mere imagination for genuine vision, purity of conduct, freedom from passion, an equable temperament "of identical mixture," a contemplative life, an ardent yearning toward the higher things, and a lasting, almost complete, absorption in God. Upon such as fulfil these conditions in their entirety the divine spirit of prophecy is poured out (ib. v. 12). This "outpouring" or "irradiation" is meant by the Prophets when they speak of "God's glory," "God's form," the "Shekinah," "the fire-cloud," etc. (ib. iii. 2). It is called also the "divine" or "effulgent" Light (ib. ii. 14). So inspired, the prophet is "the counselor, admonisher, and censor of the people"; he is its "head"; like Moses, he is a lawgiver (ib. ii. 28). Joseph ben Jacob ibn Ẓaddiḳ ("'Olam Ḳaṭôn") regards prophecy as an emanation of the divine spirit, of which all, without distinction, may become recipients.
The philosophers so far presented consider prophecy a gift from without. Abraham ibn Daud was the first among Jewish schoolmen to insist that prophecy is the outgrowth of natural predispositions and acquired knowledge. He links prophecy to dreams (see Ber. 57b). An Aristotelian, he invokes the "active intellect" to connect the natural with the supernatural. He also attributes to "imagination" a share in the phenomena of prophecy. He assumes two degrees of prophetic insight, each with subdivisions: the visions given in dreams, and those imparted to the prophet while he is awake. In dreams imagination predominates; when the prophet is awake the "active intellect" is dominant ("Emunah Ramah," ed. Weil, pp. 70-73). Soothsaying as distinct from prophecy results in accordance with the extent to which the "intellect" is under the control of imagination. Imagination produces the sensuous similes and allegories under which the prophet conceives the content of his message. As the intellect succeeds in minimizing imagination, revelation is imparted in clearer words, free from simile and allegory. Inner reflection is potent in prophecy grasped by the waking mind. Palestine is for Abraham the land of prophecy, Israel its predestined people. In Israel they attain this power who lead a morally pure life and associate with men of prophetic experience. Otherwise prophecy is within the reach of all, provided God consents to bestow it.
Abraham ibn Daud's theories are, with characteristic modifications, restated by Maimonides. He enumerates three opinions: (1) that of the masses, according to which God selected whom He would, though never so ignorant; (2) that of the philosophers. which rates prophecy as incidental to a degree of perfection inherent in human nature; (3) that "which is taught in Scripture and forms one of the principles of our religion." The last agrees with the second in all points except one. For "we believe that, even if one has the capacity for prophecy and has duly prepared himself, he may yet not actually prophesy. The will of God" is the decisive factor. This fact is, according to Maimonides, a miracle.
The indispensable prerequisites are three: innate superiority of the imaginative faculty; moral perfection; mental perfection, acquired by training. These qualities are possessed in different degrees by wise men, and the degrees of the prophetic faculty vary accordingly. In the Prophets the influence of the active intellect penetrates into both their logical and their imaginative faculties. Prophecy is an emanation from the Divine Being, and is transmitted through the medium of the active intellect, first to man's rational faculty and then to his imaginative faculty. Prophecy can not be acquired by a man, however earnest the culture of his mental and moral faculties may be. In the course of his exposition, in which he discusses the effect of the absence, or undue preponderance, of one of the component faculties, Maimonides analyzes the linguistic peculiarities of the Biblical prophecies and examines the conditions (e.g., anger or grief) under which the prophetic gift may be lost. He explains that there are eleven ascending degrees in prophecy or prophetic inspiration, though Moses occupies a place by himself; his inspiration is different in kind as well as in degree from that of all others ("Moreh," ii., xxxii.-xlviii.; "Yad," Yesode ha-Torah, vii. 6). For the controversies that were aroused by Maimonides' views the articles Alfakar, Moses ben Maimon, and Moses ben Naḥman should be consulted (see also Naḥmanides on Gen. xviii. 1).
Isaac ben Moses Arama ("Aḳedat Yiẓḥaḳ," xxxv.) declares Maimonides' view that the prophetic gift is essentially inherent in human faculties, and that its absence when all prerequisite conditions are present is a miracle, to be thoroughly un-Jewish. Precisely the contrary is the case, as prophecy is always miraculous.
Joseph Albo ("'Iḳḳarim," iii. 8), though arguing against Maimonides, accepts (ib. iii. 17) Maimonides' explanation that Moses' prophecy is distinct and unique because of the absence therefrom of imagination.
Isaac Abravanel (on Gen. xxi. 27) maintains the reality of the visions of the Prophets which Maimonides ascribed to the intervention of the imaginative faculties. Among the writers on prophecy Gersonides (Levi ben Gershon) must be mentioned. Dreams, for this writer, are not vain plays of fancy; neither are the powers of soothsayers fictitious; the latter merely lack one element essential to prophecy, and that is wisdom. Moreover, prophecy is always infallible. It is an emanation from the all-surveying, all-controlling, universal active intellect, while the soothsayer's knowledge is caused by the action of a "particular" spheric influence or spirit on the imagination of the fortune-teller ("Milḥamot ha-Shem," ii.).
Ḥasdai Crescas regards prophcey as an emanation from the Divine Spirit, which influences the rational faculty with as well as without the imaginative faculty ("Or Adonai," ii. 4, 1).
Modern Jewish theologians have contributed but little to the elucidation of the phenomenon of prophecy. Most of the catechisms are content to repeat Maimonides' analysis (so with Einhorn's "Ner Tamid"); others evade the question altogether. Maybaum ("Prophet und Prophetismus im Alten Israel") has not entered into a full discussion of the psychological factors involved. The views of the critical school, however, have come to be adopted by many modern Jewish authors.
A. Schmidl, Studien, über Jüdische Religionsphilosophie. Vienna, 1869;
Neumann Sandler, Das Problem der Prophetie in der Jüdische Religionsphilosophie, Breslau, 1891;
Emil G. Hirsch, Myth, Miracle, and Midrash, Chicago, 1899.
J. E. G. H.
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Hardrock from the sidelines
After two hours of sleep I was back on the circuitous crew course, bouncing a Ford Fusion up a boulder-choked jeep road. The narrow road hugged a rock wall on one side and a yawning black abyss on the other. When there wasn't a good line down the middle, I just gunned the gas and drove the tires directly over the larger boulders rather than risk severing the car's exhaust system. I was glad Beat wasn't around to see me driving the rental car this way — although I wondered if he'd even care at this point. Say what you will about the complete irrationality of a hundred-mile mountain traverse, but there's real merit to the simple yet profound realizations that emerge when you reduce yourself to survival mode. For example, one might realize just how silly it can be to fret about car rental insurance fees, and just how powerful of a gift it can be convert a lukewarm cup of soup into the energy to run up mountains. When you've lost the ability to do the latter, the former seems like a monumentally small price in contrast.
Grouse Gulch had the feel of a refugee camp, with mud-and-blood-stained runners slumped over chairs and huddled in blankets while well-meaning volunteers rushed about in mostly futile efforts to be helpful. It was the kind of atmosphere I would expect at 4 a.m., hour 23 and mile 61 of the Hardrock 100. A large majority of the U.S. population has never heard of this hundred-mile endurance run in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, and yet it's a legend among a few. The run — emphatically not a "race" according to organizers — was conceived as a tribute to the hard men (and a few women) who beat their way through these rugged mountains in search of silver and gold. The paths these miners blazed a hundred years ago linger today as abandoned, half-eroded roads and steep trails, sometimes literally blasted into the side of granite cliffs. The Hardrock 100 course climbs 13,000-foot passes and plummets into valleys thousands of feet below, thirteen times. The 33,000 feet of accumulated climbing might seem like a cakewalk if it was all on nice trail, but much of this course traverses cross-country, on steep talus, or along treacherously exposed cliffs. Few people travel most of these routes anymore, save for a few hikers, and, once a year, the 140 "lucky" winners of a lottery for what seems to have become North America's most notorious ultramarathon.
Beat and his pacer, Daniel, stumbled into Grouse Gulch at 4:42 a.m. Daniel, a four-time Hardrock finisher who had been traveling with Beat since Ouray, fifteen miles ago, promptly collapsed in a chair and fell asleep with his head between his knees. Beat seemed too shattered to sleep. "My stomach is fucked," he lamented. I dug through his Camelpak and found what I was pretty sure was all of the food I had stuffed in the pockets back in Ouray, uneaten. I watched him vomit up the meager food he'd eaten in Ouray, so as far as I knew he hadn't successfully digested a single calorie since Telluride, twelve hours earlier. I asked him what he wanted to eat. "Give me a minute," he said, his own head lolling dangerously close to his knees. "You need to eat something," I said sternly, but I felt helpless.
It was late, and the aid station was running low on everything. Beat already told me he wasn't going to touch any of the snack stuff. I found a stack of half-petrified, cold quesadillas and soup with coagulated fat floating on top, a light yellow broth, and an unidentifiable starch that had solidified at the bottom. I wasn't even nauseated — in fact I was almost desperately hungry myself — but I didn't want to eat that food. Predictably, Beat wouldn't touch it, either. He did sip a few cups of ginger ale and ate a bite of Power Bar. Beat admitted he had been reduced to dry heaving for several hours, something with a strange taste that he assumed was phlegm that he coughed up and swallowed again, and consequently was the only substance in his stomach. Beyond the obvious misery he was subjecting himself too, his condition was beginning to seem dangerous. When a person is that depleted, they're more likely to make bad decisions, and their motor functions begin to falter — which, on terrain with so much exposure, can lead to deadly mistakes. Beat is experienced and he hates to quit anything, no matter how miserable he is. As for me, I was a little scared. I wished he would quit. I didn't say this to him.
I stuffed a couple more packets of Gu Chomps into Beat's pack, knowing full well they were basically dead weight. After rousing Daniel from his comatose state, I asked Beat if he wanted me to meet him at Sherman, an aid station that was fourteen miles away by trail and more than three hours away by two-wheel-drive rental car. "No," he said. "I have a drop bag at Sherman. You should hike up Handies. Go enjoy yourself. I'll be fine."
Beat was far from fine, but I felt better knowing Daniel was with him. Still, I actually did not want to climb Handies Peak. I didn't tell Beat this, but I was deep in the cranky cave. For starters, it was 5 a.m., and I hate 5 a.m. pretty much no matter what. I didn't prepare well for the amount of driving and waiting and the sheer time it took to simply crew the Hardrock 100, and I wasn't adequately supplied myself. The only thing I had eaten since the pre-race breakfast at 5 a.m. the day before was two granola bars during a fifteen-mile hike/run, a small packet of tuna and two ounces of Pringles at 4 p.m., an espresso-laced chai tea at 7 p.m., and a brownie that I rescued from Beat's pile of rejected food in Ouray at 10 p.m. I had already inventoried my hiking food and knew I was down to two granola bars and a one-ounce bag of Goldfish crackers, which was all I had for both breakfast and the hike to Handies — about fourteen miles round trip and probably a lot of climbing, because this was, after all, the Hardrock course. What I really wanted to do was return to Silverton for a big breakfast, but the bloodshot look in Beat's eyes punctured my internal whining. Say what you will about the irrationality of feeling inspired by others' suffering, but I knew as long as Beat was out there stomping out these near-impossible miles, I could at least make a small effort.
I ate one of my granola bars and left about a half hour after Beat and Daniel, just as the first rays of sunlight graced the tops of the canyon walls. The climb up Grouse Basin was scenic and pleasantly cool. My mood steadily improved until I crested the Continental Divide at 13,000 feet, only to see another deep basin between me and the massive mountain that was most certainly Handies. "Beat didn't tell me there was a thousand-foot drop in the way," I whined to myself, until I realized how silly this sounded. I resisted the urge to devour my second granola bar right away and — because it's good UTMB training anyway — started running down the steep descent.
The climb to Handies is actually quite easy if you're not entrenched in a hundred-mile endurance run. As a fourteener — elevation 14,088 — it has a well-traveled trail and solid footing all the way to the top. And when I saw the view from the top — not a sign of civilization in all directions and rippling mountains as far as I could see — I felt even sillier about being so reluctant to go there. While savoring my last granola bar, I remained on the peak for fifteen more minutes to cheer on passing Hardrock racers. Handies is the highest point on the Hardrock course, so I greeted them by saying "Congratulations, you made it!" Every one of them regarded me with a resigned smile and a variation of, "There's still a long way to go."
On the descent from Handies, I encountered the last remaining runners — the back of the pack, the survivors. Their demeanours were telling — ashen faced, limping, hunched over hiking poles, a few almost entirely unresponsive. Others would laugh and make jokes as I stepped off the trail to cheer them on, but their march was unmistakable. The journalist in me wanted to photograph this harsh progression, but I kept my camera stowed out of respect. I felt a rush of emotion for these men and women, a combination of awe and empathy that was amplified by my own sleep- and calorie-deprivation. This is actually one of the reasons I enjoy endurance efforts myself — because physical depletion opens the gates for powerful emotions.
On this morning, I was tired, hungry, and trying to speed-hike my way through fourteen miles and 5,500 feet of elevation gain to an altitude of 14,000 feet — and that was nothing, nothing compared to the efforts of the Hardrockers. The emotions I felt were similar to listening to a meaningful song or viewing a moving piece of artwork. On the surface the Hardrockers were simply marching, for no rational reason. But to this observer, their movements were a kind of dance, a tribute to the human condition — one of determination and perseverance, beautiful and inspiring.
I greeted the second to last women I passed with my usual, "Way to go. You're doing awesome." She looked up at me with a pained look on her face and said, "You have no idea how hard this is."
Her eyes were terrible, almost frightening, and in them I saw a reflection of Beat's suffering that I had been trying to put out of my mind. I couldn't help it. The tear ducts opened and I looked down to hide the moisture in my own eyes. "You're right," I said with a slight stammer. "I can only imagine."
Say what you will about the irrationality of it all, but that is the experience of being alive.
... to be continued
This actually sounds divine. One of my dreams is to go on a hike of the Presidential range in NH before I die - I really want to go with the kids when they're older...
Mary July 17, 2012 at 6:30 AM
I've had enough suffering in my life to even want to get close to this, but it is fascinating to glimpse motivations that are completely foreign to me.
Durango Joe July 17, 2012 at 7:07 AM
The San Juans, our backyard playground, are pretty special this time of year, huh?
Danni July 17, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Hmmm. Still not quite appealling to me. Maybe backpacking.
Jill Homer July 17, 2012 at 10:38 AM
The San Juans really are pretty special. I too have mixed feelings about ever personally enrolling in the Hardrock 100, but I still have an interest in a self-supported "fastpack" effort on that course. It's really an intriguing route.
I used to be more of an apologist about my addiction to endurance efforts, but I'm becoming less so as time goes on and my life philosophy continues to evolve. Although suffering is almost inevitable for most people who push these extremes, that is far from the reason for seeking these experiences. It's not about the suffering, but the physical and mental strength and enlightenment that manifests amid the suffering. I don't agree with the common argument that just because there is "real" suffering in the world, that the rest of us who were fortunate enough to be born into comfortable lives should sit back and wither away in our own contentedness.
No matter our backgrounds, we're all on this planet just trying to find the most enjoyable and/or meaningful ways to survive. And I appreciate that we all have our different views on what makes us feel the most alive. This is mine.
Love the San Juan's - they keep you honest
TimInTroy July 17, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Suggestion & major request: leave profanity out of your writings. Yes, to some it is an everyday way of life, but to some we find it offensive and unprofessional. Your writings are a 5-star already, minus the distance choice of words.
Jill Homer July 17, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Tim — I keep my blog generally PG-rated as a rule, but when I chose to quote people (or myself), I write what they said. I view that as a matter of journalistic integrity, not to sugar-coat true words. If you disagree with this, you are of course welcome not to read.
sea legs girl July 17, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Jill- I totally agree with your decision to leave the profanity in the quotes. Do we need to "bleep" out words in blogs written for adults? Of course, I live (mostly) in Denmark where "fuck" is said all of the time on tv and radio :), so I lack the classic American (holier than thou) view.
What I really wanted to say is thanks, Jill, for these gorgeous pictures and description of the race. I can't help but wondering why it is the participants find it the race so terrible. Sure, I understand it is difficult, but why would so many people do it if it were just pure torture? Totally looks appealing if you ask me!
Just saw the results! But I probably shouldn't give anything away :).
Jill Homer July 18, 2012 at 12:32 PM
SLG — I think Beat was going to respond to your comment, but he also didn't want to butt in during the middle of my "story." Ha ha. But from an observer's perspective, I definitely think it's a heaven and hell, love and hate kind of passion. The terrain is just so tough. I felt nicely exhausted after the simple 15-mile segments I tried (and since out-and-back, really only saw 15 miles total of the course.) I have a hard time fathoming 100 miles of it. Also, in my opinion, it's not a trail run — it's mountaineering. Albeit "easy" mountaineering, but most certainly a different beast than most trail ultras in the United States. So it's a huge challenge, which is both the appeal and the source of torture.
Sorry, Jill, I have to respond to the idiot above:
OMG, don't read blog posts if you don't want to be exposed to words you might not like. Who do you think you are to try an censor another person's writing?
Social ride
Summertime lulls
Hardrock from the sidelines, part 3
Evening on Peak One
First run in weeks ... started as a ride
The fourteener circuit
Straight up to 14
Into July
Riding among giants
Roads less travelled
So much for the leisure tour
Not a bad way to live
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John T. Aquino, Attorney and Author
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Reviving (at least) Memories of a Forgotten Musical: The Girl Who Came to Supper
by John Aquino on 05/04/19
I posted an article on this blog some time back about Irving Berlin's last musical Mr. President, which had debuted at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. in 1962 with President and Mrs. Kennedy in attendance but ultimately failed on Broadway. The Washington Post rejected the article saying the event was too long ago, even though the article was submitted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D.C. premiere. It was also a chapter of a planned book on unsuccessful musicals by Broadway greats. Another chapter of this unfinished project is on Noel Coward's The Girl Who Came to Supper, which premiered on Broadway on December 9, 1963. I thought of it when I found that someone had placed the entire original cast album on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nC78rR20hU&list=PLExHxFBlAc_RUW2xeh5voZD1lfY6zEeBM . I thought I'd share some of the article with you, especially since you can sample the score yourself.
It was a troubled show. There were cast problems, and then when the show was in Philadelphia soon before its Broadway opening President Kennedy was assassinated. The show was set in 1911 London during the coronation of George V, and, because it mentioned the assassinations of monarchs that were occurring throughout Europe in the early 20th century, especially in its opening number titled "Long Live the King (If He Can)", the show' beginning was hastily reworked before Supper opened on Broadway..(The replacement opening number on the original cast album was cobbled together from an old Coward song.) Even with these revisions, this tuneful operetta about a time a half a century before seemed out of place in a nation deep in mourning and closed after 112 performances. The book and lyrics were nominated for a Tony Award but didn't win. I have always thought it was deserving of a revival.
Noel Coward was once a household name epitomizing sophistication and wit. He was a composer, lyricist, playwright, author, actor and a director. His operettas and musicals, which include Bitter Sweet and Operette, are seldom revived today. Some of his plays--Private Lives and Present Laughter--have been performed on Broadway recently and are frequently done on college campuses and by regional and community theatres. Some of his songs might be remembered--perhaps "I'll See You Again" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen." By the mid-1950s, Coward was himself feeling a little out-of-step, and so he took a one-man cabaret show to Las Vegas, to great acclaim. After his 1961 musical Sail Away had been a modest success (thanks in part to Elaine Stritch), he was approached to write the songs for a musical version of Terrence Rattigan's play The Sleeping Prince. Harry Kurnitz wrote the libretto.
You might know the plot of The Sleeping Prince if you've seen the 1957 movie version, The Prince and the Showgirl starring Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier (the filming of which was the subject of the 2011 film My Weekend with Marilyn). The plot of the play, the 1957 film, and the musical are the same: While in London for the coronation, the Archduke Charles, Prince Regent of Carpathia, attends a musical titled "The Coconut Girl" and is smitten by Mary Morgan, a member of the chorus. She accepts his invitation for a tryst, but her assertiveness and naivety prolong her visit. They fall in love, but royal duty stands in the way.
In his diary, Coward described a troubled production. Florence Henderson, who had created the title role in the 1954 musical Fanny and starred in some revivals, was looking at the role of Mary as one all her own. She then announced that she was pregnant and would only be with the show for a few months. Jose Ferrer, who played Charles, had won the 1950 best actor Oscar for Cyrano de Bergerac and had sung in the 1954 movie musical biography of the composer Sigmund Romberg, Deep in my Heart. He possessed a pleasant voice but had never performed in a Broadway musical. Coward wrote in his diary about Ferrer that "those evil fairies at his Puerto Rican christening bestowed on him short legs, a too large nose, small eyes, a toneless singing voice and a defective sense of timing." My Mom and I saw Jose Ferrer two years later in the national tour of Man of La Mancha at the National.Theatre, which required even more of him than The Girl Who Came to Supper. He was no Richard Kiley, the incredible baritone who originated the role and immortalized "The Impossible Dream." I remember reading an interview with the great movie baritone Howard Keel who lamented that he had lost the touring company role to Ferrer. "I think Jose conned them with his Spanish 's'," Keel said. Still, Supper had opened to good reviews out of town.
For his part, Coward wrote a glittering score in an incredible variety of styles. There is a Carpathian national anthem; a complete score for "The Coconut Girl," for which Mary sings all the parts for the young prince; and the "Coronation Chorale" where the royals bemoan the boredom of attending coronations ("With stays too tight/We sit bolt upright/In a rigidly unyielding pew./Even British oak/Goes beyond a joke/When you've sat on it from nine til two") while Mary, who has been allowed to attend and, of course, has never seen anything like it, finds it "wonderful" and "entrancing," with the two contrasting viewpoints ultimately sung in counterpoint. For the subplot of the young prince roaming through the outskirts of London, Coward wrote a series of five music-hall-type songs for Tessie O'Shea as Ada, who won the Tony Award for featured actress in a musical, including "Saturday Night at the Rose and Crown," which goes,
Saturday Night at the Rose and Crown
Is just the place to be,
Tinkers and Tailors,
And Soldiers and Sailors,
All out for a bit of a spree,
If you find that you're weary of life
With your trouble and strife,
And the kids have got you down,
It will all turn right
On Saturday night
At the Rose and Crown.
As the punctuation suggests, it's sung, with a little cheating, in one breath.
Ferrer, even with his "toneless" voice, had a show-stopping number, with dizzying shifts of styles, titled, "Middle Age," which begins,
How do you do, middle age?
How do you do, middle, age?
Autumn winds begin to blow
I'd better unbend my mind to you,
Though,
I'm not quite yet resigned to you.
And the show ends quietly, as does the movie and film, with Mary deciding she can't stay with Charles as he wishes. Charles sings to himself but she can hear him,
I'll remember her
In the evening when I'm lonely
And imagining if only
She were there.
I'll relive, oh so vividly,
A sad and sweet
Incomplete affair.
And it ends,
I'll remember her,
Heavy-hearted
When we parted
With her eyes so full of tears
She couldn't see.
And I'll feel inside
A foolish sort of pride
To know that she'll remember me.
It's a beautiful score. Coward gave it his all. It was his last musical, and he spent the remaining 10 years of his life acting in mostly forgettable movies, with the possible exception of the original The Italian Job (1969). I hope you enjoy what you hear. I hope someone revives it some day.
Copyright 2019 by John T. Aquino
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What is often referred to as Classical Yoga or Astanga Yoga (Yoga of eight limbs) is mainly the type of Yoga outlined in the highly influential Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.[234] The origins of the Classical Yoga tradition are unclear, though early discussions of the term appear in the Upanishads.[235] The name "Rāja yoga" (yoga of kings) originally denoted the ultimate goal of yoga, samadhi,[236] but was popularised by Vivekananda as a common name for Ashtanga Yoga,[note 19] the eight limbs to be practised to attain samadhi, as described in the Yoga Sutras.[237][234] Yoga is also considered as one of the orthodox philosophical schools (darsanas) of Hinduism (those which accept the Vedas as source of knowledge).[238][239]
Do not take Qsymia if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant during Qsymia treatment; have glaucoma; have thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism); are taking certain medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken MAOIs in the past 14 days; are allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any of the ingredients in Qsymia. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Qsymia.
Sleep is an essential component to maintaining health. In children, sleep is also vital for growth and development. Ongoing sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk for some chronic health problems. In addition, sleep deprivation has been shown to correlate with both increased susceptibility to illness and slower recovery times from illness.[47] In one study, people with chronic insufficient sleep, set as six hours of sleep a night or less, were found to be four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who reported sleeping for seven hours or more a night.[48] Due to the role of sleep in regulating metabolism, insufficient sleep may also play a role in weight gain or, conversely, in impeding weight loss.[49] Additionally, in 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is the cancer research agency for the World Health Organization, declared that "shiftwork that involves circadian disruption is probably carcinogenic to humans," speaking to the dangers of long-term nighttime work due to its intrusion on sleep.[50] In 2015, the National Sleep Foundation released updated recommendations for sleep duration requirements based on age and concluded that "Individuals who habitually sleep outside the normal range may be exhibiting signs or symptoms of serious health problems or, if done volitionally, may be compromising their health and well-being."[51]
The early practice of Jain yoga seems to have been divided into several types, including meditation (dhyāna), abandonment of the body (kāyotsarga), contemplation (anuprekṣā), and reflection (bhāvanā).[253] Some of the earliest sources for Jain yoga are the Uttarādhyayana-sūtra, the Āvaśyaka-sūtra, the Sthananga Sutra (c. 2nd century BCE). Later works include Kundakunda's Vārassa-aṇuvekkhā (“Twelve Contemplations”, c. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE), Haribhadra's Yogadṛṣṭisamuccya (8th century) and the Yogaśāstra of Hemachandra (12th century). Later forms of Jain yoga adopted Hindu influences, such as ideas from Patanjali's yoga and later Tantric yoga (in the works of Haribhadra and Hemachandra respectively). The Jains also developed a progressive path to liberation through yogic praxis, outlining several levels of virtue called gunasthanas.
Malaysia's top Islamic body in 2008 passed a fatwa, prohibiting Muslims from practicing yoga, saying it had elements of Hinduism and that its practice was blasphemy, therefore haraam.[297] Some Muslims in Malaysia who had been practicing yoga for years, criticized the decision as "insulting."[298] Sisters in Islam, a women's rights group in Malaysia, also expressed disappointment and said yoga was just a form of exercise.[299] This fatwa is legally enforceable.[300] However, Malaysia's prime minister clarified that yoga as physical exercise is permissible, but the chanting of religious mantras is prohibited.[301]
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Payne, C; Wiffen, PJ; Martin, S (18 January 2012). Payne, Cathy (ed.). "Interventions for fatigue and weight loss in adults with advanced progressive illness". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 1: CD008427. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008427.pub2. PMID 22258985. (Retracted, see doi:10.1002/14651858.cd008427.pub3. If this is an intentional citation to a retracted paper, please replace {{Retracted}} with {{Retracted|intentional=yes}}.)
The number of asanas used in modern yoga has increased rapidly from a nominal 84 in 1830, as illustrated in Joga Pradipika, to some 200 in Light on Yoga and over 900 performed by Dharma Mittra by 1984. At the same time, the goals of Haṭha yoga, namely spiritual liberation (moksha) through the raising of kundalini energy, were largely replaced by the goals of fitness and relaxation, while many of Haṭha yoga's components like the shatkarmas (purifications), mudras (seals or gestures including the bandhas, locks to restrain the prana or vital principle), and pranayama were much reduced or removed entirely.[225] The term "hatha yoga" is also in use with a different meaning, a gentle unbranded yoga practice, independent of the major schools, sometimes mainly for women.[226]
This terse definition hinges on the meaning of three Sanskrit terms. I. K. Taimni translates it as "Yoga is the inhibition (nirodhaḥ) of the modifications (vṛtti) of the mind (citta)".[142]Swami Vivekananda translates the sutra as "Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff (Citta) from taking various forms (Vrittis)."[143] Edwin Bryant explains that, to Patanjali, "Yoga essentially consists of meditative practices culminating in attaining a state of consciousness free from all modes of active or discursive thought, and of eventually attaining a state where consciousness is unaware of any object external to itself, that is, is only aware of its own nature as consciousness unmixed with any other object."[144][145][146]
Pre-philosophical speculations of yoga begin to emerge in the texts of c. 500 – c. 200 BCE. Between 200 BCE and 500 CE, philosophical schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism were taking form and a coherent philosophical system of yoga began to emerge.[50] The Middle Ages saw the development of many satellite traditions of yoga. Yoga came to the attention of an educated western public in the mid 19th century along with other topics of Indian philosophy.
The origins of yoga have been speculated to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions; it is mentioned in the Rigveda,[note 1] but most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE,[8] in ancient India's ascetic and śramaṇa movements.[9][note 2] The chronology of earliest texts describing yoga-practices is unclear, varyingly credited to Upanishads.[10] The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali date from the first half of the 1st millennium CE,[11][12] but only gained prominence in the West in the 20th century.[13] Hatha yoga texts emerged around the 11th century with origins in tantra.[14][15]
Rāmānuja (1017–1137 CE) is of the most important theologians of Bhakti yoga, breaking with the Advaita tradition's absolute nondualism and instead arguing for a "qualified nondualism" (Viśiṣṭādvaita) which allows for a certain difference between atman and Brahman and thus it provides a strong theological foundation for devotional theism.[263] Another influential figure of this tradition is Madhva (1238–1317 CE), who argued for a form of dualism between God and soul.
According to Tattvarthasutra, 2nd century CE Jain text, yoga is the sum of all the activities of mind, speech and body.[6] Umasvati calls yoga the cause of "asrava" or karmic influx[171] as well as one of the essentials—samyak caritra—in the path to liberation.[171] In his Niyamasara, Acarya Kundakunda, describes yoga bhakti—devotion to the path to liberation—as the highest form of devotion.[172] Acarya Haribhadra and Acarya Hemacandra mention the five major vows of ascetics and 12 minor vows of laity under yoga. This has led certain Indologists like Prof. Robert J. Zydenbos to call Jainism, essentially, a system of yogic thinking that grew into a full-fledged religion.[173] The five yamas or the constraints of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali bear a resemblance to the five major vows of Jainism, indicating a history of strong cross-fertilization between these traditions.[173][note 16]
Making the decision to join a gym is a great first step towards improving your health and quality of life. At 24 Hour Fitness, we are here to help make your gym experience fun, effective and easy. For over 30 years, 24 Hour Fitness has been dedicated to giving people a great fitness experience while helping people of all fitness levels reach their goals. Whether your goal is to stay in shape, lose weight or get fit for an upcoming event, we are here for you. https://buzzingofferbusinessinvesting.tumblr.com/
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Yoga is discussed in the ancient foundational Sutras of Hindu philosophy. The Vaiśeṣika Sūtra of the Vaisheshika school of Hinduism, dated to have been composed sometime between 6th and 2nd century BCE discusses Yoga.[note 14] According to Johannes Bronkhorst, an Indologist known for his studies on early Buddhism and Hinduism and a professor at the University of Lausanne, Vaiśeṣika Sūtra describes Yoga as "a state where the mind resides only in the soul and therefore not in the senses".[120] This is equivalent to pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses, and the ancient Sutra asserts that this leads to an absence of sukha (happiness) and dukkha (suffering), then describes additional yogic meditation steps in the journey towards the state of spiritual liberation.[120]
The maintenance and promotion of health is achieved through different combination of physical, mental, and social well-being, together sometimes referred to as the "health triangle."[24][25] The WHO's 1986 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion further stated that health is not just a state, but also "a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities."[26] https://www.facebook.com/Buzzing-Offer-453673008800991/
Onesicritus also mentions his colleague Calanus trying to meet them, who is initially denied audience, but later invited because he was sent by a "king curious of wisdom and philosophy".[108] Onesicritus and Calanus learn that the yogins consider the best doctrine of life as "rid the spirit of not only pain, but also pleasure", that "man trains the body for toil in order that his opinions may be strengthened", that "there is no shame in life on frugal fare", and that "the best place to inhabit is one with scantiest equipment or outfit".[107][108] These principles are significant to the history of spiritual side of yoga.[107] These may reflect the ancient roots of "undisturbed calmness" and "mindfulness through balance" in later works of Hindu Patanjali and Buddhist Buddhaghosa respectively, states Charles Rockwell Lanman;[107] as well as the principle of Aparigraha (non-possessiveness, non-craving, simple living) and asceticism discussed in later Hinduism and Jainism.[citation needed]
Alexander Wynne observes that formless meditation and elemental meditation might have originated in the Upanishadic tradition.[93] The earliest reference to meditation is in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the oldest Upanishads.[67] Chandogya Upanishad describes the five kinds of vital energies (prana). Concepts used later in many yoga traditions such as internal sound and veins (nadis) are also described in the Upanishad.[59] Taittiriya Upanishad defines yoga as the mastery of body and senses.[94]
A yoga system that predated the Buddhist school is Jain yoga. But since Jain sources postdate Buddhist ones, it is difficult to distinguish between the nature of the early Jain school and elements derived from other schools.[89] Most of the other contemporary yoga systems alluded in the Upanishads and some Buddhist texts are lost to time.[90][91][note 12]
Alexander the Great reached India in the 4th century BCE. Along with his army, he took Greek academics with him who later wrote memoirs about geography, people and customs they saw. One of Alexander's companion was Onesicritus, quoted in Book 15, Sections 63–65 by Strabo, who describes yogins of India.[107] Onesicritus claims those Indian yogins (Mandanis ) practiced aloofness and "different postures – standing or sitting or lying naked – and motionless".[108]
The high levels of muscle growth and repair achieved by bodybuilders require a specialized diet. Generally speaking, bodybuilders require more calories than the average person of the same weight to provide the protein and energy requirements needed to support their training and increase muscle mass. In preparation of a contest, a sub-maintenance level of food energy is combined with cardiovascular exercise to lose body fat. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are the three major macronutrients that the human body needs in order to build muscle.[24] The ratios of calories from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats vary depending on the goals of the bodybuilder.[25]
Organized interventions to improve health based on the principles and procedures developed through the health sciences are provided by practitioners trained in medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health care professions. Clinical practitioners focus mainly on the health of individuals, while public health practitioners consider the overall health of communities and populations. Workplace wellness programs are increasingly adopted by companies for their value in improving the health and well-being of their employees, as are school health services in order to improve the health and well-being of children.
An influential text which teaches yoga from an Advaita perspective of nondualistic idealism is the Yoga-Vāsiṣṭha.[260] This work uses numerous short stories and anecdotes to illustrate its main ideas. It teaches seven stages or bhumis of yogic practice. It was a major reference for medieval Advaita Vedanta yoga scholars and before the 12th century, it was one of the most popular texts on Hindu yoga.[261]
According to Georg Feuerstein, Laya yoga (yoga of dissolution or merging) "makes meditative absorption (laya) its focus. The laya-yogin seeks to transcend all memory traces and sensory experiences by dissolving the microcosm, the mind, in the transcendental Self-Consciousness."[276] There are various forms and techniques of Laya yoga, including listening to the "inner sound" (nada), practicing various mudras like Khechari mudra and Shambhavi mudra as well as techniques meant to awaken a spiritual energy in the body (kundalini).[277]
Modern yoga was created in what has been called the Modern Yoga Renaissance[213] by the blending of Western styles of gymnastics with postures from Haṭha yoga in India in the 20th century, pioneered by Shri Yogendra and Swami Kuvalayananda.[214] Before 1900 there were few standing poses in Haṭha yoga. The flowing sequences of salute to the sun, Surya Namaskar, were pioneered by the Rajah of Aundh, Bhawanrao Shrinivasrao Pant Pratinidhi, in the 1920s.[215] Many standing poses used in gymnastics were incorporated into yoga by Krishnamacharya in Mysore from the 1930s to the 1950s.[216] Several of his students went on to found influential schools of yoga: Pattabhi Jois created Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga,[217] which in turn led to Power Yoga;[218] B. K. S. Iyengar created Iyengar Yoga, and systematised the canon of asanas in his 1966 book Light on Yoga;[219] Indra Devi taught yoga to many film stars in Hollywood; and Krishnamacharya's son T. K. V. Desikachar founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandalam in Chennai.[220][221][222] Other major schools founded in the 20th century include Bikram Choudhury's Bikram Yoga and Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh's Sivananda Vedanta Schools of Yoga. Modern yoga spread across America and Europe, and then the rest of the world.[223][224]
Ascetic practices (tapas), concentration and bodily postures used by Vedic priests to conduct yajna (sacrifice), might have been precursors to yoga.[note 9] Vratya, a group of ascetics mentioned in the Atharvaveda, emphasized on bodily postures which may have evolved into yogic asanas.[59] Early Samhitas also contain references to other group ascetics such as munis, the keśin, and vratyas.[67] Techniques for controlling breath and vital energies are mentioned in the Brahmanas (texts of the Vedic corpus, c. 1000–800 BCE) and the Atharvaveda.[59][72] Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda suggests the presence of an early contemplative tradition.[note 10]
The least intrusive weight loss methods, and those most often recommended, are adjustments to eating patterns and increased physical activity, generally in the form of exercise. The World Health Organization recommended that people combine a reduction of processed foods high in saturated fats, sugar and salt[10] and caloric content of the diet with an increase in physical activity.[11]
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Valentine Rowell of Mancetter, England and Salisbury, MA
english origins
Valentine Rowell was the son of Thomas and Margaret Milner Rowell. He,presumably named for his Grandfather Valentine, was baptized 22 June 1622 in Mancetter, Warwickshire, England. He traveled with his father to America. None of his siblings made the crossing.
Valentine like his father was a carpenter by trade. He settled in Salisbury with his father. He was granted lands in 1640, in the original division, and his name appears on the list of admitted "townsmen" in 1650. He too, bought and sold land during his lifetime. Although he took the oath of fidelity in 1646 he never took the Freeman's Oath, nor did he become a full member of the church.
his wife joanna
St. Mary's Cambridge
Joanna Pinder was the daughter of Henry and Mary Rodgers Pinder of Ipswich. It is not known when Henry Pinder came to America but he presumably came by 1635. His wife and children came in the boat the "Susan and Ellen" in 1636, Joanna was then fourteen years of age. Henry Pinder was born about 1580 and was married to Mary Rodgers at St. Mary the Great in Cambridge, England on 22 May 1614. Henry lived in Ipswich until his death in February 1661. His wife Mary died sometime before 1655 and he remarried the widow of Robert Andrews. Joanna and Valentine, both aged about 21, married in Salisbury on 14 Nov 1643.
children of valentine and joanna, all born in salisbury
Thomas b. 7 Sept. 1644, m. 8 Sept. 1670 Sarah Barnes, d. 1684
John b. 1645/6, d. 1649
Philip b. 8 March 1647/8, m. 5 Jan 1670/71 Sarah Morrill, d. 7 July 1690 killed by Indians
Mary b. 31 Jan 1649/50, m. 18 Sept. 1673 Thomas Freame, d. Unknown
Sarah b. 16 Nov. 1651, m. 26 Oct. 1676 Thomas Harvey, alive in 1716
Hannah b. Jan 1653, m. 16 Sept. 1674 Thomas Colby, d. 9 Aug 1707
John b. 15 Nov. 1655, d. 18 Feb 1655/56
Elizabeth b. 10 August 1657
Margarite b. 8 Sept. 1659
At least two of their children died very young, both sons named John. Nothing is known of the last two children, both girls, other than their births. In March of 1673, their daughter Mary and Thomas Freame were accused of having premarital sex and sentenced by the court: he to a whipping of 15 lashes and a fine of 4 pounds and she to 10 lashes and a fine of 40s. To avoid their punishment, they choose to marry.
In the mid 1640's settlers began crossing the river Powwow and building home sites there. Eventually it was decided that the town would be divided and a new town called Amesbury would be established. Valentine Rowell was one of the first settlers to establish the new town. On the "first of the third, 1655" Valentine signed an agreement to remove to the new town. In May of 1658 he received 40 acres of land. The map, below, from the 1800's gives you and idea about the location of Salisbury, the Powwow river and Amesbury.
Valentine does not appear to have held any town offices, he is most often mentioned in land deeds and conveyances. His son Thomas received land in Amesbury in what was known as the Children's lot, one child from each family was allow land in that division.
Valentine died May 17, 1662, in his prime, aged about 40. His oldest child was 18 and his youngest was three. His widow, Joanna administered his estate. Joanna remained a widow for some years, this was fairly unusual as most widows with young children remarried quickly. She married (second) September 18, 1670, William. Sargent, and (third), October 26, 1676, Richard Currier. Joanna died in October 1690.
My Rowell Family Ancestry with links:
Thomas Rowell of Mancetter, England
Valentine Rowell and Joanna Pinder
Phillip Rowell and Sarah Morrill Phillip Rowell and Anne Carr
John Rowell and Elizabeth Colby
Enoch Rowell and Mirriam Converse
Enoch Rowell and Rachel Worthen
Samuel Duncan Rowell and Mary Moore
William Rowell and Sarah "Sally" Leavitt
Enoch Converse Rowell and Viola Rowell
Jennie Clover Rowell and John C. Thornton
Paul Rowell Thornton and Elizabeth Marjory Bowker
Posted by Jeanie Roberts at 5:14 PM
Valentine Rowell of Mancetter, England and Salisbu...
Thomas Bradbury of Salisbury, Massachusetts
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Why Britain needs Labour to find its feet — fast
AV, David Cameron, democracy, Faith, freedom, Labour, leadership, Liberal Democrat, MP, press Aug 14, 2010
Simon Hughes — a one man conscience of the coalition — addresses Lib Dem candidates.
BBC News – Will geeks inherit the earth?. Like it or not (and I don’t), our electoral system is locked into “us” and “them”. Government and official opposition. That’s how the system works and, though I believe it’s time to change it, as long as it is the system (to paraphrase Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force), we have to make it work.
Until three months ago, we had the luxury of two opposition parties. The system didn’t really cope with that particularly well, and the electoral framework creaked under the weight of it. But it meant that legislation, policy and rhetoric were put under powerful scrutiny.
Journalists, of course, argue that they are the real scrutiny on government, which is why freedom of the press is so essential to democracy. As an aside, the same newspapers which bleat longest about this tend to be the ones that exercise the maximum of power without responsibility, and complain the loudest at any attempts by the BBC to increase its journalistic reach. But that is an aside. Journalism does play an important role, but the very fact that journalists are not offering to form the next government limits that role severely: anyone can pundit (Michael Gove, when still a journalist, introduced himself and some of his colleagues to me once as “the punditing classes”), but, like an irritating teenage back seat driver, one tends to pay less attention if the critic has never actually put themselves forward for a driving test.
Which brings us back to our two-way / three-way system, which has suddenly become a one-way system. Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining that Liberal Democrats are in government. We knew this would push us back down in the polls. We knew we would have to swallow some policies which we found unpalatable. But we also knew that to abrogate the responsibility, play no part in government, and limit ourselves to the role of endless back-seat motorist, would do the nation no good.
But, perhaps in this at least we were deceived: we imagined that Labour would quickly reinvent or at least reassert itself, find a leader to rally around, and start asking the questions of government which we would be asking if we weren’t in it. This is not a function of there being a leadership contest. David Cameron and David Davis made considerable use of their own leadership campaigns to get some substantial barbs into the then Blair government. In a certain sense, it gave the party a free shot at goal, because it would be committed to the point of view of only one of the contenders. One might imagine that by having five contenders, Labour would be able to launch a veritable broadside of witty, incisive and damaging attacks.
But they have not. We are all worried about cloned animals entering the British food chain, but with four identikit contenders and just one token ‘other’, Labour has taken political cloning to a beyond-GM level. Far better it would have been for just one Miliband, one person representing an entirely different perspective (old-fashioned left-winger, anyone? anyone?), Diane Abott, and no others. The public can’t really cope with five options, even if the Labour faithful can get all passionate about the benefits of one ex-Oxbridge ex-policy advisor with two or fewer children over three others of the same type.
I am not looking for a decent opposition in order to bring down the coalition. Far from it: I want the coalition to succeed, and Britain needs it to succeed. But it will succeed better if properly scrutinised by a considered, passionate and informed opposition that can command the public’s respect. At the moment — for all their policy credentials — the Labour gang of five cannot even command the public’s interest.
It is left to Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes, party deputy leader, to carry on as a one man opposition within the government, a conscience for the party and the coalition.
