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Interviews, Nostalgia in Fed Square
Savina Yannatou: ‘Improvisation is precious to me’
Posted on 8 March 2016 30 August 2020 AuthorNikolas Fotakis
Being a Greek expat in Australia, I have often found myself (a) succumbing to nostalgia (often taking the shape of a souvlaki, the sound of an old Greek song etc.) and (b) becoming a champion for the introduction of Greek jazz and improvised music to my new friends here. Both urges were triggered by the news of Savina Yannatou coming to perform in Australia. A truly magnificent singer, with an awe-inspiring vocal ability, she has been one of the most creative artists in the Greek music scene for the past 40 years. And although she may not be a household name, even in Greece, she has gained acclaim throughout Europe, notably for her work with her ensemble, Primavera en Salonico, comprised by some of the best Greek improvisers. The band collects, dissects and reinterprets traditional songs from the broader Mediterranean region, introducing a culture of diversity to the world. They started off with a collection of songs from the Sephardic Jewish-Spanish community of Thessaloniki, the city to which they returned with their latest album, “Songs of Thessaloniki”, released through the revered ECM records (in fact, Savina Yannatou is one of the rare vocalists on the eclectic ECM roster). I have been admiring Savina from a distance for years now, and I’m happy that I got the chance to actually interview her (for my day job), prior to her concerts in Melbourne and WOMADelaide, and ask her about her fearless forays in vocal improvisation.
AustralianJazz.Net: In what way has being part of the ECM roster has affected the evolution of Primavera en Salonico?
Savina Yannatou: ECM was an unexpected fortune to us. It was not something that we had anticipated. Surely, this collaboration has opened the doors of some festivals that were skeptical towards us. We became more known abroad, our albums are sold in music stores in other countries, they are reviewed in international publications. As far as our musical evolution, signing to ECM has led us to follow less traditional paths, in terms of sound and arrangements, opting for a contemporary music approach. I don’t mind that at all; the opposite would be a problem to me; I am not a traditional singer and I like to blend foreign elements with tradition. On the other hand, we have adopted the ECM ‘outlook’ in our arrangements, something that softens our playing dynamics, diminishing the free jazz side of me. In a way, it is as if our intellectual side prevails over our instincts.
AJN: You have been very thorough in your exploration of the potential of the human voice, through vocal improvisation. What has been your motive?
SY: My motive was to set myself free of the musical composition form, free from harmony and melody. In other words, I wanted to do whatever came to my head, even silliness; especially, silliness. I was tired of rules and discipline. This is how I found myself in the realm of free jazz, which was natural. I was a fan of Peter Kowald, whom I had seen playing in Greece, and I also admired singers such as Diamanda Galas, Tamia (Valmont) and Shainkho Namchylak. So, while playing with percussionist Nikos Touliatos, for a limited audience, I started to create my own vocabulary as an improvisor. Later on, I met with Peter Kowald again, we played as a duet for a couple of years and through him, I found myself in Wupertal, in a new world of hope an creativity, surrounded by new musicians, new musical codes, new people; German, English and French impovisors, Greek and Chinese visual artists, Pina Bausch with her goup; we were rehearsing by day, meeting at bars by night… It was a vibrant community of artists, assembled in one street in the city, with Peter in the centre.
AJN: What have you discovered about yourself, through improvisation?
SY: What was revealing, through free improvisation is that, when you start from zero, having no preconceptions and nothing prearranged when you’re on stage, you find yourself at the mercy of your own sound. The sound that you create, in its turn becomes the cause of a certain emotion, which creates the next sound, which creates the next emotion and so on. You’re not interpreting a musical piece, you are yourself interpreted, through your sound, through the musical piece that you randomly create at that specific time, on stage. This is a physical musical creative process that I knew nothing about, before delving into improvisation, and this is why it is precious to me and I don’t want to give it up.
Posted in Interviews, Nostalgia in Fed Square
Josh Kyle: ‘Jazz is a set of freedoms’
Chris McNulty: “I’m still driven to create and express”
Women are the future of jazz
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World Floater Market Is Stable
The floating rig market was showing signs of stability in many of the world's major drilling basins. However, reports Offshore Data Services, demand for older, second-generation units continues to lag. Worldwide, 149 of the existing 179 floating drilling rigs are under contract and fleet utilization for these rigs is 83.2 percent. In its previous Offshore International Newsletter Market Outlook on floaters, which was published in July, utilization was 82.1 percent with 147 of the existing 179 floating rigs under contract. Activity may slack off in the closing months of the year as oil companies formulate their drilling plans for next year. With this in mind, closing out 2000 with utilization still in the low- to mid-80 percent range will place floating rig contractors in prime position to capitalize on expected E&P budget increases.
Second-Generation Semis Demand for second-generation semis has changed little since July, and utilization remained around 70 percent. In the U.S. Gulf this segment was signing contracts to work for $30,000 to $35,000 per day. In July, these rigs were making anywhere from $27,500 to $46,500 per day. Day rates are similarly mixed in the North Sea, where second-generation semis are signing new deals for $39,500 to $44,500 per day, compared to about $41,000 per day in July.
Third-Generation Semis Third-generation semis have fared pretty much the same as second-generation units over the last three months. Utilization stands at 85.1 percent with 40 of the world's 47 third-generation semis under contract.
However, with utilization holding steady in the 85 percent range, day rates have been under pressure to move up. In the North Sea, third-generation semis are landing new contracts with rates in the $42,000 to $67,500 range, a solid improvement from the $35,000 to $45,000 these rigs were making just three months previous. In the Norway/West of Shetlands region, day rates jumped from $57,000 to $130,000 per day in July to $90,000 to $160,000 today.
Fourth-Generation Semis Utilization is 100 percent with all of the world's 34 fourth-generation semis under contract.
However, day rates have moved very little due to the long-term nature of the contracts for these high-specification rigs. In the Gulf of Mexico, day rates increased slightly. Fourthgeneration semis in the region are signing contracts specifying day rates between $50,000 and $125,000. In July, the day rate range was from $49,000 to $139,700.
DP Drillships The DP drillship market has changed little, as with no rigs available for immediate work, utilization effectively is 100 percent. A couple of contract rollovers have taken place, leading to day rate increases. In the U.S. Gulf, DP drillships are signing contracts for about $ 130,000 per day, compared to about $ 118,100 per day in July. (Source: Offshore Data Services)
Read World Floater Market Is Stable in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of November 2000 Maritime Reporter
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Model 1908 .25 ACP Vest Pocket Hammerless Instruction Sheet PDF (1.3MB)
pw: coltautos.com
CCA 2000 Display
Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Hammerless .25 ACP - Unique Serial Numbers
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP Serial Numbers 1 & 2 with original August 25, 1896 patent and 1909 Colt Catalog.
The First Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP Automatic Pistols
Serial Numbers 1 and 2
© Sam Lisker, All rights reserved.
Colt’s Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP pistol (or “Model N” as it was referred to internally by the Colt factory) is perhaps one of the more interesting Colt models to collect. It was manufactured from 1908 until just after WWII, with the last pistol being shipped in 1948. Throughout production, there were a significant number of standard production and factory embellished variations of this model. Due to its size and small caliber, there is a relatively high survival rate of Vest Pocket .25s in better than average condition.
While the highest serial number was 420,705, the total production numbered approximately 409,000 pistols making it one of Colt’s best selling commercial automatic pistols. Until World War II, the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket was Colt’s fifth most popular model. It was only outperformed by the 1903 .32 ACP and Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP automatic pistols and the Official Police and Police Positive Special revolvers, four models for which there were large military contracts and police orders.
Collectors most frequently encounter six and occasionally five-digit serial number examples of the Model N. Seldom are four, three and two-digit serial numbers encountered. Single-digit serial numbers are almost unheard of.
Pictured on this month’s cover are two very unique Colt Vest Pocket .25 pistols: serial numbers one and two. They are perhaps the only set of pre-WWII first and second consecutively serial numbered pistols that exist in the same collection. Model 1903 Pocket Hammer .38 ACP serial numbers 19999 and 19998 (which were the first and second guns of this model produced) were at one time in the same collection, but today, their whereabouts are unknown.
As would be expected with the earliest single-digit serial numbered examples of a new model, serial numbers one and two were shipped to two very well connected individuals who had important relationships with Colt’s.
Serial number one was shipped to noted collector J.R. Hegeman. At one time, Hegeman had one of the most outstanding Colt collections in this country. He was truly a pioneer in Colt collecting and presumably had some fantastic connections within the Colt company that allowed him to own many pre-production, prototype and serial number one guns. Many of Hegeman's Colt's are now part of some of the finest collections.
Number one was assembled on October 30, 1908 and on November 28, 1908, it was shipped directly to Hegeman in a single gun shipment. Mr. Hegeman, a vice president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of New York, was a very active collector between 1885 and 1925, and was interested only in Colt arms.
Serial number two was shipped November 24, 1908 to Frank Schirmer. Schirmer, who at the time of shipment was the Treasurer of Colt’s, served on Colt’s board of directors from 1901 until 1921 and was a principal in the original acquisition of Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company by the Boston and New York financial house of Armstrong & Schirmer in June 1901. Armstrong & Schirmer was a private investment firm affiliated with the George R. Armstrong Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Schirmer played a pivotal role in the transfer of Mrs. Colt’s stock to the firm in 1901 and was serving as Colt’s Treasurer at the time of shipment. [1]
Also pictured with this consecutive set is the original Arthur Creed Wright Patent No. 566367, granted on August 25, 1896, and an original 1909 Colt catalog.
The August 25, 1896 date is the first patent date that appears on the slide of Colt’s Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol and is the earliest patent date to appear on any production Colt automatic pistol model. The 1909 Catalog was the earliest catalog to feature the Colt Vest Pocket .25.
[1] Ellsworth S. Grant, The Colt Armory: A History of Colt’s Manufacturing Company, (Lincoln, RI: Mobray Publishing, 1995), p.71, 90, 226. (Second Edition)
Colt Model N Serial Number 1. A one gun shipment to noted Colt collector J.R. Hegeman on November 28, 1908. Mr. Hegeman, a vice president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of New York, was very active between 1885 and 1925, and was interested in Colt arms only. Hegeman was truly a pioneer in Colt collecting and presumably had some fantastic connections within the Colt company in order for him to own many production prototype and serial number one guns.
Colt Model N Serial Number 2. A one gun shipment to Colt's Treasurer Frank A. Schirmer on 11/24/08. Schirmer also received the first Model M .32 shipped.
Colt Model N serial number 25 - A single gun shipment November 20, 1908 (the first day of commercial shipments) to A.M. Holter Hardware Company, Helena, Montana. Serial number 25 predates the shipping dates for both serial numbers 1 and 2. The gun is an interesting example as the serial number matches the caliber.
Colt Model N Serial Number 400000. One of a two gun shipment to W.H. Hoegee Co, Los Angeles, CA, June 15, 1936.
Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 430467 - factory nickel finish, aftermarket mother of pearl grips. Gun is unusual in that it the serial number is approximately 10,000 numbers higher than the highest recorded production serial number, 420705. This appears to be the result of a factory numbering error at the time of production as the matching slide is numbered 340467, meaning that the first two numbers of the serial number on the frame were unintentionally transposed.
Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 430467 - slide is numbered 340467. According to Colt's Historian, 340467 is recorded as a gun with factory nickel plated finish. The Historian also indicated that there is no notation in the production records regarding the serial number discrepancy between the slide and the frame. In the case of a misnumbered serial number, Colt's would often restrike a number over the incorrect number in order to correct the error.
Pistol was one of 10 shipped to Belknap Hardware & Manufacturing Company, Louisville, Kentucky, December 17, 1923.
An example of a Colt factory serial number overstrike to correct in an incorrectly numbered gun. Note the "6" over the "5" above.
Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 ACP serial number 430467 - factory nickel finish, right side view.
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WebDirectory
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Jena 6 Update: Memo To Alanis – THIS Is Ironic (I Really Do Think)
Posted by matttbastard on Sep 26, 2007 in Uncategorized | 1 comment
Jena, LA Mayor Murphy McMillin: not the sharpest fishhook in the tacklebox: McMillin has insisted that his town is being unfairly portrayed as racist—an assertion the mayor repeated in an interview with Richard Barrett, the leader of the Nationalist Movement, a white supremacist group based in Learned,...
Libby Davies, Israel, Spin and Chill « Politics, Re-Spun on The Problem with the Israel Debate
David Katz on The Problem with the Israel Debate
Alison on Libby Davies Story Blows Up
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C. L. Cook on The Problem with the Israel Debate
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Regulus partners gambling - Get your 1500 USD sign up bonus today
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An American electronic musician, film composer and sound designer who utilises a plethora of computer programs to reshape her voice into dense, unsettling sound constructions.
Gately's unpredictable compositions run from industrial collages to playful, abstract pop tunes, exhibiting an absurdist sense of humour and an ear for rhythm and melody. Gately moves to Houndstooth for her new album, Loom, following the release of her debut album Color on TriAngle Records in 2016.
Gately has also released an array of limited EPs and a cassette on a number of notable underground labels – Public Information and Blue Tapes, as well as the critically acclaimed FatCat Split Series. She has also remixed Bjork and co-produced serpentwithfeet's debut LP soil.
This summer Gately was part of the recent Mary Anne Hobbs curated ‘Queens of the Underground’ Festival in Manchester alongside Houndstooth musician Aisha Devi. She is currently living in LA and teaching at CalArts.
Kano Kavinsky
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Difference between revisions of "Women’s Rights"
From Federalism in America
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In the nineteenth century, women were considered citizens of the United States but they had no political or legal rights. The development of these rights was greatly affected by the federal system in the United States, which provided multiple access points for women’s organizations to influence policy.
The development of women’s rights has largely occurred in the twentieth century. Prior to the ratification of the nineteenth amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote, women had no meaningful political or legal rights. Even after women received the right to vote, women of color were often still discriminated against. The federal system in the United States facilitated the development of women’s political rights by providing multiple access points for women’s organizations to influence politics.
In order to organize for women’s legal and political rights, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton called the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. As the movement continued, some in the movement supported a state-by-state approach to women’s suffrage rather than the U.S. constitutional amendment approach favored by Susan B. Anthony. In 1890 the factions merged into the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), which made women’s suffrage its major goal.
Women first began organizing politically as part of the antebellum abolition movement. White women in the North were instrumental in organizing towards ending slavery in the South, but were often denied leadership roles and decision making power within the movement. After the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted black men the right to vote, the women who had been involved in the abolition movement felt betrayed because they were denied the right to vote, despite being instrumental in helping free the slaves. White women shifted their attention to gaining the right to vote for themselves, thereby isolating black women and creating a rift that has been apparent in many women’s movements subsequently.
Suffrage came first in western states and some cities and towns. Wyoming was the first state to grant female suffrage in 1889. There was also some change at the local level, and by 1890, 16 states granted women the right to vote in city or school board elections. Women’s suffrage came in Colorado in 1893, and in Utah and Idaho in 1896. These early victories were closely related to local conditions in the West, so they did not translate quickly into change in the East and South. The Colorado case seemed to most closely foreshadow the changes to come, as the campaign there relied on a coalition of reformist third parties that included the People’s and Prohibition Parties. Thousands of women joined these parties and became avid speakers and advocates for women’s rights.
Despite a rocky start, women were effective at organizing for the right to vote both at the local, state and federal level. Suffrage came first in western states and some cities and towns. This was largely a bid to incentivize women to move west and start families, as at the time men vastly outnumbered women in those states. By 1890, 16 states had granted women the right to vote in local city or school board elections. Wyoming was the first state to grant female suffrage for statewide elections in 1889, and was followed by Colorado in 1893 and Utah in 1896. . These early victories were closely related to local conditions in the West, so they did not translate quickly into change in the East and South. The Colorado case seemed to most closely foreshadow the changes to come, as the campaign there relied on a coalition of reformist third parties that included the People’s and Prohibition Parties. Thousands of women joined these parties and became avid speakers and advocates for women’s rights.
The transition to the Progressive era brought a new outlook to politics; women were very involved in reform efforts such as the temperance movement and the push for women and children’s labor protections. Women were already organized at the local grassroots level through the growth of women’s clubs, which helped strengthen the suffrage movement by bringing in new members who saw suffrage as a way to advance the social reform objectives that seemed to many a natural extension of women’s role in the home.
During the Progressive era, white women were again very involved in reform efforts such as the temperance movement and the push for women and children’s labor protections. Women were already organized at the local grassroots level through the growth of women’s clubs, which helped strengthen the national suffrage movement by bringing in new members who saw suffrage as a way to advance the social reform objectives that seemed to many a natural extension of women’s role in the home.
NAWSA President Carrie Chapman Catt pursued a two-pronged “winning plan” beginning in 1912, which focused on winning suffrage at both the state and national levels. The NAWSA approach took advantage of the different points of access in a federal system by which interest groups can influence government policy—what Morton Grodzins called federalism’s “multiple cracks”—to promote women’s suffrage. Several more states in the East and Midwest passed suffrage between 1913 and 1917. Some states, however, were not close to granting women’s suffrage when the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibited citizens from being prohibited from voting “on account of sex,” was adopted after Tennessee ratified the amendment.
In 1912, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) pursued a two-pronged “winning plan” beginning in 1912, which focused on winning suffrage at both the state and national levels. The NAWSA approach took advantage of the different points of access in a federal system by which interest groups can influence government policy—what Morton Grodzins called federalism’s “multiple cracks”—to promote women’s suffrage. Several more states in the East and Midwest passed suffrage between 1913 and 1917. By 1920, the tide had turned in women’s favor and the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibited barring citizens from voting on account of sex, was adopted.
While women had apparently gained the right to vote, there were still barriers to women’s equality. Jim Crow laws in the South prevented most black women from voting, and women still faced discrimination in employment, education, and equal treatment in American society. During the Civil Rights era, women again organized to expand their rights. The National Organization of Women (NOW) sought to address the unequal treatment women were receiving by attempting to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA would ban any discrimination on the basis of sex. Congress passed the ERA, but it failed to be ratified by the requisite number of states. NOW employed a judicial strategy to compel the federal government to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition against sex discrimination. NOW also used a successful judicial strategy that prompted the Supreme Court to apply the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause to gender cases and prevent states from engaging in gender discrimination in the case Reed v. Reed (1971). Protection against discriminatory state action was further expanded in Craig. v. Boren (1976).
Unlike the later unsuccessful Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) movement of the 1970s, the suffrage movement was strengthened by strong state and local grassroots organizations that were absent in the later ERA movement. Despite the ERA’s failure to pass, women’s legal rights were further expanded in the 1960s and 1970s through the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) efforts to compel the federal government to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act’s prohibition against sex discrimination. NOW also used a successful judicial strategy that prompted the Supreme Court to apply the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause to gender cases and prevent states from engaging in gender discrimination in the case ''Reed v. Reed'' (1971). Protection against discriminatory state action was further expanded in ''Craig. v. Boren'' (1976).
| '''BIBLIOGRAPHY:'''
Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O’Conner, Laura van Assendelft, and Wendy Gunther-Canada, ''Women, Politics and American Society'', 3rd ed. (New York: Longman, 2004); and Sharon Hartman Storm, ''Women’s Rights'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004).
Angela Y. Davis, ''Women, Race and Class,'' (New York: Vintage Books, 1983); Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O’Conner, Laura van Assendelft, and Wendy Gunther-Canada, ''Women, Politics and American Society'', 3rd ed. (New York: Longman, 2004); and Sharon Hartman Storm, ''Women’s Rights'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004).
==== Maureen Rand Oakley ====
Emily Schnurr (revised 2018)
Maureen Rand Oakley (2006)
SEE ALSO: [[Elections]]; [[Fourteenth Amendment]]; [[Gender and Federalism]]; [[Reed v. Reed]]; [[Sex Discrimination]]
Angela Y. Davis, Women, Race and Class, (New York: Vintage Books, 1983); Nancy E. McGlen, Karen O’Conner, Laura van Assendelft, and Wendy Gunther-Canada, Women, Politics and American Society, 3rd ed. (New York: Longman, 2004); and Sharon Hartman Storm, Women’s Rights (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004).
Emily Schnurr (revised 2018) Maureen Rand Oakley (2006)
SEE ALSO: Elections; Fourteenth Amendment; Gender and Federalism; Reed v. Reed; Sex Discrimination
Retrieved from "http://encyclopedia.federalism.org/index.php?title=Women’s_Rights&oldid=2170"
Federalism in America
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Egypt's Criminal Court annuls assets freeze of Mubarak era agriculture minister Youssef Wali
Ahram Online , Wednesday 21 Mar 2018
File Photo: Egypt's Mubarak era agriculture minister Youssef Wali (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Mubarak-era agriculture minister jailed for graft
Egypt's Criminal Court annulled on Wednesday a 2011 decision to freeze the assets of the Mubarak-era Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali and his family, accepting an appeal presented by the former minister.
A general prosecutor decision froze the Wali family's assets in what was dubbed the "agriculture minister's corruption case" in the media at the time.
The former minister has had several corruption cases against him dismissed, the latest being a case involving business tycoon and influential Mubarak regime figure Hussien Salem in 2017.
Salem has reconciled with the government in 2016 following a deal in which he and his family gave up EGP 5.3 billion, reportedly 75 percent of their wealth, to have corruption cases against him dropped.
In February 2017, an Egyptian court dismissed corruption charges against Salem and Wali, in a case in which Wali, in office at the time, was accused of selling Salem 36 acres of land on Bayadeya Island in the governorate of Luxor for an undervalued price.
Wali was sentenced to ten years in jail in the case in 2012.
His conviction was overturned in 2013.
Youssef Wali served as minister of agriculture from 1982 until 2004.
He also served as deputy prime minister and deputy chairman of Hosni Mubarak's now-dissolved National Democratic Party.
Youssef Wali
Hussein Salem
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Nansei Islands Dugong Declared Critically Endangered The World’s Largest Nature Conservation Network Worries about the Impact of New Base Construction
A critically endangered dugong. Taken March 2003 off the coast of Kayo (Taken from a helicopter)
December 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 10, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the dugong that inhabit the waters around the Nansei Islands are critically endangered.
The IUCN is the world’s largest nature conservation organization with more than 200 government agencies among its members.
The announcement marks the first time that the IUCN has evaluated the conservation status of the dugong.
In the IUCN evaluation, the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station with the construction of a new base in Oura Bay and Henoko, Nago is identified as a key concern.
According to the report, the damage to or loss of seagrass meadows there is likely to seriously impede the recovery of the dugong population.
This is a different stance from the Japanese government’s, which denies the impact of construction.
Critically endangered is the status used for species with the highest risk of becoming extinct.
The Japanese Ministry of the Environment classified the dugong as “Class 1A Endangered,” which also indicates the highest risk of extinction, in 2007. Now an international agency has confirmed this status.
Aside from the dugong, the IUCN categorizes 12 plant and animal species in Japan as critically endangered, including the Sakhalin taimen and the Okinawa sumire.
In March of this year, a dugong was found dead in the fishing port in Nakijin. This led Hideki Yoshikawa and his team at the Save the Dugong Campaign Center to petition the IUCN to evaluate the conservation status of the Nansei Islands dugong.
According to the IUCN report, there were approximately 30 dugongs living around the Nansei Islands in the 1970s but that number is now estimated at less than 10.
Since the construction of the new base in Henoko began, the two dugongs who had been seen in the waters around the construction site have disappeared. The Ministry of Defense denies any connection to construction.
“Since 2000, the IUCN has asked the Japanese government to protect the dugong through recommendations and resolutions,” Yoshikawa says. “But far from protecting them, we’ve reached a point where they have vanished from the oceans around Okinawa. We can’t even find signs of them feeding in the area.”
He continues, “Dugong used to live in the waters around Henoko. The government should at the very least stop construction for a few years and see if they come back.”
(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)
Previous Article:New species of squid discovered in Okinawa named after Nobel Laureate and OIST founder Sydney Brenner
Next Article:Shurijo Castle Park reopens majority of restricted area after fire
One of only three Okinawa dugong specimens found dead, whereabouts of other two unknown
Two missing dugongs may substantiate OPG claim that Henoko construction harms environment
Henoko Environmental Oversight Committee specialist says Okinawa dugong is “highly likely extinct”; large-scale survey needed
Dugong not seen since 2015, possibly due to impact of Oura Bay construction
Editorial: The Government of Japan should abide by IUCN advisement regarding Henoko
U.S. military personnel seen training with rifles in Camp Kinser close to Route 58
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Eandel
Home Business News Ethiopia Zooms in On Public Diplomacy With U.S.
Ethiopia Zooms in On Public Diplomacy With U.S.
Ethiopia will work to capitalize on the large Diaspora to further consolidate ties with the government of the United States and promote its vision of development, peace, democracy and fair utilization of Nile waters through the year of 2013, Ethiopian Ambassador to the U.S. said.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the U.S., Fitsum Arega stated that prime attention has been given to employ Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin to lobby the U.S. government in that Ethiopia has full right to utilize cross-border rivers in an equitable manner. Ambassador Fitsum highlighted that the majority of the Ethiopian Diaspora living in the U.S. want to see a country with strong and vibrant economy and prosperity; and they have been hugely engaged in informing the various U.S. government institutions that the GERD is being built in a way that ensures the benefits of Nile lower riparian countries.
Noting that the Ethio-US cooperation is growing as they are working hard to enhance partnerships in a range of sectors, he said that consolidated diplomatic efforts are underway to aware the U.S. policy making bodies that the GERD will have positive outcomes to both Egypt and Sudan. “Ethiopia and the U.S. have worked in partnership for many years to combat terrorism and their collaboration has been witnessed success by bringing peace and stability in the turbulent Horn of African region.”
Equal consideration has also been given to mobilize the Diaspora’s economic participation in some priority areas including agriculture, agro-processing, health, tourism, trade and industry thereby contributing share to their home country’s development. The diplomatic missions encourage members of the Diaspora to set up joint ventures with U.S. companies that would significantly contribute to the enormous knowledge and technology transfer to Ethiopia.
“The government understands that an integrated engagement of the Diaspora is important towards the realization of Ethiopia’s prosperity,” the ambassador stated, adding that the Embassy has been exerting effort to widen the commendable investment the Diaspora have registered in the health sector to other areas.
He further pointed out that the diplomatic missions have been hugely engaged in promoting Ethiopia’s conducive business climate and government’s commitment to foreign investment. Accordingly, the Ethio-America Doctors Association has built a state-of-the-art hospital in Addis Ababa whilst members of the Diaspora witness a growing desire to partake in Ethiopia’s medical industry.
U.S.-based medical professionals have also actively involved in government’s COVID-19 control efforts and they have been availing coronavirus preventive medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and webinar trainings to health professionals. Members of the Diaspora also donated one million USD to ease the economic impacts of the pandemic.
According to Ambassador Fitsum, Ethiopia is committed to strengthen governance and political pluralism in keeping with the principles enshrined in its constitution and it has been partnering with the U.S. government to bring radicalized individuals who took part in the attack of diplomatic missions to justice.
The diplomatic missions will exert maximum efforts to closely working with the Diaspora and encouraging the latter to support the development of the country, in particular Dine for Ethiopia Program financially, professionally and in other ways in the New Year, the ambassador remarked.
Ethiopia and the U.S. established diplomatic relations in 1903.
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> Home > HadISD > 3.1.0.2019f >
HadISD - global sub-daily station dataset - version 3.1.0.2019f
HadISD is a global sub-daily dataset based on the ISD dataset from NOAA's NCDC. As well as station selection criteria, a suite of quality control tests has been run on the major climatological variables. The data span 1/1/1931 to end December 2019 and each station is available individually. The current version of HadISD is 3.1.0.2019f. For previous versions please contact the dataset maintainers.
This is a new preliminary version of HadISD, version 3.1.0.2019f. We have adapted the code to allow for monthly updates, and also included new functionality by including the station level pressure and more information about the sub-daily precipitation observations. This version is the first one for 2019, and hence has the final character "p". The station lists have been updated over v3.0.0.2018f, but will remain the same until February 2020 and v3.1.0.202001p. The change in the second version digit during 2019 has arisen because of a bug, found and fixed in November. Further details are given in the blog and also a Hadley Centre Technical Note.
A station listing with IDs and location information is here (also with names).
Individual stations within the ISD were composited when it was appropriate to do so. Then stations were selected on the basis of their length of record and reporting frequency. There are 8139 stations in HadISD.3.1.0.2019f, and these were passed through a suite of automated quality control tests designed to remove bad data while keeping the extremes. None of the ISD flags were used. The QC tests focussed on the temperature, dewpoint temperature and sea-level pressure variables, although some were applied to the wind speed and direction and cloud data. The data files also contain other variables which were pulled through from the raw ISD record, but have had no QC applied. Note: These data have not yet been homogenised and so trend fitting should be undertaken with caution. Results from the homogeneity assessment can be found here.
Follow us on twitter: @metofficeHadOBS for updates, news and announcements.
For more detailed information, follow our HadISD blog. Here we describe bug fixes, routine updates and other exploratory analysis.
Data are available from the download page. Please read the terms and conditions.
When using the dataset in a paper, the following are the correct citations to use. Please also state the version number used
Dunn, R. J. H., (2019), HadISD version 3: monthly updates, Hadley Centre Technical Note
Dunn, R. J. H., et al. (2016), Expanding HadISD: quality-controlled, sub-daily station data from 1931, Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, 5, 473-491
Dunn, R. J. H., et al. (2014), Pairwise homogeneity assessment of HadISD, Climate of the Past, 10, 1501-1522
Dunn, R. J. H., et al. (2012), HadISD: A Quality Controlled global synoptic report database for selected variables at long-term stations from 1973-2011, Climate of the Past, 8, 1649-1679
Smith, A., et al. (2011): The Integrated Surface Database: Recent Developments and Partnerships. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 92, 704-708
Quality Control Code
The python code used for the station selection and quality control can be found on github.
We do not intend to provide in-depth support for this code. We emphasise that the choices we have made in the selection and QC one of a number of other equally reasonable choices, and encourage other interested parties to develop their own QC and filtering procedures to allow the structural uncertainties of this sub-daily dataset to be investigated.
Homogeneity Assessment
We have assessed the homogeneity of four of the observed meteorological variables present in HadISD: temperature, dew point temperature, sea-level pressure and wind speed. This has been performed on monthly averages of the sub-daily data, and is fully described in Dunn et al, 2014, Climate of the Past, 10, 1501-1522. The homogeneity assessment results for v3.1.0.2019f are available for download here.
A number of summary and diagnostic outputs from the quality control code as well as station lists for a number of selection criteria are available here. Also available is the information from the homogeneity assessment of v3.1.0.2019f.
We have adapted our versioning system from CRUTEM4, and so the dataset numbering is of the form HadISD.X.Y.Z.1234i, and is outlined in more detail in the paper linked above. X is for a major change and would normally be accompanied by a peer-reviewed paper. Y is a more minor change, e.g. in one of the QC tests and would be described in a tech-note. Finally Z is a small change, for example addition or changes to data in the past. The last complete year of the dataset is given by 1234, and the final character shows if the dataset is f-final or p-preliminary. Therefore HadISD.1.0.1.2012f is the final version of the dataset containing data up to the end of 2012, and there have been some changes to past data over HadISD.1.0.0.2011f. For the monthly updates, the final characters encode the final year and month of the dataset, e.g. 201901p for the version up to the end of January 2019.
A number of images and movies created from HadISD to show its capabilities are here.
Maintained by: Robert Dunn
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John Lehr is a comedic performer, writer and producer working in television, film and theater. Along with his producing partner Nancy Hower, co-created Hulu’s comedy series “Quick Draw,” in which he also stars and executive-produces. Lehr starred as Leslie Pool in “10 Items or Less,” the half-hour improvisational comedy series from Sony on TBS. Lehr also co-created and executive produced the series, which ran for three seasons.
Lehr is one of the original Geico Cavemen from the wildly successful commercial campaign. He appeared in dozens of spots, including the first commercial as a caveman boom operator, the caveman in therapy with Talia Shire, the tennis spot with Billy Jean King, Superbowl spots with Phil Simms and many more.
Under their banner Howler Productions, Lehr and Hower have created multiple projects, most involving their unique improvisationally-based “hybrid” style found in “10 Items” and “Memron” (a Slamdance award-winning mockumentary). With Lehr starring and Howler directing, the team recently completed “Let It Ride,” a half-hour comedy pilot set in Las Vegas for Comedy Central; “Retreat!,” a half-hour comedy pilot set in a corporate retreat for NBC; “King of Beers,” a half-hour comedy set in a brewery for EUE/Screengem; and “JailBait,” a web series for Sony and Crackle.com.
In addition, Howler Productions created the pilots “Team McPhearson,” an animated series inhabiting the world of Nascar for Fox starring Jeff Foxworthy; and “John Lehr Movie Club” for TBS. Lehr and Hower completed a pilot script for Sony Television in association with the BBC and are developing a pilot for HBO.
As an actor, John has appeared in numerous television series, including “Friends,” and was a series regular on “Jesse,” both for Warner Brothers/NBC. His feature film roles include “The Sweetest Thing,” and three Noah Baumbach films, “Kicking and Screaming,” “Mr. Jealousy,” and “Highball.”
Lehr’s critically acclaimed Comedic Lectures solo performances have had sold out runs in LA and New York. He is also a respected improvisational performer having worked at the Organic Theater and Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, The Montreal Comedy Festival, Chicago Improvisational Festival and multiple venues in Los Angeles and New York.
John’s hosting credits include “News Weasels” for E!; “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” for ABC; CBS’ special “Clash of the Commercials” with co-host Heidi Klum; and “John Lehr’s Movie Club” for TBS.
John is married to author Jennifer Lehr with whom he has two children. The Lehrs reside in Los Angeles.
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Home > City Tours > Lijiang Tours > 5 Days Best of Lijiang Tour
5 Days Best of Lijiang TourEnquiry
Lijiang is already a firm favourite with Chinese tourists and is fast gaining a reputation as a must see destination for foreigners. Don’t miss this 800 year old town with its maze of alleyways and breathtaking mountain views.
Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town, Mu Palace, Lion Hill, Baisha Old Town, Baisha Murals, Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute, The First Bend of the Yangtze, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Impressions Lijiang Show, Yuhu Village, Yufeng Monastery, Shuhe Ancient Town, Black Dragon Pool
Day 1 – Arrival in Lijiang
You will be met at Lijiang Airport by a private car and an English speaking tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2 – Lijiang
Attractions: Lijiang Old Town, Mu Palace, Lion Hill, Baisha Old Town, Baisha Murals, Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute
The morning will be spent exploring Lijiang Ancient Town which is the cultural center and capital of the Naxi people and is now a Unesco Heritage Site. It was built more than 800 years ago and the original water supply system is still in place. It is a veritable rabbit warren of small alleyways, cobbled pavements and running streams supplemented by innumerable shops, restaurants and guest houses. At the center of the ancient town four main streets radiate in four directions and are connected by many narrow lanes. While walking through the old town, you will immediately get overwhelmed by small bridges, swift streams, cobbled streets and the grey tiled roofs of the local houses. You will also see many local Naxi people wearing traditional costumes and headgear.
Set in the heart of Lijiang’s Old Town the Mu Palace was the home of the Mu clan which led the Naxi people and ruled Lijiang for over 700 years. The buildings and grounds are influenced by an attractive mix of Naxi, Tibetan and Han architecture and design.
Behind the Mu Palace is Lion Hill. Climb up past more than forty ancient cypress trees which are over 800 years old. At the top is the Wangu Tower, the landmark building of Lijiang Ancient Town. This pure wood building is 33 meters tall, overlooking the scenery of Lijiang at its foot, and looking out to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.
Nearby is the village of Baisha which was the original capital of the Naxi Kingdom before the 12th century. Here you will view the famous Baisha Murals which are the combination of Naxi, Tibetan, Bai and Han artistic designs. Most of the murals vividly describe the religious stories of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. One of its characteristics is combining several religious stories and having them in one painting. Therefore, Baisha murals are quite unique from murals elsewhere. Figures of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism might appear in one mural and 100 portraits at least would be in each of the murals. The portraits in these paintings include not only the religious figures but also ordinary people.
End your visit at the Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute with its amazing double sided embroideries. The mission of this institute is to protect, develop and promote the Naxi traditional hand-made embroidery.
Day 3 – Tiger Leaping Gorge
Attractions: The First Bend of the Yangtze, The Stone Drum Town (Shigu Town), Tiger Leaping Gorge
After breakfast you will leave Lijiang and follow the Yangtze River north on the Yunnan Tibet road. The scenery here is very spectacular as we travel through huge gorges dotted with small villages. You will stop along the way and view the first bend of the Yangtze and see the historical village of Shigu which is named after a drum shaped marble plaque. Many historic and significant events have taken place in this area. Kublai Khan crossed the Yangtze River here and in April, 1936 the Second Route of the Red Army also marched through the town.
Next you will stop at the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge and view this incredible sight. The Gorge is situated in between two large mountains, Jade Dragon Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain, and at one point drops three kilometers to the river below. After seeing Tiger Leaping Gorge you will return to Lijiang.
Attractions: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Impressions Lijiang Show, Yuhu Village, Yufeng Monastery, Shuhe Ancient Town
In the morning you will drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where you may take a cable car for amazing mountain views. Be aware that this takes you to a high altitude so oxygen is available if needed.
On the way back you will stop at the Impressions Lijiang Show which combines 500 actors and 100 horses and showcases them in a 360-degree open-air theatre stage with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a backdrop. It is a cultural show which aims to provide an insight into the lives of the region’s Naxi, Yi and Bai ethnic groups and all the songs and dances in the show portray the daily life of the local people. It is the second outdoor production (after Impression Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo, Guilin) of famous Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who co-directed the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
In the nearby Yuhu Village you will stop to visit the home of Dr Joseph Rock the famous Austro American botanist who wrote extensively about the region’s botany, culture and its people. He lived here from 1922 to 1949 and was the first foreign scholar to introduce Lijiang culture to the rest of the world including publishing many articles in the National Geographic Magazine. Many of his photos are on display in the Exhibition hall.
Next stop is the Yufeng Monastery which is located in a magnificent natural setting. Inside you can see the harmonious mix of various religious and cultural styles but it is most famous for the “Ten Thousand Flower Camellia” which is more than 500 years old.
Finally you will visit Shuhe Ancient Town which is regarded as a living specimen of the Naxi ancestors’ transition from an agricultural civilization to a commercial culture. Similar to Lijiang Ancient City, Shuhe Ancient Town is surrounded by a murmuring river and interlaced with smooth flagging.
Day 5 – Depart Lijiang
Attractions: Black Dragon Pool
If there is time in the morning you can visit the Black Dragon Pool where the imposing snow capped peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain dominates the skyline.
Later you will be transferred to Lijiang Airport to check in for your flight to your next destination.
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Hurricane Charlie
I used to live in the Port Charlotte area, but I and my family moved away before Charley hit. Yet, many of our friends and family still lived there and in Arcadia; another community devastated by the storm. This is their story.
No one expected Charley to hit Charlotte Harbor; all the experts said the same thing - it's going to hit the Tampa area. We had friends there too, so we invited them to come stay with us in Orlando. They thanked us, but declined - the traffic to Orlando was bumper-to-bumper along the interstate highway.
Meanwhile, in Port Charlotte, our friends Jane and John were deciding to go stay with their daughter Mary and her family. As they had a house right on Charlotte Harbor, they decided to play it safe and move further inland. So, taking their young daughter Hayley, they headed over to Mary's house. She and her husband had two small children of their own, and Mary was eight months pregnant!
Then, the storm hit the area with all its force. The whole family moved into the bathroom - the kids in the tub, most of the adults on the floor, and Mary sitting on the john. Then, the roof was torn away! They sat there, being pelted by rain and hail as the wind whipped about them; and then Mary went into labor. It would have been comical had it not been so tragic.
Jane dialed 911 for help, but there was none available - the system was down. She tried the hospital, and was told the same - no ambulances were operating; they told her to prepare for a home delivery. So, she and John started rooting around the remnants of the house to find the right gear. Then came a lull in the storm, and Jane called the hospital again.
They told her, "If you can get her here, we can help, but there's still no way we can get an ambulance to you."
That was all the encouragement Jane needed. She bundled Mary into her Lexus and started driving. The roads were blocked by fallen power pole, downed trees, and all manner of debris. It wasn't long before all four tires were blown out, and Jane was driving on nothing but her rims. Yet, they made it. The roop of the hospital had been torn away, and the floor below was flooding. Mary was put in a labor/delivery room on the floor below that. Yet, the flooding did affect her floor - the tile ceiling began to cave in on them! So, they moved her to another room, and then another. All total, they had to move her four times.
Meanwhile, back at the house, John and the others worked to patch together some sort of living space. They managed to roof over (in a very general sense) one room of the house, and sort of cover the windows with some screening. After the storm, the mosquitoes were thick as fleas on a dog.
A couple days later, Mary and the baby were sent "home". After all, they were both healthy, there was no medical reason to keep them in the hospital, and their insurance would only pay for the standard stay. Jane objected, pointing out that they had no home to go to, but the hospital had no choice in the matter. So, piling Mary and the baby into her car, Jane took them back to what was left of their home. They also checked on Jane and John's place, and the news wasn't good - it'd been devastated by Charley, virtually nothing was left.
Over the course of the next several days, Jane and John learned how tough life could be, and what was truly important in life. You see, they earned a good living, had a nice home, and their kids had wanted for nothing. Before the storm, they had taken some money out to cover emergencies - should the hurricane cause any trouble. Now, in the aftermath of Charley, they were in a community without power, and most of the homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. How do you buy groceries without power to run the registers? How do you get clothes when the stores are shattered and no computers are operating?
Where once their kids enjoyed the finer things in life, now they chased after the Red Cross truck that brought them food, water and ice. You can have all the money in the world, but in the land of "No Commerce", you're a pauper. It's then that you learn what truly matters in this life: family, friends, compassion and caring.
Click here for more by AJ Robinson.
Lose, Declare Victory
Just a Teacher
Eggs for Breakfast
Yours, Mine, Ours
False Equivalency
Backing Up a Zombie
Reality Olympics
Identity Missed
Launching Dreams
Test Your Bridge
Global This & That
Tornado Drill
Power to Me
Culture Salad
CBS Radio Firings
Radio Guys at Lunch
Blockbuster is Dead
2011 Election Aftermath
Musing about 2009
Look Now, Pay Later
WBZ, 10 January 1973
The Kingston Trio
Drinking My Milk
The Wonder of Soccer
The Builder
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Naughty Conversions
I could tell Jack was bursting with something to confide in me, as we sat down at our usual lunch at our usual place. I wasn't wrong.
Jack said: "You know, when you were a kid, you had to hold up your hand when you wanted to go to the washroom? One finger for a pee; two for a poo."
I said "Jack, we seem to spend quite a bit of time discussing bodily functions at our lunches, perhaps we should ...."
"This is altogether different," Jack interrupted, "Well, maybe a little different. Actually, maybe not all that much."
"Let's have it." I said.
"OK," said Jack. "Back to kindergarten. The one- and two-finger signal was a code for two activities people don't talk about in polite society. Well, you know how grown-ups like to use what your mother would have called "bad words"? But you can't do that in polite company, without having to resort to Latin. Well, I've figured out a way so that they can. In English."
"How so?" I said.
"It's all done by code, my friend" said Jack, leaving me hanging with a pregnant pause.
I didn't have all day, so I said: "Please explain."
Jack eagerly took up the challenge: "I've sorted all the 'naughty words' by their initials -- A through Z. Then you count the letters in the word. Take a word like 'asshole' -- not a word you want to use at the governor-general's levee. So instead you say A-7, as in "I think George Bush is an A-7". Pretty soon everyone will know the code, and actual bad words in polite conversation will be a thing of the past."
I said "Jack, that's a terrific idea. It has Nobel Prize written all over it. Civilization as we know it will be saved!"
Jack said: "Don't laugh! The police have a code for all kind of situations -- everyone knows 10 - 4: over and out. So why shouldn't ordinary people have one to help them in their hour of conversational need."
I asked Jack "Any other A-words?"
"No," said Jack, "that's the only one I've come across."
"How about the B?" I asked.
"I have four on my list: "bonk" that's B-4, "bitch" that is B-5, and B-7, Hugh Grant's downfall, and B-11, an activity common in male prisons."
"How about C?" I asked.
"Well," said Jack, "there are at least five C-words. Some are easy, like C-3, although it isn't used very often. And then there are two C-10's and one C-11 referring to three activities your grandmother would not have known about. The real trouble is that there are two very common C-4's referring to male and female naughty bits. How are you going to keep them apart, so to speak. I don't want to have to go to C-3a and C-3b, for example. I'm still working on that one."
I said: "So you've got codes for D and E?"
"Yes," said Jack, "there is a D-5, named after a small town in Newfoundland -- or maybe the other way around -- and a D-8 and an E-8 and an E-11. Trouble is there are two D-4's."
I said "How about F?"
"No problem, lots of those. There is, of course, everyone's favourite F-4, and the related gerund F-7. But there's also an F-6 an F-8, an F-9 and an F-11."
"How about G, H and I?" I asked.
"Two G's, one H, and no I, but I haven't given up hope." said Jack.
"What about J?" I asked.
"I have three J's, but no K and no L yet. As for the M, there is an M-6, an item most people have never heard of and fewer still know what it means; there's an M-9, although it isn't used much anymore either, and an M-12, which is very popular nowadays, and a favourite expletive of Chris Rock and other comedians."
"And how about N and O, P and Q?" I asked.
"There's an N-10, and an obvious O-6. For P there is a P-4 (same as the kindergarten # 1), a P-5 and the associated P-11. For Q there is a Q-4, an anatomical reference, and a Q-5 for a sexual orientation.
"We're almost through the alphabet," I said, "what about R, S and T?"
"I haven't got an R; on the other hand I have an S-4 (same as the # 2 in kindergarten), an S-5 and an S-6. As for T, there is a T-3, an anatomical part, and T-4 for another anatomical part, both female. There isn't much after that ... U, V, W, X, Y and Z are a wasteland. On the other hand it cuts down the strain on your memory. Or maybe I can come up with some new words."
I said "But, Jack, how does your code handle compound phrases, like 'shit-for-brains'?"
"Easy," said Jack, "that's S-4-3-6."
I said "But what about effing and eff-off, both seven letters?"
"No problem," said Jack, "the one is F-7, the other F-4-3. See, it's simple."
I said "Jack, how in heaven's name do you come up with these things?"
Jack said: "Someone has to keep his mind on the larger issues of the day. That's my job."
I said: "Jack, with you at the controls, the world is in good hands."
Jack said: "F-4-3, buddy. Now let's go get something to eat."
Sjef Frenken is a renaissance man: thinker, writer, translator and composer of much music. A main interest, he has many, is setting to music the poetry, written for children, during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Nimble of mind, Sjef is a youthful retiree and a great-grandfather. Mostly he's a content man, which facilitates his relentless multi-media creativity.
More by Sjef Frenken:
Streamlining the World
Sex (gotcha!)
Moribund Ouch
Things that Irk
On Being Even-handed
If Bad Things Get Badder
Even more by Sjef Frenken
A Thankless Job
NBA Experiment
Timbit Diplomacy
Jack, Rick and I
Keeping Quebec in Canada
Point of Entry
No Pepsi, No Coke
Winter Clothes?
Green: same old lies
Common Courtesies
The Scottish Vote
Paranoid Society
Boston Blackie
Dr Michael Sandal
Howard Lapides Top 40
Fantasy of Flight
Master of the World
Call Me Spartacus
The Matryoshka Doll
Mrs Doubtfire
Day of the Dolphines
My Eraser
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Cell Biology Article History Tree Map
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Nature > Chemistry > Biochemistry > Molecular Biology > Cell Biology Michael Charnine
ENTEROCHROMAFFIN CELLS
CELL EVENTS
CELL BIOLOGY STUDIES
MODEL ORGANISM
QUIESCENCE
PETER DUESBERG
This Review contains major "Cell Biology"- related terms, short phrases and links grouped together in the form of Encyclopedia article.
Cell biology (also called cellular biology or formerly cytology, from the Greek kytos, container) is an academic discipline that studies cells.
In cell biology, a mitochondrion is an organelle found in the cells of most eukaryotes.
In cell biology, the cleavage furrow is the indentation that begins the process of cleavage, by which animal cells undergo cytokinesis.
In cell biology, a mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells.
In cell biology, the nucleolus (plural nucleoli) is a "sub-organelle" of the cell nucleus, which is an organelle.
Cell biology of enterochromaffin cells.
Ca storages (in cell biology) are intracellular organelles, that constantly accumulate Ca2+ ions and release them on some cell events.
Cell biology studies the structural and physiological properties of cells, including their behaviors, interactions, and environment.
Classically, antibodies to particular proteins or to their modified forms have been used in biochemistry and cell biology studies.
Dr Sammy Lee’s current interests lie in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
The researchers said their findings represent another small step toward a complete understanding of stem cell biology.
CSUBIOWEB, the California State University Biological Sciences Web server, provides links to other Web sites on cell biology and molecular biology.
Brenner founded the Molecular Sciences Institute and is currently associated with the Salk Institute and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology.
Alexandre Tiedtke Quintanilha is the director of the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC) in Porto, Portugal and professor of biophysics.
Vitamin E biosynthesis: biochemistry meets cell biology.
These courses include cell biology and biochemistry, organ physiology, pharmacology, neurosciences and endocrinology, reproduction and metabolism.
Post and ask questions about cell culturing, cell lysis, cell transfection, cell growth, and cell biology.
Includes articles, lectures, activities, diagrams and images for a range of subjects such as botany, cell biology, ecology, palaeontology and zoology.
It is used as a model organism in molecular and cell biology.
It is also extremely important as a model organism in modern cell biology research, and is the most thoroughly researched eukaryotic microorganism.
Science Several yeasts, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been widely used in genetics and cell biology.
Several yeasts, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been widely used in genetics and cell biology.
Specific topics addressed in this book include cytology, biochemistry, cell fractionation, and cell biology.
Nucleus: 1) In cell biology, the structure that houses the chromosomes.
Klaus Bayreuther, a researcher in the field of cell biology, published that very weak electromagnetic fields accelerate the aging of skin cells.
Developments in this field are driven by interfacing medicine, molecular and cell biology, as well as mechanical and electronic engineering.
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), in the field of cell biology, is a ligand molecule which induces the process of cell death called apoptosis.
With the knowledge of cell biology and biochemistry increasing, the field of pharmacology has also changed substantially.
We are dedicated to basic and applied research in biochemistry, molecular virology, cell biology and molecular genetics.
Models of the Atomic Nucleus explains the nucleus in a way that makes nuclear physics as comprehensible as chemistry or cell biology.
This makes the field of exceptional interest as a meeting place between the goals of chemical biology and the needs of cell biology.
Biophysics, molecular biology, and cell biology are research fields closely related to biochemistry.
We use a combination of genomics, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics in mammalian cells.
However, these immunostaining methods are typically more associated with cell biology than molecular biology.
In cell biology, quiescence is the state of a cell when it is not dividing.
III. Emergent themes of liver stem cell biology: niche, quiescence, self-renewal, and plasticity.
Joni Stehlik and Ed Stehlik, who have extensive backgrounds in cell biology, cytogenetics and molecular biology, will supervise daily laboratory operations.
However, these immunostaining methods, such as FISH, are used more often in cell biology research.
The program will offer research in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology.
Glutamic acid reagents and derivatives are associated with protein synthesis techniques and with research in cell biology and biochemistry.
Peter Duesberg, Ph.D., is a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California at Berkeley.
Research in mathematical biology concerns the application of mathematics to cell biology, medicine, ecology and evolution.
Amundson 2001), and explicit attention to molecular and cell biology, population genetics, developmental biology, ecology, and phylogenetics (inter alia).
Cell biology, and developmental biology from zygote to adult, including cells, nuclear transfers, microinjection, and development.
Secretion assay is a process used in cell biology to identify cells that are secreting a particular protein (usually a cytokine).
Promotes the understanding of cell biology by publishing experimental studies on the general organization and activity of cells.
Cell nucleus - In cell biology, the nucleus (pl.
Recent advances in bacterial cell biology have revealed unanticipated structural and functional complexity, reminiscent of eukaryotic cells.
The study and use of viruses have provided valuable information about aspects of cell biology.
Sordaria fimicola, Neurospora crassa and several species of yeasts are used in many genetics and cell biology experiments.
Most famously Neurospora crassa, several species of yeasts, and Aspergillus species are used in many genetics and cell biology studies.
Here are a few more thoughts on the subject, from someone trained in cell biology but no longer active in the field.
It has been the subject of extensive research in cell biology, and its genome was the first to be sequenced among eukaryotes.
First of a two-part overview of new developments in nuclear matrix research, for researchers in cell biology, molecular genetics, or biochemistry.
Research on applications of flow cytometry in hematology, for clinicians and researchers in experimental hematology, cancer research, and cell biology.
It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.
Geneticists participate in courses from many areas, such as biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, cell biology, English, and mathematics.
He teaches introductory courses in molecular biology and virology and an advanced course in cell biology of the nucleus.
Pathologists engaged in research use the sophisticated technologies of modern molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology and tissue pathology.
Extensive research based studies, enjoyed fundamentals of Genetic Engineering, Biochemistry, Cell biology and Immunology the most.
Laboratory products source for molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, biotechnology, radiation safety, drug discovery, and high throughput screening.
Biochemistry and molecular cell biology of diabetic complications.
Review journal dedicated to keeping scientists informed of developments in the field of molecular cell biology, on a topic by topic basis.
Genetics, clinical phenotype, and molecular cell biology of autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia.
BioTech Life Science Dictionary Search for terms used in biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, and genetics.
This idea has become very concrete as the result of recent advances in biochemistry, cell biology and genetics.
Yeasts include some of the most widely used model organisms for genetics and cell biology.
The quantitative aspects of biology - including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology - represent the core of the academic program.
Fields closely related to biochemistry include biophysics, cell biology, and molecular biology.
Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, human biology, mendelian genetics, immunology and molecular biology.
Microbiologists have made many fundamental contributions to biology and medicine, especially in the fields of biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology.
Molecular biology again is a combination of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and virology.
Also researchers and technicians in molecular biology, biotechnology, cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
Nature > Chemistry > Biochemistry > Molecular Biology
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Nature > Chemistry > Biochemistry
Information > Science > Biology > Genetics
Information > Science > Biology > Developmental Biology
Books about "Cell Biology" in Amazon.com
Short phrases about "Cell Biology"
Originally created: November 24, 2006.
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Margery Allingham’s Short Stories
Most accomplished crime novelists demonstrate equal facility with the short story – think, nowadays, of Rendell, Hill, Lovesey, Rankin and Barnard – and Margery Allingham was no exception. Yet her short stories have promped only limited discussion and they earn few mentions in the biographies by Julia Thorogood (Margery Allingham) and Richard Martin ‘Ink in her Blood’. Even the number of short stories that she wrote seems tantalisingly imprecise: Martin simply says that there were ‘over sixty’.
Nonetheless, the continuing appeal of those stories is evidenced by the fact that, a good many years after her death, two volumes of little known work have been published. ‘The Return of Mr Campion’, a book of previously uncollected items introduced and edited by Allingham’s friend J.E. Morpurgo, was published in 1989. Subsequently, The Darings of the Red Rose (summarised rather dismissively by Thorogood as ‘feminine detective adventures’) has been revived by those admirable American publishers Crippen and Landru.
Lately I have had an ideal opportunity (and excuse, if it were needed) to remind myself of Allingham’s work in the short form. Guy Fawkes Night in 2003 saw the Golden Jubilee of the foundation of the Crime Writers’ Association by John Creasey, aided and abetted by a few colleagues, including Michael Gilbert and Julian Symons. To celebrate this notable anniversary, the CWA decided to publish a special collection of short stories, old and new, highlighting the quality and diversity of members’ work in the genre over the past half-century. As editor of the book, Mysterious Pleasures, I decided that the contents should focus mainly on stories by winners of the CWA Diamond Dagger for a lifetime’s outstanding achievement in the genre, but that there should also be a few stories from current leading practitioners and from stellar names who were around during the CWA’s first few years.
It seemed natural to include a story by Allingham. She is seldom discussed in the context of either the Detection Club (Thorogood records that ‘she attended one or two…functions in the 1930s and scuttled home to Essex feeling inadequate) or the CWA. According to Thorogood, she became friendly with a handful of fellow detective novelists, including in particular two highly inventive practitioners, John Dickson Carr and Philip Macdonald, but socialising between crime writers was much less extensive in her day than it has become in recent years.
She was a member of the CWA for a few years only, but she contributed to a couple of its early anthologies. ‘Tall Story’ appeared in Some Like Them Dead, edited by Roy Vickers (1960) and ‘They Never Get Caught’ in Crime Writers’ Choice, again edited by Vickers (1964). At that time, and indeed until recent years, the contents of CWA anthologies largely comprised stories written and published long before (‘They Never Get Caught’, for instance, dates back to the 30s). Allingham was no doubt prevailed upon to lend support to the infant venture by allowing her name to be associated with it.
Although I was strongly tempted by ‘They Never Get Caught’, I decided to stick to my plan of including in Mysterious Pleasures stories which have not previously appeared in CWA collections. Casting my net more widely enabled me to renew acquaintance with several stories which have been much anthologised in the past. Enjoyable examples include ‘Evidence in Camera’, ‘The Border-Line Case’, ‘It Didn’t Work Out’ and ‘The Lieabout’. There is also some worthwhile material in ‘The Return of Mr Campion’ – unexpectedly, since such volumes tend all too often to sweep up odds and ends that have been neglected previously for very good reason. The stories in Morpurgo’s collection are admittedly a mixed bunch, but I liked especially a couple of the Campion tales. ‘The Case is Altered’ is a good take on the crime-at-Christmas sub-genre and ‘The Curious Affair of Nut-Row’ an agreeable piece of story-telling.
It is often forgotten that Allingham followed in the footsteps of Conan Doyle in that many of her early short stories were first published in Strand Magazine. Morpurgo notes that she was gratified that the magazine accepted six stories from her in 1936: ‘her gratification that this signalled her arrival as a serious writer – “me suddenly getting paid for quality instead of quantity” – was compounded by her gratitude to the current editor, Reeves Shaw – “he taught me about as much as my father had done.”’ But the story which I chose first came out in the magazine that supplanted Strand Magazine as the premier source of short detective fiction. Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, still going strong today, published several of her stories over the years. ‘One Morning They’ll Hang Him’ appeared in the August 1950 issue and it is one of the very best of the Campion tales. It opens with Chief Inspector Kenny calling on Albert and saying: ‘If there’s one thing that makes me savage it’s futility.’ He proceeds to explain his sour mood: one of those ordinary, rather depressing little stories which most murder cases are. There’s practically no mystery, no chase…nothing but a wretched little tragedy.’ But from this downbeat start, the story develops splendidly.
The only reason why I hesitated over picking ‘One Morning They’ll Hang Him’ was that it has found its way into numerous anthologies in the past. But in the end I could not – did not want to – resist it. I hope that this most recent incarnation of an excellent story will remind many readers (and perhaps even a few diehard fans who have hitherto focused almost exclusively on the novels) of Allingham’s talent for the short form, as well as engaging those who may be unfamiliar with her work. If new readers are tempted to explore the Allingham canon further, undoubtedly they have a treat in store.
This essay first appeared in Margery Allingham: 100 Years of a Great Mystery Writer (2004,) edited for the Margery Allingham Society by Marianne Van Hoeven
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Nancy Spain – and Norman
Nancy Spain (1917-1964) was a celebrity broadcaster and journalist who was killed, along with magazine editor Joan Werner Laurie in a plane crash when on her way to commentate on the Grand National race at Aintree, Liverpool. Her varied CV included authorship of ten light-hearted crime novels.