This can be sustained — but only for a short while. We desperately, desperately need Labour to find its feet and fulfil its system-ordained purpose.
Political parties worry about being endlessly condemned to opposition. But that is not the worst place to be. Far worse for them, and Britain, to be self-condemned to offering no opposition.
Or none that serves any purpose.
Comment/ Featured
“Stupid” goes to ethics committee
Conservative, election, Faith, freedom, MP, Stratford Jul 24, 2010
Lib Dem Cardiff Councillor John Dixon must have been surprised to be called to book over declaring that Scientology was “stupid”. The fact that he did it on Twitter was probably enough to raise this to a national news story. But it is disturbing that a councillor can face censure for a remark like this.
What Dixon actually tweeted was: “I didn’t know the Scientologists had a church on Tottenham Court Road. Just hurried past in case the stupid rubs off.”
Harmless, one would think, albeit not especially amusing. But this kind of thing is really very mild compared to the polemic which has done Richard Dawkins very nicely in his books, and far less hurtful than the daily knockabout on the subject of religion that takes place on countless websites across the net.
Lest we forget, Scientology is not an officially recognised religion in the UK. But even if it were, most faith groups take a certain amount of ribald criticism within their stride. Dixon was not putting up satirical cartoons of the Prophet, nor was he running an ad campaign mocking the crucifixion. Sacred symbols were not being abused, sacred texts were not being criticised: no deities, real or imagined, were hurt during the making of his tweet.
If he is indeed censured for this (though, if they have any sense, the ethics committee will recognise this as a legitimate comment and let it go, before they themselves become a laughing stock) then we have gone far too far down a path of political correctness over freedom of speech. Was John Dixon inciting religious hatred? Hardly, since Scientology is not officially a recognised religion under UK law. But even if it were, would he be inciting it? I doubt that the term would constitute incitement.
During the General Election, the leader of Stratford on Avon’s ruling Conservative group labelled me and my views ‘stupid’ four times in less than thirty seconds, live on BBC Radio. I thought it was a bit rude. But why, as a recognised British citizen, should I enjoy less protection than an imported American organisation which is not even recognised for what it claims to be?
In a world where our every off-hand comment is now tabulated and Googled, we need to come to a new understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. There has to be an understanding that there is a hierarchy of off-handedness. A statement published in a book for which money is paid is of a different level from a remark in live interview broadcast on local radio, and this is again different from a brief Tweet or a FaceBook one-liner.
Dixon would not have faced this kind of censure if he had written an opinion piece in a published newspaper attacking Scientology.
He should not face it for a Tweet.
Decade of distrust reaches an end
Conservative, David Cameron, election, expenses, Faith, House of Commons, justice, MP, press, trust Dec 31, 2009
The 2000s began with the end of Bill Clinton’s US presidency limping out of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. They finished with the UK House of Commons facing a collapse of public trust which is set to result in 1/3-1/2 of MPs leaving or losing their seats in the 2010 General Election, and trust in politicians at an all time low of 13%, according to IPSOS Mori. We went into the decade with the taste of the sleaze of the John Major administration still in our mouths, and, as a reminder, Jeffrey Archer charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice, a charge which was to see the man who had been selected to be Conservative candidate for Mayor of London sent to Belmarsh prison in 2001. We came out of it with the threat of prosecution hanging over a growing number of parliamentarians.
Given that Major’s men were up to their tricks throughout the 1990s, and the current crop of Expenses-scandal-sleaze MPs had been doing what they did since either the 1990s, or whenever they got elected, where did politics go wrong?
It’s a common misconception (pushed forward by those who hope to survive the storm) that it was the system which made MPs claim expenses to which they were not entitled. But this is manifestly untrue. No system makes people act in a dishonest way. Nobody was forced to break the law by claiming for mortgages which did not exist, nobody was forced to break the explicit parliamentary rule that expenses should not be managed in order to render a profit at the tax-payer’s expense, and nobody was forced to use the expenses system to claim for excesses such as moat cleaning, duck houses, and limed oak toilet seats (even as I write this one, I’m forced to think ‘did this really happen?’ Apparently, it did).
Also, how is it that so many of them did it? It’s been pointed out (by me, among other people) that the majority of MPs were not engaged in these practices. But a sufficiently large minority from all three parties (including my own, though to a lesser degree) have done so that the entire class of MPs is not merely under suspicion, but under complete derision.
Political parties are now changing the way in which they assess and select parliamentary candidates. But it’s fair to say that, in the 1990s and 2000s, candidates were not being assessed on the trustworthiness, although (especially in the ‘spin’ years), parties have always been interested in credibility.
So, what’s the difference?
Credibility is whether or not you appear trustworthy to people. Politicians with no interest in football have been told to bone up on the off-side rule in order to appear more credible in urban constituencies. Politicians who live in London but are standing in far-flung rural areas (ie, anywhere outside the M25 that is not 90% urban) are photographed in Barbour jackets. People change their accents, go through teeth-whitening procedures (because people with whiter teeth tell fewer lies… right), and discover obscure ancestries which link them to the constituency. Every ‘parachute’ candidate rents a flat where they intend to stand. Credibility can be bought for the right price with the right advice. It doesn’t always work — we all remember William Hague’s reverse base-ball cap, and David Cameron being photographed cycling to work, followed by a van full of his papers. But, despite these minor mishaps, David Cameron at least has shed most of the Eton / Oxford exclusive dining club / millionaire image that he grew up with.
Trustworthiness is something quite different. Self-evidently, many of the people we trusted were not worthy of our trust.
So, where do we go from here?
If we really want trustworthy politicians, we need to start voting for them. I think it’s fair to say that the big political parties have not got the message. There has not been a flurry to find candidates who are more honest than those of previous generations. The all-women, all-ethnic minority shortlist talk is not about increasing trustworthiness, but about increasing the overall credibility of the party that shortlists them. Actually, a desire to increase credibility without a search for honesty is a mark of the deepest untrustworthiness. Or bad faith, as we used to call it. But the big parties are counting on the public voting on party, political or tribal lines, not lines of trust. They believe that, after we’ve had our rant, we will still lump all politicians together as necessary evils, and get on with voting for the ones we would have voted for anyway. Therefore, we need to disappoint them, and severely.
But, given that every politician will be coming to us at the election with the claim that they are more trustworthy than the others, and given that the richest and best connected will be able to have the best advice and be able to buy the best services, how can we tell?
1) What did they do before politics?
People who have served the public, perhaps in charities, in the armed forces, in the muckier bits of the public sector, have a very different track record from those who made a killing in the city or played around with inherited wealth before being given a safe-seat. That doesn’t mean that people who work in the city are not trustworthy, or that inherited wealth makes people liars, but a track record of service in the past goes a long way towards underlining a promise that they will serve us in the future.
2) How hard did they have to work to get here?
The vast majority of expenses-scandal MPs have been in what are generally termed ‘safe-seats’. Check out someone’s political track-record. Have they faced disappointment and defeat in the past, or have they been handed easy victories? Easy victories don’t make someone untrustworthy, but the majority of those who cheated did have big majorities to shore them up.
3) Where does their money come from?
People whose every working hour is given to becoming richer are unlikely to give up the habit when they get elected. More importantly, there are some ways to get rich, or, get by, which are in the public interest, and some which are predatory in nature. Someone who trades on other people’s greed, weakness or ignorance in order to gain their money is unlikely to be trustworthy in parliament.
4) For sitting MPs, what have they done?
The ideal MP works hard, claims only reasonable expenses, and arranges their affairs so that there is not even a suggestion that they may be profiting at the public expense. If your MP is seldom in the House of Commons, has claimed extravagantly, or has made a fortune through publicly-funded property speculation, then there is very little reason to believe that they will change their ways in the next parliament.
5) What’s their position on second jobs?
Will your candidate be dedicating his or her paid time exclusively to the House of Commons, or will that time be shared with company directorships, business dealings, lobbying firms and lucrative contracts? The rules, it appears, will not be changing to ensure that they do not, so it’s a good indicator of just how trustworthy they really are. For sitting MPs, you can easily check the register. For candidates, you can write to them or ask them at a public meeting whether they will be retaining any of these income streams, and whether they can guarantee to make the House of Commons their sole source of income. Taking a second job does not make someone necessarily untrustworthy, but, if someone is promising to dedicate their life to serving you in the next parliament, you can legitimately question how much time that will leave them for other things.
6) How do they respond to criticism?
No-one likes being criticised, but it’s instructive to see how people behave when they are accused of an impropriety. Some people flare up, some people become very sad, some people become very earnest. All of these are normal reactions. But some people demonstrate consummate skill in deflecting the criticism. This isn’t necessarily a sign that they are untrustworthy, but, taken with the other indicators, it can reenforce what you already know. Jack Straw, who isn’t from my party, always gets very agitated when people criticise him on Radio 4. A friend of mine who worked with him tells me that he is, in person, very trustworthy. Peter Mandelson, from that same party, is always very smooth in the face of criticism. Partly that’s his job, but, equally, the word is that he is not necessarily the first person you would want to trust.
7) How hard do they try to be credible?
Finally — and for this you need to really meet them and look them in the eye — how hard are they trying to be credible? You probably won’t be able to tell if they’ve had their teeth whitened (some people have naturally white teeth), but, when you talk to them, if you move off the usual subjects, you can get a fairly good impression about whether they are happy to talk about anything, or always want to move the conversation back to them, their credibility, the uncredibility of other candidates, the sins of other parties. Anyone who is too desperate to have you trust them — like a car salesman who keeps saying “I’ll be honest with you” — is probably not someone you should be trusting. Again, some people are naturally eager to make friends. But, generally, those people are more natural at it.
I don’t want to suggest that everyone who fails these tests is a liar, and, I’m sure, there are people even now coaching would-be MPs about how to pass these tests, or others like them. But, if we have no tests, then we are left only with what the candidates tell us about themselves. With their credibility, not their trustworthiness. If you don’t like these, then write down what things would make you trust or distrust someone. But do it, and then vote on it.
Otherwise, as we enter the 2010s, rather than the government we really want, we will once again elect the government we deserve.
Many people will wish to point out that the decade ends at the end of 2010, and the new decade begins in 2011. I do agree with them. However, the arbitrary decade beginning with the year 2000, which was celebrated (somewhat bizarrely), as the Millennium (bizarrely because, notwithstanding questions about year 0, nothing in particular happened in the Year 1000 for us to commemorate) has reached an end, and it is that decade which I am describing.
Faith/ Featured
Peace and Goodwill
Christian, Faith, MP Dec 24, 2009
At twilight, a frog rests on wet tarmac between the cliff and the Avon, Marlcliff
Believing is not in fashion. I have, during the last ten years, sat in countless meetings where people have tried to hammer home their point that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you don’t act on it. But, at the end of a decade of doubt, it turns out that we did want our politicians to act out of principle rather than greed, and that Americans, if no-one else, were prepared to vote for the hope of change, rather than more of the same cynicism.
You can read the Christmas story in different ways. I read it (and I will argue with anyone, any time, pretty much anywhere that this is the correct way) as a record of events which happened, at a particular point in time, and a particular place in space.
But if you’re not prepared to engage with it in that way, there is still a lot to be read, and understood. Shepherds on the hillside choose to believe, rather than to doubt. But their belief is exercised not in remaining on the hillside saying “that’s great, now we believe — there’s no point going to look”, but rather in going to the stable. Equally, the wise men, astrologers from the East, people whose own belief-system was almost certainly at odds with the nation they were visiting. They believed, and they went. Angels in the sky, announcing a new deal: “peace and good will”.
I expect the usual flurry of emails telling me that the effect of Christianity over the centuries has not always been peace and goodwill. Again, if you want to pick the time and the place, I’m happy to have the discussion with you. But it’s fair to say that, in all of our best endeavours, we only achieve a part of what we seek.
Nonetheless, the belief which puts itself into action, getting to grips with the peace and goodwill, in all of the messy, three steps forwards and two steps back, complicated, difficult and fractious world in which we live, is infinitely preferable to the cynicism which says: “I always knew they were all crooks — why bother anyway?” or “it probably won’t happen in my life time. Why change my ways now?”
Over the past ten years, and more likely the last forty, we have increasingly put our faith in doubt. We would prefer to not believe and not be disappointed, than to believe and act on that belief. I could add a list of all the social ills that stem from that, but you can probably make up your own list, and not have to put up with mine.
I want to wish everyone who reads these pages peace and goodwill this Christmas. But my wish for you — for everyone — is that we can begin to put aside our faith in doubt, and start on the active belief that leads us to change our world. Because it does need to change.
Peace and goodwill, then.
And a happy Christmas.
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« Gadgets are a man’s worst friend?
The worrying state of modern boys, revisited »
The worrying state of modern boys
posted by Eivind on August 3, 2009, at 10:20 pm
It is with a certain level of sadness, worry and tension that I observe the behaviour of young boys around me where I live. So many appear to have no anchor in themselves. They appear completely at the mercy of peer pressure, playing into what they believe their friends think is cool. What this looks like, when they gather up in groups, is a lot of screaming, hitting each other, telling each other what useless shits they are. With many, there seems to be a competition going in which the winner is the one who can dish out the worst insults.
This dynamic isn't completely unfamiliar to me, as this behaviour was prevalent when I was their age. But it's getting worse. Guys who are supposed to be friends tear each other down, conducting psychological warfare as a way of bonding.
What happened? Why are so many young boys extremely cruel to each other? They seem to be adopting the teenage girl drama and, perhaps to compensate for their resulting feminization, pack it into boastful macho behaviour. I can only imagine how confusing life must be for them.
Did we forget about these boys when we decided on who needed help (generally girls and women)? Have we demonized the male gender so much so that boys now use the heritage of "men are scum"-feminism to make friends? Whatever the reason may be, these boys are lost and stripped of control of their body, speech and mind. I worry about them.
The latest movie I looked at was Buddha's Lost Children and I believe it holds some answers. Abbot Phra Khru Bah teaches us that the key to unlocking boys' potentials is to expect things from them, to treat them with respect, to love them while holding them responsible for their actions, to not shy away from punishing them if they have done wrong. When fathers stop to lovingly punish their sons for fear of abuse or of being reported to the authorities, love has disappeared. They are not taught the laws of karma and are left to fend for themselves, with noone to tell them right or wrong. This is the dramatic result of reframing love the willingness to let others to do themselves whatever they want. For young boys, love without toughness is cruel.
So if you have a boy who shows signs of this behaviour, don't be a soft, anxious sap who lets him get away with it. Treat him like a man. That's what he wants. He wants to feel as if he belongs to a true brotherhood.
For that to happen, however, you have to be a man, which, hopefully, is why you're here.
In an effort to reduce the text length of the reviews, I have created a slightly new format for the...
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Tag: romance of the three kingdoms xi
In search of Cathay: exploring historical strategy games set in China
This post discusses some of the notable games that explore the history of China – a fascinating subject crying out for more attention.
Any discussion of strategy games set in China must begin with KOEI’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, whose first game dates to the NES.
Set amidst the civil war that followed the fall of the Han Dynasty — the same period that inspired the Chinese classic novel, the Dynasty Warriors games, and assorted movies, TV shows, and anime — these games are mechanically as well as thematically notable.
Along with KOEI stablemates such as Nobunaga’s Ambition, and Paradox’s Crusader Kings, these are some of the very few character-driven strategy games in existence. Every action in ROTK, from building a granary to leading an army, is assigned to (and performed by) named characters. ROTK’s characters form a cast of thousands, taken from history and the pages of the novel (there is also the potential to create custom officers)
Within the series, individual games vary. I have very fond memories of playing ROTK XI, a micromanagement-intensive but engaging game whose cel-shaded graphics and hand-drawn art remain lovely today.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by ROTK XIII, the latest in the series. Like some of its predecessors, XIII is a RPG/strategy hybrid that allows players to play as low-ranking officers or governors, as opposed to faction leaders, and work their way up. In theory, this is brilliant. In practice, life as a junior officer in ROTK XIII plays out as Ancient Chinese Workplace Simulator. I spent my time clicking through menus to fulfil orders, waiting for progress bars to fill up, and occasionally networking with fellow officers. (More subjectively, I didn’t like XIII’s art style compared to its predecessors, or for that matter, Nobunaga’s Ambition.)
For those interested in the ROTK series, I would recommend XI, which is available for digital purchase.
Completing a task in Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII.
Flawed and fascinating, Oriental Empires (currently in Early Access) is a bundle of interesting ideas that — based on a playthrough in late September/early October 2016 — fail to cohere into a good game. In particular, it feels caught between two conflicting paradigms. Its overall structure is that a conventional 4X game like Civilization, depicting the Warring States of pre-Imperial China. Hidden inside is a more radical idea: a game about maintaining the internal stability of an empire.
On its surface, Oriental Empires is very much about the Warring States. The map is filled with multiple civilizations, each of which represents a kingdom or tribe that existed before the unification of China. Nobles are still implied to be a powerful force within society, as they were in the Warring States. Most of the game’s tech tree is pre-imperial — a thousand years of imperial history are relegated to the final era.
The trick is that the other players aren’t the real challenge: I won a cultural victory without going to war against a single other player. Instead, Oriental Empires’ most interesting mechanic (and its greatest challenge) is the way it handles internal dissent. Each city has a separate unrest level for nobles and commoners, and while the nobles are easy to keep happy, the commoners are dangerous. Drought — a random event — produces unhappy commoners. Famine produces unhappy commoners. And crucially, whereas most 4X games encourage the player to build and improve their cities, doing this in Oriental Empires produces unhappy commoners: when tile improvements and buildings go up, Oriental Empire assumes that the work is done by commoners drafted for corvee labour.
When rebellions do break out, they can be very dangerous. The game has several types of military unit, including nobles, regulars, and militia; while militia are cheap, they tend to defect to nearby rebels. On top of that, multiple unhappy cities can set off a chain reaction. Once, I had to reload after being bankrupted by a death spiral. The parallels to history — including the fall of China’s first imperial dynasty, the Qin — felt strong.
Unrest can be defused through different national policies; happiness-boosting buildings such as theatres, temples, and courthouses; favourable random events (such as good harvest); maintaining a garrison – of regular troops, not militia – assigning a city governor, or a slow cooldown. It can be better not to overbuild in the first place. The take-away is that there is a trade-off between growth and stability, and a wise ruler will avoid making the historical mistakes of the Qin.
Overall, while Oriental Empires is difficult to unconditionally recommend (unless it’s improved as a strategy game since I played it), I found it sufficiently intriguing (and aesthetically pleasing) not to regret my purchase.
Recently listed for sale on GoG, this is a charming entry in the City-Building series best known for Caesar I-IV. I’ve enjoyed the limited time I’ve spent time with it.
Mechanically, Emperor is close to what I remember of Caesar III. City-dwellers’ houses, which upgrade into progressively grander forms as citizens’ needs are met, are serviced by walkers sent out from nearby buildings. To keep the walkers on track, the player can even deploy roadblocks and walls. The city’s needs include food, water, entertainment, religion, commodities, and more – the standard building blocks of a city builder.
What lends charm is the game’s flavour. The introductory campaign begins in prehistoric China, where the player’s settlement cultivates millet. New commodities such as wheat and jade are introduced through trade with other settlements, representing the development of the material culture we think of as “Chinese”. Within the city, instead of Caesar III’s lion tamers, there are acrobats and musicians. Throwing a festival for New Year will result in a lion dance making its way around town.
From my time so far, this is a solidly executed example of the city-builder formula; worth a look for those interested in its theme.
Building a town in Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom
Author Peter SahuiPosted on March 20, 2017 Categories Games, Strategy GamesTags emperor: rise of the middle kingdom, oriental empires, romance of the three kingdoms, romance of the three kingdoms xi, romance of the three kingdoms xiiiLeave a comment on In search of Cathay: exploring historical strategy games set in China
Musical Monday: “Spring Buds” and “Shattered Bamboo” (Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI), composed by Yoshihiro Ike
This week’s songs are from Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI, KOEI’s epic strategy game set in war-torn Ancient China (and the last of its series to be translated into English). The game’s music is situational, so I want to say the first theme, “Spring Buds”, plays when you’re at peace, and that the second, “Shattered Bamboo”, plays when (A) you have a large empire and (B) you’re at war (I don’t recall hearing it when I was an underdog at the start of the game), but I can’t quite be sure! I can say they are as lovely as they are atmospheric, and I hope you enjoy them.
Author Peter SahuiPosted on February 18, 2013 February 18, 2013 Categories Musical Monday, SoundtracksTags romance of the three kingdoms xi, shattered bamboo, spring buds, yoshihiro ikeLeave a comment on Musical Monday: “Spring Buds” and “Shattered Bamboo” (Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI), composed by Yoshihiro Ike
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Home » Novaya Gazeta
Did Ukraine’s Upstart Public Broadcaster Undermine National Interests?
By Daria Taradai 1 August 2016
The lack of definitive rules of engagement and professional standards for Ukrainian public media covering a quintessential topic of national interest – the ongoing war against Russian-backed separatists – also raises questions of self-censorship.
Among the heralded achievements of the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, the mass protests in 2014 that led to the ousting of Ukraine’s then president Viktor Yanukovych, was the emergence of two public broadcasters.
However, neither of them, in fact, fits the classic concept of the public media. One was created by journalists as a bottom-up initiative, and is still in the process of reforming. The other is being built by the government on the structure of the Ukrainian state TV and radio corporation. Both still fall short of international standards.
Daria Taradai
Hromadske
UA: Pershyj
Read more about Did Ukraine’s Upstart Public Broadcaster Undermine National Interests?
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At Home In Hell - "At Home In Hell" (CD/EP)
"At Home In Hell" track listing:
1. Fire (Intro) (3:23)
2. Rite to Sin (3:28)
3. Just Another Story (3:37)
4. Fault (3:57)
5. The Knife (5:18)
6. The Other Me (3:56)
7. Go Back Inside (2:05)
8. Everyone Lies (3:48)
Reviewed by xFiruath on August 28, 2008
"Their debut EP keeps the tension running high and the anger on a good low simmer with frequent bursts that break the boiling point."
The guys in At Home in Hell are seriously pissed off, and they want to let everyone know about it. Their debut, self-titled EP keeps the tension running high and the anger on a good low simmer with frequent bursts that break the boiling point. Boasting surprisingly great production quality for an indie release, sound effects that generally work well within the framework of the music, and dealing with the personal issues that get on everybody’s nerves, the album has plenty to like for fans of the hardcore sound.
A firm grasp of the mentality of the music can be had by popping open the CD case to see that the insert has a list of all the people and venues who have crossed the band and why they are worthy of derision, rather than the standard thanks to everyone who helped the band out. The album deals almost exclusively with issues of hatred, hypocrisy, and self loathing. From the indictment of the holier than thou righteous crowd who have no compunctions about being as depraved as the rest of the world in “Rite to Sin” to the more personal Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dichotomy of “The Other Me,” there are very few moments when the songs don’t try to get the temperature and blood pressure steadily rising.
The band’s first offering starts with a space oriented, sound effects laden opening track, featuring piercing noises coming out of the darkness that resemble something like a screaming whale, if whales traveled the stars instead of the seas. This particular effect sees use a few times during the course of the album, popping up every now and again in between the bursts of rage. The opening sound effects actually work pretty well to set up a mood for the album, but unfortunately the sounds as a whole suffer from a lack of uniform vision, as they frequently bounce back and forth between the spacey and cosmic theme to a more down to earth horror movie vibe. Both styles work well, but the album would sound a lot tighter and more focused if only one or the other had been utilized instead of both. Synths and samples are a large part of At Home In Hell’s sound, and for the most part they add something to the band instead of being relegated to gimmick status. The only major exception is when one song opens with a sample of Kevin Spacey’s iconic line about the devil from the movie "The Usual Suspects" being spliced intermittently into the music, giving the song an unfortunate trance techno feel that doesn’t match the tone of the rest of the tracks.
The vocals used on the album are usually a low yell somewhere in between the energetic screaming of metalcore and the plodding dirge-like growls of early death metal, but there are plenty of variations on the theme used liberally to accentuate the focus of the lyrics or spice up songs so they stay far away from the dreaded curse of monotony. The song “Just Another Story” uses some distortion of the vocals to produce sounds that wouldn’t be all that out of place on a black metal disc, and several songs such as “Go Back Inside” use a style approaching clean singing, but with a more stilted and deranged quality that gives the impression that the vocalist is completely out of his mind in his fury.
If their self-titled EP is any indication, At Home In Hell will probably be carving out a nice little niche for themselves in the hardcore genre whenever a full length album with a little more polish and focus makes its way out.
Highs: Varied vocals and a seriously angry vibe that keeps the album going strong
Lows: Lack of overall focus and some misplaced samples and effects
Bottom line: A great little diversion for fans of the hardcore genre and enough pull for fans of other forms of metal to give it a shot at least once.
Get more info including news, reviews, interviews, links, etc. on our At Home In Hell band page.
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International • Perspectives
Impeach Donald Trump
Published Time: January 19, 2019, 1:24 am
Updated Time: January 19, 2019 at 2:25 am
Yoni Appelbaum/The Atlantic
Starting the process will rein in a president who is undermining American ideals—and bring the debate about his fitness for office into Congress, where it belongs.
Donald Trump stood on the steps of the Capitol, raised his right hand, and solemnly swore to faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and, to the best of his ability, to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. He has not kept that promise.
Instead, he has mounted a concerted challenge to the separation of powers, to the rule of law, and to the civil liberties enshrined in our founding documents. He has purposefully inflamed America’s divisions. He has set himself against the American idea, the principle that all of us—of every race, gender, and creed—are created equal.
This is not a partisan judgment. Many of the president’s fiercest critics have emerged from within his own party. Even officials and observers who support his policies are appalled by his pronouncements, and those who have the most firsthand experience of governance are also the most alarmed by how Trump is governing.
“The damage inflicted by President Trump’s naïveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate,” the late senator and former Republican presidential nominee John McCain lamented last summer. “The president has not risen to the mantle of the office,” the GOP’s other recent nominee, the former governor and now senator Mitt Romney, wrote in January.
The oath of office is a president’s promise to subordinate his private desires to the public interest, to serve the nation as a whole rather than any faction within it. Trump displays no evidence that he understands these obligations. To the contrary, he has routinely privileged his self-interest above the responsibilities of the presidency. He has failed to disclose or divest himself from his extensive financial interests, instead using the platform of the presidency to promote them. This has encouraged a wide array of actors, domestic and foreign, to seek to influence his decisions by funneling cash to properties such as Mar-a-Lago (the “Winter White House,” as Trump has branded it) and his hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. Courts are now considering whether some of those payments violate the Constitution.
More troubling still, Trump has demanded that public officials put their loyalty to him ahead of their duty to the public. On his first full day in office, he ordered his press secretary to lie about the size of his inaugural crowd. He never forgave his first attorney general for failing to shut down investigations into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, and ultimately forced his resignation. “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty,” Trump told his first FBI director, and then fired him when he refused to pledge it.
Trump has evinced little respect for the rule of law, attempting to have the Department of Justice launch criminal probes into his critics and political adversaries. He has repeatedly attacked both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Special Counsel Robert Mueller. His efforts to mislead, impede, and shut down Mueller’s investigation have now led the special counsel to consider whether the president obstructed justice.
As for the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Trump has repeatedly trampled upon them. He pledged to ban entry to the United States on the basis of religion, and did his best to follow through. He has attacked the press as the “enemy of the people” and barred critical outlets and reporters from attending his events. He has assailed black protesters. He has called for his critics in private industry to be fired from their jobs. He has falsely alleged that America’s electoral system is subject to massive fraud, impugning election results with which he disagrees as irredeemably tainted. Elected officials of both parties have repeatedly condemned such statements, which has only spurred the president to repeat them.
These actions are, in sum, an attack on the very foundations of America’s constitutional democracy.
The electorate passes judgment on its presidents and their shortcomings every four years. But the Framers were concerned that a president could abuse his authority in ways that would undermine the democratic process and that could not wait to be addressed. So they created a mechanism for considering whether a president is subverting the rule of law or pursuing his own self-interest at the expense of the general welfare—in short, whether his continued tenure in office poses a threat to the republic. This mechanism is impeachment.
Trump’s actions during his first two years in office clearly meet, and exceed, the criteria to trigger this fail-safe. But the United States has grown wary of impeachment. The history of its application is widely misunderstood, leading Americans to mistake it for a dangerous threat to the constitutional order.
That is precisely backwards. It is absurd to suggest that the Constitution would delineate a mechanism too potent to ever actually be employed. Impeachment, in fact, is a vital protection against the dangers a president like Trump poses. And, crucially, many of its benefits—to the political health of the country, to the stability of the constitutional system—accrue irrespective of its ultimate result.
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Religious freedom and religious accommodations (Part 2)
The goal of this post is to clearly state the principles which informed my position in the last post.
As a reminder: the last post discussed a Muslim flight attendant who was in danger of losing her job. She had refused to serve alcohol on flights, as such service would go against her faith.
My position was that her sincerely held religious beliefs ought to be protected, but the airline also had a right to operate without undue hardship. This calls for a careful consideration of the claims of each party, to see whether both concerns can satisfactorily addressed. The solution I proposed was this: the flight attendant ought not to be forced to serve alcohol, but she must make up for this in taking up other duties, so that the net effect on the airline is negligible. Whether or not she CAN make up for it determines whether this accommodation ought to be accepted: for instance, if she were a bartender instead of a flight attendant, clearly she would not be able to make up for not serving alcohol, therefore the accommodation would not work out, and I would fully support the business in firing her. However, since serving alcohol is a minuscule part of a flight attendant's job, it would be trivially simple to shuffle around the duties so that she does something else while another flight attendant serves the drinks. Thus, she should be accommodated.
I was furthermore against the simplistic idea that "if she can't do her job, she ought to be fired". To say that the business has an absolute power to fire an employee for not doing a part of her job - even if that part is a minuscule portion of the job description - would mean that the business could fire any imperfect employee. That is to say, it could fire any employee, period. This would simply be a case of the business trampling over the employee with its power, with no regard for balance, fair play, or the rights of the employee.
So, let's extract the principles involved here, and explicitly state them:
I believe that people have a right to the free exercise of their religion. This is actually only a small slice of a broader principle: that people have a right to live according to their identity.
Conversely, it is wrong to require people to violate their conscience, their gender, their sexual orientation, their people's history, or other such categories that form one's core identity.
I believe that the many - whether it be a large corporation, society at large, or simply "the majority" - also has a right to impose order and insure its own smooth operation.
Conversely, it is wrong for an individual or a minority group to disrupt the workings of the majority to satisfy their own needs.
I believe that, in case of a conflict, a balance should be struck. We should take the concerns of all parties into account and weigh them together to achieve a fair solution.
Conversely, I am against one side simply imposing its will on the other. I will oppose actions whose chief goal is to forcefully restrict the freedom of others, whether it comes from the minority or the majority.
I believe in cooperative, common-sense solutions characterized by nuance and empathy.
Conversely, I am against ham-fisted, absolutist, or antagonistic decision making processes.
Of course, we will not always find perfect solutions that perfectly satisfy all these principles. But especially in such cases, I believe that we should take special care not to favor the strong over the weak, the large corporation over the individual employee, the majority over the minority, or profits over personal rights.
I believe that my position on the issue of the flight attendant embodies all of these principles. I sincerely hope that these principles are things we can all agree on. It's only common sense and basic decency.
Also note that I'm not particularly concerned about the law of the land. Human laws derive their legitimacy from natural laws - in our case, from what is right and wrong as established by moral principles. If we understand the principles well, the implementation of their particulars in our laws will be straightforward. That is why I'm primarily concerned with the principles for now, in this post.
But in the next post, we will begin that next step, of implement these principles in other scenarios beyond the case of our Muslim flight attendant. We'll start off easy, then gradually increase the difficulty.
Religious freedom and religious accommodations (Part 3) (Next post of this series)
History, moral progress, and moral perfection (part 1)
Key principles in interpreting the Bible
Chris Angelico 9/15/15, 1:44 AM
"Conversely, I am against ham-fisted, absolutist, or antagonistic decision making processes."
Corollary: You are (or should be) against the notion of a centralized authority making rules about situations it does not know about. (An omniscient centralized authority does not count; God can make rules about literally any situation, because He does know exactly what the consequences of following His rules will be, even in situations that haven't occurred yet. Ain't omniscience awesome?)
This is why my default view, on most topics, is "don't make a law about it". Some people see a problem and immediately say "Aorta do summat about that" (translation from Strine: "They ought to do something about that"); it's assumed that legislation will solve the problem. My view is the opposite: there are very few situations that truly demand governmental interference. The default position should be personal freedom, and everything after that must be justified (eg "if we don't restrict the freedom to be a bully, we implicitly restrict the freedom of the victims of bullying"). And actually, in most cases, proactive rules can be applied at a very low level - a single organization issues the Code of Conduct for an event, declaring (or implying) that persons violating it will be ejected. This maintains personal freedom; if you don't like the CoC, you stay away from that event, and it doesn't apply to you. Overarching governmental regulation should ideally exist solely to protect and empower such low-level rules, rather than imposing their equivalents on everyone, in case the rules are flat-out wrong.
Only in cases where broader enforcement is fundamental should government be involved. For instance, the copyright and trademark laws of various countries (and the treaties between them) are all that's needed to encourage movie-makers to treat their non-human cast members fairly (because "No animals were harmed" is trademarked), or to protect open-source software (because the GPL basically says "this stuff's copyright, so if you're going to use it, follow these rules"), or to encourage consumers to buy locally-produced items (the "Australian Made" logo is trademarked). Since the owners of these marks can choose how they'll permit them to be used, and can prosecute anyone who abuses them, any policy recommendation can be turned into a simple and straight-forward question: Does it have the {logo,key phrase,stamp of authenticity}? We don't need specific laws saying "You may say 'Made in Australia' only if blah blah blah"; we just need copyright/trademark law.
For the rest, though? Less laws == better.
naclhv 9/22/15, 12:46 AM
Certainly, I'm against needless laws. But I do think that it's often hard to tell how necessary a law is, or even what the consequences of a law will be. So I guess I agree that "in many cases" less laws are better, but I can't say what those cases are.
I think this question gets to the issue of what the role of a government is. Again, I think I agree with you that in general, the centralized government should be minimized in power: The U.S. Constitution actually has that as an amendments (the 10th), which says that any power not specifically granted to the federal government is reserved to the states or to the people. (Although this amendment is regularly bypassed or ignored)
But apart from the specifics of the U.S. constitution, this "minimize central power" again gets difficult, because it's often hard to tell which powers are necessary for the central authority to have. We in the U.S. have recently had a great deal of political brouhaha about same-sex marriage and healthcare. It's not clear to me whether the federal government overstepped its bounds there or not. Could - or should - these issues have been handled on a state or local government level? I cannot say for certain.
I'm not trying to say "these situations should have laws, these shouldn't", because it's way too easy to make a snap decision on insufficient information; it's more a matter of "status quo wins a stalemate". It's like making a backward-incompatible change to a programming language (which is something I'm often involved in discussions about); if you can demonstrate that the current behaviour is fundamentally wrong, then yes, you can legislate a change that fixes that - but if it's borderline, it's better to keep things the way they are. In the case of government, "the way things are" is an absence of legislation, and that has the broad benefit of freedom.
Power should be exercised in inverse relationship to its breadth and impact. Anything that affects an entire country, or significantly changes people's lives, should be used sparingly. Reducing the scope of legislation to a single state would permit it to be used (slightly) more freely. Reducing it to a single city council would allow a bit more freedom. Taking it all the way down to a single building allows extreme freedom - anyone who wants to eject someone from his place of business should be allowed to.do so.
Taking the specific example of same-sex marriage... Since it's fundamentally a matter of taxation, it can't be handled at the most local levels; in fact, it has to be handled at the exact same level as tax laws. But racial and religious freedom should be pushed to the very lowest levels, as should communications policy, parking laws, and event disruption permissions. There's no reason to nationalize.
Religious freedom and religious accommodations (Pa...
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Benefits Change Would Help People With Disabilities
By Christine Sexton on April 30, 2019 in WNDB News
Tallahassee, FL – Amid talk during this year’s legislative session of making the Medicaid program more restrictive, lawmakers are poised to allow working adults with disabilities to earn more money and maintain their Medicaid benefits.
As part of a budget agreement, the House and Senate would allow adults with disabilities to earn $50,886 annually and not lose access to their Medicaid benefits.
The agreement also would allow working adults with disabilities to have up to $13,000 in cash in savings accounts without risking the loss of their Medicaid “home and community based” benefits, including services to help with activities of daily living.
“I was wondering if this day would ever come,” said Jim DeBeaugrine, a former director of the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities who now is a lobbyist.
Under current rules, a working adult with disabilities tapping into home- and community-based services cannot earn more than $27,000 a year or have more than $2,000 in cash savings.
Though they may be able to obtain traditional health-insurance benefits through employers, DeBeaugrine said many people cannot survive without the home- and community-based Medicaid services to assist with activities such as dressing and bathing.
As a result, DeBeaugrine said, many people will quit jobs or cut back on hours so they don’t lose Medicaid benefits.
Instrumental in helping to establish the program was 27-year old Sarah Goldman, who has cerebral palsy and works as an aide to Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg, in his district office.
In an interview with The News Service of Florida, Goldman recalled graduating from Florida State University with her master’s degree in 2015 when her Medicaid case manager first told her about the income restrictions.
The case manager’s advice to Goldman was to get a part-time job and apply for subsidized housing.
“I left that conversation and I was crying because I was just so frustrated,” she said. “How could I have come this far to basically be told, ‘Why would you work?’”
Irked, she began researching Medicaid income limits for people with disabilities who want to work in Florida and nationally. She quickly learned that Florida was one of four states that had not requested to increase the income limit for working adults. Such increases require federal approval.
Goldman in 2016 pitched her idea of expanding the income limits at an annual legislative meeting of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. She also applied for an unpaid internship at the Legislature.
Following the 2016 session, she interviewed with former Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, for a full-time post.
“I told her we need to talk about salary because this is my cap and if I incur anything over this, then I am going to lose my services,” Goldman recalled telling Peters. “I could tell by (Peters’) facial expression, she was horrified. And she told me then if we worked together, she would help me fix this.”
Goldman’s full-time state job enables her to tap into the state employees’ health insurance plan. While it’s considered to be a generous health plan, Goldman noted it doesn’t cover personal-care services she requires, such as bathing and dressing.
“All I am authorized with under my insurance program is 30 shower visits a year. Can you imagine only showering like twice a month?” Goldman said.
But before the Legislature would consider a higher income threshold, it required an analysis to ensure that the move wouldn’t expand Medicaid rolls.
After an unsuccessful effort to pass the study language in 2017, money for the analysis was included in last year’s budget.
The move to allow adults with disabilities to earn more and maintain Medicaid benefits comes as lawmakers this year have considered other proposals to tighten restrictions on Medicaid enrollment and benefits.
The House, for example, passed a bill (HB 955) that would require an estimated 500,000 Medicaid beneficiaries to work or show they are trying to get jobs to keep their health-care benefits. The proposal would exclude seniors and would mostly impact young women with children. The Senate has not taken up the issue.
Valerie Breen, executive director of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council said increasing the income threshold was one of her association’s top goals for the session.
The council is “extremely pleased that the Legislature adopted one of our top priorities to ensure that individuals receiving Medicaid paid supports can remain employed and not lose the care benefits that help them get to and sustain work on a daily basis,” Breen said in a statement to the News Service.
While the new budget hasn’t been finalized, the agreement opens opportunities for Goldman.
“It means I can move up in my career,” she said. “I one day want to work for a lobbyist or an agency that runs in the Legislature. And those jobs are much higher paying than what I was currently able to earn. So this gives me a peace of mind knowing I can reach the dreams I wanted to while still being able to get out of bed in the morning and get dressed and get ready to go to work. Before, it was basically asking somebody: ‘Do you want to get out of bed or do you want to go to work?’ I don’t think somebody should have to make that choice.”
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Film of every kind.
GEEK OUT! STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS TEASER
Yeah I know it’s only a teaser but this is seriously under-whelming. *Sigh*
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on November 28, 2014 Categories FILMTags Geek Out!, Scifi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, TrailersLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS TEASER
GEEK OUT: BIG HERO 6 – HEAVY ON SENTIMENT BUT LIGHT ON STORY
Directed by Don Hall & Chris Williams
With all the super-hero properties available to Disney Animation upon the acquisition of Marvel Comics, Disney opted for an obscure book titled Sunfire and Big Hero 6. The subsequent film adaptation is only loosely based on the comic, severing all links to the Marvel Universe – except for the utterly pointless Stan Lee cameo.
When you consider that the sequel to the vastly superior The Incredibles remains in limbo, one would have thought that Disney should have left super-heroes well alone. The result is predictable – very poor superhero tale that is high on sentimentality but light on plot.
That said, one cannot fault the character designs, the top notch animation and likeability of Baymax. However, the clunky narrative, the one-dimensional supporting characters and Baymax-size plot holes prevent Big Hero 6 from being taken seriously. Obviously aimed at young children, that is the only reasonable way of approaching this dumb flick.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on November 28, 2014 Categories FILMTags Big Hero 6, Disney, Geek Out!, Marvel, Reviews, SuperheroLeave a comment on GEEK OUT: BIG HERO 6 – HEAVY ON SENTIMENT BUT LIGHT ON STORY
FAERYVILLE TRAILER – WATCH IT NOW!
Finally, a peek into the world of Singapore director Tzang Merwyn Tong’s dystopian teen movie FAERYVILLE is provided with this official trailer. Years in the making, FAERYVILLE will make its Red Carpet World Premiere in Los Angeles, CA, in January, 2015. More details to be announced by Eleven Arts, Inc.
Connect with FAERYVILLE Online:
Like FAERYVILLE on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/faeryville
Follow FAERYVILLE on TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/faeryville
Follow FAERYVILLE on INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/faeryville
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on November 9, 2014 November 9, 2014 Categories FILMTags Eleven Arts, FAERYVILLE, INRI Studio, Trailer, Tzang Merwyn TongLeave a comment on FAERYVILLE TRAILER – WATCH IT NOW!
GEEK OUT! INTERSTELLAR: LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG SPACES
Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan.
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine and Bill Irwin.
Familial love. Is there anything more important than that? How about the survival of the human race? What would you do to save the world? In his latest original scifi film, Christopher Nolan takes the notion of the protagonist fighting to see his children again (last seen in Inception) to almost ridiculous levels.
Structurally, the story is rather simple. Cooper (McConaughey) is given the opportunity (in rather fortuitous manner) to save the human race from extinction but to do that, he has to risk never seeing his children ever again. Thus, throughout his mission, his main priority is returning to the Earth and his children.
Continue reading “GEEK OUT! INTERSTELLAR: LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG SPACES”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on November 7, 2014 Categories FILMTags Anne Hathaway, Christopher Nolan, Geek Out!, Interstellar, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine, ScifiLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! INTERSTELLAR: LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG SPACES
FURY: WAR IS HELL BUT SOMETIMES A POORLY WRITTEN PLOT IS JUST AS BAD
Written and Directed by David Ayer.
Starring Brad Pitt, Shia LeBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena.
Yes, movies are a visual medium but without a coherent story, a movie crumbles like a house of cards. Such is the case with WWII flick Fury, which chronicles the misadventures of a tank crew in the final days of the war in Germany.
Consisting of Don “Wardaddy” Collier (Brad Pitt), Boyd “Bible” Swan (Shia LaBeouf), gunner; Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis (Jon Bernthal), loader, Trini “Gordo” Garcia (Michael Peña), driver and new assistant driver/bow gunner Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman), the movie examines the trials and tribulations of this group of soldiers through unflinching albeit exciting battle sequences and also, awkward male bonding scenes.
Continue reading “FURY: WAR IS HELL BUT SOMETIMES A POORLY WRITTEN PLOT IS JUST AS BAD”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on October 30, 2014 October 30, 2014 Categories FILMTags Brad Pitt, David Ayer, Fury, Jon Bernthal, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Shia LeBeouf, WarLeave a comment on FURY: WAR IS HELL BUT SOMETIMES A POORLY WRITTEN PLOT IS JUST AS BAD
GEEK OUT: THE SUPERHERO MOVIE GLUT IS UPON US
Yes, my dear fellow superhero movie geeks, the next six years are going to crazy! In the last couple of weeks both DC and Marvel have announced their schedule of movies covering 2015 to 2020 and together with superhero movies from Fox and SONY promises to bring down upon our heads the great superhero movie glut of the 21st century.