The last of her mysteries, The Kat Strikes, was published in 1955. Her publishers described it as “a completely English, extremely exciting story, in the true English tradition of John Buchan and Edgar Wallace” (although many readers may have been puzzled, given that Buchan was a very different kind of thriller writer from Wallace.)
This copy is intriguing because of its inscription: “For my very darling Norman, the only boy I ever really loved, from his own Nancy.” Joan Werner Laurie was, in fact, Nancy’s partner, although she had also had a child by artist and writer PhilipYoungman Carter. But who was Norman? He seems not to be identified in either Nancy’s autobiography or her biography. A mystery…
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Six Mit Researchers Elected National Academy Engineering 2019
Six MIT researchers elected to the National Academy of Engineering for 2019
School of Engineering Feb. 10, 2019
Six MIT researchers are among the 86 new members and 18 foreign associates elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature," and to "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”
The six elected this year include:
Richard D. Braatz, the Edwin R. Gilliland Professor of Chemical Engineering, for contributions to diagnosis and control of large-scale and molecular processes for materials, microelectronics, and pharmaceuticals manufacturing.
Gareth H. McKinley, the School of Engineering Professor of Teaching Innovation in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, for contributions in rheology, understanding of complex fluid dynamical instabilities, and interfacial engineering of super-repellent textured surfaces.
Gareth H. McKinley 1024.jpg
Robert T. Morris, a professor in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, for contributions to programmable network routers, wireless mesh networks, and networked computer systems.
Rosalind Picard, a professor of media arts and sciences and director of affective computing research in the MIT Media Lab, for contributions to affective and wearable computing.
Christopher A. Schuh, the department head and the Danae and Vasilis Salapatas Professor in Metallurgy in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, for contributions to design science and application of nanocrystalline metals.
Christine Wang, a senior staff scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, for contributions to epitaxial crystal growth of III-V compound semiconductors and design of organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy reactors.
“My warm congratulations to the researchers inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for their outstanding contributions as leaders in their fields,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, the dean of the MIT School of Engineering and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “It is fantastic to see the contributions of our faculty recognized at such a high level.”
Including this year’s inductees, 138 members of the NAE are current or retired members of the MIT faculty and staff, or members of the MIT Corporation.
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importance of drama in literature
Drama is literature intended for performance. The Importance of Shakespeare. Drama also approved its effectiveness on developing creative thinking. Of various forms of drama, plays are the most popular. Children build relationships and start friendships through play. Many researches such as: the study of Ortiz-Seda (1984), Dupre (2006) and Taskin (2013) have revealed the effect of drama on creativity. It comes from the Greek word katharos which means pure.Katharos evolved into kathairein which meant cleanse. When it comes to the actions, the actors have to restrict their movements while performing on stage and this could also depend on the lighting, sound effects, and the dialogue to show the events and actions that are not visually presented. According to proponents of the concept, play enables children to make sense of their world. Importance Of Drama In Literature The Relationship Between Literature And Literature. Free essay sample on the given topic "Why Do You Want To Become A Pharmacist?". Drama teaches communication and similar to other forms of art, drama is a way for students to understand each other in several aspects. -Aristotle- -Aristotle (384-322 BC) was a Greek philosopher whose writings still influence us today. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Drama teaches a lot of life skills that can be applied anywhere. The success of the portrayal relies on the cooperation formed among producers, actors and writers in recognizing the convention and limitations present on stage. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between drama involvement and academic achievement. Some interesting things happen when children assign and accept roles in dramatic play they are motivated to stick to them, thinking of them as rules to follow. Characters: Characters play an important role in the drams whether it is a major or minor one. His background provides the play with its mystery and plot conflicts, which start and end with his name. It uses every ounce of the child 's energy. • Identifying, Dramatization helps the teacher address the four skills of language learning (speaking, listening, writing and reading), and it also favors and facilitates the study of some often neglected aspects of language such as pronunciation and body language." Emotional Outlet Acting and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions and encourage them to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing. Providing a rich and varied contexts for children to acquire develop and apply a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills. -The elements of drama, by which dramatic works can be analyzed and evaluated, can be categorized into three major areas: Literary elements Technical elements Performance elements 4. As much as possible physical activities, will teach the children participate and be part of the group all the time. IMPORTANCE OF DRAMA. The Modern Theater. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Drama improves academic performances . All the reader has is the dialogue to be able to visualize the facial expressions, situation, and background. When play is fun, engaging and meaningful, it can be very therapeutic for children. The link between Dramatic Arts and subjects such as English, History, Social Studies, and related areas is obvious. Their purposes are: • to reveal the nature of the speaker, • to draw the attention of the audience to the importance of what has been said; • to explain developments; They take part in activities where they must rely on each other and learn to trust. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. 1. Literature is important to society because it reflects cultural values and serves as a tool for teaching those values to others. Observing and measuring the impact of youth sport’s participations Being creative enables the children in early years to make connections between one are of learning and another and to extend their understanding” (QCa 2000b:116). Free essay sample on the given topic "Magical Realism In Literature". We need you to be detailed. Drama brings elements of play, humour, and laughter to those taking part – improves motivation and reduces stress. You know already that drama is a literary art. Therefore, play is necessary in children’s development, they grow by playing with or without purpose. Copyright © 2020 IPL.org All rights reserved. The Importance of Drama to the Society. Knowing how the different areas of development are dependent on each other helps us to better understand the holistic development of the child. Specifically, the association between types of play (pretend play and physical play) and affective social competence (ASC) of children at a different age. Drama promotes communication skills, teamwork, dialogue, negotiation, socialization. The findings are summarized and recommendations made. C atharsis is an important element in many pieces of tragic literature today. Plays aim to sho… Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Free essay sample on the given topic "Effects Of The Russian Revolution". It should enable children to respond positively to opportunities, challenges and responsibilities to make changes and to cope with change and adversity (QCA 1999:11-12). Play is very important in developing cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. A play is a written dramatic work by a playwright that is intended for performance in a theatre; it comprises chiefly dialogue between characters. ASC is a. They get opportunities to analyze how a character’s personality, motives and actions influence plot. Students will also know the significance of practicing so they can achieve mastery of a certain task. We will learn about the types of play for an early childhood aged kid. (3) Branch of Literature Drama is a term used for that branch of literature that covers dramatic composition. It helps us realize the wide world outside, surrounding us. How the child also develops while playing the game and others like it. There are important periods of our collective literary history in which virtually all of the surviving literature is dramatic. A toy/game that is interactive helps the child develop in many different parts of his body and mind. The study of literature would be impossible without Drama. In this study, the relevant literature was searched and differences between the pre-school educations was considered. mode of fictional representation through dialogue and performance Introduction of English Literature and literary English study materials for school, college and University students are available here. ii. Drama is a wonderful way for children to interact with, and interpret literature, or text of any sort. This is a great stepping stone for learning to self regulate their emotions. Especially in my research project the literature teachers’ attitude to the importance of story and drama as a teaching element in “Children Literature” was so essential because the research project would both study on literature review and teachers’ life experiences. There are experimentation, improvement and innovation that have become the fundamentals of a drama actor. Some of the skills that can help a child in these situations are running and jumping. Free essay sample on the given topic "Advantages Of Studying Locally". Catharsis has come to mean to cleanse or purge one’s soul through self-realisation. The setting should also be considered when staging a play because of the space. When students are asked to do drama, they develop a better understanding about themselves. Play gives parents and teachers opportunity to gain powerful insights into the child’s mind. 1. Drama can be challenging to read because it requires a lot of imagination, imagination and thought from the actor so they can see the actions, hear the sounds. A drama actor needs to have a better understanding of how the world works from the eyes of another person and does not necessarily mean he or she agrees with the character being portrayed. We also learned how you use the game by interacting with it. Here are just a few reasons why literature is important. The form is combined with music and dance in opera and musical theatre (see libretto). It also allows one to communicate and understand oneself and others. Drama can be defined as a dramatic work that actors present on stage. Patience is another characteristic that can be developed while doing drama because it requires a lot of practice to master a particular role. Initial incident: The event that “gets the story going” 2. The group social skills of students are enhanced through drama and different aesthetic experience shapes their cognitive and emotional processes found within themselves. In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Drama is the act of portraying a story in front of an audience. They will learn that movement is part of their life not a part of routine they get at home or in the setting. The curriculum should enable pupils to think creatively and critically to solve problems and to make a difference for the better. Use of drama in ESL classroom has many advantages. Play also allows children to the opportunity to socialize and the capacity to mature emotional. Not only in Literature, drama is very important in any kind of story telling irrespective of the genre and medium(novel/movie script/plays etc). Characteristics The values that actors learn while performing can be applied off the stage because it takes hard work and dedication to play a role. It has long been recognized that play is instrumental in a youth’s healthy development, and the ability to play is one of the signs used to determine if a young person is healthy or meets age-related developmental requirements. Drama is acted by players on stage in front of an audience, and this literary composition is written by playwrights. First and foremost, literature opens our eyes and makes us see more than just what the front door shows. Analysis Of The Wizard Of Oz. For instance, if an actress is to play the role of a prostitute, she does not have to be one. Preliminary event: Whatever takes place BEFORE the action of … Fill out the order form step-by-step. Through literature, people can learn about specific periods in history and events that changed the world. Play is the most is a natural part of childhood. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as “playwrights” or “dramatists.” Story either becomes boring or it feels like preaching. Dramatic literature, the texts of plays that can be read, as distinct from being seen and heard in performance. Play is a cherished part of childhood which may contribute towards many benefits in children’s lives. When they have dedication and hard work even if they are not performing, they can easily finish anything. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! This study has supported the notion that pretends play can improve the socio-emotional development of a child. Children also need certain skills to adapt to their social environment. We learned that play is a very important aspect in a child’s development. Drama encourages kids to work collaboratively. The playwright has to confine the locations of the scenes so that it can be performed in stage and only a few changes should be made. (Essay Sample), Role Of Technology In Economic Development (Essay Sample), American Psycho (An Analysis Essay Sample), Teamwork And Collaboration In Nursing (Essay Sample), Magical Realism In Literature (Essay Sample). Literature analysis, literary criticism, literature lesson, book review concept on literature context, scholars are allow to access English literature blogs, regarding art of literature as - Novel, Poetry, Drama, Essay, Prose, Short Story. Play helps in breaking down tension and releasing unexpressed steam. Dramas are written in the form of a script and actors perform interpretations of the characters involved in order to tell the story the … Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Speaking and listening skills are enhanced through drama strategies, role-play and improvisation and by the exchange of opinions and … They are a depiction of the different facets of common man’s life. Children love to play, and play often mirrors what is important in their lives. Literary Elements of Dramatic (or Narrative) Significance In order to depict in a short space of time, a conflict that will hold the attention of the audience or reader, and evoke a progressively strong emotional response, a dramatist (or novelist) must plan the structure … Some of the ways which social and emotional development affect other areas of development are: Drama as a literary genre Asides are short comments made by a character for the audience alone, usually occurring in or between speeches. In this way, children will be able to express themselves, develop their new skills and achieve their goals in the form of play. In addition, through play children develops their social, cognitive, physical and emotional skills. The basic difference between drama and other forms of literature (prose and poetry) is that drama is presented in … The history of drama goes back to Aristotle and his treatise ‘Poetics’ which gives a critical analysis of Sophocles’ Greek play, ‘Oedipus Rex’. Define drama in literature: In summation, a drama is a work of literature written for the intended purpose of being performed for an audience. Some other formats are dance performances, radio shows, puppet shows, etc. In the 20th century, drama has become a massive form of entertainment in different parts of the world. Özdemir and Çakmak (2008) opines "Drama enables students, in all levels of education, develop their intellectual skills such as creativity, problem solving, communication, socialization and empathy and it gives individuals the opportunity for self-actualization, group work and sharing their responsibilities." All it requires is for her to understand the point of view of a prostitute without feeling empathy. It develops an attitude of understanding others also a warm and sympathetic attitude towards them. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. From ‘Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years’ by David Farmer.. Play can be a natural way for children to relieve stress and work through different emotions and experiences. If drama is missing, then the story is not engaging. Most of the problems, and much of the Drama is a close ally in the development of literacy. Along with Both the skills, of body and mind, are being developed and imagination has been encouraged. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. A brief description of each character should be included in the drama. In addition to having higher standardised test scores, students who participate in drama often improve reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in class. As stated in the quote by C.S. Therefore the importance of pre-school drama must be considered to enable children to benefit from it. A story is dramatized, which means the characters and events in the story are brought to life through a stage performance by actors who play roles of the characters in the story and act through its events, taking the story forward. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Children possess a natural curiosity to explore and play acts as a medium to do so. The term "drama" comes from a Greek word meaning "action", which is … Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Every child has the need for play. Introduction: John “Jack” Worthing can be considered the hero of the farcical drama “The Importance Being of Earnest” by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Free essay sample on the given topic "American Psycho". This type of confinement is what makes writing plays harder compared to other forms of narrative. Literary works are portrayals of the thinking patterns and social norms prevalent in society. Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Well known in all world theorist Rudolf Laban, was exploring ideas of movement importance in young children’s life. Thus, along with the motivation to children the importance of play is in every aspect of their development also. Drama is nothing but the conflict and the characters/plot trying to overcome it. Some experts agree that dramatic play is an integral part of a well rounded preschool program as it is healthy for early childhood development. Thus, the use of psychosocial sports and play programs provide important opportunities for trained sports workers to help enhance children’s resilience, facilitating emotional and social stabilization, and the acquisition of new skills and abilities. Drama is found to create a safe atmosphere for expression of what one thinks and feels. i. Their own rules. It involves the characters and events of the story being brought to life on a stage by actors and their interactions (verbal and non-verbal) through its events. With this, we begin to … Increasingly the power of drama is being recognised as one of the most effective ways to develop soft skills and emotional intelligence in children and young people, skills that are often not developed through the traditional education system. It should allow the children the opportunity to become creative, innovative, enterprising and capable of leadership to equip them for their future lives as workers and citizens. They develop tolerance and become more empathic because a role requires an actor to inhabit it completely so they can perform it on stage. Additionally, when a child is under extreme stress or has been traumatized, this is often seen through symbolic repetitive behaviors suggesting aspects of the traumatizing event through play. Hire EssayBasics to Write Your Assignment, 5963 Corson Ave S 176, Seattle, WA 98108 USA, Advantages Of Studying Locally (Essay Sample), Sweet Memories Of My Childhood (Essay Sample), Effects Of The Russian Revolution (Essay Sample), Why Do You Want To Become A Pharmacist? Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been contrasted with the epic and the lyrical modes ever since Aristotle's Poetics —the earliest work of dramatic theory. When the setting is done on stage, the limitations have to be accepted by the playwright. Another reason why drama is important is because it helps in one’s exploration of thoughts, feelings and emotions. Prose and poetry also provide a way to express emotions, raise questions and build critical thinking skills. Drama can be challenging to write as it requires for the playwright to be aware of the opinions of producers, actors and even the audience. Lewis, literature not only describes reality but also adds to it. To understand its importance, first, let’s understand its etymology. Expanding horizons. Observational skills needed to understand how much movement children requires. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song. Having strong gross motor and fine motor skills can help a child to interact and build relationships. For a description of the oral and written literatures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, see Native American literature. Benefits of children play is children teaches self regulation. Campbell (2008) has proven the efficiency of drama on students ' achievement whereas the effect of drama in English as a second language teaching and learning has been the aim of many researches such as Gaudart (1990), Culham (2003), Ntelioglou (2006), Uddin (2009), Baraldi (2009), Gomez (2010), and Barreto (2014). Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. These attributes will now give an idea on how the actor should move on stage. The play prepares a child for his future life that is what State Institute of Education emphasizes. Play gives children fun, joy, amusement and motivation to encourage them to continue playing. Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Classical literary works serve as a food for thought and encourage imagination and creativity. Cunico (2005) is of the opinion that "drama is an under-exploited resource in the foreign language classroom. Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or the radio. Literature Helps Expand Horizons An important aspect of literature lies in how it can help expand the horizons of its readers. Introduction The term dramatic literature implies a contradiction in that literature originally meant something written and drama meant something performed. Question: Discuss the role of Jack Worthing in “The Importance of Being Earnest”. In a world where the quality of the art form called "writing" is so often said to be rapidly diminishing, it is important for scholars of English literature to retain some studies of the true classics, such as Shakespeare. Literary Elements There are six stages in a plot structure. A brief review of literature on the studies of the importance of using drama in English as a Second Language classes was conducted. Drama is acted by players on stage in front of an audience, and this literary composition is written by playwrights. (Galiguzova, 1995) stated that children’s play is filled with repetitions and imaginations based on what the children have seen, heard and experienced. A second review of literature relating factors, including the concerns and drama techniques for English teaching, was conducted. Free essay sample on the given topic "Teamwork And Collaboration In Nursing". Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! In addition, he should recognize the stage limitation that work within a lot of the conventions and diminution it implements on te character’s actions. This article traces the history of American poetry, drama, fiction, and social and literary criticism from the early 17th century through the turn of the 21st century. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM! Written by academic experts with 10 years of experience. Free essay sample on the given topic "History Of Newspaper". The success of the portrayal relies on the cooperation formed among producers, actors and writers in recognizing the … Free essay sample on the given topic "Dream Family". Free essay sample on the given topic "Role Of Technology In Economic Development". Its successful portrayal depends on the cooperation that must exist among writers, actors, producers and audiences in accepting the limitations and the conventions of the stage. At this point pre-school drama education plays a important role. Exposing oneself to good literary works, is equivalent to providing one with the finest of … Free essay sample on the given topic "Sweet Memories Of My Childhood". Drama is a literary composition to be acted by players on a stage before an audience. Use our samples but remember about PLAGIARISM!
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importance of drama in literature 2020
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The Resource Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed., (electronic resource)
Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed., (electronic resource)
The item Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed., (electronic resource) represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Bates College.
United States, Congress | House
United States, President (1945-1953 : Truman)
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed.
Executive reorganization
Presidential Communications and Messages
Reorganization Act of 1945
United States, Department of Labor
United States, Employment Service
United States, Federal Security Agency | Social Security Administration | Bureau of Employment Security (1946-1949)
House document (United States. Congress. House), 80th Congress, no. 499
United States congressional serial set, serial set no. 11241
Truman, Harry S.
House document / 80th Congress, 2nd session. House
serial set no. 11241
(Readex)11F69155152EA350
<div class="citation" vocab="http://schema.org/"><i class="fa fa-external-link-square fa-fw"></i> Data from <span resource="http://link.bates.edu/portal/Reorganization-Plan-No.-1-of-1948.-Message-from/kWpD_uSgQg4/" typeof="Book http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/Item"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a href="http://link.bates.edu/portal/Reorganization-Plan-No.-1-of-1948.-Message-from/kWpD_uSgQg4/">Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed., (electronic resource)</a></span> - <span property="potentialAction" typeOf="OrganizeAction"><span property="agent" typeof="LibrarySystem http://library.link/vocab/LibrarySystem" resource="http://link.bates.edu/"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a property="url" href="http://link.bates.edu/">Bates College</a></span></span></span></span></div>
Data Citation of the Item Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948. Message from the President of the United States transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1948, under the Reorganization Act of 1945. January 19, 1948. -- Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments and ordered to be printed., (electronic resource)
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8 ROCK STARS: NOVA SCOTIA The Joggins Fossil Cliff s on Chignecto Bay are more than just another pretty rock face. After all, they provide an unparalleled look at what life was like 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period. Some 200 species of fossilized plants and animals have been discovered here, among them Hylonomus lyelli, the earliest known reptile and the fi rst known vertebrate able to live entirely on land. Cited by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species, this 15-km-long (9.3-mi.), tide-washed UNESCO World Heritage site has been dubbed the "Coal Age Galápagos" ( www.jogginsfossilcliff s.net). 9 BRIDGING THE GAP: PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Although P.E.I. joined Confederation in 1873, the province wasn't physically connected to the rest of Canada until the billion-dollar Confederation Bridge opened between Borden-Carleton and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, 124 years later. Comprised of almost 13 km (8 mi.) of curvaceous concrete, the so-called "fi xed link" qualifi es as the longest bridge in the world spanning ice-covered water. It took a team of more than 5,000 workers four years to build this 11-m-wide (36-ft.) engineering marvel; motorists can cross it in a mere 12 minutes ( www.confederationbridge.com). 10 MIXED SIGNALS: NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR The provincial capital's leading landmark, Signal Hill, is crowned by an imposing stone tower, which was erected to com- memorate the arrival of Giovanni Caboto in 1497. The Genoese explorer is better known to anglophones as John Cabot. Coincidently, all of the modern-day visitors who tweet about the tower or post cellphone pics of it SHEDIAC BAY, NB • CTC CONFEDERATION BRIDGE, PE • SHUTTERSTOCK/DAVID P. LEWIS 14
http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net
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Petersburg Prosecutors Say Customs Art Tax Is Illegal
By Galina Stolyarova
Aug. 25 2000 00:00
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg aviation and transport prosecutor’s office has stated that a 100 percent tax imposed by customs on the export of cultural valuables is illegal.
The decision, made in a letter sent to Pulkovo airport’s customs last week, supports complaints over the tax first raised by officials from the Culture Ministry.
Valery Sokolov, acting aviation and transport prosecutor, said customs officials have one month to respond to the letter. If the tax is abolished, the case could set a precedent for the rest of the country, allowing people to sue the customs service if they are taxed for exporting cultural objects, according to a statement from the Culture Ministry’s board for the preservation of cultural objects in St. Petersburg.
The board must evaluate the worth of cultural valuables before they are taken out of the country and then issue a certificate of permission. Last month, the board stopped placing a price tag on cultural objects and only stamped them as able to be exported.
It said that the customs tax violated Russian law and effectively meant that people were paying twice for what they bought. In response, customs officials refused to let anyone take anything considered culturally valuable out of Russia, claiming that they had no way of knowing the worth of what they were taxing.
The issue stands right in the middle of a legislative gray area. A 1993 law stipulates that those exporting cultural valuables should pay an export tax, but fails to say what rate is to be levied. The customs service subsequently took matters into its own hands and set the tax at 100 percent, but the move was never backed up by the passing of a law.
Sokolov said Monday in a telephone interview that the culture officials were right in their observations. Any instructions from ministries acting independently without legal backing could not serve as a base to levy a tax, he said.
Furthermore, the definition of "cultural valuable" is unclear: Between mass-produced souvenir dolls, which may be waved through at customs without a second glance, and a cultural object over 100 years old, which cannot leave Russia at all, the interpretation of what is "valuable" is open to debate.
Sergei Pankov, a spokesman for Northwestern Customs, said the tax has been suspended.
Pankov said that the State Customs Committee as examining the document.
"An official reaction will follow in about a week," he said.
Sokolov said that if the tax is finally declared illegal, technically those who have paid it in the past will be able to apply to the courts for compensation. To be on the safe side, however, those in doubt as to the value of what they have purchased in Russia should go to the Culture Ministry’s board.
Without a certificate of permission to export, customs are still able to confiscate a cultural valuable, according to Alexander Savin, acting head of the board.
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How History Obscured the Legacy of Margaret Hamilton
Posted on June 17, 2016 By Vanessa Pius
By Vanessa Pius, President’s Office Intern
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. highlights landmarks in American air travel, military aeronautics, space exploration and some of the pioneers who made those milestones possible. Among the planes, diagrams, and tangibles in this family-friendly museum, there are two walls dedicated to women at the museum: one about the (sexist and racist) requirements for flight attendants in the 1950’s, complete with a full length mirror to see if visitors measure up, next to part of a plane from the same era that visitors can walk through to check out the cockpit. Another wall stands inside the hall for early aviation, decorated with pink paint, photos, and short descriptions of female aviators of the early 20th century. Woefully neglected are the female engineers and scientists whose invaluable contributions made so much of what visitors can see in the museum possible. One such woman was Margaret Hamilton, who worked on every manned Apollo mission, and several unmanned ones.
Before NASA selected their first class of female astronauts in 1979, Hamilton was working hard at MIT to make the Apollo missions possible. In 1960 when she was just 24 years old, Hamilton got a job as a programmer at MIT to support her husband while he was attending Harvard Law School. Her plan was to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics once her husband had earned his law degree (she had a bachelor’s in math and philosophy from Earlham College) but before long Hamilton was caught up in the lab at MIT and working on the Apollo space program.
Not long ago, this photo of Hamilton standing next to stacks of critical coding surfaced on social media.
The black and white photo is unlike most photos of women from the era, and it’s clear that Hamilton is taking ownership of her work that made the Apollo 8 mission possible. Hamilton though, was unusual in more ways than one; not only was she a pioneer for science and women in STEM at a time when women were still encouraged to stay at home or take on more domestically appropriate occupations, but also Hamilton was a working mother. In fact, she took her young daughter, Lauren, with her to the labs at MIT in the evenings and on the weekends. Lauren was actually the inspiration for a crucial piece of coding in one of the manned Apollo missions:
One day, Lauren was playing with the MIT command module simulators display-and-keyboard unit, nicknamed the DSKY (dis-key). As she toyed with the keyboard, an error message popped up. Lauren had crashed the simulator by somehow launching a prelaunch program called P01 while the simulator was in midflight. There was no reason an astronaut would ever do this, but nonetheless, Hamilton wanted to add code to prevent the crash. That idea was overruled by NASA. “We had been told many times that astronauts would not make any mistakes,” she says. “They were trained to be perfect.” So instead, Hamilton created a program note—an add-on to the program’s documentation that would be available to NASA engineers and the astronauts: “Do not select P01 during flight,” it said. Hamilton wanted to add error-checking code to the Apollo system that would prevent this from messing up the systems. But that seemed excessive to her higher-ups. “Everyone said, ‘That would never happen,’” Hamilton remembers.
(Robert McMillan)
Hamilton programmed error-checking codes that allowed the Apollo 8 flight to successfully return to Earth, even when an astronaut aboard inadvertently deleted all the navigation data he had been collecting.
Hamilton would go on to found her own company in 1986, Hamilton Technologies. In an interview with medium.com, Hamilton said she founded the company “to accelerate the evolution of our technology and to introduce it to more users,” and continues to work to evolve technology for companies like Boeing, Hewlett Packard, Honewell, IBM, Motorola, and the US Navy.
While STEM fields remain diversity-challenged, especially in regard to gender, let Hamilton be an inspiration for more young women to enter STEM fields – until the Air and Space Museum has no choice but to include them.
6 responses to “How History Obscured the Legacy of Margaret Hamilton”
Judith Weis says:
Thank you for this! As a feminist woman in science I am alwys interested in pioneers and hadn’t heard of her at all before.
Paula Stone says:
Surely they can find room for her in the museum displays!
Arlene R Ustin says:
YES! We need to honor Lauren Hamilton for sure. Each feminist’s story evolves us, the country, the world. And wow, do we do need to evolve humanity…
Her story reminds me of the artist Judy Chicago who created the The Dinner Party in 1979, considered the first epic feminist artwork. What it took for Chicago to fund, research, design, and find a permanent home for her installation that was record breaking for viewers around the world is epic.
Linda Varonich says:
Oh Arlene, I was transformed by The Dinner Party, viewed in Toledo Ohio museum. Still recall how the lighting and black surroundings truly carried it off.
And of course, this egregious example of a cultural gender bias vis a vis a Smithsonian Museum has to be confronted. Ignorance (of the Margaret and Lauren Hamiltons) is not bliss, it’s sexism plain and simple. Good story, well constructed
Sioux Messinger says:
Lovely article. Thank you for helping me learn more about Margaret Hamilton, a true woman pioneer.
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Prof Shen Zuowei
Vice Provost (Graduate Education)
pvozuows@nus.edu.sg
Professor Shen Zuowei is Vice Provost (Graduate Education) at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Prof Shen was Deputy Head of the NUS Department of Mathematics from 2006 to 2012, Head from 2012 to 2014, and Dean of the Faculty of Science from 2014 to 2020.
Prof Shen received his PhD in 1991 from the University of Alberta, Canada and completed his postdoctoral training at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined NUS in 1993, was promoted to full professor in 2002, and Distinguished Professor in 2009. Since 2013, Prof Shen has been Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor.
A renowned mathematician, Professor Shen is well-known for his fundamental contributions in mathematical foundations of data science, especially in the areas of approximation and wavelet theory, image processing and compressed sensing, computer vision and machine learning. Together with his collaborators, he has several signature theorems and algorithms that include developing a duality analysis that leads to three mathematical principles: the duality principle, the unitary extension principle and the oblique extension principle in approximation and wavelet theory; sparsity based balanced model and algorithms by using redundant systems in image processing; and the singular value thresholding algorithm in compressed sensing. His recent research interests focus on approximation theory of deep neural networks.
Prof Shen is a prominent researcher in his various fields of research. He sits on several editorial boards of top journals and has been invited to speak at many international conferences and congresses, including the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in 2010 and the International Congress of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM) in 2015. Both ICM and ICIAM, which are held every four years, are the most reputable congresses in mathematics and applied mathematics, and being an invited speaker at these events is testament to his expertise and leadership in these fields.
Prof Shen has received numerous awards and honours, including the NUS Outstanding University Researcher Award (2008 and 1997), Wavelet Pioneer Award from the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, US (2012), and the National Science Award of Singapore (1998). He has been elected as Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences (2020), Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, US (2019), Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, US (2017), and inaugural Fellow of the Singapore National Academy of Science (2011).
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[[File:oad2.jpeg|60px]] This list is part of the [http://oad.simmons.edu Open Access Directory]. * This is a list of toll access (TA) journals that converted to OA. * In the annotation, please include the publisher, the date of conversion, and whether the journal converted to full or hybrid OA. ** If a TA journal launched a full-text OA edition, even while retaining the TA edition, please include it with an appropriate annotation. * Related lists in OAD: (1) [[Journal declarations of independence]], (2) [[Journals that converted from OA to TA]]. * For real-time updates, some not yet reflected here, follow the [http://tagteam.harvard.edu/hubs/oatp/tag/oa.conversions oa.conversions] tag of the [http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/hoap/Open_Access_Tracking_Project Open Access Tracking Project]. * Alphabetical by title. [[Category:Lists about journals]] [[Category:History of OA]] ---- {| align="right" | __TOC__ |} ==A== * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aaa/ Abstract and Applied Analysis]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/aa/issue/view/337/ Acta Agrobotanica]. Published by the [http://pbsociety.org.pl/default/ Polish Botanical Society], it converted to OA around 1990. It has a free back archive through 1980. As of 06/01/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/ Acta Dermato-Venereologica]. Published by the Society for the Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica, it [http://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/?doi=10.2340/00015555-1004 converted] to OA in January, 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.mittag-leffler.se/publications/acta-mathematica/ Acta Mathematica]. Published by [http://www.intlpress.com/ International Press] on behalf of [http://www.mittag-leffler.se Institute Mittag-Leffler], it converted to OA in January, 2017. Backfile starting 1882 is also OA. * [http://informahealthcare.com/loi/ort Acta Orthopaedica]. Published by the [http://www.norf.org/ Nordic Orthopaedic Federation] and Taylor & Francis, it converted to OA in 2005. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. The full backfile from 1930 to the present is also OA. * [http://www.actavetscand.com/ Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on May, 2006. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.advancesindifferenceequations.com/ Advances in Difference Equations]. Published initially by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing] until March 2011 and now by [http://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/afdi African Diaspora]. Published by [http://www.brill.nl/ Brill] it [https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A2=LIS-E-RESOURCES;13ad4e5.1107 converted] to OA on January 2012. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.afrjpaedsurg.org/ African Journal of Paediatric Surgery]. Published by [http://www.medknow.com/ Medknow Publications], it converted to OA on July, 2008. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.africa-spectrum.org/ Africa Spectrum] Published jointly by the [http://www.giga-hamburg.de/english/index.php?file=iaa.html&folder=iaa/ Institute of African Affairs at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies GIGA] and the Swedish [http://www.dhf.uu.se/ Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation], it converted to OA in Summer 2009. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291474-9726/ Aging Cell]. Published by [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley] on behalf of the [http://www.anatsoc.org.uk/ Anatomical Society], it formally converted to OA in 2013 but also lists 2012 as OA. As of 05/08/2015 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. It is Occasional issues from the backfile are available and listed as free. * [http://al-qantara.revistas.csic.es/index.php/al-qantara/index/ Al-Qantara]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.aacijournal.com/ Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology] of the [http://www.csaci.ca/ Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on November, 2009. As of 04/10/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.amjbot.org/ American Journal of Botany] of the [http://www.botany.org/ Botanical Society of America]. * [http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/index.cfm American Libraries]. Published by the [http://www.ala.org/ American Library Association]. It converted to OA on [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2008/10/flagship-ala-journal-converts-to-oa.html October 14, 2008]. *[http://publish.aps.org/ American Physical Society] (APS). On February 15, 2011, the APS [http://publish.aps.org/edannounce/CC-launch-press-release converted] most of their journals to be hybrid OA. As of 04/25/2012 the journals were still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may08/080501f.asp American Veterinary Medical Association]. Published by the [http://www.avma.org/about_avma/whoweare/default.asp American Veterinary Medical Association] (AVMA), converted to OA on May, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://analescervantinos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/analescervantinos Anales Cervantinos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://rjb.revistas.csic.es/index.php/rjb Anales del Jardín Botánico de Madrid]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://improbable.com/ Annals of Improbable Research]. Converted to OA on December, 2007. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://aoemj.biomedcentral.com/ Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine] Published by [https://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central]. * [http://www.annualreviews.org/journal/publhealth Annual Review of Public Health] Published by [http://www.annualreviews.org/ Annual Reviews]. It [https://annualreviewsnews.org/2017/04/06/public-health-oa/ converted all current content] to OA in April, 2017 including all 37 back volumes from 1980 to 2016 and is seeking further funding to remain OA in the future. * [http://anthro-age.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/anthro-age Anthropology and Aging] of the [https://anthropologyandgerontology.com/ Association for Anthropology & Gerontology (AAGE)]. *[http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/aeer Anthropology of East Europe Review]. Published by [http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/ IUScholarWorks Journals], a joint project of [http://www.libraries.iub.edu/ Indiana University Bloomington Libraries] and [http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/ Indiana University Digital Library Program], it [http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=h-sae&month=0912&week=a&msg=A4CmcfAlwAR4zeoc7roCbw&user=&pw= converted] to OA in December, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.dguf.de/index.php?id=37 Archäologische Informationen].[http://www.dguf.de/ Published by Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte (DGUF)]. * [http://estudiosamericanos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosamericanos Anuario de Estudios Americanos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://estudiosmedievales.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosmedievales Anuario de Estudios Medievales]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://anuariomusical.revistas.csic.es/index.php/anuariomusical Anuario Musical]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.apla.ca/bulletin.cfm APLA Bulletin]. Published by the [http://www.apla.ca/about.cfm Atlantic Provinces Library Association], it converted to OA on June, 2007. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://cms.botany.org/home/publications/apps.html Applications in Plant Sciences] published by [www.bioone.org/ Botanical Society of America]. * [http://arbor.revistas.csic.es/index.php/arbor Arbor]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://aespa.revistas.csic.es/index.php/aespa Archivo Español de Arqueología]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://archivoespañoldearte.revistas.csic.es/index.php/aea Archivo Español de Arte]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA on 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/artifact/index Artifact]. "Moderated" at the [http://www.dcdr.dk/uk Danish Centre for Design Research] and hosted at [http://iu.edu/ Indiana University], it was [http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/artifact/announcement launched] in December 2011. As of 3/19/12 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://asclepio.revistas.csic.es/index.php/asclepio Asclepio]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.atiqot.org.il/ Atiqot]. Published by the [http://www.antiquities.org.il/ Israel Antiquities Authority], it [http://web.resourceshelf.com/go/resourceblog/61695 converted] in October, 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet.html Australasian Journal of Educational Technology]. Published by the [http://www.ascilite.org.au/ Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education] (ASCILITE). It dropped its print edition in December 2007 and converted to OA with its August 2008 issue. It explained the decision in this [http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet24/editorial24-1.html editorial] from August 17, 2008. As of 11/7/08 the journal is still OA, publishing issues. * [http://oezp.univie.ac.at/index.php/zfp Austrian Journal of Political Science]. Published by [https://www.uibk.ac.at/iup/ Innsbruck University Press]' ==B== *[http://bibleandcriticaltheory.org/index.php/bct/index Bible and Critical Theory]. Sponsored by [http://www.criticaltheoryofreligion.org/ Critical Theory of Religion] and [http://www.sbl-site.org/ The Society of Biblical Literature] and published by The Bible and Critical Theory Seminar it [http://stalinsmoustache.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/the-bible-and-critical-theory-resurrected/ converted] to OA in April, 2011. As of 04/12/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.kitlv-journals.nl/index.php/btlv Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde]. Published by [http://www.uu.nl/university/library/EN/igitur/overview/Pages/default.aspx Igitur Publishing] of the [http://www.uu.nl/university/Library/EN/Pages/default.aspx Utrecht University Library], it [http://vedm.net/edm/archive_extended/index.jsp?l=LqEc converted] to OA in October, 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[https://escholarship.org/uc/biogeographia Biogeographia]. First published by the [http://biogeografia.uniroma2.it Società Italiana di Biogeographia], it converted to OA in December 2016. As of 08/03/2018 the journal was still OA, publishing issues *[http://www.bioscirep.org/bsr/default.htm Bioscience Reports]. Published by the [http://www.biochemistry.org/ Biochemical Society], it [http://www.stm-publishing.com/bioscience-reports-to-convert-to-full-open-access/?goback=.gde_2367178_member_104355240 converted] to OA on April 2, 2012. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues * [http://www.bmj.com/ BMJ] (former: the British Medical Journal). Converted to OA on October, 2008. For details, see its [https://mx2.arl.org/Lists/SPARC-OAForum/Message/4634.html announcement]. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bvp/ Boundary Value Problems]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.bjhcim.co.uk/features/2008/809002.htm British Journal of Healthcare Computing & Information Management]. Published by [http://www.birchleyhallpress.com/about.htm Birchley Hall Press], it converted to OA on July, 2007. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.brookings.edu/economics/bpea.aspx Brookings Papers on Economic Activity]. Published by the [http://www.brookings.edu/ Brookings Institution], it [http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/03/22/economic-research-wants-to-be-free/ converted] to OA in March 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://2dgf.dk/publikationer/bulletin/index.html Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark]. Published by the [http://2dgf.dk/dgf_uk/main.html Geological Society of Denmark], it [http://my.opera.com/nielsol/blog/2009/10/26/bulletin-of-the-geological-society-of-denmark-now-open-access converted] to OA in October, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.papyrology.org/Publications/BASP/BASPGen.htm Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists]. Published by the [http://www.papyrology.org/ American Society of Papyrologists], it converted to OA on May, 2007. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==C== * [http://www.centrelink.org/Review.html CAC Review]. Published by the [http://www.centrelink.org/ Caribbean Amerindian Centrelink], has converted from an OA newsletter to an OA blog on December, 2007. As of 09/12/2008 the latest published issue was on August 2007. * [http://www.cjsonline.ca/ Canadian Journal of Sociology]. Converted to OA on January, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291349-7006/ Cancer Science]. Published by Wiley on behalf of the [http://www.jca.gr.jp/english/index.html/ Japanese Cancer Association], it converted to OA in 2005. As of 05/08/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. The backfile is available as OA. In 2003, it changed names from the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research to Cancer Science. *[http://www.loc.gov/cds/PDFdownloads/csb/ Cataloging Service Bulletin]. Published by the [http://www.loc.gov/cds/ Library of Congress Cataloging Distribution Service] it [http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/LC-Makes-Cataloging-Service-Bulletin-Free-Online-54905.asp converted] to OA in June, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/catholic/index Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice], sponsored by the [http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/catholic/about/journalSponsorship Governing Board]. Published by the [http://ejournals.bc.edu/ Boston College University Libraries], it [http://www.bc.edu/publications/chronicle/TopstoriesNewFeatures/news/journal092310.html converted] to OA in September, 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Journals/JournalIssues/SC#!recentarticles&all/ Chemical Science]. Published by the [http://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/sc/about.asp/ Royal Society of Chemistry], it converted to OA in 2011. As of 06/26/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1674-1137/ Chinese Physics C]. Published by [http://www.cps-net.org.cn/English.htm/ Chinese Physical Society] with the [http://english.ihep.cas.cn/ Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS], and the [http://english.imp.cas.cn/ Institute of Modern Physics, CAS]. It is hosted online by [http://iopscience.iop.org/ IOP Publishing]. Since 2014 the High-Energy Physics part of the journal is OA and funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. *[http://www.springer.com/new+%26+forthcoming+titles+(default)/journal/11434 Chinese Science Bulletin]. Published by [http://www.scichina.com/english/ Science China Press] and [http://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open], it [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/s-sji022211.php converted] to OA in 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://chiromt.com/ Chiropractic & Manual Therapies]. Published by BioMed Central, it was [http://blogs.openaccesscentral.com/blogs/bmcblog/entry/chiropractic_manual_therapies_journal_relaunched relaunched] as an OA journal in January 14, 2011. It is noteworthy that the [http://www.chiropractic-ecu.org/default.asp European Chiropractors' Union] and [Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australasia http://www.coca.com.au/], the sponsoring societies of the journal, are covering the cost of article-processing charges through January 2013. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com/ Clinical Epigenetics]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA in August 2011. As of 3/19/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.clinicalproteomicsjournal.com/ Clinical Proteomics]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA in June 2011. As of 14/06/2011 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://collectaneabotanica.revistas.csic.es/index.php/collectaneabotanica Collectanea Botanica]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://crl.acrl.org/ College & Research Libraries (C&RL)]. Published by the [http://www.ala.org/acrl/ Association of College and Research Libraries], it [http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/oafaq converted] to OA in April 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cfg/ Comparative and Functional Genomics]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on April, 2006. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cin/ Computational Intelligence in Neuroscience]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on April, 2006. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/coli?cookieSet=1 Computational Linguistics]. Published by the [http://mitpress.mit.edu/main/home/default.asp MIT Press], it will convert to OA on January, 2009. * [http://www.connotations.uni-tuebingen.de/ Connotations]. Published by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connotations_Society_for_Critical_Debate Connotations Society]. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291755-263X Conservation Letters]. Published by [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley] on behalf of the [http://conservationbiology.org/ Society for Conservation Biology], it converted to full OA as of January 2015. As of 05/08/2015, the journal is still OA, publishing issues. Some of the backfiles are also OA. * [http://estudiosgallegos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosgallegos Cuadernos de Estudios Gallegos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/19/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://culanth.org Cultural Anthropology]. Published by the [http://aaanet.org American Anthropological Association], on behalf of the Society for Cultural Anthropology. Previously published by [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1548-1360 Wiley], it converted to OA in February 2014. As of 6/9/2015 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [https://academic.oup.com/cz Current Zoology]- no website yet. The journal is still publishing under the title [http://www.actazool.org/ Acta Zoologica Sinica]. It will convert to OA on January, 2009. ==D== *[http://www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/en/institution/publikationen/deutsche-entomologische-zeitschrift/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift]. Originally [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291860-1324 published by Wiley], it [http://www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/en/whats-on/news/neueste-nachrichten/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=347 converted to OA] in January, 2014 and is now [http://www.pensoft.net/journals/dez/ published by Pensoft]. As of 04/05/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/developmental-cognitive-neuroscience/ Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier], it converted to OA in 2014. As of 05/08/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%292040-1124 Diabetes Investigation]. [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00027.x/abstract Published by Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd]. *[http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ddns/ Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://dmm.biologists.org/ Disease Models & Mechanisms]. Published by the [http://www.biologists.com/ Company of Biologists], it [http://ukpmc.blogspot.com/2010/11/company-of-biologists-develop-full-open.html converted] to OA in January, 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://adisonline.com/drugsrd/Pages/default.aspx Drugs in R&D]. Published by [http://adisonline.com/home/pages/publishingservices.aspx Adis], it [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/drugs-in-rd-gets-reinvented-as-an-open-access-journal-95759769.html converted] to OA in June, 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==E== *[http://www.earth-planets-space.com/ Earth, Planets, and Space]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. It converted to OA in 2014. This journal is affiliated with The Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences, The Seismological Society of Japan The Volcanological Society of Japan, The Geodetic Society of Japan and The Japanese Society for Planetary Sciences. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://ideas.repec.org/a/eap/articl/v38y2008i1p1-5.html Economic Analysis and Policy]. Published by the [http://www.ecosoc.org.au/ Economic Society of Australia], it converted to OA on May, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://jss.ecsdl.org/ ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology]. Published by [http://www.electrochem.org/ The Electrochemical Society], it converted to hybrid OA in February 2014. *[http://www.editorandpublisher.com/ Editor & Publisher]. Published by [http://duncanmcintoshco.com/ Duncan McIntosh Company], it [http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Headlines/Article//no-more-paywall-for-ep-online converted] to OA in December, 2010. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/evolutionary+%26+developmental+biology/journal/12052 Evolution Education and Outreach] published by [https://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open]. *[http://quaternary-science.publiss.net/issues Eiszeitalter und Gegenwart (E&G) - Quaternary Science Journal]. Published by the [http://www.deuqua.org/ Deutsche Quartärvereinigung], it [http://www.geoberg.de/en/2010/09/24/eg-quaternary-science-journal-ab-sofort-als-open-access-dokument/ converted] to OA in September, 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/ejc-supplements/ EJC Supplements]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier], it converted to OA in 2014. As of 05/13/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291757-4684/ EMBO Molecular Medicine]. Published jointly by the [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley] and [http://embopress.org/ EMBOpress], it converted to OA on August 12, 2012. The journal can also be found at [http://embomolmed.embopress.org/ EMBO Molecular Medicine]. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php/script_sci_serial/pid_1413-4152/lng_en/nrm_iso/lng_en Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental]. Published by [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?lng=en SciELO], it converted to OA creating an online version on August, 2005 and has retained a TA print version. As of 10/22/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.enveurope.com/ Environmental Sciences Europe]. Converted in 2011. Issues from 2011-2015 are OA while the backfiles from 1989-2010 are not. This journal is associated with Associated with GDCh Fachgruppe Umweltchemie und Öotoxikologie (GDCh Division Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology), VGöD - Verband für Geoökologie in Deutschland (Association of Geoecologists in Germany), the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC Europe) German Language Branch (SETAC GLB), the Students Advisory Council (SAC) of SETAC Europe, and The NORMAN network. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://emerita.revistas.csic.es/index.php/emerita Emerita]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.ehponline.org/ Environmental Health Perspectives]. Published by the [http://www.niehs.nih.gov/ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences], it converted to OA on January, 2004. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/epidemics/ Epidemics]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier], it converted to OA in 2014. As of 05/08/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/wcn/ EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on September, 2006. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.eurjmedres.com/ European Journal of Medical Research]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA in January 2012. * [http://www.springer.com/physics/particle+and+nuclear+physics/journal/10052/ European Physical Journal C]. Published by [http://www.springer.com/us/ Springer] and [http://en.sif.it/ Italian Physical Society (SIF)], since 2014 the journal is OA and funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. As of 2016, the journal was still OA. * [http://estudiosgeograficos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosgeograficos Estudios Geográficos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://estudiosgeol.revistas.csic.es/index.php/estudiosgeol Estudios Geológicos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/evolutionary+%26+developmental+biology/journal/12052 Evolution: Education and Outreach]. Published by Springer, it [http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=n0985054075r4n6h&size=largest converted] to Full OA in May, 2010. As of 05/08/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1752-4571 Evolutionary Applications]. Published by [http://www.wileyopenaccess.com/view/index.html Wiley Open Access], it [http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-102369.html converted] to OA on February 6, 2012. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/edr/ Experimental Diabetes Research]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], converted to OA on April, 2006. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==F== * [http://journals.edizioniseed.it/index.php/FE Farmeconomia and Theraputic Pathways]. Published by [http://www.edizioniseed.it/SEEd Medical Publishers]. * [http://filozofskivestnikonline.com/index.php/journal Filozofski vestnik International]. Published by [http://www.openhumanitiespress.org/ Open Humanities Press], it [https://mx2.arl.org/Lists/SPARC-OAForum/Message/5162.html converted] to OA on October 4, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/fpta/ Fixed Point Theory and Applications]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/ Florida Entomologist]. Published by [http://www.flaentsoc.org/ Florida Entomological Society], it converted to OA on November, 1994. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://journals.sfu.ca/coaction/index.php/fnr/index Food and Nutrition Research]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-action Publishing], it converted to OA on January, 2008. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.faoj.org/ Foot & Ankle Journal]. Converted to OA on February, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://fornvannen.se/fornvannen.html Fornvännen]. Published by the [http://www.raa.se/cms/extern/index.html Swedish National Heritage Board] it [http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/2009/03/major_archaeological_journal_g.php converted] to OA in March, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/en/institution/publikationen/fossil-record/ Fossil Record]. Originally [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291860-1014 published by Wiley], it converted to OA in January, 2014 and is now [http://www.fossil-record.net/ published by Copernicus]. As of 04/05/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==G== * [http://www.gsejournal.org/ Genetics Selection Evolution]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on January, 2009. 40 years of back content will be made freely available in the course of 2009. * [http://www.geochemicaltransactions.com/ Geochemical Transactions]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on November, 2005. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull/index-uk.htm Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin]. Converted to OA on April, 2007. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://2dgf.dk/publikationer/geologisk_tidsskrift/ Geologisk Tidsskrift]. Published by the [http://2dgf.dk/dgf_uk/main.html Geological Society of Denmark], it [http://my.opera.com/nielsol/blog/2009/10/26/bulletin-of-the-geological-society-of-denmark-now-open-access converted] to OA in October, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://gladius.revistas.csic.es/index.php/gladius Gladius]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.springer.com/materials/special+types/journal/13404 Gold Bulletin], sponsored by the [http://www.gold.org/ World Gold Council]. Published by Springer it [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/s-gbt092710.php converted] to OA in 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://grasasyaceites.revistas.csic.es/index.php/grasasyaceites Grasas y Aceites]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://grbs.library.duke.edu/index Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies], [http://grbs.library.duke.edu/about/journalSponsorship sponsored] by [http://library.duke.edu/ Duke University Libraries] and [http://classicalstudies.duke.edu/ Duke University Classical Studies]. Published by [http://library.duke.edu/openaccess/journals/ Duke University Libraries], it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2009/06/oa-journal-drops-paper-edition.html converted] to OA sometime before 2009, though physical copies of the journals ceased to be published after June, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tgcl20#.VVNVvGZjBFU/ Green Chemistry Review and Letters]. Published by [ttp://www.taylorandfrancis.com/ Taylor&Francis], It converted to OA in 2013 and provides free access to a back archive through 2007. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==H== * [http://www.hhrjournal.org/index.php/hhr Health and Human Rights]. Published by the [http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/fxbcenter/ François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights], it converted to OA on March, 2008. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13697625/ Health Expcetations]. Published open access by [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ Wiley] since 2016. Still OA as of June 2018. * [http://www.hccpjournal.com/ Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on June, 2008. * [http://hispania.revistas.csic.es/index.php/hispania Hispania]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://hispaniasacra.revistas.csic.es/index.php/hispaniasacra/issue/archive Hispania Sacra]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/historein Historein]. Published by [http://www.snf.org/en/grants/grantees/c/cultural-and-intellectual-history-society/ Cultural and Intellectual History Society]. * [http://library.queensu.ca/ojs/index.php/edu_hse-rhe/ Historical Studies in Education/Revue d'histoire de l'éducation]. Published by the [http://www.ache-chea.ca/eng/ Canadian History of Education Association/L'Association canadienne d’histoire de l’éducation], it converted to OA on January 1, 2011. As of 05/16/2011 the journal was still OA and publishing issues. * [http://www.homiletic.net/ Homiletic]. Published by [http://www.homiletics.org/ Academy of Homiletics], converted to OA in 2008. As of 8/9/2016 the journal was still OA publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/hpb/ HPB Surgery]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], converted to OA on November, 2007. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA publishing issues. * [http://www.humgenomics.com/ Human Genomics]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central]. It converted to OA in 2012 ==I== * [http://jr.ietejournals.org/ IETE Journal of Research], of the [http://www.iete.org/ Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers], converted to OA on October, 2008. Currently is published by [http://www.medknow.com/ Medknow]. * [http://tr.ietejournals.org/ IETE Technical Review], of the [http://www.iete.org/ Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers], converted to OA on October, 2008. Currently is published by [http://www.medknow.com/ Medknow]. * [http://je.ietejournals.org/ IETE Journal of Education], of the [http://www.iete.org/ Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers], converted to OA on October, 2008. Currently is published by [http://www.medknow.com/ Medknow]. *[http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/IJAgS Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences]. Published by the [http://www.icar.org.in/ Indian Council of Agricultural Research], it [http://www.icar.org.in/openaccess/jlist.php converted] to OA in March, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/IJAnS Indian Journal of Animal Sciences]. Published by the [http://www.icar.org.in/ Indian Council of Agricultural Research], it [http://www.icar.org.in/openaccess/jlist.php converted] to OA in March, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://ijmi.org/index.php/ijmi Indian Journal of Medical Informatics] (IJMI). Published by the [http://www.iami.org.in/ Indian Association for Medical Informatics] (IAMI), it converted to OA on August, 2007. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.ijpmonline.org/ Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology]. Published by the [http://www.iapm.net.in/ Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists], it converted to OA on April, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/IndianaLibraries Indiana Libraries], of the [http://www.ilfonline.org/ Indiana Library Federation]. Published by [http://journals.iupui.edu/ Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) University Library], it [http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/IndianaLibraries/announcement/view/2 converted] to OA in 2012. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://ineducation.ca/ in education (Indigenous Education)]. Published by [http://education.uregina.ca/ Faculty of Education at the University of Regina], it [http://ineducation.ca/about converted] to OA in December, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/idog/ Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1750-2659/ Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses]. Published by the [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ Wiley], it converted on October 1, 2013. As of 06/26/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.niso.org/publications/isq/ Information Standards Quarterly]. Published by the [http://www.niso.org/home/ National Information Standards Organization], it converted to OA in January, 2011. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.mitpressjournals.org/loi/itid?cookieSet=1 Information Technologies and International Development] (ITID). Published by the [http://mitpress.mit.edu/main/home/default.asp MIT Press], it converted to OA on October, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ital/index Information Technology and Libraries]. Published by [http://www.ala.org/lita/ Library and Information Technology Association], it converted to OA in January, 2012. As of 03/19/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://insights.uksg.org/ Insights] published by [http://www.uksg.org/ United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG)]. * [http://informesdelaconstruccion.revistas.csic.es/index.php/informesdelaconstruccion Informes de la Construcción]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://intarch.ac.uk/ Internet Archaeology]. Published by [https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/ Department of Archaeology at the University of York]. * [http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbsm21/current/ International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Service & Management]. Published by [http://www.tandfonline.com// Taylor and Francis], converted to OA on 09/26/2016. As of 03/14/2017 still OA publishing issues. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-infectious-diseases/ International Journal of Infectious Disease]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier], the journal converted to OA on December 31, 2013. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijmms/ International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://ijnp.oxfordjournals.org/ International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology]. Published by [http://www.oxfordjournals.org/en/ Oxford University Press], the journal converted to OA in 2015. It is the official journal of CINP (Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum). As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/jpt International Journal of the Platonic Tradition]. Published by [http://www.brill.nl/ Brill] it [https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A2=LIS-E-RESOURCES;13ad4e5.1107 converted] to OA in January, 2012. As of 04/11/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.ijqhw.net/index.php/qhw International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing], it [http://www.co-action.net/news/QHW_press_release.pdf converted] to OA on February 9, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijrm/ International Journal of Rotating Machinery (The)]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/19475411.asp International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials]. Published by [http://www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/ Taylor & Francis], it [http://www.4-traders.com/INFORMA-PLC-4001140/news/INFORMA-PLC-Taylor-Francis-Group-widens-Open-Access-offerings-13864967/ converted] to OA in October, 2011 and has a free back archive through 2010. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. As of 04/11/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://iovs.arvojournals.org/ Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science]. Published by [http://www.arvo.org/ Association for Research in Vision and Opthamology]. * [http://www.irishvetjournal.org/ Irish Veterinary Journal]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA in February, 2011. As of 01/03/2011 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://isegoria.revistas.csic.es/index.php/isegoria Isegoria]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.nature.com/ismej/index.html ISME Journal], of the International Society for Microbial Ecology. Published by [http://www.nature.com/ Nature Publishing Group], as of 04/11/2012 the journal was still hybrid OA, publishing issues. ==J== *[http://jamia.bmj.com/ JAMIA]. Published by the [http://www.amia.org/ American Medical Informatics Association], it [http://www.newswise.com/articles/top-ranked-informatics-journal-takes-new-direction began offering] delayed OA in January 2011. The embargo period is one year. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still providing delayed OA. *[http://digitalcommons.library.unlv.edu/jice/ Journal for International Counselor Education], of the [http://digitalcommons.library.unlv.edu/ University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries]. Published by [http://digitalcommons.bepress.com/ Digital Commons], it [http://digitalcommons.library.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1013&context=jice converted] to OA in 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://jneurodevdisorders.biomedcentral.com/ Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders]. Published by [https://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. * [http://www.journal-fuer-psychologie.de/jfp-1-2008.html Journal für Psychologie]. Published by the [http://www.zpid.de/index.php?wahl=zpid Zentrum für Psychologische Information und Dokumentation], it converted to OA on August, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.asas.org/ Journal of Animal Science] (JAS). Published by the [http://www.asas.org/ American Society of Animal Science] (ASAS), it converted to a hybrid OA journal on May, 2007. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jam/ Journal of Applied Mathematics]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jamds/ Journal of Applied Mathematics and Decision Sciences]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jamsa/ Journal of Applied Mathematics and Stochastic Analysis]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jammc/ Journal of Automated Methods and Management in Chemistry]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February, 2006. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/tjbd Journal of Biological Dynamics]. Published by [http://www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/ Taylor & Francis], it converted to OA in January, 2012. As of 3/19/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.jbiomedsci.com/ Journal of Biomedical Science]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2008/10/biomed-journal-converts-to-oa-with-bmc.html October 20, 2008]. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/ Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on August, 2004. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.gylphi.co.uk/journals/InnovativePoetry/ Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry]. Publication of the journal will begin in 2015 by the [https://www.openlibhums.org/ Open Library of Humanities]. It converted to OA in 2015. As of 06/26/2015 the journal was newly OA waiting to publish the first full journal OA. * [http://jcmr-online.com/ Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on Jan, 2008. As of 12/03/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291582-4934/ Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine]. Published by the [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley], it converted to OA on September 12, 2012. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.jci.org/ Journal of Clinical Investigation]. Published by the [http://www.the-asci.org/ American Society for Clinical Investigation], it converted to OA on January, 1996. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcse/ Journal of Control Science and Engineering]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on April, 2006. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues *[http://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1475-7516/ Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics]. Published jointly by [http://iopscience.iop.org/ IOP Publishing] and the [http://www.sissa.it/ International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA)]. Since 2014 the High-Energy Physics part of the journal is OA and funded SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. * [http://www.currentchineseaffairs.org/ Journal of Current Chinese Affairs-China aktuell] Published jointly by the [http://www.giga-hamburg.de/english/index.php?file=ias.html&folder=ias/ Institute of Asian Studies at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies GIGA] and the British [http://www.wreac.org/nics/ National Institute of Chinese Studies (NICS) of the White Rose East Asia Centre (WREAC)], it converted to OA in Summer 2009. * [http://www.currentsoutheastasianaffairs.org/ Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs] Published by the [http://www.giga-hamburg.de/english/index.php?file=ias.html&folder=ias/ Institute of Asian Studies at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies GIGA], it converted to OA in Summer 2009. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)2040-1124/ Journal of Diabetes Investigation]. Published by the [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ Wiley], it converted in 2014. As of 06/26/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://je-lks.maieutiche.economia.unitn.it/index.php/Je-LKS_EN/index Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge Society]. Published by the [http://www.sie-l.it/ Società Italiana di e-Learning], it [http://www.ergobservatory.info/ converted] to OA in April, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.aeaweb.org/jep/index.php Journal of Economic Perspectives]. Published by the [http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AEA/ American Economic Association], it converted to OA some time in 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.jfootankleres.com/ Journal of Foot and Ankle Research]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central]. As of 12/03/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. Under a new title, this journal continues (since July 2008) TA journals from the UK Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and the Australasian Podiatry Council. *[http://www.thejournalofheadacheandpain.com/ Journal of Headache and Pain]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. It converted to OA in 2013. It is the official journal of the European Headache Federation. 2000-2012 were published by [http://link.springer.com/journal/10194/ Springer]. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://link.springer.com/journal/13130/ Journal of High Energy Physics]. Published by [http://link.springer.com/ Springer] and owned by the [http://www.sissa.it/ International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA)]. Since 2014 the journal is OA and funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. As of 2016, the journal was still OA. *[http://www.pensoft.net/journal_home_page.php?journal_id=10&page=home&SESID=eec1b772313fae27f1dedae9d37dc64f Journal of Hymenoptera Research]. Published by [http://www.pensoft.net/index.php Pensoft], it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/newsletter/03-02-11.htm converted] to OA in 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jia/ Journal of Inequalities and Applications]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA in February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/45 Journal of Intellectual Property Rights]. Published by [http://www.niscair.res.in/ National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources], it [http://nipersasnagarlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/journal-of-intellectual-property-rights-joins-open-access-club/ converted] to OA in July, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://jkms.org/ Journal of Korean Medical Science]. Published by the [http://kams.or.kr/ Korean Academy of Medical Sciences], it [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2800032/pdf/jkms-25-1.pdf converted] to OA in January, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [https://journal-of-micropalaeontology.net/index.html Journal of Micropalaeontology]. Formerly published by Geological Society of London Publications, it converted to OA in January 2018 with a switch in publisher to Copernicus Publications. * [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jmmh/ Journal of Muslim Mental Health]. Published by [http://www.publishing.umich.edu/ Michigan Publishing] at the University of Michigan Library, it converted to OA in November 2011. * [http://www.jneurosci.org/ Journal of Neuroscience]. Published by the [http://www.sfn.org/ Society for Neuroscience], it converted to OA in January 2008. As of 10/20/2008 was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.journalofphysiotherapy.com/ Journal of Physiotherapy]. Published by the [https://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/ Austrailian Physiotherapy Association]. * [http://www.jpla.org/ Journal of Politics in Latin America] Published by the [http://www.giga-hamburg.de/english/index.php?file=ilas.html&folder=ilas/ Institute of Latin American Studies at the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies], it converted to OA in Summer 2009. * [http://www.journalotohns.com/ Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central]. It [http://www.deckerpublishing.com/productdetails.aspx?bjid=10 converted] to OA, publishing from 2013. * [http://www.jrre.psu.edu/ Journal of Research in Rural Education] (JRRE). Published by the [http://www.umaine.edu/edhd/index.htm University of Maine College of Education & Human Development], it converted to OA on September, 2004. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://scipolicy.net/ Journal of Science and Health Policy]. It converted on November, 2005. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.journalsi.org/index.php/si Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice]. Published by [http://www.uu.nl/university/library/EN/igitur/overview/Pages/default.aspx Igitur Publishing] of the [http://www.uu.nl/university/Library/EN/Pages/default.aspx Utrecht University Library], it [http://vedm.net/edm/archive_extended/index.jsp?l=LqEc converted] to OA in October, 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://jamia.oxfordjournals.org/ Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association]. Owned by [https://www.amia.org/ American Medical Informatics Association]. * [http://www.awwa.org/publications/journal-awwa.aspx Journal of the American Water Works Association]. Owned by the [http://www.awwa.org/ American Water Works Association]. * [http://www.cda.org/page/Journal_of_the_California_Dental_Association Journal of the California Dental Association]. It converted to OA on November, 2007. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/jchla/jchla.html Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association]. It converted to OA on June, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://jes.ecsdl.org/ Journal of The Electrochemical Society]. Published by [http://www.electrochem.org/ The Electrochemical Society], it converted to hybrid OA in February 2014. * [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/journals/93/ Journal of the Medical Library Association]. Published by the [http://www.mlanet.org/ Medical Library Association]. * [http://jwrd.iwaponline.com/ Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination]. Published by [http://iwaponline.com/ IWA Publishing], converted to OA in January, 2017. * [http://jrsm.rsmjournals.com/ Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine] (JRSM). Published by the [http://www.rsmjournals.com/ Royal Society of Medicine Press], it converted to OA on March, 2006. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.jucs.org/ Journal of Universal Computer Science] (J.UCS). Published by the [http://portal.tugraz.at/portal/page/portal/TU_Graz/ Graz University of Technology], it converted to OA in 2007. As of 03/20/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==K== * [http://www.krisis.eu/ Krisis]. Converted to OA on June, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==L== * [http://www.sls.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1 Laparoscopy Today]. Published by the [http://www.sls.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1 Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons] (SLS), it converted to OA on September, 2007. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==M== * [http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0718-221X&nrm=iso&lng=en MADERAS: Ciencia y Tecnología]. Published by [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?lng=en SciELO], it converted to OA creating an online version on August, 2005 and has retained a TA print version. As of 10/22/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.maritimestudiesjournal.com/ Maritime Studies]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. It converted to OA in 2012. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc Materiales de Construcción]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mpe/ Mathematical Problems in Engineering]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on May, 2005. As of 10/21/2008 the journal was still OA publishing issues. *[http://www.jkamprs.com/ Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. The journal is the official publication of the Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reonstructive Surgeons. It converted to OA in 2015. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/ Mediators of Inflammation]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Pages/default.aspx Medicine]. Published by [https://lrus.wolterskluwer.com/ Wolters Kluwer]. *[http://www.schattauer.de/en/magazine/subject-areas/journals-a-z/methods.html Methods of Information in Medicine]. Published by [http://www.schattauer.de/en/home.html Schattauer], it [http://www.schattauer.de/de/magazine/uebersicht/zeitschriften-a-z/methods/contents/archive/issue/1013/manuscript/12539.html converted] to OA in 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mfr Michigan Family Review]. Published by [http://www.publishing.umich.edu/ Michigan Publishing], it [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/mfr/?page=about converted] to OA in 2004. As of 10/18/2013, the journal was still OA, publishing issues (one per year). * [http://www.microbecolhealthdis.net/index.php/mehd Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing]. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1751-7915 Microbial Biotechnology]. Published by the [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley], it converted to OA on October 30, 2012. The journal is jointly published with the [http://www.sfam.org.uk/ Society for Applied Microbiology]. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.microbecolhealthdis.net/index.php/mehd Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing] it [http://www.co-action.net/news/mehd_press_release.pdf converted] to OA in June, 2011. As of 04/12/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.univie.ac.at/voeb/publikationen/online-mitteilungen/ Mitteilungen der Vereinigung Österreichischer Bibliothekarinnen & Bibliothekare]. Published by [http://www.univie.ac.at/voeb/ Vereinigung Österreichischer Bibliothekarinnen & Bibliothekare], it [http://www.univie.ac.at/voeb/fileadmin/Dateien/Publikationen/VOB-Mitteilungen/vm63201023_4.pdf converted] to OA in 2010. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2015.html Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report]. Published by the [http://www.cdc.gov/ Centers for Disease Control]. *[http://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1878-0261 Molecular Oncology]. Published by [http://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub FEBS Press/Wiley] converted to OA January 2017. *[http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Molecules]. Published by [http://www.mdpi.org/ Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)]. *[http://www.mrmjournal.com/ Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it [http://blogs.openaccesscentral.com/blogs/bmcblog/entry/multidisciplinary_respiratory_medicine_joins_biomed converted] to OA in June 2012. ==N== *[http://www.nanoscalereslett.com/ Nanoscale Research Letters]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. It converted to OA in 2012. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[https://escholarship.org/uc/uclalaw_nblj National Black Law Review]. Published by [https://bunchecenter.ucla.edu/ The Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies] (then called the Center for Afro-American Studies). It converted to OA in 2015. As of August 3, 2018, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.nature.com/ncomms/index.html/ Nature Communications]. Published by [http://www.nature.com/ Nature] it converted to OA on October 20, 2014. Prior to that, the journal was hybrid OA and articles could be OA or subscription. As of 2015, the journal was still full OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.njmonline.nl/ Netherlands Journal of Medicine]. It converted to OA on July, 2005. * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/ Neural Plasticity]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], converted to OA on May, 2006. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.kitlv-journals.nl/index.php/nwig New West Indian Guide]. Published by [http://www.uu.nl/university/library/EN/igitur/overview/Pages/default.aspx Igitur Publishing] of the [http://www.uu.nl/university/Library/EN/Pages/default.aspx Utrecht University Library], it [http://vedm.net/edm/archive_extended/index.jsp?l=LqEc converted] to OA in October, 2011. As of 04/11/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://newtheologyreview.com/index.php/ntr New Theology Review]. Funded by the [http://www.ctu.edu/ Catholic Theological Union]. * [http://www.scionresearch.com/general/publications/nzjfs New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science ]. Published by [http://www.scionresearch.com/ Scion]. * [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/skan/publ/publikationsreihen/nofo/english/start_reload.htm Nordeuropa Forum]. It coverted to OA on January, 2006. As of 10/25/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://nl.pensoft.net/ Nota Lepidopterologica]. Owned by [http://www.soceurlep.eu/ Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica (SEL)]. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-physics-b/ Nuclear Physics B]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier]. Since 2014 the journal is OA and funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. As of 2016, the journal was still OA. *[http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/ Nucleic Acid Research]. Published by [http://www.oxfordjournals.org/en/ Oxford University Press], the journal converted to OA in 2005. The journal has an online archive through 1996, which are freely available. Prior to 1996, articles are in PMC. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==O== * [https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/686 Ohio Journal of Science]. [http://www.ohiosci.org/ Owned by The The Ohio Academy of Science]. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/chem?rskey=Y39Lfo&result=1 Open Chemistry]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA on January, 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Chemistry (CEJC)'' to ''Open Chemistry''. As of 05/12/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/eng Open Engineering]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA on November, 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Engineering (CEJE)'' to ''Open Engineering''. As of 06/08/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/biol?rskey=wmBFUa&result=2 Open Life Sciences]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA in 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Biology'' to ''Open Life Sciences'' and has an online archive through 2006. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/math?rskey=zxqB2C&result=2 Open Mathematics]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA in 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Mathematics'' to ''Open Mathematics.” As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/med?rskey=6wxepI&result=1 Open Medicine]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA in 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Medicine'' to ''Open Medicine.” As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/phys?rskey=QJKbX5&result=1 Open Physics]. Published by the [http://www.degruyteropen.com/ De Gruyter Open], it converted to OA in 2014. The journal changed names in 2014 from the ''Central European Journal of Physics'' to ''Open Physics” and has an online archive through 2003. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://journal.oraltradition.org/ Oral Tradition]. Published by the [http://oraltradition.org/ Center for Studies in Oral Tradition], it converted to OA on October, 2007. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.lingfil.uu.se/inst/publikationsserier/orientalia_suecana/ Orientalia Suecana]. Published by the [http://www.lingfil.uu.se/ Department of Linguistics and Philology Uppsala University], it [http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2010/11/coming-soon-in-open-access-orientalia.html converted] to OA in January 2010. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==P== *[http://www.pakistaniaat.org/index Pakistaniaat]. Published by the [http://english.unt.edu/ Department of English, University of North Texas], it converted from [http://www.pakistaniaat.net/2010/11/03/pakistaniaat-moving-to-delayed-open-access/ delayed OA] to [http://www.pakistaniaat.net/2011/02/05/pakistaniaat-back-to-full-open-access/ immediate OA] in February, 2011. As of 04/04/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/pjbr Paladyn: Journal of Behavioral Robotics]. Published by [https://www.degruyter.com/ De Gruyter]. *[http://www.palgrave-journals.com/palgraveopen/index.html Palgrave Open]. The publisher [http://www.palgrave.com/ Palgrave Macmillan] [http://www.infotoday.eu/Articles/News/Featured-News/Palgrave-Macmillan-launches-Open-Palgrave-76313.aspx launched] an OA option for [http://www.palgrave-journals.com/palgraveopen/open_access_faqs.html#what-is 19 of its journals] in June 2011. As of 04/25/2012 the program was still operating, publishing articles. *[http://www.springer.com/physics/optics+%26+lasers/journal/13320 Photonic Sensors]. Published by [http://www.oice.uestc.edu.cn/en/ University of Electronic Science and Technology of China] and [http://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open], it converted to OA in 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/physics-letters-b/ Physics Letter B]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier]. Since 2014 the journal is OA and funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. As of 2016, the journal was still OA. * [http://pirineos.revistas.csic.es/index.php/pirineos Pirineos]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291467-7652 Plant Biotechnology Journal]. Published by [https://www.sebiology.org/ Society for Experimental Biology], [http://www.aab.org.uk/ Association of Applied Biologists] and [http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/ John Wiley & Sons Ltd]. *[http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar Polar Research], of the [http://www.npolar.no/en/ Norwegian Polar Institute]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing], it [http://www.iwr.co.uk/academic-and-humanites/3010610/Peer-reviewed-journal-Polar-Research-goes-open-access converted] to OA in January, 2011. As of 04/25/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/ portal: Libraries and the Academy], of the [http://www.press.jhu.edu/index.html Johns Hopkins University Press]. Published by [http://muse.jhu.edu/ Project MUSE], it [http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/press_releases/summaries/PLA_access.pdf provided] OA versions of "copy-edited versions of all accepted articles" as of April, 2010. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still providing these preprints OA. *[http://ptp.oxfordjournals.org/ Progress of Theoretical and Experimental Physics]. Published by [http://www.oxfordjournals.org/en/ Oxford University Press] and the [http://www.jps.or.jp/english/ Physical Society of Japan] the journal converted to OA in 2013. This journal succeeds the journal Progress of Theoretical Physics. Since 2014 all High-Energy Physics articles are funded by SCOAP<sup>3</sup>. As of 2016, the journal was still OA. * [http://www.pulmononline.org/ Pulmon: The Journal of Respiratory Sciences]. Published by the [http://www.calicutmedicalcollege.ac.in/ Calicut Medical College], it converted to OA on March, 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==R== * [http://www.ub.uit.no/baser/rangifer/index.php Rangifer]. Published by the [http://www.rangifer.no/eng/about-nor.html Nordic Council for Reindeer Husbandry Research], it converted to OA on July, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt Research in Learning Technology]. Published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing] for the [http://www.alt.ac.uk/ Association for Learning Technology]. It converted to OA on 1/1/2012 as described [http://www.alt.ac.uk/researchinlearningtechnology2012 here], switching publishers from Taylor and Francis. All back issues became OA as well. * [http://www.veterinaria.org/revistas/recvet/ RECVET Revista Electronica de Clinica Veterinaria]. Published by the [http://www.veterinaria.org/ Veterinaria.org]- (Veterinaria Organización), it converted to OA on Enero, 2006. As of 22/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.veterinaria.org/revistas/redvet/ REDVET Revista Electronica de Veterinaria]. Published by the [http://www.veterinaria.org/ Veterinaria.org]- (Veterinaria Organización), it converted to OA on Mayo, 1996. As of 22/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0718-2295&nrm=iso&lng=en Revista Chilena de Literatura (La)]. Published by [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?lng=en SciELO], it converted to OA creating an online version on August, 2005 and has retained a TA print version. As of 10/22/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://rdtp.revistas.csic.es/index.php/rdtp Revista de Dialectología y Tradiciones Populares](RDTP). Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://revistadeindias.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revistadeindias Revista de Indias]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://revistadeliteratura.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revistadeliteratura Revista de literatura]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://revistademetalurgia.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revistademetalurgia Revista de Metalurgia]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://redc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/redc Revista española de Documentación Científica]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://revintsociologia.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revintsociologia Revista Internacional de Sociología]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears]to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.thericejournal.com/ Rice]. Published by [http://www.springeropen.com/ SpringerOpen]. It converted to OA in 2012. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==S== * [http://www.hindawi.com/journals/srcm/ Sarcoma]. Published by [http://www.hindawi.com/ Hindawi Publishing], it converted to OA on February 2006. As of 09/15/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.sjtrem.com/ Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA on July, 2008. As of 09/12/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/stam Science and Technology of Advanced Materials]. Published by Japan's [http://www.nims.go.jp/eng/ National Institute for Materials Science], it converted to OA on January, 2008. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/journal/11427 Science China Life Sciences]. Published by [http://www.scichina.com/english/ Science China Press] and [http://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open], it [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/s-sji022211.php converted] to OA in 2011. As of 04/16/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. * [http://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina Scientia Marina]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://ojs.abo.fi/index.php/scripta Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis] Published by [https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Donner_Institute_for_Research_in_Religious_and_Cultural_History Donner Institute for Research in Religious and Cultural History]. * [http://sefarad.revistas.csic.es/index.php/sefarad Sefarad]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.las.org.sg/wp/resources/publications/sjlim1/ Singapore Journal of Library & Information Management]. Published by the [http://www.las.org.sg/wp/ Library Association of Singapore] it [http://blogs.uct.ac.za/blog/celias/2009/08/07/singapore-journal-of-library-and-information-management converted] to OA in July, 2009. As of 04/09/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[https://sajbm.org/index.php/sajbm/ South African Journal of Business Management]. Published by the [https://www.usb.ac.za/ Stellenbosch University Business School] converted to OA in April 2018. *[http://www.journals.elsevier.com/stem-cell-research/ Stem Cell Research]. Published by [http://www.elsevier.com/ Elsevier], it converted to OA in 2007. As of 05/13/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.sibios-issb.org/publications-2/subterranean-biology/ Subterranean Biology]. Originally published by the International Society for Subterranean Biology, it [http://www.pensoft.net/news.php?n=244 converted to OA] in April, 2013 and is now [http://www.pensoft.net/journals/subtbiol/ published by Pensoft] on behalf of the society. As of 04/05/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.http://sjes.springeropen.com/ Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics]. Originally published by the Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, it converted to OA in 2017 and is now published by [https://www.springeropen.com/ Springer Open] on behalf of the society. As of 24/07/2017, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==T== * [http://tp.revistas.csic.es/index.php/tp Trabajos de Prehistoria]. Published by the [http://www.csic.es/ Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]- (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), it [http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2007/06/spanish-research-council-converts-12.html appears] to have converted to OA sometime after 2006. As of 10/20/2008 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://www.tellusa.net/index.php/tellusa/index Tellus A/B]. Owned by the [http://www.misu.su.se/imi/imi.html International Meteorological Institute in Stockholm] and published by [http://www.co-action.net/ Co-Action Publishing], it [http://www.tellusa.net/index.php/tellusa/article/view/16068 converted] to OA as of January 1, 2012. As of 2/8/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/tessera Tessera]. Published by [http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/ydj York University Libraries], it [http://www.yorku.ca/yul/news/?p=1690 converted] to OA in January 2011. As of 4/4/2012 the journal was still OA; the entire archive is available for the duration of publication, from its inception in 1984 to the final issue in 2005. *[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291759-7714/ Thoracic Cancer]. Published by the [http://www.wiley.com/ Wiley], it converted to OA on November 15, 2015. The journal is the official publication of the Chinese Society of Lung Cancer and the International Chinese Society of Thoracic Surgery. It is endorsed by the Korean Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and the Hong Kong Cancer Therapy Society. As of 2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://triquarterly.org/ TriQuarterly Online]. Published by [http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/grad/cw/ Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies], it [http://chronicle.com/article/Literary-Circles-Reel-at/48612/ converted] to OA in September, 2009. As of 4/9/2012 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. *[http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?reload=true&punumber=5971803 Tsinghua Science and Technology Journal]. Owned by [http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/newthuen/ Tsinghua University]. ==V== * [http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/ Veterinary Research]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com/ BioMed Central], it converted to OA in January, 2011. As of 01/01/2011 the journal was still OA, publishing issues. ==W== *[http://www.waojournal.org World Allergy Organization Journal (WAO Journal)]. Published by [http://www.biomedcentral.com BioMed Central], it [http://journals.lww.com/waojournal/pages/default.aspx converted] to OA from [http://www.lww.co.uk/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins], publishing with BioMed Central from 2013. ==Z== *[http://www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/en/institution/publikationen/zoosystematics-and-evolution/ Zoosystematics and Evolution]. Originally [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291860-0743a published by Wiley], it [http://www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de/en/whats-on/news/neueste-nachrichten/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=347 converted to OA] in January, 2014 and is now [http://www.pensoft.net/journals/zse/ published by Pensoft]. As of 04/05/2015, the journal was still OA, publishing issues.
Return to Journals that converted from TA to OA.
Retrieved from "http://oad.simmons.edu/oadwiki/Journals_that_converted_from_TA_to_OA"
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Katy Perry - Roar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8
Roar has been playing in my head for the past few days. I actually like the song. It has the qualities of an anthem, one that makes you want to sing along.
A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpfWORQWhU
So, with GTA V on the verge of being launched this week (tonight at Midnight), earlier this week I decided to watch Game Reviews of the previous editions into the franchise and one of them of course was GTA Vice City, a personal favorite of mine. Beside the game play, the biggest thing Vice City had going for it was the 80's soundtrack. When you drive around, you have a handful of radio stations you can change to one of the songs that became synonymous with the game was A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran. I can't not think of the game when I hear the song and vice versa. Well, in one of the Vice City reviews.....actually about 4 different reviews to be precise had the song playing in the background. Needless to say, the song is stuck. It's been stuck for a few days now and I can't get it out. It's driving me to the point of insanity. Arrrrggggh!!!!!!!!
Well R. P. McMurphy, are we just steps away from a straight jacket?
Getting there......
Well, like getting rid of old girlfriend.... get a new one.
Play more music, different music.
Gah, I have two...kinda
Possum Kingdom... The band wants to play this song. I had not heard this song before, or least don't remember. It's a hard song. So I've been playing the hell out of it to get the percussion down
The other is just saying...
Hump-Daaaaaaaaaaay
From that camel commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwwR9VmqRc
Having just spent the past couple of months watching my Weeds Marathon, is it no wonder that this song is STILL playing in my head?
The Heavy - How You Like Me Now?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVzvRsl4rEM
Have not been able to shake this song for the past couple of days. Love the groove.
Soul Asylum - Can't Even Tell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVOwD4XQVvY
A favorite song of mine, so I have no issues with this playing in my head for the past 3 days and still counting.........
Bruno Mars - Gorilla (Live MTV VMA 2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhaKmW8dhgg
Love the studio version of the song, but it's this particular VMA performance that has been stuck in my head for awhile. Even Will Smith is grooving to this one too.
Admit, for some reason, my iPad doesn't bring up the videos. Just a black hole.
Are you saying none of the videos show up or just the previous post?
All videos are missing again. Seems just recently though.
Willowz - Repetition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F3Pf4VIOjk
Apple iPhone 5S - New Commercial - Gigantic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVAQHs2zIM
Normally I would post this in Mac's Commercial Thread. But THIS belongs here because the lyric 'Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic' has literally been playing over and over in my head for the past 3 weeks. NONSTOP!!!!! I hated it at first, second and third. But now....it has grown on me. What the hell! Now all together.....Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic!!!!
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Photos from December 17-19, 2020 edition
Storie Nzassi, the 7-year-old granddaughter of Delegate Delores L. McQuinn of Richmond, holds an enlarged copy of the cover of National Geographic Magazine’s January edition featuring a projection of George Floyd’s face on the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. The Monument Avenue statue became a rallying point for protesters against police brutality and racial injustice following Mr. Floyd’s death in May at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Images representing the struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States were projected onto the monument by Richmond artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui and photographed by Kris Graves for the cover. The youngster was attending a news conference last Friday with her grandmother at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where Gov. Ralph S. Northam proposed $11 million in state funds be used to transform Monument Avenue.
Call it protest art Christmas-style. This new artwork now stands at the base the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. The Black figure tops a fir tree, a traditional Christmas symbol, and adds a holiday dimension to the protest slogans and colorful artwork that have transformed the pedestal that holds the Confederate statue that the state is still battling in court to take down. The pedestal, which gained its new look during the late spring and summer protests over racial injustice and police brutality, has become a significant attraction for residents and visitors. The pedestal’s changed appearance also has garnered national attention, with the New York Times naming it No. 1 on its list of protest art and National Geographic featuring it on the cover of its special issue, “2020: The year in Pictures.”
Dam in Bryan Park
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrated the first anniversary of the unveiling of the equestrian statue “Rumors of War” by artist Kehinde Wiley with a collection of visual animations and digital collages projected onto the museum building on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The visual anniversary projections, which ran nightly from Dec. 10 through Dec. 12, were done for the VMFA by Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, Richmond artists who have gained national attention for their projections onto the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. It also included audio recordings of Mr. Wiley and his remarks from 2019, when the statue was dedicated. The 27-foot tall statue, located outside the museum, features a young African-American man with dreadlocks, jeans and high-top sneakers sitting regally on horseback. The artist said his work was a direct response to the Confederate statues that lined Monument Avenue.
Like people, furry friends need annual checkups to make sure they are healthy, too. On Dec. 5, two nonprofit organizations, Salem’s Light and the Street Dog Coalition, offered a free veterinary clinic for pets at Forest Hill Park. The clinic drew all types and sizes of pets. Shakirah Abdal, listens as veterinarian Dr. Justin Jones details his findings after examining her 12-year-old pit bull terrier, Bella, who was being held by veterinary assistant Rachel Ring. Bella’s follow-up appointment for X-rays and dental care at Dr. Jones’ office will be covered by Salem’s Light, an outreach, education, advocacy and spay and neuter organization.
Veterinary assistant Hannah Heretick holds Jerome-the-Cat, who received a checkup and immunizations during the clinic while his foster mother, Dee Thomas, background, watches. Ms. Thomas said the cat showed up at her home two days before Thanksgiving. Her family, which has been caring for the cat since then, wanted him to have a well- ness check before being turned over to his new family.
Keon Booker’s chihuahua, also named Bella, clings to him after her checkup.
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RUTH ELLEN GRUBER: Cowboys & Jewish Culture
words, images & public speaking
Ruth’s CV
Ruth in the Media
Ruth’s Books, etc
Collaboration/Contributor
Translation/CD
Articles & Other Writing
Confederate Battle Flag over the Imaginary Wild West
Sauerkraut cowboys
Recent Appearances
As an American journalist, author, editor and researcher, I’ve published and lectured widely and won awards for my work on Jewish heritage and contemporary Jewish issues in Europe, as well as my work on the European fascination — and embrace — of the American Wild West, its mythology and its music.
I’ve chronicled European Jewish issues for more than 25 years — I coined the term “Virtually Jewish” to describe the way the so-called “Jewish space” in Europe is often filled by non-Jews — and am Coordinator of the web site www.jewish-heritage-europe.eu, an online resource for Jewish heritage issues that is a project of the Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe. I had a Guggenheim Fellowship to work on my project “Sauerkraut Cowboys, Indian Dreams: Imaginary Wild Wests in Contemporary Europe.”
Among my other awards is Poland’s Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit, one of the highest awards that Poland grants to foreign citizens. And I was the Arnold Distinguished Visiting Chair in Jewish Studies at the College of Charleston, SC, for Spring Semester 2015.
I’m quoted in an article — A Pilgrimage Through Ancestral Lands
Posted on December 10, 2020 by Administrator
Hilary Danailova has written an article in Hadassah Magazine about Jewish genealogy — and travel, in which I’m quoted, about the impact of digital resources. Her article is called A Pilgrimage Through Ancestral Lands.
“The revolution in genealogy travel is Facebook,” observed Ruth Ellen Gruber, a veteran journalist and Jewish travel authority […]. “There are a million Facebook groups, with subgroups for individual cemeteries, synagogues, shtetls and so forth. People can ask questions and get immediate answers from across the world.” Gruber oversees what is arguably the most comprehensive resource for Jewish heritage tourists: the web portal Jewish Heritage Europe, with daily updates on Jewish heritage-related sights, events and people across the continent, along with genealogy and travel insights.
Posted in Articles, Hadassah Magazine, In the media, Jewish Heritage, Travel
Adventures in the Real Imaginary
Posted on November 19, 2020 by Administrator
I gave an illustrated lecture — via Zoom — on Nov. 12 as part of a program organized by the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow.
In it I looked back over my experience in Poland, dating back to 1980, when I was a correspondent for UPI covering Solidarnosc and martial law (including when I was jailed and expelled from the country because of my coverage) and discussed how throughout my career I’ve observed how people create lived experience via dreams and desires: whether it was Solidarnosc activists aiming for civil society, or emerging Jews and Jewish communities claiming, reclaiming — or creating — identities, or fans of the American frontier finding identity in country music and home-grown swinging door saloons. There was a lot more I would have wanted to say in response to questions in the very brief discussion afterward, but that can be for another time.
Posted in talks, videos | Tagged imaginary wild west, Jewish heritage, lectures, Poland, realimaginary
Virtual travel in COVID times
I’m quoted in an article by Sophie Panzer in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, titled: Can’t Travel Due to COVID Restrictions? Take a Virtual Tour of Jewish History
(June 26, 2020), discussing how, at a time when the pandemic has curtailed most travel, I presented on the Jewish Heritage Europe web site a wide variety of links a suggestions for virtual tours ….
“Museums and other operations have been creating virtual tours and digital recreations and online exhibits for a long time. Since no one can travel, there’s been an explosion of digital experiences of all sorts,” Gruber said. “JHE is an online operation, so I just wanted to bring more useful and expansive content to people who were stuck at home. People want to be entertained, to see beautiful things.”
She started in early March with a series of virtual tours of 11 European towns that included digital recreations of buildings where people could learn local history. After getting a positive response from visitors, she continued to post more virtual experiences in Italy, Hungary, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries.
In addition to cemeteries and art exhibitions, site visitors can explore “Atlas of Memory Maps.” Mounted by Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre in Lublin, Poland, the online exhibit features maps of pre-war cities, towns and shtetls drawn from former inhabitants’ memories after World War II.
The JHE website also hosts an exhibit of papercut art by the Polish artist Monika Krajewska commemorating Jewish sites that were destroyed during the Holocaust.
“They’re really fabulous, we got a good response,” Gruber said of the artwork.
She said the challenge for tour guides and organizations is monetizing those experiences to help sustain workers in the tourism industry during coronavirus shutdowns.
Click to read the full article
Posted in In the media, JHE, Travel | Tagged in the media, Jewish Heritage Europe, Travel
Video — my presentation at Slovenia Jewish heritage conference, September 2019
Posted on December 2, 2019 by Administrator
I took part in a conference on Jewish Heritage in Slovenia, held at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in September 2019.
My presentation was “Notes” from the survey of Jewish heritage in Slovenia that I carried out in 1996 — the first full survey of Jewish heritage in the country, and an endeavor that in many ways underlay the scholarship presented by the other participants in the conference.
That survey was carried out for the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, and was published in downloadable form. Click here to access it.
The conference was filmed — here is a video of my presentation.
Posted in Jewish Heritage, Publications, talks, Travel, videos | Tagged Israel, Slovenia
Music — and the Imaginary Wild West in CZ
Posted on April 27, 2019 by Administrator
In Brno
In Brno, Czech Republic, the Imaginary Wild West leaps off a wall…. advertising “the best steaks” in the city at an eatery called “U Starýho Bill” (At Old Bill’s) that calls itself “a real ‘TEXAS’ restaurant.”
The wall here was a few steps away from the Sono Center, a major Brno venue for contemporary music — where I was headed to attend a concert by the Czech bluegrass band The Malina Brothers, with guest appearances by Charlie McCoy, the Nashville-based harmonica virtuoso and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Czech singer Kat’a Garcia. The concert was sold out, and got a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd. And it was being filmed for a live show DVD.
Malinas concert Sono Center
The Malinas are old friends of mine. Banjo player and multi-instrumentalist Lubos Malina was one of the founding members of the great Czechgrass group Druha Trava, and I met him (amazingly) nearly 15 years ago, at one of the many summer bluegrass/country festivals in CZ, when I first started exploring the Imaginary Wild West in Europe.
Guitarist Pavel Malina used to play with DT, and fiddler Pepa Malina still sometimes plays with them. The Malina Brothers band came together informally at first, but over the past five years or so has developed a remarkable following in CZ — as the concert in Brno demonstrated.
The three brothers visited in Italy six years ago and gave a house concert at the home of a friend. It was the first of a series of house concerts anchored by Lubos. We’re looking forward to the entire band (the three brothers plus bass player Pavel Peroutka) coming next month. The brothers played this arrangement of Smetana at the house concert in 2013 — and at the concert in Brno.
On the night after the Brno concert, Pepa Malina performed with Druha Trava at the start of a a week-long tour with Charlie McCoy — a sold-out, standing-ovation gig in the town of Ceska Trebova.
Here’s a video of the run-through before the Ceska Trebova concert:
Charlie McCoy has had a standout career in the USA and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
I’ve written about him in the past, on my Sauerkraut Cowboys blog, because he is quite wellknown in the country music scene outside the USA. He tours regularly in Europe and elsewhere (i.e. Japan), and he makes a point to play with European bands and also records with them; he has released albums in France, Denmark, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Later this summer he will be touring in Sweden in England.
Onstage at the concert in Ceska Trebova, he recalled how he met up with Druha Trava — it was at the festival in Strakonice, CZ, where he was performing in 2001. DT was also on the bigg and asked if he would join them for a few songs — since then he has toured with them half a dozen or more times in CZ, released a live album with DT and also released a CD with The Malina Brothers.
Here’s a promo video about the Malina Brothers album (partly in Czech, partly in English):
I met Charlie back in 2005 during one of his tours with Druha Trava — the concert I saw was at a “Days of Texas” festival in the little town of Roznov pod Radnostem, in eastern CZ.
The festival, I wrote in an article
highlighted the fact that from the mid-19th century until World War I, thousands of people emigrated from Roznov and other towns and villages in the region to Texas. Today, Texas has the largest ethnic Czech community of any state in the United States.
There were demonstrations of 19th-century farming customs used by the emigrants and performances by American-style Czech country-western groups, as well as local folk groups performing Wallachian songs and dances. An exhibition of quilting featured a big patchwork quilt reading “Texas,” hung prominently from the upper floor of the old Roznov Town Hall.
Like the Malina Brothers concert in Brno, the Druha Trava/Charlie McCoy concert in Ceska Trebova drew a standing ovation from an energized crowd — and lots of autograph-seekers and CD-buyers afterward.
And here we are in Ceska Trebova, backstage.
Posted in bluegrass, country music, czech bluegrass, Czech Republic, imaginary wild west, music, sauerkrautcowboys
On the power of built heritage — my op-ed
Holocaust memorial outside restore synagogue in Subotica, Serbia
In the wake of the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, I wrote an op-ed for JTA discussing the transcendent symbolism of built heritage.
JTA gave the essay the title “Notre Dame will be rebuilt – but most European Jewish sites never will be” — but the essay goes well beyond this idea.
Read it below:
BUDAPEST (JTA) – Architecture and built heritage can be powerful symbols.
Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous and familiar buildings in the world, visited by an astonishing 30,000 people a day, or 13 million people a year. It is embedded in global collective consciousness and immortalized around the world in a zillion holiday snaps, videos, works of fine art and memories.
My Facebook and Twitter feeds this week have been full of posts grieving over the great cathedral’s fiery fate and heaving sighs of relief that most of the 800-year-old building and its treasures apparently will be saved.
But they have also been full of posts questioning why so much emotion – and money – is (or will be) spent over the fate of one building, however old or iconic, while myriad other important heritage sites are under threat worldwide and millions of people are homeless or go hungry.
My most recent visit to Notre Dame, last October, was for the opening event of an international conference about how to save the thousands of abandoned or endangered churches, synagogues and other sites of religious heritage in Europe. I’ve been working to document and preserve crumbling Jewish heritage sites for three decades, and it’s often been an uphill battle.
Inside Notre Dame during conference opening, October 2018
Unlike the damage incurred by the vast majority of vulnerable heritage sites, the Notre Dame fire happened dramatically, in real time, as thousands watched by the Seine and millions followed online or on TV. Millions of those who watched the flames had a direct, tangible connection with the building, even if just as a tourist who visited once with a group. What’s more, the fire was sudden, unexpected and – unlike so many other cases – it was not due to war or, as far as we know at this point, attack.
People need symbols, and the world needs culture, beauty and art. Notre Dame was and is a symbol of all such things – and an important symbol of continuity and connection.
The global response shows how built heritage can transcend the specific and become a potent symbol for society at large.
Back in 1999, the then-French culture minister, Catherine Trautmann, sought to make this point in an address to an international conference on Jewish heritage in Europe held in Paris and sponsored by the French government.
“Jewish heritage in France is also the heritage of all the French people, just as the cathedrals of France also belong to France’s Jews,” she said.
Her statement was a noteworthy expression of a new way of thinking that has still not fully permeated society – namely that Jewish built heritage is part and parcel of European heritage, not distinct from it.
During the Holocaust, Jewish heritage sites were more than symbols – they were surrogates: In addition to the mass murder of Jews, the Nazis deliberately targeted the physical places that Jews held dear. Untold hundreds of synagogues, prayer houses and Jewish cemeteries were destroyed during World War II, and following the war, hundreds more were either destroyed, left derelict or converted for other uses that totally obscured their original identity.
In the decades that I’ve been involved in the Jewish heritage field, many once-ruined synagogues have been restored, and some have been rededicated with high-level ceremonies: in Berlin, Budapest and Krakow, as well as smaller towns and cities. Some are used again (or still) as places of worship. Others now play prominent roles as cultural landmarks.
In Warsaw, once home to 350,000 Jews and the most important pre-Holocaust Jewish center in Europe, only one prewar synagogue remains standing today. No synagogues were rebuilt when parts of downtown Warsaw, primarily its war-leveled Old Town, castle and cathedral, were reconstructed from rubble after World War II. As far as I know there are no plans to rebuild any in the future.
A year ago, however, a powerful public installation in the heart of Warsaw elevated the symbolism of Jewish built heritage in a way aimed at touching the city as a whole.
Held on the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the failed Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the installation, with a second edition planned for this year on April 18, entailed the public “virtual reconstruction” of the Great Synagogue, the most imposing of the city’s destroyed shuls.
A stately domed building that seated 2,000, the Great Synagogue was blown up by the Nazi occupiers on May 16, 1943, following the destruction of the ghetto. A sleek skyscraper known as the Blue Tower now stands on the spot.
Directed by the artist Gabi van Seltmann and organized by the Open Republic Association Against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia, the “virtual reconstruction” featured a multifaceted sound collage integrated with a visual centerpiece – an animated projection onto the walls of the Blue Tower of a shimmering, ghostly image of the grand synagogue that once stood there.
The huge projected image, organizers said, was “animated in such a way that the viewer will have an impression that the building is rising from the ruins.”
Warsaw’s Great Synagogue will never be physically reconstructed.
I look forward, though, to the day when Notre Dame is.
A ceremonial virtual reconstruction of the Great Synagogue Warsaw from Otwarta Rzeczpospolita on Vimeo.
Posted in Articles, Jewish Heritage, JTA
Watch the new Latke Hamantash trailer (with me in it)
Posted on April 3, 2019 by Administrator
Last summer I took part in the Latke vs Hamantash debate, held in Krakow during the Jewish Culture Festival — I defended the Latke.
The debate was filmed for a documentary that’s in production, and the new trailer is out — with a snippet or two of me….
Alas, the video is not embeddable… but CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO SEE IT.
Posted in Appearances
Visiting Wild West theme parks in CZ and PL
Posted on October 1, 2018 by Administrator
Me at the Western park outside Boskovice, CZ
(This is a crosspost from my Sauerkraut Cowboys blog…)
I managed to get to two Wild West theme parks this summer — “Twin Pigs” in Poland, and the Western Park (once called Wild West City) outside Boskovice in the Czech Republic.
I’ve visited a number of wild west theme parks in Europe over the years — they are key elements in the Imaginary Wild West. Real Imaginary spaces that have grown out of dreams, passions, stereotypes, and yearnings — but also help create them.
This was my first visit to Twin Pigs — but the latest of several to Boskovice.
The Boskovice park was founded in 1994 as a private initiative by a local man, Luboš “Jerry” Procházka, who developed the park in a natural setting in and around a disused sandstone quarry. The first time I visited — in, I believe, 1997 — it was out of season and the park was closed; I could only look at it over a fence. But I was struck by the view of the saloon and other movie-set buildings.
At that time, I was researching my book “Virtually Jewish” — about the relationship of non-Jewish people to Jewish culture in Europe. I wrote this in an essay published at the time in The New Leader magazine (and also in my 2008 book “Letters from Europe (and Elsewhere)”):
Some people compare Europe’s current interest in Jewish culture with the United States’ interest in Native Americans. To be sure, I have seen Indian dolls wearing beaded costumes for sale in the Denver train station that reminded me of the “Jewish” puppets and figures I have photographed in Prague, Krakow, and Venice.
I was not surprised, therefore, by two posters I found on display in the Boskovice tourist office. One is for a jazz festival whose proceeds are to go toward renovation of the Jewish quarter. The other advertises a rodeo at a place called “Wild West City: Boskovice’s Western Town.” It features photographs of people dressed up like American Indians riding horses, with corrals, rickety wooden structures and even tepees in the background. A handbill shows a seductive Indian maiden looking over her shoulder.
I found Wild West City on my map, the edge of Boskovice, and stopped there on my way out of town. It is a theme park set up in an old quarry that resembles a stage set from a John Ford movie, replete with a flimsy wooden saloon and general store. A sign at the entrance reads, “Indian Territory.” Another notes the kilometers to various spots in the American West — most of them spelled incorrectly. It’s off-season The place is deserted. The only sound is that of hoofbeats, as a costumed employee rides a horse round and round the repro corral.
On the Boskovice Western city main street
On subsequent visits over the years, I spoke with Jerry — who is still the owner and managing director — and observed the town “in action.” It includes the usual wild west tropes — a “main street,” saloon, “boot hill”, bank, “Indian Village” etc.
Boskovice’s Indian Village
But I’ve always found it much more low key and laid back than some of the others I have visited — there’s a dusty slightly rundown feel — though I did notice on my visit this July that some of the buildings had been repainted since my last visit. There also seemed to be more activity elements aimed at kids.
The imagery is based on US western movies and Karl May books, but it also is influenced by Czech tramping tropes. The Czech movie Lemonade Joe, a 1964 spoof of the singing cowboy genre, also plays a role — in particular with the big “advertising” mural for “Kola Loka” — the sarsparilla type drink enjoyed by the movie’s hero.
The park includes an outdoor theatre where live performances take place — I didn’t see one this summer (it apparently was based on the shootout at the OK Corral) but some years back I took in a performance based on Karl May’s Winnetou characters.
Imaginary wild west at the wild west theme park, Boskovice, Czech Republic (Photo © Ruth Ellen Gruber)
Twin Pigs, located in southern Poland near Zory, off a main highway, is a somewhat different story, It employs the same general skeleton, but has quite a different feel: a purpose-built construct born out of a commercial business plan rather than from personal passion.
Opened in 2012, it is described as an amusement park, and it is much more “top down,” planned out, and hard-edged than Boskovice, with its grassroots origin and — despite recent improvements — still rather amateur feel.
There is a regular lay-out along the Main Street, and also a ferris wheel, roller coaster, and other rides, restaurants, a 5D theater, and children’s activity trails. Lots of red-white-and-blue bunting and American flags (and a few Confederate ones, too).
Western Park Boskovice web site
Twin Pigs web site
Watch the movie Lemonade Joe
Posted in Czech Republic, imaginary wild west, Karl May, Poland, sauerkrautcowboys, Theme parks
Me, defending the Latke….
I took part in the “Great Latke versus Hamentash” debate, held at the JCC in Krakow during the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival.
I defended — of course — the Latke. My opponent was an American-Israeli stand up comic, Benji Lovitt, and the debate was moderated by Benjamin Lorch.
The whole debate was filmed for a documentary film…. see trailer below:
So far I don’t have pictures of the event — but suffice it to say that it got, well, heated! Especially when Benji tried to prove his point by a fabricated email supposedly written by me — Fake News….(I mean, But My Emails….?)
I’ll try to post more, but here, for anyone interested, is the text of my opening statement:
IN DEFENSE OF LATKES
Latke vs Hamentasch Debate, Krakow, June 30, 2018
Ruth Ellen Gruber
“Let them eat cake.”
This is the legendary put down allegedly uttered by a high-ranking princess when she learned that peasants – that is, the mass of the people — had no bread. It has come to represent the height of elitism and insensitivity on the part of, shall we say, the “upper crust” in regard to ordinary folks – that is, in regard to most of us.
The phrase is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, but in fact its origins predate her by decades. In the 1760s, when Marie Antoinette was just a child, the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau identified the person who made this disparaging remark only as having been a “great princess.”
“Cake” is the usual English rendition of the original French term, “brioche”. And while Rousseau did not give a nationality for this anonymous princess, he did add a footnote. This stated that the original term that she used was not actually brioche, but – “poche” – short for Poche d’Haman.. That’s Frnech for Hamentash.
Yes, hamantasch. Let them eat Hamantashen.
It makes sense. Because, however you look at it, hamentashcen are – cake. Metaphorically, they are the tasty delight of the plutocracy. They’re dessert. Fun food. And given the wacky excesses encouraged at Purim, they are the ultimate party food. Up there today along with chips, dips, candy, and, yes, even orange-colored Cheetos.
They represent frivolity, folks. Entertainment. Abandon. You can’t really take them seriously.
And this, by the way, makes it perfectly fitting that the organizers of this debate have chosen a stand up comic to defend them.
You can’t live on hamentashen. Unless you patronize a Jewish-style café such as those here in Krakow that serve them all year round, you eat hamentashen only at Purim.
And need I remind you that Purim is a party. You’re supposed to get drunk. Act out. Act wild. Do things that you ordinarily would not do.
Even the very act of eating hamentashen with their traditional fillings can give rise to hilarity, if not derision. The poppy seeds always get caught in your teeth and look comically gross. And need I mention the effect of prunes? What other food is associated with garish noisemakers, anyway?
You can’t change the nature of Hamantashen. You can try — but if you fill one with cheese, for example – it becomes, basically, a baked blintz.
Latkes on the other hand, are the staff – or, given their shape, the stepping stones – of life. Think of them laid out, one after the other, crisp on the outside, cloud-like on the inside — charting a course through the tangled terrain of Jewish existence.
They are sustenance. You eat them all year round. They don’t just feed the people, they nourish them — us. Unlike Hamentashen, they can be eaten as any part of a meal, depending on how you serve them: with sour cream or even a meat sauce as a main dish; naked with a little salt and pepper as a side dish; with apple sauce or sugar to sweetly end a repast. As such they are in many ways nature’s perfect cooked food.
Moreover, they are simple to prepare for a people, like the Jews, who have been historically on the move. You don’t need an oven to bake them; you don’t need to wait for dough to rise; just mix them up and fry them in a pan over any type of heat source. Even, it has been reported more than once – but this could be an urban legend — on city pavements in lower Manhattan on scorching hot summer days.
When my own ancestral family members immigrated to Texas from what is now Lithuania, that’s what they did. They started out poor, like most immigrants. Some of them, like my great-uncle Hyman Simon, who died in 1941, started out as peddlers who plied the dusty roads of east Texas with horse and cart. As part of his travel kit Hyman always had a cast iron skillet and an easy to store and carry bag of potatoes, and bottle of oil, or usually, in his case, a chunk of rendered goose fat lovingly packed by his wife, Sarah, my grandmother’s oldest sister, who lived to be 101 years old.
Likewise, my grandfather, Joe Moskowitz, was a surveyor who traipsed through the Texan swamps, oil fields and snake-infested highlands in a Stetson hat and knee-high boots. He often had to camp out at night and prepare dinner in the wild, in his own cast-iron skillet over a campfire.
What did he prepare? Latkes of course. The cowboys he sometimes shared a campfire with would chow down on their beans and bacon. But Joe Moskowitz kept kosher.
When he was really ravenous, out in the wilds, he would tell folks that he was so hungry he could eat a ham sandwich…. But he didn’t. He didn’t have to. He had latkes.
I have my grandfather’s notebook where he kept track of all this. He noted down how many latkes he ate, what they looked like, what topping he ate them with, and how many potatoes he used to make them.
And my brother still uses that same cast iron skillet in his ultra modern kitchen in California.
I don’t think it has ever entered my brother’s mind to bake Hamentaschen. But he cooks with that skillet every day. It is very well seasoned after nearly a century of oily use, and it’s still perfect for making latkes.
So what’s the “perfect” Jewish food?
Frivolous once-a-year party fare? Pastries whose filling gets stuck in your teeth and may have other, ahem, digestive effects?
Or the versatile latke, whose savory fried goodness, dressed up or dressed down, sustains and, more importantly, nourishes the Jewish people, and has done so for generations?
The answer, friends, is clear. Power to the People!
Posted in Appearances, Events, festivals, Poland, talks
WATCH: me in conversation with Shaul Bassi, in Venice
At the conference Jewish Heritage Tourism in the Digital Age, held in Venice October 23-25, 2017, there was an event celebrating 25 years year the first edition of my book Jewish Heritage Travel was published — and 15 years since my book Virtually Jewish: Reinventing Jewish Culture in Europe.
The event was a conversation between me and Shaul Bassi, of Ca’ Foscari University and Beit Venezia, looking back on my involvement in Jewish heritage over the past nearly 30 years.
Watch it here:
The videos of all the presentations at the conference are posted online in a dedicated YouTube Channel.
Click here to access them.
Posted in Appearances, Jewish Heritage, talks, videos
Much of my writing, research and photography deals with what I have come to call "new authenticies" and "real imaginary spaces" -- sites, experiences and even mind sets evoked by the past or another culture that through study, yearnings and even fantasies are transformed into something else that is quite different but often just as "real" as the original.
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Indian Navy MiG-29 crashes into Arabian Sea, 1 pilot missing
A MiG-29K trainer jet of the Indian Navy crashed in the Arabian Sea. One pilot ejected safely and was recovered, another is missing. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
The incident took place on the evening of November 26, 2020. “One pilot has been recovered and search by air and surface units in progress for the second pilot,” the Indian Navy said in a statement reported by NDTV. The exact circumstances of the incident are unknown. An investigation was opened.
The Indian Navy operates a fleet of over 40 MiG-29K fighter aircraft based in the coastal city of Goa, bordering the Arabian sea. They are also deployed out of the INS Vikramaditya, a Kiev-class aircraft carrier acquired from the Russian Navy in 2004.
It is the third mishap in less than a year. Exactly a year ago, on November 26, 2019, an Indian Navy Mig-29KUB crashed after suffering a bird strike. Both pilots ejected safely. On February 23, 2020, a MiG-29K aircraft of the Indian Navy crashed off the coast of Goa during a routine training sortie. Its pilot was recovered at the time.
The Navy eventually aspires to replace the Soviet-made fighters with a carrier-capable variant of the indigenous Hindustan Aeronautics Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, still under development.
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William “Bill” Mooney | President & CEO P. Geog
Bill has worked for more than 35 years in the seismic acquisition industry; including extensive experience in sales, project management and seismic operations. Bill began his employment in the industry at the age of 16 when he took a job on a seismic crew in the Canadian arctic. He went on to complete a degree in geology at the University of Calgary. In 1984, Bill joined Capilano Geophysical Ltd. as a geologist, eventually becoming Vice President, Marketing. This is where he began his professional relationship with Joe Little. In 1992, Bill left to run Surface Search Inc.; which he had founded in 1989. Surface Search Inc specialized in high resolution, ground-penetrating radar technology and successfully completed projects on four continents. In 1996, Bill together with Joe Little acquired Polaris Explorer Ltd.
Joseph “Joe” Little | Exec VP & COO
Joe has more than 30 years’ experience in the seismic acquisition industry, including wide-ranging experience on both Canadian and international operations. In 1980, Joe joined Capilano Geophysical Ltd. and was later promoted to Canadian Operations Manager - increasing operations to a total of nine seismic field crews whilst working closely with Bill Mooney. In 1996, Joe resumed his professional relationship with Bill Mooney when they acquired Polaris Explorer Ltd. from Cabre Exploration Ltd. Joe is responsible for all aspects of the Polaris Group’s operations; including its HSE program.
Christopher "Chris" Moulson | CFO LLB (Hons) MBA
Chris is a former UK and Canadian corporate lawyer with 15+ years corporate finance professional – covering all aspects of private equity and public offerings, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings and structured debt financings. He has worked with Bill and Joe since 2006 and most recently handled the management buyout of the Polaris Seismic Group's JV partner. In addition to overseeing the finance function, he acts as internal legal counsel.
Brian Eagen | Global Operations Director
Brian has worked in the seismic industry for over 35 years and has worked with Polaris Seismic since 1997. He started in the industry in 1978 as a Seismic Observer. He then moved on to a Project Manager role - managing some of the largest 3D crews in Canada and the US; including heli-portable crews in the Canadian Rockies. Brian started running international crews for Polaris Seismic in 2007 and was Polaris Country Manager in Kurdistan Iraq and East Africa. Of late, Brian has taken on more of a global role ensuring Polaris Seismic's crews maintain safety, quality and production worldwide. Brian has gained extensive experience in importing equipment and logistic planning.
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Debt Rattle, August 27 2008: Floating Rate Redemption
National Photo Company What could be simpler 1926
J. Fred Huber Radio window, 1217 H Street NW in Washington
"Atwater-Kent Radio. What could be simpler?"
Ilargi: The problems in the financial sector are about to become a lot bigger, and much more urgent. $500+ billion have been written down, and that was the easy part. The next $500 billion-$1.5 trillion will be far more hurtful. It's also inevitable.
I don’t know what shape they’ll all be in by Christmas, but it’s entirely possible that Wall Street four months from now will be hardly recognizable.
Every single one of the banks faces increasing and accumulating challenges, and it’s now impossible to even imagine that all of them will survive. On top of all the writedowns and losses that are still in the marked-to-fantasy pipeline, there are $100’s of billions in debt that need to be paid off and renewed.
This will result in steeply higher borrowing costs, and that is IF they can get access to loans. It will also lead to a whole new round, probably the biggest one by far to date, of asset fire sales.
But it’s by no means sure that they can find new credit, nor that they can find buyers for that next round of assets. Lehman Bros. is still out there looking for anyone that will give it a few pennies; no takers.
The FDIC may claim that it needs access to Treasury funds only to relieve "short-term cash-flow pressure", but the sign on the wall is clear. One large bank failure is now enough to shake the deposit insurance façade into a catatonic state.
The list of banks at risk of failure is all of a sudden 30% longer, but that in itself doesn’t even mean anything. If IndyMac can go beer-belly up without ever having made the list, anything goes.
The FDIC fund has shrunk to $45.2 billion. For comparison, the banks presently on the endangered list have $78 billion in deposits, while loans 90 days or more overdue soared 20%, to $162 billion, in just one quarter. Profits at FDIC member banks plunged 87%.
That is, if you believe they still make a profit at all. Which in these days of embellished statistics is a risky thing to do. Unemployment numbers "forget" to include people who have given up looking for work, just like housing stats ignore homes that have given up looking for a buyer.
Along those lines of logic, there’s little chance that the secret FDIC problem bank list would include the likes of Wachovia or Citigroup, if only because there’s no way deposits of that size could be guaranteed or handled by the agency. But that doesn’t mean these banks have given up looking for trouble.
New Credit Hurdle Looms for Banks
U.S. and European banks, already burdened by losses and concerns about their financial health, face a new challenge: paying off hundreds of billions of dollars of debt coming due.
At issue are so-called floating-rate notes -- securities used heavily by banks in 2006 to borrow money. A big chunk of those notes, which typically mature in two years, will come due over the next year or so, at a time when banks are struggling to raise fresh funds. That's forcing banks to sell assets, compete heavily for deposits and issue expensive new debt.
The crunch will begin next month, when some $95 billion in floating-rate notes mature. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. analyst Alex Roever estimates that financial institutions will have to pay off at least $787 billion in floating-rate notes and other medium-term obligations before the end of 2009, about 43% more than they had to redeem in the previous 16 months.
The problem highlights how the pain of the credit crunch, now entering its second year, won't end soon for banks or the broader economy. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said on Tuesday that its list of "problem" banks at risk of failure had grown to 117 at the end of June, up from 90 at the end of March.
FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said her agency might have to borrow money from the Treasury Department to see it through an expected wave of bank failures. She said the borrowing could be needed to handle short-term cash-flow pressure brought on by reimbursements to depositors after bank failures.
As banks scramble to pay the floating-rate notes, they could see profit margins shrink as wary investors demand higher interest rates for new borrowings. They're also likely to become less willing to make new loans to consumers and companies, aggravating economic downturns in both the U.S. and Europe.
"It's going to be a bigger problem now than it was in the first half of this year, but it's going to continue on for probably at least a nine-month period," said Guy Stear, credit strategist at Société Générale SA in Paris. By the end of this year, big banks and investment banks such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co, Morgan Stanley, Wachovia Corp., and U.K. lender HBOS PLC must each redeem more than $5 billion in floating-rate notes, according to a recent report from J.P. Morgan.
Other big lenders such as General Electric Co., Wells Fargo & Co. and Italy's UniCredit Group also face big bills in coming months, the report says. Representatives of the banks said they're fully able to meet their floating-rate note obligations, either because they've already lined up the necessary funds or because they have ample customer deposits they can tap.
The rates they'll have to pay if they want to issue new debt will be much higher than they were back in 2006. In July 2007, the interest rates on banks' floating-rate notes were only about 0.02 percentage point above the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, a benchmark meant to reflect the rates at which banks lend to one another. Today, that "spread" is at least two full percentage points for some banks.
As many banks compete for funds to pay off their borrowings, or sell assets to raise cash, their actions could exacerbate strains in financial markets. Banks that turn to shorter-term loans will have to renew their borrowings more frequently, increasing the risk that they won't be able to get money when they need it.
The difficulties with the floating-rate loans can be traced to the onset of the credit crunch last year. At the time, bank-affiliated funds known as structured investment vehicles, or SIVs, were among the first to suffer. Those funds had been buyers of the banks' floating-rate notes. But when SIVs were unable to find investors for their own short-term debt, the SIV market largely collapsed, taking a big chunk out of demand for new bank floating-rate notes.
Most of the floating-rate notes are denominated in dollars. But redemptions of notes denominated in euros also loom for European and U.S. banks. In the final four months of this year, some €15 billion to €20 billion will come due every month, says Mr. Stear, the Société Générale strategist. That compares with some €7 billion to €15 billion that came due every month in the first half of 2008.
The crunch comes as problems in the markets on which banks rely to borrow money are showing no sign of abating. In one gauge of jitters about banks' financial health, the three-month dollar Libor remains well above expected central-bank target rates for the same period.
Even at the higher interest rates, banks are having a hard time getting cash. The securitization markets that had allowed banks to repackage loans and sell them to investors remain all but shut. Banks today rarely make loans to one another for periods of more than a week, and even some so-called "repo" loans -- in which the borrower puts up securities as collateral -- are becoming more expensive.
At the same time, the pressures on limited resources of banks and investment banks are growing. Companies have been actively tapping bank credit lines set up before the credit crisis began, forcing banks to increase their lending at a time when they're trying to reduce risk.
A number of big financial firms, including Citigroup Inc., Merrill Lynch, UBS AG, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, and Wachovia, have agreed to buy back some $42 billion of so-called auction-rate securities amid allegations that they misinformed retail investors about the securities' risks.
All the strains have made financial institutions increasingly dependent on central banks in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe for loans to make ends meet. Many banks have been packaging mortgages into securities to use as collateral for financing from the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve. Questions are cropping up about how long central bankers should prop up financial markets, and whether banks in Europe are taking undue advantage of the central bank's lending facilities.
To be sure, some banks are finding plenty of buyers for new debt. In July, Spain's Banco Santander SA sold €2 billion of fixed-rate debt -- an issue that was increased from €1.5 billion because of investor demand. In July the bank also increased the amount of short-term IOUs, known as commercial paper, it could sell to €25 billion, from €15 billion.
If it sells the paper to pay off longer-term notes, that would significantly increase the frequency at which it would have to renew large chunks of its borrowings. A Santander spokesman said the bank is comfortable with its ability to meet its obligations. Some institutions, such as Morgan Stanley in New York, are issuing new debt months ahead of major redemptions to ensure they have the money when they need it.
In June, when Morgan Stanley reported second-quarter results for the period ended May 31, finance chief Colm Kelleher told investors that the investment bank had tapped the bond market to cover fiscal 2008 debt, meaning the firm didn't have to use company cash. Those bond proceeds also could be used to pay more than $1 billion coming due in December, when the firm's 2009 fiscal year starts.
UniCredit and San Francisco-based Wells Fargo said they had set aside money for the redemptions. HBOS said the debt repayment is "business as usual." A Goldman spokesman said that the firm is focused on using long-term debt, and that Goldman is comfortable with its funding. A General Electric spokesman said the company has access to multiple lending markets and has completed 83% of its 2008 funding goal.
Other firms, such as Merrill Lynch in New York and Wachovia in Charlotte, N.C., have said they can tap customer deposits. Merrill, one of those worst hit by write-downs tied to mortgage-loan securities, has increasingly focused on developing its bank unit, which had $101 billion of deposits as of June 27, compared with $82 billion a year earlier.
A spokeswoman for Wachovia, which was hit by losses tied to the acquisition of California lender Golden West Financial Corp., said that 55% of the bank's balance sheet is funded by core deposits and that the bank has the ability to "seamlessly handle the refinancing of short-term debt maturities as a result of our prudent liquidity planning."
FDIC Weighs Tapping Treasury as Funds Run Low
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair said Tuesday her agency might have to borrow money from the Treasury Department to see it through an expected wave of bank failures.
Ms. Bair said the borrowing could be needed to cover short-term cash-flow pressures caused by reimbursing depositors immediately after the failure of a bank. The borrowed money would be repaid once the assets of that failed bank are sold.
The last time the FDIC borrowed funds from Treasury came at the tail end of the savings-and-loan crisis in the early 1990s after thousands of banks were shuttered. That the agency is considering the option again, after the collapse of just nine banks this year, illustrates the concern among Washington regulators about the weakness of the U.S. banking system in the wake of the credit crisis.
"I would not rule out the possibility that at some point we may need to tap into [short-term] lines of credit with the Treasury for working capital, not to cover our losses, but just for short-term liquidity purposes," Ms. Bair said in an interview. Ms. Bair said such a scenario was unlikely in the "near term."
She said she did not expect the FDIC to take the more dramatic step of tapping a separate $30 billion credit line with Treasury, which has never been used. The FDIC said Tuesday its "problem" list of banks at risk of failure had grown to 117 at the end of June, compared with 90 at the end of March.
The FDIC's deposit insurance fund reimburses depositors who lost money in a bank failure, typically up to $100,000. The fund's balance fell in the second quarter to $45.2 billion. That is just 1.01% of all insured deposits, low by historical standards.
The biggest dent came from the July 11 failure of IndyMac Bank, which the agency now says is expected to cost $8.9 billion. Previously it had said losses would be between $4 billion to $8 billion.
In another move to bolster the insurance fund, Ms. Bair said the agency will propose in October charging higher premiums to thousands of U.S. banks. These contributions are one of the fund's major sources of income. The FDIC has been wrestling with how much to raise the fees because the extra expense would put stress on already struggling financial institutions.
Ms. Bair said the agency could charge higher premiums to banks that rely on high-risk deposits to fuel growth or have an "excessive reliance" on secured funding, such as advances from one of the 12 federal home-loan banks. Banks with less risky profiles would still likely have to pay more, but she said their fees shouldn't increase as much as high-risk banks. "We should reward behavior that reduces our costs," Ms. Bair said.
The FDIC was created during the Great Depression, and in 1990 it received the authority to borrow short-term funds from Treasury. It tapped that facility in 1991 and by June 1992 had accumulated loans of $15.1 billion. The money was repaid by August of the following year. This is just one of the sources of funding available to the FDIC, ensuring it can always pay depositors.
This time around, the FDIC would use the funds to bridge the gap between paying depositors and selling a bank's assets, which can take several years in the worst cases. In the FDIC's quarterly review, issued Tuesday, the agency unveiled a litany of data that shows banks reeling under the pressure of bad loans. It said the U.S. banking industry reported net income of $5 billion in the second quarter, the second-lowest level since the end of 1991.
Also, the amount of loans and leases banks wrote off entirely jumped in the quarter to $26.4 billion, the highest level since 1991. The percentage of "noncurrent" loans and leases -- such as those more than 90 days past due -- hit 2.04% at the end of the second quarter, the highest level since 1993.
Firms set aside $50.2 billion to cover such loans, more than four times the amount of a year ago. Still, the FDIC said the reserves weren't keeping pace with higher delinquencies.
FDIC’s Banks 'Problem List' Rose 30% in Quarter, More to Come
The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said its "problem list" of banks increased 30 percent in the second quarter to the highest total in five years as more commercial real-estate loans were overdue.
The list had 117 banks as of June 30, up from 90 in the first quarter and the highest since mid-2003, the agency said today in its quarterly report without naming any institutions. FDIC-insured lenders reported net income of $4.96 billion, down 87 percent from $36.8 billion in the same quarter a year ago.
"More banks will come on the list as credit problems worsen," FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said at a news conference in Washington. Regulators are adding to the list as bank assets, liquidity and other fiscal measures weaken. Nine banks have failed this year, including California-based mortgage lender IndyMac Bancorp Inc., which the FDIC is running as a successor institution, IndyMac Federal Bank FSB.
IndyMac's failure will cost the U.S. deposit insurance fund about $8.9 billion, exceeding a $4 billion to $8 billion estimate, said Diane Ellis, the associate director of financial- risk management. The FDIC discovered additional insured deposits and had time to value the assets, Ellis said.
Second-quarter earnings fell from $19.3 billion in the previous quarter, driven by higher provisions for loan losses, the FDIC said. It was the second-lowest net income reported since the fourth quarter of 1991 behind the $600 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2007, the agency said.
"The results were pretty dismal, and we don't see a return to the high earnings levels of previous years any time soon," Bair said. Funds set aside by banks to cover loan losses more than quadrupled to $50.2 billion from $11.4 billion in the year- earlier quarter.
Loans 90 days or more overdue, deemed troubled by the FDIC, jumped 20 percent to $162 billion from $136 billion in the first quarter, the FDIC said. Real-estate loans accounted for almost 90 percent of the rise in the past three quarters, the agency said. The deposit insurance fund fell 14 percent to $45.2 billion and the reserve ratio, or balance divided by insured deposits, was 1.01 percent. The FDIC is required to shore up the fund when the ratio falls below 1.15 percent.
The agency in October will consider a plan to replenish the account that will likely include an increase in the premiums charged banks, Bair said. A greater share of the increase will be shifted to "riskier institutions so that safer institutions won't be unduly burdened," she said.
Lenders on the "problem list" had assets of $78.3 billion at the end of the second quarter, triple the $26.3 billion in the first quarter, the agency said. The FDIC said IndyMac's assets represented $32 billion of the increase. Many banks on the list have high levels of commercial real- estate loans, especially in construction and development loans, said John Corston, the FDIC's associate director of large bank supervision.
The number of problem institutions will continue to rise, he said. "Problem institutions continue to be scattered across the country," Corston said. "However, we expect to see some migration to areas experiencing the greatest stress." Regulators rate banks based on their asset quality, earnings, liquidity and other fiscal measures.
FDIC says IndyMac failure costlier than expected
A U.S. banking regulator said the failure of mortgage lender IndyMac Bancorp Inc will deliver a bigger blow to its insured deposit fund than originally expected.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp said on Tuesday it now expects IndyMac's failure in July to cost its insurance fund $8.9 billion, compared with the previous expected range of $4 billion to $8 billion. The FDIC also said during its quarterly bank briefing that it will soon start widely marketing IndyMac's assets.
"We hope to market it certainly in the third quarter," FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair told a news conference. "I think we're going to be marketing it both as a whole bank as well as in pieces." Nine U.S. banks have failed this year, including IndyMac, which became the third-largest U.S. bank failure ever.
It was one of the 117 problem banks on the FDIC's second-quarter watch list of institutions with financial, operational or managerial weakness that threaten their financial viability. IndyMac accounted for $32 billion of the combined $78 billion in assets of problem banks on the FDIC's watch list.
The FDIC said its Deposit Insurance Fund fell in the second quarter to $45.2 billion, down from $52.8 billion at the end of the first quarter, due to an increase in bank failures. The agency oversees the industry-funded reserve used to insure up to $100,000 per deposit and $250,000 per individual retirement account at insured banks.
Diane Ellis, the FDIC's associate director of financial-risk management, said IndyMac's expected hit to the fund blossomed because analysts have had more time to value IndyMac's assets and have assigned some higher loss rates.
Also, some deposits that the FDIC originally thought were uninsured are actually insured, Ellis said.
The FDIC also said on Tuesday the decline in the insurance fund's balance caused the reserve ratio to fall to 1.01 percent as of June 30, from 1.19 percent the prior quarter.
Because the reserve ratio -- the fund's balance divided by the insured deposits -- fell below 1.15 percent, the FDIC is forced to develop a restoration plan to replenish the fund. The FDIC will consider such a plan in early October, it said, which will likely force banks that engage in riskier activities to pay more into the fund than other U.S. banks.
Bail-out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be last resort
The US Treasury should only take direct control of ailing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a last resort, according to a detailed report on the pending fate of the pair written by Goldman Sachs.
The report - from the bank which US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson led until May 2006 - argues that there are a number of steps the US government could take before taking full control of the pair. But the Goldman note, penned by US economist Alec Phillips, states that in spite of some of the doomsday scenarios in the public arena, aggressive government intervention should only be a last option.
If either of the pair's capital were to fall below the required level, Mr Phillips states that it "would put more pressure on the Treasury to explicitly back the liabilities of the GSEs". Mr Phillips sets out five different options for the US Treasury - ranging from "take no action" to a "more explicit government guarantee" - and argues that "the Treasury would opt for one of the earlier options to avoid" the government guarantee option.
The other possible suggested options include buying mortgage-backed securities, therefore buying the debt of Fannie and Freddie, as well as easing the capital requirements of the pair. Shares in the two mortgage giants rebounded somewhat, with Fannie 27 cents higher at $5.46 and Freddie Mac 57 cents at $3.86, in partial response to the Goldman note.
The companies' shares were also bolstered by a report from Citigroup analyst Brad Ball, who said the pair could withstand losses up until the end of the year.
But the marginal rebound looks unlikely to be enough for JP Morgan Chase, headed by Jamie Dimon, which disclosed it is facing a $600m-plus write-down on the value of its holdings in the preferred stock of the pair as their values continue to sink. JP Morgan held about $1.2bn of Fannie and Freddie's perpetual preferred stock and said it has lost some $600m in the current quarter.
Goldman sees options before Fannie, Freddie takeover
The U.S. Treasury Department could take several steps to buttress Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before taking direct take control of the mortgage finance companies, according to a report released by Goldman Sachs on Tuesday.
Last month, the Treasury agreed to lend the companies money or give them a capital injection if either were to face collapse, and Wall Street has lately shunned the companies for fear that such a bailout would damage existing shareholders.
In a research note that outlined several scenarios for government aid, Goldman Sachs stated that an aggressive government intervention was a last option.If either company's capital were to dip below its required level, the report states that it "would put more pressure on the Treasury to explicitly back the liabilities of the GSEs."
Still, the report states, "the Treasury would opt for one of the earlier options to avoid such an outcome."
Common shares of the government-sponsored enterprises have sunk in recent days and even their relatively safe preferred shares have lost value as investors have turned their backs on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The Goldman report states that the Treasury might stand aside and hope that companies find their own footing. If the Treasury does intervene, it might first choose to ease capital demands on the two companies since many investors fret that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are bound to dip below the capital levels set by regulators.
If Treasury deems that the situation is worsening, it might either buy mortgage securities from the GSEs or directly inject capital. While any government intervention would likely cost the taxpayer money, the Goldman report states that any scenario for intervention "would be an entirely management event in the context of the federal budget."
How Long Can The Fed Last?
Cumberland Advisors has an interesting chart showing declining securities at the Fed.
Factors Adding to Reserves and Off Balance Sheet Securities Lending Program
At the current pace, the Fed runs out of treasuries about a year from now. Things are about to get very interesting.
S&P Lowers Fannie Mae Ratings
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its preferred-stock and subordinated debt ratings on mortgage giant Fannie Mae, reflecting increased uncertainty about whether government support will extend to those securities in the event of further deterioration of the company's mortgage portfolio.
The moves mark the latest blow to the ailing mortgage giant and add to the worries of shareholders, who have been fretting ever since Congress last month gave the Treasury authority to make loans to Fannie Mae or smaller rival Freddie Mac or buy shares in them.
In cutting its preferred stock rating three notches to BBB- and its subordinated debt rating by one notch to BBB+, the ratings agency noted the long duration of the weak housing market and the rising severity of residential mortgage losses are driving credit costs higher and Fannie Mae's operating earnings lower. Both ratings indicate below-average credit quality.
The agency also reaffirmed Fannie Mae's AAA senior unsecured debt rating. S&P had warned about the potential for downgrades last month, while rival ratings firm Fitch Ratings cut Fannie Mae's preferred stock rating one notch to A+ and said more cuts were possible.
Last week, Moody's Investors Service also slashed its preferred-stock ratings for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to just above junk status as it increasingly expects the Treasury Department to directly support the firms "in an effort to thwart broader negative economic effects."
S&P further noted on Tuesday it expects peak mortgage losses to occur in 2009 at a level that could require further capital raising to maintain the cushion above the regulatory requirements and the company is facing more challenging market conditions to raise cost-effective capital.
In addition, S&P said the subordinated notes pose risk to investors because of an interest deferral feature with a trigger tied to Fannie Mae's regulatory capital levels that also states that a deferral of the subordinated-debt interest payment triggers the nonpayment of all preferred and common stock dividends.
During the past four quarters, Fannie and Freddie have posted combined losses of about $14 billion, eating deeply into their relatively meager capital holdings. Losses are turning out worse than generally forecast largely because home prices have fallen more steeply than expected. That means Fannie and Freddie recoup less money from sales of foreclosed homes.
The two companies acquire home loans from lenders and package them into securities. They keep some of those securities and sell the rest to other investors, earning fees for guaranteeing payments on those securities.
Abu Dhabi bank sues Morgan Stanley, Bank of New York Mellon,Moody’s and S&P over SIV fraud
A United Arab Emirates bank said on Tuesday it expected other Gulf Arab investors to back a lawsuit it has filed against major U.S. financial institutions over a fund that collapsed in the U.S. credit crisis.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, which is majority owned by the Abu Dhabi government, filed a suit against Morgan Stanley, the Bank of New York Mellon and ratings agencies Moody’s and S&P on Monday, accusing them of fraud, the lawsuit showed. The lawsuit filed in U.S. district court in Manhattan said a complex deal known as the Cheyne Structured Investment Vehicle (SIV) was marketed by the defendants as highly rated and reliable, but that they had hidden the risks.
ADCB said in a statement on Tuesday it had also held talks with other banks and investors in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council about joining its class action and expected more investors to either join or support the case. It did not name the other investors.
“This is the next step in a process aimed at recouping the losses ADCB has already incurred, and additionally, this is an important step in paving the way for other GCC investors to ensure they are provided an opportunity to recover their own losses,” ADCB Chief Executive Officer Eirvin Knox said. “ADCB has taken a proactive early lead to protect itself and other investors.”
SIVs, which once held some $350 billion in assets, have played a major role in the U.S. credit crisis, after proving unable to refinance their short-term debts. A series of SIVs are now selling off bank debt and assets such as asset-backed securities to try to pay back investors, a move that many see as further pressuring credit markets.
A deal was announced last month to restructure Cheyne, which at receivership was a $7 billion fund. A spokeswoman for Morgan Stanley and a spokesman for Bank of New York Mellon in the United States declined to comment on Monday. A spokesman for S&P parent McGraw-Hill declined comment on Monday, saying the company had not yet been served with the complaint. A spokesman for Moody’s was not immediately available for comment at the time.
SIVs used short-term funding, such as asset-backed commercial paper, to buy longer-term assets such as bank debt and asset-backed securities. The bank brought the action on behalf of all investors who bought investment grade Mezzanine Capital Notes issued by Cheyne Finance and its wholly owned subsidiary Cheyne Finance Capital Notes from October 2004 to October 2007.
Record drops in U.S. home prices continue
Although U.S. home prices fell faster than ever in the second quarter, the rate of acceleration slowed in June, according to a closely watched index released Tuesday. Experts hailed the slight deceleration as a harbinger of an eventual recovery in the dismal real estate market.
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index plunged by double digits in the second quarter, falling a record 15.4 percent compared with the previous year. The index covers all nine U.S. census divisions. A 10-city composite index fell a record 17 percent, while a 20-city index fell 15.9 percent, also a record.
However, observers seized upon a sliver of good news: Those indexes posted a rate of decline for June that was only slightly more than the May decline of 16.9 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively. "I consider it good news that you're seeing price declines decelerate," said Terrin Griffiths, economist and industry analyst with the California and Nevada Credit Union League.
"While the markets haven't reached bottom, we're getting closer to there."
Maureen Maitland, vice president of index services at New York's Standard & Poor's, which publishes the indexes, concurred. "You need to see something slow down before it turns back up," she said. Still, she added: "We cannot declare that we've hit the bottom and are on our way back up."
Another positive sign: Nine of the 20 regions tracked showed slight month-to-month increases in June. In comparison, six months ago, every single region was in negative territory on both a month-to-month and year-to year basis. "Boston and Denver's monthly increases were in excess of 1 percent, and both were up three consecutive months," Maitland said. "Charlotte (N.C.) and Dallas were both up for four consecutive months."
The San Francisco metropolitan region did not share in that positive news; in fact, it was among seven regions in the country where prices fell more than 20 percent. Case-Shiller uses the U.S. Census Bureau definition of the area, counting it as the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo. Prices in that broadly defined region have fallen about 27 percent during the past two years. Prices in June were down 23.7 percent compared with a year ago.
"It is still the case that California metro areas are among the worst in the country," said Jed Kolko, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. "The situation is essentially as bad as in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Miami." And that's even though Case-Shiller only tracks three regions within California - San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego - omitting some of the hardest-hit areas, such as Stockton.
While lumping counties beleaguered by foreclosures, such as Contra Costa and Alameda, in with the relatively stable markets of San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo, does not give a truly detailed snapshot of the region, Maitland said it fulfills the index's mandate of providing a broad picture of metropolitan areas as well as a comprehensive snapshot of the nation as a whole.
Kolko cautioned that no single report gives a complete snapshot of the market. Case-Shiller calculates changes by comparing the sales price with previous sales prices for the exact same home, generally considered the most reliable method. But the current preponderance of bargain-price foreclosures being sold drags down the numbers.
"The index doesn't necessarily tell you what has happened to the value of your average home that did not sell," Kolko said. "It is really affected by the characteristics of those homes that are actually selling." Also on Tuesday, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight released a report based on repeat sales of homes mortgaged through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It showed that home prices fell a seasonally adjusted 1.4 percent in the second quarter, a slower decline than 1.7 percent in the first quarter.
OFHEO shows the price decline for the past year as a record 4.8 percent. It tracks a smaller - and healthier - market segment than Case-Shiller because Fannie and Freddie deal only with conforming loans and had stricter underwriting than the subprime loans now rampantly going into foreclosure. For instance, borrowers had to show proof of income.
The borrowers whose homes are tracked by OFHEO "had to have all their I's dotted and t's crossed so they didn't have some of the (problems) we've seen in the broader market," Griffiths said.
Fidelity hit hard by Fannie, Freddie downfall
FMR LLC, the parent of Fidelity Investments, held more than $1.5 billion in the common stock of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae before their shares plunged in recent weeks, leaving the mutual fund giant with large potential losses.
FMR held 22.39 million shares of Freddie Mac that were worth $367.2 million at the end of June, according to recent regulatory filings. The stock was then trading at $16.40 a share, but on Tuesday morning Freddie shares were trading at $4.05 a share. FMR was Freddie’s 11th largest institutional shareholder, Securities and Exchange Commission filings show.
FMR was the fifth largest shareholder in Fannie Mae at the end of June when it held 60.29 million shares worth $1.18 billion. The Fannie stock, then trading at $19.51 a share, was at $6 Tuesday morning.
At the end of June, Fannie’s largest three institutional investors were Axa (134.3 million shares), Capital Research Global Investors (116.9 million shares) and mutual fund Dodge & Cox (69.4 million shares), SEC filings show.
Freddie Mac’s largest three institutional investors were Capital Research (64.9 million shares), Legg Mason (53.3 million shares) and Axa (41.1 million shares), SEC filings show. Fidelity Investments operates a regional center in Covington, with more than 2,900 employees. Another 900 work at a call center in Blue Ash.
Auction Rate Securities Inquiry Looks at Fidelity-Goldman Ties
The New York attorney general's office is probing the relationship between Fidelity Investments and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as part of its investigation into Fidelity's sale of auction-rate securities to individual investors, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
Investigators are looking at whether Fidelity's relationship with Goldman may have given Fidelity an incentive to sell the instruments, also called ARS's, this person said. The attorney general started focusing on the relationship after it learned that most of the auction-rate securities sold by Fidelity were underwritten by Goldman, this person said.
In recent months, many retail investors have been unable to cash out of auction-rate securities, debt instruments that some brokers compared to safe, easy-to-sell money-market funds. New York, Massachusetts and other states have been conducting a widespread investigation of the market.
Goldman declined to comment on the probe. Anne Crowley, spokesman for Fidelity, the Boston mutual-fund titan, said she wouldn't comment on a regulatory issue, but added, "There was no incentive for Fidelity to promote auction-rate securities." She said 600 Fidelity accounts held the auction-rate securities.
The attorney general's office is probing whether Fidelity may have marketed Goldman-underwritten ARS's because it was getting other services from the investment bank, said a person familiar with the matter. This person said the services include possible Goldman underwriting of private offerings that Fidelity develops for "accredited," or wealthy, investors, and financial-counseling services that Goldman's Ayco unit provides to Fidelity executives.
Fidelity's Ms. Crowley said she didn't know whether Goldman had underwritten any private offerings for Fidelity. She said Fidelity's relationship with Ayco predates Goldman's purchase of that company in 2003. Wall Street firms sold some $330 billion in auction-rate securities before the market collapsed in February, when Wall Street firms stopped supporting it with their own bids, leaving customers unable to cash out.
Regulators have been forcing Wall Street firms to repay customers. So far, a variety of firms have agreed to buy back $50 billion of the securities, and to pay $525 million in penalties. Last week, in a settlement with regulators representing 49 states, Goldman agreed to a $1.5 billion buyback from retail investors, and to pay a $22.5 million penalty to states. No firms have admitted wrongdoing in the settlements.
Goldman's agreement does not cover customers who bought auction-rate securities from Fidelity. Massachusetts's top regulator, William F. Galvin, has called on Fidelity to buy back all the securities it sold.
In a response to Mr. Galvin, Fidelity President Rodger Lawson said companies that underwrote the securities and oversaw the auction process should be "held responsible to provide liquidity for all purchasers of auction-rate securities, not just their own customers." The letter did not mention Goldman. Goldman declined to comment on the letter. Mr. Lawson's letter said that only a "very small percentage of investors bought auction-rate securities from Fidelity."
Ilargi: Apparently, most questions in the ARS/Cuomo issue center around the fact that larger investors haven’t been promised their money back.
But that’s not my question, and neither is it Mike Morgan’s. We would like to know why Cuomo settles for slap-on-the-wrist fines in what he himself has labeled fraud cases, and why he lets the banks and their employees get away with that fraud without admitting their guilt.
Those are far more interesting questions.
The ARS saga: Wider and wider….
There’s no stopping him: the office of New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo is now probing the relationship between Fidelity Investments and Goldman Sachs as part of its investigation into the sale of auction-rate securities, the Wall Street Journal reports. The implications of this latest widening of Cuomo’s investigation are significant.
As the FT noted last Friday, Cuomo is already investigating the role of brokerages that sold the offending securities, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E-Trade Financial and Oppenheimer, as well as underwriters including Bank of America.
But the fresh angle is the examination of whether Fidelity’s relationship with Goldman may have given Fidelity “an incentive” to sell the instruments to individual investors, according to the Journal. The investigators began focusing on the relationship after learning that most of the ARS sold by Fidelity were underwritten by Goldman.
The question, according to the Journal, is whether Fidelity may have marketed Goldman-underwritten ARS because it was getting other services from the investment bank, including possible underwriting of private offerings that Fidelity develops for “accredited,” or wealthy, investors, and financial-counselling services that Goldman’s Ayco unit provides to Fidelity executives.
A Fidelity spokesman wouldn’t comment on regulatory issues, but she did tell the Journal that Fidelity’s relationship with Ayco predates Goldman’s purchase of that company in 2003, and that 600 Fidelity accounts held the auction-rate securities. Oh, and there was “no incentive for Fidelity to promote auction-rate securities,” she added. Wall Street firms sold some $330bn in ARS before the market collapsed in February, when banks stopped supporting the market with their own bids, leaving customers unable to cash out.
So far, a mini “who’s who” of Wall Street firms, including Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Wachovia, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, have agreed to repay - mainly retail - customers on their ARS investments.
In a key settlement, Merrill, Deutsche Bank and Goldman agreed to buy back $50bn of the securities, and to pay $525m in penalties.
Last week, in a settlement with regulators representing 49 states, Goldman agreed to a $1.5bn buyback from retail investors, and to pay a $22.5m penalty to states. Goldman’s agreement does not cover customers who bought ARS from Fidelity, notes the Journal, adding that Massachusetts’s top regulator, William F. Galvin, has called on Fidelity to buy back all the securities it sold.
No firms have admitted wrongdoing in the settlements, a fact that commentator Dan Solin on Huffingtonpost describes as “lawyer speak for permitting them to defend private lawsuits by third parties who would otherwise be entitled to use the settlement as evidence of liability”.
This escape hatch is meaningful, because the settling defendants have agreed to purchase back only ARS sold to their clients. Why not do the right thing and purchase back all the ARS that were sold to all investors who were harmed because these firms perpetuated the myth of a legitimate auction?
These investors, who make up the bulk of the $330bn ARS market, will need to prove their claims in private arbitration proceedings, before industry panels, where they are unlikely to be awarded any meaningful damages.
Solin’s response is similar to other commentary in the blogosphere - although the reasons for criticism range from outrage about the “little guy” to the kind of criticism from Risk News, which complains in a (subscription only) comment that Merrill’s deal, just like Goldman’s, “leaves the larger purchasers uncovered”. Inevitably, the probe, as it widens and becomes uglier, promises to yield something for everyone to bitch and moan about.
US retail space gets mauled by slowdown
A rash of bankruptcy filings by major retail chains and planned store closings by a host of others have property owners scrambling to negotiate lease-termination deals and find tenants that will bring in traffic for the holiday shopping season.
The International Council of Shopping Centers expects that nearly 144,000 stores will close their doors by the end of 2008, a 7% increase over last year. “Property owners should brace for rougher times ahead,” said Lawrence Yan, chief economist with the National Association of Realtors. “They may see lower rents, and they will have more trouble leasing vacant properties.”
Among the high-profile bankruptcies leaving stores vacant are mid-priced department stores Mervyn's and Steve & Barry's; specialty retailer Sharper Image; Linens "n Things; and casual-dining chain Bennigan's. While not every store owned by a bankrupt chain will close its doors, companies are asking for lower rents and other concessions as part of their reorganization plans.
Property owners are hearing bad news even from companies far from bankruptcy, such as ubiquitous coffee chain Starbucks, which in July announced plans to shutter 600 stores by the first half of 2009. Ann Taylor and Talbots have also told investors this year that they'll be closing underperforming branches.
The vacancy rate for U.S. neighborhood and community shopping centers spiked in the second quarter to 8.2%, a 50-basis-point increase over the previous quarter and the highest rate since 1995, according to real estate research firm Reis. Regional and super-regional mall vacancy rates increased 40 basis points during the quarter, to 6.3%, the highest level since 2002.
As shopping centers lose large anchors like Mervyn's and chief traffic drivers like Starbucks, smaller tenants are seeing their sales drop along with the number of shoppers frequenting the malls, said Gary Glick, retail development practice chair at the law firm Cox Castle & Nicholson.
“The smaller tenants are all approaching developers and telling them that they're not doing well, and they need rent relief,” Mr. Glick said. “Some developers are working with them, and some aren't.”
The retail outlook has contributed to the decline in retail property prices, already suffering from the credit crunch. Retail property prices fell 7.7% in the second quarter, compared with the same period in 2007, according to the Moody's/REAL commercial property price index.
“If you are an investor that doesn't have to spend, you are sitting on the sidelines waiting for prices to soften even more,” said Bernard Haddigan, senior vice president and managing director of the national retail group at Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services.
Mr. Haddigan expects another surge in retail bankruptcies in the spring, following the dismal holiday shopping season predicted by many retailers. “I think we're going to see continued softening,” he added. “I don't see any reason this would turn around before the summer of '09.”
Ilargi: Don’t look now, but your entire community is being sold off. Good luck with that democracy.
Running Out of Money, Cities Are Debating the Privatization of Public Infrastructure
Cleaning up road kill and maintaining runways may not sound like cutting-edge investments. But banks and funds with big money seem to think so.
Reeling from more exotic investments that imploded during the credit crisis, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse are among the investors who have amassed an estimated $250 billion war chest — much of it raised in the last two years — to finance a tidal wave of infrastructure projects in the United States and overseas.
Their strategy is gaining steam in the United States as federal, state and local governments previously wary of private funds struggle under mounting deficits that have curbed their ability to improve crumbling roads, bridges and even airports with taxpayer money. With politicians like Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California warning of a national infrastructure crisis, public resistance to private financing may start to ease.
“Budget gaps are starting to increase the viability of public-private partnerships,” said Norman Y. Mineta, a former secretary of transportation who was recently hired by Credit Suisse as a senior adviser to such deals. This fall, Midway Airport of Chicago could become the first to pass into the hands of private investors.
Just outside the nation’s capital, a $1.9 billion public-private partnership will finance new high-occupancy toll lanes around Washington. This week, Florida gave the green light to six groups that included JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers and the Carlyle Group to bid for a 50- to 75 -year lease on Alligator Alley, a toll road known for sightings of sleeping alligators that stretches 78 miles down I-75 in South Florida.
Until recently, the use of private funds to build and manage large-scale American infrastructure assets was slow to take root. States and towns could raise taxes and user fees or turn to the municipal bond market.
Americans have also been wary of foreign investors, who were among the first to this market, taking over their prized roads and bridges.
When Macquarie of Australia and Cintra of Spain, two foreign funds with large portfolios of international investments, snapped up leases to the Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road, “people said ‘hold it, we don’t want our infrastructure owned by foreigners,’ ” Mr. Mineta said.
And then there is the odd romance between Americans and their roads: they do not want anyone other than the government owning them. The specter of investors reaping huge fees by financing assets like the Pennsylvania Turnpike also touches a raw nerve among taxpayers, who already feel they are paying top dollar for the government to maintain roads and bridges.
And with good reason: Private investors recoup their money by maximizing revenue — either making the infrastructure better to allow for more cars, for example, or by raising tolls. (Concession agreements dictate everything from toll increases to the amount of time dead animals can remain on the road before being cleared.)
Politicians have often supported the civic outcry: in the spring of 2007, James L. Oberstar of Minnesota, chairman of the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, warned that his panel would “work to undo” any public-private partnership deals that failed to protect the public interest.
And labor unions have been quick to point out that investment funds stand to reap handsome fees from the crisis in infrastructure. “Our concern is that some sources of financing see this as a quick opportunity to make money,” Stephen Abrecht, director of the Capital Stewardship Program at the Service Employees International Union, said.
But in a world in which governments view infrastructure as a way to manage growth and raise productivity through the efficient movement of goods and people, an eroding economy has forced politicians to take another look.
“There’s a huge opportunity that the U.S. public sector is in danger of losing,” says Markus J. Pressdee, head of infrastructure investment banking at Credit Suisse. “It thinks there is a boatload of capital and when it is politically convenient it will be able to take advantage of it. But the capital is going into infrastructure assets available today around the world, and not waiting for projects the U.S., the public sector, may sponsor in the future.”
Traditionally, the federal government played a major role in developing the nation’s transportation backbone: Thomas Jefferson built canals and roads in the 1800s, Theodore Roosevelt expanded power generation in the early 1900s. In the 1950s Dwight Eisenhower oversaw the building of the interstate highway system.
But since the early 1990s, the United States has had no comprehensive transportation development, and responsibilities were pushed off to states, municipalities and metropolitan planning organizations. “Look at the physical neglect — crumbling bridges, the issue of energy security, environmental concerns,” said Robert Puentes of the Brookings Institution. “It’s more relevant than ever and we have no vision.”
The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the United States needs to invest at least $1.6 trillion over the next five years to maintain and expand its infrastructure. Last year, the Federal Highway Administration deemed 72,000 bridges, or more than 12 percent of the country’s total, “structurally deficient.” But the funds to fix them are shrinking: by the end of this year, the Highway Trust Fund will have a several billion dollar deficit.
“We are facing an infrastructure crisis in this country that threatens our status as an economic superpower, and threatens the health and safety of the people we serve,” New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg told Congress this year. In January he joined forces with Mr. Schwarzenegger and Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania to start a nonprofit group to raise awareness about the problem.
Some American pension funds see an investment opportunity. “Our infrastructure is crumbling, from bridges in Minnesota to our airports and freeways,” said Christopher Ailman, the head of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System. His board recently authorized up to about $800 million to invest in infrastructure projects.
Nearby, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, with coffers totaling $234 billion, has earmarked $7 billion for infrastructure investments through 2010. The Washington State Investment Board has allocated 5 percent of its fund to such investments.
Some foreign pension funds that jumped into the game early have already reaped rewards: The $52 billion Ontario Municipal Employee Retirement System saw a 12.4 percent return last year on a $5 billion infrastructure investment pool, above the benchmark 9.9 percent though down from 14 percent in 2006.
“People are creating a new asset class,” said Anne Valentine Andrews, head of portfolio strategy at Morgan Stanley Infrastructure. “You can see and understand the businesses involved — for example, ships come into the port, unload containers, reload containers and leave,” she said. “There’s no black box.”
The prospect of steady returns has drawn high-flying investors like Kohlberg Kravis and Morgan Stanley to the table. “Ten to 20 years from now infrastructure could be larger than real estate,” said Mark Weisdorf, head of infrastructure investments at JPMorgan. In 2006 and 2007, more than $500 billion worth of commercial real estate deals were done.
The pace of recent work is encouraging, says Robert Poole, director of transportation studies at the Reason Foundation, pointing to projects like the high-occupancy toll, or HOT, lanes outside Washington. “The fact that the private sector raised $1.4 billion for the Beltway project shows that even projects like HOT lanes that are considered high risk can be developed and financed privately and that has huge implications for other large metro areas,” he said .
Yet if the flow of money is fast, the return on these investments can be a waiting game. Washington’s HOT lanes project took six years to build after Fluor Enterprises, one of the two private companies financing part of the project, made an unsolicited bid in 2002. The privatization of Chicago’s Midway Airport was part of a pilot program adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration in 1996 to allow five domestic airports to be privatized.
Twelve years later only one airport has met that goal — Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. — and it was sold back to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. For many politicians, privatization also remains a painful process. Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana, faced a severe backlash when he collected $3.8 billion for a 75- year lease of the Indiana Toll Road. A popular bumper sticker in Indiana reads “Keep the toll road, lease Mitch.”
Joe Dear, executive director of the Washington State Investment Board, still wonders how quickly governments will move. “Will all public agencies think it’s worth the extra return private capital will demand?” he asked. “That’s unclear.”
Goldman third-quarter outlook cut at Morgan Stanley
An analyst at Morgan Stanley cut his third-quarter outlook for Goldman Sachs Group Inc citing broad-based market weakness, but expects the market to look past a disappointing quarter if it found no evidence of a material breakdown in risk management.
Analyst Patrick Pinschmidt expects Goldman, the largest U.S. securities firm, to incur $1 billion in net residential and commercial mortgage write-downs, in addition to $500 million from its leveraged buyout portfolio.
"While Goldman Sachs is less exposed to mortgage write-downs, industry-wide decline in flow business coupled with vulnerability to equity market directionality stemming from principal investment activities has exacerbated exceedingly difficult market backdrop," Pinschmidt said.
He cut his third-quarter earnings outlook on Goldman to $1.65 a share from $3. According to Reuters Estimates, analysts on average expect the company to earn $2.62 a share.
Wall Street research analysts have been projecting yet another tough quarter for U.S. investment banks marked by additional writedowns across a series of fixed-income assets amid an already weak operating environment. Since the start of this month, analysts at least seven brokerages, including Merrill Lynch, Banc of America Securities and Bernstein, have cut their view for Goldman and Morgan Stanley.
At least four have forecast a quarterly loss for Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Pinschmidt maintained his "overweight" rating on the stock, saying Goldman shares "...undervalue prospect of significant return on equity outperformance over next 18 to 24 months."
Pimco Seeks as Much as $5 Billion for Distressed Debt
Pacific Investment Management Co., the biggest manager of bond funds, is seeking as much as $5 billion to buy mortgage-backed debt that plunged in value after the subprime market collapsed, according to two investors with knowledge of the matter.
The Distressed Senior Credit Opportunities Fund will invest in "senior" and "super-senior" securities backed by commercial and residential mortgages, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the fund is private. Senior debt is first to be paid off in a default.
Pimco, based in Newport Beach, California, and money managers such as BlackRock Inc. and TCW Group Inc. have opened funds to buy securities they consider cheap based on the underlying value of the assets or the borrower's ability to repay the debt. Investors have pulled back from all but the safest government-backed debt as the foreclosure rate on U.S. subprime- mortgage loans doubled to a record 10.7 percent in March from a year earlier.
"There's a handful of firms out there, Pimco being one of them, that are well-positioned to deal with this credit crisis and the fire sales going on in mortgage-backed securities," Geoff Bobroff, a mutual-fund consultant in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, said in an interview.
Pimco, a unit of Munich-based insurer Allianz SE, oversees $830 billion, including the $129.5 billion Pimco Total Return Fund, the largest bond mutual fund. Last year, it raised almost $3 billion to invest in distressed mortgage assets, the investors said. Mohamed El-Erian, Pimco's co-chief executive officer, declined to comment. El-Erian shares the position of co-chief investment officer with Bill Gross, while Bill Thompson is the co-CEO.
The firm has sought to boost mutual-fund returns in the past year by buying more mortgage-related assets. The investments generally target high-quality mortgage debt, such as those guaranteed by government-chartered agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Gross's Total Return Fund advanced 9.4 percent in the past year to beat 99 percent of competing bond funds, according to data compiled by Morningstar Inc. in Chicago. The fund had 61 percent of its assets in mortgage securities as of June 30, up from 53 percent a year earlier.
"One of the most extraordinary things we've seen with Pimco over the past year is that they've invested in high-quality mortgage-backed securities across the board," said Lawrence Jones, a mutual-fund analyst at Morningstar. "They've been calling for a housing slowdown before the term `subprime' became popular in cocktail-party conversations."
The new Pimco fund, dubbed Disco, will focus on commercial loans as well as residential debt that doesn't carry explicit government guarantees or the implied backing of securities issued by companies such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the investors said. It also will seek investments in securities backed by home- equity, credit-card and auto loans, they said, and can invest in debt secured by collateral outside the U.S.
The Disco fund has a 15-month investment period and a 5-year life. It will be jointly managed by Pimco's credit teams in the U.S. and Europe, the investors said.
BlackRock, the second-largest U.S. bond manager, with $527 billion in fixed-income assets, has several funds aimed at profiting from the credit drought. It teamed up with Boston-based hedge-fund firm Highfields Capital Management LP to start a company and raise $2 billion to buy delinquent home mortgages. Since the subprime crisis began last year, New York-based BlackRock has raised more than $5 billion to buy mortgages, distressed debt and loans.
Prices of non-agency mortgage securities have tumbled to record lows. AAA fixed-rate prime-jumbo securities typically fetch a record 12 cents per dollar of principal less than similar securities backed by government agencies, according to an Aug. 20 report by Credit Suisse Group analysts. Jumbo loans are those over $417,000.
The commercial-mortgage bond market hasn't faced the same rate of late payments as debt tied to subprime home loans. The percentage of all commercial mortgage loans that were delinquent increased 2 basis points in July to 0.43 percent, according to Fitch Ratings. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point. Delinquencies for subprime loans in 2006 bonds climbed to 41.7 percent, based on July reports from trustees, from 34.2 percent in February, Standard & Poor's said Aug. 21.
Yields on commercial real-estate securities relative to benchmarks have surged on concern that defaults will increase. For AAA-rated commercial mortgage-backed bonds, yields have widened to 284.43 basis points more than 10-year swap rates as of Aug. 22, up from 55 basis points a year earlier, according to data from Bank of America Corp. The swap rate is what borrowers pay to exchange fixed-rate interest payments for floating ones.
ECB Overpricing Asset-Backed Debt May Hurt Market
The European Central Bank may be delaying the recovery of the region's $1.3 trillion mortgage- backed bond market by distorting prices on the debt, according to former Bank of England policy maker Willem H. Buiter.
"There is almost certainly an overpricing of the bonds," Buiter, now a professor at the London School of Economics, said in a telephone interview yesterday. "By artificially supporting the market the ECB may be crowding out private purchasers."
Europe's banks stepped up their borrowing from the central bank after the credit crisis sapped demand from investors a year ago.
They can raise cash by handing over assets or pledging mortgage-backed securities to the ECB as collateral. The ECB values the assets at a discount to face value and the borrowing bank keeps the debt on its balance sheet. Banks have created 434 billion euros ($640 billion) of mortgage bonds in the past year to put on their balance sheets which can be used as collateral, four times the amount they sold to investors, according to UniCredit SpA.
The ECB may be accepting the debt at a price at least 4 cents higher than in the open market, giving banks little incentive to sell the debt to investors, Buiter said. Eszter Miltenyi, a press officer at the Frankfurt-based ECB, declined to comment.
Spanish mortgage bonds are being valued at 95 cents on the euro or higher, Buiter said. The debt trades at about 91 cents, according to data compiled by Societe Generale SA. The ECB will soon announce changes to the rules that determine the collateral it accepts, council member Yves Mersch said in an Aug. 23 interview. Officials are concerned banks will dump securities they can't sell on the ECB and become overly reliant on central-bank funds.
"The collateral that we take must also be traded in the market because only then is it priced accurately," Axel Weber, a council member and the head of Germany's Bundesbank, said in an interview in Frankfurt yesterday. "We aim at taking final decisions in autumn which will be communicated immediately."
The ECB may make it harder for banks to use as collateral bond backed by loans they themselves made, Buiter said. The amount of asset-backed bonds deposited with the ECB accounted for 16 percent of total collateral deposited with the ECB at the end of 2007, compared with 15 percent of government debt, considered the safest.
Ilargi: I don’t know what’s worse, journalists that keep talking of Nobel economists, or the economists that keep claiming they have a Nobel Prize. It’s fake.
ECB slammed by "Nobel economist" as European slump deepens
Almost the entire region of Western Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltics is on the cusp of fully fledged recession, raising fresh fears about the health of Europe's banking system.
Germany's IFO confidence index of future business crashed in July to levels last seen in the post-unification bust of the early 1990s. Over the past three months the index has suffered the steepest decline since the 1973 oil shock. "Everything is coming to a head at the same time," said Julian Callow, Europe economist at Barclays Capital.
"The euro's surge over the past two years has caught up. We've seen a hollowing out of the euro area's industrial sector, an oil shock, and tightening credit conditions, made worse by the European Central Bank's decision to raise rates in June," he said. Nobel economist Robert Solow said the ECB had made a bad mistake and was now moving far too slowly to stop the downturn engulfing the region.
"I get the feeling that the mandate of the ECB is based on the notion that controlling inflation in a modern industrial economy is enough, with no further need for anything else. This not a view that is accepted any longer in economic circles. Central banks should not try to reverse oil supply shocks," he told The Daily Telegraph.
Prof Solow, an expert on growth theory, questioned whether the eurozone is capable of responding to a crisis given the lack of a single economic government to co-ordinate policy. "You could say that every political entity gets the central bank it deserves," he said, speaking at a Riksbank gathering of Nobel laureates.
The dramatic downturn in Europe's core economy appears to have taken the currency markets by surprise. The euro has plummeted by almost 10pc against the US dollar since early July, inflicting heavy losses on hedge funds with big "short" positions on the greenback.
Denmark is already in a fully fledged recession and now appears to be sliding deeper into trouble. Danish industrial orders collapsed by 22pc in June compared to a month earlier, Eurostat revealed yesterday.
The country suffered its own Northern Rock-style debacle on Monday when the central bank had to launch a rescue of Roskilde Bank after a run of withdrawals by depositors.
The state is now guaranteeing $8bn (£4.3bn) of debts. It is the biggest bank rescue in Scandinavia since the financial crisis of the early 1990s. Nils Bernstein, the Danish central bank's governor, said the authorities were left with no choice once Roskilde, the country's eighth biggest bank, had lost the confidence of the capital markets and was unable to roll over loans following disastrous losses on the Danish property market.
Attempts to find a private buyer had failed. Mr Bernstein said a collapse of the bank would have posed "a significant threat to financial stability in Denmark". Roskilde has, in effect, been nationalised, leaving the shareholders with nothing, in accordance with the strict tradition of Scandinavian bank rescues.
"The presumption is that holders of capital have lost their money," he said, adding that the bank was "not fit to survive" after abusing the credit system to pursue breakneck growth without proper regard for social duty. Denmark's economy has been destabilised by its membership of the European Exchange Rate System (ERM), which forced it to import interest rates that were much too low for the country.
The result was a wild credit boom that pushed Danish household debt to 260pc of disposable income, the highest level in the world. This is worse than Britain (159pc) and America (135pc). The property boom has now turned to bust. House prices have fallen by 10.7pc over the past year in Copenhagen.
The abruptness of the bank collapse in Roskilde - a sleepy town in central Denmark best known for its rock festival - is a reminder that Nordic lenders are heavily exposed to the downturn.
Sweden's economy ground to a halt in the second quarter. There are now concerns that Swedish banks could face a squeeze as the Stockholm property market deflates and the losses mount on heavy exposure to the Baltic states. House prices in Latvia have fallen 28pc this year.
The International Monetary Fund said that Swedbank dominates lending in Latvia and Estonia, where it has more clients than in its home base in Sweden, and it is the biggest lender in Lithuania. It warned that the Baltic operations of the Swedish banks "could cause a credit crunch in Sweden itself" if the funding dries up in the wholesale capital markets.
Fitch Ratings warned yesterday that the Baltic trio of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania face a high risk of a hard landing after years of blistering credit growth, mostly funded by foreign funds. It warned of a "risk of a loss of confidence in the Baltic currencies and their banking systems, triggering widespread conversion and withdrawal of deposits".
Latvia's current account deficit is 18pc of GDP, and external financing needs have reached 158pc of reserves. Financing needs in Estonia are now 218pc of reserves. Danske Bank fears a severe crisis if these countries are forced to devalue. The property booms have been funded by euros and Swiss francs mortgages, creating a major exchange risk.
Upbeat U.S. census report masks economic plight
Wages for working Americans increased, the number of people without health insurance decreased and the poverty rate was essentially unchanged in 2007, according to census figures released today. Experts cautioned, however, that the new data don’t capture the effects of the economic slump that began late last year and has caused massive job losses, increased unemployment, high inflation and falling wages.
In 2007, though, median household income rose by 1.3%, from $49,568 in 2006 to $50,233. The portion of Americans in poverty increased slightly, from 12.3% to 12.5%. The number without health coverage fell from 47 million in 2006 to 45.7 million last year. It was the first annual decline in the uninsured population since President George W. Bush took office in 2001.
A closer look at the numbers also reveals some troubling trends, however, including that the inflation-adjusted median income for working-age households was $1,100 lower in 2007 than it was in the recession year of 2001. Last year’s poverty rate was also higher than the 11.7% rate in 2001.
“Never before on record has poverty been higher and median income for working-age households lower at the end of a multi-year economic expansion than in the previous recession,” said Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal research center. “The data are now clear that for poverty and median income, this was the worst economic expansion on record.”
Experts credit an increase in government-funded coverage for reducing the number of uninsured Americans. The number of people younger than 65 who are publicly insured jumped from 46.3 million to 48.6 million last year, according to Lynn Blewett, director of the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota.
Children accounted for nearly half that increase, as the number of youngsters in government health programs grew from 22.1 million in 2006 to 23 million last year. “Programs like SCHIP and Medicaid are lifelines for providing Americans with the health care they need, especially during times when the economy is soft and more people feel vulnerable to losing employer-sponsored health insurance,” Blewett said.
Ron Pollack, the executive director of Families USA, a liberal health-advocacy group, saw irony in the growth of public coverage. “At the very time the Bush administration tried to cut back Medicaid and twice vetoed legislation to extend children’s health coverage, the public safety net cushioned the loss of employer-sponsored health coverage,” Pollack said.
Most researchers and economists say federal measures are a poor tool to gauge poverty’s complexity. The numbers don’t factor in assistance from government anti-poverty programs, which help pull people out of poverty. Alternative poverty measures that account for these shortcomings typically deflate poverty statistics.
Devon Herrick, a health economist at the conservative Dallas-based National Center for Policy Analysis, said government figures on the uninsured were “somewhat overblown” because they included up to 14 million people who qualified for government coverage but weren’t enrolled and nearly 18 million people who earned more than $50,000 and chose to forgo coverage.
He also said the uninsured figures provided only a snapshot because respondents are questioned only when the survey is taken, rather than over a year. A 2004 census report found that three-fourths of uninsured people get coverage within a year, Herrick said.
Median household income — the level at which half of U.S. households earn more and half less — increased for the third straight year. Men who worked full time saw their median earnings increase nearly 4% to $45,113. Median income for full-time working women rose by 5% to $35,102.
Median incomes for black and Hispanic households increased for the first time since 1999, but black households still had the lowest median income, at $33,916. They were followed by Hispanics at $38,678. Asian households had the highest median income — $66,103 — while non-Hispanic whites came in at $54,920.
The poverty rate increased by only a small fraction; 816,000 more people lived in poverty in 2007 than in 2006. But the rate and number of children in poverty increased from 17.4%, or 12.8 million, in 2006 to 18% and 13.3 million last year. Nationally, children account for nearly 36% of Americans in poverty, though they make up only about 25% of the population. Other findings include:
•Full-time working women earned 78% of what full-time working men earned in 2007, an all-time high.
•The income of foreign-born households headed by noncitizens dropped 7.3% to $37,637 after increasing 4.1% in 2006.
•Last year’s poverty rate for the South was 14.2%. It was 11.4% in the Northeast, 11.1% in the Midwest and 12% in the West. All were statistically unchanged from 2006.
Thousands more in West Michigan hit 'extreme poverty' as state woes continue
More people in West Michigan are bottoming out.
The U.S. Census Bureau shows the number of Grand Rapids residents in extreme poverty -- at $10,325 or less for a family of four and half the federal poverty line -- climbed from 13,957 in 2000 to 22,497 in 2007, a 65 percent increase. That number represents 12.3 percent of the city's population.
In Kent County, 78,198 people were in poverty in 2007, or 13.2 percent, compared to 49,832 in 2000, or 8.9 percent. The number in extreme poverty jumped from 22,061 in 2000 to 36,597. Chico Daniels, president and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, sees this bleak reality each day at the Grand Rapids shelter for homeless men and families. Some come because of substance abuse. But others are simply out of money, out of work and have no place to stay.
"With the highest unemployment rate in the nation, I'm not surprised. Some of these are people who counted on those assembly-line jobs," Daniels said of Michigan's economy. "They staked their entire future on the auto industry. The decline of the auto industry has sent shock waves through the entire community."
Year to date, the shelter has taken in 3,889 women, up 35 percent from the same period in 2007. The number of children in the shelter is up nearly 20 percent. "I think poverty doesn't go on vacation," Daniels said. "Poverty tends to hit women and children hardest. My definition of poverty is a lack of options. People come to Mel Trotter because they are out of options."
In Wyoming, the poverty rate declined slightly, from 14.3 percent in 2006 to 12.2 percent in 2007. But those in extreme poverty increased from 2,594 in 2006 to 4,339 in 2007, a 67 percent rise. While the overall poverty rate in Ottawa County was about half that of Kent County, at 6.8 percent, those in poverty climbed more than 5,000 from 2006 to 2007, to 16,909.
The number in extreme poverty reached 7,176, nearly double the number in 2006. Michigan's rate of extreme poverty jumped from 6 percent in 2006 to 6.5 percent last year. Eight years ago, the rate was 4.8 percent. The number of people in poverty increased by 45,000 during 2006-07. The child poverty rate increased from 17.8 percent to 19 percent between 2006-07, while the national rate stood at 17.6 percent.
Amy Rynell, director of the Chicago-based Heartland Alliance Mid-American Institute on Poverty, said Michigan continues to lead even the hard-hit Midwest in bad news. Its poverty rate stood at 14 percent in 2007, up from 13.5 percent the year before -- and a full percentage point above the national rate, which was virtually unchanged during the same period.
"Michigan, relative to the nation, appears to be doing the worst. The only state in the nation where poverty actually increased was Michigan." Rynell said the rising number of those in extreme poverty is sobering. "These are people who are spreading out their food so they are only eating once a day. They are people who are living in houses that are unsuitable for living. "These are really dire conditions where people are making decisions that are really untenable."
Beyond the layoffs and plant closings that have rocked the Midwest in recent years, Rynell said, states such as Michigan are paying the price for social service cutbacks. Four Michigan cities -- Kalamazoo, Flint, Pontiac and Detroit -- were among the 20 poorest in the nation. "We have seen over the last decade a whittling away of our safety net. The programs that were in place to help people in economic downturns have been whittling away."
The news is little better for middle-class households. Median incomes in West Michigan remain sharply down from 2000, declining in Kent County from $57,217 in 2000 to $49,354 in 2007. In Ottawa County, income dropped from $65,140 in 2000 to $53,881 in 2007.
The 2007 median income in Michigan was $47,950, down 1.2 percent or $596 from the 2006 median of $48,546. The state's nationwide ranking slid from 24th to 27th. Locally, there was one ray of hope in the Census report released Tuesday. Median income in Grand Rapids climbed to $38,272 in 2007, from $35,676 in 2006.
In another report released Tuesday, the Census Bureau said 11 percent of Michigan residents had no health insurance coverage in 2007 -- up from 10.4 percent in 2006 and 9.1 percent at the beginning of the decade. But that was one category in which Michigan fared better than most states. The national average of uninsured citizens was 15.5 percent, and Michigan ranked 11th best nationally in providing health coverage
Northern Rock defaults leave taxpayers facing bill
Fears that taxpayers may end up footing an even bigger bill for Northern Rock intensified yesterday after it emerged that the nationalised bank was suffering dramatically high default rates.
Northern Rock borrowers falling more than 90 days behind on mortgage payments were rising at much faster rates than the overall mortgage market, Standard & Poor's (S&P) said. Repossessions of Rock mortgagees were also rising at a far higher rate.
The problem was identified in Granite, the £40 billion offshore trust that holds many of Rock's mortgages and provides monthly performance figures to its bondholders. Granite was performing substantially worse than similar securitisation vehicles set up by Barclays, HBOS, Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Standard Life, S&P said.
Andrew South, S&P's senior director for structured finance, said that any financial pain of a major blowout in defaults would be shared between Granite bondholders and Rock. “The deteriorating book increases the chances that taxpayers, ultimately, might have to shoulder some of the cost,” he said.
Arrears of 90 days or more in mortgages held by Granite soared by two thirds between this year's first and second quarters, with £508 million of loans turning sour. By contrast similar trusts run by rival banks saw relatively small increases in delinquencies in the quarter, S&P noted. Repossessions of properties in the Granite porfolio soared from 134 a month in the first quarter to 353 a month in the second, again a much worse deterioration than in the industry generally.
S&P also alerted investors to another potential risk of mortgages in Granite. Average loan-to-value ratios (LTVs) were 77 per cent for Granite, as against 60 per cent typically in other trusts. Just under 30 per cent of Granite loans were at LTVs of 90 per cent or more. That means a large proportion of borrowers would be in negative equity if house prices fall further.
A Rock spokesman said: “At this stage Granite is performing within its parameters. Investors [bondholders] are well aware of this and are protected by the reserve fund [a cushion that protects bondholders in the event of default].” The spokesman said that the arrears figures in Granite were consistent with figures issued by Rock with its half-year results on August 5.
At the time, Rock said that arrears levels, including Granite loans, had doubled since the start of the year to 1.18 per cent of the total residential mortgage book. Repossessions were up from 2,215 at the start of the year to 3,710. On top of the £40 billion Granite book, Rock holds £37 billion of mortgages on its own balance sheet, which it says are of similar quality to Granite's loans.
S&P said that Granite's relatively poor performance on credit quality remained even after allowing for the fact that it was shrinking its book as mortgages matured or borrowers took their business elsewhere. The Granite book is down from £46 billion at the start of the year. Rock suffered a cataclysmic depositor panic last September, forcing the Government to guarantee deposits and later to nationalise it after failing to orchestrate a private sector rescue.
It emerged this weekend that at the time of the nationalisation, in February, when the Government was assuring voters that Rock could ultimately be sold back to the private sector for a profit, it was being privately advised by Goldman Sachs that the saga was most likely to lead to a loss of between £450 million and £1.28 billion.
Since being nationalised, Rock has repaid £9.4 billion of government loans, reducing its outstanding debt to £17.5 billion. It is negotiating with the Treasury to swap up to £3 billion of government loans for fresh equity to strengthen its balance sheet.
• Granite is a special-purpose vehicle set up in 1999 by Northern Rock in Jersey. It was used by Rock to make extra cash from the mortgages that the bank had sold to homeowners
• Northern Rock transferred mortgages to Granite, which packaged them together. Investors bought these securities, which provided them with regular interest payments
• Rock does not own or run Granite, which is a separate legal entity
•Many other banks have these vehicles, including Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Barclays. They are particularly common in the United States, where almost all mortgages are held within special-purpose vehicles similar to Granite
UK homebuilder says Government can't fix the housing market
Taylor Wimpey has warned that the Government is unlikely to be able to offer a quick fix for the country's ailing housing market, as the housebuilder reported a plunge in first-half profits.
One of Britain's biggest housebuilders saw first-half profits drop 96pc to £4.3m in the first six months of the year. Taylor Wimpey also revealed a total write-down of £1.5bn in the period, including £690m on its landbanks in the UK, North America. Including the write-down the company slumped to a loss of £1.4bn.
The end to Britain's decade-long housing boom has savaged profits at housebuilders and estate agents and pushed the country to the edge of its first recession in almost two decades. The speed of the reversal has left Gordon Brown trailing in the opinion polls and prompted calls from many in the housebuilder industry for the Government to step in.