Continue reading “GEEK OUT: THE SUPERHERO MOVIE GLUT IS UPON US”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on October 30, 2014 Categories FILMTags DC, Geek Out!, Marvel Studios, Superhero, WarnersLeave a comment on GEEK OUT: THE SUPERHERO MOVIE GLUT IS UPON US
GEEK OUT! EPIC AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON TEASER TRAILER IS … EPIC!
May 1st, 2015. Nuff said!
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on October 23, 2014 Categories FILMTags Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Geek Out!, Marvel Studios, Superhero, TrailersLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! EPIC AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON TEASER TRAILER IS … EPIC!
GEEK OUT! – O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE
In bygone days, it was common for superheroes to be placed in life threatening situations with readers being confident that the hero would somehow escape the clutches of death. But that concept was first challenged in X-Men #137 (1980) when Jean Grey (aka Marvel Girl/Phoenix) took her own life in order to protect the universe from the Phoenix force that possessed her. In an unforgettable sequence, Jean Grey paid the ultimate price in order to save the universe.
Continue reading “GEEK OUT! – O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on October 18, 2014 October 18, 2014 Categories COMICS, FILMTags DC, Geek Out!, Marvel, Superhero, The Death of Wolverine, Watchmen, Wolverine, X-MenLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! – O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE
GEEK OUT! DRACULA UNTOLD
Directed by Gary Shore.
Starring Luke Evans, Sarah Gordon, Dominic Cooper & Samantha Banks.
There was a time Dracula was portrayed as a monster. Nothing suave or romantic about him, for sure. But of course, in these modern times, the vampire has become a sex symbol and Dracula is the King of Vampires! Eschewing any reliance on Bram Stoker’s classic storyline, the producers of Untold have opted instead to create an origin story for Dracula set in the 15th century. A good idea that has seldom been examined in the movies but sadly, the execution is an absolute letdown.
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Author Kevin MathewsPosted on October 7, 2014 October 7, 2014 Categories FILMTags Charles Dance, Dominic Cooper, Dracula Untold, Gary Shore, Geek Out!, Luke Evans, Reviews, Superhero, Universal StudiosLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! DRACULA UNTOLD
TADA’S DO-IT-ALL HOUSE: DISCONCERTO
Directed by Omori Tatsushi.
Starring Eita, Matsuda Ryuhei, Maki Yoko, Masatoshi Nagase, Kora Kengo, Maro Akaji, Omori Nao, Iwasaki Miku.
Caught this excellent Japanese movie’s world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Brilliant story telling in a matter of fact style. The plot itself started out slowly enough but once the key factors were introduced, the movie felt like an emotional roller-coaster in slo-mo. Actually, the 2nd movie of a trilogy, Disconcerto revolves around the antics of odd couple Tada (Eita) and Gyoten (Ryuhei) as they try to come to terms with their past and deal with the pressing issues of the present.
Director Tatsushi keeps the sophisticated narrative simple whilst revealing details about the lead characters bit by bit. There is an inherent sadness in both leads that impacts their actions. Significantly, their individual plans are interrupted by little children, a lesbian couple, a cult, protesting old folks and the Yakuza! Despite all that, the duo still manage to plough through life in their inimitable manner.
But ultimately, it is the relationship between Tada and Gyoten that anchors the movie well – in this respect, one can look forward to the next installment of Tada’s Do-it-all House with anticipation.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on September 28, 2014 Categories FILMTags #seavan14, Japan, Reviews, VIFFLeave a comment on TADA’S DO-IT-ALL HOUSE: DISCONCERTO
GEEK OUT!
TIME TRAVEL: in the beginning…
All that discussion about X-Men: Days of Future Past made me think about how much I love time travel in movies. Even though it can be a major pain in the arse somethings (in the wrong hands) but overall, some of my favourite movies have involved time travel in some shape or form.
My very first exposure to this scifi concept was in the 60s when as a child, I watched two seminal time travel films on TV. The first one was of course, The Time Machine. Released in 1960, this loose adaptation of HG Wells’ classic scifi novel by director George Pal is still one of the best time travel movies (forget about that awful remake). The movie ending played on my mind as a child and I remember not being able to sleep as I analyzed the movie over and over again. Brilliant. Here’s a video review of the DVD below.
Continue reading “GEEK OUT!”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on September 7, 2014 September 7, 2014 Categories FILMTags Geek Out!, Scifi, The Time Machine, Time Travel, Time TravelersLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
Directed by Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller. Starring Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levett, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis and Eva Green.
I loved Sin City. Frank Miller‘s ground-breaking comic book series, that is. Miller stripped down film noir to its bare essentials and presented them in cutting edge fashion, winning several Eisner & Harvey Awards in the 90s as due recognition.
However, when adapted to film, the very noir elements that made the comic book innovative in the 90s look positively banal and farcical now. Granted, this approach seemed fresh (to the average film goer) in 2005 when the first Sin City movie was released but it has certainly worn out its welcome.
The voice-over narration (a staple of film noir, of course) comes off the worst in this sequel when the characters give flowery descriptions of people, objects and events we can see clearly, without the need for embellishment. All irony and contrast is totally lost in this context.
Everybody seems to be over-acting and this becomes unintentionally comical after a while – any scene with Jessica Alba comes across as ridiculous – even while she is cutting up her face! Eva Green titular (emphasis added) characterization is a failure – though she is definitely nude most of the time, her ‘wicked’ demeanor makes her deception of the men around her utterly implausible.
Overall, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is a disaster – you might enjoy the movie for its visual style, the unintentional laughs and maybe its star power but that only lasts a very short time before you start hoping for the film to end.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is in the cinemas now with a R21 rating.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on September 3, 2014 Categories COMICS, FILMTags Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Frank Miller, Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levett, Josh Brolin, Mickey Rourke, Neo-noir, Robert Rodriguez, Rosario Dawson, Sin City: A Dame to Kill ForLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
Regular PoP visitors will be aware of the fact that I am a huge Bowie fan and was greatly disappointed when I missed the David Bowie Is exhibitions organized by the Victoria & Albert Museum, when I was in London last year with TypeWriter.
So imagine my delight when I learned of a documentary about the exhibition that not only highlighted its various exhibits but also included various experts chiming in with personal experiences and opinions on the influence of Bowie on modern pop culture.
At the same time, it felt me with grave regret at missing the exhibition and hoping for a chance to get a crack at it one day in the future. But in the meantime, this documentary is a splendid way to whet the appetite. In any case, the documentary is essential for all Bowie fans and any serious scholar of art and pop culture.
Tickets are now available for online purchase at over 80 cinemas across the U.S. The film is scheduled to screen on one day, Tuesday, September 23, 2014, with additional cinemas being added to the list on a regular basis. Simultaneously, the V&A exhibition in London will be opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (MCA) on that same Tuesday as well.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on August 24, 2014 Categories FILM, MUSICTags David Bowie, David Bowie Is, Documentary, Victoria & Albert Museum1 Comment on DAVID BOWIE IS
MARVEL STUDIOS: PHASE ONE & TWO RETROSPECTIVE
Ten films that re-defined the super-hero movies. Next – The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Can hardly wait!
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on August 4, 2014 Categories FILMTags Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Geek Out!, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Marvel Studios, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, VideoLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
GEEK OUT! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY MAY BE THE BEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE EVER!!
Directed by James Gunn. Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper.
I must confess that when Marvel first announced a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, I was incredulous. How could they possibly make an obscure team operating in outer space work? However, from the moment I saw the first proper trailer, I just knew that GOTG might well be the best comic book movie ever. I loved the way James Gunn approached the movie – as a fun, light-hearted romp of epic proportions. Using classic pop songs also did not hurt its appeal as its soundtrack (eg. 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love”, The Raspberries’ “Go All the Way” and Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)).
Continue reading “GEEK OUT! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY MAY BE THE BEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE EVER!!”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on July 31, 2014 December 17, 2016 Categories FILMTags Geek Out!, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel, Reviews, Space fantasyLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY MAY BE THE BEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE EVER!!
Directed by Matt Reeves. Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldham & Keri Russell.
The original Planet of the Apes film might well have been the first scifi movie I had ever seen back when I was abut seven. I quickly became a fan and watched every single sequel and even the TV series obsessively. PotA was a cautionary tale about man’s self-destruction and the rise of the intelligent apes to replace man as the dominant species on Earth. The franchise lost steam around 1975 but was revived in a risible remake helmed by Tim Burton.
Back in 2011, the franchise was rebooted with director Rupert Wyatt taking a different narrative starting point, in effect re-writing the origin story of the entire premise. Personally, I thought that Rise of the Planet of the Apes was competent but nothing spectacular, although the motion capture work (especially by Serkis – as ape leader Caesar) was ground-breaking, to say the least.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on July 11, 2014 Categories FILMTags Andy Serkis, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Geek Out!, Matt Reeves, Reviews, ScifiLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
DIO: LIVE IN LONDON HAMMERSMITH APOLLO 1993
Apart from his somewhat diminutive stature, the late great Ronnie James Dio was the quintessential metal frontman, even laying claim to pioneering the use of the ‘horns-up’ gesture (though a certain Gene Simmons would quibble with that claim). Little doubt though that Dio, with bands like Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, was responsible for some of the most iconic hard rock songs ever. And this is clearly evident on this previously unreleased concert film from two decades ago, which documented a reformed Dio performing in support of its Strange Highways album.
The quality of the concert film might not grainy but it is exciting to watch Dio not only play its best known numbers like “Stand Up and Shout”, “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Holy Divers” but throw in a couple of Black Sabbath (“The Mob Rules” and “Heaven and Hell”) and Rainbow (“The Man on the Silver Mountain”) tunes as well. There’s a bonus of behind the scenes the footage which is perfunctory at best.
Absolutely essential for hard rock lovers!
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on June 21, 2014 Categories FILM, MUSICTags Dio, DVD, Eagle Rock, Eagle Vision, Hard rock, Heavy metal, ReviewsLeave a comment on DIO: LIVE IN LONDON HAMMERSMITH APOLLO 1993
THE POWER OF POP INTERVIEW: BUFFALO SUNN
Photo by Emma Hopkins
It’s a small world, after all!
When I saw Dublin sextet Buffalo Sunn play at Beer Market for Music Matters Live ’14, I was entranced by their wondrous approximation of country-folk-rock and post-punk styles into a pleasing whole. Having four brothers in the lineup – the musical Paxton men (Daniel the songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist, Neil on keys, guitar and backing vocals, Conor on keys and guitar and Ruairi on bass) – sure helps in producing those heavenly harmonies. Together with Donagh O’Brien on drums and Patrick McHugh on vocals and guitar, the Paxton brothers as Buffalo Sunn made for a formidable band, as many in the audience at Music Matters Live found out.
On a personal note, I had the chance to talk to the band’s management team (Elvera and James Butler) and discovered that the band are mates with members of Pugwash, whom I had met last year in London! In that light, I felt it appropriate to make available the recording of my conversations with the band last week in the Green Room at Music Matters Live.
First off, we talked about Sweet Jane and similarities with The Beach Boys…
http://www.powerofpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Buffalo-Sunn-01.mp3
Next, the band discussed why it was important for them to play in Asia…
Is it a good time to be a musician? The band weigh in with their thoughts on how technological developments have impacted their music…
We wrapped up with a discussion on the Buffalo Sunn music videos on YouTube and the master plan for world domination…
Look out for Buffalo Sunn’s debut album coming soon. In the meantime, check out the music video of the latest single, “By Your Side” below.
Buy on iTunes http://tinyurl.com/m2croya
www.buffalosunn.com
www.twitter.com/BUFFALOSUNN
www.facebook.com/BUFFALOSUNN
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on May 30, 2014 Categories FILMTags Alternative pop, Buffalo Sunn, Indie-pop, Interview, Ireland, Music Matters Live 2014, Power of Pop Interview, Reekus Records, Streaming, VideoLeave a comment on THE POWER OF POP INTERVIEW: BUFFALO SUNN
Directed by Bryan Singer. Starring Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and many more.
Well, for once, the hype was justified. X-Men: Days of Future Past is no doubt one of the biggest comic book movie adaptations ever, not only for its epic scope but also for its large cast of characters. Essentially a sequel to X-Men: First Class with the younger (1973) versions of Professor X, Magneto, Mystique and the Beast joined by the original X-Men movie characters i.e. Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Iceman, Storm, Colossus and older versions of Professor X and Magneto.
Despite the potential challenges that such a large cast provides and rather distasteful previous outing for the original X-Men movie characters (i.e. X-Men: The Last Stand), director Singer not only averts disaster but delivers a widescreen heartfelt superhero film that erases the atrocity that was X-Men: The Last Stand and quite like the Star Trek reboots, wipes the slate clean so that the X-franchise can begin anew. No mean feat.
One gets the sense that Singer wanted to make things right after abandoning these characters for Superman Returns and allowing X-Men: The Last Stand to tarnish the reputation of our merry band of mutants. There are action sequences of awe and humor that need to be seen more than once (Quicksilver anyone?) but there are also intimate character moments where hearts are touched and tough decisions are made in the name of the greater good. Seen together with X-Men: First Class, there is a powerful emotional resonance amongst the characters that shines through.
The acting is of the highest order and that is to expected when you consider the calibre of the talent involved. Kudos to the 15,000 involved in this stellar production and one can now only wait with bated breath for the final installment in this particular trilogy – X-Men: Apocalypse. Don’t miss this.
X-Men: Days of Future Past is showing in the cinemas now.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on May 28, 2014 Categories FILMTags Bryan Singer, Fox, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Marvel, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart, Superhero, X-Men: Days of Future PastLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
GEEK OUT! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY TRAILER!!
What more can I say? Against all conventional thinking, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy just might be the best comic book movie ever. Well, based on the amazing trailers so far, in any case. Expectations are high for 1st August!
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on May 20, 2014 December 17, 2016 Categories FILMTags Geek Out!, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios, Scifi, Superhero, TrailerLeave a comment on GEEK OUT! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY TRAILER!!
Directed by Gareth Edwards. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston.
Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich re-imagined the legendary Japanese monster as a female creature attacking New York City to nest its young. Based on the trailers, it did seem that Edwards’ Godzilla might follow that same path. But thankfully, Edwards movie takes a totally different tack and by the end, Godzilla is considered the “King of the Monsters” and a “saviour” of sorts.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on May 16, 2014 May 16, 2014 Categories FILMTags Gareth Edwards, Geek Out!, Godzilla, Monsters, ScifiLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
Directed by Marc Webb. Starring Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx and Emma Stone
Based on the trailers & promotional materials, the producers of Amazing Spider-Man 2 had indulged in misdirection to suggest that Spidey would be fighting THREE villains in this film viz. Electro (Foxx), Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan) and Rhino (Paul Giamatti). In that respect, there were concerns that the film seemed too similar to Sam Raimi’s flawed Spider-Man 3 which was bogged down by THREE villains as well.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on May 2, 2014 May 2, 2014 Categories FILMTags Amazing Spider-Man 2, Geek Out!, SONY, SuperheroLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
SPIDER-MAN VS X-MEN
Super-heroes are massive. Especially Marvel super-heroes. Both Fox’s X-Men and Sony’s Spider-Man franchises have been incredibly lucrative: X-Men has grossed $1,065,460,187 and Spider-Man, $1,375,853,166. And this May, the two franchises go head to head, who will come out tops? Our bet is on X-Men: Days of Future Past (which opens in Singapore on 22nd May). The star power on the movie will more or less guarantee box office success, and based on the final trailer below, might have a good story behind it as well.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on April 16, 2014 April 16, 2014 Categories FILMTags Geek Out!, Spider-Man, Superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, X-Men, X-Men: Days of Future PastLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
THE WHO – SENSATION: THE STORY OF TOMMY [DVD REVIEW]
What else can you say about Tommy? Well, if you are a diehard classic rock fan, then this documentary endeavours to be all you really need to know about The Who‘s famous rock opera. And the documentary certainly spares no detail in getting the story right. Interviews with survivors who were instrumental the creation of the album – Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Chris Stamp (ex-manager), Bob Pridden (sound engineer), Mike McInnerney (cover artist) – provide the historical background for how the album came about, the individual tracks themselves and the post-release impact.
Continue reading “THE WHO – SENSATION: THE STORY OF TOMMY [DVD REVIEW]”
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on April 7, 2014 Categories FILM, MUSICTags DVD, Eagle Vision, Reviews, The Who, TommyLeave a comment on THE WHO – SENSATION: THE STORY OF TOMMY [DVD REVIEW]
THE ZERO THEORUM
Directed by Terry Gilliam. Starring Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Mélanie Thierry, David Thewlis and Matt Damon
Director Terry Gilliam has called The Zero Theorum the final part of a dystopian satire trilogy or “Orwellian triptych” begun with 1985’s Brazil and continued with 1995’s 12 Monkeys. This time round, the story centres on Qohen Leth (Waltz), a reclusive computer genius working on a formula to determine whether life holds meaning. It’s clear to anyone who has seen these three movies that Gilliam shares the same concerns that Orwell had – the oppression of the individual by totalitarian organizations, the loss of personal liberties due to the role of technology in enabling oppressive governments to monitor and control their citizens.
Author Kevin MathewsPosted on April 3, 2014 April 3, 2014 Categories FILMTags Christoph Waltz, Geek Out!, Reviews, Scifi, Terry Gilliam, The Zero TheorumLeave a comment on GEEK OUT!
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Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Firefighters Awarded Grant from Fireman’s Fund Insurance for Turnout Fire Gear
Funds will enhance the safety of the Lehigh Valley International Airport Firefighters.
Lehigh Valley International Airport
"The grant will allow the airport fire department to upgrade equipment that better enables the firefighters to respond to emergency situations."
Allentown, PA (PRWEB) August 29, 2012
The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Fire Department received $10,920 from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Heritage Grant program. This money was used to purchase turnout gear for the department. The process for applying for this particular grant began approximately three years ago.
Turnout gear is the protective clothing including helmets, pants, jackets, hoods, gloves, and boots worn by firefighters to keep them safe in extreme heat. A complete set costs approximately $2,200 and can be worn eight to nine years, according to Charles Everett, Executive Director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
“The new fire gear will enhance the safety of our firefighters and is fully compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards,” said Everett.
"The grant will allow the airport fire department to upgrade equipment that better enables the firefighters to respond to emergency situations. We are grateful for the support from the Fireman’s Fund,” said Tony Iannelli, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority owns and operates Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Queen City Airport (XLL) and Braden Airpark (N43).
Lehigh Valley International Airport is conveniently located near Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, Pennsylvania and is served by Allegiant Air, Delta, Frontier, United, and US Airways with 10 nonstop destinations with connections to the world. LVIA serves a twelve county area with a population base of 3.6 million people. The Airport is easily accessible from communities in eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey areas. For more information on LVIA, visit http://www.flylvia.com.
Susan Kittle
Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Plane Talk Newsletter Summer 2012
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David Biello
David Biello is an award-winning journalist who has been reporting on the environment and energy since 1999. He is currently an editor at Scientific American, where he has been a contributor since 2005, and he also contributes frequently to the Los Angeles Review of Books, Yale e360, Nautilus, and Aeon. Biello has been a guest on radio shows, such as WNYC’s The Takeaway, NHPR’s Word of Mouth, and PRI’s The World. He hosts the ongoing duPont-Columbia award-winning documentary Beyond the Light Switch for PBS. The Unnatural World is his first book.
Interview with David Biello
Send Mail To David Biello
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Man remembers nun's kindness
The following (edited) reflection was provided to me by Jim Boushay.
Nuns and knuckles
By Jim Boushay
Sister Joseph Marita — who now goes by the name of Sister Mary Lou Hayden — was my 5th and 7th grade teacher at All Saints in Jersey City. Long after my graduation in 1962, she, a Sister of Charity of Convent Station, N.J., became the "permanent" principal at the school.
Each year of each class she taught, Sister Marita would find a way at private opportune moments to call each student out of the classroom and into the private hallway. There she would simply tell the student that, no matter what, God always, always loved them decisively. Even if you should steal, she said, or say something hurtful, or lie, or mistreat your family members, even if you kill, or if someone harms you, "God will never stop loving you." And she added, "That's why we have to try to love God back and be good in God's name."
Depending on each student and what she knew about the student's family — and she knew a lot — Sister Marita nuanced each unique message of God's mercy and love. A walking, practicing, pragmatic "theologian," to my way of thinking. But even to term her a theologian seems superciliously inadequate. Only God knows. She nurtured, and was nurturance personified. Most of the kids thought she was kind of crazy, perhaps because at that tender age of childhood they had no in-the-moment context for why and what she was telling them.
In my 40s, I happened one summer to stop in at the school to see what was up. Surprisingly, I found her. I didn't think she'd remember me. Standing on the second-to-the-top step of a ladder, holding tight with one hand, not a soul around, with the other hand extended upward, she was painting the ceiling of a classroom. She was 76.
Sister Marita looked down and said immediately, "Hello, James Boushay. How are you and your family?" For a while we visited in her principal's office — "neat as a nun" (Hemingway). We got caught up on family stuff and professional matters of interest. Astoundingly, she knew more of what I had done and where I had been since graduation than I could have ever imagined possible, not in a thousand years. (I had not been in touch with her at all.)
It was a scenario of inexplicable intimacy, uncannily "miraculous," more than a touch of sheer synchronicity, of almost unbearable light in that incredulous moment. It was "affirmation" writ large. During the get-back-in-touch conversation lasting maybe 90 minutes, we laughed over so many things. Concerning one sister I mentioned, she smiled and said kindly, if pointedly, "Ah, I've tried to run her out of gas. No luck."
I asked Sister Marita about what I referred to as "your rather odd practice of calling the kids out of the classroom." Delighted to reply, she said, "Oh, I wasn't doing it to help the pupils then and there. What would they know? Too young. I was doing it so that they would be able to remember God's love as adults in life's toughest moments, long after graduation and beyond, when life frequently becomes insufferably painful and brutal." She was prescient; she just "knew."
Sister Marita also said, and this is a main point here, "Some of the sisters were mean to the kids. I knew that. But I wanted the kids to have a stronger sense of God's love and mercy than they might take with them otherwise because of the terrible disciplinary practices that were sometimes used."
While on her own she may have privately counseled the sisters to choose less harsh methods of discipline and punishment, although I don't know. She herself confidently adopted instructional methods that were instinctively kind, perhaps even tender. She was an educator par excellence, exquisitely drawing people out of darkness and into more light.
Sister Marita was one tough teacher, to boot. She expected excellence, and got what she wanted. She taught all subjects. If you legitimately earned a hard-to-get "A" grade in any subject, then too bad. She handed you a book for further reading and expected you to give her a thoughtful oral report privately on what you had learned from the book. She was determined, and was no mealy-mouse wall flower of a teacher. The mostly ethnic parents — Italian, African-American, Irish, German and Polish — loved her for it and often expressed their gratitude. She won their trust and confidence.
Quietly and without drama, Sister Marita refused to capitulate to the harsher kinds of non-educational disciplinary treatments, rightly described by former students as unnecessary and sometimes cruel. She did things, er, differently, but didn't make a big deal out of it; nor did she employ the less-than-salutary techniques of control and manipulation that some religious were using in the classroom.
In part I tell this remarkable story of Sister Marita because, without attacking or diminishing any of the other religious, she found for herself marvelous instructional methods of cultivating obedience. She embodied and advanced lifelong educational values. These, she explained to me in our visit, were critical to healthy and ordered religious belief. She connected the dots and took quite seriously that she was an "ordained" religious sister — an instrument of grace and the unbounded love of God.
Sister Marita remained true to herself, her ministerial vocation, her teaching and administrative duties, and to God, as she understood each of those four interconnected realities. They derived from a combination of rigorist training, along with lived and observed experience.
Interestingly, she said to me — a bit like a proud Roman Catholic — "I'm part of the laity." She seemed never to fail in her "call-outs." They were intended to ensure each student had the chance to remember into the future something truly good and wonder-filled about God. She gave each student something that was meant to help comfort and sustain in a godless culture. She tried to live holiness and wholeness. She is a saint.
Because the above reflection is more or less bereft of untoward cynicism, it can easily call forth from a reader a certain suspicion or doubt. I doubt it myself sometimes, it's fair to say. Yet it tells of facts mixed with my own perceptions of the facts — a not all that unusual approach to story-telling. And well to remember that famed psychiatrist Karl Menninger (author of Whatever Became of Sin?, one of his best-selling books) said persistently, "Perceptions are always more important than facts."
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Blues Blast Magazine Album Review: Manhattan Blues Connection – Cadillac Blues
This CD review was originally published in the January 16, 2014 edition of Blues Blast Magazine. Be sure to check out the rest of the magazine at www.bluesblastmagazine.com
Manhattan Blues Connection – Cadillac Blues
Self Release
11 tracks / 65:14
Manhattan Blues Connection out of Brooklyn is a relatively new band on the New York City scene, but do not think for a second that these guys are wet behind the ears, as all of the members are seasoned professionals with an uncanny feel for the blues. The band is led by its founder and drummer, Les Chalimon, and he is joined by Andy Story on vocals and guitar, Darius Reza on bass and Billy “Blue” Blend on keyboards and saxophone. Blend was also responsible for recording this disc at his Blendini Studios, and he mixed it alongside Reza, making this a truly home-brewed project.
Cadillac Blues is their first release, and after two original tracks that were written by Story and Reza, this quartet tears out nine traditional blues songs, all of them in a style that would make it easy to assume this album is a product of the south side of Chicago (though if you listen closely there is also a 1970s NYC influence in there too). It is guitar-heavy music with rich keyboards, smooth horns and a whiskey-voiced frontman that can hang with the best of them.
“Good Loving Woman” is the first track, and it definitely sticks with this theme. Andy Story wrote this one, and it perfectly suits his throaty voice and deft guitar licks. Billy Blend hammers the piano throughout, punctuating the mood with well-placed organ chords and riffs. “You Don’t Know” is the other original, this time penned by Darius Reza. This song has a catchy riff and, once again, Blend kept extra busy behind the mixing board adding multiple layers of sax and keyboards.
The cover tunes are a murderer’s row of blues classics, starting off with “The Things I Used to Do,” which was originally put into the limelight by Guitar Slim back in 1953. Manhattan Blues Connection’s take on it makes it one of the more laid-back versions of this song, with a decidedly smooth (almost jazz-like) vibe. It is fun to hear a more traditional version of this song after years of hearing the Hendrix and Stevie Ray renditions. The band also kicks out a funky version of “Black Cat Bone” that gives the Albert Collins/Robert Cray 1980s hit a good run for the money.
“Driving Wheel” is a straightforward 12-bar blues that highlights the rhythm section of Chalimon and Reza, which is possible due to the fine work that Blend did in recording and mixing Cadillac Blues. Sadly, the run time for this song is under three minutes, but you will not have to go far to find another good song, as there are no bad ones to be found on this disc. In fact, “Black Jack Game,” the next track up, features tasteful interplay between Blend’s honky-tonk piano and Story’s vocals and lead guitar noodling.
The three standout tracks are slow-burning blues songs: Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happening,” Jimmy Rogers’ “That’s Alright” and Jessie Mae Robinson’s “Cold, Cold Feeling.” Andy Story’s guitar is the star of these tunes and the listener can hear that he is more than the usual axe-slinger – he has a natural style and a genuine feel for the blues. Of course, it does not hurt that he is accompanied by a first-rate backline with rock solid-drums and bass.
Manhattan Blues Connection’s Cadillac Blues provides over an hour of traditional good-times Chicago blues, and the band’s respect for the history of the blues is evident in the collection of really cool songs that they put together for this project. They are gigging around NYC, so check them out if you are in town, and in the meantime we can only hope that they are back in the studio writing some new music as a follow-up to this solid debut!
Posted by rex at 6:16 AM
Labels: Album, Blues, Blues Blast Magazine, Manhattan Blues Connection, New York City, Review
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The language window
Published on: Monday, 26 September, 2011
Here is my latest Mind and Matter column in the Wall Street Journal
There are many mysteries about Ray, the 17-year-old English-speaking "forest boy" who walked into the city hall in Berlin on Sept. 5, claiming to have lived wild in the woods for five years with his father-until his father recently died in a fall. Judging by his rucksack and his speech, he was not a fully feral child, reared by wild animals and unacquainted with language.
Leo Acadio
Among many legends, from Romulus to Mowgli, only one feral child from the woods might be genuine. Victor, the wild boy of Aveyron in France, who was discovered in 1800, was believed at the time by Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard, the medical student who took him in, to have "lived in an absolute solitude from his fourth or fifth almost to his 12th year." Yet despite Itard's efforts, Victor never learned to speak, and Itard eventually gave up and "abandoned my student to incurable dumbness."
But there are urban equivalents. In 1828, the year Victor died, Kaspar Hauser was found in Nuremberg, Germany. He had apparently lived not in the forest but in a dark room with virtually no human contact for his 16 years. Like Victor, he adjusted to most things, but not to speech. Even after years of coaching, his syntax was "in a state of miserable confusion." The filmmakers François Truffaut and Werner Herzog turned the stories of Victor and Hauser, respectively, into striking fables.
In 1971, a 13-year-old girl named Genie was found in Los Angeles after a childhood of painful deprivation. The daughter of a blind mother and an abusive father, she had been kept in silence in a single room, mostly either tied to a chair or caged. She was deformed, incontinent and mostly mute. Her only words were "stopit" and "nomore." Although she improved rapidly and developed a good vocabulary, elementary grammar and syntax remained beyond her reach.
All of these cases, if they are genuine, reinforce the view that language must be learned within a critical window of time during youth, or it will be too late. Experiments with song birds reach the same conclusion: If deprived of the sound of adult song at a particular age, young finches are never able to learn to sing their species' song. (The research, incidentally, was called the Kaspar Hauser experiments.)
A neat, natural test of the critical-window theory is provided by pidgin languages-borrowed vocabularies usually spoken by traders in a foreign land. Pidgins generally lack rules of grammar-inflection at the end of words or schemes of word order. They evolve into creoles, which are grammatical, once they've been learned by children. Children seem capable of imposing grammar on to vocabulary.
In one remarkable case, in Nicaragua in 1979, creating a new school for the deaf led to the development, by the children, of a new sign language. It seems that young brains can do something old brains cannot do, in terms of mastering grammar and syntax. Witness the relative ease with which children learn foreign tongues.
The actual molecular mechanism by which these critical windows or "sensitive periods" of mental plasticity open and close is slowly becoming clear. In mice, lowering the production of the neurotransmitter GABA prevents the start of a sensitive period in which the visual system develops. By contrast, giving the mice benzodiazepines, which mimic GABA, brings on a precociously early sensitive period.
Interestingly, there is evidence that parts of the GABA system are often disturbed in people with autism. But which way: up or down? Autistic children often have high GABA levels, yet the brains of autistic people, postmortem, often have low levels of GABA-making enzymes. Some scientists now think that autism results when a critical window of brain plasticity opens either too early or too late.
These findings are prime evidence of how nature and nurture work together rather than in opposition to each other. The brain is innately designed to be open to experience, but only during a certain period. I like to call it "nature via nurture."
wall-street-journal
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(Fictional character)
(Movie)
Ellen Barkin
Breil (company)
(Luxury)
Anna Friel
Catherine McCormack
Knowledge Identifier: +Monica_Bellucci
Italian actress and fashion model
Category: Movies & TV
Countries: United States (52%), (21%), Italy (10%)
Main connections: James Bond, Tomorrow Never Dies, Milan
Linked to: People, Christian Dior S.A., Vanity Fair, D'management group
Please help improve it by adding dated informations, images and videos about Monica Bellucci.
Monica Bellucci was born in 1964
In 1988, Bellucci moved to one of Europe's fashion centers, Milan , where she signed with Elite Model Management
By 1989, she was becoming prominent as a fashion model in Paris and across the Atlantic, in New York City
Bellucci's film career began in the early 1990s
Breil (company) - In commercials of the early 1990s, the company created a line of wristwatch models, typically used by men, that were marketed to women; Monica Bellucci, Shana , Carré Otis, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, Laura Chiatti were the spoken models for this campaign
In 1996 she was nominated for a César award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Lisa in "L'Appartement" and strengthened her position as an actress
Teri Hatcher - Hatcher beat out Monica Bellucci for the role of Paris Carver in the 1997 James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies"
Summer of '42 - World War II - There are similarities between "Summer of '42" and 2000's "Malèna", another coming-of-age film set in the context of World War II, and starring Monica Bellucci and Giuseppe Sulfaro
Sobranie - In the 2000 film Under Suspicion, Gene Hackman's character Henry Hearst and Monica Bellucci's character Henry's wife Chantal Hearst both smoke Black Russian Sobranies
The February 2001 Esquire's feature on Desire featured Bellucci on the cover and in an article on the five senses
AskMen named her the number one most desirable woman in 2002
In 2003, she was featured in "Maxim"
In 2004, while pregnant with her daughter Deva, Bellucci posed nude for the Italian "Vanity Fair" Magazine in protest against Italian laws, that prevent the use of donor sperm
She Hate Me - "'She Hate Me"' is a 2004 independent comedy-drama film directed by Spike Lee and starring Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Ellen Barkin, Monica Bellucci, Brian_Dennehy, Woody Harrelson, Bai Ling and John Turturro
From 2006 to 2010 she was the face of a range of Dior products
She was supposed to be seen portraying Indian politician Sonia Gandhi in the biopic "Sonia", originally planned for release in 2007, but it has been shelved
Jose Fidalgo - In 2007 he appeared in the film Heart Tango, made for Intimissimi, directed by Gabriele Muccino and with Monica Bellucci
She posed pregnant and semi-nude again for the magazine's April 2010 issue
Six years later, the second-time mom, 45, posed again for the magazine's April 2010 issue
In 2012 she became the new face of Dolce & Gabbana
Toronto International Film Festival - In September 2012 at a Toronto International Film Festival press conference for the Iranian movie "Rhino Season", Bellucci stated that she can speak four languages: Italian, French, English and Persian
Bianca Balti - In 2012 she was chosen as the new face for Dolce & Gabbana together with actress Monica Bellucci
Accessed 7 June 2013 is an Italian actress and fashion model
Bellucci and Cassel announced their separation in August 2013
Bellucci and Cassel announced their separation on August 26, 2013
" Bellucci was a Bond girl in the 2015 James Bond film "Spectre," making her the oldest Bond girl in the franchise
Monica posed for GQ italia in February 2016
Bellucci walked the runway for the Spring 2018 Milan Fashion Week for Dolce and Gabbana
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www.imagomoves.com
www.yolandesnaith.com
Yolande Snaith’s choreographic and performing career spans thirty years. Her range of artistic engagement is broad, from solo performance work to group choreography and dance theatre, choreographic commissions and improvisation ensemble practice. Her work has been presented internationally in more than fifteen countries, and she has created several dance films in collaboration with renowned film directors. Yolande has been commissioned to choreograph works for dance, theatre and opera companies internationally.
Under the artistic direction of Yolande Snaith, IMAGOmoves assembles groups of artists and dancers based in San Diego, to create performance works on a project to project basis.
IMAGOmoves is committed to creating collaborative performance works that cross disciplines, media and boundaries, to foster synthesis between the artistic languages of movement, visual imagery, text, music and sound. As the name suggests, the work embraces the process of metamorphoses, from the initial germ of an idea to the emergence of the developed work in the presence of an audience. The company’s creative process and performance vocabularies are informed by contemporary dance, and theatre practices, often merging compositional scores with set choreography, crafting disparate elements into a seamless whole. The performance space serves as a container for visually striking and physically charged behavioral worlds with their own internal logic and movement language, inviting multiple readings, associations and resonant experience.
IMAGOmoves seeks to connect with audiences across a diverse demographic, embracing the potential that different sites and spaces suggest, in community locations, urban sites, city centers, gallery spaces and more conventional performance spaces.
Tablecloth Garden
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Home /Archive /2014, Volume 10 /10(5) /Technique for Production of Holographic Diffraction Gratings Based on Inorganic Vacuum Photoresists
Technique for Production of Holographic Diffraction Gratings Based on Inorganic Vacuum Photoresists
1Danko, VA
1Indutnyi, IZ
1Lykanyuk, MV
1Minko, VI
1Shepeliavyi, PE
1V.Ye. Lashkariov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of NASU, Kyiv
An innovative project has been implemented to develop a technique for manufacturing the holographic diffraction gratings, which allows the engineers to produce high-quality diffractive elements with spatial frequencies from 600 to 3600 mm–1 for spectral devices. The guidelines for the implementation of this method have been elaborated and the pilot samples have been produced. The characteristics of pilot samples of holographic diffraction gratings manufactured under this project have been established to meet the specifications and the government standard 3-6128-86.
Keywords: chalcogenide photoresists, diffraction grating, spectral devices
1. Indutnyi, I.Z, Kostyshin, M.T., Kasiarum, O.P., et al. (1992). Photo-Induced Interactions in the Metal-Semiconductor Structures. Kyiv: Naukova Dumka (in Russian).
2. Vlcek, M., Frumar, M., Kubovy, M., and Nevsimalova, V.: The Influence of the Composition of the Layers and of the Inorganic Solvents on Photo-Induced Dissolution of As-S Amorphous Thin Films. J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 137/138, 1035—1038 (1991).
3. Indutnyi, I.Z, Kostioukevich, S.A., and Shepeliavyi, P.E.: Patent 2008285 of the Russian Federation, MKI5 S 03 S 15/00, 23/00. Solution for Negative Etching of Chal cogenide Glasses. Discoveries, Inventions, 4, (1994) (in Russian).
4. Indutnyi, I.Z., Stronski, A.V., Romanenko, P.F. et al.: Manufacturing of Holographic Optical Elements with the Help of Chalcogenide Resists. Proc. SPIE, 2321, 352—354 (1994).
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.182007
5. Indutnyi, I.Z., Stronski, A.V., Kostioukevich, S.A. et al.: Holographic Optical Element Fabrication Using Chalcogenide Layers. Optical Engineering, 34, 4, 1030—1039 (1995).
6. Minko, V.I., Shepeliavyi, P.E., Danko, V.A. et al.: Recording of High Efficiency Diffraction Gratings by He-Ne Laser. Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics, 7, 1, 88—92 (2004).
7. Indutnyy, I., Popescu, M., Lorinczi, A. Shepeliavyi, P. et al.: Interference Lithography Using Chalcogenide Inorganic Photoresist. J. of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials, 10, 12, 3188—3192 (2008).
8. Danko, V.A., Indutnyi, I.Z., Minko, V.I. et al.: The Use of Two-Layer Chalcogenide Photoresist for Interferential Photo-Lithograthy. Optoelectronic and Semiconductor Devices, 44, 68—73 (2009).
9. Minko, V.I., Shepeliavyi, P.E., and Indutnyi, I.Z.: Patent of Ukraine 87393, MPK7G03H1/26; G03G5/082; G03F7/00. Method for Recording of Relief-Phase Periodical Structure. Industrial Property Bulletin, 13 (2009) (in Ukrainian).
10. Danko, V.A., Indutnyi, I.Z., Minko, V.I., and Shepeliavyi, P.E.: Interference Photolithography Using Resists Ba sed on Chalcogenide Glassy Semiconductors. Autometering, 46, 5, 103—112 (2010).
11. Danko, V., Indutnyi, I., Minko, V. et al.: Interference Photolithography Using Photo-Etching Effect in Chalcogenide Films. Journal of Non-Oxide Glasses, 3, 2, 13—18 (2012).
12. Danko, V.A., Indutnyi, I.Z., Minko, V.I., and Shepeliavyi, P.E.: Patent of Ukraine 99226 UA, of 25.07.2012, MPK (2012.01) G03H 1/00, G03F 7/00 G03G 5/00. Method for Forming the Lithographic Masks and Relief-Phase Periodical Structures on the Chalcogenide Photoresist Layers. Bulletin, 14, (2012) (in Ukrainian).
13. Indutnyi, I.Z., Minko, V.I., and Shepeliavyi, P.E. et al.: High-Voltage Photoresist Based on Reverse Photo-Structural Transformations in Chalcogenides. Proceedings of 6th Ukrainian Conference on Physics of Semiconductors, September, 23—27, 2013, 498—499 (2013) (in Ukrai ni an).
14. Turianitsa, I.I., Pinzenik, K.I., and Frolova, N.P.: Inorganic Photoresist Based on Glassy Semiconductor Chalcogenide Layers. Semiconductor Materials and Optoelectronic Devices Based on Them, 69—74 (1991) (in Russian).
15. Frolova, N.P. and Turianitsa, I.I.: Selective Etching of As-Se Resist Layers. Proceedings of the 5th Ukrainian Conference Physics and Techniques of Thin Films of Complex Semiconductors, 161—162 (1992) (in Ukrainian).
16. Liubin, V.M., Sedykh, A.M., Smirnova, N.N., and Shylo, V.P.: Inorganic Photoresists Based on Chalcogenide Glassy Semiconductors. Microelectronics, 18, 6, 523—526 (1989) (in Russian).
17. Zenkin, S.A., Kirianov, K.V., Lobanov, A.B. et al.: Mechanism of Changing Rate of Dissolution of As2S3 Films Under Photo-Structural Transformations. Proceedings of Conference on Non-Crystalline Semiconductors, 2, 186—188 (1989) (in Russian).
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Home > COLLEGE SPORTS > College Basketball – UK Men’s Basketball to Remain in Champions Classic Through 2022
College Basketball – UK Men’s Basketball to Remain in Champions Classic Through 2022
UK Basketball
by willywiz - November 21, 2018 0
Kentucky will look to take the series record lead in its matchup vs. Duke on Tuesday
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The State Farm Champions Classic, perhaps the signature annual event of the college basketball regular season, will continue through 2022 with the Kentucky men’s basketball team a part of it.
The Champions Classic, a neutral-site doubleheader featuring UK, Duke, Kansas and Michigan State, has added three more years to the current series, which will be played in Indianapolis this season and New York next year. The additional three years will bring the event back to Chicago in 2020, New York in 2021 and Indianapolis in 2022.
UK, which played Duke on Tuesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to tip off the season, will get Michigan State in 2019, Kansas in 2020, Duke in 2021 and Michigan State in 2022.
“The Champions Classic has been the gold standard for college basketball’s regular-season events for the last seven years, but I love what we’re doing to use it to tip off the basketball season,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “What better thing for our sport than to begin the year with four of the most successful programs in college basketball.”
The event has been one of the most-watched collegiate events since its inception in 2011 with millions of fans tuning in every year. The series, which pits four programs that have a combined 18 national championships, 56 Final Four appearances and four Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coaches, has been tightly bunched. UK and Duke are tied with 4-3 records while Kansas and Michigan State are just a game behind at 3-4.
Over the last 14 games of the Champions Classic, there have been 13 top-25 matchups, including two games featuring No. 1 vs. No. 2 (according to the Associated Press Top 25). Tuesday’s UK-Duke matchup will be the first AP top-five matchup to begin two teams’ seasons since Calipari’s No. 3 UMass team defeated No. 1 Arkansas in 1994.
Kentucky is also still a part of the CBS Sports Classic, which is currently under contract through 2019. UK will play North Carolina on Dec. 22 in Chicago as a part of that series and Ohio State on Dec. 21, 2019, in Las Vegas.
The Wildcats will look to take the Champions Classic wins lead on Tuesday vs. Duke. That game is scheduled for a 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff on ESPN, after the Kansas-Michigan State matchup.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.
willywiz
College Basketball – Kentucky Beats Winthrop 87-74
College Basketball – Cardinals’ Impressive Men’s Basketball Signing Class Among Nation’s Finest
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President Sisi’s visit to West Africa region and the US
Sunday، 07 April 2019 - 12:04 PM
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi started on Sunday April 7, 2019 a tour to Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and the United States.
President Sisi's foreign tour to the West Africa region comes within the framework of Egypt's keenness to intensify communication and coordination with its African brothers and to further strengthen its relations with the countries of the continent in various fields, especially by strengthening mutual cooperation on the economic ، trade and investment levels.
During the African tour, the president will hold bilateral talks with the leaders of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, to address mechanisms of enhancing bilateral cooperation with Egypt.
The President's visit to the US capital of Washington comes at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, in the framework of a series of meetings between the two presidents in order to strengthen mutual relations and discuss a number of regional issues.