Chief executive Peter Redfern said: "Of course we'd like to see the Government help the market, but our view is slightly different to some other companies," he said. "Even if it did intervene, through measures like a stamp duty holiday or a fall in interest rates, we still think the market would be in a difficult position. It's not something the Government alone can fix."
Mr Redfern, who helped mastermind the merger of George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow last year, said that the builder was now focussed on revising its debts covenants with its banks and would not be relying on the Government to rescue the sector.
Yesterday rival builder Bovis called on Gordon Brown to support the troubled sector. Taylor Wimpey said it was in discussions with its lenders, however he said the company did not expect to have to raise new capital.
The new homes specialist, which has already given warning that it will breach its banking arrangements over the full year, insisted there were no fundamental obstacles in the way of a deal with its bankers.
Mr Redfern also said the company had received approaches, but had not entered into formal discussions. "It's not something we have ruled out, but we are focussing on sorting out our covenants," he said. He added that the company did not expect to have to make any further redundancies or office closures, following an announcement in April that it would close 13 of its 39 regional offices with an anticipated loss of 900 jobs.
As expected, the company said it had scrapped its interim dividend, arguing the payment was inappropriate given the current trading conditions. The shares slumped by over 13pc to 45p in early trading.
Canada job losses hide behind government hiring binge
Weakness in the labour market that has been masked by strong public-sector job growth could soon be laid bare as softening government finances put the hiring frenzy on hold.
Employment in all levels of government rose 3.1 per cent to 3.4 million in the second quarter, creating a total of 70,000 jobs so far this year, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday.
The quarterly numbers continue a trend that has been in place since 2000, when public-sector hiring began to rebound after years of budget-balancing declines. Since then, when employment stood at 2.8 million, another 563,108 jobs have been added.
Despite sharp declines in Canada's manufacturing sector in recent times, the country's labour market has been buffeted from overall losses - with 55,000 jobs eliminated from the economy in July - by gains in the public sector.
"We look at the overall quality of employment and were surprised to see that it has improved despite the weakening economy," said CIBC World markets senior economist Benjamin Tal. "One of the reasons for that was the fact that a lot of the new jobs were in the public sector, which has relatively high-quality jobs.
"This probably will not last. The days that governments run high surpluses are over. In fact, I would expect government hiring to slow down significantly over the next two to three years," Tal said. "That means you will not see government jobs offsetting losses in the private sector . . . so the Canadian market will be exposed to its weakness this time. Both quality and quantity of jobs will go down because of the softening in hiring by governments.
Yet government hiring is not without its costs, says Fraser Institute senior economist Niels Veldhuis, and at current levels Canada's ability to compete is damaged by that. According to the Statistics Canada report, the proportion of public sector workers among the total employed in the workforce has remained stable at 19 per cent since 2001.
"This number is quite concerning," Veldhuis said. "The public sector as a percentage of employment is critical in terms of how that impacts our economy and our labour market, and we need to be focusing on reducing that further than 19 per cent rather than being pleased with 19."
As jurisdictions with higher rates of public sector employment tend to attract less investment and suffer slower rates of economic growth, it is imperative to make ourselves comparable to competitors, Veldhuis said. But we are a long way off from that, as Canadian provinces have much bigger public sectors than most U.S. states.
"When you look at place like Nevada, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, they're all sitting at 10 or 11 per cent of employment. Alberta has Canada's smallest public sector at about 15.5 per cent. But when you start looking at places like Newfoundland and Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan has the highest (proportional) public sector in North America, at 27.4 per cent."
Veldhuis said government hiring should not be seen as a bromide for troubled times, as the increased government spending could force the economy into deficit and the government to raise taxes. The statistics included hiring in federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as educational, health and social services institutions and government business enterprises.
No bottom in Canada either. Not even close
Another condo project was cancelled last week in mid-town Toronto. No headlines here. The media did not even notice. Just a letter sent to the unhappy people who wanted to live there. Many of them, in reality, did not understand how lucky they were.
Two thousand miles away, the average price of a detached home in Burnaby took a plunge, according to last weekend’s paper. A nondescript detached home you’d drive by without noticing now sells for $705,000, which is $42,000 less than about a month ago. Yeah, that was an 8% decline in a few weeks.
In this Van burb, listings are up 24%. Sales are down 44%. Back in southern Ontario, listings have also exploded higher, while realtors are desperately trying to cling to the fiction that sales are flatlining and prices are stable. Of course, the trend line is clear. The market is in trouble.
As in Burnaby, so it is in Mississauga. The number of days on market has about doubled in the past year, which means homeowners – a great many of them first-time sellers – are learning the hard way that supply and demand has more of an impact on prices than squeezing hard and hoping.
Listings in the GTA area started to really rise in April and May, which means many sellers are just coming up to the 90-day mark for their listings. They are now being told that to have any chance of selling in the hotter autumn season, prices will have to be reduced. Thus, officials numbers for sales closing from November through to February will show average and median prices taking a haircut.
This, in turn, will set the backdrop for the Spring, 2009 market, which will be one of reduced activity, substantially lower house values and a worsening economy. That’s just a reality, now that bank profits are tumbling, commodity prices have turned hugely unstable, and both Canada and the United States are in the middle of regime change, or at least political upheaval.
Then, natch, we have the looming Oct. 15 death of the 0/40 generation, the immediate consequences of which are uncertain. But not good. Already new home sales have taken it on the chin. Huge Mattamy Homes – now the nation’s largest builder – has slashed prices by up to $50,000. At the same time some banks who shall remain nameless (like TD) have found ways of turning a cash-back mortgage into a zero-down loan, which only extends the miserable adjustment period a while longer.
Of course, opportunity will emerge from all of this. There will be a bottom. Prices will correct too far, and then profits will lie there for the courageous to scoop up.
But, we’re not there yet. In fact, we’re not even close. Remember, the US market started to tank in September of 2005 and now – the autumn of 2008 – foreclosures are growing, prices are falling and middle-class homeowners are being destroyed in even greater numbers. There will be many siren calls of relief in the coming months from the real estate community. Heed not a one.
State injection for Fannie and Freddie will offset pain
Most of the time, the path to survival in financial bureaucracies is through company-party-line on-message bullishness. That’s particularly true in the US, where pessimism about the future is not just bad business, but unpatriotic.
Not true today. More than sufficient electric shocks have been administered to the rats. Now, the corporate rodents know that PowerPoints projecting trees growing to the sky are going to get you fired, not promoted. Short-sellers are no longer bad people, but prophets. That’s part of the reason why the optimistic case for equities is still generally dismissed.
There are, however, substantive points made by the equity bears. The most coherent come from the credit people, who point out, grimly, that you can’t have a recovery if you don’t have the bank lines or fixed income buy side to support the spending. The damage done from write-offs and shaken confidence is so severe, they say, that it will be impossible to finance growth in any kind of demand, at least in the visible future.
No bank capital, and no securitisation markets, mean we will all be reduced to post-apocalyptic bands of looters, hunter-gatherers, and, I suppose, bankruptcy lawyers. Since the more cautious credit people saved their clients some of their capital, they deserve a listen.
Greg Peters, the Morgan Stanley credit strategist, says: “Once the banks and credit institutions pull back their reins, they keep them pulled back for a long time. The more optimistic consumer economists don’t understand this because this is very different compared to any other experience they have gone through. It is impossible to calculate the impact of the breakdown of securitisation.”
That’s true. Of course, we did have some economic activity even before the securitisation of subprime and alt-A mortgages, and before collateralised loan obligations replaced actual corporate loans. We survived on iceberg lettuce and coleslaw before we knew there were such things as arugula and cilantro.
Still, to the point raised by Peters and the other cautionary voices, there are answers. First, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to be nationalised, in the sense that the federal government injects capital in the form of preferred equity and direct credit support, wiping out the existing common.
I believe it is critical that that takeover leaves the privately held preferred stock of the government-sponsored enterprises in place. Preserving the value of GSE preferred issues is very much in the taxpayers’ interest, as it makes possible the recapitalisation of the rest of the banking system.
Most of the discussion of the need for a federal takeover of the GSEs has concerned their credit losses on subprime and Alt-A paper. However, even if a private recapitalisation could be done to offset those, the GSEs would not have sufficient capital to handle the long-term risk of the maturity mismatches on their highly leveraged balance sheet.
Let’s say there’s a great economic recovery, housing prices stabilise, and the interest rate curve becomes more normal. The rise in long-term rates would lead to an extension of the maturity of mortgage portfolios, which would need to be offset by hedging activities. Significant declines in the long end would also need to be hedged, as homeowners refinanced.
I don’t believe the interest rate swaps market will have the capacity or willingness to take on that risk at any payable price. One way or another, these institutions will spend a considerable time with negative equity. Again. The only way to handle that is with government ownership.
No doubt there are bankers and lawyers explaining all this to the Washington “leadership”, in the respectful, but urgent, tones trust and estate lawyers use when telling dim heirs that they need to sign a document lest Mummy’s bequest become valueless. It could take a little while for the political managers to accept that they need to shred yet another set of talking points.
Then, all of those fiduciaries worried about making that 8 per cent return assumed in their actuarial pro formas will have a way to keep their jobs: buy new issues of bank cumulative preferred stock. How could they have confidence in the banks? Because the banks will be able to put a lot of their housing paper to those newly recapped GSEs. On the other hand, they may want to hold on to at least some of that paper.
There are a lot of housing-related securities that will take real losses on foreclosures and steeply discounted liquidation sales. There is also a lot of paper that was marked to a very illliquid market. Away from Florida, Nevada, Arizona, parts of the Rust Belt, and California, there is a lot of solidly financed property in the US, and a significant part of the paper it supports will be marked up in value. That will be another source of additions to bank capital.
We won’t be getting another consumption-led boom for a long time. The US will recover, though, and sooner than the credit tribe thinks. There will be exports, import substitution from transplanted factories, cheaper oil and government-financed infrastructure spending. Capital flight from Europe will help finance the construction of our next perpetual motion machine.
When everyone regains their confidence, I’ll get bearish again.
Ilargi: The last bits of good news that can be wrung out of the economy... Unfortunately, the report is outdated before it’s released: the rise in the dollar guarantees a drop in exports.
Orders for Durable Goods in U.S. Unexpectedly Gain
Orders for U.S. durable goods unexpectedly increased in July, indicating that growing demand from abroad is still helping companies weather a slump in domestic spending.
The 1.3 percent gain in bookings of goods meant to last several years matched the previous month's rise, which was larger than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Excluding transportation equipment, orders rose 0.7 percent after a 2.4 percent increase a month earlier.
The boost to the U.S. from trade, which was the biggest in almost 28 years last quarter, may wane after figures this month showed shrinking economies in the euro region and Japan. "Many" Federal Reserve officials anticipate export gains will fade, minutes of their Aug. 5 meeting showed yesterday.
"The impact from global weakening so far on U.S. manufacturers remains modest," Aaron Smith an economist at Moody's Economy.com, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Because of domestic weakness, the economy may still slow or contract "while simultaneously still having very modest weakness in manufacturing and capital spending," he said.
Treasuries fell after the report and stock futures gained. The benchmark 10-year note yielded 3.82 percent as of 8:40 a.m. in New York, up 4 basis points from yesterday. Economists projected orders would be unchanged after a previously reported 0.8 percent increase in June, according to the median of 76 forecast in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates ranged from a drop of 2.1 percent to a gain of 2.2 percent.
Excluding transportation equipment, orders were projected to fall 0.7 percent, after an originally reported 2 percent gain in June, according to the Bloomberg survey. Estimates ranged from a decline of 2.9 percent to an increase of 0.6 percent.
Bookings for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a measure of future business investment, increased 2.6 percent, the most since April. Shipments of those items, used in calculating gross domestic product, rose 0.6 percent following a 0.4 percent gain that was smaller than previously estimated.
Today's revisions will probably have little impact on economists' forecasts for growth in the second quarter. Revised gross domestic product figures from the Commerce Department, due tomorrow, may show the economy expanded at a 2.7 percent annual rate from April through June, up from an advanced estimate of 1.9 percent reported last month as exports jumped, according to a Bloomberg survey.
Business spending on new equipment and software dropped at a 3.4 percent annual pace last quarter, the second consecutive decline and the biggest since the first three months of 2004, according to the government's advance estimate issued last month.
Growth in coming quarters probably will slow as the effects of the federal tax rebates wear off and consumer spending weakens. Retail sales in July fell 0.1 percent, the first decline in five months, the Commerce Department reported Aug. 13. "An increasingly strained consumer, deepening woes for the housing sector and a desire to pare inventories will all weigh on manufacturing output," Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc. in New York, said before the report.
Factories are faring better than in past downturns, helped in part by a weak dollar that has helped boost exports. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index for July fell to 50, the dividing line between growth and contraction, from 50.2 a month earlier. During the 2001 recession it averaged 43.5.
Manufacturing "declined or remained weak in most districts," even as "demand for exports remained generally high," the Fed said last month in its regional economic known as the Beige Book. Bank lending "was generally reported to be restrained."
Regional reports this month offered mixed impressions. The New York Fed's general economic index rose in August to 2.8, the highest level since January, from minus 4.9 a month earlier. The Philadelphia Fed said last week that manufacturing in the region shrank in August for a ninth straight month.
Gains in orders for metals, machinery, communications gear, automobiles and aircraft all contributed to the increase in demand last month. Orders for transportation equipment rose 3.1 percent, led by a 28 percent jump in airplane bookings. Demand for automobiles climbed 1.2 percent.
The gain in autos may have reflected a continued rebound following the end of a strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., the largest axle supplier for General Motors Corp. GM said June 16 it had returned to full production. Such gains are unlikely to continue as sales slump. Auto- industry figures this month showed purchases of cars and light trucks in the U.S. fell in July to a 12.5 million annual rate, the lowest level since March 1993, as consumers faced record gas prices.
Some manufacturers are trimming staff to offset high energy costs. Alcoa Inc., the world's third largest aluminum producer, said last week that it will lay off 300 employees in Texas starting Aug. 31. The cuts come as a result of "uneconomical power prices," the New York-based company said in a statement. Commodity costs have subsided since mid-July, easing cost pressures. Crude oil futures dropped below $112 a barrel on Aug. 15 after peaking at $147 on July 11.
Rapid rise of dollar may endanger U.S. and world economies
The dollar is enjoying its strongest rally in three years largely because of bad news outside the United States rather than good news at home. Just as the dollar's swift decline earlier this year set off alarm bells with world policy makers who were worried that it was contributing to inflation, a swift rise that hurts U.S. exports would not be welcome, either.
Currencies are typically viewed as proxies for their underlying economies, and the dollar is no exception. What makes it somewhat unusual is that it is the dominant currency of global trade. And its movements are intricately linked to the price of oil, which in turn has vital importance for the world economy.
Most economists think that the second quarter was the high-water mark for the U.S. economy this year, and that a contraction in the fourth quarter is not out of the question. If anything, the outlook has worsened in recent weeks as credit concerns have spread and investors worry that the U.S. government may have to bail out the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
So why has the dollar climbed 7 percent against a basket of currencies since July 15? It is all relative. The outlook for the American economy may be grim, but that of the rest of the developed world is deteriorating rapidly. "This spreading weakness abroad - and it is worse now in Europe and Japan than it is in the U.S.A. - is the primary reason for the dollar's recovery," said David Rosenberg, an economist at Merrill Lynch.
Data released Friday showed that Britain's economy did not grow at all in the second quarter. The euro zone recorded its first-ever contraction during that period. Revised figures due Thursday are expected to show that the U.S. economy grew at a solid 2.7 percent annual rate in the second quarter, according to economists polled by Reuters, well ahead of the 1.9 percent pace that was initially reported.
But don't expect much of a celebration on Wall Street, because few investors believe this pace can be sustained. Ironically, the recent resurgence in the dollar is part of the reason why. For the global economy, a strengthening dollar is a mixed blessing. It is good news for European exporters, who have long complained that an expensive euro was hurting their business. It is not such great news for the U.S. economy, which has relied on export demand to compensate for sluggish domestic spending.
Indeed, foreign trade added 2.4 percentage points to second-quarter U.S. gross domestic product, its largest contribution in nearly 28 years, according to calculations from the research firm Global Insight. The revised data Thursday may show that it provided an even stronger kick of 3.2 percent. In other words, without trade, the second-quarter GDP figure could very well have been negative.
In a speech Friday, Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, called the dollar's stabilization and the recent cool-down in the oil market "encouraging." But currencies, like economies, can rise too quickly for comfort, and in ways that are not healthy.
To the extent that the strengthening dollar has helped to lower oil prices, it has clearly helped the global economy. Oil is down more than $30 a barrel from a July peak of just above $147. But if the dollar's strength reflects weakening in Europe and Asia rather than an improvement at home, that does not bode well for the U.S. or world economy.
Even if a weaker euro make European exports more competitive on the global market, that does not mean much if a weak global economy saps demand. Global Insight thinks it will be 2010 before the world economy rebounds. "World economic growth in 2009 is likely to be the slowest since 2003," said Nariman Behravesh, its chief economist. "Every world region's growth is expected to slow next year, and the list of countries in or near recession is expanding."
Edward Leamer, director of UCLA Anderson Forecast, said U.S. economic data still suggested a weakening economy rather than a full-blown recession, but the stronger dollar posed a threat. "If this is a symptom of potentially weaker exports going forward, then we're in another high-risk period," he said.
Posted by Ilargi at 1:24 PM
Hi ilargi,
Is there any, more or less, simple way of keeping track of how Canadian banks are holding up or rated? I don't think a Canadian bank has ever failed but that was then and I guess this is now. Neat the simplicity of some thoughts isn't it? I wish all the rest were as simple. I think I will find a nice closet and spend the day going OM!
How long may the dollar financial system stay alive?
I do agree with Ilargi as he said that the wheels of capitalism are about to stop soon.
I do believe that this is the begin of the end of the economy as we know it today.
"the wheels of capitalism are about to stop soon."
How soon is soon? Halloween? January?
I know things are hard to predict, but some people have been seriously talking about a financial meltdown since the beginning of the year. While there are some signs that there is a crisis, to most people, the wheels are still going round and round.
Anonymous Reader
Not just since the beginning of the year. I know people who have predicted a big crash most years for the last 25 years. Apparently no man knoweth the hour or the day.
Farmerod said...
@CR
None since 1985, AFAIK. Two failures in AB due to real estate and oil collapses.
Facing Failure
FWIW, my own personal rating of the big banks in order of worst to best based on recent headlines and general character (don't know about National):
CIBC, BMO, RBC, TD, Scotia, Sealy, Simmons (don't lose any sleep over which of the last two to park your cash)
A propos the crash prediction thread going on just now, here's an article on Doomerism by permaculturist Toby Hemenway may be of interest to some readers here:
http://www.patternliteracy.com/doomer.html
snoo
Hemenway may be able to help you plant pickles, but he's useless as a thinker. I don't think he even understands the bias he exhibits in words such as catastrophism and doomerism. There are a zillion summaries of end of the world movements, and the only reason I can think of for him to add yet another is being ignorant of what's already out there. Other than that, studying the human mind might be an idea for him. Why someone would post a link to such drivel on my site, you tell me.
If Sir Isaac Newton couldn't predict when, knowing the market would crash (http://www.stock-market-crash.net/southsea.htm), how do you people expect Ilargi to give you any useful dates? Throw your own dice...
Really good podcast with Mish and two other guys as to whether the bankster f*ckup will lead to deflation or hyperinflation. Mish thinks we are going into serious deflation. He thinks eventually we will get into hypeinflation, but it's going to take a while. He doesn't think the Fed can bring us to HI but thinks the Congress might if it goes totally batshit. About 40 minutes. Definitely worth the listen. They asked Mish where he would invest his money right now. He sheepishly said short term trearuries. He was embarrassed.
http://commoditywatch.podbean.com/2008/08/24/inflation-or-deflation-part-1/
"Hemenway may be able to help you plant pickles, but he's useless as a thinker."
Why, how can you say that? He has a bibliography!
Outtacontrol,
Mattresses aside for now,why would you consider BNS safer than TD right now? I'm interested in any info you came across or may know.
Thanks, FF
Fannie Replaces Top Managers Amid Capital Concern
Bloomberg LINK
FF - please take that ranking with a shaker of salt. It was meant more as a setup to a joke than as advice. However, I do think CIBC is the worst because of their known exposure to 'level 3' -like assets. BMO has some too and likes getting into trouble, whether it's from natural gas bets gone awry or whatever else. I can't recall specifically why I don't particularly like RBC; I just don't. BNS and TD are a toss-up. I think one of them just saw some opportunity to expand into the states (WTF?!) and the other, probably BNS, further into Central America. Expansion in general seems like a silly idea when the whole house of cards is about to fall. Or I could be completely making all of that up. It doesn't matter to me what happens to any particular bank, though, assuming the ones I use keep their doors open until October when this year's batch of Canada Savings Bonds come out. In the future, I just have to hope that there's some financial institution whose doors are still open to cash by bonds when I need them.
(This whole conversation suddenly seems surreal. I can't believe I'm advocating CSB's!)
...How about John Michael Greer for ya?
Snoo et al,
I like John Michael Greer, although I disagree with him that we're currently facing a slow catabolic collapse. I would argue that catabolic collapse began at least about 30 years ago, around when energy per capita peaked globally. It hasn't looked like a collapse so far as it's effects have been obscured by credit expansion, but the kind of economic hollowing out we've seen is catabolic virtually by definition.
Far from facing a slow collapse now as Greer would suggest, I think the slow phase is behind us and we're about to face a frighteningly rapid decline. The South Sea bubble is the best example of such a rapid collapse (1720-1722 if memory serves), although this event will be larger as the excesses that preceded it have been larger.
Our economic system has been consuming its own foundation in order to drive what looks outwardly like a huge burst of wealth creation. By analogy one might imagine a supernova that briefly expands and burns as brightly as a galaxy, but then implodes to a fragment of its former self.
As for timing, I think we face the first of what will probably be several cascading events this autumn. The recent rally appears (on balance of probabilities) to have topped on August 11th, meaning that the next phase of the decline would already be underway (although alternatively it is still possible that we could see a larger retracement, as the rally up to August 11th was fairly shallow as retracements go). My guess is that the coming decline should last perhaps 3 months and should at least take out the October 2002 low (DJIA about 7500). There will be far more downside potential to follow the next temporary rally as well.
Thank you, Stoneleigh.
Yes, the slow collapse started a long time ago. Nothing was done to mitigate the coming precipitous collapse.
I remember reading "Limits to Growth" and "Small is Beautiful" in the 70s. Now it's over ...
Debt Rattle, August 31 2008: The Quiet Before
Debt Rattle, August 30 2008: Broke Back Banking
Debt Rattle, August 29 2008: Swine Wear Pearls, Pi...
Debt Rattle, August 28 2008: Tinkerbell
Debt Rattle, August 26 2008: Glub, Glub, Glub
Debt Rattle, August 25 2008: Unprecedented Power
Debt Rattle, August 24 2008: Last Great American W...
Debt Rattle, August 23 2008: What do YOU say America?
Debt Rattle, August 22 2008: Jackson Hole Sale
Debt Rattle, August 21 2008: It Is Time
Debt Rattle, August 20 2008: The New Untouchables
Debt Rattle, August 19 2008: Inflation is a delibe...
Debt Rattle, August 18 2008: Tested for Leaks
Debt Rattle, August 17 2008: The Habit in the Rat
Debt Rattle, August 16 2008: Back Room Blood
Debt Rattle, August 15 2008: Dead Zones
Debt Rattle, August 14 2008: Waiting
Debt Rattle, August 13 2008: Not better, just diff...
Debt Rattle, August 12 2008: A bursting leveraged ...
Debt Rattle, August 11 2008: $10 million a minute
Debt Rattle, August 10 2008: A first
Debt Rattle, August 9 2008: Not if you've done it
Debt Rattle, August 8 2008: Game Day: Accounting, ...
Debt Rattle, August 7 2008: Born to Run the System
Debt Rattle, August 6 2008: Pointed at the center ...
Debt Rattle, August 5 2008: Shipwrecked Among Cann...
Debt Rattle, August 4 2008: The Examining Room
Debt Rattle, August 3 2008: Awful News for British...
Debt Rattle, August 2 2008: Bouncing Down the Moun...
Debt Rattle, August 1 2008: Bad Math Plugs Holes
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Stephen Pagliaroni
Stephen G. Pagliaroni
AUGUST 1, 1943 – MAY 25, 2015
Stephen G. Pagliaroni, age 71, of Swansea, passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Jo-Anne (O’Brien) Pagliaroni to whom he has been married for the past 38 years.
Born in Tomah, Wisconsin, a son of the late Domenic and Ethelyn (Vincenz) Pagliaroni, he has been a resident of Swansea for over forty years.
A graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School, class 1961, he also received his associate’s degree from Bristol Community College in Liberal Arts. A twenty-five year career Veteran of the United States Navy he served during the Vietnam War era retiring as Chief. During his time in the service, he was stationed in Iceland. He and the men he was stationed there with stayed in contact throughout the years and met annually. Mr. Pagliaroni also worked for the Providence Post Office for eighteen years and retired in 2006.
A lifetime member of the American Legion Post 303 in Swansea, he volunteered transporting local disabled Veteran’s to their appointments. An avid Yankees and Green Bay Packers fan, he enjoyed fishing, playing cards, trips to Foxwoods Resorts and Casinos, and most of all spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons: Brian S. Pagliaroni and his wife Lori of Middletown, RI, Anthony D. Pagliaroni and his wife Anne of Swansea, MA, Michael G. Foley of Pawtucket, RI, Matthew E. Foley of Baltimore, MD, two daughters: Kristen A. Turcotte and her companion Daniel Durso of North Attleboro, MA, Kerin E. Gaboriau and her husband Roger of Tiverton, RI, one brother: David Pagliaroni and his wife Mary of Kenosha, WI, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and expecting the fourth, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank staff of Beacon Hospice for their outstanding care and support.
So very sad to see another of our classmates has passed. Already 3 years ago. I remember Steve as a guy with lots of energy, funny and a last name that seemed about as hard to say as mine was back then. I am proud of and grateful to him for his service to the country and hope he had a good life Rest in peace Steve
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Australia Balancing Gambling Profits Against Social Problems
AUSTRALIA – As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald: "About 350 clubs and pubs have applied for permission to install about 2300 extra poker machines in their venues in a process that could see machines move from richer to poorer suburbs.
"The applications are the first under new rules requiring the applicants to weigh up the adverse social impact against economic benefits of their plans.
"These social impact assessments reveal information about the gambling spending in the suburbs concerned, for the first time since the Government stopped making the data cheaply available more than two years ago.
"The data shows gamblers in poorer council areas, such as Auburn and Burwood, spend up to $1700 (US$1002) per adult per year - or about four times as much on the pokies as those in the richer ones such as Willoughby, Hornsby and Baulkham Hills.
"…A spokesman for the Gaming Minister, Richard Face, said approval would be `very hard to get'.
"If approved, the applicant must buy licences to operate the pokies from an existing operator, creating the opportunity for machines to be shifted from less profitable richer suburbs to poorer ones.
"…According to the assessments, the proposals to move the machines would boost gambling spending in the new location and could increase problem gambling.
"The director of the NSW Council for Social Service, Alan Kirkland, said it was very difficult to balance the impact of problem gambling against the broader community benefits…"
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Nations team up to develop renewables
– November 28, 2011Posted in: Renewables >> Programs >> Laws and regulations
Britain and Norway have agreed to work together in order to develop renewable and other energy sources.
The countries have signed an energy pact which aims to expand ties in renewable and fossil fuel energy sources. These sources include carbon capture and storage technologies, which had been in jeopardy after the UK government aborted a project in this field just a week before.
The deal was signed by UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne and Norwegian Energy Minister Ola Borten Moe in London.
“Our energy security is enhanced by close links with Scandinavia and Europe. As North Sea neighbors, the UK has long enjoyed close and beneficial ties with Norway based on the development of oil and gas. And as renewables and CCS develop further, it is increasingly vital that we work closely in these areas too,” said Huhne. “Today’s agreement confirms the importance of Norwegian natural gas to UK energy needs as an essential part of our longer term energy security, and it boosts cooperation on CCS and the development of renewable energy and interconnection,” he added.
Long-term future
The deal will see Britain and Norway coordinate long-term energy policies until 2015, in an attempt to meet emissions reduction targets. Norwegian gas supplies look set to backup UK power generation for the foreseeable future – both parties said use of Norwegian gas into the 2020s will help UK emission targets as carbon capture and storage technology is put into use.
The pact has also reestablished a commitment to pursuing research into interconnectors between the two nations, which would increase the integration of the energy networks of the UK and Norway, the UK’s largest supplier of foreign gas.
The countries said the pact would see them work together in the development of carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, in addition to supporting domestic renewable energy policies. This commitment to carbon capture and storage came a week after the British government canceled plans to fund such a demonstration project in Scotland.
Critics have claimed carbon capture and storage technology is too costly, and as yet it is commercially unproven. However, if viable it could prove a key tool in capturing and interring greenhouse gas emissions.
South African solar support
Elsewhere, last month also saw the World Bank approve a $250 million funding package for a renewable energy scheme in South Africa. The loan, made through the World Bank’s Clean Technology Fund, will enable South African power utility Eskom to develop a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Upington, Northern Cape province, and a 100-megawatt wind power project at Sere, north of Cape Town.
“Africa is beginning to grow and the problem of energy insecurity is dampening that growth,” said World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, Obiageli K. Ezekwesili. “By investing in these cutting-edge, transformational solar and wind power projects, we are saying that Africa can lead the way in securing a clean energy future,” he added.
Tags: Chris Huhne, natural gas, renewable energies, solar energy, wind energy
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State Bamboo Policy, Tripura
<p>Bamboo is one of the most important non-wood forest resources used extensively by tribals and rural poor in Tripura. While it plays an important role in the economy of the State and in subsistence activities,
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Global forest products 2018: facts and figures
The global production and trade of major wood products such as industrial roundwood, sawnwood and wood-based panels have surged to their highest level since the Food and Agriculture Organization began
FAO Yearbook of Forest Products 2017
FAO has released a new edition of its Yearbook of Forest Products, which compiles production and trade statistics on basic forest products including wood, wood fuel, charcoal, pulp and paper across the
Forest sector SDG roadmap
The Roadmap put the SDGs into action to identify risks and opportunities for the forest products sector and provides solution pathways through which the sector can minimize negative effects and strive
World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD)
Forest futures: sustainable pathways for forests, landscapes and people in the Asia Pacific region
Forests and landscapes in the Asia-Pacific region are under increasing pressure from economic development, climate change, demographic shifts, conflicts over tenure and land use, and other stressors. This,
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Strengthening legal frameworks for licit and illicit trade in wildlife and forest products
The publication takes stock and gives a ‘gap analysis’ of the current status of institutions and legal frameworks relating to the regulation of licit trade, and the prevention, detection and penalization
Illegal Trade
Regulatory tools, effective markets, and private sector participation in the forestry and wood products processing sectors: issues and solutions for Developing Countries
This report presents a framework for strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of regulation of forestry and related sectors. It strives to identify and reduce regulatory burdens on private firms
Managing forests in displacement settings
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched a new handbook to help restore forests in displacement-affected areas, where heavy reliance on woodfuel puts
The world’s largest private sector?: recognising the cumulative economic value of small-scale forest and farm producers
More than 1.5 billion smallholders throughout the world depend on forest landscapes to produce food, fuel, timber and non-wood forest products to meet their subsistence needs and generate cash income.
IUCN
Understanding forests' contribution to poverty alleviation: a framework for interventions in forested areas
This paper develops a broad framework to conceptualize the multiple ways forests contribute to poverty reduction and inform interventions in forest landscapes. The paper identifies five key strategies
Community Forest Management (CFM)
Timber Smuggling
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Coach Steve Magness On The Journey
Below is a timely article from Houston University Coach, Steve Magness. Along with his training, I also enjoy a lot of his thoughts on life. It goes totally in line with our team motto of "The Journey". Please read and enjoy!
Coaching Corner: When Outcomes Define Success:
We live in a hypercompetitive world, where the game never truly ends. We can measure productivity in any myriad of ways and instantly compare ourselves to any number of individuals scattered across the world. No longer do you measure up against Johnny from high school or Jim in the cubicle next door; you are now in competition against practically everyone.
For humans who function off of comparison, this may initially boost our performance, but it's just as likely to be entirely maddening. As we've transitioned into competing in every aspect of life—from followers on twitter to "productivity" scores from our computer work to our health score spit out by our smart watch—the temptation is to treat life as we do sport, with the emphasis on getting faster and stronger, taking more wins, and then judging ourselves entirely by those parameters. By shifting how we judge ourselves, we've also shifted the story that we tell ourselves.
When it comes to sport, researchers have found that athletes adopt one of two kinds of narratives: a performance or a quest. A performance narrative occurs when the athlete prioritizes winning over other aspects of life. Performance comes first and foremost. Whether that is winning games, scoring goals, running faster, or making more money; the outcome is all that matters.
A quest narrative, on the other hand, emphasizes the potential growth from diverse experiences. It involves "individuals confronting their suffering, accepting the consequences, and striving to gain something positive from their experience." In other words, the emphasis isn't put on the outcome, but on the journey. Yes, the outcome still matters, but it becomes a signaling mechanism, not the be all end all.
Performance narratives are ingrained in us from a young age but they can lead to maladaptation when we encounter adversity. Because if performance is the sole judge, when failure occurs, people often register this not as failure at a specific task but failure at life. If an athlete has a quest narrative, the outcome becomes information, and the "failure" becomes something to understand and grow from, not a self-defining setback.
In Olympic swimmers, researchers found that as athletes matured in their careers, they tended to shift from a performance to a quest narrative. Early on in their career, outcomes were all that mattered, and they let their sport consume all aspects of their life. While one might think that their performance might suffer in the pool as they shifted their focus, the opposite occurred. For Olympic Swimmer Ryk Neethling, it made all the difference; "walking away gave me perspective...but for that fresh perspective, I may not have become an Olympic Champion."
As competition infiltrates every aspect of our life, there can be a temptation to embrace it, mistakenly thinking that we need to 'raise our game' in order to survive and thrive. The reality is that we might want to take a hint from Olympic swimmers: sometimes to reach the next level (and to enjoy what you do!), you've got to let go of the false idea that outcomes are all that matter.
Steve Magness - University of Houston CC and Track Coach.
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Scriptment
Title: Scriptment
Subject: Hook (filmmaking), Screenwriting, Screenplay, Film, Delayed release
Collection: Cinematic Techniques, Film Production, Screenwriting
A scriptment is a written work by a movie or television screenwriter that combines elements of a script and treatment, especially the dialogue elements, which are formatted the same as in a screenplay. It is a more elaborate document than a standard draft treatment. A lengthy scriptment may resemble a script sufficiently to be used as the basis for qualifying the writer to receive or share a screenplay credit, as opposed to just a story credit. Some films have been shot using only a scriptment.
Origin 1
Work-in-progress manuscript 3
Presentation manuscript 4
The term scriptment was originally coined by filmmaker James Cameron, possibly during his early involvement in the development of the Spider-Man film series. In that effort, after the success of his 1984 film The Terminator, Cameron wrote a 47-page scriptment for the first proposed Spider-Man film, which was used by screenwriter David Koepp to write the first draft, incorporating it nearly word for word.[1]
Cameron's scriptment for Titanic (1997) was 131 pages.[2] The term became more widely known, when Cameron's 1994 scriptment for the film Avatar was leaked on the internet during pre-production, although other directors, such as John Hughes and Zak Penn, had written "scriptments" before. The scriptment for Avatar (2009) was 80 pages and reportedly Cameron wrote it in just two weeks.[3]
A scriptment borrows characteristics from both a regular screenplay and a film treatment and is comparable to a step outline: the main text body is similar to an elaborate draft treatment, while usually only major sequences receive scene location headings (slug lines), which is different from the extensive slug line formatting in standard screenplays, where every new scene or shot begins with an INT./EXT. DAY/NIGHT slug line set above the description or dialogue. However, just as a treatment can be short or long, a scriptment can exist in various degrees of completion depending on how much time the writer has devoted to it and a more fully developed one could have all slug lines in place, a great deal of dialogue, and only require the producer's (or a writing partner's) okay on the direction the finished script should take before proceeding further.
In a scriptment, scenes and shots may be separated as paragraphs or sentences and, if it is the writer's style, can also include an occasional explanatory note, such as might be important in an adaptation or a sequel. As with standard treatments, much of the dialogue is summarized in action. The longer the scriptment, however, the more likely it contains dialog scenes that are fully developed. Single words or brief phrases of dialogue can be included within the description and lengthier exchanges are formatted exactly as a regular screenplay, which is the main reason for the "script" part of the term.
The longer the scriptment, the more likely it is written shot to shot as opposed to scene by scene; thus, a long, detailed scriptment does not necessarily equate to a longer movie, as a typical 90-120 page screenplay written with master scenes contains many more individual shots than are immediately apparent.
A scriptment can begin with FADE IN: top left and conclude with a centered THE END. It can have a title page like a script and lengthier treatment. It is written single spaced with an empty space between paragraphs and other elements and the pages are numbered in the upper right corner, just as in a screenplay.
Work-in-progress manuscript
Directors and screenwriters write scriptments as an intermediate stage in development from the draft treatment to the first draft of the screenplay. Like a draft treatment, a scriptment can be anywhere from 20 to 80 or more pages. While regular presentation treatments or outlines only summarize the plot, typically in not more than 30 pages.
For the Batman feature film The Dark Knight (2008), writer David S. Goyer and the film's director Christopher Nolan wrote a scriptment that was then used by Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan to expand further into a finished screenplay. "I wrote what you'd call a 'scriptment' with Chris over an accelerated month long period, and then we handed it off to his brother [Jonathan], who did the first pass," explains Goyer.[4]
The sci-fi movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) reportedly used a scriptment during the screenplay writing process by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Ehren Kruger and director Michael Bay.[5]
Filmmaker Wayne Spitzer used a scriptment while writing the adaptation of author Algernon Blackwood’s 1907 supernatural short story "The Willows".[6]
Comic book writer Warren Ellis has written that he sometimes works in the scriptment style.[7]
A scriptment can also be a presentation document; that is, one that is sold or handed in as the finished work.
Writer-director-producer James Cameron delivered a 47-page scriptment that he was contracted to write during the development phase of the first Spider-Man (2002) theatrical movie, which he was also going to direct. When Cameron left the project, screenwriter David Koepp expanded it into a first draft script, which was later worked on by other uncredited writers.[1]
In 2005, Sony Pictures paid screenwriter Ken Nolan US $3 million for his 75-page scriptment that was an adaptation of the then-unpublished Whitley Strieber novel The Grays.[8] Nolan had only one produced writing credit at the time, the screenplay for the military film Black Hawk Down, a project for which he had submitted three different scriptments to producer Jerry Bruckheimer and executive producers Mike Stenson, and Chad Oman for approval during the writing process.[9]
Filmmakers Kriv Stenders and Richard Green used the scripment format to make their 2007 film Boxing Day.[10]
The 2008 movie Cloverfield written by Drew Goddard, directed by Matt Reeves, and produced by J. J. Abrams, was greenlighted for production by Paramount Pictures President of Production Brad Weston and Brad Grey, Chairman, based on a 65-page scriptment.[11] The film was also shot using the scriptment.[12]
The 2008 improv comedy movie The Grand, written by Zak Penn and Matt Bierman, was filmed using a scriptment.[13] Penn said their scriptment "started at about 25 pages and it was just a document that explained who the characters were and what the scenes were."[14]
Also using a scriptment for filming was the 2008 comedy Reno 911!: Miami,[15] written by Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, and Kerri Kenney-Silver.
It was reported on the movie news website Ain't It Cool News on December 1, 2008 that a scriptment was involved in developing a possible new Speed sequel or remake: "There's a scriptment floating around that reintroduces Jack Traven. So the studios are hoping to get Keanu back on board."[16]
Director-producer-writer John Hughes wrote a 70-page scriptment for the Owen Wilson-starring comedy Drillbit Taylor (2008) that was used years later by screenwriters Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen as the basis for a revised finished screenplay.[17][18]
The 2009 comedy film I Love You, Beth Cooper, written by Larry Doyle, originated as an 85-page scriptment that was shopped around Hollywood and then subsequently turned into a book manuscript.[19][20]
^ a b "King of the World: The Complete Works of James Cameron". Total Film (special supplement) (London UK: Future Publishing Ltd): p. 30. January 2010 issue (pub. Dec 2009). "After the success of The Terminator, Cameron was announced as writer and director of a $60 m big-screen adaptation of the comic book classic. But thanks to a tangled web of litigation, studio bankrupticies, and wrangling over screenplay credits, that movie never saw light. . . . What remains, however, is Cameron's tantalising 47-page Spidey 'scriptment', a compacted screenplay-cum-narrative that mapped out his entire film in brief. . . . Koepp's first draft is taken often word-for-word from Cameron's story, though later versions were heavily rewritten by numerous screenwriters. Despite thisand much to Cameron's chagrin Koepp's name is the only one on the screenplay."
^ Jermyn, Deborah; Redmond, Sean (2003). The Cinema of Kathryn Bigelow: Hollywood Transgressor. London UK: Wallflower Press. p. 190.
^ "Revolution 09: Avatar". Total Film magazine (London UK: Future Publishing Ltd): p. 74. January 2010 issue (pub. Dec 2009), cover story. "This 80-page scriptment was about a paralysed man who can control an alien body with his mind. It flowed out of him, wrote itself in just two weeks."
^ "Two-Face Not Necessarily in the Dark Knight". Retrieved May 9, 2009.
^ "Revenge of the Fallen Transformers". Retrieved May 9, 2009.
^ by Wayne Spitzer"Algernon Blackwood’s The Willows". Retrieved April 18, 2009.
^ "Gravel: Scriptment Writing". Retrieved April 17, 2009.
^ Brodesser, Claude (August 23, 2005). "Sony ponies up 'Gray' pay: Little green men means big green for Nolan". Variety. Retrieved April 17, 2009. Variety, August 23, 2005, reported by Claude Brodesser. "Sony Pictures will pay Black Hawk Down screenwriter Ken Nolan $3 million for his 75-page 'script-ment' (less than a script but more than a treatment) of Whitley Strieber's as-yet-unpublished alien sci-fi novel The Grays, marking one of the studio's largest payments for a treatment."
^ Cohen, David S. (2008). Screenplays. New York: HarperCollins. p. 82.
^ "Boxing Day Scriptment, Stenders & Green". Retrieved April 17, 2009.
^ Cieply, Michael (January 13, 2008). "Remaking Paramount by the Seat of His Pants". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2009. New York Times, January 13, 2008; interview with Brad Grey, the Chairman of Paramount Pictures discussing the film Cloverfield. Quote: “What do you mean, you’re going to greenlight the movie with a kid named Matt directing?” Mr. Grey said, according to Mr. Weston. Yet with just a 65-page “scriptment” (more than a treatment, less than a script) laying out a film about a bunch of friends who happen to capture on camera the utter destruction of New York by a monster, he went with Mr. Weston’s judgment, hedged by Mr. Abrams’s assurance that he would be closely involved with the film.
^ "The New Masters of Hollywood". Retrieved December 10, 2009. Portfolio.com interview with Producer and director J.J. Abrams. February 21, 2008. Quote: "Abrams hired a relative unknown, Matt Reeves, to direct the film, which was shot handheld from a 'scriptment,' an outline around which dialogue was improvised."
^ "Moving Pictures Magazine - A Sure Bet". Retrieved May 9, 2009. Quote: "Now that we had assembled our leads, Zak and I actually sat down to write the scriptment."
^ Grove, Martin (March 12, 2008). "In 'Grand' scheme of things we improvise". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
^ "Reno: 911!'s Carlos Alzaraqui". Retrieved May 9, 2009. Cracked.com, February 22, 2007 article. Quote: "With the movie there was something they called a scriptment, a combination of a script and a treatment, which was to please both the Fox and Paramount executives."
^ "Seems There's A New SPEED Project Zooming Around Out There...". Retrieved May 9, 2009.
^ "Owen Wilson is Drillbit Taylor". Retrieved May 9, 2009. EmpireMovies.com June 20, 2006. Quote: "The story is based on an original idea by John Hughes who wrote a 70-page scriptment a couple of years ago."
^ "Seth Rogan Bio - movies.yahoo.com". Retrieved May 9, 2009. Quote excerpt: "...co-wrote the screenplay based on a John Hughes scriptment of the high school comedy, “Drillbit Taylor” (2008)..."
^ Stoval, Adam (July–August 2009). "Now Playing: I Love You, Beth Cooper, Screenplay by Larry Doyle". Creative Screenwriting (Los Angeles): p 63. "Doyle quickly had his theme, characters and obviously his inciting eventwhich led him to write an 85-page combination script and outline that everyone passed on. ... In between meetings [with New York publishers], his film agent called to tell him that Hollywood had read the hundred pages as well and wanted to make the movie."
^ "Chicago Reader - Review: I Love You, Beth Cooper". Retrieved July 16, 2009. "Ironically, I Love You, Beth Cooper had its origin in a 'scriptment' by Larry Doyle that an LA talent agency rejected as uncastable. Now it’s been optioned by Chris Columbus and picked up by a studio;"
The dictionary definition of scriptment at Wiktionary
Step outline
Film budgeting
Film finance
Green-light
Script breakdown
Shooting script
Production board
production strip
Day Out of Days
Production schedule
Shooting schedule
Cinematic techniques
Principal photography
Daily call sheet
Dailies (rushes)
Film inventory report
Production report
Daily production report
Daily progress report
Sound report
Cost report
Daily editor log
Re-recording
Sync sound
Negative cost
Film release
Film techniques
Avatar (2009 film)
James Cameron, Titanic (1997 film), Star Wars, Wellington, Blu-ray
James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Time, University College London
Hook (filmmaking)
Filmmaking, Shooting script, Film crew, Cinematic techniques, Film editing
Literature, Poetry, Quentin Tarantino, William Goldman, Drama
Shooting script, Filmmaking, Film, Screenwriting, Rhetoric
Dvd, Photography, Andrei Tarkovsky, Television, Art
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Accueil / Crif - 38 years after the Jo Goldenberg restaurant terrorist attack, in Paris
Crif - 38 years after the Jo Goldenberg restaurant terrorist attack, in Paris
On August 9, we commemorate the very sad anniversary of the Jo Goldenberg restaurant attack, in Paris. 38 years ago, around 1:15 pm, several men enter the restaurant Jo Goldenberg, located at 7, rue des Rosiers, in the Marais district, in Paris. Suddenly, this is chaos in the middle of Paris.
On August 9, 1982, at 1:15 pm, a grenade is thrown in the jewish restaurant and delicatessen of Jo Goldenberg, located rue des Rosiers, in the historic Jewish quarter of Paris. A commando then enters the establishment and fires burst. About fifty customers are at this time in the establishment.
Composed of three to five armed men, according to a source close to the file, the commando goes back then the street of the Rosiers, emptying in the direction of passers-by the loaders of their machine guns "WZ-63", of Polish manufacture. In less than three minutes, the attack left six dead and 22 wounded.
Meanwhile, in the Marais district, traces of the attack disappear. Jo Goldenberg's restaurant closed its doors in 2006. Only a commemorative plaque, fixed in 2011 to replace the previous one, inaugurated in 1983 by François Mitterrand and disappeared in 2007, preserves the memory of this tragic event. And, 38 years after the fact, the victims are still waiting for a trial.
In March 2019, President of Crif Francis Kalifat had asked to meet with Ambassador Oda Helen Sletnes of Norway about the extraditionin France of one of the suspected terrorists of the attack on the Jo Goldenberg's restaurant.
Under the terms of an international arrest warrant, Walid Abdulrahman Abu Zayed, 54, a father of four, now lives in Norway in Skien, a town southwest of Oslo. But the country refuses any extradition or arrest of the suspect. It is his nationality that blocks the procedure. Walid Abdulrahmane is Norwegian since 2002 and the country does not extradite its national citizens.
Francis Kalifat expressed to the Ambassador the need for justice and the strong emotion of the families of the victims of the attack. He was accompanied by Guy Benarousse, who was wounded during the attack, who expressed to the Ambassador his frustration of knowing that an alleged terrorist can live quietly in a country that is itself struck by terrorism.
Let's never forget those innocent people killed by a terrorist attack:
Mohamed BENNEMOU
André HEZKIA NIEGO
Grace CUTER
Anne VAN ZANTEN
Denise GUERCHE ROSSIGNOL
Georges DEMETER
Crif - Le livreur partenaire Deliveroo condamné par la justice
France - Le livreur Deliveroo accusé d'antisémitisme jugé ce jeudi à Strasbourg
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Tag: Metropolis (film)
The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse
Among the weekend’s viewing was the third and final film in Fritz Lang’s Mabuse cycle, The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse (1960). This was also Lang’s final feature, made after his return to Germany in the late 1950s, and another film of his that for many years I knew only as an impossible-to-find title. I’d read about the Mabuse series in Lotte Eisner’s study of Lang’s career even before the name and character was co-opted by Propaganda for their first single in 1984, but the only films of Lang’s that ever used to appear on TV were the Hollywood features or, if you were lucky, a poor print of Metropolis. Mabuse was a source of fascination for the way the character connected the beginning and ends of the director’s career, as well as being a German take on the Moriarty-like super-criminal. The first film in the series, Dr Mabuse, the Gambler (1922), condenses the corruption of Weimar Germany into a potent physical icon, while the sequel, The Testament of Dr Mabuse (1933), reflects the fevered moment when real super-criminals were taking control of the nation. The Nazis were sufficiently discomforted by Testament to ban it shortly after its release.
Cornelius the psychic with insurance salesman Hieronymus B. Mistelzweig and police inspector Kras.
The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse appeared just as new super-villains were emerging to oppose James Bond and his imitators. One of Bond’s early adversaries, Auric Goldfinger, was portrayed on screen by Gert Fröbe who appears here on the opposite side of the law as homicide inspector Kras. Fröbe’s tenacious policeman is one of the few fixed points in a plot filled with twists and deceptive identities. Assassinations and double-crosses are a staple of this type of thriller but Lang also gives us an early example of electronic surveillance in a contemporary setting, together with a séance that harks back to a similar scene in the first Mabuse film. The séance is an unusual touch in a story otherwise devoid of similar moments, prompted by the film’s most mysterious character, Cornelius the blind psychic. With an appearance reminiscent of the late Karl Lagerfeld, Cornelius is an overt throwback to Lang’s pre-war films, many of which hinted at the mystical or supernatural even when such hints seemed unnecessary; Rotwang, the robot-builder in Metropolis (played by the original screen Mabuse, Rudolph Klein-Rogge) is a mechanical genius who just happens to live in a house more suited to an alchemist, with a huge inverted pentagram on one of its walls. The sinister motives of Cornelius aren’t so baldly stated but his consulting room is lavishly decorated with astrological diagrams. The psychic, together with the criminals and the police inspector, create a problem common to films of this kind in which the more colourful characters generate greater interest for the viewer than do the romantic leads. After a succession of breathless opening scenes, Thousand Eyes sags a little while wealthy industrialist Henry Travers (Peter Van Eyck) is getting to know Marion Menil (Dawn Addams), a woman he rescues from a suicide attempt. The film also lacks the subtext of the earlier episodes, although Mabuse’s scheme turns out to be diabolical enough for any of James Bond’s Cold War enemies.
The séance.
Continue reading “The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse”
Author JohnPosted on September 14, 2020 Categories {film}Tags Dawn Addams, Dr Mabuse, Fritz Lang, Gert Fröbe, James Bond, Karl Lagerfeld, Lotte Eisner, Metropolis (film), Peter Van Eyck, Propaganda (group), Rudolph Klein-Rogge2 Comments on The Thousand Eyes of Dr Mabuse
Mescaline Woods (1969) by Gage Taylor.
• The soundtrack to The Man Who Fell to Earth will be released for the first time next month in a double-disc set (CD & vinyl). This isn’t, as some people have hoped, David Bowie’s unheard music for the film, but a collection of the pre-existing songs and other pieces, plus the original compositions by John Phillips. Consequence of Sound has a track list.
• At Scream Addicts: Joe R. Lansdale talks about the only film adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House that you need to see: the 1963 version directed by Robert Wise.
• The new wave of new age: How music’s most maligned genre finally became cool by Adam Bychawski.
• Transmissions From The Abyss: Dark ambient music for the perfect headspace by S. Elizabeth.
• Jason Farrago reviews Art Aids America, an exhibition at the Bronx Museum, New York.
• Curse Go Back: a limited reissue of tape experiments by William Burroughs.
• Samuel Wigley on Notorious at 70: toasting Hitchcock’s dark masterpiece.
• Toyah Willcox remembers working with Derek Jarman on The Tempest.
• “Why are musicians so obsessed with David Lynch?” asks Selim Bulut.
• Read the original 32-page programme for Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.
• David Parkinson chooses 10 essential films starring Oliver Reed.
• Mixes of the week: The Sounds of the Dawn NTS radio shows.
• Keith Haring envisions Manhattan as a kingdom of penises.
• Frank Guan on Massive Attack’s Blue Lines, 25 years on.
• Honky Tonk Pts 1 & 2 (1956) by Bill Doggett | I’ve Told Every Little Star (1961) by Linda Scott | I’m Deranged (1995) by David Bowie
Author JohnPosted on August 21, 2016 Categories {art}, {film}, {gay}, {horror}, {music}, {painting}, {science fiction}Tags Adam Bychawski, Alfred Hitchcock, ambient music, Bill Doggett, David Bowie, David Lynch, David Parkinson, Derek Jarman, Frank Guan, Fritz Lang, Gage Taylor, Jason Farrago, Joe R Lansdale, John Phillips, Keith Haring, Linda Scott, Massive Attack, Metropolis (film), Oliver Reed, Robert Wise, S. Elizabeth, Samuel Wigley, Selim Bulut, Shirley Jackson, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Toyah Willcox, William Burroughs
Blade Runner vs. Metropolis
Given the chronology this should really be “Metropolis vs. Blade Runner” but most people are more familiar with Ridley Scott than Fritz Lang so I’ve let Blade Runner determine the order of the shots.
These shot comparisons aren’t exactly news but they’ve become more evident since rewatching the restored print of Metropolis. Among other things, the rediscovered footage yielded a scene with a character reading a newspaper that’s a match for Harrison Ford’s first appearance. The similarities extend, of course, to the thematic: futuristic megacities, flying vehicles, the creation of artificial human beings. Both films also end with a struggle to the death on the roof of a building. The cinematographer for Blade Runner was Jordan Cronenweth; Metropolis was the work of Karl Freund, Günther Rittau and Walter Ruttmann.
Continue reading “Blade Runner vs. Metropolis”
Author JohnPosted on April 13, 2015 April 19, 2015 Categories {architecture}, {film}, {photography}, {science fiction}Tags Blade Runner, Fritz Lang, Günther Rittau, Harrison Ford, Jordan Cronenweth, Karl Freund, Metropolis (film), Ridley Scott, Walter Ruttmann11 Comments on Blade Runner vs. Metropolis
Einstein on the Beach
Well this was a revelation. Einstein on the Beach (1976) is Philip Glass’s first opera, a collaboration with theatrical producer Robert Wilson, and the only Glass opera with which I’m familiar. With a running-time of almost five hours it’s not light listening, and when many of the pieces consist of little more than slabs of keyboard or choral arpeggios it’s always been evident that visuals are required to augment music that otherwise threatens to outstay its welcome.
The opera has been revived several times, and in 2012 a touring presentation was staged. Despite it being one of the most celebrated works by Glass and Wilson a complete performance has never been filmed, until this month, that is, a staging at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. The shots here are from a video stream of the entire four-and-a-half hour show, and it’s astonishing to discover how much your appreciation is elevated—and the music enhanced—by the performance and the production.
Einstein’s life is the ostensible subject but it’s up to the audience to interpret the many allusive symbols and motifs that may (or may not) be derived from either the man’s biography or his scientific theories. The libretto is strictly formal and fragmented, and while the score alone may drive some listeners to distraction the visuals change continually, maintaining the interest while the text and music work through their cycles. Philip Glass had this to say about the work in 2012:
The opera isn’t a narrative about Einstein’s life. What connected Bob and I was how we thought about time and space in the theatre. We worked first with the time—four hours—and how we were going to divide it up. Then we thought about the images, and then the staging. I discovered that Bob thinks with a pencil and paper; everything emerged as drawings. I composed music to these, and then Bob began staging it.
Yet the piece is actually full of Einstein. Practically every image comes from Einstein’s life or ideas: trains, spaceships, clocks. And I suggested we have a musician taking his part, because Einstein played the violin—although he was such an amateur musician he couldn’t possibly have played the music I composed for him. (more)
I’ve seen many photos of Wilson’s designs for the opera in the past but static views do nothing to convey the drama and impact of his designs when you see them coming together on the stage. The same goes for the performers, many of whom are required to be trained dancers as well as actors: several scenes are elaborate dance pieces. It’s been a pleasure to see at last the presentation of the mysterious “Knee Play” sections which separate the four acts. And I was surprised by the similarity—intentional or not—of some sequences to the shots of the slaving workers in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, especially the climactic (and incredible) “Spaceship” scene where the whole stage erupts into light and movement. It’s easy to see why New York’s art crowd were so beguiled by this opera following its first performances in the 1970s, it really is a remarkable piece of work. The streaming version will apparently remain active for a while (there’s also a DVD release planned), and while I wouldn’t want anyone to indulge in piracy I’ll note that there’s currently a torrent of the entire video circulating if you know where to look. If you’ve any time for Philip Glass I can’t recommend this too highly. (Via Metafilter.)
• Milton Glaser album covers
Author JohnPosted on January 17, 2014 January 17, 2014 Categories {dance}, {music}, {theatre}Tags Albert Einstein, album covers, Fritz Lang, Metropolis (film), Milton Glaser, Philip Glass, Robert Wilson1 Comment on Einstein on the Beach
Uncharted islands and lost souls
The pulp fiction of the early 20th century favoured remote or uncharted islands as locations for the bizarre and the fantastic; in isolated jungles all manner of savage and grotesque behaviour could take place out of sight of the civilised world. Islands are secure from interference; they can be visited by accident or intention, and later fled from when everything goes wrong. The Island of Doctor Moreau is an early example of the type although Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island (1874) pre-dates it by twenty-two years. The Island of Lost Souls (1932), the first film adaptation of the Wells novel, is one of a crop of mysterious islands that appeared in the 1930s following the success of the Universal adaptations of Dracula (1931) and Frankenstein (1931). The recent Eureka DVD/Blu-ray edition of the film is the first UK release to present the film in its original, uncensored form. I watched it this weekend.
Moreau (Charles Laughton) and Montgomery (Arthur Hohl) at work.
HG Wells famously hated the film, and his vociferous complaints helped to ensure it was banned in Britain until 1958. Even without Wells’ complaints there was enough there to bait the censors who declared it to be “against nature”: writers Philip Wylie and Waldemar Young push the erotic implications of Wells’ story to a degree that would have been impossible in 1896, and would be equally impossible two years later when the Hays Code clamped down on cinematic salaciousness. Charles Laughton’s Moreau is eager to discover whether Lota, the Panther Woman (Kathleen Burke), will show any sexual interest in the marooned Edward Parker (Richard Arlen). The bestiality theme continues when Parker’s fiancée arrives on the island and finds one of Moreau’s Beast People at her bedroom window. Add to this Moreau’s declaration that he feels like God (a similar line was cut from James Whale’s Frankenstein), a traditional British squeamishness towards maltreating animals (unless they’re foxes), and the Panther Woman’s skimpy outfit, and it’s no surprise that the authorities collapsed with the vapours.