President Sisi visited Gamal Abdel-Nasser University in Conakry; Guinea accompanied by his Guinean counterpart Alpha Condé. The largest and first higher education institution in Guinea, the university was named after late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser in 1970.
During his tour at the university, El-Sisi unveiled a statue of Abdel-Nasser at the university campus. The Egyptian president also inaugurated a newly built complex at the university, which carries El-Sisi's name. President El-Sisi arrived in Guinea at the start of an overseas tour that will take him to the US, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
During a meeting with his Guinean counterpart Alpha Condé, President Sisi asserted Egypt's keenness on bolstering economic and commercial cooperation with Guinea in order to promote regional and African integration. Sisi underlined Egypt is seeking to enhance cooperation with Guinea to promote development and stability, especially as the joint committee meeting is due to convene at the foreign ministers' level in September. He added that Egypt will continue offering technical support for Guinea, especially with regard to military and security training of Guinean cadres, in line with a military cooperation protocol signed in November.
Meanwhile, the Guinean president welcomed Sisi's historical visit which is the first by an Egyptian president in more than five decades. Condé commended the key Egyptian role, especially in view of Egypt's presidency of the African Union. The Guinean president voiced full support for Egypt's efforts to develop the AU.
Sisi hailed the distinguished bilateral ties, noting that the talks tackled energy issues in Africa as Condé will be in charge of activating the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI). Sisi stressed his support for the Guinean president to render the initiative successful. Sisi accentuated that Egypt is adamant to make use of all its potentials and expertise to push forward joint African action.
The talks also tackled an array of regional issues of mutual concern, especially upgrading the AU under Egypt's presidency. The talks highlighted the importance of promoting peace and security in Africa, calling for forging a vision on confronting terrorism and organized crime.
At the end of the talks, the two leaders signed a number of memos for beefing up bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, sports, media and trade.
Guinean President Alpha Condé held a dinner banquet in honor of Sisi on his "historic" visit to Conakry. It has been more than 50 years since an Egyptian leader last visited Guinea, Condé said. He hailed as "special" relations between his country and Egypt, which plays a pivotal role to achieve security, stability and sustainable development in the continent. Condé was particularly thankful to Egyptian efforts that helped push forward joint African action in light of Egypt's presidency of the AU.
President Sisi has received the National Order of Merit from Guinea during his visit to the African country. Sisi greatly appreciated the National Order of Merit that he received from Guinea, believing it embodies historical ties between the two countries and peoples. He pressed for African solidarity in the face of current challenges and urged hard work to achieve social and economic justice in the continent. Sisi invited Condé to visit Egypt in the near future.
President Sisi arrived in Washington DC for the second time since he assumed office in 2014. A group of Egyptians living in the United States organized a rally in front of the US Capitol to welcome the Egyptian president.
President Sisi received US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at his residence at Blair House, the official presidential guest house, in his first official talks after he arrived in Washington. Pompeo said that Washington is looking to boost cooperation with Egypt to resolve challenges in the Middle East during his talks with President Sisi in Washington. The President and Pompeo discussed boosting the US-Egyptian strategic partnership as a mainstay of security and stability in the Middle East. The Egyptian president said he looks to boost political and security cooperation with the US in the coming period. The two addressed the crises in Libya, Syria and Yemen, stressing that political solutions are the only way out. El-Sisi and Pompeo also discussed Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts, and ways to prevent escalation in violence in the Gaza Strip.
President Sisi discussed Middle East peace efforts during talks in Washington with White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. President Sisi pledged that Cairo will continue to support efforts to ensure “a just, lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on resolutions of international legitimacy, the two-state solution and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Sisi urged the international community to take action to end human suffering in occupied Palestinian territory, namely in the Gaza Strip.
Sisi and Trump talks
President Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi held a summit meeting with President Donald Trump, President of the United States of America. The meeting reviewed the bilateral cooperation between Egypt and the United States, especially in the economic arena, where they discussed ways to maximize the investment activities of American companies in Egypt, In light of the progress achieved in the implementation of the comprehensive economic reform program and the creation of the legislative and institutional structure to attract more foreign investments to Egypt.
President al-Sisi was keen to meet with Egyptian Siham Nassar, who was previously honored as the ideal mother, at his residence in New York City. She asked to meet the president to thank him for the state's efforts in combating virus C.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met at Blair House, the presidential guest house, with Ivanka Trump, daughter of adviser to President Donald Trump where they discussed women empowerment issues in light of the White House’s global women’s economic empowerment initiative which is focused on advancing women’s full and free participation in the global economy out of the belief that when women are empowered they spur economic growth and help create stable societies.
The president held talks also with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, where they reviewed the aspects of cooperation between Egypt and the IMF in the light of developments in the implementation of the Egyptian economic reform program.
Sisi attended also a working dinner hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in his honor at the chamber's premises in Washington.
Wednesday 10/4/2019
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara received President Sisi upon arrival at Abidjan Airport coming from the US.
Thursday 11/4/2019
During his talks with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara at the presidential palace in Abidjan, President Sisi called for fostering economic cooperation with Côte d'Ivoire, through increasing trade exchange between the two countries. President Sisi said the state seeks to encourage Egyptian companies to pump further investments in the West African country. President Sisi noted that Cairo is willing to provide support for Côte d'Ivoire in infrastructure projects, in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of capacity-building.
At the end of their talks, the two presidents agreed to activate the joint committee at the level of foreign ministers to enhance bilateral cooperation in different domains.
The Egyptian leader and his Ivorian counterpart witnessed the signing of a raft of memorandums of understanding in the areas of culture, health and information technology.
In a press conference with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, President Sisi hailed the key role played by the west African nation at present time in raising the concerns and issues of African states through its membership in the UN Security Council. President Sisi said he is proud of being the first Egyptian leader to visit Côte d'Ivoire, adding that Cairo looks forward to fostering political and economic ties with Abidjan. President Sisi went on to say his current visit to Côte d'Ivoire, which coincides with Egypt's presidency of the African Union (AU) in 2019, is meant to strengthen security and stability, in addition to achieving development and prosperity for the two countries. President Sisi noted that he held constructive talks with the Ivorian leader on means of boosting bilateral ties at the different political, economic and security levels, as well as exchanging views on several regional and international issues.
President Sisi has received the National Order of Merit from Cote d'Ivoire during his visit to the African country. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara held a luncheon in honor of Sisi on his historic visit to Abidjan. Ouattara welcomed Sisi, whose visit was the first ever paid by an Egyptian President to Cote d'Ivoire. The Ivorian president hailed good relations between his country and Egypt, praising Cairo’s prestigious position in the continent. Sisi appreciated that honoring, lauding mutual efforts of both countries to achieve development and integration in Africa. President Sisi invited his Ivorian counterpart to visit Cairo.
President Sisi was given a red-carpet reception upon arrival in the Senegalese capital Dakar. Sisi was received by Senegalese President Macky Sall.
President Sisi returned home following an overseas tour, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.
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White Cop Fired For Illegally Detaining Daughter's Black Boyfriend
The officer walks with his daughter's boyfriend to his patrol car
An officer in Ohio was fired after he pulled over his daughter's boyfriend without cause, detained him briefly, and then took off with her screaming in squad car .A white police officer is currently contesting his firing after he was terminated for detaining his daughter’s black boyfriend without cause.
John Kovach Jr., a police officer who served in Lorain, Ohio, pulled over 18-year-old Makai Coleman on April 16 and told him he was “going to jail,” according to the Elyria, Ohio, Chronicle-Telegram.
In the dashcam footage, Coleman can be heard asking why he is being detained. Kovach replies, “You’re going to jail. Have a seat in my car. We’ll make s*** up as we go.”
Kovach was looking for his daughter, Katlyn, whom the officer did not know was in the back seat of Coleman’s car. Also in the vehicle were Gloria Morales’s two children. Coleman had been pulled over in front of Morales’s home, where Kovach had tracked his daughter’s laptop location.
Katlyn had been caught engaging in a sexual act with Coleman by her mother, Kovach’s ex-wife, a week prior to the incident. When Coleman was asked to leave, Katlyn said, “If I can’t be with him, I don’t want to be here anymore,” which Kovach took to be a suicide threat. Kovach later said that he was looking for Katlyn so he could take her to the hospital.
Katlyn Kovach, 18, was in the back of her boyfriend Makai Coleman's car, when her father pulled the 18-year-old over
In the video, Kovach confronts Morales and informs her that he wants to search her home for his daughter and her laptop, to which she says he will have to return with a warrant.
Kovach threatens to write Morales’s daughter a $300 ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. When Morales says she is going to call 911, he threatens to take her to jail as well.
It is then that Kovach sees his daughter in the backseat of the car. Eventually, he releases Coleman and gets his daughter into his cruiser.
During the incident, dispatch can be heard calling Kovach to a road rage incident, which he ignores.
Kovach, who served on the force since 1992, was fired on May 11. Safety-Service Director Dan Given said, “These actions are not acceptable for members of our Police Department, and we felt it warranted immediate dismissal.”
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"HULOG KA NG LANGIT" reflects the state of Regine Velasquez-Alcasid's HEART
The Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez has recently launched a number of special projects for the benefit of the Typhoon Yolanda victims like the auction of her personal items. Aside from this, Universal Records and the Songbird recently released the album Hulog Ka Ng Langit, part of its proceed goes to Philippine Red Cross.
“Hulog Ka Ng Langi”t album, composed of songs that give inspiration to wives and mothers, has the beautifully-penned Hulog Ka Ng Langit as debut single and title track of the album. The song truly embodies what the album is all about – unconditional love between husbands and wives, and mothers to children.
“I am a mommy and I thought it’ll be nice to dedicate a whole album for my son. I waited him for so long,” says Regine, but she quickly clarified that, “Hulong Ka Ng Langit is actually just not for him. The album also has a lot of love songs, which you can dedicate to your loved ones.”
Regine recounts that when work has started for the album, the whole team was leaning towards making a baby album. The songbird, however, felt that love songs that have more general messages to be included in the album.
“The challenge really was to have a special, not-so-typical baby album,” shares Regine. “An album that can be appreciated by everyone – kids, parents, lovers, and family.”
With Regine’s gift of amazing vocals, she has given new life to songs like Hele Ni Inay, Someone’s Waiting For You, Happiness, You, God Gave Me You and Just The Way You Are, a duet with husband Ogie Alcasid. The songs included in the album also feature some of the best arrangers, musicians in the country.
Hulog Ka Ng Langit promises to give the public an inspiration to continuously hope for their own happiness with people they truly love and care for.
“I don’t usually say this, pero ang ganda-ganda ng album,” closes Regine. “It is very memorable because, when I was doing the album, I was also going through some stuff. This album is special and memorable because I dedicate this to my son, husband, family, and loved ones.”
Catch Regine Velasquez-Alcasid on the Hulog Ka Ng Langit album tour at
Robinson’s Manila (Nov. 20, Wednesday),
SM Marilao (November 28, Thursday),
SM Pampanga (December 1, Sunday), and
SM Sta. Rosa (December 11, Wednesday).
All shows start at 5:00 p.m.
Here’s the Hulog Ka Ng Langit Tracklist:
HULOG KA NG LANGIT
RAINBOW CONNECTION
SOMEONE’S WAITING FOR YOU
ARAW, ULAP, LANGIT
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE ( with Mr. Alcasid)
NATHANIEL (GIFT OF GOD)
THE ONE REAL THING
HELE NI INAY
SA‘YO NA LANG AKO
YOU GOT IT
Hulog Ka ng Langit, the newest album from Regine Velasquez- Alcasid is available at all record bars nationwide under Universal Records and the digital format at iTunes.com and mymusicstore.com.ph
Labels: album, Hulog Ka ng Langit, inspiration, Nate, Ogie Alcasid, Philippine Red Cross, Regine Velasquez Alcasid, Universal Records
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47 IAAF Members Set For Birmingham
1:26 PM admin
Monte-Carlo – A total of 47 IAAF Member Federations are set to compete this coming weekend at the IAAF / EDF Energy World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham, UK on Sunday 11 October.
This year’s entry is the best since 2004, though the record number of Member Federations that have taken part in this IAAF World Athletics Series event was 60 in the 2002 edition which was held in Brussels, Belgium.
Britain last held the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2001, when 52 territories from around the world sent athletes, and also hosted the inaugural edition of these championships on Tyneside in 1992, when 36 federations participated.
Timetable – 11 October 2009 (times are local, GMT +1hr)
09:00 Women’s race
09:30 Men’s race
However, Sunday is not be just about the elite end of our sport as staged 30 minutes after the gun goes for the men’s World Championship race, the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon will take place.
The first edition of this mass race that is organised by Birmingham City Council and sponsored by EDF Energy was staged in October last year attracting nearly 9000 entries.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel which overlooks the start of all of Sunday’s races is the HQ for the World Half Marathon, and as well as hosting the IAAF Press Conference on Saturday (10) will be the centre of many discussions and debates surrounding our sport.
AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races - click here - who work with the IAAF on matters relating to international road races will hold a three-day Board Meeting at the hotel (Wed 7 and Fri 9 Oct). AIMS is a member based organisation of more than 270 of the leading distance races in the world.
A Course Measurers’ Meeting will be held on the Saturday afternoon, while after the races on Sunday a meeting of the IAAF Road Running Commission will round-off a busy period of sporting action and discussion in Birmingham.
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James Dasaolu Injured
5:28 AM Unknown
(Photograph: Jason Brown/Pinnacle) -- James Dasaolu faces an anxious wait to see whether he will be fit for the world indoor championships at the start of next month after leaving the Birmingham Indoor Arena in a wheelchair, having pulled up clutching his left leg during the men's 60m final. Dasaolu's smile as he departed was rueful; the wave to the crowd regal yet forlorn. Initially he thought he had suffered cramp 15m from the finish line but a statement from British Athletics on Saturday night revealed that he would undergo further assessment on Monday on a suspected thigh strain. It matters little now that Dasaolu's momentum carried him to victory in 6.50sec, ahead of the Jamaican Nesta Carter, who took bronze at the world championships in Moscow last year, in 6.53. Or that in his heats Dasaolu ran 6.47, a personal best and the fastest time in the world this year. Again we are talking about Dasaolu and injuries. It is a recurring theme. Dasaolu suffered several years of pains and strains and niggles before joining his coach Barry Fudge in 2011 and blooming last year, where he smashed through the 10-second barrier for the 100m for the first time and reached the world championships final. But Dasaolu is like a high-performance sports car that only needs a bolt to loosen slightly to send it into the garage. He pulled out of the British championships final last July with cramp, while tightness in his hip forced him to withdraw from a much-hyped showdown with Usain Bolt at the Anniversary Games. The frustrating thing in Birmingham was that Dasaolu had looked so impressive in beating several of the athletes he will hope to meet at the world championships in Sopot in three weeks' time – including Kim Collins, the 2003 100m world champion, and the Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut, who beat him to the European title in Gothenburg last year. Dasaolu deserves to be gold medal favourite – assuming he gets there. But at least one British sprinter was smiling on Saturday night as Dwain Chambers ran 6.56 to finish fourth. "It's probably the second or third fastest time I've run in three years so it shows that it's still there," he said. "I'm Benjamin Button right now. I don't know if my position in Sopot is confirmed yet but I want to be on the team." Chambers believes that Dasaolu might be best advised to give the world indoor championships a miss. "To get ready for Poland at the jeopardy of ruining his season, I would advise him personally to have to sit it out," he said. "He's in good shape and the long-term should be his main objective." There were encouraging signs for the Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford, who equalled his indoor personal best with a leap of 8m as he finished third behind the Russian world champion Aleksandr Menkov. Rutherford, who was competing for the first time since failing to qualify for the final of the world championships in Moscow in August, looked fit and fast after recovering from a ruptured hamstring. "That was absolutely brilliant from my point of view," he said. "There's a few things I've got to iron out but that's the best opening I've had to an indoor season ever and maybe the best opening to a season at all. "Obviously I always want to win but I've got to be serious with these things. I came back from a massive injury last year which I was worried was going to affect the rest of my career and I've managed to jump three jumps better than any British athlete has done this year." In the heats of the men's 60m hurdles, Britain's Andy Pozzi sprang a surprise by running a season's best of 7.57 to beat the world champion David Oliver and the Russian Sergey Shubenkov, who took bronze in Moscow. But the 21-year-old Pozzi, who suffered a hamstring injury during London 2012 and missed 2013 after surgery on his foot, was unable to replicate his form in the final where he finished in sixth position behind the Frenchman Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, who won in 7.55. The British team for the world indoor championships will be named on Tuesday and Nigel Levine made a strong case for inclusion by winning the men's 400m in a lifetime best of 45.71. As did Andrew Osagie who came fourth in the 800m in 1.45.22 sec – the second fastest 800m run by a British athlete indoors after Sebastian Coe. Sergey Bubka's 21-year-old indoor pole vault record was broken by Renauld Lavillenie. The Frenchman, who won Olympic gold at London in 2012, cleared 6.16m in a meeting in Donetsk to beat Bubka's record by a centimetre. Lavillenie, whose best outdoors is 6.02m, described his achievement as "completely unbelievable". He added: "I will need time to get back down on earth. It was a mythical record. I am in a new dimension." Bubka said: "It's great, a historical moment. I'm very happy I passed the baton to such a great athlete and such a great personality and role model." source theguardian
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An Interview with Author Daniel O'Malley
by Megan S.
I've been putting off writing the introduction to my interview with The Rook's Daniel O'Malley for weeks (WEEKS!) and, now that push has come to shove, I've re-written this first paragraph no less than five times. Why? Because I want you to go out and buy this book. I want the power of my words alone to compel you to read The Rook and love it. LOVE. IT. And, if you don't love it (which I will find hard to believe and secretly suspect you're just being contrary,) I will patiently explain again why it's so much fun and, at the very least, why you should appreciate the subtly layered science fiction story that is actually laugh-out-loud funny with a solid mystery and a deeper exploration of what dictates our choices and forms our personalities.
The Rook, written by newcomer Daniel O'Malley, begins with Myfanwy* Thomas standing in the pouring rain late at night, ringed by bodies wearing rubber gloves. She has no idea where she is, who the people on the ground were, why she appears to have been beaten, or in fact, who she actually is. What Myfanwy does have is a letter that begins, "Dear You, The body you are wearing used to be mine."
In The Rook, Myfanwy is a senior administrator of Chequy, a secret organization staffed by individuals with unusual superpowers and charged with protecting Britain from preternatural threats. With help from her former self** by way of extensive letters and files, Myfanwy must uncover which of her colleagues betrayed her and who is behind the most recent string of attacks on her homeland, all while not letting anyone know she has no memory of her past.
O'Malley's book is funny and not the usual kind of "funny" where the author resorts to using characters in the novel to tell you just how witty the heroine is and, by extension, the writer, nor does it rely heavily on snark (which is definitely a step up from using self-compliments to get the point across but still isn't comedy). I actually laughed out loud several times while reading it, something I rarely do, The Rook is that good. O'Malley's freshman effort is more than just a humorous novel, however. It's also an intriguing mystery and exploration of how our memories define us and who we are in spite of them.
I was lucky to get the chance to chat with Dan about his first book the other day and here's the result. Don't worry. There aren't any major spoilers. It's just enough to get you itching to read it.
M: You've mentioned previously that you were worried you may have made mistakes in your attempt to write a believable female character. I think you actually did a better job with Myfanwy than a number of popular science fiction and fantasy women writers do with their heroines. Our Rook has friends she's both open with and relies on, a rare trait in genre main characters despite it being true for most real women. Why did you buck the trend?
D: I didn’t set out to buck the trend, and hadn’t really realised that I had. But, Myfanwy’s friendship with other characters, especially with Shantay and Ingrid, was important – partially because I didn’t want her to be defined solely by her power (both supernatural and Governmental), and partially because she’s a person, and people need friends. From the beginning of the book, Myfanwy is very alone, both because of her rank, and because of her amnesia – she knows no one at all, and she’s concealing the truth about everything. In that situation, I would have needed people that I could rely on.
Plus, of course, there is no concealing anything from one’s Executive Assistant.
M: One of my favorite characters in your novel is pre-amnesia Myfawnwy (whom we meet through a series of letters she writes to her post-amnesiac self.) Did you always plan for her to be a character in her own right or was she mainly a clever way to relay exposition?
D: Pre-amnesia Myfanwy (Thomas) needed to be a few things. Firstly, she was going to provide a lot of info-dump (and I’m not being pejorative here, I love a good info-dump.) Secondly, I wanted to demonstrate how different new Myfanwy was from old Myfanwy. And also she helped to show how the Checquy (my super secret supernatural spy service) worked. I just found myself getting fonder and fonder of her as the book went on, and, yes, she demanded more attention, and commanded more affection, than I had originally intended. So it was a little sad that the whole story had to be based on the idea that she would cease to exist, as a person.
M: Myfanwy is such an uncommon and difficult to pronounce name. Even she mispronounces it. I just gotta ask, why did you name her Myfanwy?
D: There was a Myfanwy and a Bronwyn who lived across the street from me, and I used to babysit for them. And I’d never met a Myfanwy before, so I was always rather taken by the name. The Myfanwy across the street pronounced it to rhyme with ‘Tiffany’, at least, I think she did (she was always just ‘Miff’), but the proper Welsh pronunciation is a bit more complex. The thing is, the real Myfanwy and Bronwyn are identical twins, but I couldn’t put that in the book, because I thought it would be kind of a horrendous cliché.
M: Though you wrote The Rook when you were in graduate school, you currently work for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, a government agency. What do your coworkers think of the Checquy, your ass-kicking administrator heroine, and your burgeoning international fame?
D: They have been incredibly nice about it, and almost no one has asked if any characters are based on them. In fact, the local bookstore has reached the state where if someone buys the book, they ask if they’re from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau or the Department of Infrastructure.
M: You introduce your readers to a wide array of supernatural powers that haven't been seen before or, at least, aren't common in current genre literature. What were some of your inspirations for them, especially for Gestalt and the Grafters/Belgians?
D: Gestalt came to me when I was helping a friend move, and I thought rather wistfully that this would be much less of a pain in the butt if I had a few extra bodies. And voila! I was so thrilled with the idea that I had to put down a television set so I could scribble down the concept. The Grafters tapped into all my squeamish feelings about surgery, and how much you can do to a person before he or she might cease to be a person.
M: If you were to have a power like most of the characters in the book, what would yours be?
D: I’ve often thought that flight would pretty cool, but I get a little nervous around heights. And I’m easily distracted, so I’d be worried about it cutting out at an inopportune time. It’s not going to be a good scene if I can fly, and I never go higher than the top of my house. So maybe super-jumping. Like Spider-Man. Or super-speed when I want it.
M: A sequel to The Rook is already in the works, is there a chance we'll be seeing pre-amnesia Myfanwy again? Any other hints about what's next for the Checquy?
D: I’m terribly, terribly fond of pre-amnesia Myfanwy, and her letters were a blast to write, so there might be a couple of those scattered in. But she won’t be returning as a person at all. I don’t think.
I’m really excited about the sequel. At the end of The Rook, the Checquy were facing some significant changes, and as any public servant can tell you, change means a lot of work. There’s a merger that going to happen (maybe), and a lot of suspicion and paranoia floating around.
Have a question for Dan? Both he and Myfanwy are on Twitter. Check out their accounts at @DenimAlley and @RookFiles. You can also read the first four chapters of The Rook on Dan's website!
*Myfanwy says it like Tiffany with an M as opposed to the traditional Welsh pronunciation of Muh-vahn-wee.
**Myfanwy's pre-amnesiac self is referred to by her last name, Thomas, in the book to lessen any possible confusion.
Posted by Megan S. at 9:00 AM
Labels: book review, Fantasy, Interview, science fiction, The Rook
Lee @shewolfreads February 27, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Just got this book and cannot wait to read it! Great interview.
Van Pham February 27, 2012 at 6:37 PM
You've compelled me to read it! ;) Awesome interview Megan, I'm definitely looking forward to reading The Rook.
Read it a while ago, LOVED it! I'm a fairly picky reader, but I didn't stand a chance against The Rook. This will definitely become a story I re-read at least once a year, if not more.
Great interview. I have read The Rook a couple of times now, and have become an evangelist for what is a terrific read! I totally agree, Megan, that if someone doesn't love this book there must be something wrong with them!
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The Stewardship Report Connecting Goodness
Health September 9, 2012
Transcendental Meditation Helps U.S. Veterans Cope with Stress
By Lorraine Cancro, M.S.W., edited by Jim Luce.
New York, N.Y. In 2011, the filmmaker behind the movies Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive organized for his foundation to donate $1 million to launch Operation Warrior Wellness (OWW) in Los Angeles, an initiative to help 10,000 veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other war-related illnesses. In 2011, Lynch donated $1 million to launch the organization to help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other war-related illnesses through Transcendental Meditation.
To that end, Lynch said Operation Warrior Wellness is working with military bases and military colleges, as well as veteran service organizations. The demand is enormous. As Clint Eastwood, a forty-year meditator, has said, “When you consider the anxieties of combat that our men and women of the Armed Forces endure, then it’s clear that TM is a great tool for them.”
Trisha Fisher, Joely Fisher, Brooklynite and entertainer Connie Stevens, Betty Davis, and Francesca DeVito. Photo: David Lynch Foundation.
On a Saturday night last month at Brooklyn’s historic Fort Hamilton, foreshadowing Michelle Obama’s comment in Charlotte, the David Lynch Foundation’s Operation Warrior Wellness held a Gala to benefit military members and First Responders to 9/11. Speakers included U.S. Congressman Michael Grimm, OWW national co-chair and WWII fighter pilot Jerry Yellin, FDNY Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, and OWW national co-chair and retired Chief Master Sergeant Ed Schloeman.
“What an honor to bring all our friends together to honor our veterans, first responders and Connie Stevens at a location where America’s first veterans were produced during The Battle of Brooklyn,” CMS Ed Schloeman, Co-Chairman of Operation Warrior Wellness, said as he opened the evening’s festivities.
There is a great need to support all those who are fighting their “hidden wounds of war” –Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). The David Lynch Foundation’s Operation Warrior Wellness is doing just that are doing that with the help of founders Jerry Yellin, WWII combat fighter pilot and his gala co-chair and friend, Vietnam Marine and retired CMS Ed Schloeman.
CMS Ed Schloeman of Operation Warrior Wellness accepts the Congressional Recognition Award from Congressman Michael Grimm at historic Fort Hamilton Army Garrison at the David Lynch Foundation event. Photo: DLF.
An inspiring highlight of the evening was the triumphant story of Luke Jensen, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who overcame a horrific struggle with PTSD through Transcendental Meditation. According to Jensen, “TM helped me relax right away, sleep better, and cope with anxiety to the point that I no longer needed anxiety medication.”
The gala also shed light on the severe and under-recognized issue of PTSD among police officers. Deborah Ortiz, event co-organizer and co-producer of the upcoming documentary Code Nine: Officer Needs Assistance, described her family’s struggle with PTSD. “After retiring from a 22-year law-enforcement career, my husband began to suffer from the horrors of PTSD. I watched the man that once knew sink into a world of darkness and despair, she explained. According to Ms. Ortiz, the number-one killer of police officers is suicide.
Fortunately, Deborah could share a happy ending to her family’s story: “TM has literally changed our lives. After four psychiatrists, two therapists, and thousands of dollars, my husband has actually, finally started to feel better.”
At the gala, public officials called for greater support of Operation Warrior Wellness. FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said, “After 9/11, we were wounded – both physically and psychologically. But, the psychological wounds were much harder to detect – and they’re still going on today. If you support the David Lynch Foundation, you can support the veterans and first responders in getting the help on the problems that you can’t see.”
Co-Chairmen of Operation Warrior Wellness CMS Ed Schloeman and Jerry Yellin. Photo: DLF.
U.S. Congressman Michael Grimm reinforced the Fire Commissioner’s words. “I want to thank you for supporting this incredible endeavor. It’s not even that it’s so cost-effective. It’s that it’s so effective: That this could change the lives and save the lives of so many of our heroes. If we really want to honor them and give back just a little, then we need your support,” the Congressman said.
“Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, nightmares or flashbacks, insomnia, outbursts of anger and social withdrawal. Veterans with PTSD also exhibit evidence of hyperarousal, or exaggerated fight-or-flight response.”
“PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that often occurs in military personnel who have experienced or witnessed trauma,” said Norman Rosenthal, M.D., a Georgetown University Medical School psychiatrist and author of the New York Times bestseller Transcendence, Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation.
Master of Ceremonies Ellen Karis at the David Lynch Foundation event. Photo: DLF.
Dr. Rosenthal recently completed a pilot study on the impact of TM on PTSD, which was published in the Military magazine. The research showed a 50% reduction in PTSD symptoms among meditating veterans. Other findings have shown that the TM technique:
Physical health. Reduces stress and stress-related illness and improves overall health and longevity.Emotional health. Reduces anxiety and depression and increases contentment, integrity, and ability to resist peer pressure.
Social and family health. Increases tolerance and improves personal and family relationships.
Spiritual: Increases self-confidence, moral maturity, and self-actualization — allowing the soldier to deeply connect with his or her own internal compass as a guide throughout life
CNN anchor Candy Crowley, who is on the board of advisors of Operation Warrior Wellness, said: “The initial research offers so much hope: reduced anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and insomnia, as well as reductions in substance abuse, violent behavior, and suicidal tendencies—better than many things being tried and at far less a cost.”
See Stories by Jim Luce on:Corporate America & CSR | Film | Health | International Development | New York | Philanthropy | Social Responsibility
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) is the umbrella organization under which The International University Center Haiti (Uni Haiti) and Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) are organized.
Follow Jim Luce on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Originally published in The Daily Kos, September 9, 2012.
Tags: Afghanistan War, Battle of Brooklyn, Blue Velvet, Brooklyn, Candy Crowley, Clint Eastwood, Code Nine Officer Needs Assistance, Congressional Recognition, Connie Stevens, David Lynch Foundation, Deborah Ortiz, Ed Schloeman, Ellen Karis, FDNY, Fort Hamilton, Georgetown University Medical School, Jerry Yellin, Jim Luce, Lorraine Cancro:, Los Angeles, Luke Jensen, Michael Grimm, Michelle Obama, Mulholland Drive, New York City, Norman Rosenthal, Operation Warrior Wellness, OWW, Police officers, police suicide, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Psychiatrist, PTSD, Salvatore J. Cassano, slider, Stress, TM, Transcendence Healing Transformation through Transcendental Meditation, Transcendental Meditation, U.S. veterans, war-related illness, WWII fighter pilots
Jim Luce (ジムルース) on Japan & Japanese-Americans
The J. Luce Foundation Labor@tory – Executive Summary
About Lorraine Silvetz, MSW
View all posts by Lorraine Silvetz, MSW
Lorraine Silvetz is a trained Psychotherapist with a Master’s Degree of Social Work from New York University specializing in the treatment of returning veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and suicidal ideation. Lorraine formerly served as Director at iSynchrony Clinic in Oakton, Virginia The clinic offered individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS) for the treatment of PTSD and TBI. She and her husband, Robert Silvetz, MD are bringing the innovative treatment to the northeast. Earning a film degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts helped contribute to a creative approach to advocacy in the world of mental health.
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Mauritania anti-slavery group seeks release of colleagues
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A Mauritanian anti-slavery activist says he plans to bring up the plight of his imprisoned colleagues during an African Union meeting next month.
Biram Ould Dah made a trip to neighboring Mali on Thursday in a bid to draw support from human rights activists there.
Though outlawed, slavery still exists in the West African nation ofMauritania. Last month, some 13 members of an organization fighting to end it were sentenced to prison time ranging from three to 15 years.
The activist says the Mauritanian group plans to bring up the sentences at an African Union meeting in Gambia in October.
Mauritania's government has accused the activists of using violence to pursue their cause, a charge the group denies.
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Steve Gray To Release New Album Experience ‘You Will Restore’
Steve Gray will take listeners on a journey through the Psalms in his new album You Will Restore, An experience in Psalms set to release Friday, June 28.
The 10-song album, written by Gray, features passages from the book of Psalms and combines contemporary, Middle Eastern, and orchestral cinematic elements. Gray, senior pastor of World Revival Church in Kansas City, Mo. says the album is an Old Testament reflection inspired by the heart and emotions of David. It will be his fourth solo album.
“The album is a unique journey into the emotions of love, war, helplessness and rescue. It’s more than just music and singing — the album is an experience,” Gray shares. “I hope people see themselves in these songs, like I see myself. I see David in the songs. I want people to come away knowing that God restores and that he protects, no matter what.”
Mix engineer, Vitor Hirtsch, says listeners will be pleased with the rich experience of the album.
“It’s not everyday that you get to work on orchestral arrangements, a choir, and electric instruments all on a record. All the elements are thoughtfully crafted and come together to provide a rich sound experience. It opens your mind and soul to be transported into the world of the album,” Hirtsch says. “There are many great moments and progressions that listeners will hear and feel. It’s refreshing to see orchestral cinematic elements used in a contemporary space.”
Beyond the album’s unique sound, Gray hopes the lyrics will strengthen and encourage listeners, just like they have for countless others for thousands of years.
“The songs are written to be personal. I want listeners to hear God speaking to them. Centuries later, the ancient message of God’s faithfulness to remember, rescue, and restore lives on.”
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The Top Ten: Ruby Tiaras
#158142315 / gettyimages.com
If you're a July baby, you know very well that your birthstone is one of the most striking precious gems around: the ruby. Rubies come in various shades of red, from fire engine to pink to nearly brown; they're most commonly found in Asian countries like Thailand and India, though some rubies have also been discovered in mines in North America, Africa, and Europe.
Today, we're combing through royal vaults to have a look at ten tiaras that feature rubies prominently in their designs. From heirlooms to modern pieces, rubies have been used in numerous styles in royal jewelry worn today. Which is your favorite royal ruby tiara?
#86250346 / gettyimages.com
10. The Niarchos Ruby Tiara
A single or double bandeau of rubies set in gold, this tiara belongs to Queen Sofia of Spain. Along with a suite of coordinating pieces, the tiara was given to the Greek-born princess as a wedding gift in 1962 by Stavros Niarchos, the famous Greek shipping magnate. The entire set was made by Van Cleef and Arpels.
9. The Bains de Mer Tiara
Princess Grace of Monaco did not wear tiaras often, but when she did, this Cartier-made diamond and ruby example was one of her go-to items. It was given to Grace as a wedding present by the Société des Bains de Mer. The three elements that are affixed to the thin diamond base of the tiara can be removed and worn in other configurations. Although Princess Caroline has worn the individual elements as brooches, this tiara has not been worn in public since Grace's death.
8. The Burmese Ruby Tiara
Made from a cache of 96 rubies given to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present by the people of Burma, this tiara also made use of stones from the dismantled Nizam of Hyderabad tiara when it was constructed by Garrard in 1973. The tiara looks abstract from a distance, but up close, you can see that the rubies form the centers of a set of Tudor roses.
7. The King Edward VII Ruby Tiara
This Edwardian-era ruby and diamond tiara was a wedding gift in 1905 to Princess Margaret of Connaught, later Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, from her uncle and aunt, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom. The tiara has been sold and repurchased by various members of the Bernadotte family since Margareta's death in 1920; today, it is back in the hands of the reigning king, Carl XVI Gustaf, and is worn by his wife, Queen Silvia.
6. The Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara
As the name suggests, this tiara was given to the Spanish-born Queen Fabiola of Belgium as a wedding gift in 1960 by General Franco. The tiara can be worn in multiple configurations; along with rubies, aquamarines and emeralds can also be worn in the center of each diamond flower. Fabiola has not worn this piece in public in years, and there's much speculation about who will eventually inherit it.
5. The Ruby Peacock Tiara
Although it looks rather modern, this Dutch royal tiara is actually more than a century old. It was made in 1897 by Schürmann during the reign of Queen Wilhelmina. The central peacock element is detachable and can be worn as a brooch. For many years, this was a signature piece for Princess Irene, who scandalized the Dutch nation with her marriage to a Bourbon-Parma prince, but in recent years, it has been worn more generally by the women of the family.
4. Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet
One of a handful of tiaras designed for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom by her beloved Prince Albert, the Oriental Circlet was inspired by Indian design motifs that he saw at the Great Exhibition in 1851. The tiara was originally set with opals, but Queen Alexandra had them replaced with a set of Burmese rubies from the royal collection. This became one of the Queen Mother's most-worn tiaras; in the years since her death, Queen Elizabeth II has only worn the piece in public once.
3. The Ruby Olive Wreath Tiara
One of the tiaras that has remained with the Greek royals even after their monarchy was abolished is this gorgeous tiara, which includes pigeon's blood rubies from Russia. It was made for Queen Olga, who was born a Russian grand duchess, and it has traveled through various branches of the family before arriving in the hands of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, who wears it regularly at royal events in her native Denmark and abroad.
2. The Mellerio Ruby Tiara
The Dutch royal jewel vaults are so extensive that they include not one but two major ruby parures. This one is even older than the first -- it was made by Mellerio dits Meller for Queen Emma in 1889. The tiara, which features diamond swags connecting its major diamond and ruby elements, has been worn by all Dutch queens since. Queen Maxima even chose it for her first official portrait as queen!
1. The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara
One of the most historic ruby tiaras in any collection is the sparkler from the Danish ruby parure. The diamond and ruby suite was made for Désirée Clary, the erstwhile fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte. Instead, she married Jean Bernadotte -- later the king of Sweden -- who gave her the rubies, which she then wore to Napoleon's coronation in 1804. The tiara wasn't a part of the parure then -- the elements that would later be used to construct the tiara were originally a set of hair ornaments. Since those days, the tiara has traveled through the Swedish and Danish royal families to its current wearer, Crown Princess Mary.
Labels: Belgium , denmark , Greece , Monaco , Netherlands , Spain , Sweden , The Top Ten , united kingdom
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Aspire Technology Solutions win RTPI award for transformation of building
Updated 08:33, 9 Oct 2013
By Karen Overbury
The successful transformation of a landmark Tyneside building has been recognised in a prestigious awards scheme
Lee Ellison, John Dixon, Joe Ridgeon, Maria Ferguson, Nigel Begg and Chris Fraser
The successful transformation of a landmark Tyneside building has been recognised in a prestigious awards scheme.
Heworth Hall, a Grade II Listed building in Gateshead, had been empty and neglected for several years before being bought by innovative technology company Aspire Technology Solutions.
Aspire’s managing director Nigel Begg had the vision to convert the 18th Century building – on the Felling by-pass - into a modern office space. Now the project has been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute, being commended in their regional awards scheme.
When Heworth Conservative Club moved out of the hall, it was left vacant for a number of years, suffering a degree of deterioration.
Planning consultants George F. White, of Wolsingham, and Dixon Dawson Architects, of Chester-le-Street, started working on the project with Aspire in 2010, and planning permission and Listed Building Consent were granted in March 2011.
The refurbished building was officially opened by the then Mayor of Gateshead in November 2011. Aspire continue to invest in the site, spending more than £1m on a 3,500sq ft data centre which will be open by the end of this year.
Commenting on the scheme, the RTPI judges said: “The building had suffered from years of neglect, though many passers-by on the Felling by-pass know it by sight.
“Last occupied by Heworth Conservative Club, the vacant building had the good fortune to be spotted by Aspire Technology Solutions, who had the vision to see its potential as the headquarters of an ambitious IT consultancy.
“The implemented scheme is a good example of how to combine historic features with contemporary décor and an entirely modern use.”
Nigel Begg said he was delighted with the award: “We could see the potential of what is a beautiful, iconic building and knew it would make a great HQ for us.
“We wanted a building with a prominent location, but also a building that could provide state-of-the-art accommodation for a fast-growing, cutting-edge IT company.
“It was a challenge to meet our demand for an inspiring environment inside such an historic building, but the project team have done it and our employees all love working here.
“It was a real team effort between ourselves, the architects and the planning consultants, but I think the result is a building of which the region can be proud.”
Joe Ridgeon, planning consultant at George F. White, was also delighted with the result. He said: “It’s great to see such a lovely building put back to full use. The project had some interesting challenges, but we worked well with Aspire to ensure that the vision became a reality and that a historic building could be fit-for-purpose for such a modern company.”
Other winners in this year’s RTPI’s regional awards included The Student Forum, Newcastle University; the restoration of Stewart Park in Middlesbrough and the Craghead Environmental Scheme in County Durham.
Atomhawk represent the North East at national awards
One of the region's most innovative creative teams will be blazing a trail for the North East at a prestigious national awards ceremony in November
Review: Ralph McTell, Hall Two The Sage Gateshead
Review: Paloma Faith at The Sage Gateshead
Harrigan film turns focus on North East crime in the seventies
Stephen Tomkinson, the star of new North East film Harrigan , has attended the film's premiere at the Gala Theatre in Durham
Review: Royal Northern Sinfonia at the Sage Gateshead
Preview: Jesterval brings laughs to Baltic Square, Gateshead
New England House on Ridley Place in Newcastle sells for £2.5m
Newcastle firm searches for Royal Quays Marina restaurant operator
The Corbridge Larder delicatessen and coffee shop comes up for sale
First letting at Newcastle office block The Pearl following £3m refurbishment
Retail entrepreneur opens new Jesmond store and plans expansion outside North East
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Gothic Rune Set
The Gothic rune set, while lacking its own rune poem, does have some very interesting meanings known to us. The reason for this is due to a bishop from the middle of the fourth century named Ulfila. Bishop Ulfila set out to construct a new alphabet that was largely based on the Gothic runes as well as Hellenic Greek and Arian and Gnostic Christian sources. While his alphabet failed for its purpose it did do a few positive things for the runes. Ulfila’s meanings for his magical alphabet found their way back into the meanings for the Gothic runes. Some would say that this is not a benefit for the runes because Ulfila’s own meanings may have replaced the older meanings for the runes. However, since we no longer have much idea what those meanings are, we do have at least one version of meanings for the runes. Of course, being a bishop, we do tend to see a sort of “Christian flavor” to the meanings, which can be looked on as either a good or a bad thing – all depending on your view.
When Christianity started to rise among the Goths they gave up their use of the runes, but they did replace their rune use with the use of Bishop Ulfila’s alphabet. The use of the new alphabet may in fact have kept us from forgetting about the Gothic runes and their meanings. Even though the true meanings may be lost, we do see at least one set of meanings for these runes thanks to the bishop. Also, I find it hard to believe that while creating meanings for his own alphabet that Ulfila completely ignored the original meanings for the Gothic runes. So there is still a possibility that the newer, “more Christianized” meanings have hints of the original meanings in them.
Another reason we know a little more about the Gothic runes, despite it not having a rune poem, is thanks to Otto von Friesen. This Swedish researcher, in 1928, published Runorn i Sverige in which he reconstructed the Gothic runes, their meanings as well as assigned genders to each rune. An excellent work that allows us more insight to the runes and their meanings on a whole new level.
Four Theories on Rune Creation
As far as how the runes were created and how they traveled from one place to the next is unclear to us. They may have been an adaptation of previous alphabets or could have been the result of original work. To get a better understanding of where the runes may have come from we will look at the four major historical history theories on the runes. After each theory we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each to get a better idea of why the theory may or may not be the correct one.
The four theories that we will cover are as follows:
The Roman (or Latin) Theory
The Indigenous Theory
The Greek Theory
The North-Italic (or Etruscan) Theory
The Roman Theory
This theory was first presented in 1874 by L.F.A. Wimmer and states that the runes are a result of the adaptation of the Roman (or Latin) alphabet. It is assumed that the ancient Germanic people, who came into contact with Roman culture through the invasion of the Teutones and Cimbri, were familiarized with the Roman written alphabet as early as the 2nd century B.C.E. They then adapted the Roman alphabet into the runes and put it to use, spreading it by the means of trading routes into Scandinavian countries and then eastward from there.
The one thing that we need to watch in this theory is the fact that there is little evidence of the runes near Roman lands at such a time. However, the spread of the runes into Scandinavian countries and from there eastward may mean that the adaptation of the Roman alphabet wasn’t complete until the runes had begun to spread northward.
First put forward in 1896 by R.M. Meyer and popularized by National Socialist Germany, this theory states that the runes were an original “alphabet.” Not only were they said to be original but they were also said to have been the groundwork on which the Greek and Phoenician alphabets were created.
This theory no longer holds much value to it due to the fact that the earliest Phoenician writings can be dated back to around the 13th or 12th century B.C.E., while the earliest runic inscription dates back to the 1st century C.E.