Sensationalism aside, this is one of the greatest horror films of the early 1930s, and one which follows its source material with much more fidelity than Universal’s Dracula and Frankenstein. The production had been commissioned by Paramount to capitalise on the success of the Universal films, hence the presence of a very hirsute Bela Lugosi as the Sayer of the Law. Cinematographer Karl Struss had worked the year before on Rouben Mamoulian’s excellent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; prior to this he photographed Sunrise (1927) for Friedrich Murnau. The combination of Struss’s chiaroscuro compositions, some adept direction from Erle C. Kenton (including crane shots), and a tremendous performance by Charles Laughton puts The Island of Lost Souls in a different league entirely to Tod Browning’s stagey and over-rated Dracula. Laughton’s cherub-faced Mephistopheles is a performance that runs counter to the cod theatricals of the period: he’s sly, confident and completely authoritative even if he looks nothing like Wells’ white-haired doctor.
Continue reading “Uncharted islands and lost souls”
Author JohnPosted on December 23, 2013 July 10, 2017 Categories {books}, {fantasy}, {film}, {horror}Tags Arthur Hohl, Bela Lugosi, book covers, Charles Laughton, Dracula, Erle C. Kenton, Ernest B. Schoedsack, Fay Wray, Frankenstein, Friedrich Murnau, Fritz Lang, Harry Willock, HG Wells, Irving Pichel, James Ashmore Creelman, James Whale, Joel McCrea, Jules Verne, Karl Struss, Kathleen Burke, King Kong, Leslie Banks, Max Steiner, Metropolis (film), Noble Johnson, Philip Wylie, Richard Arlen, Richard Connell, Robert Armstrong, Rouben Mamoulian, Tod Browning, Waldemar Young1 Comment on Uncharted islands and lost souls
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Lessons from the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake
Document Type : Technical Note
Gregory A. MacRae
University of Canterbury
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand at 12:55 pm on 22nd February 2011 resulting in liquefaction, rock fall and shaking induced building damage. The peak horizontal ground acceleration of 1.68 g was much higher than the design level of 0.22 g and it is much greater than that recorded in most other earthquakes around the world. The severity of shaking was due to the fault proximity to Christchurch, the fault rupture mode and local site effects/conditions. The death toll was 185 mainly due to building collapse. Backgrounds to a number of post-earthquake decisions are described. These relate to: the level of shaking to be considered in future Christchurch building designs; earthquake prone buildings; University of Canterbury reactions; governmental response; engineering community activities; insurance company issues; and decisions by citizens affected by earthquake damage. Major lessons learnt relate to the effects of severe earthquake shaking, ground deformation and aftershocks on loss and recovery, the need to develop better assessment and repair methodologies, and the need to develop buildings which will sustain much less damage in future earthquake events.
Earthquake sequence
Volume 14, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Article View: 4
PDF Download: 3
MacRae, G. (2012). Lessons from the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake. Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, 14(3), 227-238.
Gregory A. MacRae. "Lessons from the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake". Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, 14, 3, 2012, 227-238.
MacRae, G. (2012). 'Lessons from the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake', Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, 14(3), pp. 227-238.
MacRae, G. Lessons from the February 2011 M6.3 Christchurch Earthquake. Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, 2012; 14(3): 227-238.
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Korea Paying Price for Microsoft Monoculture
By Kim Tong-hyung
South Korea touts itself as the planet's leading broadband Internet nation. Skeptics, however, would argue that the country's computing experience is outdated by nearly a decade.
Of course, only a few countries can compete with Korea in high-speed Internet penetration, which is inching toward the mid-90s percentage-wise, or new products and leapfrogging technologies pushed out in waves seemingly every quarter.
But the land of ubiquitous broadband, feature-happy ``smart'' phones and ultra-cool computing devices doubles as a crusty regime where Linux, Firefox, Chrome and Opera users can't bank or purchase products online, and where Mac users buy Windows CDs to prevent their devices being reduced to fashion items.
The bizarre coexistence of advanced hardware and an outdated user environment is a result of the country's overreliance on the technology of Microsoft, the U.S. software giant that owns the Korean computing experience like a fat kid does a cookie jar.
It is estimated that around 99 percent of Korean computers run on Microsoft's Windows operating system, and a similar rate of Internet users rely on the company's Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser to connect to cyberspace.
Critics say the country would end up paying dearly for allowing a Microsoft monoculture to take hold, with consumers deprived of the freedom to choose newer and better products and the Web industry seeing its innovation compromised.
``Korea has a lot of talented people in its Internet industry, and they have been promoting great ideas and producing great Web sites, but many of these people are now fed up over problems like Active-X and all that,'' said Victor Ching, a Korean-American entrepreneur who is now in Korea operating a Web site, PUMPL (www.pumpl.com), with his business partner Brian Lee.
``These people have the potential to do great things, but it seems that the industry is being held back by a few issues.''
Obviously, the biggest problem is that virtually all encrypted online communications in Korea, such as online banking and e-commerce transactions, have been made to rely on Active-X controls. The Microsoft-developed tool, introduced in 1996, is designed only to work on IE and is the key reason the browser cemented its dominance here.
However, the country's dependence on Active-X is unique, as security concerns have limited the deployment of the technology elsewhere.
Instead of a security-based model, Active-X relies on signatures to allow users to judge whether to download an Active-X control. This is a risky arrangement, since Active-X controls require full access to the Windows operating system and are often abused by cyber criminals who spread malicious programs to direct the browser to download files that compromise the user's control of the computer.
Even Microsoft seems ready to bail on Active-X, looking to phase out the program over security concerns and compatibility issues. However, in Korea, where most Web sites rely on Active-X to enable a variety of functions from online transactions to simple flash features, the program is abundant and critical as air.
This leads to awkwardness whenever Microsoft introduces a new product here. The release of Windows Vista caused massive disruption when Active-X used by banks and online shopping sites didn't function properly.
And the Korean Internet users sweated over Microsoft's initial plans to reduce its support for Active-X in IE8, the latest version of the company's Web browser. Although IE8 did end up backing Active-X, strengthened security features have made its use more complicated.
The reliance on Active-X has locked Korean computer users into a depressing cycle where they are prevented from venturing off to other operating systems and browsers, and stuck with an outdated technologies their creator can't wait to dispel.
``There are much better technologies out there, but Active-X has left us stuck at Windows XP and IE6,'' said Channy Yun, an official from Daum (www.daum.net), the country's second-largest Web portal, and also the local leader of the Mozilla foundation, a non-profit organization promoting the Firefox Web browser.
``You can't convince users here to try other non-Microsoft browsers when they are useless in encrypted communications. This is not a good situation for Microsoft as well, as the Koreans are clinging to the old version of its products and shudder at the thought of moving to new ones.''
Active-X usage became a hot topic again in July when a massive Internet attack left more than 80,000 Korean computers crippled. It was pointed out that Active-X provided an easy route for cyber criminals spreading the malware for the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Policymakers and experts debated in length over ways to strengthen the defenses, but came only to the conclusion that it would be best for individual users to update their security software. Ironically, much of these programs provided by online security companies like AhnLab are distributed through Active-X.
Stuck on Windows XP, IE6
Another problem with Active-X is that it is prolonging the life of IE6, the sixth revision of Microsoft's Web browser that was introduced in 2001. The antiquated browser doesn't support key Web standards, which makes it difficult for developers to design more sophisticated Web pages that are compatible with other browsers.
This has prompted major Web sites such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to urge their users to ditch the aged application. And according to Net Applications, a Web metrics company, IE6 is clearly on its way out, accounting for less than 25 percent of the world's browser market as of August.
However, the IE6 share in Korea is close to 60 percent, according to local Web analytics firm, Internet Trend, as companies are reluctant to go through the trouble to test and reprogram their Active-X entangled Web pages for newer browsers. So it's easy to imagine Korean users waking up one day and experiencing difficulties in watching YouTube videos.
During the creation of the PUMPL, Ching and Lee encountered numerous delays to make their site compatible to IE6, and this led them to become the Korean representatives of the worldwide ``IE6 No More'' campaign.
They have gathered more than 1,000 signatures on their Web site, IE6 No More Korea (www.ie6nomore.kr), launched earlier this month, and the goal is to get 1 million.
``Making our Web site IE6 compatible added about 20 percent to the development time. And there are limitations to what you can do on IE6 … for example, the IE6 doesn't support PNG image files that are used for making transparent backgrounds,'' Ching said.
``The matter depends on whether we will settle for dominating the Korean market or spread ourselves abroad too. The biggest developer tools now are HTML5 and CSS3, and these technologies will take Web sites abroad to the next level, while Koreans wouldn't be able to even see them. It really doesn't make sense.''
The Korean reliance on Active-X dates back to 1998, when the country announced its own national encryption system, SEED, a block cipher that is used in place of SSL. SEED was created because policymakers didn't consider the 40-bit SSL stable enough to protect online transactions, and the 128-bit SSL protocol had yet to arrive.
Korean users downloaded the SEED plug-ins to their IE or Netscape browsers, through Active-X and NSplugin, but the fall of Netscape had Active-X remaining as the only method to do any encrypted communications online.
Over the past few years, a dedicated group of industry experts have been urging the government and financial service companies that there should be other ways to secure online transactions.
One of them is Korea University's Kim Ki-chang, who is pursuing his third lawsuit against the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearing Institute (KFTC) for overwhelming Active-X use after failing on the first two tries.
However, Yun, who worked as technology advisor for Kim during the legal efforts, said that things are becoming more complicated.
``The country had a chance to solve this problem around 2002 and 2003, when we first rallied against the Active-X problem, as the matter was then only about public-key certificates,'' Yun said.
``Now, the use of Active-X has become much broader, not only used for issuing public-key certificates, but also keyboard security programs, computer vaccines and a variety of online transactions programs. Whenever security issues or other problems related to Active-X controls arose, the companies operating the Web sites developed another Active-X solution to cover it, and now that so many programs rely on Active-X, we don't know where to start.''
After neglecting the issue for years, the government is finally becoming serious about promoting the diversity of browsers, with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security announced plans to reprogram the country's e-government sites to have them work properly on non-Microsoft browsers.
However, Yun believes that financial service providers such as banks and credit card companies, not policymakers or the Web industry, hold the key to breaking the Active-X chokehold.
He also called for the rewriting of the country's regulations on online transactions that require the use of electronic signatures based on public-key certificates, and claimed that more verification methods should be recognized.
An idea is the use of one-time-passwords (OTPs), or passwords that are only valid for a single log-in session or transaction, which could be provided on paper, electronic tokens or through mobile-phone text messages. Yun said a local bank is currently working with the Mozilla foundation to develop OTP-based online banking service for Firefox users, although actual deployment of the service has yet to be decided.
The question is whether banks and credit card companies would risk tweaking the security settings of their online services when the market share of non-Microsoft browsers is less than 1 percent.
Shinhan Bank provides an online banking program for Apple Macintosh users, but it is not accessible through Web browsers. And among the online shopping sites, only Gmarket has shown an interest, allowing transactions on non-Microsoft browsers.
``The financial service companies and e-commerce firms already have the technology to provide transactions without public-key certificates, as seen by the way they handle mobile-phone-based purchases. The law already grants `exceptions,' which allow other verification methods to be used when public-key certificates aren't available, so the companies can certainly provide alternatives,'' Yun said.
``However, it is a matter of whether the companies are willing to be more responsible for the security of online transactions, or rather continue to develop new Active-X plug-ins whenever a new problem emerges. It's hard to imagine that the Microsoft monoculture could be challenged here, but users of non-Microsoft browsers should have other options.''
thkim@koreatimes.co.kr
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Tag: Philip Humber
Philip Humber Fantasy: Is It Worth Signing the White Sox’ Perfect Game Pitcher?
by Kenny DeJohn under MLB
As I’m sure most of you know at this point, Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber tossed the 21st perfect game in major league history.
Humber was absolutely masterful in Saturday’s 4-0 win against the Seattle Mariners, striking out nine and throwing just 96 pitches.
It was the least number of pitches in a perfect game since David Cone’s back in 1999—he threw 88 pitches in that contest.
That low number of pitches is mostly because of Humber’s ability to avoid three-ball counts. His first three-ball count of the afternoon didn’t come until the ninth inning.
He went 3-0 on Michael Saunders before striking him out, and he also went to a full count on Brendan Ryan before striking him out to end the contest.
I’m sure many of you are in fantasy leagues if you’re reading this article, and I’m sure many of you will have the same question: Should I add Humber?
Well, I’m going to present you with some facts first.
Personally, I am just a member of several CBS fantasy leagues, as I prefer their scoring system and overall layout. So, here is the information on Humber from CBS.
Owned/Started prior to start: 29 percent/22 percent
Owned/Started now (will likely increase): 42 percent/18 percent
Points prior to start: 9.5
Points now: 42 (32.5 came from this start)
Clearly, fantasy managers around the nation have added Humber to their squads in hopes of him continuing his recent success.
If you can afford to drop a player and add Humber to see if he can pitch well yet again, I say, why not?
If you have to drop a player who can help you in the stretch run, I strongly urge you to resist the temptation of picking up Humber.
On the season, Humber is currently 1-0 with an ERA of 0.63 through 14.1 innings.
Last season, his first as a regular member of the rotation, Humber went 9-9 with an ERA of 3.75. Through 163 innings, he struck out 116.
Those numbers are respectable in a major league rotation, but not so much in a fantasy rotation.
In leagues where strikeouts are valuable and wins earn extra points, Humber actually wasn’t that valuable last season. Add in the fact that some leagues actually dock points for losses, and Humber is even less valuable.
I don’t expect much more out of him this season, even though he’ll likely make more starts than he did in 2011 (26).
Overall, I predict a 12-10 season from the 21st member of the perfect game club. He’ll likely throw around 175 innings, but won’t strike out more than 130 batters.
Those numbers translate to a possible injury-replacement fantasy starter, but definitely not someone to keep on your roster for the long haul.
Congratulations, Mr. Humber, on your historic accomplishment. Unfortunately, it still hasn’t warranted you a spot on my fantasy team.
AL Central, Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Philip Humber Leave a Comment more...
Philip Humber Fantasy: Perfect Game Makes Pitcher a No-Brainer Pickup
by Tim Keeney under MLB
Philip Humber joined a very exclusive club on Saturday when he threw a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners.
We’re still checking as to whether or not a perfect game against the Mariners actually counts as a real perfect game, but it was an impressive feat nonetheless and serves as Humber’s second solid start of the season.
OK, this one was a little bit more than solid, but don’t automatically dismiss this outing as a fluke. The Humber Games put together a 3.75 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 26 starts last season. He has some good value.
But is Humber, who is owned in just 1.7 percent of ESPN leagues and 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues, worth a pickup?
In deeper leagues, yes. In shallow leagues, maybe.
The 29-year-old Humber has never been a spectacular strikeout pitcher who has the ability to blow everyone away. He only K’d 116 batters in 163 innings last season, but he’s off to a terrific start this year as he struck out seven against Baltimore and nine today against Seattle.
His slider—and all of his off-speed stuff, really—is working really well. If he can continue to mix up his pitches effectively, there’s no question he’ll increase that strikeout rate.
What Humber has always been good at, however, is his ability to limit walks and just pitch effectively and intelligently. Last season, he only walked 41 batters, and that’s why his WHIP was so low at 1.18.
I’m a sucker for pitchers with who have a low WHIP, because it usually means they are smart, and most importantly, know how to pitch. They don’t need over-powering stuff, and neither does Humber. He’ll paint the strike zone, so even on bad nights he won’t be terrible.
Essentially, he has a low ceiling but a high floor.
What you need to be careful with, however, is the fact that Humber doesn’t get a ton of ground balls. His GB/FB ratio last season was 0.89, which means he’ll have his games where he gives up a home run or two.
Nonetheless, Humber has clearly had good stuff this year and serves as a speculative pickup. Best-case scenario, he’ll keep the ball down, increase his strikeouts and put up an ERA in the low threes.
Worst-case scenario, he gives up a good amount of home runs and his ERA gets in the fours, but his WHIP stays low.
He’s worth it.
Follow @t_keen
AL Central, Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Fantasy Baseball, Opinion, Philip Humber Leave a Comment more...
Philip Humber: Where Does White Sox’s Perfect Game Rank All-Time?
by Sam Westmoreland under MLB
White Sox pitcher Philip Humber threw the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history on Saturday afternoon, dominating the Seattle Mariners for nine innings without allowing a single baserunner.
Few clubs in baseball are as exclusive as the perfect game club; with just 21 (22, if you include Armando Galarraga’s botched no hitter in 2009) members, it remains one of the premier pitching achievements of all time.
But just how perfect was Humber’s gem? Where does it rank in the club? Let’s take a look at every perfecto thrown in the modern era and figure out just where the 29-year-old righty’s falls on the list.
So grab your rosin bag and practice shaking off the catcher, and let’s get started, shall we?
Philip Humber, Rankings/List Leave a Comment more...
Philip Humber: White Sox Hurler Tosses 21st Perfect Game in MLB History
by Pranav Tadikonda under MLB
Chicago White Sox starter Philip Humber has thrown the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
This perfecto was the first this year and is part of a recent trend of no-hitters. Humber retired all 27 Seattle Mariners batters in a 4-0 win.
The last pitcher to throw a perfect game was Roy Halladay on May 29, 2010. Halladay accomplished his perfect game against the then-Florida Marlins. Mark Buehrle of the White Sox tossed a perfect game in July of 2009.
Humber’s feat marked the first time that he went the distance in any major league game. His previous high was 7.2 innings. In April of 2011, Humber had a no-hit bid through 6.1 innings against the New York Yankees.
Humber has dealt with some injuries since being drafted third overall by the New York Mets in 2004. His most significant injury to date was when he required Tommy John surgery in 2005.
Humber was picked up by the White Sox in January of 2011.
AL Central, Baseball, Breaking News, Chicago White Sox, Philip Humber Leave a Comment more...
White Sox Pitcher Philip Humber Throws Perfect Game vs. Seattle Mariners
Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber became the first pitcher since Roy Halladay to throw a perfect game as he shut out the Seattle Mariners, 4-0.
Most of the game was smooth sailing for the 29-year-old Humber, but pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan provided some dramatics in the last at-bat.
Ryan worked Humber all the way to 3-2, then Humber threw him a curveball that was out of the zone and got away from catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The shortstop threw a half-swing at it, and the umpire called him out.
If Ryan wouldn’t have stopped to argue, he may have been able to make it close play at first base. Or if the ump said Ryan successfully checked up, which was very possible, the perfect game would have been over.
Nonetheless, it was Humber’s ninth strikeout of the game, and it completed perfection.
Humber, who has jumped around between the Mets, Twins, Royals and is now in his second year with the White Sox, was very good as a starter last year, starting 26 games and putting up an ERA of 3.75.
But he was never this good.
Humber rolled through Seattle’s lineup with ease, as the Mariners only hit the ball hard once or twice. Humber needed a nice play from Brent Lillibridge in the outfield earlier in the game, but that was about it.
The right-hander needed just 96 pitches, and threw an amazing 67 of them for strikes as he made a perfect game look about as easy as possible. He didn’t even have a three-ball count until the ninth inning.
“I can’t even put it into words,” said Humber in a postgame interview on the field.
Philip Humber Throws the 21st Perfect Game in Baseball History
by Sam Schwartz under MLB
A year ago around this time, Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox nearly pitched a no-hitter against the New York Yankees. He did not allow a hit to the Bronx Bombers for the first 6 1/3 innings of a game at Yankee Stadium.
Nearly a full calendar year after his great performance in the Bronx, Humber has thrown the third perfect game and eighteenth no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history. He did it on a beautiful day in Seattle with the roof open at Safeco Field.
The game could not have gone any better for Humber. He went down 3-0 against Michael Saunders to start the ninth inning but fought back for a strikeout. He then quickly got John Jaso to fly out to right fielder Alex Rios for the second out of the inning.
The final out of the perfect game came against pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan. As some fans booed and others cheered as loud as they could, Ryan sent Humber to a full count. He fouled off the first 3-2 pitch before striking out on a checked swing in the dirt. The ball bounced away and catcher A.J. Pierzynski picked it up to throw to first baseman Paul Konerko to complete the 21st perfect game in history.
The 28-year-old Humber, out of Texas, was mobbed by his teammates near the mound and given a cool shower by shortstop Alexei Ramirez in celebration. Chicago won the game 4-0 to improve their record to 8-6 in this young season.
Philip Humber Throws 21st Perfect Game in Major League History
Philip Humber was absolutely masterful in Saturday’s ballgame against the Mariners.
He tossed the full nine innings without allowing a run, a hit or a walk, making him the 21st pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game.
Humber struck out nine in the contest and lowered his ERA to 0.63.
On the season, Humber is now 1-0.
Baseball fans across the nation will now make Humber a household name, and maybe they’ll even learn how to pronounce it (pronounced “umber”).
Literally everything was working for him in the ballgame, as he was able to throw all of his pitches for strikes.
He was very economical, throwing just 96 pitches in the game.
Congratulations Mr. Humber, you’ve earned it. Welcome to the history books.
MLB: Will Injuries Spell Doom for the Chicago White Sox?
by Jon Fromi under MLB
The Chicago White Sox have dealt with injuries throughout the 2011 season, using a deep starting rotation to accommodate injuries to Jake Peavy and John Danks.
Tyler Flowers is getting the job done so far replacing injured catcher A.J. Pierzynski, and Paul Konerko is swinging a dangerous bat in spite of a nagging bone bruise on his left knee.
Is losing Phil Humber going to finally topple the house of cards in Chicago?
Humber’s start ended early after being stuck by a line drive Kosuke Fukudome early in Thursday night’s loss to the Indians. It appeared that Humber was all right following his removal from the game and he even sounded positive about making his next scheduled start.
However, we won’t see Humber on the mound for a couple of weeks.
The White Sox placed the pitcher on the 15-day disabled list Friday, as reported by Evan Drellich of MLB.com. Zach Stewart replaced Humber and pitched two innings after finishing up for Mark Buehrle the night before.
Stewart’s acquisition takes on more importance with each passing day since he came over from Toronto with Jason Fasor. It may be up to Stewart to hold down the back of the rotation as Chicago attempts to stay in the AL Central picture.
The White Sox pitching depth has been the saving grace of a disappointing offensive effort this season. Can that depth see them through a tough series with Texas, followed by a short jaunt out west?
Josh Kinney was brought up from Charlotte to replace Humber on the pitching staff. His job looks to be taking Stewart’s role in the bullpen so that the 24-year-old right-hander can make Humber’s starts. Stewart is scheduled to pitch Wednesday in Anaheim.
Kinney tossed three scoreless innings after Jake Peavy was done in by the long ball in the first six. Unfortunately it came in a losing effort, Chicago’s fifth in a row.
The White Sox now trail Detroit by five games and will be without Humber and Pierzynski for the rest of the month. Hopefully no one will join those two on the DL and the team can at least tread water in the standings for awhile.
AL Central, Chicago, Chicago White Sox, Opinion, Philip Humber Leave a Comment more...
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Madison, WI Mass Times
Laetificat
Religious Freedom Category
Sacred Mysteries
Saint Margaret of Scotland, my greatgreatgreatetc grandmother
My mom is into geneaology research. Occasionally her discoveries are interesting. We’re descended from executed Salem “witch” Mary Eastey, who was obviously not a witch but a good wife and mother who wrote a deeply Christian letter forgiving her accusers and killers. On my dad’s side I’m descended from Joseph Broussard, who led the French Catholic Accadians out of present day British Columbia where the English conquered and were not especially kind particularly in terms of religious freedom, down to Louisiana–the Cajuns.
Then a couple of years ago Mom (whose name happens to be Margaret) found that we’re descended from Saint (Queen) Margaret of Scotland. Today’s St Margaret’s feast day, so I’ve been reading to know more about her.
Saint Margaret of Scotland, to make a long story short, was born in Hungary in 1045 the granddaughter of King Edward Ironside of England, and came to England before getting shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland where she became the bride of Scottish king Malcolm III. Malcolm seems to have been somewhat uncouth, and not particularly religious, and not literate, but clearly he deeply loved Margaret. Today St Margaret of Scotland is one of the most loved married Saints. She was a devout, contemplative and educated Catholic and her husband lent his royal authority and resources to her many initiatives of charity to the poor and bringing religious practice in the country up to par and into sync with the universal Church in union with Rome. She was an ideal mother, and besides her own children she nurtured many little orphans herself in the midst of royal splendor. She corrected the schedule of the Lenten fast in that country in accord with the universal calendar and was an edifying example to her people of keeping the fast in accord with Catholic precept, and kept an Advent fast as well. Shortage of priests meant Mass was not always available to all the people, but she urged and educated people to observe the Church’s precept of Easter Communion. Queen Margaret went out to visit the independent minded Celtic hermits in the countryside who were part of the legacy of the monk St Columba’s 7th c evangelization of Scotland, begging their prayers and asking them to direct her to do some work of charity to the poor.
I find online that St Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Regent Street is having a choral Evensong (Book of Common Prayer type version of Vespers/Evening Prayer) tonight in honor of my greatgreatgreatetc grandmother’s feast day. Anglicans cherish this Saint as part of their heritage too; she must be praying for Christian unity as in her day she strengthened the unity with Rome, of the Christians in Scotland. I won’t be there, but heading to Mass at St Paul’s soon where I hope her propers will be used–she shares her feast day with St Gertrude and the priests can pick which one. I know I will be praying for St Margaret’s intercession for myself and all my family.
[Update: Fr Eric Nielsen celebrated the Mass of St Margaret of Scotland! At Mass we are all together very much with the Saints, in the presence of the Sacrifice of Jesus the Eucharist we are simply together, whether in heaven or on earth. And the Friday evening Mass at St Paul’s is always the Novus Ordo in Latin. In GGGetcGrandma’s time the locals had fallen into celebrating Mass in the local Gaelic and one of her beneficial reforms was to have them use Latin as the universal Church did.]
I had a thought today. I pray every day at Evening Prayer for all of my ancestors and relatives (up to and including all people) who have died and are being purified in Purgatory so they can be in the immediate presence of God in heaven. Saint Margaret similarly, from her perspective before the face of God in eternity, is praying every day for all her descendents and relatives, including me. A priest said that to me today, after someone told him St Margaret was my ancestor: she has surely been praying for you all along!
What good friends we have in the Saints! And what good family! It’s just the few that are canonized the Church attests infallibly are there for sure, and we can ask them with confidence to pray to God for us, though we may not know the names of all who are in our family tree who are among the blessed, and I know I feel a special confidence they will not refuse or neglect to pray for us!
If you have a canonized Saint in your family tree, post a comment and tell.
Posted in Spiritual Life on 16 November 2012 and tagged Christian unity, Communion of saints, St Margaret of Scotland
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11 Responses to Saint Margaret of Scotland, my greatgreatgreatetc grandmother
On November 16, 2012 at 6:50 pm, Ben Yanke said:
That is VERY cool, Elizabeth.
Respond to this
On November 16, 2012 at 9:41 pm, LoveGodAndAsHeLoved said:
I am also descended from a Salem witch, Mary Toothaker, but I don’t know anything more about her like you know about your “witch.” As far as a saint, my Mother’s Father’s mother said if your children weren’t Irish, they weren’t worth having.. So thank goodness I am part Irish/Scottish/Celtic. My Father’s father said they were spit on by the Jews back in the old country. Was that the persecution Jesus said would happen for those who suffered for His Namessake? Thank you for the great story about your ancestry! St. Margaret, pray for us! You have a beautiful Saint ancestor! Praise be to God!
On November 16, 2013 at 8:35 pm, anne rookey said:
I really enjoyed reading about how you’re related to St. Margaret of Scotland, Elizabeth. I’m related through marriage on my mom’s side( somewhat distantly)– to St. Eugene Guanella, who was only recently proclaimed a saint. He worked directly with St. John Bosco. Also, in 1492, Oct. 10th, one of my relatives on my mom’s side (maiden name Buzzetti) in the remote village in the Alps of Northern Italy, Gallivaggio (an hour straight north of Milan) saw the Blessed Mother. She and another little girl were gathering chesnuts under a tree, and the Madonna appeared holding baby Jesus. She had a strict warning for the townspeople. They must stop working on Sundays, and keep Sundays, and feast days holier, or else her Son would be obliged to send a punishment. Also, she said interestingly enough, that the Sabbath rest is supposed to begin on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (the hour of Mercy). She requested a chapel to be built on the spot. Hence, a beautiful church that Tim and I saw when we were priviledged to travel there some years ago. Also, some of her virginal blood spilled on the boulder, which she was standing on. That boulder is still under the main altar. She is called the “Madonna of Misericordia, or Mercy”. The people did convert and many blessings came. Even popes have visited the place, and given many gifts, including gold crowns. It is an approved apparition. I loved being there, in the Alps. The cemetary was full of Buzzetti’s. Just mention that you’re a Buzzetti, and instantly, everyone befriends you, even though you don’t speak Italian, and they don’t speak English. My mom and dad have been there twice now. I know the Blessed Mother is working on them. There is a book that we have about it, with lots of colorful pictures. I’d like to show it to you, sometime. God Bless you, Elizabeth.
On November 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm, Ellen Dugan Kostro said:
Hello cousin,
My family line desends from Margaret as well, through Matilda. Pretty cool.
On April 19, 2014 at 9:20 pm, Pamela said:
Margaret is my 27th great grandmother.. Blessings to us all.
On December 11, 2013 at 12:05 am, Cyndi Smith said:
Hello I am the 29th grand daughter of Saint Margaret. Very interesting life with two of her children also being canonized as saints. Amazing
On April 28, 2017 at 8:58 pm, Jane said:
St Margaret is also my 31st great-grandmother, and her great-uncle was St Edward the Confessor.
On July 20, 2017 at 7:38 am, Prince Heinrich FitzGerald said:
St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland is my 30th great grandmother. Here is my ancestry back to her. My maternal grandmother Dolores is the daughter of Demetrio Mendoza Sauza, the son of Quintin Nicolas Enrique Sumulong Sauza, the son of
Juan Ruperto Sauza y Tuazon, the son of Miguel Juan Santiago Sauza y Berenguer de Marquina, the son of Ysabel Berenguer de Marquina y Sumulong, the daughter of Félix Berenguer de Marquina y FitzGerald, Virrey de Nueva España, the son of Mary FitzGerald, the daughter of John FitzGerald, the son of Sir Thomas FitzGerald, the son of Robert FitzGerald, the son of Katherine Horsey, the daughter of John Power, 5th Baron le Power and Coroghmore, the son of Helen Somerset, 3rd wife of Thomas Butler, widow of John Power, the daughter of Ellen Roche, the daughter of David Roche, 5th Viscount Roche of Fermoy, the son of Grany Roche (MacCarthy), the daughter of Mary FitzMaurice, the daughter of Honoria FitzMaurice, the daughter of James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond, the son of Gerald fitz Maurice, 3rd Earl Desmond, the son of Maurice FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Desmond, the son of Margaret de Berkeley, the daughter of Thomas de Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley, the son of Isabel “de Crouin” de Berkeley, Baroness Berkeley, the son of Richard FitzRoy, Lord of Chilham, the son of Adella de Warenne, Concubine #1 of John “Lackland” of England, the daughter of Hamelin de Warenne, 4th Earl of Surrey, the son of Adelaide de Angers (Possibly Empress Mathilda), the daughter of Matilda of Scotland, the daughter of St. Margaret Queen of Scotland, pray for us! Amen!
Our family tree records are kept by my cousin from University of Bristol in England.
On July 31, 2017 at 5:51 pm, Sandra Brown said:
Saint Margaret of Scotland is also my ancestral grandmother thru Matilda of Scotland. The more I read about her the more I love
her. She was an amazing woman and is an amazing Saint. No wonder they called her, “The Pearl of Scotland.”
On April 20, 2018 at 10:50 am, Erin Reaume said:
Hi there. I am also descended from Saint Margaret of Scotland, as well as Saint Matilda of Ringelheim. Isn’t geneology fascinating?
On April 22, 2018 at 6:11 pm, Aubri said:
She is also my I believe 27th great grandmother!
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UK group begins design work on hospital projects in Oman
International Hospitals Group (IHG), the British based-international provider of healthcare consultancy services, has announced that design work has commenced on three state-of-the-art hospitals being developed at key locations around the Sultanate of Oman on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
UK headquartered IHG was awarded three contracts by Oman’s Ministry of Health for the design, construction and equipping of three state-of-the-art hospitals, to UK NHS and appropriate International standards, in Khasab, Suwaiq and Salalah.
These three projects are a great boost for both the Omani and British economies during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said IHG in a press statement.
“The new projects will support jobs in the UK and Oman throughout the duration of the build, by drawing heavily on the expertise of supply chains in both countries, including Britain’s world-renowned specialist knowledge and medical equipment. At peak over 6,000 staff will be employed both in Oman and the UK on the design, construction and equipping of the three projects.”
The Omani Government and the British Government have collaborated on these major healthcare projects, by supporting the Project Financing through circa £550 million worth of long-term financial support to the Government of Oman from UK Export Finance (UKEF).
Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, said in a statement: “The size of this contract demonstrates the appetite for the UK’s world-leading healthcare expertise across the globe. I am delighted UK Export Finance is supporting the construction of these three hospitals which will not only improve healthcare provision in Oman, but will also expand IHG’s overseas business. IHG will provide a full design, construction and services package for all three hospitals.
“Work will also include the construction of emergency power systems, maintenance facilities, roads and other associated infrastructure.”
The three design and build hospital infrastructure projects are currently in design development with permanent works progressing on all three sites covering a total of circa 50 hectares.
IHG specializes in the provision of consultancy, design and construction, equipping, operation and management of hospitals and healthcare facilities. Founded in 1978, the group has successfully completed more than 480 projects in over 52 countries in both the public and private sectors. Its clients have included 24 national governments, the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
Lord Astor of Hever noted: “It is to no surprise, following a tender process that IHG was finally chosen for these prestigious healthcare projects in the Sultanate of Oman.
“IHG takes great pride in delivering world-class healthcare across the globe to British and international standards.”
Zawya
Tags: constructionOmanprojectsreal estate
Miral's premier Abu Dhabi waterfront project work on track
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Books/Review
#historypodcasts
Erich Mielke: The Stasi File That Could Have Brought Down Erich Honecker
On the 15th January 1990, thousands of East German protesters stormed the Stasi Headquarters in Berlin. Once seen as the centre of civil oppression where Erich Mielke’s Stasi operated with impunity, the protestors stormed the building without fear as the GDR crumbled following the fall of the Berlin Wall the previous November.
Their actions that night preserved hundreds of thousands of documents that documented the citizens of the GDR in detail. By 1989, the Stasi held an archives containing nearly 180 kilometres of documents focusing on the Stais’s activity during their 40 year reign. The state security of the GDR employed 91,000 full time employees and up to 189,000 unofficial spies who provided them with intel on their citizens. Those who stormed the headquarters that night helped to preserve the history of the organisations deepest and darkest secrets. Today, files that were destroyed either by hand or by the burnt out shredders found soon after, are being painstakingly pieced back together to reveal even more secrets.
Found inside the head of the Stasi’s office safe was something special. It was where Erich Mielke kept his most precious secrets. Inside the safe was a red imitation leather briefcase filled with highly confidential files. There was one file in particular that shows us the power of the Stasi when it came to helping run the state of the GDR. Whilst most stories of Stasi oppression mainly centre around the everyday citizens of East Germany, this one focuses on the man who ran the GDR, Erich Honecker.
Soon after Erich Honecker succeeded Walter Ulbricht in 1971, Mielke began to compile his file on Honecker. It was to remain highly confidential as the information and even seeking dirt on Honecker would have been considered highly treasonable even in the GDR. However, for Mielke, knowledge was power regardless of who it involved. What he uncovered about the GDR’s General Secretary would be kept under lock and key until the timing was right. It would lay dormant until 1989.
With the GDR facing more protests and defections in October 1989, a Politburo meeting was held to decide what the best course of action was. For Mielke, it would be the perfect opportunity to finally reveal that he had a file on the General Secretary himself. His 25-page file and its contents could have been revealed right then but Honecker not only knew what that file contained but also just how meticulous Mielke would be. Without revealing the files contents , Honecker resigned. The public would be told that because of his ill health it was best if he stood aside for a more vibrant leader. In the eyes of the faithful, his reputation would be left untarnished.
The contents of the file would not be made public until 2011, long after both Mielke and Honecker had died. The German newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, would reveal the long kept secrets of Erich Honecker.
But what did the file contain that was so damning? To know that we first have to look at the story that Honecker himself peddled that allowed him to reach the very top of the GDR. His was a story of defiance to the Nazi party and loyalty to his Communist comrades.
Arrested by the Gestapo for being a political enemy of the state in 1937, Honecker would serve his time until the end of the Second World War. During that time, he later claimed in his autobiography: "Neither the physical and psychological tortures I suffered at the hands of the Gestapo, nor the countless interrogations by fascist judges, were able to weaken my communist convictions." In the eyes of his supporters, Honecker was an anti fascist hero, a comrade who was resolute even at the time of adversity. It would be a role he would play throughout his time rising the ranks of the SED before claiming the ultimate prize as the GDR's leader. Mielke knew the truth and had been sitting on it ever since Honecker replaced Ulbricht.
Erich Honecker and Erich Mielke. Bundesarchiv, Bild Y 10-0097-91 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Mielke's dossier told a completely different story to the one that Honecker had successfully ingrained into society. It showed us a man who would do anything to save his own skin. During his imprisonment by the Nazi Party in 1937, Honecker was prepared to make a number of deals including fighting on behalf of Hitler on the front line. The file also claimed that Honecker was far from the loyal comrade many thought. The dossier claimed that Honecker gave "quite wide-ranging evidence" to the Gestapo regarding fellow communists imprisoned alongside him. In other words. he was the prison snitch who was prepared to sell out his fellow comrades for his own benefit.
The lies and backstabbing of comrades might have been damning to his career if the word ever got out, but Honecker would go further. The file states that in 1939, Honecker asked his father to press for a political amnesty and got him to petition the Nazi authorities with a letter claiming that his son had renounced Communism "for good". The future leader of the GDR, a state that was showcased as a socialist paradise by the Soviet Union was led by a man prepared to renounce communism. This was the information that Honecker was so scared of.
Both Erich Mielke and Erich Honecker would see the GDR fall only a few weeks after that explosive Politburo meeting in October 1989. For Mielke it was the final throw of the dice to keep the GDR afloat. For Honecker it remained about himself and what he could gain from the situation. Leaving his position, he knew that his secret would be safe, for now. Honecker would pass away in 1994 knowing that his secret negotiations with the Nazi Party during his time in prison could be revealed at any time. Mielke would never say a word right up to his death. A man who knew many secrets opted to take most of them to his grave.
It would be the bureaucratic nature of the Stasi that would eventually reveal the state's most guarded secrets. An organisation that prided itself on its meticulous archives and pen-pushing understood the power of files and the damage they could cause. Even the glimpse of one's name on the file could be enough for an individual to start sweating. Now those files, unlike the men who used them for their own pursuit of power, are talking in ways we could never imagine. Given the vast archival remains there are still much more secrets yet to be revealed.
This article first appeared in our POWER BEHIND THE THRONE issue which is available from our online store
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Appeal of DIANE CIRILLO from action of the Board of Education of the Seaford Union Free School District regarding financial practices.
(February 27, 2007)
Ingerman Smith, LLP, attorneys for respondent, Christopher Venator, Esq., of counsel
MILLS, Commissioner.--Petitioner challenges certain financial practices of the Board of Education of the Seaford Union Free School District (“respondent”). The appeal must be dismissed.
In May 2004, district voters defeated respondent’s proposed 2004-2005 school budget. Thereafter, respondent revised the proposed budget, reducing it by approximately $1.6 million. Items cut from the budget included a fourth grade teacher position and an athletic trainer. In preparing both proposed budgets, respondent included estimated State aid revenue of $7,520,000, as the State budget was not yet enacted. On June 15, 2004, voters approved the revised 2004-2005 school budget of $42,211,493.
On August 9, 2004, the State budget was enacted. As a result, the district received $7,869,470 in State aid - $349,470 more than respondent estimated in the approved 2004-2005 school budget. On August 11, 2004, the Nassau County Board of Assessors notified school districts that, due to the delay in the State budget, the time in which districts could submit their budget – or revise a submitted budget – was extended to August 20, 2004 to permit districts to consider any additional State aid when determining the 2004-2005 tax levy. On August 12, 2004, respondent approved the tax warrant for 2004-2005 based on revenue set forth in the school budget approved by voters on June 15, 2004, including the earlier State aid estimate of $7,520,000.
At a meeting held on August 31, 2004, respondent approved a resolution to increase the 2004-2005 approved school budget by adding $70,000 from the additional State aid revenue and restoring the previously cut fourth grade teacher position and athletic trainer. On September 23, 2004, respondent published a financial statement pursuant to Education Law §1721.
On June 27, 2005, three days prior to the end of the 2004-2005 school fiscal year, petitioner initiated this appeal. Petitioner claims that respondent failed to use the best estimate of State aid available when it approved the 2004-2005 tax warrant and thereafter failed to modify the 2004-2005 tax levy to reflect the increase in State aid provided in the enacted State budget. Petitioner asserts that respondent improperly used some of the additional State aid revenue to restore certain expenditures to the 2004-2005 budget previously approved by the voters. Petitioner also asserts that respondent failed to timely publish the district’s financial statement in accordance with Education Law §1721 and contends that respondent violated Real Property Tax Law (“RPTL”) §1318(1). Petitioner maintains that respondent has engaged in similar improper practices for the past five school years.
Respondent asserts that, except for claims raised under RPTL §1318 for the 2004-2005 school year, the appeal is untimely. Respondent maintains that its financial practices are in all respects proper. With respect to petitioner’s claims under Education Law §1721, respondent contends that it has complied with the requirements of that statute and intends to timely comply in the future.
The appeal must be dismissed as moot. The Commissioner will only decide matters in actual controversy and will not render a decision on a state of facts which no longer exist or which subsequent events have laid to rest (Appeal of C.A., Sr., 45 Ed Dept Rep 388, Decision No. 15,360; Appeal of the New York Charter Schools Assn., Inc., et al., 45 id. 376, Decision No. 15,355; Appeal of the Bd. of Trustees of the N. Merrick Public Library, et al., 45 id. 363, Decision No. 15,350). Petitioner’s appeal concerns several of respondent’s financial practices in relation to the 2004-2005 fiscal year. As that fiscal year ended three days after petitioner commenced her appeal and any challenged expenditures relating to the 2004-2005 budget have been made, no meaningful relief can be granted and the appeal must be dismissed as moot.
Although the appeal is dismissed, I note that respondent admitted retaining unexpended operating funds in excess of the two percent limit under RPTL §1318. Respondent is reminded of the need to fully comply with the requirements of this section in the future.
In addition, I must also comment on respondent’s use of the additional State aid revenue. Upon receipt of State aid in an amount greater than that estimated in the budget approved by voters, respondent unilaterally increased the amount of the approved budget and restored certain ordinary contingent expenses. Respondent does not assert that the restored items were unanticipated contingent expenses, or that the additional funds it received were grants in aid made for specific purposes. Under these circumstances, respondent had no authority to increase the budget appropriation approved by the voters (see Education Law §1718, 8 NYCRR §170.2[k] and Appeal of Clark, 37 Ed Dept Rep 386, Decision No. 13,885).
In light of this disposition, I need not address the parties’ remaining contentions.
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Why we are Marxists
Catch up on Marxist University!
Rise of the Comintern and the role of Trotsky
Alan Woods: Happy New Year – for some
IMT theses on the climate crisis
Climate change presents a colossal threat to humanity, and has motivated huge protests (particularly by young people) in the last period. Only a socialist transformation of society, with production planned democratically by the working class in harmony with the planet, can end the threat of climate change. This document by the International Marxist Tendency explains our revolutionary programme for dealing with the climate crisis. It was drafted before the pandemic for discussion at the 2020 IMT World Congress, but has now been updated in a few places in light of recent events. Since the Congress has been cancelled due to the pandemic, we invite you to register for our online Marxist University, where we will be discussing the climate crisis.
The whole world’s attention is focused at the present time on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. But when (if) this initial danger subsides, another – even bigger – existential threat looms: that of climate change.
The rainforests are burning. Wildfires rage across Australia and California. Floods are devastating Indonesia and Bangladesh. Whole islands and coastal areas are rapidly submerging. Droughts and famines are creating an exodus of refugees. Heatwaves in Europe are killing thousands every summer. Entire species are disappearing from the planet every day. The climate crisis is not a hypothetical problem for future generations, but is here and now.
Mass movements of students and youth have taken to the streets worldwide in response. “The oceans are rising, and so are we,” read one placard in London. Millions have participated in these international protests. In September 2019, an estimated six million people took part in the ‘Fridays for Future’ global climate strikes. Cities in the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Britain saw demonstrations of hundreds of thousands.
Capitalism is killing the planet. This is the conclusion that many activists have correctly drawn. Hence the demands widely seen on the climate strikes: for ‘system change, not climate change’; for ‘planet over profit’. It is the capitalist system – with its insatiable pursuit of profit – that is responsible for destroying the environment, wiping out ecosystems, and polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Under capitalism, it is big business that decides what is produced and how it is produced. But this is not done according to any plan. Instead, our economy is left to the so-called ‘invisible hand’ – that is, to the anarchy of the market. Corporations will cut corners and ride roughshod through regulations wherever necessary in order to reduce costs, outcompete their rivals, capture new markets, and maximise their profits. This race to the bottom, however, is not simply the product of ‘greedy’ bosses. It is the logical result of the economic laws of capitalism: a system based on private ownership, competition, and production for profit.
The scale of the problem is enormous. The UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) suggests that global warming must be limited to 1.5°C in order to avert environmental catastrophe. To achieve this, total greenhouse gas emissions would need to be reduced by 45 percent by 2030, and reach net-zero levels by 2050. On top of this, large-scale adaptation and mitigation measures – such as the construction of flood defences and reforestation – must be taken. It is estimated that all of this would require over US$2 trillion in extra investment worldwide every year; around 2.5 percent of global GDP.
The science and technology to achieve this exist. Electricity grids could be decarbonised with wind, solar, and tidal power. Cars and transports systems could be shifted to electricity, batteries, and hydrogen. Energy-efficiency measures could dramatically reduce energy demands from households and industry. Pollution levels could be slashed. Food could be grown sustainably. Waste could be recycled. Swathes of forests could be replanted.
But these vital steps all require two things: planning and resources – neither of which capitalism is capable of providing. The basis of capitalist production is private ownership and competition, in the pursuit of the profits of a handful of unelected and unaccountable parasites; not planning in order to meet social and environmental needs.
Furthermore, where is the money going to come from under capitalism to pay for the dramatic changes required? The world economy is drowning in debt in the wake of the 2008 slump, a decade of austerity, and a new deep depression triggered by the pandemic. Further cuts – not investment – are on the order of the day. Addressing the climate crisis is now the last thing on the ruling class’ mind.
The capitalists will not invest in the measures required, for the simple reason that it is not profitable to do so. Indeed, technologies such as renewable energy, which could potentially provide an abundance of green, clean, near-zero-cost electricity, fundamentally clash with the profit motive and the market system.
For example, state-subsidised investment into renewable energy supplies has actually crippled international electricity markets. Flooded with cheap, super-abundant supplies of green electricity, prices have been pushed down, making coal and gas power plants unprofitable to run. This has led to a sharp fall in terms of private investment into new power generation. But households don’t even see the benefit of lower bills, since further government subsidies are provided to prop up the big energy monopolies. In other words, the market cannot solve the problem – the market is the problem.
It boils down to a simple question: who pays? The wealth exists, but it sits idly in the bank accounts of big business and is frittered away by the imperialist powers on means of destruction. Just 10 giant US corporations, for example, are hoarding over $1.1 trillion in cash. And total worldwide military spending is $1.8trillion per year. Under capitalism, therefore, not only do the impacts of climate change fall overwhelmingly on the shoulders of the working class, the poor, and the most vulnerable – but so do the costs of averting environmental disaster, in the form of higher prices, carbon taxes, and austerity.
Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish founder of Fridays for Future, has become the face and voice of the international climate strike movement. Speaking to crowds of world ‘leaders’ at Davos forums and UN summits, she warns that “our house is on fire”. “I want you to panic,” Thunberg tells her elite audiences, “and to act”. But her pleas to politicians for urgent action fall on deaf ears.
This inertia at the top, however, is not simply due to an absence of political will. Establishment politicians are not passive on this question because they lack determination, but because their primary purpose is to defend the capitalist system, not the future of humanity or the planet.
Thunberg has pointed out that scientists are being ignored, and asks for governments to listen to the scientific evidence and advice. But the capitalists and their political representatives will not be persuaded by moral arguments, nor by facts and figures, which they have ample access to. At the end of the day, this out-of-touch elite will not do anything to protect the earth, as their only criterion is maximising profit at the expense of the rest of us.
Some governments have tokenistically declared a ‘climate emergency’ in an attempt to appease voters. But this is an empty phrase when uttered from the lips of these big business politicians. After all, under capitalism, it is not they that really decide. Instead, our fate is left to the caprices of the market.
Global action is needed to solve a global problem, but capitalist governments are impotent. Endless climate summits are called and international treaties signed. But this is all so much hot air. Even when agreements are made, these protocols and accords are toothless; the targets non-binding. Under Trump, the US – the world’s largest economy and carbon emitter – has already pulled out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, leaving it dead in the water.
At the root of this problem is the barrier of the nation state, as well as that of the private ownership of the means of production. Under capitalism, national governments must ultimately serve the interests of their own capitalist class. Like a thieving band of pirates, they may be able to cooperate for a while, as long as there is enough plunder to go around. But as soon as the loot dries up, the bandits and gangsters will quickly be at each other’s throats. And in this period of protectionism and capitalist crisis, every government is attempting to export its problems elsewhere, leading to ‘beggar-thy-neighbour’ policies, geopolitical instability, and a breakdown of cooperation on international issues.
Faced with such impotence, climate strike activists have been taking to the streets en masse – occupying roads and shutting down cities in an effort to force politicians to sit up and take notice. Across the world, millions of students and youth have entered into political activity for the first time, demanding immediate action and systematic change.
These mobilisations have filled a new generation with a sense of confidence, power, and purpose. For those protesting, the idea of mass, militant action is now the norm, not the exception. The word ‘strike’ is now firmly at the forefront of young people’s minds.
Many activists have correctly concluded that mass mobilisation is vital. But we must also learn the lessons from the movement so far, and recognise its limitations. Street protests and student strikes are not enough. Climate activists need to link up with the organised working class and fight for radical political change.
This idea of mass mobilisation, militant action and systematic change is an enormous step forward compared to the individualistic environmental activism of the past. But, in the absence of a clear and consistent revolutionary leadership, the spectre of this old, liberal, petit-bourgeois environmentalism continues to haunt the climate movement. This is most notable in the plethora of weird and wonderful ideas – such as ‘degrowth’ and ‘anti-consumerism’ – that fester in the movement, often dominating the debate and drowning out the radicalism of the student strikers.
All of these ideas, at heart, are a regurgitation of the reactionary arguments presented by Thomas Malthus, the early 19th century economist, who asserted that famine, poverty, disease, and widespread mortality were all the result of ‘overpopulation’. Today, the same argument appears not only in the form of ‘there are too many people’; ‘too many mouths to feed’ – but also that ‘we are living beyond our means’; that ‘we are all consuming too much’. In other words, that it is ordinary people – not the system – that are to blame for the environmental crisis.
Frederick Engels answered Malthus directly long ago, however. “Not enough is being produced, that is the root of the whole matter. But why is not enough being produced?” Engels rhetorically asked. “Not because the limits of production — even today and with present day means — are exhausted. No, but because the limits of production are determined not by the number of hungry bellies but by the number of purses able to buy and to pay. Bourgeois society does not and cannot wish to produce any more. The moneyless bellies, the labour which cannot be utilised for profit and therefore cannot buy, are left to the mortality figures.”
Malthus’ apocalyptic predictions were also disproven empirically, as advances in agricultural technique enabled larger populations to be sustained, and with higher nutritional levels. Similarly, today, the technologies already exist to produce far more, but without the environmental degradation and destruction associated with the capitalist system. The problem – as Engels remarked – is that capitalism cannot profitably utilise these productive forces.
Unsurprisingly, the apologists of capitalism go along with this neo-Malthusian charade, suggesting that we must club together and make ‘ethical’ individual choices – recycle more; fly less; go vegan, etc. – as a solution to solving the environmental crisis. After all, the focus on individual actions and personal lifestyle choices plays a useful role for the ruling class, distracting ordinary people from the real task at hand: to fundamentally transform society along socialist lines.
The ‘solutions’ that flow from this individualistic mantra are entirely reactionary. In essence, they are just a ‘greenwashing’ of austerity – telling workers and the poor that they must tighten their belts to solve a problem created by the capitalists and their rotten system.
To the ‘anti-consumerists’, we must ask a very simple question: who is consuming too much? The millions of working-class households in the so-called ‘developed’ world that must choose between heating and eating? The masses in the so-called ‘developing’ world who struggle to feed their families? The workers and poor across the planet who live in a state of poverty amidst plenty?
Indeed, as statistics show, a member of the global 1 percent is responsible for 175 times the carbon emissions of someone in the bottom 10 percent. And the poorest half of the world’s population contribute towards only 10 percent of total lifestyle consumption emissions, compared to 50 percent from the richest 10 percent. This ‘emissions inequality’ is only a reflection of the general eye-watering economic inequality that is inherent within capitalism.
Workers are not stupid. They can see the rank hypocrisy of the establishment and their political spokespersons telling ordinary people to ‘make sacrifices’ for the sake of the planet. Meanwhile, the super-rich capitalist elite live on another planet entirely, accumulating obscene levels of wealth and flying around in private jets. Hence the mass gilets jaunes protests in France, against Emmanuel Macron’s attempts to impose higher fuel taxes on workers; or the mass movements seen recently in many ex-colonial countries against the IMF-imposed removal of fuel subsidies.
Socialists must oppose all such measures, including so-called ‘carbon taxes’. These taxes typically fall on household consumption – on fuel or energy – and not on business, shifting the burden onto the shoulders of the working class and the poor. Such taxes are reactionary and regressive. And, in any case, they do not solve the climate crisis, but are just another austerity measure. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the yellow vest protestors, demanding that the capitalists – not the working class – pay for this crisis.
Blaming ‘consumerism’ and ‘growth’ is a red herring. Environmental damage is not caused by industrialisation or growth, but by the way in which production is organised and controlled under capitalism. Far from providing efficiency, competition and the profit motive lead to a race to the bottom, creating enormous levels of waste and pollution. Corporations build obsolescence into products in order to sell more. A huge advertising industry attempts to convince us to buy things that we don’t need. And companies like Volkswagen actively cheat and break environmental regulations in order to cut costs and boost profits.
It is the profit motive, not economic growth itself, that is the problem. We live within an economic system that relies on the constant consumption of commodities and accumulation of profits. The capitalists produce not to meet needs, but to make profits. So if goods are not sold, businesses and industries close down and millions of workers lose their jobs.
This is why calls from certain quarters of the green movement for ‘zero growth’ and ‘degrowth’ are reactionary. ‘Zero growth’ under capitalism is called a recession – and it is the working class and the poor who are made to pay. In essence, the ‘degrowth’ demand is an argument for permanent recession and permanent austerity.
The whole emphasis of ‘degrowth’ theory is wrong – and thus activity harmful. The question must be one of production, and how we produce; not of consumption and ‘consumer choices’. What good are individualistic boycotts in the face of the anarchy and chaos of the market? We need a rational plan of production, with democratic control over the economy; not individual boycotts and ‘ethical consumerism’.
Even if we, as a society, wanted to reduce our collective consumption, how would this be possible as long as production is entirely owned, controlled, and decided by the capitalist class? How would we shrink the meat industry? How would we go about limiting the population? Who would decide what, and how much, is produced? Simply to ask such questions demonstrates the absurdity of this individualistic environmentalism, and the reactionary nature of Malthusianism in all its varieties.
The coronavirus crisis has massively exposed the limits of this individualistic, neo-Malthusian, regressive approach. The whole world economy has ground to a halt. Planes are not flying. Streets are empty. Demand for oil has collapsed. Household consumption has plummeted. The result is that global carbon emissions are estimated to fall by 8 percent this year. Yet this same level of emissions reduction is needed every year for the next decade in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
We can therefore see the reactionary limits of ‘degrowth’ ideology. As the pandemic paralysis shows, under capitalism, such dramatic changes can only be achieved in a completely chaotic way, at the cost of plunging the economy into a severe depression, with mass unemployment, poverty, and starvation. And even these changes barely scratch the surface of what is necessary. Clearly, a systematic transformation of production – and of the whole of society’s organisation – is needed to reduce emissions on the scale required.
What is needed are not personal lifestyle changes, cuts to individual consumption, or a regression to a more primitive form of production (so-called deindustrialisation). There are enough resources produced already for every person on the planet to live a comfortable and decent life. If these were distributed in a rational and equitable way, there would be enough for everyone, without any additional production or waste. What is needed is systematic, fundamental, and international economic change.
Under capitalism, technologies and techniques introduced to increase productivity can turn into their opposite and destroy the potential for growth altogether. This can be seen with recent developments in agriculture, where the indiscriminate use of insecticides and artificial fertiliser have decimated insect populations, impoverished the soil, and polluted the water supply. On a wider scale, it is seen by the way in which industry and transport pumps out pollution and carbon emissions, destroying the natural world upon which the whole of human society ultimately depends.
This is a confirmation of what Marx explained in Capital, discussing the nature of agricultural production under capitalism: “All progress in capitalistic agriculture is a progress in the art, not only of robbing the labourer, but of robbing the soil; all progress in increasing the fertility of the soil for a given time, is a progress towards ruining the lasting sources of that fertility… Capitalist production, therefore, develops technology… only by sapping the original sources of all wealth — the soil and the labourer.”
None of this is an argument against technology and industry, or in favour of ‘deindustrialisation’, however. Rather, it is an argument against private ownership, the anarchy of the market, and the profit motive. It is an argument in favour of socialist planning; of using science and technology in the interests of people and the planet, not the profits of a tiny few.
In short, it is a class question. Who owns? Who decides? The anarchy of capitalism is destroying the environment. We need to plan – rationally and democratically – how we utilise the planet’s resources; what technologies we need to develop and deploy. But, as the old saying goes, you cannot plan what you do not control; and you do not control what you do not own.
In many countries, liberal organisations and political parties have attempted to take over, co-opt, and derail the climate movement, sapping the demonstrations and their demands of their radicalism. NGOs such as Greenpeace have often bureaucratically placed themselves at the head of the movement, preaching a ‘broad church’ strategy. Activist groups like Extinction Rebellion, meanwhile, fall into the same trap, depoliticising protests and appealing to politicians across the political spectrum to ‘come to the table’.
The problem is that climate change is political. It is the capitalists and their system that are responsible for wrecking the planet. Linking up with bourgeois parties and appealing to big business politicians is worse than futile – it is harmful, since it actively waters down the movement’s programme and leads activists down a dead end. These establishment politicians defend the interests of the capitalist class, not the needs of society and the environment. The movement must not place any hopes or trust in them, nor in the NGOs and liberals attempting to hoodwink radical young climate strikers.
Support for Green parties has risen in some countries on the back of growing environmental concerns and a general distrust of traditional establishment parties. But fundamentally, the Green leaders are just liberals, who do not challenge the system or see the division of society into mutually opposed classes. The example of the new Conservative-Green coalition government in Austria is very telling. Its anti-working class programme can essentially be boiled down to two demands: reduce immigration, and reduce emissions. This has caused the ‘progressive’ mask of the Greens to slip, revealing their true, ugly face.
In the other direction, positive steps have been taken to link the environmental question to left-wing political demands. Most notably, the proposal for a Green New Deal (GND) has become a battle cry for the left in the USA and UK. In early 2019, for example, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez presented a resolution in Washington calling on the federal government to curb carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy supplies and creating green jobs. Going further, a motion for a ‘Socialist Green New Deal’ – based on public ownership and democratic control of the economy – was passed at the 2019 Labour Party conference in Britain.
But, in reality, the GND slogan is a bit of an empty vessel, capable of being filled with whatever content one desires. This is shown by the variety of supporters who have signed up to AOC’s Green New Deal, including right-wing Democratic presidential candidates such as Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar.
These vague GND proposals generally amount to a Keynesian strategy of attempting to regulate and manage the capitalist system. But capitalism cannot be managed. It cannot be tamed and made ‘green’. As long as the economy is based on production for profit, it will be big business that dictates to governments, not the other way round. In short, rather than offering ‘system change’, the Keynesian demands of the Green New Deal seek to save the capitalist system from itself.
One oft-cited study showed that 100 big companies (mainly fossil fuel producers) are responsible for over 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. More recently, it was revealed that just 20 companies have generated one-third of all CO2 since 1965. Similarly, only around 3-10 percent of landfill waste in advanced capitalist countries comes from households; the rest is mainly the result of large-scale industrial processes, construction and mining.
All of this highlights where the real blame for the environmental crisis lies. And it demonstrates clearly the solution: bring these companies and industries under common ownership and democratic control, as part of a rational, socialist plan of production. Only then can we bring about a sustainable economy, where rising living standards are not in contradiction with protecting the planet.
In private hands, the major monopolies generate obscene levels of waste and environmental damage. Nationalised under a socialist economic plan, however, they could employ modern green technologies to slash emissions and pollution in the space of a few years, while providing quality food, shelter, education, transport and healthcare for all.
By combining the best scientific minds with the skills of workers in industry, under democratic workers’ control, we can put all of society’s technological abilities and resources at the service of humanity and the planet. The Lucas Plan from 1970s Britain shows the potential. Here, organised workers from the military and aerospace industry drew up a detailed proposal, demonstrating that the same factories, machines and employees could be retooled and redeployed to produce renewable technologies and advanced healthcare equipment, instead of missiles and arms. The workers were ultimately sold out by the parochial Labour and trade union leaders. But the creative power of the working class to plan production was demonstrated clearly.
The example of the Lucas Plan demonstrates the possibility of – and need for – a ‘climate transition’. There is no reason why a move to green industries, and the closure of polluting ones, must lead to unemployment. Workers can be retrained; factories can be refitted. But this requires public ownership, workers’ control, and an overall plan of production. Left to the market, the mothballing of obsolete industries can only lead to a permanent scar on working-class communities, as the former mining areas of Britain and the Rust Belt in the USA show.
This highlights the need for the environmental movement to link up with the labour movement. In some countries, the climate strikers have correctly reached out to the trade unions for support. Greta Thunberg herself has urged workers across the world to join students on global walkouts. Occasionally, unions have backed this call, promising to strike or protest alongside young activists. This is the correct approach. This is not just an issue for young people, but something that affects all workers.
The organised working class must be at the head of the fight against climate change. Groups such as Extinction Rebellion, however, act in such a way as to sideline the labour movement, by focusing exclusively on a strategy of direct action and publicity stunts. Their aim is to ‘raise awareness’ by gaining media attention, often by attaching themselves to buildings and transport, or shutting down roads. In one failed case, activists considered using drones to force London’s Heathrow Airport to close. But nobody from the network even thought of contacting union members in the airport, where staff (including baggage handlers and pilots) were discussing potential strike action. A strike of these workers would have paralysed the airport – and helped raise the consciousness and confidence of workers everywhere – far more effectively than the irresponsible antics of Extinction Rebellion.
Instead of these frivolous and apolitical actions, the climate movement needs to base itself on the mass mobilisation of workers and youth around clear socialist demands. The power of the organised working class, armed with a socialist programme, would be unstoppable. As the Marxists have always stated, not a lightbulb shines and not a wheel turns without the permission of the working class.
Left-wing political and social movements are on the rise around the world. The task is to take the militancy and radicalism of the student climate strikes into the wider labour movement, with workers and youth fighting together for bold socialist environmental policies. Such a programme should include demands to:
Nationalise the big energy monopolies, fossil fuel corporations and transmission networks under democratic workers’ control, taking our energy supply out of the hands of the profiteers and oil barons. Under public ownership, we could provide mass investment in renewable energy and phase out fossil fuels, whilst simultaneously cutting prices for consumers.
Expropriate the construction companies, and take the land and banks into common ownership. In this way, we could undertake a mass public programme of insulating existing homes and building new, high-quality, energy-efficient social housing.
Bring all transport – ride-hailing services, railways, metro networks, buses, trams, airlines, and shipping – into public ownership. Replace the current chaos with a green, high-quality, wide-ranging, coordinated, integrated, and free public transport system. Nationalise the car manufacturers and aerospace industry under workers’ control in order to invest in green vehicles and aeroplanes.
Put all natural resources – including the land, mines, rivers, and forests – under public ownership and democratic control. Capitalism and imperialism must not be allowed to ravage and ransack the planet for the sake of profit. Implement a mass worldwide programme of reforestation and flood defence construction.
Kick big business out of the universities. Research and development should be publicly-funded, democratically decided, and orientated towards the needs of society and the planet, not the profits of multinational corporations.
Implement democratic workers’ control and management in all nationalised industries and public services, with a worker-led Lucas Plan model to transition from polluting sectors into green industries and jobs.
Far from ignoring the question of the environment, Marx and Engels took a deep interest in the subject. But their conclusion then, as ours is now, was that ending the destruction of the natural world would never be possible under a system where capitalist anarchy reigns. A harmonious development between humanity and nature is only possible on the basis of a conscious, socialist plan, as Engels explains:
“Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human conquest over nature. For each such conquest takes its revenge on us. Each of them, it is true, has in the first place the consequences on which we counted, but in the second and third places it has quite different, unforeseen effects which only too often cancel out the first...Thus at every step we are reminded that we by no means rule over nature like a conqueror over a foreign people, like someone standing outside nature — but that we, with flesh, blood, and brain, belong to nature, and exist in its midst, and that all our mastery of it consists in the fact that we have the advantage over all other beings of being able to know and correctly apply its laws.”
Only with the socialist transformation of society can we satisfy the needs of the majority in harmony with the environment, instead of generating profits for a parasitical minority. The science and technology exist to deal with climate change. But under capitalism, these forces are destroying planet earth, not saving it. Socialism or barbarism: that is the future before us.
IMT theses on the climate crisis 22 Jun 2020
The climate struggle goes on: socialism is the solution! 1 Oct 2019
The fight continues as Marxists join another global climate strike! 30 Sep 2019
Marxists join biggest-ever climate strike: for system change, not climate change! 26 Sep 2019
The real fire devouring the Amazon, Chiquitanía and Gran Chaco is capitalism 10 Sep 2019
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Archive for the ‘2011 aid from South Korea’ Category
Yonhap publishes table of ROK aid to DPRK
From 2001 until 2013.
Here is the source.
Posted in 2011 aid from South Korea, 2012 aid from South Korea, 2013 aid from South Korea, Foreign aid statistics, International Aid, South Korea, Statistics | Comments Closed
South Korean firms losing money in the DPRK
According to the Hankyoreh:
South Korean businesses have suffered losses of up to ten trillion won (US$8.3 billion) from the cutbacks in inter-Korean economic cooperation under the Lee Myung-bak administration, figures show.
The losses taken by South Korean firms are fives times the 1.8 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) North Korea’s estimated losses. The results show an unintended effect of Seoul’s May 24 sanctions, which were meant to punish North Korea economically for the shooting death of a tourist at the Mt. Kumkang resort, the sinking of the Cheonan warship, and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. North Korea has offset these losses with increased cooperation with China.
Read more below…
Posted in 2011 aid from South Korea, China, Economic reform, Foreign direct investment, International Aid, International trade, Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), Mt. Kumgang Tourist Special Zone, RoK Ministry of Unification, South Korea, Special Economic Zones (Established before 2013), Statistics, Trade Statistics | 1 Comment »
South Korea vaccinates 4 million children in DPRK
South Korea has helped vaccinate nearly 4 million North Korean children against hepatitis B over the past two years despite tensions on the Korean Peninsula, a German relief agency official has said.
South Korea has provided vaccines worth US$2.37 million to North Korea from 2010 to February 2012 through Caritas Germany as part of its medical aid to the impoverished country, said Wolfgang Gerstner, a consultant of Caritas Germany.
Here is a little information on Hepatitis B:
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis B infection can be spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone who already has a hepatitis B infection.
Infection can be spread through:
1. Blood transfusions (not common in the United States)
2. Direct contact with blood in health care settings
3. Sexual contact with an infected person
4. Tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles or instruments
5. Shared needles during drug use
6. Shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers) with an infected person
7. The hepatitis B virus can be passed to an infant during childbirth if the mother is infected.
Posted in 2011 aid from South Korea, 2012 aid from South Korea, Disease prevention, Foreign aid statistics, Health care, International Aid, Statistics | Comments Closed
DPRK rejects ROK food aid
Following the US – DPRK nuclear / food deal announced at the end of February, the DPRK has decided to reject humanitarian assistance from private South Korean organizations. According to Yonhap:
North Korea has apparently decided not to accept humanitarian aid by South Korea’s private relief agencies that comes with monitoring, aid officials here said Monday.
North Korea has said it will only accept “pure” humanitarian aid from South Korea, in an apparent rejection of aid with strings attached, an aide official said of his recent contact with his North Korean counterpart.
Another South Korean private aid official also made a similar comment. The two spoke on condition of anonymity, citing policy.
The North’s move came as North Korean and U.S. officials held talks in Beijing last week to work out details of 240,000 tons of U.S. food aid reached in their recent nuclear deal.
South Korea has called for monitoring of its food aid to the North to ensure that the aid reaches its intended beneficiaries in the isolated country.
In November, North Korea allowed a South Korean official to travel to the North for a rare monitoring of flour aid by a South Korean private organization.
Last year, South Korean civic groups donated nearly 3,000 tons of flour to North Korea and some of the civic groups sent monitors to the North to try to ensure the transparency of the distribution of their food aid.
Despite the North’s alleged rejection of aid with strings attached, a private aid official said his group plans to send food aid to the North this year.
“We plan to conduct monitoring in an appropriate manner through consultations with North Korea,” the official said. He asked not to be identified, citing policy.
The North has relied on international handouts since the late 1990s when it suffered a massive famine that was estimated to have killed 2 million people.
N. Korea said to reject S. Korean food aid with strings attached
Posted in 2011 aid from South Korea, 2012 aid from South Korea, Food, International Aid, South Korea | Comments Closed
2011 ROK aid to the DPRK
UPDATE 32 (2012-1-27): According to an article in the New York Times, inter-Korean trade and aid declined in 2011:
On Friday, the South’s Unification Ministry said that South Korean aid to the North fell to 19.6 billion won, or $17.5 million, last year [2011], down more than 51 percent from a year earlier [2010].
Inter-Korean trade fell by more than 10 percent [from 2010 to 2011] to about $1.5 million in 2011, the ministry said.
UPDATE 31 (2011-12-10): According to the Korea Times, the potential food aid is not being auctioned off. It is being sent to South America. According to the article:
Seoul will send baby food originally offered as aid to North Korea to El Salvador following Pyongyang’s refusal to accept delivery, to help the South American country deal with damaging floods, officials said Friday.
The delivery consists of 190,000 packs of baby food that were part of a $4.4 million flood aid package to the North, which the Stalinist regime rejected two months ago amid high tension.
It was slated to depart from the port city of Busan via cargo ship for El Salvador, which has appealed for help to deal with floods that displaced tens of thousands earlier this year.
Seoul offered the aid, which also included biscuits and instant noodles, to help the North deal with torrential summer rains. But Pyongyang demanded cement and equipment instead and eventually shunned the offer altogether.
The rerouting of the items underscores lingering tension despite efforts to warm ties and eventually resume regional dialogue on dismantling the North’s nuclear program. Regional players want the situation on the peninsula to improve before the talks begin.
Pyongyang’s silence over the aid put a damper on the early signs of improvement. President Lee Myung-bak has been exercising a softer line since September, when he tapped close aide Yu Woo-ik as unification minister, including expanding humanitarian activities and cultural exchanges.
But the North, apparently seeking rice and other forms of massive aid, has recently slammed the flexible policy as political pandering to the South Korean public, which is gearing up for elections next year.
Such remarks come even as the unification ministry continues to approve northbound aid, including $5.65 million worth for infants, children and pregnant women through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Consultations are ongoing over how to provide more of the baby food. Seoul has also attempted to auction some of it off through a government website.
The North Korean regime is thought to be doing all it can to secure food and other handouts ahead of next April, when it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder Kim Il-sung. Watchers say that the North is liable to alternate pressure and peace offensives to secure as much aid as it can through inter-Korean and multilateral channels.
UPDATE 30 (2011-12-6): According to the Korean Herald the first auction of potential food aid (See Update 27 below) did not go so well, so Seoul is trying again:
South Korea plans a second attempt to auction off baby food originally intended for North Korean children, officials said Tuesday.
The move comes after nobody bid for 540,000 packs of baby food on Onbid, an auction Web site run by the state-run Korea Asset Management Corp.
South Korea plans to issue a second public notice and adjust the prices, said an official handling the issue at the Unification Ministry. He did not elaborate on further details.
The baby food is part of 5 billion won ($4.4 million) worth of emergency relief aid South Korea had planned to ship to North Korean flood victims earlier this year.
South Korea dropped that plan in October after differences between the two Koreas on the items to be sent. South Korea had insisted it would deliver baby food, biscuits and instant noodles to the North, instead of the cement and equipment its communist neighbor had requested.
Separately, South Korea has been in talks with local private relief agencies over how to donate another 290,000 packs of baby food to other countries, according to another ministry official.
She declined to give further details, saying consultations are taking place.
UPDATE 29 (2011-12-5): The South Koreans will donate US$5.65 million to the DPRK via UNICEF. Accoring to Yonhap:
South Korea said Monday it will donate US$5.65 million (about 6.5 billion won) for humanitarian projects in North Korea through the U.N. body responsible for the rights of children.
The donation to the United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, will benefit about 1.46 million infants, children and pregnant women in North Korea, according to the Unification Ministry, which is in charge of relations with the North.
Seoul’s contribution will be used to provide vaccines and other medical supplies as well as to treat malnourished children next year, said the ministry.
There have been concerns that a third of all North Korean children under five are chronically malnourished and that many more children are at risk of slipping into acute stages of malnutrition unless targeted assistance is sustained.
“The decision is in line with the government’s basic stance of maintaining its pure humanitarian aid projects for vulnerable people regardless of political situation,” Unification Ministry spokesman Choi Boh-seon told reporters.
South Korea has been seeking flexibility in its policies toward the North to try to improve their strained relations over the North’s two deadly attacks on the South last year.
South Korea donated $20 million for humanitarian projects in North Korea through the UNICEF between 1996 and 2009.
Last month, the South also resumed some $6.94 million worth of medical aid to the impoverished communist country through the World Health Organization.
Separately, South Korea also decided to give 2.7 billion won ($2.3 million) to a foundation to help build emergency medical facilities in an industrial complex in the North Korean border city of Kaesong.
More than 47,000 North Koreans work at about 120 South Korean firms operating in the industrial zone to produce clothes, utensils, watches and other goods. The project serves as a key legitimate cash cow for the impoverished communist country.
UPDATE 28 (2011-12-1): Distribution of private aid monitored in N.Korea. According to the Hankyoreh:
“North Koreans know that the wheat flour aid they received came from South Korea.”
These were the words of Cho Joong-hoon, director of the Unification Ministry’s humanitarian assistance division, during a meeting with reporters Wednesday at the Central Governmental Complex in Seoul upon his return from a recent visit to North Korea to monitor the distribution of aid.
“The name of the South Korean private aid group, the manufacturing company, the date, and the address were all printed on the packages of flour,” Cho said.
Arriving in North Korea on Sunday with Kim Min-ha, co-chairman of the private group Ambassadors for Peace, and three others, Cho visited three sites to observe the distribution of the 300 tons of flour provided in aid. The site were the Namchol Kindergarten, February 16 Refinery Kindergarten, and Tongmun Nursery in Chongju, North Pyongan.
It was the first visit to any part of North Korea besides Kaseong and Mt. Kumkang by a government official in the one year since the Yeonpyeong Island artillery attack on Nov. 23, 2010.
Cho said that the distribution, storage, preparation, and supply of the flour were monitored and that everything was confirmed to be proceeding as planned.
On the situation on the ground, Cho said, “Judging simply from the nursery and two kindergartens, the children’s nutritional condition does not appear to be good.” Cho noted that no heating was being supplied to the facilities despite the cold weather.
Cho said that while North Korean authorities did not official request food aid, a request was made under unofficial circumstances.
Cho also noted that construction efforts were under way on a highway connecting Pyongyang with Sinuiju.
“It is not very far from Pyongyang to Chongju, but I think the trip took about four hours because of the detour around the highway construction,” he said.
Analysts said this appears to be linked to hurried infrastructure building efforts, including highway servicing and construction, amid recent moves by North Korea to rebuild its economy through a stronger economic partnership with China.
UPDATE 27 (2011-11-29): Seoul auctions off “unwanted” DPRK food assistance. According ot the Korea Times:
South Korea has taken steps to auction off some baby food originally intended for North Korean children, an official said Tuesday.
The move comes nearly two months after South Korea dropped a plan to send 5 billion won ($4.3 million) worth of aid to North Korean flood victims, citing no response from the North as the reason for the change of plan.
South Korea had insisted it would deliver baby food, biscuits and instant noodles to the North instead of cement and equipment requested by the North.
South Korea’s Red Cross, which handles relief aid to the North, gave public notice of a bid for 540,000 packs of baby food on Onbid, an auction website run by the state-run Korea Asset Management Corp.
Separately, South Korea has been in talks with local private relief agencies over how to donate the other 290,000 packs of baby food to foreign countries.
Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik has ruled out rice aid to the communist country unless Pyongyang admits to last year’s deadly provocations.
South Korea suspended unconditional aid in 2008 and imposed sanctions on the North last year in retaliation for the sinking of a South Korean warship that was blamed on the North.
The North has denied involvement in the sinking that killed 46 sailors. It also shelled a South Korean border island in November 2010, killing four South Koreans.
Still, South Korea has selectively allowed religious and private aid groups to deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to North Korea.
Also on Tuesday, a Unification Ministry official and four civilians were to return home after a rare trip to the North aimed at ensuring that South Korea’s recent private aid had reached its intended beneficiaries.
UPDATE 26 (2011-11-25): According to Yonhap, ROK officials are traveling to the DPRK to monitor food aid:
A South Korean official and four civilians left for North Korea on Friday on a rare mission to ensure that recent aid from Seoul had reached its intended beneficiaries, an official said.
The trip comes a day after North Korea threatened to turn South Korea’s presidential office into “a sea of fire” in anger over Seoul’s massive military maneuvers near the tense sea border.
The Unification Ministry official and four civilians were to arrive in the North’s capital later Friday via Beijing, according to the Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.
It is first time that North Korea has allowed a South Korean official to travel to the isolated country to monitor aid since a conservative government took power in Seoul in 2008.
They are scheduled to visit a day care center and two other child care facilities in the northwestern city of Jongju to monitor how 300 tons of flour were distributed to children and other recipients, according to a civic group.
Ambassadors for Peace Association, a civic group that is partly funded by the Unification Group, donated the flour to Jongju, the birthplace of Unification Church founder Moon Sun-myung.
The civic group said the monitors also plan to discuss details on another 300 tons of flour aid before returning home Tuesday. Some members of the civic group are associated with the controversial Unification Church.
Read previous posts on the ROK’s aid to the DPRK in 2011 below:
Posted in 2011 aid from South Korea, Disease prevention, Epidemics, Eugene Bell Foundation, Foreign aid statistics, Health care, International Aid, Pharmaceuticals, South Korea, Statistics, USA | 4 Comments »
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Dr Strangelove, Leo Szilard & the Doomsday Men: On the 50th Anniversary
31 January 2014 | Atomic Age, atomic bomb, C-bomb, cold war, Doomsday Machine, Doomsday Men, Dr Strangelove, H-bomb, Kubrick, mad scientist, My Books, nuclear weapons, scientists, SF, Szilard, Teller, Watching the Detectives, WMD | One comment
It’s the fiftieth anniversary of the release of one of my favourite films – Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Described by the director as a satire about a ‘nuclear Wise Man’, it was co-written by Peter George, the British author of the 1958 novel on which the film is based, Red Alert, published under his pen name, Peter Bryant. In Britain the novel was called Two Hours to Doom.
Kubrick read George’s thriller in October 1961, the month Soviet scientists tested the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated. On 30 October at 08.30 GMT, scientists in Europe detected what was described as ‘the biggest man-made explosion on record’. Newsweek described the superbomb as ‘Khrushchev’s monster’. On an aerial photo of Manhattan Island, the magazine mapped the extent of its awesome destructive power. The bomb had a yield of at least 50 megatons. It would blast a crater at least a mile wide and would level buildings up to ten miles from ground zero. New York with its proud skyscrapers would be reduced to a radioactive wasteland.
Later, scientists said that the Russians had modified the bomb for the test; if it was ever used in war it would explode with a force of 100 megatons. The Hiroshima bomb was a mere 12.5 kilotons. The Soviets nicknamed their superweapon the Tsar Bomba, ‘King of Bombs’. Andrei Sakharov, who designed it under direct orders from Khrushchev, called it simply the Big Bomb. The detonation of the Tsar Bomba made Kubrick even more determined to make a movie about nuclear war. He had become obsessed with the subject.
Kubrick and George’s film was well received when it was finally released in January 1964 – the press screening of Dr Strangelove was originally due to take place on 22 November 1963, the day of President Kennedy’s assassination. The New York Times panned the movie as a ‘shattering sick joke’. But Sight and Sound said it demonstrated how ‘power politics have become a Frankenstein monster which one little error can send out of control’. Their critic praised it as ‘the most hilariously funny and the most nightmarish film of the year’. For the New Statesman it was a ‘mesmeric’ film that set out ‘to create its own category or genre.’ Despite Peregrine Worsthorne in the Sunday Telegraph likening Kubrick’s portrayal of Americans to Soviet propaganda, the film was hugely popular with moviegoers who ‘ringed the block’ at the Columbia cinema in London. The cinema even had to put on special late screenings at 11 p.m. each night. Ticket sales were 25 per cent higher than for any other film the Columbia had shown, and The Times reported that ‘all house records have been broken’.
Of course, it is the figure of the mad scientist, Dr Strangelove, that has helped make the film so memorable. Peter Sellers succeeds wonderfully in fusing together the traits of the real-life, and indeed fictional, figures on which he is based. Through the alchemy of film-making, Kubrick and Sellers created cinematic gold in the figure of Dr Strangelove.
The so-called father of the H-Bomb Edward Teller, Hitler’s rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun and the hawkish, wheel-chair-bound mathematician John von Neumann were all key players in the sciences of destruction. The references to Peenemünde and the concentration camps in the film’s novelization make it abundantly clear that von Braun was Peter George’s main model for Dr Strangelove. However, his words are those of the man who had worked with and admired both Teller and von Neumann: Herman Kahn, the physicist and futurologist who popularized the idea of the doomsday machine. He was the personification of the military intellectual – detached and coldly rational. Like the four riders of the apocalypse, these figures come together in the unforgettable character of Dr Strangelove, the ultimate doomsday man.
For the historian and cultural commentator Lewis Mumford, responding to the New York Times’ panning of the film, Kubrick’s masterstroke was to make Dr Strangelove ‘the central symbol of this scientifically organized nightmare of mass extermination’. For Mumford, the tragedy of the age they were living in was eloquently expressed by the manic figure of this fanatical rationalist:
‘This nightmare eventuality that we have concocted for our children is nothing but a crazy fantasy, by nature as horribly crippled and dehumanized as Dr Strangelove himself.’
He concluded by hailing Kubrick’s film as ‘the first break in the catatonic cold-war trance that has so long held our country in its rigid grip.’
Mumford was absolutely right to identify Kubrick’s film as a crucial moment in the culture of the cold war. For people all over the world, Dr Strangelove soon came to personify the sinister alliance of science and power politics that made it possible to annihilate millions at the touch of a button. Dr Strangelove’s logic could transform acts of inhumanity into practical solutions, his rhetoric clothed barbarity in sweet words of reason, and his think tanks – such as the ‘Bland Corporation’ (an allusion to Herman Kahn’s RAND Corporation) – used computers to transform lives into numbers. For numbers, as Kahn once said, are something you can think the unthinkable about.
Dr Strangelove ends with an awesome display of mushroom clouds erupting across the face of the earth, as the cobalt bombs of the Soviet doomsday machine explode. News footage of H-bomb tests is accompanied by British forces’ favourite Vera Lynn singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’. The brutal reality – fully understood by the film’s audience in 1964 – was that there would be no reunions after World War III.
The age of saviour scientists and winning weapons – familiar themes in the popular culture of the first half of the 20th century – was dead. Nuclear war in the age of the Tsar Bomba could have only one outcome: mutual annihilation. It was exactly this point that the pioneering nuclear scientist Leo Szilard had made during a radio broadcast in February 1950, when he first conjured up the spectre of the cobalt bomb, a weapon that could destroy life on Earth. It was this idea that Peter George later used in Red Alert.
In the 1960s, a new generation began to reject a life reduced to numbers and to look for answers beyond science and rationality. This generation no longer felt comfortable with the easy post-war certainties that their parents had accepted without question. For those who grew up in an age haunted by the Strangelovean cobalt bomb, the old ways of looking at the world seemed to lead to a dead end – to doomsday.
There’s another 50th anniversary this year, and that’s the death on 30 May 1964 of Leo Szilard. He was a brilliant though often infuriating man, bursting with original ideas on everything from science to politics and even fiction. He was, said one colleague, the greatest scientist never to have won a Nobel prize.
In 1933, while walking down Southampton Row in London he had seen how a self-sustaining atomic chain reaction could lead to an explosive release of nuclear energy. A close friend of Albert Einstein (they even designed a refrigerator together), it was Szilard who encouraged the great physicist to write to President Roosevelt in August 1939 warning of the possibility that Nazi Germany might develop an atomic superweapon. Leo Szilard was inspired by a utopian vision of how science and scientists could transform the world, but he was also haunted by a fear of how people might misuse this power. His life epitomizes the glories and follies of twentieth-century science and history.
I told the remarkable story of Leo Szilard and his nuclear hopes and fears, examined through the lens of popular culture, in my book Doomsday Men published seven years ago. I think it remains relevant, both as an exploration of our ambivalence towards science and scientists, and as a history of weapons of mass destruction. Today, cold-war tensions may have faded from the public mind and the media may be preoccupied with global warming, but the weapons are still out there, and the doomsday men are still at work developing new ones.
Few if any authors write for the money. I do it because I love books – both reading them and writing them. Doomsday Men and my last book, City: A Guidebook for the Urban Age, took at least three years to research and write. The book I’m now working on – a cultural history of crime, detectives and cities – will also take at least that long. Nowadays advances from publishers are extremely modest (I’m being polite; stronger words occur to me). You couldn’t live on them for a year, let alone three. I’m not an academic, so I scrape a living together by reviewing and editing.
There’s a lot of talk nowadays about crowdfunding new books and arts projects. That’s fine but the best way I know of supporting an author whose work you enjoy is to buy their books, and that includes their backlist too. So if you’ve enjoyed reading this brief post, which of course is based on what I wrote in my book Doomsday Men, then you might like to consider reading the whole book.
You can buy absurdly cheap copies of it now on Amazon (I don’t know who profits from these; certainly not the author) or if you really want to support me and my writing you might like to consider buying the e-book. You can buy it direct from Penguin (ePub) or from Amazon in the UK (Kindle), or Barnes & Noble (Nook) in the US.
Thank you for reading. Now go and watch Kubrick’s amazing film!
One comment so far:
Aglitter This Week: Paleo Poo, Contentious Comb Jellies, Dead Butterflies, et alia. | David Dobbs's NEURON CULTURE | 31 January 2014
[...] Dr Strangelove, Leo Szilard & the Doomsday Men: On the 50th Anniversary Delicious essay with background to Dr. Strangelove, one of my favorite films and a classic of the Cold War (and cinema), from P.D. Smith, author of Doomsday Men (and the wonderful CITY). Among other gems: the film was originally scheduled to open on November 22, 1963 — the day Kennedy was assassinated. This is wonderful writing stuff with fascinating things. [...]
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POLLY O'KEARY AND THE RHYTHM METHOD
Our Backers!
Polly O'Keary
Tommy Cook
A century ago, blues was born in the fields of the South, played on porches and in little backwoods bars by kerosene lamp. The times have changed, and it’s a rare blues musician who grew up picking cotton and going home to learn to play by the light of a kerosene lamp.
Polly O’Keary certainly didn’t. Well, that is, she didn’t pick cotton. She picked apples. But she learned to read music by kerosene lamp, in a log cabin in a remote part of Washington State. She started playing in ex-pat bars in Mexico at 16, and Eastern Washington watering holes for rural farm workers at the age of 17. She dropped out of school with an 8th grade education, married a prison-bound man at the age of 18 and by the time she was 21 had logged more stage hours than most musicians twice her age. She’d drunk as much as a fair number of them as well.
At 28, upon seeing Jeff Healey at a friend’s bar in Canada, she became obsessed with blues, studying and practicing the genre until carpel tunnel syndrome temporarily rendered her hands nearly immobile, and she quickly came to the attention of the Pacific Northwest blues scene with her powerful and emotional voice and her frenetic stage presence.
Today, she’s a PhD student, a world-traveled bassist, one of Washington State’s most highly-awarded female blues singers and songwriters (six-time Washington Blues Society Best Female Vocalist, four-time Best Blues Songwriter, etc.), doesn’t drink at all, and no longer visits lovers in prisons. But her music reflects the life of a modern blues woman; she’s seen the river rise and take everything more than once, and lived to laugh, sing, and write music about it.
Polly O’Keary is today’s blues woman, rooted in tradition, but informed by the 21st Century. Pulling in influences from zydeco, country, funk, jazz, rockabilly, surf and rock and roll, she and her trio, Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method, bring a searing and joyful performance of today’s blues to audiences across the U.S. and Canada.
Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method is the trio she built with her husband and drummer Tommy Cook, also a highly sought touring drummer and winner of the 2017 Washington Blues Society Blues Drummer award, with whom she shared rhythm section duties for international touring act Too Slim and the Taildraggers for four years.
Rounding out the trio is David Miller, who grew up listening to blues in Texas. At 17, then living in California, Miller met a piano player who was then working for Tommy Castro. The older musician recruited Miller to come play at several bars, and assured the young man that he could get him in, underage though he was. Miller became a regular in clubs in the Bay Area, sitting in with local and touring acts night after night. At 25, then living in San Luis Obispo, he assembled The Dave Miller Band, and for the next 18 years, he and the group went on to become one of Southern California’s most popular blues bands, leading one reviewer to describe his “jaw-dropping guitar licks” and praise his “extraordinary mixture of inspiring virtuosity both vocally and instrumentally.”
Critics love Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method’s 2017 album Black Crow Callin’, which has been in the Top 20 on Roots Music Report’s blues rock chart since its May 1 radio release:
“A power blues trio in the finest sense of the term- guitarist David Miller is a revelation. The songwriting is consistently strong and catchy without ever losing its driving edge”-Chameleon Fire
“Polly O’Keary is a powerhouse blues/rock singer whose voice has the resonance and attitude that permeates her impressive bass playing” -Blues in Britain
“O’Keary is a great songwriter and The Rhythm Method is a great band” –Making a Scene
“A powerful voice, full of the primitive force of the blues” –Historia Del Blues
“O’Keary is a powerful singer- a primal force…mastery of the groove is everything- if you don’t have that you’re missing the point, and Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method have it down cold…extremely cool” Gonzo Okanagan
“Excellent musicians…David Miller is an ace of the Stratocaster…” Blues Again
“Just listen to the monster bass playing…” Blues in the South
“Polly O’Keary strong voice is an instrument in itself. With such a tight backing band, this is release is a must!”-Key and Chords
“It’s unanimous, we love Black Crow Callin’, in which Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method put finesse and talent, as well as all their passion and energy. Essential!” – Zicazac,
“Miller’s guitar work is outstanding. Their songs are powerful self-expressions…” Professor Johnny P
“She is a great bassist (and soloist!) besides being an excellent singer, Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method deserve your attention,” Rootstime
“Polly has a voice equally at home screamin’ and cryin’, shoutin’ and testifyin! As it is with all great musicians, Polly O’Keary pulls out all the stops with her clever, topical original songwriting and first-class musicianship for ‘Black Crow Callin’.’ This set is primal, passionate blues from a woman who’s seen hardship first-hand and come out on the other side!” Don and Sheryl’s Blues Blog.
“With powerful pipes like Bonnie Raitt and Etta James, bass licks worthy of Sir Paul or Sting, and a musical chemistry that is head and shoulders above many other bands, these cats have come to sing. They immediately grab your attention from the first note of the album, and never let up… The combination of rich guitar and bass riffs and soaring blues vocals creates music that will stimulate your senses and make you want to move. Get out and get it and thank us later.” LA Music Critic
“Blues from the heart, full of enthusiasm and life experience,” Rudolf’s Music.
“This hard hitting, primal blues rocker knows her mind and heart…O'Keary can blaze her own trail and beat all comers to the finish line…Excellent stuff.” –Midwest Record.
© 2020 Polly O'Keary and The Rhythm Method. All rights reserved.
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Rihanna Voted Sexiest Woman of the Year, Happy Brown Found Success
Rucuss staffOctober 12, 2011
Singer Rihanna has been named the 2011 sexiest woman alive by Esquire.
Esquire selected Rihanna for her pursuit of “carnal pop” world domination. The 23-year old Barbados bombshell strips nude for the November cover of the magazine, which hits newsstands on Oct. 16.
Its been quite a year for Rihanna. She just bested Madonna to become the fastest solo artist to chart 20 songs inside its Hot 100 top 10. Her latest single, “We Found Love,” is her 20th song to hit the Top 10 since she debuted in 2005.
In her interview with Esquire, Rihanna told the mag that her appeal is more subconscious than deliberate.
“At the end of a concert, I don’t feel like I’ve been this sexy thing,” she says. “Really, I don’t even think about it.”
Rihanna also shares her thoughts about ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, who physically assaulted her in February 2009. She says she resented Brown for a time, but has put that behind her and is happy that he has found success in music again.
“It was too much anger,” she said. “I’m really excited to see the breakthrough he’s had in his career. “I would never wish anything horrible for him. Never. I never have.”
Brown, 21, is serving five years of probation after pleading guilty to felony assault for the attack on Rihanna in the early morning hours before the 2009 Grammys. “Graffiti,” the album he released 10 months after the attack, was a commercial disappointment. But his latest release, “F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies),” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in March.
“It’s incredible to see how he pulled out the way he did. Even when the world seemed like it was against him, you know?” Rihanna said. “I really like the music he’s putting out. I’m a fan of his stuff. I’ve always been a fan.”
Check out her photos from the Esquire shoot.
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I have this odd obsession with 1977. It has to do with it being the year STAR WARS first came out in theaters and how I always imagine people trying to choose between that and any of the many other films they could have seen and how a lot of them chose to see STAR WARS two or three times as opposed to seeing something new. As a result, I feel like a lot of 1977 films got overlooked. At the top of the list is William Friedkin's SORCERER which I think may be my favorite movie from that year. Below is a list of others that I also enjoy very much...
THE LATE SHOW (1977; Robert Benton)
One of my absolute favorites and a nice compliment to something like THE LONG GOODBYE in that Altman was a producer on it, so it has a little bit of his vibe while still being more of a straight ahead story. It stars Art Carney as an aging detective who ends up on a case to help Lily Tomlin find her missing cat and as you might expect, it's not nearly as simple as hanging signs and a trip to the local animal shelter. Things go dark and strange in spots as the mismatched duo delved deeper and deeper into a not so nice underworld filled with shady characters and murder.
HANDLE WITH CARE aka CITIZEN'S BAND (1977; Jonathan Demme)
We lost a great filmmaker in Jonathan Demme this year and he made a ton of excellent films throughout the course of his career. This one is missed often as it has not been widely available for folks to dig in and enjoy. While it may seem rather dated now, CB technology was quite a big deal back when this movie came out and it ends up being the thing that connects a disparate group of oddball characters played by Paul LeMat (who would star in Demme's MELVIN AND HOWARD a few years later), Candy Clark, Bruce McGill, Charles Napier, Roberts Blossom, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Northup and more. In some ways, the film parallels the prominent use of social media today in that a lot of the characters take on different aliases in the CB world. Very interesting entry for Demme and I do hope it get's a decent release on disc some time soon.
BETWEEN THE LINES (1977; Joan Micklin Silver)
I love me some Joan Micklin Silver movies and this one is in dire need of some attention as it's not gotten much in the way of home video releases (much like CITIZEN'S BAND). The movie deals with an underground newspaper in Boston that is currently staffed by a bunch of aging 60s radicals and what they have to go through when the paper looks like it may be sold to a larger conglomerate. Cast is stellar and includes John Heard (in a great turn prior to his roles in CHILLY SCENES OF WINTER and CUTTER'S WAY), Lindsay Crouse, Jeff Goldblum, Jill Eikenberry, Bruno Kirby, Gwen Welles, Michael J. Pollard, Joe Morton, Lane Smith and Marilu Henner.
ONE ON ONE (1977; Lamont Johnson)
One of my all-time favorite sports films and the place where my lifelong crush on Annette O'Toole began. Robby Benson plays an outstanding high school basketball player who discovers he's in way over his head when he gets a scholarship and goes to a big city university. His less than patient coach is played with remarkable dickishness by G.D. Spradlin and Annette plays the gal who he may be falling for as she tutors him with his classwork. Great (if dated) score/songs by Seals & Crofts (with lyrics by the great Paul Williams).
ROLLERCOASTER (1977; James Goldstone)
One of my favorite films from the epic Disaster film cycle of the 1970s and I can't even really explain why. It has to do with the amusement parks that play prominently in the film certainly as well as the casting of both George Segal and Richard Widmark. Timothy Bottoms also plays an solid psycho creep too so that helps. This movie inevitable makes me think of summer and hence I discussed it on our "Summer" episode of the Pure Cinema Podcast:
http://www.rupertpupkinspeaks.com/2017/07/pure-cinema-podcast-movie-recap-episode.html
THE PACK (1977; Robert Clouse)
This is favorite in the "animals attack" genre for me for sure. A small tourist-y island is overrun by a pack of wild dogs and Joe Don Baker (playing a scientist?!) must deal with them. It's interesting in that this group of dogs is supposed to be made up of animals that were left behind by families staying there for the summer or something. There's even a scene early on of a dad and little boy having to leave their dog as they skedaddle off the island. It's a sad scene because the dad basically just ties the dog to a tree and bails. Anyway, said dog joins the titular "Pack" and becomes evil I guess. So Joe Don and great character actors L.G. Armstrong and Richard B. Schull(among others) find themselves on this island and under siege by this crazy platoon of feral varmints and must fend them off. Pretty simple plot, but nonetheless a good time. Two things I like about this movie are the director and the tagline. The director, Robert Clouse is most notable for his film ENTER THE DRAGON, but I also love him because he did DEADLY EYES. DEADLY EYES is a killer rat movie(one of the best killer rat movies I might add) and one of my favorites in this genre as well. The aforementioned tagline is: "They're not pets anymore." and I think that couldn't be more perfect.
THE DEATH OF RICHIE (1977; Paul Wendkos)
Another Robbie Benson headliner - with him starring as a mixed up teen who turns to drugs and things start to unravel for him at home and at school. His folks are played convincingly by Ben Gazzara and Eileen Brennan and Lance "James at 15" Kerwin plays his brother. Watch for Charles Fleischer and Clint Howard as well. I first heard of this one during an interview with Vincent Gallo years ago, where he called it out as one of his personal favorites.
CANDLESHOE (1977; Norman Tokar)
Jodie Foster starred in this Disney movie with David Niven the year after she made TAXI DRIVER with Scorsese which I find very fascinating. She is part of a group of orphans that runs with an old-timey two-bit criminal named Harry Bundage (Leo McKern) who concocts a scheme to pass her off as the long lost granddaughter to a woman in England who supposedly has hoards of hidden treasure on her property. The old woman is played by Helen Hayes and Niven plays her long time butler. Why Disney had such a fascination with orphans around this time I will never fully understand, but I love Jodie Foster in this kind of streetwise scamp sort of role so I was all in as a kid. My sisters rented this one a bunch on VHS along with MIDNIGHT MADNESS (our grocery/video store had a boatload of live-action Disney films).
RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN! (1977; Bill Melendez)
This movie could also be called "Peanuts Go to Summer Camp" as that is the general vibe of it overall. It was a theatrical release as opposed to a made for television production and as a result, I feel like it played far less on TV and less people saw it. As it stands, it is one of my favorite Peanuts stories and it has to do in large part to the river rafting race that the whole gang has to go on and the mean group of kids who are trying their best to sabotage everyone else so they can win. I also talked about this one a bit in our "Summer" episode of Pure Cinema.
FIRE (1977; Earl Bellamy)
Another TV Movie - this one featuring the likes of Ernest Borgnine, Vera Miles, Patty Duke, Donna Mills, Neville Brand, Gene Evans and Erik Estrada. Basically, the whole thing starts when an escaped convict starts a small fire to cover his escape and ends up threatening to set an entire mountain town ablaze. Irwin Allen produced this one and it's kind of the same old stuff in terms of disaster movies, but what can I say - I like the same old stuff.
MOONSHINE COUNTY EXPRESS (1977; Gus Trikonis)
John Saxon runs shine for a bad guy (William Conrad) until he realizes that how bad he is and how much he is trying to mess with a group of sisters who have inherited their daddy's still (which is direct competition to the bad guys') and then he decides to help them out. Lots of crazy driving and drinking and pretty ladies (like Claudia Jennings, Maureen McCormick and Candice Rialson). Predecessor to THE DUKES OF HAZZARD though THE MOONRUNNERS with James Mitchum is more directly responsible for that.
SUPERVAN (1977; Lamar Card)
The title says it all. This one is part of the "Vansplotation" craze that cropped up during this decade and it has a special van designed by George Barris. Barris was known as "King of the Kustomizers" as he built a reputation for himself making cars and other vehicles for tons of movies and TV shows during this period. He is probably best known for having designed and built The Batmobile from the 60s TV Series, but also worked on cars for KNIGHT RIDER, MANNIX, THE BANANA SPLITS, and one of my favorites - THE CAR! There's not much to the plot in this one outside of a guy entering his crazy solar-powered van in a wacky competition called "The Freakout". This movie is quite goofy, but I enjoy it and have the poster somewhere in my collection.
Labels: Rupert Pupkin Speaks, underrated '77
Hal said...
Some faves of mine too; I'm the right age for RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN and it's still a good time even now. Of course, CITIZEN'S BAND and THE PACK are also highly rewatchable.
Underrated '77 - World B Tweet
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Sevenich, Butler, Gerlach & Brazil, Ltd.
James J Urban
Phone 651-690-1040 ext. 104
Email: jju@sbgb.com
James J. Urban, CPA
Jim is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Accounting from the University of Minnesota. He started with the firm in November 1980, joined as a partner in 1990 and became treasurer of the firm in 1997.
Jim has over 30 years experience in a broad range of areas including accounting, auditing, income and payroll taxes, financial statement preparation, and forecasts & projections. He has worked with small business in professional practices, restaurants, retail, wholesale, manufacturing and non-profit organizations. He has worked with individuals and the self employed.
Jim has worked with all areas of business planning and tax compliance. He has consulted with clients using various computer software programs including Checkbook Solutions and Quickbooks.
Jim received the 2011 & 2012 Twin Cities Five Star Wealth Manager award from Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine.
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Dr. Philip Holmes
Curator of ScholarpediaCurator Index: 2(Redirected from User:Holmes)
Princeton University, NJ, USA
Curator and author
History of dynamical systems
(2007) Philip Holmes
(2006) Philip Holmes, Eric T. Shea-Brown
Philip Holmes was born in Lincolnshire, England in 1945 and educated at the Universities of Oxford and Southampton, obtaining a PhD in Engineering in 1973. He taught at Cornell University from 1977 to 1994. Since 1994 he has been Professor of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics at Princeton University, where he directed the Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics until 1997.
Phil Holmes was the Charles N. Mellowes Professor of Engineering and Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Center for Applied Mathematics at Cornell. He was a Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholar at the California Institute of Technology in 1988-89. A former John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994. In January 2000 he held a Paul Erdos Visiting Professorship at the Paul Erdos Mathematical Center, Budapest, Hungary, and in 2001 he was elected an Honorary Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. In fall of 2006, Phil was elected Fellow of American Physical Society.
Phil Holmes has published over 200 papers, articles, and reviews, including one of the most influential book in dynamical systems "Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations of Vector Fields" (with John Guckenheimer in 1983). He is also co-author, with John L. Lumley and Gal Berkooz, of a monograph on low dimensional models of turbulence; with Florin Diacu, of Celestial Encounters: an historical account of the people and ideas at the roots of 'chaos theory,' and, with Robert Ghrist and Michael Sullivan, of a monograph on knotted orbits in three-dimensional flows. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Nonlinear Science, Regular and Chaotic Motion, the SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems, Applied Mathematics Research eXpress, and the Springer Verlag Applied Mathematical Sciences and Texts in Applied Mathematics book series.
Phil Holmes was a featured author of Scholarpedia in January of 2007.
List of previous featured authors.
Personal webpage: http://www.princeton.edu/mae/people/faculty/holmes/
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"...been wadin' through the high muddy water"
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Muddy Water Magazine
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A Master Thief
The ‘Borrowings’ of Bob Dylan
By Will Brennan
"Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different." T.S. Eliot, from The Sacred Wood: Essays on Poetry and Criticism / Phillip Massinger
It was to be the most important and formative moment of Bob Dylan’s early
life as a songwriter, and, as it turned out, his entire songwriting career. It was January, 1961, the “coldest winter in seventeen years,” and Dylan had just moved to New York City, another one of the ragged minstrels drawn to Greenwich Village seeking their fame and fortune in the burgeoning new folk music scene. Bob had a secondary purpose in mind, however, in his move to New York. It brought him close to New Jersey, where his idol, Woody Guthrie, terminally ill with Huntington’s disease, was staying, at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.
As soon as he got himself settled in New York, Dylan made the trip to New Jersey with some friends, showed up at the hospital and asked to see Guthrie. He was allowed to see Woody, and Dylan talked with his idol, played him songs, and apparently Guthrie, who was severely debilitated, was happy for his young disciple’s company. Guthrie took a liking to Bob and Dylan continued to visit Guthrie periodically. During one of the visits, Woody gave Dylan songwriting advice, advice that would profoundly shape the approach Dylan has used in the art and crafting of songs ever since.
Guthrie told him to steal. He passed on to the impressionable young songwriter the long held folk tradition of taking a song that already exists, changing the melody around a little, putting some new words to it and presto - new song. In
the traveling troubadour days, singers would carry the news from town to town
in the songs they sang, the walking telegraphs or newspapers of the times. Ballads would tell of battles, famous criminals, heroes, iconic romances, and all of it was part of the folkloric stream – songs got passed along this way. Along their travels, the songs were regularly changed by the next troubadour who encountered them – local stories replaced the far-off ones, a different cast of heroes and villains took over the lead roles in the dramas, maybe the songwriter would just change something slightly because he liked it better that way. Over time, like in the game of telephone, the end result ended up being, if not entirely new, at least quite different. Woody Guthrie understood this, that it was a well practiced method
of song creation, and it was this gem of knowledge that he bestowed on Dylan.
Dylan, from his side, was already practiced at stealing. When he was sixteen,
the teenaged Bobby Zimmerman had copied the lyrics of a song of Hank Snow’s, “Little Buddy,” changing a few slightly, and presented it as his own to his camp newsletter. This “original” page of Dylan handwritten lyrics came up for sale recently at Christie’s auction house, until it was discovered that the lyrics were
in fact Hank Snow’s. The song had been recorded by Snow eleven years before Dylan presented it as his own in the camp newsletter, but most of the kids at camp no doubt hadn't heard it. This is a perfect template for his later, more refined practices, where he rescues obscure, forgotten, cast-off material from the past and reclaims it as his own. With a blessing from his mentor to do what he’d already been thinking of, Dylan freely began to use this method from the very beginning - he used it to insure his outbreak as an important songwriter. Bob was just doing what all folk artists historically had done. It made him what he became – many other singers were certainly better and other notable songwriting peers
of Dylan’s were at least as poetic and clever, but they lacked this ace in the hole that he had, which was the complete conviction that is was not only good to absorb then steal, it had the approval of one of the greatest songwriters of the time – it was how Woody did it. Guthrie gave Dylan the blessing to utilize, appropriate and reshape an inexhaustible well of material – every song that had gone before him.
Historically, this was nothing new. Shakespeare based many of his plays on previously written plays or stories, improving on them in his own versions.
The Merchant of Venice is believed to have had its origin in Il Pecorone or The Simpleton, written in 1378 by Giovanni Fiorentino. The device of Portia's suitors choosing a particular casket for her hand in marriage is taken from Gesta Romanorum, a medieval story collection, which was translated by Richard Robinson published in 1577, and was therefore accessible to Shakespeare. There’s also long tradition in art of painters copying the famous works of masters, redoing them in their own style. Good poets, as T.S. Eliot notes above, steal, and make it into something better. This has been Dylan’s ultimate songwriting credo – take whatever’s out there, what’s been tossed aside, forgotten, or hiding in plain sight, and use it. He adapted this approach as he went along, drawing from many different sources, always living up to Eliot’s dictum and doing the original one better, transplanting parts into a more important, more significant, better work than the one they’d come from. Dylan found these gems everywhere – in other songs, in the Bible, in myths, in movies – and like a jeweler, worked them into
new settings, creating masterpieces in the process, songs for the ages.
This series about Dylan's sources and "borrowings" will be an examination of those numerous appropriations, an in-depth look at the sources of music and words that found their way into many of Dylan’s creations, the hundreds of
bits and pieces he’s patched into his vast songbook, and also into his book, “Chronicles.” It's a kind of detective story as well – there are countless trails
to be followed, and trails from those trails, and so on. A single song of Dylan’s, taken apart and studied, can yield a huge cache of annotations, connections, echoes, reverberations – along the way, it becomes like taking a tour through history, through Americana, though our times and times long past. It's something
like following links on the internet, a process which at times can seem endless.
Finally, I would like to stress that this examination of Dylan's usage of other works in his songs - parts of which will be serialized here in Muddy Water -
is not in any way a condemnation of Dylan’s borrowing, recasting and collaging process. It is in fact an appreciation of it. That is, appreciation in the less used sense of the word – to weight the value of. This series will be a detailed study
of this particular aspect of his creation process, a dissection and analysis of the greatest songbook of the 20th and now 21st century. It is the examination of an absolute master, a look into the cluttered, overflowing, fascinating workshop of his mind. That Dylan is a master songwriter is undisputed. He also proves himself to be – within the confines of his songwriting – a master poet, a master collagist,
a master musician, a master of Americana. And a master thief.
Books on Dylan on
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MuzikMan's Reviews And News
Music Reviews And News From Around The World
The Final On Vinyl Podcasts
Metal Review: Ronnie James Dio/Various Artists-This Is Your Life
Label: Rhino
If there ever were to be a Mount Rushmore of the best lead vocalists of heavy metal, there is a more than a strong case to put Ronnie James Dio on it. His tragic death from cancer at the age of 67 put an end to one of the heavy metal’s longest and most memorable careers. With Dio providing his famous voice for such bands as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and, of course, his very own band, Dio his legacy remains intact. He also popularized the sign of the horns hand gesture that is so heavily associated with metal music. He has gone too soon, but his music lives on and the metal world pays tribute to his work.
This is Your Lifeis a 14 track tribute album produced by his wife Wendy, and featuring some of Dio’s greatest hits. Such iconic songs as “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Holy Driver,” and “The Last in Line” are covered by some of the metal world’s main players and biggest names. Anthrax, Metallica, Motörhead, Biff Byford of Saxon, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Corey Taylor of Slipnot, and many more all cover a song or make an appearance.
Opening up this tribute album is “Neon Knights” by Anthrax and they freaking nail it. This is a cover song done right and it is probably the best song on the album. It comes out with a jolt of energy that electrifies the room with everything sounding just right. This is what it sounds like when everything is spent and all of one’s heart and effort it put into something. Dare I say that this one is flawless? Next up is Tenacious D’s cover of “The Last in Line,” which is a good effort but it does not touch the original. I generally enjoy Tenacious D, but Jack Black is no substitute for Dio. Adrenaline Mob’s cover of “The Mob Rules” is almost as good as the opener. They are tearing it up on this one.
“Rainbow in the Dark” will probably be a love it or hate it type of cover for most fans. I do not think Corey Taylor is on the same level as Dio, but I think he does do a good job of giving this classic song a go. Halestorm’s “Straight Through the Heart” will the type of song that grows on you with each listen. Motörhead really shred on “Starstruck” backed by the vocal styling of Saxon’s Biff Byford.
Scorpions’ version of “The Temple of the King” is another highlight of the album. It is a song that is softer than the rest, with a soothing atmosphere that hits all the right spots much like “Catch the Rainbow.” Doro provides a haunting rendition of “Egypt (The Chains Are On).” Her vocal performance is the kind that leaves an impression, which is made even more memorable by the menacing music as they together to make a fantastic song. Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Driver” is my least favorite song on the album, and I say that as a fan of the band. All the changes do not do anything for me and do not think that the screaming fits well.
Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy deliver the goods on “I” with great performances all around and sound like they are enjoying themselves. “Man on the Silver Mountain” is a lackluster cover with Halford sounding like he is phoning it in. There is a good guitar solo, but I find it hard to get into this song. Metallica help to the end on a high point in the penultimate song “Ronnie Rising Medley,” a mashup of “A Light in the Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill the King” that is a lot of fun to listen to, as it is just a great show of skillful musicianship. Dio’s “This is Your Life” is the perfect way to end the album, with the master himself showing how it is done with a haunting piano backdrop. It is a poignant choice that will probably make some eyes water.
When all is said and done, This Is Your Life is a very solid tribute album that does Dio’s legacy justice. Though I do think that a few songs will be divisive and not knock hardcore fans out of the park, most of the covers are done well and the effort that went into making them can be heard. But, hey, Ronnie James Dio is a tough act to follow, after all. I think that This Is Your Life makes for a nice addition to any metal fan’s collection.
Key Tracks: Neon Knight, The Mob Rules, The Temple of the King, Egypt (The Chains Are On)
01. Neon Knights
02. The Last in Line
03. The Mob Rules
04. Rainbow in the Dark
05. Straight Through the Heart
06. Starstruck
07. The Temple of the King
08. Egypt (The Chains Are On)
09. Holy Driver
10. Catch the Rainbow
11. I
12. Man on the Silver Mountain
13. Ronnie Rising Medley
14. This is Your Life
Brian McKinnon
Review Provided By Write A Music Review
Posted by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck at 5/16/2014
Labels: Metal Reviews, Music Reviews, Ronnie James Dio, This Is Your Life, Various Artists, Write A Music Review
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Lizzie Brochere Channels Lizzie Bordon on American Horror Story
Photo by Frank Ockenfels/FX
It’s not every day that a French actress lands a role on a primetime U.S. series — especially one named American Horror Story. And when Lizzie Brochere nabbed the part of Grace on Season 2 of the shock series, she had to bone up on one very iconic murderess from the states. After all, her character is based on the infamous axe wielder Lizzy Borden.
In a recent conference call interview, Brochere talked about researching Borden for her turn on AHS: Asylum. She recounted, “I discovered a source book with her inquest testimony. I loved reading it out loud. I thought she was so smart and strangely fascinating, that character. I don't know if it helped my acting, but it was necessary for me to know a bit more of that character, who was a very important American figure. I had no clue who she was.”
Brochere worked on other aspects of her onscreen persona as well. She recalled, “I did a lot of stretching, yoga and dancing, almost ballet… She's very sexy, so you want her to be moving in a smoother way than I do. So that was a little job. And Grace, she's somewhere in me — apart from that big backstory and all that. Her sarcasm, her way of seeing life and that little liveliness she has. How she always says amazing lines when you feel like she's a young little Tibetan monk.”
And Grace also had a dark side. In Borden-esque fashion, she whacked a whole lot of people. As strange as it may sound, Brochere said that shooting those gruesome scenes was actually fun.
She confessed, “The whole crew was so happy to change my look, and they were really excited about doing some kind of flashbacks and knowing a little bit more about Grace. So everything, costumes and hair, for example, I don't have the same haircut at all. They really wanted to show Grace as she was before the asylum, and everyone was really excited about that.”
And she acknowledged that the attention to detail was fascinating from her perspective. “The actual murder scenes, there was a lot of blood, a lot of different axes. We had six different axes that are still in the props office and they're all on the walls. You have one that's a rubber axe, and then you have another one that's a real axe and you should never mix up with the other one.”
Brochere added, “Then you have another one that's a half cut axe, so that you can pretend that it's in the body. You only have a part of it sticking out of the body. We have so many different axes. It was funny. Then you have, for example, when I kill my stepmom, we have these effects guys that were behind the body of my stepmom [adding] blood on the face each time that I hit her. There were so many people in that closet it was [crowded], but it was fun.”
Admittedly it was fun to a point. Filming content with such nefarious undertones can be chilling. As Brochere revealed, “I hide in the closet, and I dove back and I go back and I think that I'm saved. And then there's this foot with blood dripping on my shoulder right next to me — so realistic, so realistic. It was crazy. I couldn't open the closets after that for a week at my place.”
Tune in to see what befalls Lizzie Brochere’s character on American Horror Story: Asylum every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on FX.
For related stories check out:
Wolfgang Puck Shares His Culinary Favorites
Competitors Get a Shot at Redemption on Top Chef: Texas
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Labels: Interviews, TV
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POSTECH Professor Chulhong Kim Elected as SPIE Fellow
Professor Chulhong Kim of the Department of Creative IT Convergence Engineering wa..
Graphene Nanoribbon Spin-Valve Device
Spin-valve devices are a key component of a magnetoresistive random access memory. Mr. Woo Youn Kim and Professor Kwang Soo Kim of Department of Chemistry of POSTECH predicted supermagnetoresistance in a graphene nanoribbon device, the article of which has appeared in Nature Nanotech (3, 408-412, 2008). The reported graphene nanoribbon spin-valve device shows extremely large magnetoresistance (ten thousand times larger than that of conventional devices), which promises high speed access, and good sensitivity. The striking enhancement originates from the peculiar symmetry of band structures of ..
2009-08-241,148
Practical recombinant hybrid mussel bioadhesiveWhat man-made good exists that provides us both life’s necessity and luxury? A popular seafood cuisine, mussels are enjoyed all around the world. They can be smoked, boiled, or steamed to be served alone or as an ingredient of a larger dish. It can also produce beautiful pearls and jewelry. Now scientists have discovered another use for this nature’s gift. Professor Hyung Joon Cha and his team at the Department of Chemical Engineering have developed a novel type of practical recombinant hybrid bioadhesive material that originates from ..
Metal Atom Chains on Graphene Nanoribbons
Professor Seung-Hoon Jhi and Ph.D. Candidate Seon-Myeong Choi, both of the Department of Physics, in their study of metal doped graphene nanoribbons, discovered that the adsorbed metal atoms form atomic chains which can be used as reagents to identify the edge atomic structures of the graphene nanoribbons and also as gate-driven spin valves to control the spin current in graphene nanoribbons. Graphene, the basic structural element of all graphitic materials including graphite, carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, is a one-atom-thick planar sheet of carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeyco..