This theory was first stated in 1899 by Sophus Bugge and talks about how the ancient Germanic people adapted the Greek alphabet to create the runes. The theory goes that the Goths had come into contact with a cursive form of the Greek alphabet. The Goths then adapted the cursive form of that alphabet for their own use allowing the new alphabet to spread with them as they traveled.
There are problems with this theory, which have led it to be abandoned by many people. Again we see a fault in the times for this theory. The earliest the Goths would have been able to adapt such an alphabet is around 200 C.E. and the earliest runic inscription would have been earlier than that.
The North-Italic Theory
This theory by C.J.S. Marstrander in 1928 was strengthened in 1937 by Wolfgang Krause. The theory goes that the Germanic people living in the Alps came into contact with the North-Italic (or Etruscan) alphabet and adapted it. Then the Cimbri come into contact with the “new” alphabet and pass it on to the Suevi who carry the runes up the Rhine river to the North Sea, Jutland and beyond.
The only real “problem” with this scenario is that the encounter would have taken place two to three hundred before any runic inscriptions that are already dated. But this doesn’t mean that it couldn’t have happened. Items made of wood may have been carved with the runes and may have long since decayed.
Armanen Runes
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AN EXCERPT FROM
MY BODY IS YOURS: A MEMOIR
BY MICHAEL V. SMITH
The Rusty Toque | Special Feature | Memoir | June 9, 2015
Excerpt from My Body is Yours: A Memoir
THE OMG OF OCD
Lesson #4: It’s never a bad idea to be completely honest about the facts.
- Alan Downs, The Velvet Rage
Compulsion is a mild form of temporary lobotomy. Sexual compulsion is a lobotomy with orgasms. When the machinery of sexual compulsion is turned on, part of the brain shuts off. Like a blind person leaning against a touchpad light switch, you don’t even know you’ve hit it. As the body turns on, the critical rational brain dims.
Sometime in my early thirties I swapped out cruising the park for surfing online sites, because at least with the latter, there was some conversation beforehand and a means to contact tricks afterwards, provided they hadn’t deleted their profile.
Those automatic nights at the keyboard, I surfed porn for at least an hour, usually an average of about three, masturbating. At the same time I’d be on two other websites for hooking up, one with a chat room and one with a list of other users near me who were also online. I could have my cam on in a room, watching a half dozen other folks masturbating. I could be chatting in private windows with a handful of men, jerking off on cam, obviously, plus cruising porn, plus texting someone local that I might have happened onto, plus browsing new profiles as people logged on. In more recent years I’d also be on two different GPS-based apps on my phone, like homing devices for gay guys.
Altogether, they made a great immersive distraction, way better than TV. I could have eight or more different options running at once. Vibrant, interactive channel surfing. A mediated frenzy.
When really focussed, I could hit the refresh button over and again, about forty times a minute, waiting for a new profile to materialize at the top of a list when a user came online. I might spend most of two hours doing nothing more than that.
I could take short breaks to read a profile, or watch some porn, but would be quickly back to checking for new log-ons. I got to know the other compulsive users well, so that if they created a new profile I’d likely recognize them by their height-weight statistics (they often logged differing ages) and their collection of interests. Rarely was someone online any given night that I didn’t already ‘know’.
Obviously, if it was rare to find someone new, the chat you find on cruising sites, and the too-familiar profiles found there, are beyond boring. Compulsion is not sustained by novelty, but by its ability to turn off the conscious mind, to distract. The less you have to think, the more automatic, the easier it is to disengage from the present. Having a dozen different sites going at once doesn’t offer the new, but just enough distraction to work.
Ninety-nine percent of all my chat conversations were routine and predictable. We shared statistics of height, weight, dick length, sometimes girth (idiosyncratic, I guess, considering everything else I got up to, but girth just seemed like overkill), age, sexual interests, and, for the sophisticates, hair and eye colour. I often changed profiles in that time, or I’d have two different sessions going using my other profile. I kept one that was more a dating lure and one for sex (which had consistently more bites).
Eventually in the evening it got late enough and I’d been masturbating long enough that I’d give up on being fussy and agree to meet some guy who didn’t want to kiss, or had a wife, or didn’t like condoms but wrote that he only wanted oral (which was in theory, not practice). We’d meet at my place, or in the small lot of a cemetery, or a dog park, a bird sanctuary, alongside the highway at a specific intersection, under a bridge, beside a building, in an alley, in his truck, in a parking lot of a fruit packing plant, in the park beside his house, or, on rare days, at his place, if the family/roommate/parents were out of town.
One single-parent father used to invite me over while his fifteen-year-old son slept upstairs, but that just weirded me out. Anyone who says you have to be quiet when you come over should raise flags. Save yourself trouble and always decline.
On the best nights, the hottest nights, from the moment I signed off with a rendezvous until we met up, my body trembled. It was an odd mix of deliciousness and fear, like licking the sugar off a witch’s cabin in the woods. Yummy, with a pound of peril in the recipe.
(My best friend Colin had a similar experience when he was acting out. “My trembling was more like walking towards the guillotine and pretending it wasn’t there,” he told me, which is also apt. The fear made the thrill more thrilling, and the automaton more necessary.)
My legs would shake like I’d run a marathon in heels; they felt barely able to hold me up. My hands were late Katherine Hepburn. My arms, Jell-O. Even my stomach felt strapped into a body vibrator, shaking the cellulite. Sometimes my teeth rattled so hard my jaw began to hurt.
Much of the compulsion was in response to stress, obviously. The more stress, the deeper I wanted to slip inside the automaton. They were proportionate. If you know anything about addiction you likely understand the perfect loop of compulsion, a snake swallowing its tail—the stress of fucking up from acting out causes you to want to act out. The more you screw up because you disappeared, the more you need to disappear again. The more sleep you lost last night the more likely you are to lose sleep tonight too.
Compulsion has long been a means to cope with a fucked up life. Gary The Therapist tells me that you can’t get rid of your compulsive lizard-brain, but you can choose which things you get compulsive about—the lizard won’t disappear but it can be channelled. Into writing, for example, or playing board games, or sport, or crafting.
When I was young, it was reading. I could stick my nose in a book for an entire morning, afternoon, and night, preoccupied with finishing. Nothing could penetrate that imaginary world—the parents disappeared, the chainsaw next door, the slamming doors, my sister calling my name or the phone ringing, all gone. I read two or three books a week, on top of doing schoolwork. When I was done reading my books I read my sister’s next, two grades ahead.
TV used to disappear me too. You could try talking to me when a good drama was playing, but you’d be lucky if I noticed you’d walked into the room, let alone spoke. My attention has always had the potential to be immersive. It’s a great device for finishing novels. It can really help put you ahead of the pack at work. It means you rarely lose things, because you tear the house apart five or six times until you find it.
In my early years as an adult, compulsion wasn’t much of a problem. I poured my attention into school and books. Dana and I lived together for two years, then I lived with Paul. But when I stopped drinking, I kept up cruising, in full force, because I had more time. Many days I walked home at dawn with the birds chirping madly overhead. They were comforting. Dawn is a gorgeous time of day. I rationalized how lucky I was to be able to see the sun peaking over the city and smell the air before the exhaust thickened, despite what might have transpired in the hours prior. When I got home, I went to bed, happy to be safe in it. In the morning I’d vow not to waste so much time, do so many men, put myself at ever-increasing risk. In a day or two, I’d do it all over again.
The depth to which I clued out was proportionate to the risk—if the risk wasn’t high enough, I was too conscious. For a time it was thrill enough to meet people anonymously. Sex with strangers turned my critical thinker off. When that got to be routine, it was fooling around with someone in a park. Then it was a cluster of men in a park. When parks got too routine, it was peep shows, and too-public bathrooms. Peep show rooms were great because they were a public establishment—technically only one person per booth was permitted, though nobody, not even staff, paid attention to that. The narrow aisles made it easy to watch all the drama (this, too, was better than TV). When the aisles and booths got boring there were glory holes for peeking through. Then using.
It took years to get accustomed to any particular environment. The clientele changed enough from one night to the next that the lustre of the illicit remained intact until both the behaviours of a place were recognizable and my own response was predictable. I recognized that this or that behaviour would prompt a particular response in me. When I grew very adept at recognizing the patterns of a place, and its clientele—because I studied the rules—my automaton stopped taking over. It was boring, I guess. In some ways cruising was an elaborate testing lab of human nature. I’d spent my childhood learning how to read people to keep me out of harm’s way, and now I was using all those skills to put me back there, to curate an experience.
Although the compulsive mind was at the helm when I was cruising, it could check in with the critical mind for advice without releasing control. It would dip into knowledge when necessary—how to avoid being mugged, how to avoid being arrested, how to avoid being molested by someone undesirable, how to avoid being penetrated without a condom. It was like the compulsive mind had enough wherewithal to not put me in too much harm’s way, just enough to do its work. Too much harm would have threatened my ability to continue the behaviour.
Everything about cruising is an exercise in reading and control. If you’re in a public place and want to be groped by only the people you find attractive, where everyone might have their dicks out, that environment requires a great sensitivity to the subtleties of reading other men, as well as keen strategy for how to manipulate a situation. Where to stand, what to touch, when and how to bend over or stand up, what body language to send out or retract.
You aren’t just working the people around you, but are also keenly attuned to the guy you’re with. Is he into this third or fourth guy too, and if so, or not, how to accommodate that request? As an adult child of an alcoholic with a classic preoccupation with people-pleasing, cruising meant a master orchestration of making everyone happy. Sometimes I curated the men around me—I could ensure I’d keep the interest of the man I wanted by hitching a competitor to some compulsive cocksucker I’d seen earlier. I’d literally face one guy towards another and let them play out their furtive dramas. Grab a dick and point it at a hole. That usually worked reliably, though much went into making sure I got the right people facing the correct direction, to ensure what I wanted was left available.
In my attempt to be more careful, I’d try to set rules for myself—only blowjobs, only men who kissed, only one man at a time, only three men a night, only someone whose features I could see by the light of the moon—but each time I grew more comfortable in a particular scene, the rules dropped away to ramp up the stakes. Nerves were the tool by which I disappeared. Like a button being pressed, nerves locked my anxiety behind a heavy wooden door.
One late night, I drove across town to meet up with a twenty-something straight guy at a garage where he worked. The building was classic small business auto repair. The exterior was run down, with an office for the shop on the far left and a half dozen beater cars parked in the lot.
I was told to knock on the door to the workshop itself, next to the two large garage doors. From the exterior, it was impossible to know if anyone was inside. There were no windows on the front of the building to show any light.
When I knocked, the door opened on a young ox in a ball cap. He was barrel-chested, about five foot eleven, with arms thicker than my thighs. He had to have weighed well over two hundred pounds. He could have bench pressed me with one arm.
He didn’t say anything right away, so I said, “Hey,” and gave a nod.
All he did was step back to make way for me.
The door didn’t open flush with the floor, it had a foot-high lip, so I had to step over it to get in. When I passed through, he closed the door and I noticed that he locked it with a key that then went in his pocket. That was my second clue.
The garage interior was filthy, of course, with a mess of tools and car parts. A Corolla with its hood up was parked on the right of the room. The back wall was lined with hubcaps; the floor had pieces of the bodies of what looked like three different vehicles. On the left of the garage was an exposed second level, full of junk, and underneath that were counters stocked with more tools and car parts, the walls lined with stuff. The only window in the place was along the left-side wall there. It was barred.
I asked how he was doing and he nodded, with the smallest of grunts, which I thought might have been, “Good,” but I didn’t hear it properly.
He regarded me a second, then looked to the floor, staring straight ahead. I waited for him to say something, but he wasn’t snapping out of it.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Nervous,” he answered. When we’d been chatting online, he’d said he was straight and this was a new thing, so it was no surprise he was uncomfortable.
“Do you want to change your mind?”
He shook his head no, without taking his eyes from the spot on the floor he was staring at. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “Just relaxing.”
We stood like this for some time, a couple minutes, maybe, while I watched him struggling inside himself. He was a handsome enough guy. A round face, blue eyes. His muscles seemed unreal packed into his shirt, like thick pillows wrapped in a sheet.
Five minutes must have passed. He barely moved.
“I can go if you’re not comfortable,” I said.
He shook his head no again, and lifted a few fingers up, gesturing “stay.”
“It’s the coke, I did some coke, it…messes my speech.”
He spoke like he had three large marbles in his mouth. He was having trouble pronouncing his words. There were pauses in his phrasing, like his tongue went wild for a second and he had to rein it in.
“Okay,” I said.
“Just nervous.” He looked at me a second. “Never done this before.”
“Ever?” I asked.
“Just one guy but we…didn’t do much. Jerked him off.”
“We don’t need to do anything,” I said gently. “We can just talk.”
He sort of nodded again, slowly.
There was another long pause, where I looked around the room, trying to be casual. “We can just make out, if you want,” I suggested.
When I glanced back at him, his lips were moving. He was talking to himself.
I waited another minute, for whatever debate to subside, but it didn’t.
The room began to feel wired with electricity, like everything was buzzing. The smell of rubber tires grew more intense. The fluorescent lights were brighter. The oil on the floor more black.
“We can just talk,” I said. “We don’t have to do anything.”
His head didn’t move but his eyes snapped to me. “I want to. I’m ju-just relaxing. Wired.” He glanced back to the floor for a second, then sprang forwards, walking to the left of the room, to the nook with shelves and tools.
Rummaging in the pockets of a jean jacket hung on a nail, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, removed one, and lit it. He smoked, staring at the floor, mumbling to himself.
I felt invisible, like he was ignoring the fact that I was there. And at the same time, too visible, like I shouldn’t be witnessing this guy’s crisis. I shouldn’t be within it.
The door was locked. He had the key. Nobody knew where I was, at midnight.
When you’re in a situation that is potentially dangerous, it’s easy to try to convince yourself it isn’t. Maybe I’m imagining things. Maybe I’m assuming the worst. I can’t know what’s going on in that guy’s head. He’s just weirded out. He’s probably not crazy. It’s the coke making him talk to himself. That could be normal. You don’t know what coke can do, except that in movies it makes people violent. Maybe movies are lying. Maybe this guy who is so big he doesn’t have a neck isn’t violent.
I tried talking to him about what he might like to do, thinking that if I got him out of his head, he’d be fine. Often the fear of a thing is far greater than the doing of it. But his answers to my questions were again brief. Or he just didn’t answer. He barely looked at me, preferring to stare at a spot on the floor ten feet ahead of him.
He took a drag on his cigarette and asked me, still looking at the floor, “What’s your dick like?”
When I answered, he nodded. He continued mumbling, this time more intensely. His lips were speeding.
A sort of visceral, animal fear crept up my limbs. I’ve only experienced that Spidey-sense one time before, in Hawai’i when local friends convinced me to walk on a silver-coloured lava field to see a glowing hole—all of which thoroughly freaked me out—before we travelled around to the other side of the opening and realized we’d been standing on a wide foot-thick shelf over top of a creek of yellow flow.
Fear like that is instinct.
A cold sweat crept behind my ears. If he was going to freak out, it seemed wise to be prepared.
My phone was in the car. There was no back door.
I looked around to see if there was anything particularly good to use as a weapon. A saw, a rubber hammer, long bolts, a tire iron on the wall about eight feet away. What did he have near him? Dozens of metal objects he could pick up and use.
I looked to the door of the garage, as if I could confirm it was as locked as it seemed. Getting the key from him would be impossible, so where in the garage could I go if he came at me? Was there some way to climb to the second floor and barricade that door? How might I push him off the ledge if he tried to climb after me? What would be the best tool? If I pushed myself under the car, would he be able to pull me out? Would I fit? If I locked myself in the chassis, would he have keys? Would the doors lock? Could I lock them all before he got one open? And then what would I do? Wait him out?
Because I’d already mentioned I could just go home and he’d replied that he wanted me to wait him out, I didn’t want to say I was leaving in case that pissed him off. Somehow I had to get him to unlock the door.
“I might like some pot,” I said, “to calm me down too. Do you smoke weed?"
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’ve got some in the car. In the glove box. We could smoke that.”
“C-can’t smoke in here,” he said.
“I can smoke in my car. We can, if you want some. Nobody will see us.”
“Don’t want any,” he said.
“Okay, but I’d like some. I’m just gonna go get it. I wanna relax too.”
“The door’s locked,” he said, turning his head to look at it.
“Sure. I’ll be right back. Just need a little toke.”
He nodded again, then walked to the door.
I watched him pull out his key, insert the teeth, turn the latch, then swing the door open. Streetlight fell onto the oil-stained asphalt in the garage.
Calmly and decidedly I walked past him, stepping over the lip.
Unlocking the door to my car, I opened it and crawled in, reached across the driver’s seat, as though into the glove box, then came back out. He was standing outside, next to the door, ten feet away.
“You know,” I said, “I’m bagged, Buddy. I should go. It’s probably better we try this another time, when you’re less nervous.”
“Okay,” he said. His face, which had been pretty expressionless up to this point, seemed to fall. He suddenly looked innocent, a kid who didn’t get ice cream as promised.
“I’ll see you around,” I said, trying to sound light and jovial.
Not until I was on the highway did I think I was free of him. I looked in my rear-view mirror to see if he was getting into a vehicle, but the door was closed again on the garage, and there was no sign of him. Only when I arrived at my condo did I notice my hands were aching from my grip on the steering wheel.
Arsenal Pulp Press, 2015
Description from Arsenal Pulp Press
In this, Michael V. Smith's first work of nonfiction, he traces his early years as an inadequate male―a fey kid growing up in a small town amid a blue-collar family; a sissy; an insecure teenager desperate to disappear; and an obsessive writer-performer, drawn to compulsions of alcohol, sex, reading, spending, work, and art as a means to cope and heal. Drawing on our preconceived notions about the body, this disarming and intriguing memoir questions what it means to be human. Michael V. Smith asks: How can we know what a man is? How might understanding gender as metaphor be a tool for a deeper understanding of identity? In coming to terms with his past failures at masculinity, Michael offers a new way of thinking about breaking out of gender norms, and breaking free of a hurtful past.
MICHAEL V. SMITH is a writer, comedian, filmmaker, performance artist and occasional clown. He teaches creative writing in the interdisciplinary program of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at UBC's Okanagan campus in BC's Interior. Vancouver Magazine has considered him one of its city's 25 most influential gay citizens whereas Loop Magazine named him one of Vancouver’s Most Dangerous People. Website: www.michaelvsmith.com
Author photo: David Ellingsen
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humour, nonfiction, exaggeration, Lee Gutkind, true stories
Creative Nonfiction Part 1: What Is Creative Nonfiction?
When my husband and I were in Rome, we saw girls with no protective clothing riding Vespas in between buses. One of our tour guides used to stand behind the bus driver and hold on with one hand. I was worried she’d fall and hurt herself.
Although what I’ve just told you is true, it’s not presented in a particularly interesting way. Here’s an extract from the version I had published:
Driving around Rome was an experience in itself. If there were two tour buses travelling side by side with a six-inch space between them, an Italian girl wearing a mini skirt, high heels and no helmet would whizz through the gap on her Vespa.
By this time, we’d picked up a local tour guide who told us to call her the Gucci lady on account of the Gucci scarf she waved above her head … She teetered precariously on the step behind Mario the driver, holding on with one hand and gesturing wildly with the other every time he failed to follow one of her instructions. Mario was a handsome young buck who thought the tour bus was a Ferrari and that Rome was his own personal Grand Prix. Every time he braked, I expected the Gucci lady to hurtle through the side door and join the girl on the Vespa. The fact that she didn’t was testament to her staying powers rather than Mario’s skill behind the wheel.
I think you’ll agree that’s an improvement. It has humour and gives you a feel for what it was like to be there. Hopefully it draws readers in and makes them want to learn more.
We come across examples of creative nonfiction all the time—magazine and newspaper feature articles, biographies and memoirs, devotional writing—but what are the distinctives of this genre?
Lee Gutkind defines creative nonfiction as ‘true stories well told’. The ‘creative’ part refers to all of the usual literary techniques that creative writers employ (e.g. show don’t tell, the five senses, vivid imagery, engaging dialogue, action, character development, use of scenes), but the ‘nonfiction’ part tells us that these stories could be verified in much the same way a reporter would fact-check a news story. It’s not the same as a novel or screenplay ‘based on a true story’, where the reader or viewer knows some poetic licence has been taken. Creative nonfiction is true, but the stories are told in an engaging way.
In the example above, I used exaggeration as a humorous device to describe driving in Rome. Is that okay? Didn’t I just say that creative nonfiction has to be true? In the coming weeks, I’ll look more specifically at techniques used in creative nonfiction and give guidelines for navigating some of the grey areas.
In the meantime, I’d be interested in hearing about your favourite nonfiction books or articles and what made them so appealing?
(N.B. A slightly longer version of this post appeared on the Australasian Christian Writers site on 2nd March 2015. To read the longer version, click here.)
Gutkind, L. (2012). You can’t make this stuff up: The complete guide to writing creative nonfiction from memoir to literary journalism and everything in between. Boston, MA: Da Capo Press.
Passmore, N. L. (2014). Vespas, wheelchairs, and the metamorphosis of Alberto. In J. Cooper, B. Morton, J. Spencer & C. Tuovinen (Eds.), Tales from the upper room: Tabor Adelaide anthology 2014 (pp. 12-19). Saint Marys, South Australia: Immortalise.
Posted over 4 years ago by Mazzy Adams
I can almost hear the squeal of sudden stops as the drivers of Rome are distracted of bus-squeezed vivacious vesper riders just by the imagery evoked in your description. There is such power in well-written creative non-fiction. I look forward to reading more.
Thanks Mazzy. There was certainly a lot of screeching of tyres :) And you're so right that there's power in well-written nonfiction. I've read some great nonfiction books and articles, but also some clunkers. These posts are a good reminder to myself to put these lessons into practice. Thanks for your comment.
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Candi Borobudur: Standing Tall Against All Odds
Borobudur is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex located in Central Java—40 km northwest of Yogyakarta. Listed as one of the largest and most famous Buddhist temples in the world, it is definitely a must-see attraction in Java and perhaps, the most culturally important site in all of Indonesia.
History and Rediscovery
More than being an architectural wonder, Borobudur’s complex history and resilience is what truly makes it extraordinary. Well for starters, it is located in a predominantly Islamic country with a Buddhist population of just 1%. A temple with such magnitude was built for the least dominant religious group? Why?
Borobudur is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world
It was during the peak of maritime trade between India and Indonesia that Buddhism was introduced in Java. Buddhism was widely accepted then, especially since the most notable promoters were the Sailendra dynasty, the ruling empire of Java during the 7th century. The Sailendras were ardent advocates of Mahayana Buddhism. They covered the Kedu Plains of Java with Buddhist monuments and the most remarkable of which, is the Borobudur temple.
Built over a period of 75 years during the 9th century, Borobodur is built out of roughly 2 million blocks of stone in the form of an enormous mandala. Upon its construction, it has become an iconic landmark that draws pilgrims from all over the world.
The temple stones of Borobudur were carted from the local rivers and streams.
It is rather hard to believe that for several centuries Borobudur was abandoned--buried in volcanic ash and thick jungle growth. It is still a mystery why it happened, but popular theories point to the numerous volcanic eruptions that killed the lush vegetation in the area and drove people away. Moreover, the mass conversion of the population to Islam during the 15th century diminished Borobudur’s cultural value to its people.
It was in 1814 when Thomas Raffles—founder of Singapore—learned of Borobudur's existence. He presided over the rediscovery of Borobudur and Prambanan temples during his brief rule as the British Governor. The entire complex was unearthed in 1885. However, it took a while for appreciation and protection to develop. There were even proposals of completely dismantling the temple and distribute its relics to museums all over the world. As we know now, it didn't happen. It remains intact and still continues to amaze people up to this day.
The temple attracts a very diverse group of visitors--from Muslim locals
to western tourists.
Modern Day Borobudur
Since the restoration projects, the Borobudur Temple has grown in popularity. Today it is one of the most visited tourist sites in Asia, and in 1991, it was officially acknowledged as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
There are however a few downsides to its rising popularity. Due the influx of visitors, vandalism and looting became rampant. It is evident by the empty stupas—devoid of statues and relics—and the conspicuous headless Buddhas. To avoid further incidents, the temple complex is now appropriately guarded.
very few of the statues remain fully intact today
Still despite their best efforts to protect Borobudur, the biggest offender is downright unstoppable—mother nature herself. In 2010, the volcanic eruption of the nearby Mt. Merapi heavily damaged the historic Borobudur. The volcanin ash, like a fog, blanketed the entire complex. The acidic sediments seeped its way into the cracks and crevices of the already worn temple stones.
It took a year to restore the temple and since it reopened, the upper level of the complex has been restricted to 82 visitors. It is truly amazing how the Borobudur temple managed to survive all of those challenges. It has withstood the test of time, cultural changes, and terrifying natural calamities. And standing in front of such mighty and historic structure is one of the most surreal and priceless moments that travelling has rewarded me.
Exploring Borobudur: Parts of the complex
a million stones were removed and reassemble to put a drainage system that will prevent erosion
The expansive Borobudur complex is built like a multi-level mandala. There are 6 square platforms and 3 circular platforms, which altogether is decorated with at least 2600 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues. The square base is 387 ft. long on each side and the highest point peaks at 114 ft. above ground level. The base of the structure though is not part of the original construction. It was built later to provide support and prevent the temple from collapsing.
the bas-relief panels adorn the walls of the lower terraces
The 6 square terraces make up the bulk of the structure. Each level has relief panels on both sides that recount the story of Buddha’s past lives up to his enlightenment. The correct way to start the story is to begin from the east gate which is also the main entrance. From there, you continue your walk by circulating each terrace clockwise.
The trademark of Borobudur is its bell shaped stupas.
The upper levels are 3 circular terraces that make Borobudur truly extraordinary. It is where the magnificent domes—we see on travel pictures and advertisements—are scattered in perfect formation. The singular tallest dome in the middle is the core of the entire complex. It is surrounded by 72 perforated stupas housing half hidden Buddha statues.
Some of the bell shaped stupas had been dismantled and hence revealing
the supposedly hidden statue inside.
More than just a temple, the Borobudur in essence is a very large teaching graphic about Buddha’s life. The monuments' 3 division symbolizes the 3 realms of Buddhist Cosmology. The 6 different postures of the Buddha statues depict His different mind-states and actions. And as mentioned earlier, the wall carvings visually demonstrate the timeline of Buddha’s life. There are certainly a lot to learn by simply walking around the terraces so it is highly recommended to employ a guide for a more in depth tour.
Borobudur is located in a fertile volcanic plain that is surrounded by several active volcanoes.
The Borobudur temple is located in the Kedu Plains of Central Java. It is about an hour drive from Yogyakarta city and two hours if coming from Semarang. The direct albeit expensive way to get there is through a private car rental. It is a good option if you’re with a group of travelers. On the other hand, the cheapest way is to ride the public Trans-jojga buses 2B and 2A. The fare for a one way trip is a mere RP3600. This option caters mostly to Indonesian tourists as navigating around the city can be really challenging.
Getting there is easiest through a join-in package tour from Yogyakarta. It is the most convenient choice for foreign tourists. The tour can last a full day and it is often packaged with Prambanan or Mt. Merpati. But like how packaged tours go, expect a few stopovers at souvenir shops and factories.
Entrance Fees and Opening Hours
The monument is open from 5 am to 6 pm daily. It is best to go early to avoid the masses. The temple is built to be climbed so try not to go during the afternoon as well, the temple is literally under the scorching sun, the heat and humidity can be unbearable.
A sarong--provided by the complex--is a must when exploring the temple.
Both men and women are required to wear one across the waist.
Foreigners 20$ RP 230,000
Students w/ ID 10$ RP 110,000
Indonesians RP 30,000
Tour guides typically cost RP 75,000 – 100,000 per hour.
Half-day and Full-day packaged tours from Yogyakarta range between 50 to 100$.
Check this site: for samples of Borobudur Itineraries
Tip: There is a Borobudur and Prambanan Temples package ticket for 30$ that is valid for 2 days. It is a very good deal which is probably why it is not advertised on the ticket counters. Be friendly when you ask about it!
More on Yogyakarta:
Hotel Review: Merbabu Hotel (Yogyakarta)
Yogyakarta On Two Wheels: Part 1 (Motorcycle Tour)
Labels: borobudur, borobudur temple, indonesia, travel guide, travel itinerary, yogyakarta
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washingtonpost.com > Metro > Maryland
Baby boomers find growing public acceptance of marijuana use
Joe Lee, 62, a regular pot smoker, runs a vintage-record shop in Rockville. He says he has noticed more public acceptance of the drug than when he used it while an art student in Baltimore in the 1960s. (Bill O'leary/the Washington Post)
By Steve Hendrix
Smoking pot isn't what it used to be for Joe Lee, a 62-year-old vintage-record dealer in Rockville.
Back in the late 1960s, as an art student in Baltimore, he kept his landlord in a constant state of suspicion, with clouds of marijuana smoke poorly masked by clouds of incense.
These days, after four decades of regular use, cannabis is a smaller deal. Lee takes a few hits every other day or so, when he wants to listen to music or laugh with a few friends on the porch. And he's happy to talk about it.
"There's gotten to be greater tolerance, that's for sure," said Lee, the son of one-time acting Maryland governor Blair Lee III. "I know literally hundreds of people my age who smoke. They are upright citizens, good parents who are holding down jobs. You take two or three puffs, and you're good to go. I'm not a Rastafarian; I don't treat this as some holy sacrament. But pot is fun."
A federal survey of Americans' drug use shows that Lee and his friends are not the only baby boomers approaching the age of retirement much as they departed the Age of Aquarius -- with an occasional case of the munchies. The government's most recent survey showed that the share of marijuana users ages 50 to 59 increased from 5.1 percent in 2002 to almost 10 percent in 2007.
Some of those users are empty-nesters, returning to the drug decades after their pot habits gave way to raising children and building careers. Others, like Lee, have kept using pot all along, researchers said.
"We're concerned by the public health impact of this," said Peter Delany, who heads the office in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that conducts the survey. Marijuana could present special problems for older users, he said, including unknown interactions with prescription drugs. "Doctors need to be more sensitive to it," he said. "They may ask older patients about alcohol now but not think to ask about illicit drug use."
But some older marijuana users say they are living evidence that smoking pot does not preclude a normal life, and more older smokers seem more comfortable than at any point since their teen years with going public -- a tribute, they say, to a big boost in public tolerance of marijuana use.
Mainstreaming marijuana
In parts of California, licensed medical marijuana dispensaries have become as common as In-N-Out Burger stands. At least 13 other states allow some form of pot use for medicinal purposes, and the Obama administration announced last month that federal prosecutors would no longer go after medical users in those states, a policy shift that activists hailed as a watershed.
Last week, in a reversal, the American Medical Association called for a review of marijuana's status as a Schedule 1 hard drug alongside LSD and PCP and for more study of its medicinal potential.
In May, California's Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said it was "time for a debate" on the merits of legalizing and taxing the drug. Nationally, support for legalization has jumped to its highest level in 40 years, up in a Gallup poll from 31 percent in 2000 to 44 percent last month.
In much of American pop culture, the taboo against smoking pot lies largely in ashes -- in ubiquitous references in hip-hop music and in TV programs such as Showtime's "Weeds." Even iconic potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are in vogue again, back on the road with their 22-city "Light Up America" comedy tour.
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BJP to form full majority government: Modi (Second Lead)
New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed confidence that the BJP will again get a full majority on its own in the Lok Sabha elections, and it will be the "first instance of a party getting an absolute majority after a full term".
"My overall thinking is that a full majority government will be formed again after winning the Lok Sabha elections. It is going to happen for the first time. This is the big thing in itself," Modi told the media at the BJP headquarters here.
This is also the first time that the elections were fought on the basis of a pre-decided plan, he said in his first press conference during his five-year tenure.
Modi has been repeatedly criticized by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders for not addressing a single press conference since he took oath as the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister's announcement came two days ahead of the final phase of the staggered Lok Sabha battle and less than a week before votes are counted.
Addressing the conference with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah, Modi also contended that the earlier governments were "formed on the basis of circumstances".
"Either those governments got majority because of any dynastic tradition or any other reason. But it happened for the first time in 2014 when public made the decision to give full majority to another party. The second opportunity is being given again in 2019."
Noting that there has been very "satisfying experience" for him in this election, Modi said he went to the public only to thank them for their support.
"My campaign in this election has been a thanksgiving campaign for the support given to me by the people. I expressed thanks to everyone.
"I also sought people's support and blessings to continue the journey of honesty. Now I am seeing the people giving their blessings to me more than that they offered me in 2014."
Referring to his 2014 election victory, Modi said: "On May 16 the results came out. And on May 17 there was a big casualty. Those who were power hungry and those into betting suffered a biggest loss."
"At that time, a huge casualty was the betting syndicate. The syndicate suffered losses in crores... because betting had been run for Congress' 150 seats and BJP's 218 seats."
He said the people had decided to put the BJP in power again. He said the new government will start work as soon as possible.
Modi said he thought there was a "new culture of governance in India".
"We are proud of our achievements. We must influence the world because our democracy is so much vibrant."
Earlier, the IPL (Indian Premier League) had to be shifted outside India. "But today, there has been celebration of Ramadan, IPL, Easter, Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Jayanti, Navaratri, examination of children and elections at the same time."
The Prime Minister, however, didn't take a single question from the media and passed on the one question addressed to BJP President calling himself a "disciplined soldier" of the party.
"Not me. We don't speak in front of the President," the Prime Minister said.
--IANS rak/mr
Samsung cuts Exynos production amid S.Korea-Japan trade feud
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North America Leg 1 #U2eiTour 2018
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Live Thread #U2eiTour
u2eitour Tulsa Live Thread #U2eiTour
By Max Tsukino, April 29, 2018 in BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
u2rone 37
LocationMichigan
18 hours ago, EnjoyTheClaw said:
I am one of those who can't really tell how much energy there was last night in the Tulsa arena. But what I saw on youtube, I enjoyed it a lot.
I think 27 songs, most of them so intimate and full of meanings, especially for Bono, are something more than a concert. Those songs are a demonstration of friendships, and that is so very unique and special. I do really love them more than ever.
But I am also one of those who missed Streets a lot. That is not just a song from The Joshua Tree. It's more than a song. Our moment of rebirth. When Streets starts, all the odds are left apart, for a while. There is nothing so powerful, for me.
Where the streets have no name has become our song. Please, give it back to us..
You hit the nail on the head, so to speak. Streets isn't just a song, it's SO much more. Please reconsider adding it to the show. Hopefully before Chicago!!
18 hours ago, peggytwoten said:
Just home from Tulsa and scanning the comments about the GA Line and the show, so I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. For perspective, I've done GA for at least some shows for every tour starting with Elevation, with the exception of JT. You can't see me, but I'm sitting on the sidewalk in the photo that Max Tuskino posted on page 3 of this discussion. I was part of the un-numbered. I did get a number on Tuesday evening when I arrived - # 216, but just couldn't bring myself to get up for the 5AM lineup. We showed up at 6:30 AM and the line leaders refused to do anymore numbering. I've never encountered this before, early morning, day of the show. I guess that they just couldn't be bothered - follow their rules or be screwed. Everyone that showed up at 5 was renumbered and the last number given out was about #199 - apparently, quite a few of us didn't show up at 5. I was about 5 people behind the last "officially numbered person - # 199. Not too bad. We were supposed to self-police, and stay there except for short bathroom breaks and food, but of course, lots of people left for long periods of time, so there were large gaps in the line. By the time the BOK staff made us put chairs away and tightened up the line around 5, it appeared that there were many more than 200 people in front of me - I saw some people with sharpies - I think some people made up their own numbers.
About 10 people behind us, there was a couple that we were concerned about. The woman was in a wheelchair and her companion kept attending to her - we wondered why they would do GA. Well, we found out later, when a man and his young son suddenly appeared in line that the man had paid this homeless couple to stay in line for him all day - probably about 8 hours. Really awful what some people will do for GA. By the time the doors opened, I had resigned myself to not getting a rail position - 12 hours wasted. We did end up with one of the last rail positions - on the catwalk, which is a great location - you can see something of both stages and the band often stops in front of you. But then we found out the couple next to us showed up at 5:30 pm, went in another entrance when the doors opened! BOK Center doesn't win any kudos from me for GA line management.
So I see Guy Oseary walking by and I called out to him. He did stop to talk and I asked him if U2 would consider taking over the GA line. He seemed surprised that it was an issue - obviously, he doesn't read these boards or get any feedback - so I'm sure I'm wasting my time with this post. I mentioned some concerns and gave examples of how U2 did Vertigo with a lottery and suggested something like the Bruce Springsteen method. He said that he'd look into it. I could tell that he didn't consider it to be a big issue, but then again - it's U2's opening night and he had plenty of other things on his mind. I appreciate that he did take the time to stop.
My beef is - as so many others have expressed - is that the current system favors fans who have plenty of time to kill - either they don't work and/or can afford to travel and stay in town for several days before a show. They set the rules and it differs for each venue. To be fair, I did find the "rules" on Facebook, but they weren't posted on the main U2 fan sites. The sign in book started on Friday - 5 days before the show! The less obsessive fan thinks that the info provided by the venue is the rule, but the venues almost always cave. I'd just love a system that gives everyone a fair shot at the position that they want. Or at least for the fan run lines to have consistent rules from venue to venue.
As to the show - it was amazing. The band and crowd had great energy. I loved everything about it except for two songs. During Blackout and UTEOTW the band was obscured by the screen. UTEOTW is one of my favorite songs to see live and I love the interplay between Bono and The Edge. I come to see the band - not watch a screen. Except for "Acrobat", I wasn't terribly excited by the rehearsed songs, but it flowed really well and U2 always seems to bring new meaning to some of the warhorses like Pride and SBS.
Well said. I don't want to do GA anymore because of the unfairness of it. Same people get the best spots because they pull together and only look out for each other. But with this tour and I & E I think seats are better so you can see the effect of the screens. But nothing compares with doing GA and being on the rail. Looking forward to Chicago.
Rich T. 43
39 minutes ago, u2rone said:
Fortunately it's a long total rail, and if you try, you can end up on it somewhere.
shooboxx 19
Locationmodesto, ca
In 2015, I did the whole thing by the rules. Was one of the first 75 in the fan run line. I wanted rail by the b stage. We got screwed on getting in.. bunch of ppl rushed ahead. I still had a decent spot almost to the rail. Two ppl right in front of me were at the rail, leaned against it and we're visibly exhausted and had no energy the whole show. Over heard them talking about this being 7 or 8th show they had been to in a row, hence thier exhaustion. No matter, they were not giving up an inch of rail space. The one thing that bugs me about U2 shows are ppl who want to be up close but have no enthusiasm. It's frustrating for us who don't get to be tired of going to so many shows. Each concert is a chance to celebrate, jump around, sing my heart out.
Last go around, I hung towards the back of the ga crowd, and had a fantastic time just feeling like I could really let loose and have a good time. As exhilarating as being on the rail is, it can ruin a night to have to feel stressed about it.
I'm just catching up. Looks like the lads pulled off a stunner. So much there. I'll be back.
svoot 1
23 hours ago, Nole951 said:
So what time did they actually come on stage last night? Was it promptly at 8pm or shortly thereafter?
Came on a little after 8:30pm.
Did anyone else who went to the show catch Bono saying "hold on a minute" before the first encore after they said thank you? My wife and I looked at each other and said "Sure, we can hang out a little bit while you prepare to come back on stage!"
badsilver 35
9 hours ago, james busick said:
I scoped the first 4 songs or so from the front, but was disappointed to see on the replay how pixelated (sp?) it was. At first I was not even able to go live and the app said the connection was too poor. I guess the signal was just too weak to send enough data to have a clear picture. A shame, as I had a great spot and over 1,200 viewers at peak.
We still loved it though!
sms_10 5
5 hours ago, svoot said:
Yes, but I figured it was opening technical issues. I saw him take out his earphone several times like he was having a hard time hearing what was going on. But I loved everything about the show!
8 hours ago, u2rone said:
I agree and am glad I got an assigned seat. Being in town the night before I felt like the small group of fans who can afford to travel the world seeing OUR favorite band had a sense of entitlement. Their first question to most people they spoke to was how many shows have you seen? Well I’m not independently wealthy so I can’t break away from work to follow them all over the world - but believe me I would love to be able to do just that! The elitist attitude goes against what the band stands for - I think. I frustrates me to see those who monitored the GA line just hanging back by the wall and not really displaying the excitement they say those of us who rarely see them live did.
On 5/3/2018 at 8:05 PM, Rich T. said:
Thanks for posting that,
Thanks so much for posting that. In 2015 they did a good job with the San Jose GA line, and I'm hoping for the best this time around as well. There is one managed entrance.
You have confirmed my fear about "The Blackout" from watching the YouTube video of the Tulsa show: the band is hidden by the screen. Not a good move by U2. Not only do I want to see the band rather than a screen, but I won't even be able to see the screen properly from the rail. Same with UTEOTW apparently.
I loved it because it was a surprise to see them appear as the screen rose. That’s when I realized how close they were! That excitement and surprise was my favorite part! And I did see Larry smile!
On 5/3/2018 at 12:34 AM, Rich T. said:
I was able to answer my own question:. It was a powerful performance. Why have they waited all these years? Why wasn't it played right before "Love is Blindness" on the Zoo TV tour?? I'd like to see Edge on the catwalk for his soaring solo (3:05). Can't wait to hear it in San Jose. It's gonna be like a date with my 30-year-old self from 1991..
12 hours ago, Canadanne said:
"Would that spoil my chance with the young ladies... if my make-up was smudged?"
You know, I just twigged that Bono's digital make-up (esp. around his mouth) is a nod to The Joker in the Batman films - now, THAT is how you deliver a message visually.
kings 47
On 5/3/2018 at 7:46 PM, Heather S said:
Really? A terrible set list? Totally disagree....they spent a whole summer playing The Joshua Tree last year....why on earth would they play them again with all the other ‘classics’ waiting to be played. I am thrilled by this set list and can’t wait - biggest disappointment for me is lack of Red Flag Day and I was hoping for a few others from War/October. Surprised they included the elevation/vertigo duo again but then again, nothing gets the crowds going like those so I am now counting down the months until September in Europe.
The question is would you rather listen to The Ocean or Streets?
6 hours ago, kings said:
I pick STREETS!!!!
I actually pick The Ocean. I'm "Streeted" out, and "The Ocean" takes me back to another time, another place.
I could deal with "Streets" replacing "All Because of You", which the band seems to enjoy more than I do.
Edited May 5, 2018 by Rich T.
14 hours ago, sms_10 said:
22 hours ago, shooboxx said:
That's a good point, especially if you are going to multiple shows. For me, especially since I'll probably only end up going to one show (the next one, on May 7), the best remembrance I have is having no separation between me and the band members, when they stand right in front of me as I'm on the rail, with no one else between us (well, except for some almost invisible security people).
russpm 38
On 5/4/2018 at 1:31 PM, u2rone said:
The GA line organisation had gone way over the top and it seems people take the p*ss big style, going missing for hours on end and turning up 2 hours before show time looking extremely fresh. I’ve done GA lines since the 90s but am dismayed by the elitism currently going down. I tried to chat to a few of the ringleaders just to say hey and get the latest u2 news. A turd in a swimming pool would have been more welcome. What is wrong with these guys. I chatted with other fans further back in line and had a great time. Shame a small few are spoiling the vibe, idiots.
On 5/4/2018 at 11:43 AM, u2rone said:
I'm hoping for Wild Horses. They always give Chicago something the final night. Perhaps we shall have both.
40 minutes ago, russpm said:
The GA line organisation had gone way over the top
It seems to me that there is a lack of organization. Nobody is responsible so the venues send out attendants which are mainly sent to protect the venue. It's the only discernment I have. I'm going to call the BOK Center in Tulsa when they don't have a show and ask that girl some more questions. I plan on telling her what happened with GA without being critical. Perhaps there is something we are missing. Are these people who appear later but organize early the fans that go to hundreds of shows? If so then I think they should get some type or something. I mentioned it being a long term commitment. I don't know, so I ask. Before I call a venue, it would be nice to know if these people are somehow attached to the band from long term whatever and being allowed to do this. Many people think I should not get something and are not aware I'm recovering from that head crap. I used to have to be the first one let into the venue so I could get through security without slowing the whole thing down. I could barely see and everything was spinning.. Now I don't need it. Walk in front of a GA line and be the only person to go first. lol. Maybe this is something different yet similar in that we are not aware of an existing situation. This does not make sense otherwise.
Bigwave said Guy Oseary was talking and listening to fans. One already talked with him. Hopefully more will do the same as the tour progresses.
Edited May 6, 2018 by Manohlive
6 hours ago, Rich T. said:
I could deal with "Streets" replacing "All Because of You",
Same here. I don't like All Because of You. It seems to me to be a weak song on Atomic Bomb and also did for the Vertigo tour I would love Crumbs off Atomic Bomb or Miracle Drug.
32 minutes ago, Manohlive said:
I feel a bit blessed because I was at the Madison Square Garden show where they tried out "Crumbs From Your Table" live for the very first time. I love that song, and they played it wonderfully. I have no idea if they attempted it again beyond that show. "All Because Of You" is their channelling an old Who sound (by their own description). IMHO, that song sounds quite good live, better than the studio version. Vive la difference...
I think "Streets" (among other JT songs) will work their way back into the sets as time goes on - as I've said before, I think this is going to be one of their long tours (a la U2360). They're just not in the "starting line-up" this time around. (If they played all the songs we wanted them to play, they would have 5-hour shows before they started playing encores.)
JCF 116
Party Girl / Boy
LocationNew England
4 minutes ago, dmway said:
(If they played all the songs we wanted them to play, they would have 5-hour shows before they started playing encores.)
And who here would complain?? ?
15 minutes ago, JCF said:
Well no one, except for the band members themselves and their weary mortal frames...
1 hour ago, Manohlive said:
Crumbs or Miracle Drug would be a highlight.
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Jack Sparrow And Steven Tyler Joining Forces?
Johnny Depp and Steven Tyler joining forces? This could be incredibly awesome or horribly disastrous.
Johnny Depp confirmed to Extra that he and Steven Tyler are collaborating on a song. Depp says he is a long time of Aerosmith and is really looking forward to the project saying it is a "dream come true."
Steven Tyler says that the admiration is mutual, confirming to spinner.com that he would love it if Johnny Depp would play him if there were ever a movie made about Aerosmith.
This is not the first time Depp has crossed paths with rock greatness. He co-starred with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and is currently directing a Keith Richards documentary.
Both Steven and Johnny are busy right now. Steven is a judge on the current season of American Idol and has a new solo song out, plus he just released his book, Does The Noise In My Head Bother You? Depp's new movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides hits the big screen May 20.
Filed Under: Aerosmith, american idol, johnny depp, keith richards, pirates of the caribbean, rolling stones, Steven Tyler, stoned at 7
Categories: Deep Thoughts, movies, Music News
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Essays September 27, 2018 September 26, 2018
How Ayn Rand’s Objectivism Shaped Libertarianism
By Josh Hughes | United States
Ayn Rand’s philosophy was very essential for the development of libertarian ideas as well as the Libertarian Party in the mid-to-late 20th century. While Rand and other Objectivists often feuded with libertarians in their time, it is undeniable that, in hindsight, the two have successfully coexisted and made great contributions to each other.
Ayn Rand’s Background
Rand was born 1905 in St. Petersburg, Russia. She lived with her family through the Bolshevik revolutions of the 1910s, and personally experienced the horrors of Communism when her father’s business was taken by the state and her family faced starvation many times. She learned about America while in schooling and decided to leave for the land of opportunity in 1925, originally intent on being a playwright.
Rand’s Beliefs
As someone that lived through one of the most collective regimes in modern history, Ayn Rand had a unique appreciation for individualism. She first started expressing her beliefs as a fiction writer, specifically in The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Her ideas centered around the idea that man as an individual is the single most important thing in the world. More specifically, whatever made him happy was the most important purpose of his life, and his success his “noblest achievement.”
With such an egocentric philosophy comes many stipulations. Ideally, an Objectivist society would exist only within a very free state. One of Rand’s biggest beliefs is the necessity of Laissez-faire capitalism. In fact, it’s the only economic system viable for humanity’s success. She claims that state and trade must be separated the same as state and church, and that man, in realizing his potential and strength, will demand his freedom in trading. A government, she asserts, has one job: to protect the rights individuals and nothing more, something the Founders and many current day libertarians would agree with.
How Objectivism Shaped Libertarianism
It’s pretty obvious that a lot of these ideas sound very similar to libertarianism, more specifically a night-watchman minarchy state. As close as they may seem, however, Rand and her Objectivists frequently feuded with Libertarians in her time. Her specific thoughts can be read here, but the main idea is she was against libertarians because they try to combine anarchy and capitalism, which, in her opinion, cannot coexist. She consistently refers to the Libertarian Party as “right-wing hippies” that have moral convictions of those on the left, yet they advocate for limited government. Her views on foreign policy are iffy, and she often clashed with libertarian figurehead Murray Rothbard on ideas.
Whether or not Rand would still hold those values is impossible to find out, yet it would foolish to say the two philosophies and ideologies haven’t strengthened each other throughout the years. Many libertarians consider themselves Objectivists, due to the fact that the philosophy stands so firmly on the ideas of limited government and individualism. It’s important that we are knowledgeable of what laid the foundations of the Libertarian Party in the 1970s. While Objectivists and Libertarians have had their fair share of quarrels and disagreements, it’s an interesting philosophy that is invaluable for libertarians to look into in order to help shape their views.
Filed under: America, anarchy, Ayn Rand, Capitalism, Freedom, individual liberty, individualism, libertarian party, Libertarian Philosophy, liberty, liberty founders, murray rothbard, objectivism, objectivist, Philosophy, rothbard, russia
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7 thoughts on “How Ayn Rand’s Objectivism Shaped Libertarianism”
The biggest threat to liberty in our lifetimes is in the White House and Objectivists and Libertarians have been singularly ineffective in fighting it. In fact, some embraced it. Leading Objectivist and former Cato President John Allison angled for a job with the administration, calling it a “heady experience,” and Libertarian Walter Block launched Libertarians for Trump. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are also Rand fans. As long as Trump cuts business taxes, packs the Supreme Court with corporate toadies, and keeps the warfare state running smoothly they’re OK with his abuse of power.
Both Objectivism and Libertarianism believe in subordinating government to business (taxation is theft, taxes should be voluntary etc.) and pave the way for fascism.
mijkelm says:
To the contrary, exactly the opposite is true. Under both Objectivism and Libertarianism the government’s only task is to prevent the use of force or the threat thereof to interfere with the voluntary exchange of values by individuals or groups of individuals regardless of the kind of their contractual relationships or associations.
In such a society, there would be no way for businesses or anyone else to gain wealth other than by offering in the marketplace greater values at lower costs. Since the government would not own anything or control anything but the use of force, there would be no favors or influence with which to collude with businesses.
In addition, well beyond the level of understanding your comment exhibits, is the philosophical distinction that sets Objectivism apart from both communism and fascism, meaning specifically, the mind-body dichotomy those two ideologies represent.
While Objectivism and Libertarianism both eschew the initiation of force to achieve ends, both communism and fascism embrace its use. The only difference between them is the dichotomy between their preferential forms of victimization. Communists and all on the left are materialists whose primary interest is control of the material universe, hence their hatred for wealth and physical success not yet under their control. The fascists and conservative right are spiritualists whose goal is the control of the spiritual values of so called ‘free spirits’ they cannot tolerate.
Objectivists and Libertarians to the contrary advocate the freedom of every individual to pursue whatever values they choose so long as they restrain themselves from coercing others for any purpose whatsoever.
Political power follows economic power. Without regulation, business executives buy politicians to get protection from market forces. That’s what happened in the Gilded Age with government monopolies and rampant corruption and that’s what’s happening today with executives running agencies that used to regulate their business. It failed before and it will fail again.
It is true that the Libertarian movement is permeated with the ideas of Ayn Rand and the similarities of Objectivist principles with those of the Libertarians are many within the context of politics. Attempting to explain the differences between Objectivism and Libertarianism then with her condemnation of the anarcho-capitalists misses the mark entirely.
Objectivism is a full blown philosophy, one integral implication of which is its libertarian style politics. The Libertarian movement on the other hand is a politics that eschews any philosophical implications for fear of alienating some component of their ‘big tent’. The principles that constitute their politics are but a grab bag of ideas from Rand, Mises, Adam Smith, the Founding Fathers, etc. regarded to be “practical” in the long run. In other words, they are a-philosophical pragmatists.
Objectivism starts with a metaphysics that includes a definition of the universal nature of the human being, an epistemology that defines how we know, and then recognizes that given those facts we have an ethical mandate to maintain our autonomy in the application of our reason to our actions in the production of the values necessary to the pursuit of our life.
When that ethical mandate, in the context of the individual, is applied to life in a social context, it demands that one advocate and sustain a politics that will enable one to continue upholding that requirement. Thus it is Rand’s egoist ethics that is both the foundation and motivation of laissez-faire capitalism as the only moral political system.
It is therefore only an Objectivist who can, in the face of an appearance of impracticality, persist in the pursuit of a principle because it is before any other consideration ethical. For example:
Since the ethical requirement is an individual autonomy that requires every exchange of values among men to be voluntary, then the most fundamental political alternative is freedom v. force (which is the philosophical grouping of the Non Aggression Principle). Consequently, Objectivism regards taxation as an act of force—as theft.
Nevertheless, a multitude of Libertarians will challenge the Objectivist who would prohibit taxation of any kind on the grounds that it would not be practical, and some form of mandatory funding of the government would ultimately be necessary. The Objectivist will reply that if you cannot figure out how to fund the government without initiating force to gather the funds, then you don’t get a government, i.e. the prohibition of taxation is moral, and in the long run, it is only the moral that can be regarded as the practical.
This explains why Libertarianism has to have such a big tent. Without a philosophy and its ethics to discipline their thinking, political capitulations and compromises on a wide range of principles is endemic.
As an old-timer who was there Objectivism was actually a project of the Libertarian International Organization and modern Libertarianism and the LP platform was created without reference to Rand–who was an LIO Fellow in good standing. Her remarks on the LP were during a period when the Libertarians briefly lost control of the LP to right-wing infiltrators.
I suggest a few websearches and not rely on Wikipedia.
Josh Hughes says:
Rand made negative comments over the course of a decade, so it was more than simply a “brief period” of distaste. I never claimed the LP gave direct reference to Rand, but many libertarians of the time are quoted as saying they used parts of her philosophy to guide their political journey. Also, Rand wrote on her beliefs as early as the 1930s, and Objectivism was her philosophy. I can provide you with all of my sources (none of which were Wikipedia), including academic research of Objectivism for nearly a year if you would like.
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Maris & Mantle. Uhalt. Cobb. Williams & DiMaggio. Berra.
1961, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. Not too much more to say here.
April 10th, 1938. Frenchy Uhalt of the Hollywood Stars safely scores the winning run in a game against the San Francisco Seals at old Gilmore Field. I don’t think you could capture a finer Baseball moment on film, everything is absolutely perfect about this photo.
Frenchy Uhalt played parts of TWENTY years in the Pacific Coast League with the Stars, Oaks, and Seals while playing part of just ONE season in the big leagues with the White Sox. He was inducted into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame after accumulating a .332 Batting Average with 2798 hits during his long career in the PCL.
All signs point to this being a comic in a newspaper after Ty Cobb‘s now famous incident on May 12th, 1912 in which he went into the stands and attacked a New York fan. A great article telling the story of the altercation and the aftermath can be found HERE.
1969, Oakland, Coliseum. Ted Williams & Joe DiMaggio meet for the first time in fifteen years; Williams as Manager of the Washington Senators and DiMaggio as a Coach/Vice President of the Oakland A’s.
I have a hard time believing that these Baseball legends had not met since 1954. Their lives and careers were always magnified, compared, and coincided with each other on such extreme levels that I would think that their lives would cross paths at some point; especially after Williams retired after the 1960 season. But then again, knowing what I know about these guys being some of the most hard-headed individuals to ever walk the Earth, this is probably true.
1959. Yogi Berra playing some Outfield in order to rest his thirty four year old legs. According to the photo’s description he returned to behind the plate later in the game; so I guess his legs didn’t get all that much of a rest. I love photos and video of players not in their natural positions. It helps me appreciate and view them in a fresh and different light.
~ by duaneharris19 on November 24, 2012.
Tags: baseball, chicago white sox, detroit tigers, Frenchy Uhalt, Gilmore Field, hollywood stars, Joe DiMaggio, Major League Baseball, mickey mantle, MLB, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Negro League Baseball, new york yankees, Oakland A's, oakland athletics, Oakland Coliseum, oakland oaks, pacific coast league, PCL, roger maris, san francisco seals, ted williams, ty cobb, washington senators, yogi berra
One Response to “Maris & Mantle. Uhalt. Cobb. Williams & DiMaggio. Berra.”
That is a great photo of Frenchy Uhalt. There’s something to be said to having the photographer on the field, right next to the play to give it a totally different feel then photos from today. The cameraman being off the field with long lens can’t give the feeling of being right there as the old photos did.
SFPaul said this on November 26, 2012 at 4:37 pm | Reply
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Rook Coffee Opening and Moving Headquarters in Long Branch
Future home of Rook Coffee Long Branch (photo: Google Maps)
Monmouth county is lucky enough to have seven Rook Coffee stores to enjoy. According to a press release, one more is on the way in Long Branch.
Rook Coffee Facebook
The new roastery and production facility will be located at 10 North Third Avenue, one block off of Broadway. It will sit across the street from the Long Branch Fire Department and from Brookdale Community College's satellite campus.
The owners are hoping to close on the building within the next month and they look forward to having a second Rook Coffee in Long Branch.
The new production facility occupies the entire street block at the corner of North Third Avenue and Union Avenue.
Rook Coffee hopes to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Long Branch. Rook’s new production facility is located in Long Branch’s “area in need of redevelopment”.
Rook Coffee will join the upcoming opening of a sustainable beer garden, known as “The Whitechapel Projects”, at the corner of Broadway and Second Avenue and a 13,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy that just opened in the lot facing South Broadway and Ocean Boulevard. Additionally, the city of Long Branch recently purchased land for parking next to the beer garden and across from Pier Village and the CVS.
Rook Coffee’s new production space will house a 70-kilo roaster which will have the ability to produce five times the amount of coffee that the current roastery in Ocean Township does. The facility will provide a headquarters for roasting, cold brewing and eventually office space. Although there are not immediate plans to open a coffee bar in the building open to the public, it is possible for the future.
The new coffee roastery and production facility will join Rook’s coffee bar locations: two in Oakhurst, one each in Long Branch, Little Silver, Wall Township, Red Bank, Manalapan and one coming soon in Colts Neck.
Filed Under: rook coffee long branch, rook coffee roasters
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Chris Young Talks New Album: ‘I Really Do Think This Is the Best Record I’ve Ever Made’
"Top to bottom, I think it's my favorite album as a whole," Chris Young gushes about his forthcoming new project. Release details have yet to be announced, but at a recent press event, the singer clued The Boot and other media members in on some details.
According to Young, the name of his new record will be Raised on Country, a title it shares with its lead single, as well as Young's 2019 tour. And, Young says, "Everything's on there. There are so many different thoughts. There's so many different ideas -- things I've said before, things I haven't said before."
The singer goes on to explain that this new album is the product of hard work and a lot of time -- and it shows: "There's things we've actually gone back and done again, because we were like, 'I think we can do it better,'" he admits. "Which is not something that I feel like I've gone out of my way to do in the recording process in the past. We had demo vocal that was amazing on a song, and flew it in, fit it in the track perfectly, and then ... I told them, 'Hmmmm, I wanna sing it in the studio where I sing everything else.'"
Young didn't share too much about what will be on this next album, but he did indicate something that will be relatively rare on the project: "Probably the thing that's on there least is love songs," he says. "The two love songs that are really straight, no-question love songs were actually [written by other songwriters]."
Additionally, on social media, Young has shared a few snippets of his new music. Those teases include a taste of a new, feel-good anthem called "Hold My Beer, Watch This" and a heartbreaking ballad of loss that he says his one of his favorites, "Drowning."
The project will also include several collaborations. "There's a lot of guests on the record that nobody really knows about yet," Young hints. "So, I really do think this is the best record I've ever made."
In every aspect of the next chapter of his musical career, Young set out to grow and challenge himself. He's confident he succeeded.
"I do really and truly feel like I am trying to at least meet the level of everything that has been awesome that I've had happen to me in my career before," he explains. "So I've put in as much work as I possibly could. I want this to be something truly special, and I think it's gonna be."
Who Else Is Releasing New Music in 2019?
NEXT: Top 10 Chris Young Songs
Source: Chris Young Talks New Album: ‘I Really Do Think This Is the Best Record I’ve Ever Made’
Filed Under: chris young, Editor's Picks
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DA charges second suspect in Rodeo homicide
RODEO, Calif.
Mikaele Lui Taito, 34, has been charged with murder and shooting at an occupied vehicle. Both of the charges include gun enhancements, Peck said.
Taito's co-defendant, 19-year-old Rodeo resident Anthony Wiley, is facing identical charges, Peck said.
Peck alleges that the men both shot the victim, using two different guns.
Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee said the shooting happened at about 10:15 p.m. on May 30 in the 1200 block of Tullibee Court.
Deputies found the victim, 22-year-old Rodeo resident James Newman Jr., suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Lee said.
Wiley was arrested June 29. He has been arraigned on the charges but has not entered a plea, Peck said.
Taito was arrested Friday and will be arraigned either this afternoon or Wednesday morning, Peck said.
He said he could not comment on a possible motive for the shooting because police are still investigating the case.
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47 names added to NYPD 9/11 memorial wall, commissioner calls for more funding
By Derick Waller
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Nearly 18 years after 23 NYPD officers died in the collapse of the World Trade Center, 9/11 remains the single biggest killer of officers in the nation's largest police force.
Last year, 15 officers died of cancer and other illnesses contracted during their service on or immediately after September 11th.
On Friday, their names and the names of 32 other officers who died in recent years from 9/11-related illnesses were added to the memorial at police headquarters. It's part of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
"Those we honor today paid a price for their heroism that day and that price was a horrible illness," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "Each of them lived with dignity and strength and embodied the NYPD's motto 'Faithful until death.'"
In an op-Ed published exclusively by ABC News, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill urged Congress to replenish the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund "for as long as it takes and as much as it costs" to help first responders and their families.
READ COMMISSIONER O'NEILL'S OP-ED
The fund is straining under the unexpectedly high number of claims and is scheduled to shut down in 2020. Without an infusion of money, the fund's special master said many claims would be reduced or denied.
It's a circumstance O'Neill founds unacceptable.
"We cannot desert the remaining claimants," O'Neill wrote in the opinion piece.
Of the $5 billion authorized by Congress, 21,000 claims have been paid out to the tune of $2.37 billion -- and there are still about 17,000 pending claims.
"The time has come to recognize that we cannot place a financial cap or temporal limit on this slow-moving human crisis," O'Neill wrote. "We must recognize that our estimates of the damage done were too low in both 2010 and 2015, and that the current plan to close out the fund by December 2020 is unrealistic."
O'Neill said the tragedy of 9/11 has "not ended for us or for our great city."
* More New York City news
societynew york cityhealthworld trade centerseptember 11james o'neillseptember 11th911 memorial museum
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InterviewsStanley Pranin
Interview with Shoji Nishio (1984), Part 1 by Stanley Pranin
The following is a two-part interview of Shoji Nishio Sensei, a well-known 8th dan sensei instructing in the Tokyo area. The interview was held on May 22, 1983 in Tokyo.
“This old man reached this stage, you should surpass me building on what I have left.”
The following is part one of a two-part interview of Shoji Nishio Sensei by Aiki News Editor Stanley Pranin. Part two is here. The interview was conducted on May 22, 1983 in Tokyo.
We understand that you first practiced Judo and Karate. What made you begin to train in Aikido?
A young Shoji Nishio c. 1960
When I first came to Tokyo, I was rather frail. I didn’t do anything. In 1942, after the war broke out, I used to go to the city Judo dojo. I was working for a public office then. In 1944, after the air raids, I started working the night shift so I was unable to continue my training. The war ended on August 15, 1945 and I went to the Kodokan on the 1st of September of the same year. There wasn’t anybody. There wasn’t even any glass in the windows. It must have been melted by the heat during the air raids. There was only half the number of tatami. The only person there was the old caretaker. There were no application forms. I just used plain paper and left it there. Then, I was contacted by the Kodokan and received a certificate of approval to begin training.
How old were you then?
I was eighteen. I was the first person to enter the Kodokan after the war. (Laughter) Anyway, there wasn’t anybody. There were no lights so it was not possible to train in the evening when it became dark. There was a time when I went there and practiced ukemi by myself and then went home. That’s how it was. About that time, the demobilization started. A lot of people appeared at the Kodokan. The following year it became very active. I was promoted to 3rd dan and 4th dan. I began to notice that there were restrictions in techniques because of competition. Because of that problem, I felt the limitations of Judo and started Karate. My teacher was Konishi Sensei of Jinen-ryu who had practiced Karate longer than anyone else at that time. I was practicing Karate with Konishi Sensei but I also felt the limitation of Karate. I thought there must be something else.
At that time, a former Karate sensei of the Butokukai named [Toyosaku] Sodeyama who was running Konishi Sensei’s dojo and also teaching there came up to me and said:
“I met someone who is like a ‘phantom’. I couldn’t strike him even once.” I was amazed that there was someone that even Sodeyama Sensei couldn’t strike. It was O-Sensei.
Sodeyama Sensei came back to Japan after the war. Since he did not have anywhere to go he came to Konishi Sensei. Then he was told to come to Hombu. Sodeyama Sensei laughed to himself thinking that this Aikido was being performed by such an old man. O-Sensei felt that the Karate sensei was making light of him and said: “You are thinking that you can strike me, aren’t you?” Sodeyama answered: “Yes.” O-Sensei then responded: “I see. I see. Strike me. I’ll just walk around. If you can, strike me.” Then he started to walk around he dojo. Sodeyama Sensei felt vexed as though he was being made a fool of. If they were confronting each other face to face it would have been all right, but O-Sensei turned his back and started walking around inviting him to strike. (Laughter) Sodeyama Sensei thought to himself: “What the hell kind of old man is this!”, and suddenly got up and tried to strike O-Sensei. But O-Sensei turned around and said: “What’s the matter?” Sodeyama Sensei froze in the act of striking with his hand poised in mid-air. In the twinkling of an eye, there was a distance between them. Saying, “Damn it!” to himself he tried to strike him again. Then O-Sensei repeated, “What’s the matter?” (Laughter) He couldn’t strike him at all. Then Sodeyama Sensei realized he had encountered a great sensei. He had to give full credit to O-Sensei saying, “I give up!” It was Sodeyama Sensei who told Mr. Nakajima and me to go to see O-Sensei and so we went. It was around 1951. Anyway, I went to see Aikido and immediately joined the dojo. I was told to go and see but I never went back. (Laughter)
Mr. Nakajima didn’t join up, however, saying he wanted to do a little more Karate. After one year, he came to practice Aikido. He practiced Karate and became a 6th dan. He continued Aikido until receiving his 2nd dan. He told me that his viewpoint on Karate as a budo had changed. I thought that if I used this kokyu I might be able to go back to Judo, however.
Mr. Tohei went to Hawaii in 1953. On his return, he brought back a leather coat which was impossible to obtain at that time in Japan. It had fringes like the ones you see in western movies. He had a leather coat when it was impossible even to obtain leather shoes… I really thought it was amazing. Then, that coat was skillfully stolen. That was what had happened when I turned up for training. I saw that all of the uchideshi had been made to sit in seiza and Mr. Tohei was shouting something. Then I heard that Tohei Sensei’s coat had been stolen. At that time Mr. Noguchi, Mr. Genta Okumura and Mr. Sunadomari were some of the uchideshi. Then O-Sensei appeared asking, “What’s up?” When Mr. Sunadomari explained what had happened O-Sensei responded: “Oh, it was stolen, was it?” (Laughter) Then he came into the dojo. Tohei Sensei also sat in seiza because O-Sensei entered. O-Sensei started to walk around them. We were really wondering what he was going to say. What he said was: “You’re the one to blame, Tohei.” Then, he disappeared. Tohei sat silently for a while. Then he, too, disappeared. Everybody was relieved and started training. (Laughter) After practice, I was leaving for home and ran into O-Sensei who was on his way to the bathroom. I went up to him and said, “O-Sensei!”. He said, “Ooh!” I asked, “A few minutes ago when Tohei Sensei had his coat stolen, you said he was the one at fault. Why did you say that?” He answered,
“Don’t you understand why? Those who practice budo shouldn’t have that kind of spirit (kokoro). One shouldn’t show off things which people desire to have. You can show off things you can give, but otherwise you shouldn’t. Poor man, he took the coat because he wanted it. However, by taking it, he became a thief. It’s all right to have the coat stolen, but he was made a thief. Stealing is a bad thing, but the man whose coat was stolen committed the original sin. He created the occasion for an opening (suki) in the man. As a budoka (martial artist), that’s bad.”
I was really amazed and I learned the depth of Aikido. To tell the truth, when I was practicing Judo, Mifune Sensei’s house was robbed twice in his absence. Those incidents were written up in a monthly magazine entitled “Judo” published by the Kodokan. Mifune Sensei was quoted as saying, “The next time he robs my house in my presence, I will catch him no matter what happens, even if I am killed!” An old man, nearly seventy was saying he would catch him even if he was killed… I was really impressed by Mifune Sensei’s reaction at that time. However, there was a big difference between O-Sensei’s and Mifune Sensei’s words. One was saying he would catch him even if he was killed and take him to the police. The other was saying that the thief took it because he wanted it and that he should be let to have it, that it was the person who was robbed that was at fault. There was a world of difference between the two spirits. I thought that even though one practiced Judo all of his life, he could only reach this staqe. On the other hand, I thought that the depth of Aikido as budo was great. It was that incident which caused me to stop my Judo training. O-Sensei’s way of thinking appeared in practice itself. He said, “It’s wrong to use the words ‘winning and losing’. You shouldn’t think in those terms.” His words were great. As we continue to live I think it’s important to digest all of his words.
They say that O-Sensei practiced the sword and staff, but he did so in the process of giving birth to modern Aikido. Even though we imitate him we will not be able to go beyond what he did.
O-Sensei used to tell us, “This old man reached this stage, you should surpass me building on what I have left.” However, we tend to imitate what he did and end up going backward. Ten years from now, we may be practicing the level of Aikido of O-Sensei as it was a number of years ago. After fifteen years, we may end up going back to the forms he practiced at an even earlier date. This is not right, he told us over and over again to go beyond what he did.
People like us didn’t understand what he meant. But after several years, when we ran into some obstacle, we would think to ourselves, “Oh, that’s what he used to talk about.” Our activities depend on O-Sensei’s words.
When you began practicing Aikido was O-Sensei living in Tokyo?
No. He rarely came down from Iwama. It was half a year after I joined the dojo that I saw his face for the first time. Until then, I only knew about him by hearsay. There weren’t any pictures of him like we have now. You know Mr. Otake who lives in Iwate Prefecture now, he used to be the captain of the Kendo Club at Waseda University. He participated in the National Kendo Championship several times and became famous as a representative of Tohoku Prefecture. It was he who told me, “This is it! He looked exactly like this”, while pointing at a drawing of a dragon with glaring eyes hanging in the tokonoma (alcove). I used to think “Gee, does he really look like this!” (Laughter) When he smiled, his eyes disappeared. But when you just caught a glance of him, the impression was really strong. When he looked at something for a second, his face disappeared into his eyes. (Laughter) O-Sensei used to tell us a story. We were really cheeky. For the most part, people did not approach O-Sensei… Whenever I had a question I went up to O-Sensei and asked, “O-Sensei, there was something I didn’t understand of what you said a little while ago.” Sensei would say, “Oh, good you noticed that.” O-Sensei often had me draw a circle, triangle and a square and would say, “Keep it with you and bring it to me when I need it.”
One day, when a guest came it happened that he explained the drawing and I was told to give it to him. But when I looked at the present Doshu he made a negative gesture. I think it was because once O-Sensei began talking about the drawing the conversation would be long and would be an imposition on the guest since he wouldn’t understand it. I was in hot water. One of them told me to bring it and the other, the opposite… Also, I myself had drawn it. O-Sensei asked, “What’s the matter?” So, there was nothing for me to do but give it to him. If that drawing was put somewhere, it would always disappear! (Laughter) Then, he would say, “Oh! It’s gone!” and have someone redraw it.
Shoji Nishio with Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in front of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, February 1969
One week before O-Sensei entered the hospital, we posed for pictures with him. I said to him, “Sensei, let’s take a picture.” He told me to bring him his “montsuki” (kimono bearing family crest). He said, “My photo will remain. What I’m wearing is not appropriate.” I went to the present Doshu’s wife and asked for the montsuki explaining that we were going to take a picture of O-Sensei. Well, she sure complained a lot. (Laughter). It was very troublesome to have to dress him up in his montsuki. Anyway, we finally got him dressed. There was a sign which read “Aikido School” and I think he wanted a picture to be taken in front of the sign. He stroked the sign affectionately. We took the pictures there. That was in February 1969. One week after that he entered the hospital. That was the last picture. O-Sensei passed away on the 26th of April. I had a call in the morning and I drove fast to his bedside. I was the first one to arrive. Then Mr. Okumura, Mr. Yamaguchi and Mr. Tada came. His face was really beautiful like a Noh mask of an old man.
If one dies of cancer, there is usually a lot of suffering and the pain remains on the face. But, that wasn’t the case with O-Sensei. He had a divinely beautiful face.
When you entered the dojo, there weren’t many students, were there?
No, there were only a total of seven or eight. Some days no one was there and I swung the sword by myself and went home. The present Doshu and Mr. Tohei were the teachers. Everybody was at about the same level. There were about two families who didn’t have anywhere to go because of the damage caused by the war. In the evening, the smell of burned mackerel permeated the dojo. The partitions dividing the dojo did not run all the way to the roof, so the smoke entered into our side. We practiced surrounded by the odor of mackerel and cooked food. We were lucky to have four or five people attending a class. My partner was Mr. Tada.
There are now two people that I can talk to. They are Yamaguchi Sensei and Saito Sensei. Their forms are completely different, but it’s good study for me. They both have something I don’t have. Technically, Yamaguchi uses the ken and although Saito Sensei uses the ken too, you could almost say their approaches are opposite. Saito Sensei is the only person who can hand down O-Sensei’s Aikido exactly as it was. I’ll say clearly that my way is different. My view of Aikido is different.
In November of this year (1983), I will have worked for the mint of the Finance Ministry for 39 years. We are technicians. Technicians are people who make people’s dreams come true. If they can’t achieve this they are worthless as technicians. Technicians concretize people’s dreams and make them a reality in society. Aikido is the same. By meeting people’s wishes we contribute to society. That’s what Aikido should be.
Takemusu Aiki which creates and which nurtures all things was first created by O-Sensei. It is from this standpoint that I approach budo. My way is different from people like Saito Sensei. Saito Sensei is the only person who can hand down the past. This is what we have to do to forge the future. If there are ten of us, we have to join forces to realize O-Sensei’s Aikido. It is the role of Saito Sensei to hand down O-Sensei’s art exactly as it was. When we get confused about something, we can go and learn from him. He is able to do that for us. Our task is to respond to new wishes and fulfill them. I think that we have to express O-Sensei’s philosophy by awakening to our own worth and utilizing our strong points and join forces. An isolated individual doesn’t amount to much by himself but with three or four people like Saito Sensei and Yamaguchi Sensei united together we can create wonderful things.
The ways of Yamaguchi and Saito Sensei are included in our thinking. What I am accomplishing could not be done alone but only by building on of the ideas of my sempai (seniors). I value them greatly. I have never said to anyone, “You are wrong.” I have never told anyone to do something otherwise because their way was wrong. Everyone has his own reasons for doing something in a certain way.
Mr. Ito: I don’t think that people who fight in the Aikido world have any right to impart O-Sensei’s philosophy. I don’t understand how people who are practicing a budo whose purpose is to eliminate violence can fight with each other.
That’s what I always say. People abroad are fighting, aren’t they? That’s why I went to Europe last year. Because two of my deshi were fighting each other I went there to stop them. I don’t understand why they can’t get along. If your deshi fight with others, your way of teaching is bad. That’s what some people say. (Laughter) Anyway, I went there to find out why they couldn’t join together. At least, they shouldn’t speak ill of each other. This is a minimum requirement. If possible, they might hold a seminar together. In this way they could accomplish bigger things. This is what I told them.
The situation in America is the same. For example, the problem concerning Mr. Saotome. It’s childish to prevent him from entering the United States Aikido Federation because they don’t like him. People who say things only with emotion don’t have a right to be instructors. I want to make this clear. I am not a member of the inner group… So I’m thinking of talking to Saito Sensei when he returns to Japan. He is in a more powerful position to express his viewpoint. I have been thinking to ask him to state his views as I intend to do the same. Otherwise, the situation in America will never improve.
Yoshinkan has been quite active recently. I hear they have begun establishing branches in Canada. Mr. Shioda is sempai to me so I let his students practice with us. I allow students to practice with us even if they are members of the Tomiki group or the Yoshinkan.
I don’t understand why people who practice Aikido fight. I think that what they say is different from what they do. If we have bad points, we should help each other to correct them. We have to grow helping each other in this manner. However, we try to find each other’s faults and make the wound deeper becoming separated. This is strange, isn’t it? What they say is completely different from what they do. I’m really worried about this situation.
If you compare Aikido to Judo or Kendo we are lucky because we have second and third generation leaders (Doshu and his son, Moriteru). There is no second generation in the case of Judo, Kendo or Karate. Compared to those arts we should consider ourselves fortunate. To make Aikido bigger I think we should go back to the fundamentals of the art. We should get together. It is a time when we need Saito Sensei’s power. And also Yamaguchi Sensei’s unconventional way of thinking. I believe that if those two sensei joined together that would be wonderful. In a way, I am playing the role of intermediary between the two. They hardly talk to each other. I wish that they would begin to communicate.
Both you and Saito Sensei practice jo and ken along with taijutsu…
I always say that if a teacher of Aikido takes up the ken, he can re-apply his knowledge to the ken. And the same is the case for the jo. (When I was a beginner) I asked how they applied the body techniques to the ken, but no one showed me. Since there was nothing to be done about the situation, I began practicing the ken in 1955 soon after I began Aikido training. What else could I do? Nobody taught me! O-Sensei did sword techniques at lightning speed and would say, “That’s how you do it,” and then disappeared from the dojo. I tried in vain to understand what he was doing and the next moment he was gone. (Laughter) When I was asked, “Do you understand?” I would answer, “Yes,” but I really didn’t understand at all. (Laughter) When I asked other senseis to explain how he did it they would merely reply, “That’s how he did it.” They didn’t show me anything. So I thought there was nothing else I could do but study by myself. Then I thought I should start at the beginning if I was to do it. After I began studying the ken I started to appreciate how to handle it properly. When I combined it with the Aikido way of thinking I began to understand many things. So I understood how what O-Sensei was saying made sense.
This is our way of thinking. One step before the throw, victory and defeat are decided. You have the feeling of saying, “Do you understand? Now go!”, and you release the attacker. The throw is as if you were saying, “Do you understand? Good luck!” and send him on his way. If you throw the attacker trying not to injure him, he won’t hit his head. It is that very concern that is the most important aspect of humanity. It’s wrong to beat the person up you have just thrown after he has already given up. That kind of person is not a human being. People who know how to throw properly would hold the attacker’s head and throw him gently so he doesn’t hit his head. Without that sort of mental composure, you shouldn’t throw.
Continued in Part 2.
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aikido journal interview Shoji Nishio Stanley Pranin
I am Executive Editor of Aikido Journal and co-founder of Ikazuchi Dojo. I began my aikido journey in 1991 under Haruo Matsuoka and am honored to have been his direct disciple for the last 27 years.
Interview with Kazuo Chiba
Where is part 2 of this interview?
It’s still in the queue for clean up and republishing. We expect it to be up within the next 2 weeks. 🙂
Interview with Hisa Takuma, Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu Menkyo Kaiden
The following interview with Takuma Hisa was conducted by Stanley Pranin on April 14th, 1979 at his home in Nishi Ogikubo, Tokyo. Hisa was a student of Ueshiba Morihei, and subsequently Takeda Sokaku in the 30s in Osaka...
Guillaume Erard
A provocative interview with Morihei Ueshiba
The following interview was originally published on May 27, 1956 in the weekly supplement of the Yomiuri newspaper (週刊読売, Shukan Yomiuri) and was brought to the English-speaking Aikido community by Stanley Pranin in...
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WACZYNSKI, ADAM
Unicaja Malaga 21 Forward
Height: 1.99 Born: 15 October, 1989 Nationality: Poland
Totals 22 11 435:46 166 24/53 34/76 16/24 23 37 60 16 8 21 2 5 39 36 144
Averages 22 11 19:48 7.5 45.3% 44.7% 66.7% 1 1.7 2.7 0.7 0.4 1 0.1 0.2 1.8 1.6 6.5
23 * at Valencia Basket 15:11 3 0/3 1/3 1 1 1 1 -1
24 * vs Valencia Basket 21:58 6 2/4 3 3 1 1 2 2 7
25 * at Valencia Basket 16:26 3 1/3 6 6 1 2 4
3 Totals 53:35 12 0/3 4/10 0/0 0 10 10 1 0 3 0 0 4 3 10
Average 17:51 4 0% 40% 0% 0 3.3 3.3 0.3 0 1 0 0 1.3 1 3.3
20 at Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar 28:21 6 0/2 1/2 3/3 1 5 6 1 1 3 12
21 vs Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar 20:14 0/1 0/2 4 4 1 1 1 1 1
2 Totals 48:35 6 0/3 1/4 3/3 1 9 10 1 1 1 0 2 0 4 13
Average 24:17 3 0% 25% 100% 0.5 4.5 5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 0 2 6.5
17 * at FC Bayern Munich 28:54 7 1/2 1/4 2/2 2 1 3 1 4
18 * vs FC Bayern Munich 25:11 11 2/3 1/4 4/4 1 1 1 2 4 11
19 * at FC Bayern Munich 29:28 9 0/2 3/6 5 4 9 1 1 1 1 1 16
3 Totals 83:33 27 3/7 5/14 6/6 6 4 10 4 2 0 1 0 6 6 31
Average 27:51 9 42.9% 35.7% 100% 2 1.3 3.3 1.3 0.7 0 0.3 0 2 2 10.3
11 * at ALBA Berlin 14:02 12 4/7 1/3 1/2 1 4 5 3 2 1 1 2 12
12 * vs Cedevita Zagreb 19:12 17 5/6 2/2 2 2 1 1 1 2 3 22
13 * vs Valencia Basket 18:38 12 0/1 4/6 1 2 2 6
14 * at Valencia Basket 13:02 9 3/4 1 1 2 7
15 * vs ALBA Berlin 26:22 14 1/2 4/8 1 1 1 3 6
16 at Cedevita Zagreb 15:58 0/2 0/3 0/2 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 -3
6 Totals 107:14 64 5/12 17/30 3/6 2 10 12 3 4 5 1 2 11 7 50
Average 17:52 10.7 41.7% 56.7% 50% 0.3 1.7 2 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.3 1.8 1.2 8.3
2 at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 22:21 10 2/5 2/2 1 1 2 1 4 1 3 1 4
3 vs FC Bayern Munich 14:46 0/2 0/4 0/2 3 3 1 2 -4
4 at UCAM Murcia 13:23 3 0/1 1/3 1 1 1 1 3 -2
5 vs Zenit St Petersburg 19:08 11 5/8 0/1 1/2 3 3 2 1 2 8
7 vs Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 18:30 7 2/4 1/2 3 1 4 3 2 1 4
8 at FC Bayern Munich 9:33 4 2/2 0/2 1 1 1 1 2 5
9 vs UCAM Murcia 20:43 17 3/3 3/3 2/2 2 2 3 3 19
10 at Zenit St Petersburg 24:25 5 2/3 0/1 1/3 1 2 3 3 2 4 5 6
8 Totals 142:49 57 16/28 7/18 4/9 14 4 18 7 1 12 0 1 18 16 40
Average 17:51 7.1 57.1% 38.9% 44.4% 1.8 0.5 2.29 0.9 0.1 1.5 0 0.1 2.29 2 5
#1 in Games Played (3)
#1 in Games Started (3)
#3 in Defensive Rebounds (10)
#4 in Turnovers (3)
#5 in Total Rebounds (10)
#6 in 3-point % (40%)
#6 in 3-pointers attempted (10)
#6 in 3-pointers made (4)
#10 in Blocks against (0)
#10 in Blocks (0)
#12 in Fouls Commited (4)
#14 in Steals (0)
#14 in Minutes Played (53:35)
#15 in Assists (1)
#15 in Field goals attempted (13)
#15 in Fouls Drawn (3)
#16 in True Shooting % (33.3%)
#16 in Field goals made (4)
#16 in Index Rating (10)
#17 in Assist-turnover ratio (33.3%)
#17 in Field goal % (30.8%)
#17 in Free throws attempted (0)
#17 in Free throws made (0)
#17 in Free throw % (0%)
#17 in Points (12)
#18 in Offensive Rebounds (0)
#19 in 2-pointers attempted (3)
#21 in 2-point % (0%)
#21 in 2-pointers made (0)
#1 in Free throw % (100%)
#4 in Blocks against (2)
#7 in Defensive Rebounds (9)
#11 in Total Rebounds (10)
#18 in 3-point % (25%)
#19 in Games Played (2)
#20 in Assist-turnover ratio (100%)
#3 in Assist-turnover ratio (400%)
#4 in Minutes Played (83:33)
#5 in Offensive Rebounds (6)
#24 in 3-point % (35.7%)
#5 in 3-point % (56.7%)
#5 in 3-pointers made (17)
#14 in 3-pointers attempted (30)
#22 in Offensive Rebounds (14)
Index rating 22 Unicaja Malaga vs. Cedevita Zagreb 1/11/2017
Points 17 ALBA Berlin vs. Unicaja Malaga 3/5/2019
Offensive rebounds 6 Trefl Sopot vs. Galatasaray Istanbul 11/7/2012
Defensive rebounds 6 Valencia Basket vs. Unicaja Malaga 4/5/2017
Total rebounds 11 Trefl Sopot vs. Galatasaray Istanbul 11/7/2012
Assists 5 Trefl Sopot vs. Galatasaray Istanbul 11/7/2012
Steals 3 ALBA Berlin vs. Unicaja Malaga 1/4/2017
Blocks 1 Unicaja Malaga vs. Limoges CSP 1/15/2019
Minutes 32 Trefl Sopot vs. Galatasaray Istanbul 11/7/2012
Grew up with Wax Torun (Poland) juniors.
Signed for the 2005-06 seaosn by Prokom Trefl Sopot juniors.
Signed for the 2006-07 season by OSSM PZKosz Sopot, 2 Liga.
Played there also the 2007-08, also playing games with Prokom Trefl Sopot.
Signed for the 2008-09 season by Gornik Walbrzych.
Signed for the 2009-10 season by PBG Poznan Basket.
Signed for the 2010-11 season by Trefl Sopot.
Moved to Spain for the 2014-15 season, signed by Obradoiro CAB.
Played there also the 2015-16 championship.
Signed for the 2016-17 season by Malaga CB.
Won the 2017 EuroCup with Malaga CB.
Won the 2012 and 2013 Polish National Cup with Trefl Sopot.
Won the 2012 and 2013 Polish Super Cup with Trefl Sopot.
Played the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Polish All Star Game.
Member of the Polish National Team.
Played at the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 European Championships.
Has been member of the Polish U-18 and U-20 National Team.
Played at the 2006 and 2007 European U-18 ‘B' Championships.
2007-08 Prokom Trefl Sopot 2 4 2 2/4 50 0/1 0 0/0 0 1 0 0 0
2017-18 Unicaja Malaga 27 272 10.1 45/89 50.6 51/103 49.5 29/35 82.9 62 20 30 1
Totals 29 276 9.5 47/93 50.5 51/104 49 29/35 82.9 63 20 30 1
Averages 29 276 9.5 47/93 50.5 51/104 49 29/35 82.9 2.2 0.7 1 0
2012-13 Trefl Sopot 6 65 10.8 15/29 51.7 8/17 47.1 11/13 84.6 16 1 16 2
2016-17 Unicaja Malaga 22 166 7.5 24/53 45.3 34/76 44.7 16/24 66.7 60 8 16 2
2018-19 Unicaja Malaga 19 158 8.3 24/39 61.5 33/75 44 11/13 84.6 38 11 35 1
Totals 47 389 8.3 63/121 52.1 75/168 44.6 38/50 76 114 20 67 5
Averages 47 389 8.3 63/121 52.1 75/168 44.6 38/50 76 2.4 0.4 1.4 0.1
2005-06 U18 PROKOM SOPOT 3 49 16.3 15/31 48.4 3/8 37.5 10/14 71.4 11 10 7 2
2006-07 U18 PROKOM SOPOT 3 42 14 12/24 50 4/10 40 6/9 66.7 17 4 7 0
Totals 6 91 15.2 27/55 49.1 7/18 38.9 16/23 69.6 28 14 14 2
Averages 6 91 15.2 27/55 49.1 7/18 38.9 16/23 69.6 4.7 2.3 2.3 0.3
Other Competition
Season Team G Pts Avg 2FG
M-A % 3FG
M-A % FT
M-A % Reb St As Bl
2007/08 Prokom 5 14 2.8 3/4 75 2/5 40 2/2 100 3 2 2 0
2008/09 Gornik W 26 270 10.4 55/118 46.6 36/86 41.9 52/74 70.3 88 49 43 4
2009/10 Poznan 25 234 9.4 68/110 61.8 19/55 34.5 41/53 77.4 54 50 50 2
2010/11 Trefl Sopot 35 355 10.1 85/164 51.8 38/105 36.2 71/87 81.6 95 49 47 3
2011/12 Trefl Sopot 49 540 11 138/228 60.5 61/182 33.5 81/102 79.4 162 49 97 9
2012/13 Trefl Sopot 36 499 13.9 102/196 52.0 59/130 45.4 118/148 79.7 139 30 97 7
2014/15 Obradoiro 34 424 12.5 74/159 46.5 64/154 41.6 84/100 84.0 64 18 58 0
2015/16 Fuenlabrada 27 395 14.6 69/138 50.0 58/138 42.0 83/92 90.2 64 14 34 1
2016/17 Unicaja 30 240 8.0 40/68 58.8 47/107 43.9 19/30 63.3 73 19 31 2
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CESANA, LUCA
FoxTown Cantu Guard
Height: 1.91 Born: 17 July, 1997 Nationality: Italy
Totals 1 0 0:21 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Averages 1 0 0:21 0 0% 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 vs Telenet Ostend 0:21
1 Totals 0:21 0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Average 0:21 0 0% 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Index rating 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Points 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Offensive rebounds 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Defensive rebounds 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Total rebounds 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Assists 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Steals 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Blocks 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Minutes 0 Karsiyaka Spor Kulubu vs. Pallacanestro Cantu 1/29/2014
Grew up with Pallacanestro Cantu (Italy) juniors.
Made his debut with Pallacanestro Cantu during the 2013-14 season.
Has been member of the Italian U-16 and U-17 National Team.
Played at the 2013 European U-16 Championship.
Played at the 2014 World U-17 Championship.
2013-14 FoxTown Cantu 1 0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 1 0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0
Averages 1 0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0/0 0 0 0 0 0
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| 0.848292
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Search African Law
Case Index
Human Rights Index
Regional Law
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
COMESA Court of Justice
Court of Appeal for East Africa
East African Court of Justice
ECOWAS Community Court of Justice
SADC Tribunal
African Gazettes
Home Collective Land Ownership in the 21st Century: Overview of Global Trends
Collective Land Ownership in the 21st Century: Overview of Global Trends
Statutory recognition of rural communities as collective owners of their lands is substantial, expanding, and an increasingly accepted element of property relations. The conventional meaning of property in land itself is changing, allowing for a greater diversity of attributes without impairing legal protection. General identified trends include: (1) declining attempts to deny that community lands are property on the grounds that they may not be sold or are owned collectively; (2) increased provision for communities to be registered owners to the same degree as individual and corporate persons; (3) a rise in number of laws catering specifically to the identification, registration and governance of community property; and (4) in laws that acknowledge that community property may exist whether or not it has been registered, and that registration formalizes rather than creates property in these cases. The research examined the laws of 100 countries to ascertain the status of lands which social communities, either traditionally or in more contemporary arrangements, deem to be their own. Sampling is broadly consistent with numbers of countries per region. The constitutions of all 100 countries were examined. The land laws of 61 countries were scrutinized. Secondary sources were used for 39 countries, mainly due to laws not being available in English. The main secondary source used was LandMark, whose data is publicly available at www.landmarkmap.org.
Land 2018, 7(2), 68; doi:10.3390/land7020068
by Liz Alden Wily
Van Vollenhoven Institute, Leiden Law School, P.O. Box 9520, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Received: 30 April 2018 / Accepted: 21 May 2018 / Published: 29 May 2018
1.1. The Long Evolution of Property in Land
As Earle in 2017 analyses, using ethnographic and archeological evidence in the absence of written records, identifiable property goes back 40,000 years [1]. Villages were the dominant landholding units in both the Old and New Worlds. After 10,000 BCE, population growth, intensification of land use, and more settled lives heightened territoriality and needs to defend valuable lands against outsiders. Earle writes
‘For property in land, a local group held by cooperative defense the inalienable rights inherited through group membership. As resource use intensified, households that improved land and houses retained some right of personal property, but without the rights to transfer except through inheritance. Land rights were, however, regularly alienated by conquest, whereby a group and its chief asserted direct control by seizure’.
(Earle 2017, p. 23)
The comparative utility of collective and individual tenure has been debated in writing since the treatises of Plato and his student, Aristotle, in the 4th century BC [2]. By then, landed property was tied to state-making; property only existing on the say-so of the State, and from which its protection descended. From the outset, state-defined property was individual, male, and private—a relation which individuals held with the State, not with each other. Collective or communal tenure was, in contrast, described by Plato as ‘natural’; its relations were controlled by, and internal to a self-defining community.
The next two thousand years would refine state-made property as being inseparable from power, wealth, and class formation, and in due course with capitalist transformation, its detachability as a commodity that could be sold sight unseen [3,4]. The umbilical cord of property as a social relation was cut—or so it seemed. How far the greater good of society could be achieved through the accumulation and use of land-based wealth for investment, or through paradigms focusing on equalizing wealth, became one of the great—and continuing—debates of the last four centuries. No philosopher, from Hobbes and Locke onwards, could ignore the role of private property in social change, or battling ideologies around this [5]. Locke’s theory of labor in property (1689) was especially influential in distinguishing lands as being either developed or undeveloped (e.g., cultivated or not). This was unhelpful to societies that purposely harvested from, rather than transformed, their lands. This legacy which continues to discriminate against off-farm communal ownership over forests, rangelands and marshlands, key resources for millions of land dependents.
By the 20th century, mitigation against rampant involuntary losses of unrecorded property focused either on welfarism to support the landless, homeless, unemployed, and amassing urban poor in industrialized nations, or upon redistribution of productive farmlands in 50+ agrarian economies [6]. Post-war liberation of colonial polities generally failed to liberate these from European definitions of property; many new administrations promptly vested their entire land area in the state in the name of nationalism. Communities with unfarmed lands were most affected, these widely declared as public properties controlled by governments [7]. Whether ideology was communist, socialist, nationalist, or capitalist, a dominant shared strategy in the 20th century was that community-based tenure (or customary tenure as usually known) must be extinguished in the interests of progress, along with feudal or neo-feudal tenure where this existed (especially in Asia and Latin America). Extinction of community tenure was advanced either through individualization and market-led concentration of ownership, or by the mass reconstruction of rural land use in state-run collectives on national lands [8].
1.2. The Survival of Community-Based Tenure
In this context, it may seem extraordinary that community-based property relations still vibrantly existed as the 20th century drew to an end. Or that community claims to shared off-farm lands within their traditional domains, had hardened, rather than dissipated. Reasons included: local reaction to decreasing land availability and rising threats of official takings; the reality that coerced conversion of customary rights into individualized statutory forms was never as widespread or successful as intended; and that, despite massive social transformation, traditional community-based tenure retained an embedded logic as practical, cost-free, and adaptive through iterative consensus. The values of shared off-farm lands also came to the fore, and collective claims more defined. This was in relation to rights within the community as class formation advanced, in relation to defining ‘our land’ in relation to neighbouring communities, and in relation to the claims of government agencies. Frustration with state land policy, and the statutory failure to protect untitled but locally ‘owned’ lands grew [9,10].
1.3. Bringing Collective Landholding in from the Cold
The last three or four decades launched widespread reformism. This has been less focused on redistribution than on forms of admissible ownership. Political upheavals have regularly been a trigger. By 1989 redistributive farmland reforms in Asia and Latin America had largely ground to a halt. The Soviet Union and its dominance of Eastern Europe ended officially on Christmas Day, 1989, with the demise of state collectives and in some countries, saw the conversion of local smaller collectives into self-governing community domains, comprising both private farms and attached communal pastures and forests. China had gone through a reform of its own regime of collectivization, with a new household responsibility system in 1984, permitting the privatization of farmlands, and new rules concerning off-farm lands within the collective [11].
The communist/socialist world was not the only one to be affected; the 1990s also saw a rash of transformations of one-party states into multi-party democracies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These regularly included constitutional commitments to devolved governance, impacting upon land governance. Forceful structural adjustments by global lenders also provided a trigger; while these demanded accelerated individualization and a free land market, national reviews prompted rethinking as to the viability of individualization in all circumstances, to which lending agencies would themselves begin to concede [12,13].
Meanwhile, Indigenous Peoples, a comparatively small sector of traditional community landowners, were making progress in claiming territorial lands in Latin America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand [14,15]. They were rewarded in 1989 with a United Nations Convention, which stated that “the rights of ownership and possession of the peoples concerned over lands which they traditionally occupy shall be recognized”, that “Governments shall take steps as necessary to identify these lands” and “guarantee effective protection…” (ILO 169, Article 14) [16]. Peasant and former slave communities also organized, notably in the creation of La Via Campesina in Brazil in 1993. This expanded globally and along with other new people-led organizations share demand for recognition of the right to own and control occupied and used lands including those that are uncultivated or cleared [17,18]. A draft Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas is to be debated by the United Nations later this year, including sections on property rights [19].
Legal land reform since the 1980s has been expansive. By 2000, more than 50 countries had both new national constitutions in place pledging tenure reforms, and new laws delivering the details. Not all were as transformational as originally intended. Yet most opened the door to new recognition of untitled rural lands. Some radically transformed 20th century prescriptions of how property in land is defined and protected.
2. Objectives and Methods
2.1. Objectives
The goal of this study is to examine this development as it exists today, and the form which reforms take in respect to community landholding, whether this has been customary and of long-standing, or more contemporarily constructed. Specific objectives are to answer these questions:
What are the global extent, strength, and trends in legal provisions for community property?
What are the contexts through which recognition of community lands as property are provided?
How equally does the law protect community and private property?
How is title to community property vested?
How far is community property able to be freely sold?
How far do laws enable community members to hold private rights to parcels within community properties?
To what extent do community owners govern their own properties?
2.2. Materials and Methods
All 195 sovereign states of today govern themselves and their lands through statutory laws including, as relevant, how customary land law is positioned. The focus is therefore on the content of state laws. Table 1 lists the 100 countries where these are surveyed. This is a sufficient number to compensate for the absence of entirely random sampling. The selection of countries was determined in large part by the author’s familiarity with the laws, or ease of access to reliable information for other countries. Table 2 shows that the sample roughly coincides with the numbers of countries in each continental zone. For a number of subjects addressed in this research, smaller samples are used, thereby excluding countries where the information on the subject was insufficient.
Table 1. The Sample: Countries Assessed for National Law Provision for Community Property.
Table 2. Percentage of States by Region and in the Research Sample.
Laws examined include national constitutions and land laws. The latter often include laws dedicated to the subject of community landholding (e.g., Kenya’s Community Land Act, 2016, Nicaragua’s Law of Communal Property Regime of Indigenous and Ethnic Communities, 2003, Kyrgyzstan’s Law on Pastures, 2009, and Norway’s Law On Bygd Commons, 1992).
Data derives from the author’s research for 61 countries, highlighted in bold in Table 1. Data for the remaining 39 countries derives from legal reviews at LandMark (www.landmarkmap.org). LandMark is an interactive global site providing information on the lands of indigenous and other communities, to which the author contributes. While legal critique at LandMark is sometimes incomplete, its conclusions are considered sufficient for the broadly comparative purposes intended here. The use of LandMark and other secondary information was necessary in 36 of the 39 cases due to unavailability of texts in English. Relevant laws in Canada, Australia, and USA were only partially examined due to their immense number. Deciding whether a country’s laws were deservedly assessed as positive or negative was not easy in especially six cases, fortunately falling equally in where they were ultimately located.
2.3. Community Lands: A Massive Estate
Readers are reminded that this critique focuses on what the law says, not what exists in practice.
It should also be noted that reference to community lands covers lands belonging to both Indigenous Peoples and to other rural communities, and is also without distinction as to how far these are defined on the basis of custom. Globally, community landholders include an estimated 2.5 to 3 billion rural dwellers, and their combined community land estate is estimated as more than 6 billion hectares, although much of this is not yet acknowledged as their property [20]. Figure 1illustrates high proportions of community lands where country data is available. Figure 2, with information also available for only some countries, illustrates where community lands are mapped and are legally acknowledged as existing, thus far with or without registration and issue of title.
Figure 1. Slowly Discovering a Massive Community Land Resource (as of 2015). Note: The darker the shade, the higher the percentage of country area that is the land of communities (including Indigenous Peoples). The darkest shade is where these lands are estimated to constitute 80 percent or more of the country area. Community/Indigenous Peoples lands may, or may not be, recognized as owned in national laws [21]. Source: Screenshot from the publicly- available site on community and Indigenous Peoples land: www.landmarkmap.org.
Figure 2. Partial Progress in Mapping and Recognizing Community and Indigenous Peoples Lands (2017). Note: Brown refers to Indigenous Peoples lands. Blue refers to lands of other communities. Dark brown and dark blue means these lands are registered or otherwise legally acknowledged. Light brown and light blue mean these mapped lands are not yet formalized, on a case-by-case basis. Blank means no data; millions of hectares of unidentified community lands exist in many countries, and where no mapping has yet been conducted. Source: Screenshot from the publicly—available site on community and Indigenous Peoples land: www.landmarkmap.org.
3. Results-Trends
3.1. Legal Recognition of Community Property is Substantial
Most jurisdictions provide for land to be held individually or in association as others. The latter has been conventionally interpreted as ownership by corporations, cooperatives, and associations, or as co-owners of listed assets, such as lifts and basements in condominium law. Legal provision for social entities to be legal owners, such as the family, clan, village or community, is historically uncommon. It is therefore noteworthy to find that 73 percent of countries in this sample do provide for collective tenure by communities (Table 3).
Table 3. Countries where laws provide for community property presented by region.
3.2. Improved Recognition of Community Property is not Confined to a Few Regions
Table 3 also illustrates the extent of legal acknowledgement of community property by region. Some regions deserve note. All reviewed countries in North America and Oceania provide for community-based ownership. These include many Pacific Island states, where recognition of customary land ownership has existed for some decades. Legal change in Latin America and Africa is also positive; respectively, 84 percent and 78 percent of sampled countries in these regions acknowledge community lands as being lawfully owned.
Latin America is also a part of the world where farmland redistribution dismantling large estates was advanced in 14 states during the 20th century [22]. This contributed significantly to present-day provisions for communities to be lawful landowners, whether as farming collectives (Chile, Peru, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico), land associations (Honduras), peasant lands (Bolivia, Peru), or state cooperatives (Cuba). Political reforms also resulted in Indigenous Peoples acknowledged as collective landowners of traditional territories, embedded in new Constitutions in Panama (1972), Peru (1979), Chile (1979), Guatemala (1985), Nicaragua (1987), Brazil (1988), Colombia (1991), Paraguay (1992) Argentina (1994), Bolivia (1995), Ecuador (1998), Venezuela (1999), and Mexico (2001). Despite different phases of reformism over the last century, including de-collectivization and privatization, collective landholding and jurisdiction remains an active component of the property system in Latin America. In Mexico, for example, collective lands exist in 29,000 ejidos (farming communities) and 2160 comunidades (domains of Indigenous Peoples) [23]. Together, these cover nearly half of Mexico. Around 7000 out of 10,000 comunidad nativa and comundidad campesina in Peru hold formal collective titles to their lands [24].
State law recognition of community lands in Africa is also notable. This is partly due to the limited reach of compulsory conversion programs, extinguishing customary rights in favor of individual, state-issued titles, thereafter administered by Governments, not communities. Such ‘private property’ dominates in only six of 54 states, and covers only 10 percent of Africa [25]. Customary tenure is estimated to prevail over 78 percent of the continent. Political will to forcefully individualize community lands declined from the late 1980s, not least because many beneficiaries failed to collect their certificates, or to record transfers (2), women and family members resented the absence of their names on such documents, and (3) promised opportunities for bank loans on the basis of title deeds failed to be available for small farmers [26,27,28]. Where individualization was especially active, such as in Kenya, titling eventually reached arid areas, where individualization was rejected as irrelevant by pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, more interested in securing their communal pasturelands [29].
Political reforms swept Africa a decade later than in Latin America, but with comparable incentives to adopt new approaches to property, among other changes. Some new national constitutions in the 1990s led the way in acknowledging customary tenure as producing lawful interests, and as a lawful system for regulating these rights; Constitutions of Namibia (1990), Mozambique (1994), Uganda (1995), South Africa (1996), and the new land laws of Tanzania in 1999.
Twenty years later, in 2018, 31 of 54 African states (57.4 percent) have enacted new land laws. Twenty-one of these are in this sample. Only three fail to improve community land security: two by abolishing customary tenure (Eritrea, Mauritania), and one by co-opting traditionally communal valley and forested lands as state property (Rwanda). Mauritania has since found it necessary to assure pastoralists’ collective rights to traditional grazing lands, and is accordingly included in the list of (weakly) positive providers of lawful collective landholding.
3.3. Laws in Over Half of Sample Countries Provide Strongly for Community Property
Columns 1 to 4 in Table 3 above cluster variations in the strength of legal support for community property. Laws of countries listed in column 1 share these attributes:
Acknowledgement that community-based, collective landholding produces lawful property interests, including those owned collectively;
Community and private lands have different attributes, but enjoy equivalent levels of protection;
Recognition and protection is not restricted to farms and houses; rangelands, marshes, and forests within the community domain are also acknowledged as community property;
Community regulation of community lands is accepted and/or instituted, with greater formality in law;
Mechanisms for registration of community properties are legally provided for; and
Individual and family interests to specific parts of the community property are acknowledged and nested under collective tenure as derivative rights.
3.4. Shortfalls in Legal Provision Are Similar Across Countries
It is useful to identify common shortfalls in providing for community property. Table 4 gives reasons why countries listed in column 2 of Table 3 as “providing for community property” do so weakly. Three limitations dominate:
collective landholding is not given the same legal support as that of individual rights, even where customary rights are acknowledged as property interests (e.g., Ethiopia, Sierra Leone);
communities are unable to register collective properties (e.g., Ghana, Indonesia); and
main laws have failed to be followed up with essential regulations or decrees enabling application (e.g., Argentina, Republic of Congo).
Table 4. Weaknesses in Legal Provision for Community Property.
It will be observed that many countries listed in Table 4 have proposed changes in the handling of community/customary tenure in hand in the form of draft policies or laws.
Countries with Limited or No Provision for Community Property
Table 3 also lists the 27 countries in the sample where lawfully protected community landholding is especially weak, or for which no such provision for is found. Borderline cases are illustrated below.
Article 67 of the 2007 Constitution of Thailand establishes that communities have the right to participate in the management, maintenance, and exploitation of natural resources, but without provision for ownership. Indigenous communities have only the right to use state-owned lands for livelihood under the Regulation of the Prime Minister’s Office on the Issuance of Community Title Deeds, 2010.
The Constitution of Pakistan recognizes customary law in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in the west of the country. The Land Reform Act, 1977 did not entrench collective rights or governance by village and higher tribal councils.
In Botswana, Tribal Land is the main class of landholding by area and number of persons affected and acknowledged by the Tribal Land Act, 1968. However, rights to allocate lands have since been centralized into largely unelected boards reporting to the national government. Opportunities for villages to formalize their traditional rights to specific rangelands have also been undermined by legal provision for individuals to access these lands under common law leases. Legal provision does not exist for either Indigenous Peoples (San hunter-gatherers) or settled agro-pastoral communities to obtain collective certificates over shared lands, without forming commercial ranching syndicates.
In Turkey, communities may access grazing lands on a collective basis under the Law on Pastures, 1998, although allocation is vulnerable to changes. This is also the case in Tajikistan (amendments in 2008 may have altered this, not accessible in English).
In Nepal, the elderly Land Act of 1964 does not recognize collective landholding. This is despite failed protection of land rights being one of the grievances inducing a decade-long civil war, and the reality that 18,000 forest user groups have rehabilitated local forests since the 1980s, and are seeking secure tenure over those forests. Anticipated provision for collective property did not appear in the new Constitution of 2015, but is briefly referred to with respect to Indigenous Peoples but not to all communities in a draft National Land Policy (2018).
3.5. There Is an Upward Trend in Legal Recognition of Community Property
An upward trend is implied (but not proven) in the dates of relevant enactments thus far. Table 5 lists the main law considered in the 73 countries where protection for community-based land rights is provided for. Fifty-seven of these 73 laws were enacted after 1980 (78 percent).
Table 5. Principal law recognizing community property in 73 states.
Constitutions, as observed earlier, have been influential in establishing rights. Examples from different regions include Articles 9 and 10 from China’s 1982 Constitution, which distinguishes between the property of the national state and the property of rural and suburban collectives; Articles 231–232 of Brazil’s 1988 Constitution, which assures indigenous Indian communities permanent possession of traditional lands, and their right to defend their interests; Article 237 of Uganda’s Constitution of 1995, establishing customary tenure as a lawful property regime alongside freehold, leasehold, and mailo tenure (a hybrid statutory-customary form); and articles 180 to 184 of Armenia’s post-liberation Constitution of 1995, establishing communities as legal entities and lawful owners of property.
Devolutionary forest tenure from state to communities has also contributed to or responded to reforms, forested lands being a prominent communal asset in many regions [30]. The formalization of community rights to traditional rangelands is more recent [31].
Perhaps more indicative of continuing new recognition of community property is that nearly one quarter of key laws (17 of 73) have been enacted in the last decade. Draft laws also exist quite widely, such as in Nepal, India, Myanmar, and Indonesia, and more concretely, in Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, and the Central African Republic. In addition, commissions of inquiry are sitting in 13 other African states in 2018, charged with drafting new land policies and laws, all of which must address the status of customarily held but untitled lands (Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Niger, Burundi, Comoros). New laws are also under consideration in an unknown number of Latin American economies.
Nevertheless, a comprehensively positive future for legally entrenched community property is not necessarily assured. Supportive laws are taking much longer to be enacted today than in the 1990s. Failure to enact implementing regulations is also familiar. From Brazil to Cambodia to Tanzania, administrations regularly seek to backtrack on key provisions, as the implications of loss of state control over large areas are recognized, and as neoliberalism reasserts the notion that the only path to economic growth remains privatization of property in the hands of individuals and under freehold and like constructs widespread in the industrial world [32]. Globalized investor demands for lands help drive this, with still limited legal provisions for communities to lease directly to investors. The result can be contradictory policies, coercing subdivision of already-titled lands [33], permitting major encroachments on community lands by expanding definitions of public property [34], and even attempts to do away entirely with recently enacted protection of community property [35].
Still, communities themselves appear more vigilant and resistant to involuntary dispossession or forced privatization, including petitioning the courts [36,37]. International support for secure community tenure is also growing, most recently illustrated in a founding principle of environmental rights articulated by the United Nations obliging member states to recognize and protect the lands, territories and resources of communities [38].
3.6. Legal Provision for Collective Property is Expanding Its Focus
3.6.1. A potential Expansion to Urban Communities
At this point, most laws target or assume that collective landholding is only viable in rural areas several laws include suburban (e.g., China) and urban neighbourhoods (e.g., Laos) as a basis for collective property. One or two others build potential for this in provisions for regularizing informal settlements in cities (e.g., Tanzania, Namibia).
Looking ahead, the rural focus could well widen to urban areas. City ‘slum’ dwellers are estimated to number 3 billion people by 2050 [39], most of who possess only a few square meters of space, hardly viable for individual registration at formalization. Slum neighborhoods are often ethnically definable, and rules of occupation and transfer are regularly borrowed from home villages [40]. Urban planners are showing more interest in adopting collective entitlement in these circumstances [41]. Urban Community Land Trusts are also appearing, such as in the innovative Cano Martin Pena Community Land Trust in San Juan in Puerto Rico [42].
3.6.2. The Legal Focus on Indigenous Peoples Is Widening to Include All Rural Communities
Especially in the Americas, the first legal changes to the status of community land rights only affected communities who define themselves as Indigenous Peoples. This has altered, as peasant farming and former slave communities are also guaranteed rights in some of these states. For example, Bolivia’s land law (No. 3545 of 2006) defines communal landowners as Original, Intercultural, or Peasant Communities. Norway enacted a law relating to traditional commons attached to private farm homesteads in 1992, and a law on communal lands as held by Sami in Finnmark Province in 2005. As shown in Table 6, most land laws in force today do not distinguish categories of rural communities.
Table 6. Indigenous Peoples and other communities as targets in 73 tenure laws.
3.6.3. Focusing on the Land Rights of Forest and Pastoral Communities
Some relevant laws focus only on forests and rangelands. Examples include India’s Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, the Forest Rights Act of Guyana, 2009, the Pasture Codes of Kyrgyzstan (2009), Afghanistan (2000), Mauritania (2000), and Mongolia (2002). These are notable for state retention of resource ownership, only availing communities possessory rights, although usually in perpetuity. The laws of Angola, Peru, and Armenia are also notable for their retention of state ownership of forests in recognition of community domains.
This contrasts with most cases in this sample, where forests are ownable by communities. For example, while a State Forestry Commission in Ghana manages logging, customary communities own the forest, and accordingly, receive a share of revenue as prescribed by the Constitution at Article 267. In China’s Property Law, while certain forests are owned by the national state, local forests belong to the collectives within whose lands these are located, along with mountains, grasslands, wastelands, and tidal flats (2007, Article 58). Laos’s Land Law specifies that the collective owns all natural resources in its domain (2003, Article 3). Mali’s Agricultural Land Law describes community lands as comprising ‘vital space’, including pastures and woodlands, as well as lands needed for village farm expansion (2017, Articles 11–12).
Water is much less commonly specified as the property of a community While lands once deemed public or unowned lands are quite rapidly being acknowledged as community property, water, like surface minerals and sub-surface assets, have seen a converse consolidation as state property [43]. Exceptions in this sample for water include Nicaragua’s land law, which defines community property as ‘constituted by the lands, waters, forests, and other natural resources contained therein which have traditionally belonged the community’ (Article 2 of Law 455); Romania’s Water Law, 1996, recognizing collectives as owners of lakes and rivers on their lands that are less than 5 km long (Water Law, 1996); and South Sudan’s Land Act, which provides that ‘pools, streams, swamps, and secondary rivers belong to communities on the basis of traditional ownership’ (2009, section 10).
3.7. Customary Land Tenure Is the Main Basis Upon Which Collective Property Is Legally Recognized
This is so in 59 of the 73 country laws (81 percent) identified as providing positively for collective land ownership. This is expected; customary tenure is, by definition, a community-based property regime, and globally widespread. It also follows that statutes generally admit customary law as the main source of rules and norms by which communities govern their properties, subject to limitations established in constitutional and other statutes, including the land law itself.
A customary basis is more predictably rarely the case where community lands are created in modern cooperatives or unions. Nevertheless, custom is often referenced. ‘Communities are allocated land or recognized land use rights by the State to preserve national identities associated with the traditions and customs of the people’, says Article 131 (3) of Vietnam’s Law on Land, 2013.
The 14 land laws where there is limited or no reference to customary norms include seven European countries, where collective tenure is nonetheless known to descend from customary practices (Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Romania, Ukraine and Norway). Provisions for modern collective property in Tunisia and Algeria have similar origins in their focus upon agro-pastoralists. Only Armenia, China and Cuba among the 73 states make no mention of traditional land practices in their provision for community domains.
3.8. Provision for Private Parcels within Community Domains Is an Important Part of Laws
This is not a contradiction in terms; community-based regimes typically provide for member families to have exclusive usufruct to homesteads within the community land area—a provision, it will be recalled from the citation by Earle, that was observable several millennia past. Today, in modern customary practice and statute, there are two main arrangements whereby the collective domain is defined, and two less common arrangements.
The first is where only forests, rangelands, or comparable communal areas are defined as collective property. In this sample, this is the case for Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Mauritania. These assets are traditionally attached to the farms of members held distinctly under freehold or similar tenure. Many such commons are directly adjacent to settlements, others may be remote (e.g., few community properties in New Zealand are occupied).
The second arrangement is more usual in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, whereby community land refers to the entire domain of the community, including parcels set aside for the exclusive use of a family, individual or sub-community group under usufruct rights. Where provided for, collective title covers both communally owned lands and parcels allocated for exclusive private use of community members.
Less frequently, and generally only among hunter-gatherer and pastoral communities, no part of the domain is earmarked for private use. Many laws in Asia, Africa, and Latin America accept this.
Conversely, there are also communities whose lands are entirely comprised of discrete family parcels, but who use, govern, and transfer these in accordance with community sustained norms (‘customary law’). This is the case in Vanuatu and Fiji (and also in the island states of Samoa, Nauru, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, not in this sample).
Many laws leave the definition of private rights in community lands to community decision-making/customary law. Other statutes specify how private rights may be formalized. East African laws provide examples.
Uganda’s Land Act, 1998 does not provide for village or parish property, encouraging each family to secure its property under private customary or freehold title. This alienates those private parcels from the community area or its authority. In respect to shared lands by community members, the law provides for members to either continue their management using informal customary norms, or to formalize rights and rules in registered Communal Land Associations.
In contrast, Tanzania’s Village Land Act, 1999 obliges each of the country’s 12,000 village communities to identify their communal areas, and register these in the Village Land Register. No certificate may be issued to an individual or family for a private parcel within the village land area until members have assured themselves that these do not encroach upon those common lands.
South Sudan’s Land Act, 2009 similarly provides for community authorities to distinguish between family and communal lands.
Kenya’s Community Land Act, 2016 prescribes that a registered community landowner may ‘… allocate part of its land to a member or group of members for their exclusive use and occupation for such period as the registered community may determine’, but that a separate title shall not be issued for such a parcel, and ‘… shall not be superior to community title in any way’ (section 27). The law also spells out that a community may seek to convert part or all of its land into fully private properties rather than usufructs, providing this is agreed to by two thirds of community members (sections 21 and 24).
3.9. Private and Community Properties Are Often Equally Protected
Community and private tenure are both forms of holding exclusive rights to land, if respectively more geared to the social and economic values of property. Comparisons deserve attention. This section reviews how far community and private lands are accorded equal protection by the law.
Table 7 provides the results: two-thirds of laws equally protect community and private lands. This is directly stated, with examples in Box 1, or strongly implied, with examples in Box 2.
Table 7. Comparison of legal protection of private and community property.
Box 3 gives examples of where this equivalency has been disputed, but subsequently established to be the case by court rulings. Indigenous peoples in particular often owe recognition of their rights to court decisions that have coerced parliamentary enactments, for example in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and in a number of Latin American countries [44,45].
Box 1. Examples of Laws Declaring Equal Protection for Community and Private Property. (Cited provisions in italics).
CAMBODIA, LAND LAW, 2001, Article 26 provides that legal title to a community includes all the rights and protections of ownership as are enjoyed by private owners.
KENYA, CONSTITUTION, 2010, Article 61: All land in Kenya belongs to the people of Kenya collectively as a nation, as communities and as individuals. Land in Kenya is classified as public, community or private. LAND ACT, 2012, Section 5: There shall be the following forms of tenure (a) freehold; (b) leasehold; (c) such forms of partial interest as may be defined under this Act and other law, including but not limited to easements; and (d) customary land rights where consistent with the Constitution. There shall be equal recognition and enforcement of land rights arising under all tenure systems and non-discrimination in ownership of, and access to land under all tenure systems.
NICARAGUA, CONSTITUTION, 1987, Article 5: The various forms of public, private, associative, cooperative and communal property shall be guaranteed and encouraged without discrimination in order to produce wealth and shall service social needs by operating freely.
SOUTH SUDAN, LAND ACT, 2009, Section 8 (6): Customary rights including those held in common shall have equal force and effect in law with freehold or leasehold rights acquired through allocation, registration of transaction (s. 8 (6)).
TANZANIA, VILLAGE LAND ACT, 1999, Section 18(1): A customary right of occupancy is in every respect of equal status and effect to a granted right of occupancy …[Note: rights of occupancy are the only forms of ownership available, customary rights confirmed or allocated by community governments (village councils), and granted rights of allocated in mainly urban areas by state authorities].
TIMOR-LESTE, LAND LAW, 2017 brings customary rights into parity with freehold rights as prior primary rights, the former having been disadvantaged by being unregistrable, now provided for by the law (Preamble). These are defined as rights of real estate, originating in the light of customary law and based on long-term possession, and having the essential characteristics of ownership/property rights (Article 2 (g)).
Box 2. Examples of Laws Strongly Implying Equal Protection for Community and Private Property. (Cited provisions in italics).
COLOMBIA, CONSTITUTION, 1991, establishes a right to territory in Title XI including indigenous reservations, and which may be self governing (Articles 286–287). The Constitution also establishes that property has a social function (Article 58) and that: The state will protect and promote associational and collective forms of property.
ECUADOR, CONSTITUTION, 2008, Article 321: The State recognizes and guarantees the right to property in all of its forms, whether public, private, community, State, associative, cooperative or mixed-economy, and that it must fulfill its social and environmental role.
ETHIOPIA, CONSTITUTION, 1994, Article 40 (2): ‘Private property’ for the purpose of this Article shall mean any tangible or intangible product which has value and is produced by the labour, creativity, enterprise or capital of an individual citizen, associations which enjoy juridical personality under the law, or in appropriate circumstances, by communities specifically empowered by law to own property in common. Amhara National Regional State Land Law, 2006, Article 10: The land in the region may be held by individuals, groups, communities, and by government.
IRELAND, LAND AND CONVEYANCING LAW REFORM, 2009, SECTION 9: Ownership of land comprises the estates and interests specified in this Part. Section 10 lists these, including at 10(4) a public or customary right as an interest. … The latter includes commonage rights shared by known arable landowners. They take affect as equitable interests (s. 10(6)). Section 10(7): Nothing in this Act affects judicial recognition of equitable interests.
KYRGYZSTAN, CONSTITUTION, 1993, Article 4: In the Kyrgyz Republic, private, state, communal and other forms of property shall be recognized and protected.
LAOS, CONSTITUTION, 1991, Article 17: The State protects and promotes all forms of property rights: state, collective, private domestic and foreign investments in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
MALAWI, LAND ACT, 2016, Section 7 (3): Private land shall be classified as freehold, leasehold or customary estates.
MOZAMBIQUE, CONSTITUTION, 2004, Article 99: The national economy shall guarantee the coexistence of three sectors of ownership of the means of production: public, private and cooperative. The cooperative and social sector comprises, specifically, a. community means of production, held and managed by local communities, and b. means of production exploited by workers.
NEW ZEALAND, TE TURE WHENUA MAORI ACT, 1993: Land falls into three classes of Crown, General and Maori Land, the last being the subject of this Act. Part 6 on Status of Maori Land defines Maori land as including Maori customary, Maori freehold, General Land owned by Maori, and Crown Land reserved for Maori.
SOUTH AFRICA, CONSTITUTION, 1996, Article 25 (7): A person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1013 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices is entitled, to the extent provided by an Act of Parliament, either to restitution or that property or to equitable redress.
SWEDEN, REAL PROPERTY FORMATION ACT, 1970, Section 3: According to this law, a joint property unit is land belonging in common to several property units.
VANUATU, The Custom Land Management Act, 2013, Article 2: custom owners means any lineage, family, clan, tribe or other group who are regarded by the rules of custom, following the custom of the area in which the land is situated, as the perpetual owners of that land and, in those custom areas where an individual person is regarded by custom as able to own custom land.
UKRAINE, LAND CODE, 2001, Article 83, where land ownership rights of territorial communities are specified as lands owned by village, settlement, and city territorial communities in communal ownership.
Box 3. Examples Where Equal Protection of Community and Private Property Has Been Ordered by the Courts (Cited provisions in italics).
USA: In United States v. Shosone Tribes 304 U.S. 111 (1937), the Court held that the right of occupancy is as sacred as the fee—the right of perpetual and exclusive occupation of the land is no less valuable that full title in fee.
INDONESIA: The Basic Agrarian Law, 1960, protects customary land tenure (hak ulayat) (Articles 1–2) including the right of customary land communities to regulate their lands (Article 2 (4)). However, Article 3 states that communal property must be adapted to national interests. Communities have used Article 6 that ‘All rights on land have a social function’ to demand that community forestlands be recognized as the lawful property of communities. This was ruled to be so by the Constitutional Court in 2013. Eighteen communities have since received documents certifying this, but legal provision for collective title is yet to promulgated.
MALAYSIA: The Federal Court and High Court of Malaysia recognize that indigenous communities have a proprietary interest in their ancestral lands (High Court Rulings in Adong bin Kuqua & Others v Kerajaan Negeri Johor & Anor (1997). Sagong Bin Tasi v Government of Malaysia (2002) ruled that the Orang Asili Aboriginal peoples have proprietary interest in and to their customary and ancestral lands).
Table 7 above also lists cases where equitable protection for community and private property is not provided. This is because the law fails to provide for communal landholding as property interests to the same extent as it protects individual holdings in the customary sector (e.g., Lesotho, Mongolia, Afghanistan), or because protection is weaker for community lands, even where the law acknowledges these as property interests. This may be because title is vested only indirectly in communities, but which is not the case for privately registered properties in the country (e.g., Namibia), or because customary ownership as compared to statutorily granted rights are unable to be registered directly (e.g., Zambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Swaziland).
Compensation for Community and Private Lands at Compulsory Acquisition Is Not Fully Equitable
The positive picture above is dented by realities of how far communities are compensated for loss of their lands when Governments appropriate these for public purposes. This research did not examine this aspect in the laws. However, another study by the author, although focused only on Africa, found that only 12 out of 54 African Constitutions (22 percent) stipulate that compensation must be paid for all forms of interests lost at compulsory acquisition, including to occupants in good faith who do not hold evidential deeds of their rights [46]. A study by Tagliarino of 30 Asian and African land laws found that only seven of these (23 percent) grant compensation to landholders whether or not their lands are formally registered [47]. Furthermore, that study found that only 15 of 30 laws oblige governments to pay for takings of forests, rangelands, or other undeveloped lands belonging to communities.
Instances do exist where community lands have stronger protection than granted private lands. Customary rights are presumed, or specified in laws, as held in perpetuity, where this is not the case for statutorily granted rights in some countries, held for limited but renewable terms. Six countries in this sample have adopted the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) prior to interference in community lands: Panama, The Philippines, and Venezuela in respect of Indigenous Peoples, and South Africa, Peru, and Colombia in respect of all communities.
3.10. Absolute Ownership by Communities Is Legally Denied in a Minority of Cases
A structural difference between community and private property exists in some countries. This is where title to community property is not vested directly in communities, but in the State on their behalf, but in conditions where this is not the case for registered private owners. This can result in an unequal playing field for community and private landholders, as the State has the potential to use its trusteeship to make decisions not in the interests of community landholders.
To identify countries where this potential exists, it is necessary to exclude those where all land is vested in the nation or the State/Head of State. In these countries, property rights for all landholders are not ownership of the land itself, but ownership of rights to the nation’s land. This is the situation in 22 of the 73 countries in the sample (30 percent): Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Vietnam, Zambia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. This separation of ownership of the land and ownership of rights to the land descends from either English common law as developed in feudal times, or from policies of nationalization. For purposes here, the fact that all landholders including private persons are equally affected, provides a level playing field, at least in theory. In practice, many citizens feel the effects as more landlordism and opportunities for Governments to use their trusteeship to override local interests with more will.
This may be presumed to be more so the case where only community lands are vested in the State, while private tenure is not subject to state overlordship. In this sample of 73 states, this affects the native Indian lands of Brazil, the communal lands of Zimbabwe and Namibia, the tribal territories of Morocco, the customary lands of Swaziland, the lands of ‘small Indigenous Peoples’ in the Russian Federation, the aboriginal land rights granted to Liberians in the 1940s, the communal (grazing) lands traditionally belonging to communities in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, and many if not all of the native territories of Canada, Australia and USA. In some cases, including South Africa and Kenya, vesting title in the State or in government agencies of state is temporary, until communities secure case-by-case collective entitlements as prescribed by the law.
Retaining title to only community lands in the above countries stems largely from protective paternalism, intended to limit sales in ways that may be later regretted. The law in USA defines Indian lands as ‘lands the title to which is held by the United States in trust for an Indian tribe or lands the title to which is held by an Indian subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation’ (Section 81, 3501). The fact that community lands, especially of Indigenous Peoples, are customarily held to be the property of generations past, present, and future, reinforces the adopted duty of protection. Yet, it may be argued that communities should be as free as individual owners to sell their lands and the lands of their descendants if they so wish, although with constraints in modern times to ensure majority consent.
3.11. Freedom to Sell Community Property Is Freely Permitted in Only One Third of Sample Countries
Ultimately, the distinguishing feature of private property is that it may be alienated, that is, sold freely. This is conventionally understood to not be the case for community property. Many customary norms prevent members of the community selling community property, although each member may hold an exclusive right to land, including the right to bequeath it to heirs. In some customary regimes, sale of family parcels within the domain has long been permitted, subject to permission of the traditional authority. One may refer to Earle’s work cited at the beginning of this paper, showing that such transfers or sales have likely existed for thousands of years. It may be fairly safely speculated that both community and state refusal to permit sales of community lands has a much more recent origin, responding to unwanted losses and encroachments, or from the protective policies of modern governments.
Table 8 provides information on 60 of the 73 countries which recognized community lands as property. Thirty-four (57 percent) permit community owners to alienate certain parts of the shared property. Nineteen of these country laws permit the entire property to be sold. This requires majority community support, and/or the permission of elected or traditional leaders, and frequently, the endorsement of government authorities.
Table 8. The Legal Right of Communities to Sell their Property in a Sample of 60 states.
Of course, communities may themselves determine that their lands are not alienable or even leasable. A 1992 law in Mexico permitting peasant communities to sell parts of their lands resulted in less than one tenth taking up this opportunity by 2014 [48].
The mechanisms used to limit sales of community lands include vesting the title in the State, in trust for communities, as described above. This does not always prevent a community from lawfully leasing its land. Sale is also impossible where laws declare community property to be unsaleable. This mainly affects Indigenous Peoples. In Panama, the lands of indigenous communities are ‘collective, indefinite, non-transferable, irrevocable and inalienable’ (Article 9 of Act 72 of 2008). Chile’s Ley Indigena 1979 recognizes Indigenous Peoples as the lawful owners of their land, but which may not be ‘sold, seized, taxed or acquired by prescription’ (Article 13). Nicaragua’s Law 445 recognizes ownership of indigenous and ethnic communities over lands they traditionally occupy, but also guarantees their inalienability, imprescriptibility, and unattachability (Article 24). In Spain, the Forest in Common Hand Act, 1980, provides for communities to own forested lands with the equivalent effect as of private property, but which lands are also described as ‘inalienable, exempt from prescription and seizure, and indivisible’ (Article 132).
Other limitations may be imposed. In Cuba, the State has preferential rights to purchase cooperative lands. In Chile, authorization from the Land Office is required to sell certain categories of community property. In Peru, rights to lease community properties exist for only some classes of communities. In Morocco, community land may only be leased to members of the tribe. In Malawi, it is only the usufruct in perpetuity that may be sold, and this may occur only five years after the individual, family, or group has obtained a registered certificate of customary estate.
3.12. Most Nations Require Formal Entitlement to Secure Community Property
It has been expedient for some countries to declare community lands to be property, rather than to provide for this through systematic entitlement. This is normally where most of the country area is untitled, customary property. For example, community lands cover more than 80 percent of Fiji, Ghana, Morocco, South Sudan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone and Vanuatu. Declamation of these lands as “lawfully owned” changes their status overnight.
This has mainly been achieved through constitutional statement. This relieves Government of burdensome systematic titling, and takes into account the reality that titling can take many years. While positive, a more negative effect is that state funding and commitment to assisted titling is slack, and in the interim, without demarcated or mapped domains, takings or redesignation of key parts of community lands can occur more easily [49].
To recognize and uphold community ownership, most countries in this sample (39 of 71 states, 55 percent) require formal adjudication, survey, and registration, with issue of native title or other forms of entitlement (Table 9, column 3).
Table 9. Formalization as the Route to Recognition of Community Property in Sample of 71 Countries.
Table 9 also lists 18 countries where legal recognition of community property is not dependent upon statutory processes of titling (column 1). Column 2 lists another 14 countries where community lands are recognized as property with or without formal issue of titles, but where the law lays out procedures for systematic adjudication, survey, and registration of community lands, and strongly encourages uptake.
3.13. It is Becoming Easier for Communities to Register Directly as Landowners
One reason for the State retaining title of community property on behalf of communities has been the legal convention that only individuals or corporate entities are jural persons, and therefore, registrable owners. Procedures for a community to form a legal entity are often complex, expensive, and beyond community means, notably the case in both Australia and Canada for Indigenous Peoples. Less burdensome processes are provided in Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, China, and Germany, whereby state agencies establish the entity for the community.
Along with widening access to socially collective tenure, ease of access is visibly favoured. This includes accepting a community as a legal person for purposes of property registration without its incorporation, or by registering itself through steps the community may take at no cost and with no need for external expertize. Sixteen of 22 new land laws (73 percent) since 2000 provide for this. Examples are given in Box 4.
Box 4. Examples of Laws where the Community is a Legal Person for Purposes of Registering Land Ownership.
ANGOLA: the community may seek title without incorporation for a Community Useful Domain through straightforward procedures laid out in the Land Law, 2004 and in Regulations 2007.
BOLIVIA: the Constitution 2009 recognizes rural communities as human collectives, to self-determine their territoriality and own land and territory collectively (Article 30).
BURKINA FASO: a community is recognized as customarily a collective landowner and unregistered rights held to be property assets, acquired through assignment, certificate of evidence or acquisition by ordinary processes including inheritance, purchase, donation and legacies (Law 034 of 2012 On Agrarian Reform).
CAMBODIA: a named and described indigenous community may receive an entitlement (Land Law, 2001, Articles 8 & 10).
AFGHANISTAN: customary, shariat, and statutory allocation letters are accepted as evidence of possession of a described pasture to a named community and which land may also be more formally registered as under its exclusive use (Land Management Law, 2017, Law on Pasture and Grazing Land, 2000, Articles 2 & 4).
ECUADOR: the Constitution establishes that communities who hold collective land ownership are recognized as an ancestral form of territorial organization, and are acknowledged as owners thereof (2008, Articles 57–60).
ETHIOPIA: land holding rights may be issued to an individual, a group of people or to a community (Amhara National Regional State Proclamation No. 133 of 2006 On Land).
FIJI: Clan lands are directly registered as Native Reserves (iTaukei Land Act, Cap 134).
MOZAMBIQUE: customary occupancy is lawful and protected without registration but a community may secure a standard land title also available to others through a procedure laid out in the law, registered in its own name (Land Law, 1997, with Regulations Governing Procedure, No. 66 of 1998).
TANZANIA: ‘A person, a family, a group of persons recognized as such under customary law or who have formed themselves together as an association, a primary cooperative society or as any other body recognized by any law which permits that body to be formed, who is or are villagers … and all of whom are citizens, may apply to the village council of that village for a customary right of occupancy’ (Village Land Act, 1999, Section 22 (1)).
KENYA: ‘A community must first register itself with the county government, providing a list of members, and which list shall be updated annually, the rules and regulations by which the community has agreed to manage its property, and the list of persons it has appointed or elected in a public meeting to serve as the community land management committee, along with minutes of that meeting’ (Community Land Act, 2016, Section 7 (6)). Once registered, the community may then apply to have its lands adjudicated, surveyed and registered (Sections 7 and 10).
3.14. Communities May Govern Their Properties to the Same Degree as Private Persons
Few question the authority of a private landowner or corporation to make decisions about the property within the limits of planning or other regulations. Authority is more complex for multi-person owners. Nonetheless, a review of relevant legal provisions in a sample of 44 countries finds that all but three identify the community as the primary decision-maker (93 percent). The exceptions are Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ukraine, where primary authority is vested in local governments.
In 25 countries, community governance is supervised by local governments, land boards, commissions, or by paramount chiefs and councils. Some of these bodies have powers to approve or deny decisions made by the community or its land council. Land transfers from community lands require the approval of such state agencies in Cuba, Chile, and Portugal. In Laos, Vietnam and China, community properties are at one end of a linked continuum of properties to the national State, with each level exercising a source of influence, appeal, and advice to the level below it.
While these findings suggest less independent authority over community property than is the case for private owners, community-level jurisdiction indisputably anchors the community property system. Community level institutions are endorsed or created by the law in 26 of 44 countries (59 percent). These include boards of directors of agricultural communities (Chile), Community Land Management Committees (Kenya), Village Land Commissions (Mali), Commons Boards (Norway), Boards of Indigenous Land Groups (Papua New Guinea), Peoples Councils (Vietnam), and Pasture Unions (Kyrgyzstan).
The accountability of these bodies to community landowners is usually specified. The latter constitute assemblies in a number of countries. These elect officers to perform day-to-day land management (e.g., Romania, Kenya). In Vanuatu, the assembly (nakamal) explicitly includes children, as the future guardians of community lands held in perpetuity. Inclusive decision-making is specified in 24 of 44 relevant laws (54 percent). Seven of the ten newest laws (2013–2017) emphasize democratic norms, with quorums stipulated in the laws to ensure maximum participation of community members (Mali, Afghanistan, Timor Leste, Kenya, Malawi Vietnam and Vanuatu).
3.14.1. Customary Rules Play a Major Role in Collective Property Management
In 33 of 44 laws (75 percent), the community may adopt customary norms and/or develop community-based rules through which the property is governed. A hybrid approach is widely indicated, the law admitting customary norms but also requiring adherence to constitutional rights and laws, and the creation of community based organs to ensure maximum participation. Portugal’s law relating to communal rangelands and forests (‘wastelands’) reads:
‘The wastelands are administered in their own right, by their co-owners in accordance with applicable customs and habits or, in their absence, through democratically elected bodies or organs. Local communities are organized, for the exercise of representation, actions, management and supervision through an assembly of co-owners, a governing board and a supervisory board. The members of the board of the assembly and the governing board and the supervisory board are elected for periods of two years, renewable, and remain in office until they are replaced’.
(Law on Uncultivated Lands (Baldios), No 68 of 1993, Article 11)
3.14.2. Links between Community Land Governance and Local Government
In a number of cases, community property is defined through a corollary system wherein communities constitute the most local level of government. Armenia’s Land Code of 2001 is a good example. The community owns land and other property within the prescribed area, with the exception of lands owned by the state (forests), and parcels within the domain owned by natural and legal persons. The community body is a legal person under public law. The community elects a Head of Community and a Council of Elders, for terms of five years to serve as the local self-government body, including decision-making on all land and resource matters. Residents participate in decision-making through local referenda. Powers of State bodies may be delegated to local self-government bodies (Articles 179–184).
The results of this study are surprising, even to this author, a specialist in the subject. Determining if a country’s laws meet criteria to be deemed positive for community property was especially difficult in some cases and four may have been too harshly and four too generously assessed. Overall, the picture remains stable: most modern states (around three-quarters) provide for community lands as a lawful class of property. Moreover, while distinct from classically individualized and state-granted private property, this form of land ownership largely enjoys equivalent legal protection.
There are also signs of continuing new and planned provision for this in more countries, suggesting an expanding trend. Moreover, this is apparent in all regions of the world (perhaps excepting the Middle East), confined neither to capitalist nor to socialist economies. While the focus thus far has been firmly upon rural lands, the utility of collective property in the poorest parts of expanding cities has been observed. Overall, it may be concluded that socially-based collective property is fast becoming an accepted part of property relations guided and protected by statutes, taking its place among more traditional and individual-centric norms. The construct is itself being modernized, seemingly accepted by parliaments, of only grudgingly, as having roles to perform which individualized, absolute property rights have been unable to cater to, with rising risks of insecurity of habitation and livelihood for millions of citizens. Supporting factors include:
the inherently devolved nature of community-based tenure as governed at the most local level of rural society, pertinent to discernible demand for more devolved and inclusive governance in many regions;
the ability of this system to encompass naturally collective off-farm resources of critical use to community members—assets that have been long excluded in many countries as owned or generically ownable other than by the State; and
as being so proximate to land users and their socio-economic and cultural realities, possessing unique relevance to local conditions and easy adaptability in rules and practices to changing demands.
In the process, customary tenure, so widely practised in many regions, is, in effect, becoming indistinguishable from introduced forms of autonomous collective landholding. This can be seen in:
shifting gender property relations at community level;
adoption of family tenure into many norms;
more precise distinction between family and common property within the community domain;
rising flexibility in to whom and how lands may be transferred; and
most remarked upon in this study, changes expressing pressing demands for fuller popular inclusion in decision-making on land matters.
This adaptability also reflects modern reality that even the remotest community of persons is both defined and bound by socio-spatial interests in the local environment, and citizens of modern states whose constitutions dictate human rights and governance agendas with ever-more precision, and to which communities increasingly contribute.
Changes also respond to several decades of globalizing human rights awareness and among which tenure security is slowly finding its place as a human right in relevant circumstances. Globalized connectivity among countries and their populations meaning there is more popular knowledge as to changes in other countries also plays a role. There has also been perhaps some political embarrassment in post-colonial states that so many millions of citizens have had to wait one to four centuries for laws to acknowledge that their lands were already owned, and continue to be owned, if not in ways that European norms cared to embrace. Self-definition by Indigenous Peoples of themselves and their lands, is also contributing to changed status of community-based tenure, with laws seen in this study to have expanded to all landed communities.
In a legal sense, there are also signs of weakening boundaries between customary and statutory law, delivering as much integration as pluralism in legal support. It may be safely speculated that customary landholders themselves are more rather than less demanding that national statutes embeds and protects norms and rights once deemed the preserve of customary tenure.
These shifting sands over the last few decades are unsurprising, in light of rising state, private and commercial demand for lands, resources on and under lands, and social polarization in interests and demands, threatening the interests of poor populations who may have in the past not found their interests practically interfered with. It is significant, this study finds, that legal requirement that communities secure formal title to their lands is not disappearing, even as many parliaments accept that community-based property does, after all, already exist, whether or not past laws have acknowledged this. This is testimony to raised concern about mass insecurity by both state parties and their populations. Of course, the drivers may be different, for some a means to feed a market in land, for others to help limit encroachment or willful land takings with more evidence of ownership. Recognition of a community as a juridical person for registration purposes is one of the simplifications towards titling that this research has noted.
More subtle changes are afoot. The meaning of property in land itself is altering, widening its scope to admit different constructs and attributes, and without loss of protection because of those differences. This will open the way to more innovation during the 21st century, especially as socio-spatial collective tenure evolves further in response to urban circumstances.
The legal paradigms in this transformation are imperfect. Even laws that are most supportive of community-based tenure have shortfalls, both intended and unintended, which may easily be exploited to slow down the application of law. Resistance of traditional authorities to lessen their control over land disposition or to make decisions without popular consent, also visibly slow reforms in some countries, as does heightening polarization among national decision-makers and society as to how far all land must be a marketable commodity, a never-ending debate. Or, as has been mentioned in this study, reluctance around legal recognition of community property stems in part from the reluctance of governments to dramatically decrease the scope of public lands over which they have primary control.
In short, iteration—or reiteration—of socially collective property and its entrenchment in statutes—remains a work in progress. The fact that laws find it necessary to be explicit that community and private property have equal force and effect suggests that questions still arise as to why and how this should be so. The efforts of millions of beneficiaries, mainly poor citizens, to sustain progress, vigilance around attempts to renege on commitments, likely surges in encroachment upon rights and land, and resort to courts to secure impartial support for tenure security, will be needed for some time.
In the interim, private, public, and community lands will continue to battle for space and make claims upon each other in legal and practical terms, the latter often in state supported land takings that rank commercial land development above majority tenure security. In respects, the tensions are not much different from those that defined the philosophical debates of Plato and Aristotle, Locke and Hobbes, Mill and Marx, or Polanyi and Friedman on the role of property in the State. Perhaps the most that can be hoped for is periodic rebalancing in property relations between the social and economic, the collective and the individual, governments and their citizens, subsistence and commercial demands, and that justice as popularly perceived at the time, is achieved more often than not.
No grant has been received in support of this research.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947) — a Russian painter, scenic designer, scientist, writer, traveller, and public figure. He is considered to be an unsurpassed master of mountains. He was taught drawing by Mikhail Mikeshin (1881–1893). Roerich studied at the Faculty of Law in St. Petersburg University (1893–1898), at the Academy of Art (1893–1901) where he was taught by Arkhip Kuinji, and at the studio of F. Cormon in Paris (1900–1901). In 1909, he became an Academician of Painting. He executed more than 7,000 paintings united into thematic cycles and series. As a scenic designer, he took part in famous Diaghilev's “Russian Seasons” in Paris. Roerich also was engaged in literary work and wrote poems, tales and apologues. Many of them are literary parallels of his canvases. All his life he generously presented the world with his talent, and only in the future it will be possible to realise the true value of his work.
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Home News Latest News Our May/June 2013 “On My Deathbed” Winner Explains His Picks
Our May/June 2013 “On My Deathbed” Winner Explains His Picks
Written By American Songwriter // June 25, 2013
May/June 2013 “On My Deathbed” winner Joe Holt reveals his prize picks. From Queen to The Civil Wars, read Joe’s ruminations on the picks that helped him win the Martin CPCPA1 Plus Acoustic/Electric Guitar. And enter the July/August “On My Deathbed” contest for your chance to win a Martin CEO-6 Black Guitar.
A Day At The Races – Queen
While A Night at the Opera was the first Queen album I heard (and the most famous one) this album is my favourite one by the band. “You Take My Breath Away” is my favourite Queen song, with all the harmony parts sung by Freddie for a wall of sound. Classics like “Somebody to Love” and “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” make this perhaps the overall strongest album by them.
Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes
I bought this album a few months ago and listened to it on repeat for weeks. Again, the partnership between Robin Pecknold’s lyrics with the music from the band is incredible. With thoughtfully retrospective lyrics and a strong undercurrent of soul-searching, this album touches places that many other bands cannot. Also it gives me lots of hipster street cred.
The Wild Hunt – Tallest Man On Earth
I’ve recently gotten into The Tallest Man on Earth, and this album inspired a lot of the songs I’ve been writing recently. His guitar playing is astounding, with notable tracks being “Troubles Will Be Gone” and “Love is All.” The lyrical depth and vocal acrobatics don’t hurt, either.
Boys And Girls – Alabama Shakes
I saw the Alabama Shakes play the House of Blues in Boston and they were incredible. Singer Brittany Howard is full of energy and sounds even better live than she does on the album. They’re one of the few bands that became successful purely based on the quality of the music, which is of course something to admire.
Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars
Joy Williams and John Paul White have scarily good chemistry together. When you watch videos of them singing, they look completely at ease with one another – it’s almost as if they share one body’s emotions. Smart songwriting and emotional harmonies make this album one of my top 10.
Radio Music Society – Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza is a genius. I have no idea how she does what she does – the composition of the music for her huge band, the way she can play arrhythmic, complex bass lines while singing the melody – she’s amazing. I saw her play in New York and she tried to do a sing along, but her music was too complicated for the audience! We couldn’t sing that many notes.
Permission To Land – The Darkness
This album is just fun. The Darkness have the best live show I’ve ever seen, with singer Justin Hawkins stage-diving and crowd-surfing his way through their old classics and their newer material. The songs are full of energy and life and never take themselves too seriously, which is something that should be appreciated. There’s something admirable about a mustachioed 38 year old jumping around in a leather catsuit, screaming the C-word in a piercing falsetto.
Absolution – Muse
I remember sitting on the bus listening to “Thoughts of a Dying Atheist” and suddenly thinking about becoming a musician. Something about that song clicked for me and made me want to do this for a living. Also, this album ranges from the most beautiful ballads (“Endlessly”) to straight-ahead hard rock (“The Small Print”) and never gets boring. It’s one of the most thoughtful albums by a rock band in the last 20 years.
Foxy Shazam – Foxy Shazam
I heard of Foxy Shazam when I saw them open for the Darkness in Webster Hall, NYC. Things I remember from the concert: the singer pelvic thrusting so hard he knocked his mic over, the keyboardist standing on the piano and turning in circles during his solo, the singer eating a box of cigarettes, the singer eating his mic – and they were just opening. This is a great modern rock band that, like The Darkness, isn’t afraid to have fun with their music.
Astral Weeks – Van Morrison
I bought this album after reading Lester Bang’s incredible collection of music reviews, “Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung.” The album is fantastic. Unlike the poppy, almost predictable later work of Van Morrison, “Astral Weeks” is a complex, meditative piece of work. He’ll sing the same word fifteen times in a row, turning it over in his mouth and spitting it out again, a different sounding entity each time. There was no format to the songs – session musicians simply improvised over Van’s melody and chords, and the album sounds fresh and original.
To enter the July/August “On My Deathbed” contest, simply click here and tell us the “ten albums you’d take to the other side” and you’ll be entered to win a Martin CEO-6 Black Guitar.
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Urban decay, Baltimore style: abandoned and derelict rowhouses. Photograph: Patrick Semansky/AP
Cities in depth
Gentrify or die? Inside a university’s controversial plan for Baltimore
Three years after the death of Freddie Gray, the renowned Johns Hopkins medical school is transforming a vast 88-acre section of Baltimore out of what it calls ‘enlightened self-interest’. Will it work – and is it right?
Siddhartha Mitter
Wed 18 Apr 2018 07.41 EDT
The minivan is passing through a scene that typifies urban decay, Baltimore-style: blocks of modest rowhouses, where some dwellings are inhabited, others are boarded up or abandoned to the elements, and some blocks are entirely vacant, studded with empty lots.
“This was east Baltimore,” says Ron Daniels, an affable scholar of law and political science whose accent betrays his Canadian roots, and who since 2009 has been the president of Johns Hopkins University. “Block after block after block. It was either boarded-up vacant housing or just fields strewn with rubble.”
The van turns off Broadway, and reaches a kind of clearing in this landscape: an 88-acre zone that on the map has the shape of a grand piano. At the southern end – the piano’s keys – is a thicket of shiny new construction: offices, labs, a hotel, a tall apartment building. Then there is a townhouse complex set around a courtyard; a few rehabilitated rowhouses; and some decrepit ones that have so far escaped the bulldozer. And space: a lot of empty space, large open parcels of land, cleared and ready for action.
Abandoned buildings slated for demolition near Baltimore’s Eager Park – a contrast to the new offices, labs, and hotel behind.Photograph: J.M. Giordano/The Guardian
Many Baltimoreans who remember this area before it got almost totally levelled still call it by its old name: Middle East.
But in 2002, it became the East Baltimore Development Initiative (EBDI), one of the most aggressive urban redevelopment initiatives in the US in recent memory. Now, after 16 years, with many delays and controversies, it’s finally taking shape. “I think it’s fair to say that we’ve tipped this development,” Daniels says, with a measure of relief. “There’s enough here, and there’s a logic to what we are doing, so that it will continue.”
For the university, the EDBI has meant creating the space to expand its already-renowned medical campus into a full-fledged life-sciences hub, to rival those around Harvard, MIT, or Stanford and attract the top scientists, students and start-up entrepreneurs.
It is inconceivable that Hopkins would remain a pre-eminent institution in a city that continues to suffer decline
For east Baltimore – once a thriving blue-collar community hit by disinvestment, depopulation and the attendant decay and crime – the new project beckons new middle-income residents with its planned shops and amenities, public school (backed by the university), park, and the biggest economic infusion the area has seen in decades: jobs, commerce and $1.8bn of direct investment.
It’s a huge gamble by the largest private employer in Maryland: to drive a huge transformation of the urban landscape, tearing down most of a distressed neighbourhood, relocating about 740 families, and trying to combine a new biotech innovation hub with what it is hoped will be a sustainable mixed-income, mixed-race neighbourhood.
It’s a bet on symbiosis – between the university, a manufactured new residential community, and the existing neighbourhoods around it. It’s a bet to revitalise east Baltimore and set a model for anchor institutions in other cities. Above all, it’s a bet that the whole thing won’t turn out to be a cautionary tale.
For Johns Hopkins, the vast mobilisation of time and money has both ethical and business justifications, Daniels says. “You can make the moral case of why, given the bounty of resources that we have, it’s incumbent on us to share with the city. But the other thing is to make clear that this is an enlightened form of self-interest. It is inconceivable that Hopkins would remain a pre-eminent institution in a city that continues to suffer decline.”
An abandoned school bordering Eager Park.Photograph: J.M. Giordano/The Guardian
But there are other views. “This is gentrification, a big institution pushing out a vulnerable community for its benefit,” says Lawrence Brown, a critical urbanist who teaches in the school of community health and policy at Morgan State, Baltimore’s historically black university.
Marisela Gomez, a physician and activist in the fight for fair treatment of displaced residents, is blunter. “Every community that’s black and brown and low-income in Baltimore is at risk.”
Too big a gamble?
Three years after the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, and the explosion of pent-up community rage that followed, Baltimoreans tend to agree on one thing: now is a window of opportunity for more inclusive development. But they have different visions for what that means.
The partners in EBDI – Johns Hopkins, the City of Baltimore, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a major local philanthropic organisation – have been careful not to call it “urban renewal”.
A mural at the Gilmor Homes housing project where Freddie Gray was arrested.Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
That term is permanently tainted by the massive projects of the 1950s and 1960s that demolished whole neighbourhoods, often ramming highways through them, and primarily displaced black and other disadvantaged communities. Instead, EBDI’s backers speak of rejuvenation, or revitalisation.
In Freddie Gray's neighborhood, more than a third of households are in poverty
Still, the venture is a bit of a throwback to the old slum-clearance days. It has involved tearing down 2,000 rowhouses, preserving only about 200. Most were vacant, but even so hundreds of homeowners and tenants were dispossessed. Only a few dozen have been able to stay within the EBDI zone. The vast majority have scattered.
For the better part of 15 years, EBDI’s clumsy execution and uncertain end-point have made for a vivid running theme in Baltimore civic life. In the business pages, the city’s boosters fretted. Had Hopkins gambled too big? Would the bad reputation of east Baltimore permanently deter investment and undermine the “eds and meds” formula – universities and health complexes attracting innovation and driving job growth – that had helped cities like Pittsburgh?
The new Henderson-Hopkins public school gave priority to local children, causing controversy.Photograph: John Hopkins University
The reaction in the community was no better. The EBDI’s methods were peremptory: at the outset, in 2002, residents only learned of the imminent destruction of their homes in news reports. Activists had to agitate for fair compensation and relocation terms, and to ensure the demolitions were safe and did not stir up contaminants. There were standoffs that led to arrests. For years, the area was a dead zone – empty land, vacated buildings, parking lots – and the Great Recession of 2008 further delayed investment and construction.
Community activists bridled at the costs. Homeowners, who made up half of the displaced, had traded houses valued at $30,000 or less for packages to purchase homes elsewhere for five times that amount – but which led to tax and mortgage burdens they could not afford. Renters, who made up about half of the displaced, were more vulnerable still. Meanwhile, each new construction project presented fresh questions about lack of inclusion. First, in 2012, came a tall apartment building on Wolfe Street, with 321 rentals for Hopkins graduate students only.
Then the public school, Henderson-Hopkins, moved into its swanky facilities in 2014. A public school, it had partnerships with Johns Hopkins to support curriculum and family services, a state of the art early-childhood centre, and admission by lottery. But it gave priority to children of residents within the EBDI footprint, and there were very few of these. It took another round of fights with community activists to allocate more spots to the children of surrounding working-class areas.
A model of the Eager Park community in East Baltimore.Photograph: Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post/Getty Images
And when the first batch of fifty homes went up for sale – a set of renovated rowhouses, and a townhome complex built around a central courtyard – Hopkins offered its employees a hefty subsidy of $36,000, raising concerns. In principle, it would improve access to the new homes for lower-income Hopkins employees, including those who already lived in east Baltimore. In practice, would it not mostly benefit the more privileged biotech professionals the university was aiming to attract?
Beneath all this lurked a question of cultural loss. For 30 years, the EBDI area had been known as Middle East, following a community campaign in the 1970s to repair properties. Now those properties were coming down, and taking the neighbourhood name with it. Middle East, in the Baltimore context, connoted crime and dereliction. Consultants led a rebranding exercise to name the new green space, settling on on Eager Park. The name was not entirely random – John Eager Howard was a revolutionary war figure and early governor of Maryland, and Eager Street runs through the neighbourhood – but it is certainly market-friendly, with its suggestion of freshness, brightness, anticipation. Perhaps inevitably, the whole EBDI area is now referred to as Eager Park.
A fortress no longer
The sense of critical mass is relatively recent. First, in late 2016, a six-storey office and laboratory building opened on Ashland Avenue. It is home to FastForward, the university’s start-up incubator. Companies get advice, work and meeting facilities, lab space with shared equipment, and access to Hopkins scientists. “The ecosystem is developing quite nicely,” says Sebastian Seiguer, co-founder of Emocha, which uses video technology to ensure patients take their medication. With 14 employees, Emocha is outgrowing the incubator space, and will soon move – but within the city. “I’m a Baltimore native,” Seiguer says. “This incubator is an effort to make Baltimore a place where people stay.”
A Starbucks opened on the ground floor in February 2017 – the classic harbinger of gentrification, perhaps, but also one of the chain’s “opportunity cafés,” which incorporate jobs, youth training, and minority contracting components. These have opened in other low-income neighbourhoods, including Ferguson, Missouri, and Chicago’s South Side.
‘This is an enlightened form of self-interest’ ... Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins university, at a ribbon-cutting event for Eager Park in May 2017.Photograph: Will Kirk/Homewood Photography
In May 2017, the park opened, with an inaugural ceremony that included Daniels and the mayor, Catherine Pugh. It is a long rectangular strip of 5.5 acres that stretches across three blocks, and shows the thoughtful features of contemporary urban design: a tasteful mix of concrete and wood-plank footpaths, a breezy glass-and-steel pavilion, a community garden. Private security guards sit in booths that are conspicuously placed around the park’s perimeter. On a chilly afternoon, the park was almost empty; but summertime promises vegetables, concerts, children splashing in the fountain, yoga in the grass.
Then, in October, the hotel opened: a Marriott Residence Inn, facing the park’s southern end, filling out a block where forty rowhouses once stood. It has 194 suites catering to longer-stay guests – such as families of hospital patients – plus retail space and a top-floor restaurant with a sweeping view. That’s when Daniels, the son of a Toronto real estate developer, began to exhale. “Now there’s a sense that there’s a steady march forward.”
The energy here certainly differs from the main hospital buildings, which present a fortress-style face. With fences, skywalks and forbidding facades broken by loading docks, the medical campus sent hostile signals to its surroundings, and got hostility in return. Assault and theft were common; beggars set up at traffic lights. “Fundamentally it was a hunker-down strategy,” Daniels says. “The traditional thinking was that the best way to protect the university was to ensure that its perimeters were effectively controlled, and that you were creating safe zones within them.”
There is a stark, at times eerie contrast between the older buildings and the new development.Photograph: Siddhartha Mitter
By contrast, the new office and lab buildings in the EBDI feel like they welcome – and want to generate – foot traffic. It is nothing fancy: ground floor retail, some steps and patios, small setbacks creating spaces to meet and gather. The Charm City Circulator – a free bus that augments Baltimore’s patchwork public transport system with links between the various university campuses and downtown – has put a terminus at the foot of Eager Park. On a weekday, the main streets here are quite busy with students and lab workers. There are two cafés, a Walgreens drugstore, and the first street-level restaurant, an Afghan establishment, has arrived. It’s just a start, but the promise is there.
But this mounting activity contrasts with the eerie feel that still prevails at the far end of Eager Park. Across from the park’s northern edge is a baleful row of vacant houses with their windows taken out, awaiting demolition. At the corner, a squat building with boarded-up doors still has a red awning announcing its former identity as a Baptist church. In other directions you see empty fields, low warehouses, commercial vans in a fenced lot. There is little foot traffic and not many cars.
This will change, of course. Almost every space is slated for construction: more biotech buildings on the southern side, a lot of housing in the north and middle of all types – apartment buildings, townhomes, and rowhouse restorations; sales and rentals; market-rate, affordable, low-income, reserved for workforce or seniors. There are more than 700 homes in the pipeline, with potentially many more to come.
The Eager Park design is open, to encourage more footfall.Photograph: Will Kirk/Homewood Photography
In other words, it is too early to know what the future Eager Park community will look like, let alone its effects on east Baltimore. But everyone has a theory, and arguments to support it.
“Baltimore is the poster child for deindustrialisation in the United States,” says Rob English, lead organiser for BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development), part of a network of community groups that traces its origins to Saul Alinsky in 1940s Chicago. Although many American cities have hollowed out as manufacturing declined, English says that Baltimore has suffered particularly badly.
The east side bore much of the brunt. Its anchor for most of the 20th century was Bethlehem Steel, which had an enormous plant – at one time, the largest steel mill in the world - at Sparrows Point, or “the Point,” some 10 miles southeast of downtown on the Patapsco River. During the Great Migration, black migrants arriving from the south found good jobs in Baltimore’s manufacturing plants. Redlining and other racist practices drove them into certain areas east and west of downtown; many who worked at the Point lived in east Baltimore. “This was the blue-collar African-American neighbourhood,” English says. “East Baltimore was built because of Bethlehem Steel.”
At its peak in 1959, the mill employed about 35,000 workers. By the 1980s, it was down to 8,000. Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt in 2003. There were only 2,000 workers left at the mill when a successor firm shut it for good in 2012. As Bethlehem went, so did the rest of Baltimore industry. Depopulation – from job losses, white flight, and eventually black middle-class flight as well – reduced Baltimore City’s population (as distinct from suburban Baltimore County) from its mid-20th century peak of nearly one million to 615,000 in 2016.
The Bethlehem Steel plant, which once employed 35,000 workers.Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
But departures didn’t follow smooth patterns, even at the level of an individual block. The ubiquitous housing form in working-class and lower middle-class Baltimore is the rowhouse: two or three storeys with a distinctive low front stoop, narrow and tightly packed. Nowadays a block with, say, 20 rowhouses might have eight of them occupied and well-tended, seven vacant and boarded up – often with severe structural damage like a collapsed roof – and the rest derelict, inhabited by addicts or transients. And these might alternate irregularly along the block, making it hard to tear down a whole section without displacing someone.
The problem multiplies to the scale of the city. It establishes the vacancy rate as a main metric of neighbourhood distress, and the “vacant” as an iconic architectural mutant form (put to much use in The Wire) – but not in such a way that you could pronounce any section “empty” or bereft of community. “The neighbourhoods that have been decimated are not completely vacant,” says Tamara Woods, a senior planner in the city’s department of planning. “There are people still living there.”
This is gentrification – a big institution pushing out a vulnerable community for its benefit
Middle East, in 2002, was one such area, with some of the city’s worst indicators of distress. The vacancy rate was high – some said 70%, against the city average of 14%, though activists dispute the figure – and poverty, unemployment and violent crime was twice the citywide rate. The average household income was $28,464, one-third less than the Baltimore City mean. Perhaps all this primed Middle East, more than other areas, for a radical redevelopment solution. But for the “great east Baltimore raze-and-rebuild” of the EBDI, as an extensive 2013 article by Dax-Devlon Ross dubbed it, Johns Hopkins had to want to expand – and the city had to collaborate.
Since 2005, the planning department has placed every census block in one of eight categories. Broadway East, just north of the EBDI, and Milton-Montford just east, are almost entirely type H, the bottom category; Gay Street and Oliver, to the west and northwest, are a mix of types G and H. This means that all these neighbourhoods are “stressed” and require the most help, including “comprehensive housing market interventions … including site assembly, tax increment financing, and concentrated demolitions to create potential for greater public safety and new green amenities”.
‘The neighbourhoods that have been decimated are not completely vacant’ ... a mixture of derelict and occupied rowhouses.Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
For some observers, the combination of an expansionist Hopkins and vulnerable neighbourhoods adjacent to Eager Park means the writing is on the wall. Large-scale demolition and forced relocations seem generally off the table—an apparent lesson of the EBDI experience—but in the view of Brown, piecemeal dislocation is on the cards anyway.
Brown doesn’t begrudge Hopkins for pursuing its long-term interest. “This is a protracted planning operation,” he says. “They’re doing this for the next 100 years, to secure the best research scientists, the best students.” The bigger picture, to his mind, is the flood of government-backed developer money about to wash over east Baltimore. There is a plan to turn Old Town Mall (a derelict shopping centre) into a complex of offices and 1,200 units of housing. Also on the cards is redevelopment of the Perkins Homes, a public housing project with 1,400 residents that is located a few blocks from the harbour – a newly desirable site that the city hopes to turn into a mixed-income community.
The theory of economic development here essentially locks a lot of working-class black folks into service economy jobs
All told, the development money flowing towards east Baltimore may soon reach $4bn, Brown says. There are similar dynamics in parts of west Baltimore, which has the other large concentration of poor black people. “It’s hard to fight that level of capital that wants to occupy, build, and expand,” Brown says. “And I don’t know if it’s already too far gone. This is a city that caters very strongly to developers. I’ve seen enough to know that the city will squash and build over low-income black communities by any means necessary.”
Lawrence Grandpre, research director of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, which describes itself as a “grassroots think-tank” on issues affecting black Baltimoreans, is sceptical too.
“The theory of economic development here essentially locks a lot of working-class black folks into service economy jobs,” he says, which means low pay, disruptive hours, no union representation, and slender job security. In his view, having the city and community hew to Hopkins’ priorities shows a failure of imagination. “It operates to the exclusion of investing in indigenous talent, and even of understanding what indigenous talent could be.”
Daniels sees it differently, of course, rejecting the zero-sum opposition of Hopkins’ interests and those of the community. He points to a range of initiatives. In 2015, for instance, after the upheaval that followed the death of Freddie Gray, the university and health system set themselves targets for hiring employees from the most disadvantaged neighbouring communities, and contracting with female and minority-owned businesses.
The aftermath of protests following the death of Freddie Gray.Photograph: Noah Scialom/EPA
The health system has made hires, too, through Turnaround Tuesday, a program that helps people returning from incarceration or who have other major challenges in seeking employment. And around its main Homewood campus, on the north side of Baltimore, Hopkins has partnered with local groups in 10 neighbourhoods to identify investments that address community needs. “This is very much about Hopkins doing whatever it can, within the context of its educational and research mission, to be able to change the trajectory of the city,” Daniels says.
‘I believe Johns Hopkins is coming off their island’
“There used to be a time where if you worked at Hopkins they would tell you, ‘Don’t wait around at 5 o’clock, get in your car and go home,’” says Shannon Sneed, who represents District 13 in Baltimore’s City Council. “Now you have a president with vision, and he says that’s not what they want to do.”
Sneed was one of eight new members elected to the 15-member council in 2016, most of them, like her, in their thirties. Her district includes a sliver of the EBDI and stretches out to the east. Constituents greet her as she walks on Monument Street, away from the hospital, towards the Milton-Montford neighbourhood. This is a shopping drag: working-class and unfancy, but busy. Northeast Market, one of Baltimore’s network of indoor markets, is only ten minutes’ walk from the hospital complex, and some Hopkins staff venture this way to get their lunch. There should be many more, Sneed says. “I believe they’re coming off their island, and encouraging their employees to do the same.”
Shoppers pick from a colourful hat collection along Baltimore’s Monument Street shopping district.Photograph: J.M. Giordano/The Guardian
The threat of displacement isn’t a concern she hears from many constituents, she says. “There are more urgent priorities with quality of life issues. I get sent pictures of someone passed out on the front steps. Homes broken into. Living next to an abandoned home, and it rains into my basement – that type of issue.” Sneed knows full well the ups and downs of EBDI. “We’ve all read the stories,” she says. “My hope and goal is that we never forget the stories, but we move on.”
It’s very hard to build relationships when the community is gone
Just west of EBDI, in the Oliver neighbourhood, another approach to revival is at work, following very different principles.
Parts of this neighbourhood also suffered extreme blight (serving as the location for the deserted blocks in the “Hamsterdam” scenes in The Wire). But much of the area is displaying a new vitality, with a key difference.
“There hasn’t been a single relocation,” says Sean Closkey, who runs ReBuild Metro, a non-profit development business. “It’s very hard to build relationships when the community is gone.”
The model here is to rehabilitate existing houses, as well as to take smaller actions, such as fixing up a corner garden, or clearing an overgrown field. All this is of a piece – and built around organising – with residents taking charge of consulting neighbours, identifying needs, and mobilising resources with support from local institutions and philanthropies. English, the BUILD organiser, leads the effort. “They’re going top-down at EBDI, and we’re going up,” he says.
A scene from The Wire, which made great use of Baltimore’s blighted neighbourhoods as backdrop for its storylines.Photograph: HBO
In 2002, the Oliver team began acquiring scattered properties, while collaborating with five local churches whose members raised $1.2m. The developers then started focusing on small areas where they knew, from economic data and community consultations, that rehabilitating a few vacant houses would produce the greatest effect. “If I work on a scale I can actually achieve, then I can connect those scales together, like a quilt,” Closkey says.
Despite their antipodal philosophies, ReBuild Metro and EBDI aren’t enemies – far from it. In fact, EBDI has invited ReBuild Metro to cross Broadway and take charge of the blocks at the northern end of the footprint, where by agreement with the state historic preservation agency several stands of rowhouses cannot be torn down. “We need Hopkins to succeed, because that’s the anchor institution in east Baltimore,” English says. “But in the world as it is, we’ve got to organise enough power to rebuild the rest of east Baltimore.”
A troubled past
There are many stories about east Baltimore. In the city’s proud but faded industrial history this was a factory town, where generations of black people escaping racial terror in the south came for a shot at becoming the middle class. In the more recent narratives, it is one of Baltimore’s distressed zones, the counterpart to Sandtown-Winchester in west Baltimore, where Freddie Gray lived and met his death. In The Wire, east Baltimore is home to Proposition Joe and his superior-quality heroin supply. Now there is a new story, of gentrification: one branch creeping up from Fells Point near the harbour, another from Station North, the hipster zone north of downtown, with Eager Park offering a sanitised convergence zone.
The whole understanding of grieving for a lost home was completely absent. The root shock of it isn’t understood
On a brisk Sunday afternoon, a man and his dog have the grassy terraces to themselves for their game of fetch. He and his wife were among the first new homeowners, he says – one of the fifty families who bought in the first batch. They are black professionals, from out-of-state. His wife is a Hopkins scientist. The neighbourhood is still sparsely built; there is no supermarket yet; but they are glad to have managed to get in early. The next homes will sell for much more.
Few former residents of Middle East get to enjoy this value appreciation. Only about 20 former homeowners and 35 renters are still around, says Marisela Gomez, who keeps up with as many as she can. A doctor and public health specialist, Gomez knew the neighbourhood from volunteer work and became involved in community resistance, serving as director of the Save Middle East Action Committee (SMEAC) which fought against displacement and for fair terms.
She says the EBDI failed to anticipate the trauma that comes from uprooting a community. “The whole understanding of grieving for a lost home was completely absent,” she says. “The root shock of it isn’t understood.” Some of the displaced former residents come back to Northeast Market on Saturdays, she says. “Or they look at funeral announcements, and they’ll go because that’s where they’ll see people they knew.”
Outside the market, Gomez recognizes a woman, greets her warmly and asks after her kids. Nancy (not her real name; she asked for anonymity) is one of the few who stayed. She kept informed, went to City Hall to look at documents, and was an organizer with SMEAC; when EBDI agreed to relocate some of the rowhouse residents into newly rehabilitated ones, Nancy was chosen. Her children attend Henderson-Hopkins. “It’s better than the school they came out of,” she says. “That one was falling apart.”
Inscriptions on concrete tiers in Eager Park.Photograph: Siddhartha Mitter
In another story that Johns Hopkins officials are proud of telling, the original Mr Johns Hopkins, whose bequest established the school and hospital in 1876, was an enlightened man: a philanthropist and abolitionist, whose family emancipated its slaves decades before the civil war.
But in east Baltimore, the story that sticks is of Henrietta Lacks, the black woman whose cancer cells were harvested without permission in 1951 in Johns Hopkins Hospital, producing a line that has fostered countless discoveries and lucrative patents. People also remember the lead paint study in the 1990s, when Hopkins researchers recruited families to live in apartments with varying lead concentrations, exposing poor, black children to lead poisoning. It is no surprise that legends still circulate. Some parents tell their children to stay away from the hospitals, lest they be snatched. Jobs and buildings are one thing; cultural trust is another, earned in a different currency.
'Gentrification without displacement': Wire actor's property plan causes storm
There are inscriptions carved into the concrete tiers that form gentle terracing at the southern end of Eager Park. They summon the neighbourhood’s history yet keep it at bay, holding it off in the past tense:
We tended to the children, treated them as our own. We were the caregivers.
We laboured at Bethlehem Steel. We were the steelworkers.
We taught hundreds of neighbourhood kids at Dunbar High School. We were the teachers.
We kept watch over the patients. We were the nurses.
Above the park terraces rise the new Hopkins buildings, the start-up incubator, the hotel, the foot traffic on Ashland, the shuttle bus, the grad students, the lab workers in smocks, heading to the Starbucks. In the foreground is one more carved statement, this one in the present tense – as if that was all it took to make it real:
WE ARE ALL EAST BALTIMORE.
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AMPLIFY.
Getting Rock Right
Guidelines for Sumbission
by AMPLIFY. October 30, 201712:19 am
Premiere: “10’s & 9’s” by The Inventors
The ear and mind being called to immediate and simultaneous attention is a hallmark of a truly great musical work. This, of course, is especially the case with rock – listeners crave the feeling of being rattled to alertness via a delectable cocktail of thunderous drums, resonant bass lines, a sonically exhilarating guitar riff, and lyrics that make the mind do a little work. This delicate formula is something that Chicago-based quartet The Inventors expertly master in their latest track, “10’s & 9’s.”
https://amplifymusiconline.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/01_10s-and-9s-final.wav
“10’s & 9’s” is such an expertly crafted track because it contains an incredible electrical undercurrent that touches each and every sonic nuance at play. Each of these elements is not only highly distinctive to the ear, but yields its own unique sense of power that makes the song as a whole immensely robust. The interplay between each instrument and sound takes on a life of its own, creating a song that is the ultimate nexus between allure and excitement.
However, it is specifically the interplay between two predominant elements that makes “10’s & 9’s” such an exceptional work. While it undeniably tolls wild amounts of power, there’s also a certain component to the song that’s almost hypnotizing; it effortlessly integrates mesmerization with electricity. As the song’s vigor prevails, there’s a certain sensation of slowly being pulled into the world of the song that’s difficult to ignore. It’s akin to staring into the flickering glow of a candle while a rumbling thunderstorm prevails through the window outside – they’re both entities that juxtapose each other on the surface, yet compliment each other in the most striking and beautiful manner. Such a careful and creative combination of these sonic and thematic elements not only makes “10’s & 9’s” creatively distinctive as a track, but undeniably asserts The Inventors as a dominant artistic entity.
To learn more about The Inventors and listen to their work, click here to visit their website.
Premiere: The Inventors- “Fire” | on November 17, 2017 at 12:18 pm
[…] been working on putting together new music and have recently released their first of three singles, “10’s and 9’s” via Amplify Music. The singles are part of their debut full-length LP Counting Backwards, set for release this […]
"It has always been rock and so it is and so it shall be." -Patti Smith Group, "25th Floor"
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