Efficacious drug transporters
First drug delivery method developed for mitochondrial diseasesWhat do Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; the disease the physicist Stephen Hawking is suffering from) and Alzheimer’s disease have in common? The answer is mitochondria; these diseases are now called mitochondrial diseases.These incurable degenerative neurological or neuromuscular diseases, together with apoptosis (programmed cell death) and aging, are understood to occur largely at mitochondria sites. What then are mitochondria? Mitochondria (plural of mitochondr..
Interview with Dr. Roderick MacKinnon
Nobel Laureate conferred first POSTECH Honorary DoctorateDr. Roderick MacKinnonPOSTECH, in celebrating 20th Anniversary on December, awarded the first honorary doctorate to Dr. Roderick MacKinnon of the Rockefeller University. Dr. MacKinnon received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003 for his work on the structure and operation of ion channels. He is currently the head of Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Biophysics which studies the structure and function of ion channels and associated regulatory proteins. International Affairs Office (IAO): First, congratulations on your honorary docto..
A New View on Quantum Complementarity
According to laws of quantum mechanics a physical entity may possess either particle-like or wave-like properties. A particle exhibits wave properties when one cannot tell the path the particle may take among different paths available. Once the path information is obtained, however, the wave-like properties of a particle are supposed to disappear. In any case, it is not possible to observe both the wave and particle properties simultaneously, which is known as complementarity of a physical entity. In early days around the advent of quantum mechanics the concept of complementarity was considere..
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream: New insight into melatonin production
In the April1 issue of G&D, a Korean research team led by Dr. Kyong-Tai Kim (POSTECH) describes how melatonin production is coordinated with the body‘s natural sleep/wake cycles.Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, which helps to regulate our bodies’ circadian rhythm (the roughly-24-hour cycle around which basic physiological processes proceed). Normally, melatonin production is inhibited by light and enhanced by darkness, usually peaking in the middle of the night. Melatonin‘s expression pattern is mimicked by a protein called AANAT, which is..
Digital Non-Volatile Polymer Memory Device Developed:An Efficient, Low-Cost Means of Permanent Data Storage
Improvements in performance and reductions in cost of silicon-based nonvolatile memories, such as flash random access memory (flash-RAM), have rendered floppy discs and many other forms of portable storage obsolete. But for many uses that require data to be written only once, such as archiving and security applications, their cost effectiveness is limited. So-called write-onceread- many (WORM) memories made from low-cost polymer materials could provide a solution. The devices, developed by Professors Moonhor Ree, Ohyun Kim, Su-Moon Park and their research teams, are based on hyperbranched copp..
Ultrahigh Density Arrays of Conducting Polymer Nanorods Fabricated
Ultrahigh density arrays of conducting polymer nanorods have been fabricated through a joint research project by Professors Jin Kon Kim and Su-Moon Park of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Dr. Jae-Woong Yu of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and Professor Thomas P. Russell of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, U.S.A., as reported in Nano Letters, vol. 8, 2315-2320 (2008). Nanoporous templates, for instance, track-etched polymer membrane and anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane, have been widely used to prepare conducting polymer nanotubes, nano..
Discovering the mechanics of ferroelectric computer memory
Ultra-fast flash light revealing mystery of atoms, into the world of attoseconds (10-18 second)Beyond the femtosecond (10-15 second) barrierAs momentary flash lights capture the motion of fast moving objects such as a bullet or explosion splinter, ultra-fast laser lights can be utilized to take pictures of ultra-fast natural phenomena following their dynamical change. The last decade has observed a rapid progress in femtosecond laser technology. This development allows us to carry out new kinds of experiments to open up a new area of nature that has never been explored before. Is there no phen..
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The Company has in place a policy of benchmarking against established best practice in the field of corporate governance. The Board has adopted core values and standards which set out the behaviors expected of staff in their dealings with shareholders, tenants, colleagues, agents, business partners and other stakeholders of the Company. One of the core values communicated within the Company is the belief that a high standard of integrity is essential in business conduct.
The Company has adopted its corporate governance document in accordance with the corporate governance code issued in Bahrain and is committed to corporate governance of highest standards.
The Company has substantially complied with the new Corporate Governance Code including assessment of the Board, its committees and individual directors with respect to their effectiveness and contribution and our corporate governance practices have further strengthened significantly.
THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AT THE COMPANY IS AS FOLLOWS
The Company is owned by a shareholding structure as detailed in Note 11 to the financial statements. No shares are held or owned by management members or their dependents.
The Company is governed through its Board of Directors. The Board’s main roles are to create values for shareholders, to provide entrepreneurial and competitive leadership of the Company, to approve the Company’s strategic objectives and to ensure that the necessary financial and other resources are made available to meet those objectives.
Following the election at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 31 March 2019, the current board of directors has taken charge from 1 April 2019. The Board meets at least four times in a calendar year and has a schedule of matters reserved for its review, discussion and approval. Specific responsibilities of the Board include review of the Company’s strategy, approval of annual budgets, review of periodic operating and financial performance and other matters of a corporate nature.
The Board has set up various committees with terms of reference and specific mandates
to carry out the assigned functions. Areas of responsibilities and functioning are clearly defined for each of these committees that consist of members within the Board who are competent and experienced in relevant fields.
Mr. Fouad Taqi
Mr. Yousuf Al Hammadi
Mrs. Eman Al Murbati
NOMINATION, REMUNERATION & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Essa Najibi
Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed
Mr. Hesham AlRayyes
Mr. Sattam Al Gosaibi
Mr. Mohammed Al Bastaki
Mr. Abduljalil Janahi
Mr. Hamed Mashal
Board Committee
SEEF PROPERTIES REPORTS NET PROFIT OF BD 3.64 MILLION ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT FOR THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2020
SEEF PROPERTIES REPORTS NET PROFIT OF BD 2.71 MILLION ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PARENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2020
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Continuity: A Conversation with Playwright Bess Wohl
“In the very near future, habitat for Homo sapiens will be gone. And shortly thereafter…all humans will die.”
In Continuity, Bess Wohl’s new comedy, a film crew stationed in a New Mexico desert is shooting a high-budget thriller about climate change and an eco-terrorist villain. Maria, the director, must juggle a high-maintenance cast, a cynical crew, a cocky writer and a science consultant who, while pessimistic about the future of mankind, is excited about the craft services table on set. Six different takes of a single scene in the film’s climax present untold challenges for this experienced team.
Production dramaturg Jonathan L. Green spoke with Wohl about the end of the world and her path to Continuity.
Jonathan L. Green: How long have you been working on Continuity, and what led you to this story?
Bess Wohl: I’ve been trying to write about climate change, in one way or another, for the past four years. Continuity is actually my third attempt; two other plays I tried to write ended in frustration. My problem was always that the overwhelming scope of the problems facing us seemed to crush everything else in the play—and also crushed me, personally, as I sat at my computer. My only way out, I decided, was to “stage the problem,” meaning, I gave the characters the same problem I was experiencing: How do you tell a compelling story about climate change? How do you create human stakes in the face of something so vast? How do you find hope when there is so much bad news? And is giving an audience hope the responsibility of a storyteller or not? As many scientists told me, one of the biggest challenges they find in talking about climate change is the way our current global circumstances resist traditional narrative structure; this often presents a problem that’s wrestled to the ground, and then ends in uplift. I decided to try to place this conundrum at the heart of my play.
JLG: In many of your plays, the settings seem to be intentionally overbearing and active, almost characters themselves, often slightly surreal and cut off from the rest of the world: a silent Buddhist retreat in a forest, a creepy apartment in Barcelona, a remote film set in the middle of a desert in New Mexico. In a way, your characters affect their location—but then, the location retaliates and affects them. What is it about these kinds of spaces that interests you?
BW: Part of the impulse comes from my love of working with designers. I think of designers as primary storytellers, and feel that the words of a play are only part of it. In Continuity, much of the story is told by the light, by what the characters are wearing, by the offstage sounds. In life, words are only a part of our experience, and I think that’s an interesting thing to explore in theater. And of course, people trapped in their environments often make for great drama—there’s a natural pressure that emerges; and it also becomes a metaphor for all of us trapped in the struggle of being human.
JLG: The play takes place during a movie shoot that has fallen way behind schedule. Why use the lens of film to tell the theatrical story of Continuity?
BW: This past winter, I had my first experience shooting a feature film I wrote, which definitely played into the writing of this play. I had the
rhythms of the set very much in my body, and I was interested in the strange poetry of a film set—how many words are repeated, the almost choral feeling of it all. I also became intrigued by the way time functions on a set—this feeling of urgency and of waiting happening simultaneously. That strange relationship to time is also present in our understanding of climate change—there’s this odd feeling that we’re at once in an immediate crisis and yet, it seems like geological forces happen slowly, almost imperceptibly, as the days pass. The movie business is also something that everyone constantly says is “dying”—and yet, somehow also continues, strangely robust in its waning days, if they are indeed waning at all. I also felt that the sense of being caught in a system of loops applied to both movie-making and the environment. There’s a sense that we’re all caught in a system—whether it be extreme weather, Hollywood, capitalism, social or interpersonal patterns—and we can’t extricate ourselves from any of it anymore. So what do we do?
JLG: There is a stage direction in this play that describes a moment of silence: “The nothingness of waiting.” To me, some of the most moving moments happen in the silences in your plays, especially when the characters are coming from worlds where they are used to talking a mile a minute. Going into rehearsal, do you have a sense of what needs to be accomplished emotionally in these silences, or do you allow the discoveries during the rehearsal process itself to fill in the gaps?
BW: I generally have a basic sense of the emotional texture I’m after for the moments you’re describing, but I also would never cut off potential discovery in rehearsal. I look at my role as someone who sets the thing in motion, picks an eventual destination and then relies on other artists to ride and steer it to actually get us there. I do chime in if we’re totally off course, but one of my favorite things about playwriting is the opportunity to be surprised by the thing you’ve written. Often I have a clear vision of how it will all go down in my head, and then I’m shocked to see it interpreted in a wholly different way—and usually it’s much more interesting and layered than anything I could have come up with myself. I try hard to find the balance between knowing what the story is, and staying open to the much, much better and more magical thing that happens alchemically when artists get together in a room.
New Stages 2017 4
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Pamela Nowak
Award-winning Western Historical Romance Author
Pam’s Blog
About Pam
The Elitch Gardens Gardens
February 20, 2015 by Pamela Nowak
When John and Mary Elitch purchased the 16-acre Chilcott Farm, it was home to apple and cherry orchards and a host of mature cottonwood trees. They added pathways through the trees, planting bushes and flowers along them as well as putting picnic tables in the orchard areas. Mary also put fountains along the paths.
A fter entering the park, people approached the central area on a grand tree and floral-lined walkway. Each year, Mary added more flower beds. The scents of apple blossom and heliotrope filled the air. By 1905, more than 60,000 plants graced the park.
At the turn of the century, Tom Long had a deep interest in expandi ng the gardens at Elitch’s. He designed new beds and worked in the greenhouses, growing plants for the park and for sale to shippers, suppliers, and florists. The Elitch Garden Company (his wholesale supply business) soon expanded into a retail business and the Eltich-Long Flower Store was opened on 15th Street. The floral company had one of Denver’s first floral delivery trucks. Tom Long was appointed to the Denver Parks Board in 1912 and was known as a landscape and park design expert.
The Elitch-Long florists became known for their “Rainbow Tint” carnations. They were the first to invent a way to evenly color to color the petals of white carnations. Instead of sprinkling dye onto the petals (which was messy and uneven) the Elitch-Long carnation was set into water with liquid dye. The dye was absorbed through the stems and created bright, smooth color. Shades included coral, blue lace, lilac, sun mist yellow, aqua (iceberg), champagne, and cornflower.
After Tom Long’s death, Mary’s brother Edward Houck managed the flower store until his death in 1915. In 1916, Elitch Gardens and the floral business were sold to John Mulvihill. He expanded both, hiring young Walter Lehrer to manage the floral business. Lehrer would go on to found Lehrer’s Flowers, still in business today.
Mulvihill also razed the unused zoo enclosures and replaced them with new greenhouses, allowing the park to grow even more bedding plants (tens of thousands, including exotic blossoms, under 160,000 acres of glass) for transplant within the Gardens. Acres of carefully tended formal gardens were added and newspapers lauded the park as a “flower-laden wonderland.” The famous circular “Not to see Elitch’s is not to see Denver” display was created under his tenure.
John Mulvihill’s son-in-law, Arnold Gurtler, took over all Elitch enterprises when Mulvihill died in 1930. Gurtler expanded the formal gardens and built additional greenhouses. Under George Gero, head gardener, more than 50,000 plantings we re set out each spring and the popular “Dahlia Farm” was established. The park achieved national reputation for its topiary creations, including the ever-changing Floral Clock. The clock was powered by a buried electoral motor and kept perfect time until 1995, when the park moved to downtown Denver. The clock was relocated to the foot of the Ferris Wheel at the new location but never maintained time again, despite multiple attempts to repair it.
Gurtler also expanded the floral business when he partnered with Park Floral to create the Park-Elitch Floral Company. A branch store was opened in the Denver Dry Goods building.
After 1950, the gardens at Elitch’s shrank in size as the amusement ride areas expanded to keep up with the post-Disneyland model. Some of the greenhouses were razed when the Park-Elitch Wholesale Florist Company was closed in 1965 but others remained in place to supply the annual plantings at the park. A news article in 1980 referred to flower-lined walkways, a fountain splashing into a pool of carnations, a miniature Ferris Wheel with baskets of flowers in the middle of a small pool, and the yellow coleus and geraniums. The paper bragged of “some of the most beautiful gardens in the world”, even comparing them to the renowned Tivoli Gardens in Denmark.
Still, Sandy and Budd Gurtler (Arnold’s grandsons) worried over the ever-expanding pavement and made garden areas part of the new design as plans moved forward to relocate the park to downtown Denver. Designers struggled with how to turn a former rail yard filled with junk and industrial waste into a luscious park area. In 1995, the new Elitch Gardens opened with 84,000 square feet of groomed, blooming gardens and 3000 tall shade trees. That summer was filled with drenching rains, the next with drought, and the new trees died. Fast-growing trees were imported from Australia to replace them and provide the beautiful shaded gardens the public had been promised.
On July 17, 1996, the original location of Elitch Gardens was sold. The contract was signed sixty years and one day after Mary Elitch died (7/16/1936). The following day, as they made one last trip around the grounds and discovered an ancient maple tree had fallen. The tree, located near one of the theatre’s side doors, had narrowly missed the theatre, instead falling upon the administration building. The tree had sheared off, about five feet up, as if it had been cut by an axe. Rumors immediately began to circulate that Mary’s ghost, sighted for years within the theatre (always wearing a white Victorian gown and large hat), had emerged to chop down the tree as a statement about the sale of her beloved gardens.
Please join me next week for a discussion of hot air balloons and Ivy Baldwin, whose balloon was a regular feature at the early Elitch’s Gardens. Each Friday, I will blog about some aspect of Elitch Gardens, early Denver, or other topics related to my next novel, Escaping Yesterday. In between, I will post small factoids on my Facebook page. You can join me there and I love new friends (https://www.facebook.com/pamela.nowak.142).
Due for release in September 2015, Escaping Yesterday is set in Elitch’s Gardens, in 1905, and follows the story of Lottie Chase. Lottie is willing to take any risk to save her daughter from their abusive uncle. Stranded in Denver, Lottie meets Caleb Hudson, manager at Elitch’s Gardens amusement park, who sees her as a manipulative huckster. Caleb, a veteran suffering from PTSD, craves the tranquility of the park’s gardens. Lottie brings anything but peace as she seeks to convince the owners to add thrill rides so she can collect the sales commission and support her daughter. Neither anticipates their growing passion, common demons, or the dangers they will face as they confront their pasts and free their love.
Category The Research Behind Pam's Books | Tags: Elitch Gardens, Gardens, Pamela Nowak
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SONJA E JOHANSEN says:
Came across this article about Elitch Gardens while “walking” down memory lane this morning. I’ve been trying to find a history of the gardens of Elitch Gardens and have been largely unsuccessful. I enjoyed your brief history if the park. However, a bit of the information provided was misleading. The greenhouses were not raised until at least the 1980’s (probably later). I’m not sure when they were removed but know they were there until at least 1980, the year that I left Elitch Gardens where I was employed as the head gardener and greenhouse manager. When I left, the annuals for the park’s beautiful floral displays and the hundreds of flowering hanging baskets were still being grown in the greenhouse and installed by our staff each April. I have fond memories of the park and my time working there. It was actually a dream job in a dream location.
Pamela Nowak says:
Sonja…thank you so much for this information. My source was obviously in error and I will make edits to reflect the new information. Thanks for reaching out to let me know!
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Based on 11 critics
Love Exposure (2007)
Love Exposure explores the very roots of female psychology and women's definition of love and marriage in the 21st century. Jung Wan is a 32-year-old fledging photographer who has no desire to get married. When it comes to romance, she holds no illusions nor fairytale fantasies. But lately, she notices that her skin is beginning to look rather dry and dull, and her body stricken with minor aches here and there. She concludes that what she needs is a man, or rather sex to revitalize her aging body. Then there is Hee Soo, childhood friend who shocked everyone when she married a homely man. An attractive housewife with plenty of dating experience under her belt, Hee Soo sees her husband as a security blanket and a lifetime ticket to free spending and no worries. But all hell breaks loose when Jung Won finally meets her Prince Charming and Hee Soo realizes her only insurance in life is about to expire.
Love & Basketball (2000)
A young African-American couple navigates the tricky paths of romance and athletics in this drama. Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) grew up in the same neighborhood and have known each other since childhood. As they grow into adulthood, they fall in love, but they also share another all-consuming passion: basketball. They've followed the game all their lives and have no small amount of talent on the court. As Quincy and Monica struggle to make their relationship work, they follow separate career paths though high school and college basketball and, they hope, into stardom in big-league professional ball.
Spring Bears Love (2003)
A connected series of love notes scribbled in library art books convinces gawky grocery store clerk Hyun-chae (Bae Doo-na) that a mystery man - known only as 'Vincent' - is pursuing a relationship with her. Meanwhile, an infatuated pal from her high-school days - shy, quirky subway driver Dong-ha (Kim Nam-jin) - relocated to Seoul to ACTUALLY pursue a relationship with her, which she rejects in favor of the ersatz paper chase provided by her mystery man, going so far as to pawn Dong-ha off on her friend at one point.
Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Maggie, an alluring free spirit who won't let anyone - or anything - tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie, whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie's evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love.
Feast of Love (2007)
A meditation on love and its various incarnations, set within a community of friends in Oregon. It is described as an exploration of the magical, mysterious and sometimes painful incarnations of love.
Love's Kitchen (2011)
Rob Haley (Dougray Scott), an up-and-coming chef and restaurateur in London, is grief-stricken when he loses his wife. With encouragement from his infamous friend and real life TV Chef Gordon Ramsay, Rob decides to spice up his life by turning a run-down country pub into a gourmet restaurant. His food catches the eye - and taste buds - of beautiful American food critic Kate Templeton (Claire Forlani) and they soon both write a recipe for love that leaves both their hearts - and their stomachs - in full.
The Love Letter (1999)
A romantic comedy about a mysterious love letter that turns a sleepy new england town upside down.
Love Jones (1997)
Darius Lovehall is a young black poet in Chicago who starts dating Nina Moseley, a beautiful and talented photographer. While trying to figure out if they've got a "love thing" or are just "kicking it," they hang out with their friend, talking about love and sex. Then Nina tests the strength of Darius' feelings and sets a chain of romantic complications into motion.
Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Is love today different from what it was in the past when lovers like Laila-Majnu or Romeo-Juliet perished in each others arms? Today, in the age of online romance and one-night stands, many would say love is just a whirlwind. But no! Love Aaj Kal will have you believe that certain things dont change with the passage of time.
Aaron Loves Angela (1975)
Aaron and Angela, two young adults living in the Harlem ghetto of New York City, are deeply in love with each other. The only thing standing in the way of their love is their families. Aaron is black, while Angela is Puerto Rican, and neither family wants one of their own to associate with the others. As the pair rebel against the prejudices of their families, they soon find the conflict spreading out to their friends and neighbors, until the hatred threatens to spiral out of control.
Bubble Boy (2001)
Jimmy is young man who was born without an immune system and has lived his life within a plastic bubble in his bedroom... who pines for the sweet caresses of girl-next-door Chloe. But when Chloe decides to marry her high school boyfriend, Jimmy -- bubble suit and all -- treks cross-country to stop her. Swoosie Kurtz, as Jimmy's overprotective mom, co-stars along with Fabio, who portrays the leader of a religious cult.
Transistor Love Story (2001)
Phaen is a suburban young man with a great love for music. He never misses a chance to show off his voice at temple fairs in his village. It is at one of the fairs that he meets and falls in love with Sadao. On their wedding day, Phaen gives Sadao a transistor radio that the new family loves, and it also gives Phaen many a daydream of becoming a famous singer himself. Soon, Sadao is pregnant and it is hard for Phaen to leave home, but he has to enter military service. While there, he enters a singing contest, and winds up first runner-up. So he decides to leave the service and heads for Bangkok to follow his dream. He spends two years in a band that never goes anywhere, and eventually is forced to work in a sugarcane plantation. But a fight causes him to lose his job. As things go from bad to worse, he recalls his transistor radio with fondness, for it evokes in his mind much better and more peaceful times, when dreams were still possible. Written by
Almost Peaceful (2002)
I Love You Again (1940)
Boring businessman Larry Wilson recovers from amnesia and discovers he's really a con man...and loves his soon-to-be-ex wife.
I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
Bad Santa co-screenwriters Glenn Ficara and John Requa re-team for this fact-based black comedy starring Jim Carrey as a Virginia police officer-turned-con man who makes the leap to white-collar criminal after being sent to prison and falling in love with his sensitive cellmate. Steve Russell (Carrey) is a small-town cop. Bored with his bland lifestyle, Russell turns to fraud as a means of shaking things up. Before long, Russell's criminal antics have landed him behind bars, where he encounters the charismatic Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Smitten, Russell devotes his entire life to being with Morris regardless of the consequences.
Jamon Jamon (1992)
Jose Luis is an executive at his parents underwear factory where his girlfriend Sylvia works on the shop floor. When Sylvia becomes pregnant, Jose Luis promises her that he will marry her, most likely against the wishes of his parents. Jose Luis' mother is determined to break her son's engagement to a girl from a lower-class family, and hires Raul, a potential underwear model and would-be bullfighter to seduce Sylvia.
Down with Love (2003)
Aaaah... it's New York City in 1962, and love is blooming between a journalist and a feminist advice author, who's falling head over heels despite her beau's playboy lifestyle. An homage to the early 1960s sex comedies that starred Rock Hudson and Doris Day. The story follows a best-selling female advice author who has all the answers until a sly journalist playboy starts asking the questions.
The Bride and the Lover (2013)
In the story, Vivian is sole heir to a business empire. Sheila is Vivian's friend who is a lifestyle magazine editor. Meanwhile, Philip is the hottest bachelor in town engaged to be wed to Vivian. However, a scandalous revelation tears the three characters' worlds apart. Time passes by and the supposed bride becomes the lover and the supposed lover is now the bride.
Follows seemingly unrelated people as their lives begin to intertwine while they fall in, and out, of love. Affections languish and develop as Christmas draws near.
Ruby Sparks (2012)
Calvin is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby, in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.
2 States (2014)
This is a story about a romantic journey of a culturally opposite couple - Krish Malhotra and Ananya Swaminathan. They meet at the IIM-Ahmedabad College and during the program they fall in love. Complications arise after the program comes to an end and they decide to get married. Krish and Ananya belong to two different states of India. Krish, a North Indian Punjabi boy from Delhi, and Ananya, a Tamilian Brahmin from Chennai. They take a conscious decision; they won't get married until their parents agree. Everything goes downhill when the parents meet. There is a cultural clash and the parents oppose the wedding. To convert their love story into a love marriage, the couple faces a tough battle in front of them. For it is easy to fight and rebel, but much harder to convince. Will Krish and Ananya's love for each other sustain the battles? Will they manage to convince their parents and make it to their wedding? The film thus is a humorous take on inter community marriages in India.
1942: A Love Story (1994)
In 1942 the British ruled India, a time when people were either working for the British or rallying for underground meetings and protests against them. Amidst this background, Naren Singh, falls in love with Rajeshwari Pathak. But their romance is not an easy one, for Naren comes from a wealthy, British supporting, family. But Rajeshwari is poor and is fighting against the British.
84 years later, a 101-year-old woman named Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story to her granddaughter Lizzy Calvert, Brock Lovett, Lewis Bodine, Bobby Buell and Anatoly Mikailavich on the Keldysh about her life set in April 10th 1912, on a ship called Titanic when young Rose boards the departing ship with the upper-class passengers and her mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, and her fiancé, Caledon Hockley. Meanwhile, a drifter and artist named Jack Dawson and his best friend Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets to the ship in a game. And she explains the whole story from departure until the death of Titanic on its first and last voyage April 15th, 1912 at 2:20 in the morning.
All Ladies Do It (1992)
Diana is a Roman wife happily married to sympathetic Paolo but she is keen on playing benign games of seduction with other men while resisting the advances of chic lingerie shop owner Silvio and she narrates her adventures to Paolo in order to stimulate their otherwise monotonous sexual life. However, under the influence of her lesbian friend Antonietta and raunchy sister Nadia, Diana starts to move the ongoings further while Paolo is still prone to believing that events narrated by her are merely fantasies. Nevertheless, when the French Sadean antiques dealer Donatien Alphonse leaves marks on her body, Paolo understands that Diana is cheating on him and throws her out of the house.
Bámbola (1996)
Her name is Mina, but she is called Bambola (doll). Upon the death of her mother, she and her homosexual brother, Flavio, open a pizzeria. A man named Ugo loans Bambola the money, but is then killed in a fight with another one of her boyfriends, Settimio. While visiting Settimio in jail, she meets a sadistic man named Furio, and they begin a relationship. Written by Mikki White (IMDB)
Going Places (1974)
Two whimsical, aimless thugs harass and assault women, steal, murder, and alternately charm, fight, or sprint their way out of trouble. They take whatever the bourgeois characters value: whether it's cars, peace of mind, or daughters. Marie-Ange, a jaded, passive hairdresser, joins them as lover, cook, and mother confessor. She's on her own search for seemingly unattainable sexual pleasure.
Golden Balls (1993)
Benito González is a flamboyant engineer in Melilla, with a brash and pushy personality. His dream is to build the tallest building ever in the region. After his girlfriend leaves him, he devotes himself entirely to his ambitions, deciding to let nothing get in his way. He marries the daughter of a billionaire, intending to use her father's money to realise his project. Benito waltzes his way through a career of excess, fetishes and deceptions, but the personal conflicts he unleashes ultimately send his life spiraling down to disaster.
Kabukicho Love Hotel (2014)
This erotically charged drama from Japanese director Ryuichi Hiroki (Vibrator) traces the intersecting stories of a group of employees and visitors at a notorious "love hotel" in Tokyo's red-light district.
Ten Thousand Saints (2015)
A sweeping multigenerational story set against the backdrop of the raw, roaring New York City of the late 1980s; adoption, teen pregnancy, drugs, hardcore punk rock, the unbridled optimism and reckless stupidity of the youngand oldare all major elements in this heart-aching tale of the son of diehard hippies and his strange odyssey through the extremes of late 20th century youth culture.
Delinquent School Girls (1975)
Three mental patients escape their asylum and sexually assault their way into a girl's private school. The girls education includes wrestling and karate, so the three mad men will find stern opposition when they least expected.
Lovesick (2014)
The story of Charlie Darby, who has everything going for him: a great job, friends, family, the whole package. The one thing Charlie doesn't have is love, because every time he gets close, he goes clinically insane. When he meets the perfect girl, Charlie must overcome his psychosis to claim his chance at true love.
Accidental Love (2015)
A small town waitress gets a nail accidentally lodged in her head causing unpredictable behavior that leads her to Washington, DC, where sparks fly when she meets a clueless young senator who takes up her cause - but what happens when love interferes with what you stand for?
Without Love (1945)
In World War II Washington DC, scientist Pat Jamieson's assistant, Jamie Rowan, enters a loveless marriage with him. Struggles bring them closer together.
Love at First Bite (1979)
Dracula and Renefield relocate to 70's era New York in search of Cindy Sondheim (the reincarnation of Dracula's one true love, Mina Harker). "Trouble adjusting" is a wild understatement for the Count as he battles Cindy's psychiatrist, Jeffrey Rosenberg (a descendant of Van Helsing who changed his name for professional reasons?), who may almost certainly, possibly, may be in love with Cindy too.
Once Upon a Time in China II (1992)
In the sequel to the Tsui Hark classic, Wong Fei-Hung faces The White Lotus society, a fanatical cult seeking to drive the Europeans out of China through violence, even attacking Chinese who follow Western ways. Wong must also defend Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a revolutionary, from the military.
HK: Hentai Kamen - Abnormal Crisis (2016)
News about the disappearance of panties is covered every day." Kyosuke (Ryohei Suzuki) still wears Aiko Completo (Fumika Shimizu) panties to battle evil. Meanwhile, Aiko has mixed emotions and decide to get her panties back from Kyosuke. Kyosuke suffers from the loss of Aiko completo panties and disappears. The biggest enemy yet appears in front of Kyosuke.
HK: Forbidden Super Hero (2013)
High school student Kyosuke Shikijo is the most talented member of the school's martial arts of the fist club. His late father was detective and Kyosuke share his father's strong sense of justice. Kyosuke also has a secret. Kyosuke likes to wear female underwear and transforms himself into the alter ego "Hentai Kamen," wearing female underwear and gaining superhuman powers. This unusual interest also comes from his parents, with his father a masochist and his mother a sadist. By chance, Kyosuke gets the underwear of female high school student Aiko Himeno. With her underwear, he gains various pervert techniques and attempts to protect Aiko from a dirty and heinous teacher.
Postal (2007)
The story begins with a regular Joe who tries desperately to seek employment, but embarks on a violent rampage when he teams up with cult leader Uncle Dave. Their first act is to heist an amusement park, only to learn that the Taliban are planning the same heist as well. Chaos ensues, and now the Postal Dude must not only take on terrorists but also political figures.
The Nude Bomb (1980)
The KAOS organisation has developed a bomb that can dissolve all clothing. Maxwell Smart is brought in to foil this evil plot.
Ghost Punting (1992)
The "Five Lucky Stars" attempt to help a restless ghost take revenge on the evil drug gang who took his life. At the same time, they want the ghost to help them get rich and court the four policewomen assigned to the case.
Bangkok Love Story (2007)
Steamy Thai nights provide the backdrop for unbridled romance, crime and action as two men unexpectedly brave forbidden love. Maek, a cold assassin-for-hire, is sent to knock off Iht, a police informant, when in a twist of fate the killer is shot for refusing to pull the trigger. After making their escape, an indelible bond is forged when the vulnerable assassin is nursed back to health by handsome, married Iht. But as taboo feelings of desire swell between the swarthy new lovers, their relationship is discovered. Now there's no turning back as enemies, friends and lovers are pitted against each other.
The Bride with White Hair (1993)
The sensitive swordsman Cho Yi-Hang is tired of his life. He is the unwilling successor to the Wu-Tang clan throne and the unsure commander of the clan's forces in a war against foreign tribes and an evil cult. One day, he meets the beautiful Lien, a killer for the evil cult who is equally unsatisfied with her situation, but their love angers both the Wu-Tang clan and the evil cult.
The Deceivers (1988)
India, 1825: the country lives in mortal fear of cult members known as the Deceivers." They commit robbery and ritualistic murder. Appalled by their activities, an English military man, Captain William Savage, conceives a hazardous plot to stop them. In disguise, he plans to himself become a Deceiver and infiltrate their numbers. Ever present in Savages adventures is a sense of dread; he is in constant fear of betrayal and vengeance and also undergoes a disturbing psychological transformation as he experiences the cults blood lust firsthand.
Based on the groundbreaking, cult classic anime, KITE tells the story of Sawa, a young woman living in a corrupt society where crime and gangs terrorize the streets. When Sawa's mother and policeman father are found victims of a grisly double homicide, she begins a ruthless pursuit for the man who murdered them. With the help of her father's ex-partner, Karl Aker, and a mysterious friend from her past, she becomes a merciless teen assassin, blasting her way through the dark world of human trafficking only to uncover a devastating truth
Love Finds A Home (2009)
In the sequel, Lillian has been adopted and it's several years later. Annie, married and pregnant, visits her fellow doctor friend,Dr. Owen, who desperately wants a baby, but seems unable to become pregnant. Lillian finds a love interest, an assistant to her adoptive dad, the latter has become quite overprotective.
The Lovers (2015)
The Lovers is an epic romance time travel adventure film. Helmed by Roland Joffé from a story by Ajey Jhankar, the film is a sweeping tale of an impossible love set against the backdrop of the first Anglo-Maratha war across two time periods and continents and centred around four characters a British officer in 18th century colonial India, the Indian woman he falls deeply in love with, an American present-day marine biologist and his wife.
The Notebook (2004)
An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.
Love from Paris (1957)
A poor 22 years old Hungarian man who's recently arrived in Paris meets a seemingly wealthy 17 years old Parisian girl. They fall in love, but tragedy ensues when the truth behind the girl is revealed.
Endless Love (1981)
Two young kids fall in love with each other. But the passion is too consuming for the parents of Jade. The parents try to stop them from seeing each other. But when this doesn't work, David burns down the house and is sent away. This doesn't stop him from seeing her. When he gets out he goes to look for her. But the passion for his first love is too strong and she has to leave.
Summer Night in Town (1990)
Unable to sleep in the sweltering heat, a young couple bares their bodies --- and their souls --- to each other over one life-changing night. They didn't know each other when the night began. It got hot, they stayed in. Now they know each other better than most.
Love Is Not All Around (2007)
Love Is Not All Around explores modern relationships, interweaving the love stories of the six characters to reveal what love means to young people in metropolitan Hong Kong.
Thoovanathumbikal (1987)
Thoovanathumbikal (Malayalam: ???????????????, English: Dragonflies in the Spraying Rain) is a 1987 Malayalam romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan (Mohanlal) who falls in love with two women; Radha (Parvathy) a woman in his neighborhood and Clara (Sumalatha) an escort in town. The film has turned into a cult film with a large following and commands good viewership even till today. The film was ranked #8 by IBN Live in its list of greatest Indian films of all time. The movie is also praised for the rich film score and popular songs. Rain is a recurring theme and is portrayed almost as a character in the film.
Harvard Law student Oliver Barrett IV and music student Jennifer Cavilleri share a chemistry they cannot deny - and a love they cannot ignore. Despite their opposite backgrounds, the young couple put their hearts on the line for each other. When they marry, Oliver's wealthy father threatens to disown him. Jenny tries to reconcile the Barrett men, but to no avail.
After getting into a serious car accident, a TV director discovers an underground sub-culture of scarred, omnisexual car-crash victims who use car accidents and the raw sexual energy they produce to try to rejuvenate his sex life with his wife.
Love Letters (1999)
United Stares Senator, Andrew Ladd, revisits his life after a woman he loved, but only wrote letters to, died. Having meet as children the two grow apart as he enters politics and she aspires to be an artist. While success follows him, she has a more trying life.
In Colombia just after the Great War, an old man falls from a ladder; dying, he professes great love for his wife. After the funeral, a man calls on the widow - she dismisses him angrily. Flash back more than 50 years to the day Florentino Ariza, a telegraph boy, falls in love with Fermina Daza, the daughter of a mule trader.
When beautiful Jade (Gabriella Wilde) meets charismatic David (Alex Pettyfer), her sheltered world of privilege is turned upside down as the pair's instant desire sparks a reckless summer love affair. While Jade leaves behind her inhibitions and innocence as she falls for David, he works to prove himself worthy of her love. But when David's mysterious past and Jade's overprotective father threaten to tear them apart, their romance will be put to the ultimate test.
Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Director Franco Zeffirelli's beloved version of one of the most well-known love stories in the English language. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love against the wishes of their feuding families. Driven by their passion, the young lovers defy their destiny and elope, only to suffer the ultimate tragedy.
A shallow, provincial wife finds her relationship with her preoccupied husband strained by romantic notions of love, leading her further towards Paris and the country wilderness.
The Edge of Love (2008)
Two feisty, free-spirited women are connected by the brilliant, charismatic poet who loves them both.
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Bill Clinton's life and career
Bill Clinton served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Click through the gallery to look back at moments from his life and career.
Clinton was born in Hope, Arkansas, on August 19, 1946. He is seen here the following year.
A young Clinton shakes hands with President John F. Kennedy while other American Legion Boys Nation delegates look on during a trip to the White House in 1963.
In 1974, Clinton ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives seat for Arkansas' Third Congressional District.
Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978. He is seen here with civil rights activist Rosa Parks and first lady Rosalynn Carter in July 1979.
Talk show host Arsenio Hall gestures approvingly as Clinton plays Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" on the saxophone during a taping of "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992.
During his 1992 campaign for the presidency, Clinton and his Democratic running mate, Sen. Al Gore, tour a factory in Davenport, Iowa.
Clinton debates President George H.W. Bush and independent candidate H. Ross Perot (not pictured) at Michigan State University in Lansing, on October 19, 1992. It was their third and final debate.
From left, Hillary Clinton, Tipper Gore, Bill Clinton and Al Gore celebrate their successful bid for the White House from the Old State House in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 4, 1992. Clinton won with 43% of the vote to Bush's 37% and Perot's 19%.
The Clinton's cat, Socks, is photographed outside the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock on November 17, 1992.
President Ronald Reagan presents Clinton with a jar of red, white and blue jelly beans in Los Angeles on November 27, 1992. Reagan said they kept him from smoking cigarettes.
Clinton takes his morning jog through the National Mall in Washington on May 8, 1993.
James Brady, the Reagan administration press secretary who was wounded during the 1981 assassination attempt, watches President Clinton sign the Brady Bill at the White House on November 30, 1993. The bill required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases, ending a seven-year gun-control battle.
From left, Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton attend the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signing ceremony at the White House on September 14, 1993.
Clinton calls on a reporter during a news conference in the East Room of the White House on March 24, 1994. The President said he would release his tax returns from the late-1970s to answer questions about his Whitewater investment. Six years later, independent counsel Robert Ray closed the Whitewater investigation, clearing the Clintons of any wrongdoing in the real estate scandal.
Clinton rides in a 1967 Ford Mustang during a visit to the Charlotte, North Carolina, Motor Speedway on April 17, 1994.
White House intern Monica Lewinsky embraces President Clinton at a Democratic fund-raiser in Washington on October 23, 1996.
Clinton tees off on the first hole at Farm Neck Golf Club during a visit to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts on August 22, 1997.
Paula Jones, center, arrives at the office of a lawyer representing President Clinton in Washington on January 17, 1998. The former Arkansas state employee filed a federal civil lawsuit in 1994 accusing Clinton of making "persistent and continuous" unwanted sexual advances during a conference in 1991, when he was governor. The President agreed to an $850,000 settlement on November 13, 1998.
President Clinton speaks about the Monica Lewinsky scandal at the White House on January 26, 1998, as First Lady Hillary Clinton looks on. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," he said.
Members of the 105th Congress and guests fill the Senate chamber as President Clinton delivers his State of the Union address on January 27, 1998.
Vice President Gore looks on as Clinton places an "0" on the board showing what the federal deficit will be after unveiling his balanced budget plan for 1999, during a ceremony at the White House on February 2, 1998. The President declared an end to "an era of exploding deficits," sent a $1.73 trillion budget to Congress that promised the first surplus in more than three decades.
The Clintons, and their daughter Chelsea, center, depart the White House on August 18, 1998, with their dog Buddy on their way to a two-week vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Clinton gave a televised address a day before to the American people from the White House regarding his testimony earlier to a federal grand jury in which he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton answers questions from reporters on December 17, 1998, before the start of a meeting with his foreign policy team, including National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, left, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Defense Secretary William Cohen and Vice President Al Gore at the White House. After a December 16 military strike on Iraq, Clinton warned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein against threatening his neighbors. Clinton also indicated his determination to complete the operations that continued the next day with renewed bombing of Iraqi sites suspected of housing parts to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
The Clintons listen as House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt addresses the nation on December 19, 1998, at the White House after the House of Representatives voted to impeach the President on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal. A defiant Clinton rejected calls for his resignation following the House vote.
Clinton pauses while reading a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House after the Senate voted to acquit him on February 12, 1999, in Washington. Clinton apologized for the actions that led to his impeachment, saying he was "profoundly sorry."
Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, left and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat on July 25, 2000, at Camp David at the end of a Mideast peace summit. The talks ended without an agreement.
Clinton leaves McDonald's after stopping for a crispy chicken sandwich, fries and a large Diet Coke following his passing of the symbolic torch as the leader of the Democratic Party to vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Gore in Monroe, Michigan, on August 15, 2000.
Clinton speaks at a New York Senate fund-raiser on October 22, 2000, at the Bonnie Castle Resort in Alexandria Bay, New York. Clinton attended four fundraisers throughout New York state in support of his wife's Senate campaign.
Clinton and daughter Chelsea wave before boarding his plane at Andrews Air Force Base as he leaves Washington following Bush's inauguration on January 20, 2001. Clinton was heading to his new home in Chappaqua, New York.
Clinton cheers a group of saxophone players at the conclusion of a rally on July 30, 2001, at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building in Harlem, New York. Harlem residents welcomed Clinton, who was moving into his new post-presidential office in the building.
Dr. Craig Smith, right, answers a reporter's question about Clinton's status after Clinton's quadruple bypass surgery in September 2004. Clinton was hospitalized after suffering chest pains and shortness of breath. Doctors announced that some of Clinton's arteries had been blocked more than 90%.
(From right) Clinton stands with his wife, daughter, President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter during the inauguration of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 18, 2004. The library and museum includes some 76.8 million pages of paper documents, 1.85 million photographs and over 75,000 artifacts from Clinton's eight years in the White House.
Clinton gestures as he explains to journalists that the baby being held was born just two days ago at Teureubeuh village refugee camp in Jantho, Indonesia, on May 20, 2005. Clinton visited the Indonesian ground zero of the tsunami disaster on a mission to galvanize the delivery of aid to areas still struggling to recover. Under heavy security, Clinton held talks with United Nations and government reconstruction officials at the main airport in the western province of Aceh, where more than 128,000 people lost their lives in December 2004.
Clinton visits with Hurricane Katrina evacuees in the Reliant Center adjacent to the Astrodome in Houston on September 5, 2005. That same day, former President George H.W. Bush and Clinton announced the formation of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.
On January 12, 2006, in New York City, Clinton announces that an agreement was reached by the Clinton Foundation that will allow the sale of anti-retroviral drugs Efavirenz and Abacavir, as well as HIV tests, at a lower cost in developing countries. Anti-retroviral drugs and rapid tests were regarded as part of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative.
The former President addresses the Democratic National Convention on August 27, 2008, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Democrats made history on August 27, installing Barack Obama as the first black presidential nominee of a major U.S. party. A state-by-state roll-call vote was dramatically suspended when Hillary Clinton appeared on the floor of the convention and called for Obama to be nominated by acclamation.
Journalist Laura Ling speaks in front of Euna Lee, former Vice President Gore and former President Clinton after Ling and Lee arrived in Burbank, California, on August 5, 2009, after being released by North Korean authorities. Ling and Lee, of San Francisco-based Current TV, were arrested by North Korea in March for illegally entering the country on the Chinese border. They were pardoned by President Kim Jong-Il after a meeting with Clinton. Ling and Lee had been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Clinton visits the General Hospital of Port-au-Prince on January 18, 2010, after a 7.0 earthquake sturck the country. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon placed Clinton in charge of overseeing aid and reconstruction efforts in Haiti on February 3, 2010.
Bill Gates, co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, testifies with Clinton before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2010. Gates and Clinton voiced their support for legislation that would increase funding for global health and outlined what they believe could be cost-effective ways to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty around the world.
The former President walks his daughter Chelsea down the aisle during her wedding to Marc Mezvinsky at the Astor Courts Estate in Rhinebeck, New York, on July 31, 2010.
Clinton welcomes President Barack Obama to the stage during a campaign rally on November 4, 2012, in Concord, New Hampshire. With only two days left until the presidential election, Obama and his opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, were stumping from one "swing state" to the next in a last-minute rush to persuade undecided voters.
Clinton speaks to China's President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 18, 2013.
President Obama awards Clinton the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on November 20, 2013. The medal is considered the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
Bill de Blasio, right, is sworn in as New York City mayor by Clinton on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan on January 1, 2014. With them are de Blasio's daughter Chiara, wife Chirlane and son Dante.
Former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush share a laugh during a September event launching the Presidential Leadership Scholars program at the Newseum in Washington. With the cooperation of the Clinton, Bush, Lyndon B. Johnson and George H. W. Bush presidential libraries and foundations, the new scholarship program will provide "motivated leaders across all sectors an opportunity to study presidential leadership and decision making and learn from key administration officials, practitioners and leading academics."
Hillary and Bill Clinton hold their granddaughter in September at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky is the first child of their daughter, Chelsea.
Clinton and actor Sean Penn visit a cholera treatment center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in February.
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From The Philosopher Autumn edition, 1923
THE NEED OF A PHILOSOPHY
2000 - the Editor adds:
In this early paper from the Journal, delivered orally, as was the early fashion, the sometimes lightly described 'Philosopher of fun', produces a powerful attack on two modern 'isms' that he accuses of being profoundly un-philosophical. If utilitarianism, ('brutalitrianism',) and relativism are allowed to become the modern way, "It means full steam in the darkness with lights out."
Report of a lecture , given at the Lyceum Club, March 7th 1923
The Lecturer prefaced his subject by an excuse for speaking to a philosophical society on Philosophy and described himself as "a little more of a charlatan than usual" yet, he went on to say, he did not intend to use the word in its academic sense, that is as it stands for a definite class of studies concerned with the relation of ideas to each other and the ultimate abstractions behind nature of things.
Mr. Chesterton illustrated his meaning with an example. There existed at one time at Oxford a man who was so impressed by the sound of the word qua that he proposed writing a book which should be called qua, qua, qua," in other words it might be termed the "As such in relation to the as suchness." Here we have a true illustration of pure philosophy. The lecturer repudiated for himself any such sort of quackery.
"I will not now speak of the word in its metaphysical sense," he said, "but will rather take it as a working philosophy - a practical view of life. There was a famous American who said that England had no weather, only samples. That is true today of modern views about life. They are scrappy. Now what is excellent as regards weather is not excellent as regards the things of the mind. Modern England has no thinking, only thoughts. Thoughts can be brilliant and suggestive - journalism, literature and fiction are full of random thoughts on human life - but thinking is something different and it is extraordinarily rare. Some people, especially those who do not think, imagine that thinking is a painful process, but to my mind it is the best game in the world, and connected thinking of some kind - knowing what you mean and not following catchwords - is necessary for us all.
"To summarise," continued the lecturer, "what began as free thought has now developed into freedom from thought. All through history, there have been broad conceptions of the aims of life, tests of morality which masses of men have held and applied with certainty; but in the modern,world these various systems have been abandoned and what is left of them is nothing but debris - a collection of broken bits, the ruins of past philosophies. There are some, like myself, who hold a mystical philosophy, a belief that behind human experience there are realities, powers of good and evil, and the final test for things is their influence for good or evil. The good power intends us to be happy and we are justified in being happy, but the real question is not whether we are happy, but whether, behind the things wherein we seek our happiness lies the, power of good. Are they parts of the good or of the evil?
"To take a typical case: that of Nero. It is possible to condemn him on merely social and practical grounds, burning people is a disintegrating element. Here is a good case for an utilitarian test. Nero was a nuisance. But there is the other point of view which holds that he was possessed with a positive passion for hurting people and that was not only an evil on account of what it produced, but was an evil in itself. It was not relative, not negative, but a positive poisonous thing in the soul of man that was in itself wholly evil. You may insist, in the Language of modern popular science that Nero was mad - what some of us would rather call possessed with a devil- but to say that such a state of mind is madness does not decide the issue. The ego in man in that condition,is evil in itself. It is akin to demonology. It is incidentally bad because it corrupts society but the harm done from that point of view is only a symbol, for it is really bad because it is related to evil realities that exist behind our life. It is not true to say that cruelty is bad because it destroys a community, it is rather true to say that it destroys because it is bad.
"Fragments of this philosophy remain in our minds and will not be expelled. We are surprised to find we do believe in the devil and that this is one of those philosophies that still lurks within us and has not yet been thrust out.
"For a while. in the 18th century. after the eclipse of the mystical Philosophy in the Western world, minds tended towards utilitarian views. Broadly speaking things were to be judged by their utility. 1. myself, think that this test fails. Yet it has produced two ideas which have remained tangled up with modern thought and have done little good. Some extreme utilitarians have maintained t theory that self-interest is identical with the interest of the community, contending that what is best for the individual is best for society at large. They have set themselves to prove this.
"But the thesis breaks down when a man's happiness is supposed to the good of the community. A man who is to be hanged for the good of society, if offered a chance to escape, will not argue that it is for his own advantage to be hanged because it is good for the rest of the world. Even apart from the powerful motive of self-interest in such a case, the only morality this philosophy has to offer is of a mean and timid nature. The argument is operative against generous and heroic action. The overthrow of some social convention for an ideal would, does not come within the scope of its doctrine and therefore the theory that every man benefits himself most as he helps his fellows falls to pieces. Yet the theory still hangs in the air.
"The second point in the utilitarian theory considered as 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number', would have much to be said for it, if it could be regarded as a clear-headed statement. But the question remains - Are you free to produce an intense amount of happiness for the few rather than a moderate happiness for the greatest number? The test fails philosophically although it still remains with us as a fragment from the past, for the theory has been invaded by the doctrine of evolution and of universalism, and these would make us ask -happiness for what? Fleas, cats, dogs, elephants?
"The utilitarians did assume that man had a special duty to man but the modern view is different - modern duties must now be equally guided by our relations to animals. The rights of animals is the subject of much controversy and discussion on the point is undetermined. Some people'' will eat fish and not meat. There was a man who would eat lobster sauce because it was at the cost of only one life, while he would not eat shrimp sauce because that was a holocaust. In any case it has been well put, that if animals have no rights man has duties to them.
The theory which corresponds with the Darwinian epoch, greatly upset the utilitarian philosophy, for it brought a greater unity between man and the animals. It did more than produce humanitarianism, it produced brutalitarianism. One of the popular results of the Darwinian epoch was to bring in a new theory of aristocracy; of the few above the many as a victory of the best. But, in the general inconsistency, this theory exists along's side with the others. It is not sorted out. The utilitarian might be asked with regard to the greatest happiness not only of what, but when? Is the sacrifice of the present,. good to be made for the sake of unborn millions in the future?
"Further the influence of evolution has produced all the nonsense talked about the superman. It was taken quite seriously some time ago. This theory became a cult. Nero was actually regarded as the forerunner of a race of giants - one man had his hair cut to imitate Nero. Man was to regard himself, not as a monkey to become in time a man, but as mud out of which a glorious idol was in be shaped. This was mere sophistry. It is not a true social utilitarian test but something impossible to apply. The question being: not is Nero serving hell or being a danger to society, but is he behaving as if he were the great-great-great-grand-father of the superman? Yet the philosophy hovers in our minds - 'Yes,' we say, 'it may be bad now, but a new generation brought up differently may judge otherwise.'
"Broadly speaking, the series of ideas - the old Christian idea of good and evil outside man, the utilitarian idea and the evolutionary idea of growth have none of them been definitely repudiated and abandoned, but neither have they been made into a definite philosophy. If you like you can take from each and form your own theory but they are not co-ordinated into a clear scheme of thought. There is a hubbub among them but no consistent view of the aim of life for ordinary purposes -[how?] education for instance - can be gained from them.
"I think the philosophy of growth is a sham. Bernard Shaw in 'Man and Superman' and Wells in 'Food for the gods' have put the extreme view forward. A race of giants is to be developed who, when it comes, will have a thin time, but will be able to comfort itself with the thought that it does not exist for happiness but for the growth of the future -for the yet greater giants who will follow.
"Men are weary of these views and presently a new philosophy will arise with some new test of right and wrong - fat things versus thin or some other way of dividing light from darkness. But it will still be a hotch-potch philosophy, it will not help the world for so far as modern society is moral it is living on the momentum of the past. Do not think that a purely evolutionary philosophy can be produced that will have men as large as churches in substitution for a church.
"it is necessary therefore for each of us to arrange an order in our thinking" and if you decide to accept these beliefs you must be able to explain why you believe them and how, and within what limitations. Without some such consecutive philosophy, society will become a monster without a brain. It means full steam in the darkness with lights out."
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Lewis Capaldi Surprises Fans With Emotional New Song ‘Before You Go'
By Lindsey Smith Nov 19, 2019
Lewis Capaldi's debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, came out in May but he's not letting the year wrap up before giving fans more music.
On Tuesday (November 19), the 23-year-old surprised fans with the song “Before You Go” — which he said is “by far the most personal tune” he's ever written. The singer shared the news of the track while reflecting on his whirlwind year in a Twitter note.
“The past year has been absolutely wild, didn’t in a million years think all of this stuff would happen to me,” he told fans. “Less than two years ago I was lucky enough to get to gig in small pubs & bars back home in Scotland and somehow I am writing this with a number one single in America and getting to play to and meet thousands of ya every night all over the world.”
In the new track, Capaldi laments about a lost love begging his former flame to let him know if there was anything he could have done to change the outcome. He sings in the chorus: So, before you go/Was there something I could've said/To make your heart beat better?/If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather/So, before you go/Was there something I could've said/To make it all stop hurting?
“Before You Go” is set to feature on an extended edition of Capaldi's album — out this Friday (November 22). In his typical humorous fashion, after the song was released, the “Someone You Loved” singer tweeted, “This song means a lot to me, but it will mean even more if it becomes successful,” along with a shirtless video lip syncing to the track.
This year may have been one to remember for the singer, but 2020 is looking even brighter! He'll be headed out on tour with his best friend Niall Horan next spring and will hopefully be working on his sophomore release.
Lewis Capaldi is performing at this year's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City, alongside a star-studded lineup. Fans will be able to watch the show on December 13th via an exclusive livestream on The CW App and CWTV.com. The CW Network will also broadcast the event as a nationwide special on Thursday, December 19th at 8pm ET. Fans will also be able to listen to December 13th's festivities across the country on 100 iHeartRadio CHR stations.
Photo: Photos: Adrianna Casiano for iHeartRadio
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Costs of man-games lost to injury for National Hockey League teams
in News, Rehabilitation
Each man-game lost to injury costs a National Hockey League team an average of $35,000
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/hockey-players.jpg 1136 2048 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-31 07:00:012019-03-12 07:16:26Costs of man-games lost to injury for National Hockey League teams
Tommy Henriksson: Building development pipelines in women’s ice hockey
in News, Training and performance
Tommy Henriksson is a coach and sports scientist at Umea Performance Center. He is also completing
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/umea-sport-science-lab.jpg 720 960 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-24 07:00:142019-03-12 07:16:26Tommy Henriksson: Building development pipelines in women's ice hockey
Major League Baseball: Cost of injuries in wins, dollars and final standings
Injuries cost Major League Baseball teams millions of dollars, wins, their place in
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/chicago-cubs-warmup.jpg 2336 3504 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-17 07:00:562019-03-12 07:16:26Major League Baseball: Cost of injuries in wins, dollars and final standings
Jonas Dodoo on coaching and culture: “You have to listen to your athletes”
Jonas Dodoo is the founder of Speedworks Training in London, where he and his team train,
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jonas-dodoo.png 536 989 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-10 07:00:532019-03-12 07:16:26Jonas Dodoo on coaching and culture: "You have to listen to your athletes"
Resisted and assisted sprinting for post-activation potentiation with 1080 Sprint
in 1080 Motion research, News
Dr. Gerald Mangine recently co-authored the first study examining the effect of resisted
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/resisted-sprint-cover.png 1731 2257 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-03 07:00:242019-03-12 07:16:26Resisted and assisted sprinting for post-activation potentiation with 1080 Sprint
Resisted sprinting for maximal power: Early findings from J-B Morin et al.
J-B Morin led a team of sports scientists that investigated the effects of resisted
https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/JB-mflcrop.jpg 1721 2573 NIck Saliya https://1080motion.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1080Motion_Logos.svg NIck Saliya2017-07-02 13:58:222019-03-12 07:16:27Resisted sprinting for maximal power: Early findings from J-B Morin et al.
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Follow 7NEWS on TwitterFollow 7NEWS on FacebookFollow 7NEWS on InstagramEmail 7NEWS
SportChevron Right IconSoccer
Back to the future for A-League coaches
Anna Harrington
Published: Saturday, 28 November 2020 7:05 AM
Ante Milicic will coach Macarthur FC in their inaugural season in the A-League. Credit: EPA
Their baggy jerseys tucked into baggier shorts may have been swapped for suits and tracksuits but for the A-League's coaching contingent, the passion is as strong as ever.
The new season will feature at least nine coaches - Ante Milicic, Carl Veart, Grant Brebner, Mark Rudan, Patrick Kisnorbo, Richard Garcia, Steve Corica, Ufuk Talay and Warren Moon - who played in the A-League.
Of those, six featured in the inaugural season, including new Macarthur FC coach Milicic, who scored the A-League's first hat-trick when suiting up for Newcastle in 2005.
Fifteen years on, Milicic will coach a team featuring captain Mark Milligan - who was a Sydney FC youngster in 2005-06 - alongside players who weren't even at primary school when their now-captain won that season's grand final.
"I played for Newcastle Jets in the first season of the A-League and now I've come full circle and now I'm coaching in the league," Milicic told AAP.
"I haven't looked too much into that.
"It's nice that there's a lot of coaches now that have played in the A-League that are now also giving back and they're in the league."
Kisnorbo, one of this season's youngest mentors, joined the A-League at a later date - but it's still shaped his journey from player to coach.
After a long career in England, the former Socceroos defender joined Melbourne City in 2013, playing three seasons before moving into coaching at youth, then W-League, then A-League level.
"Through my football career, I always wanted to be a coach, in what capacity that was I didn't know then," Kisnorbo told AAP.
"It's great, we're in a league (where) it's great to have a lot of Australian coaches to develop.
"You see the pathway of obviously (Tony) Popovic and Musky (Kevin Muscat) and you want to be part of that.
"Now I'm probably one of the youngest in the league at the moment, so for us it's a learning curve to hopefully get Australian coaches on the map, as you were as players.
"For me it's fantastic to have coaches that you used to play with or against in the A-League - to hopefully one day develop Aussie coaches to go abroad and to be the best that they can."
The transition from player to coach is far from a new concept in the A-League - previously the likes of Muscat, Popovic and John Aloisi have made that jump with varying levels of success.
But the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating fortunes of various clubs have opened the door for more former A-League players to step up with Kisnorbo, Brebner, Veart, Moon and Garcia joining Corica in coaching the clubs they once played for.
While there are big learning curves ahead both Kisnorbo and Milicic believe they can draw upon their own experiences to help develop and drive Australia's talent.
"Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't," Kisnorbo said.
"But through your experiences, you think that you can help the playing group.
"That just comes with age and obviously playing in this league."
The majority of the A-League's championship-winning coaches are Australians and there's every reason to believe that will be the case for the fifth consecutive season.
"I've always looked at coaching, particularly for us Australians, we're more than capable of doing a good job," Milicic said.
"The understanding that we have with the Australian players, particularly in bringing them through and giving them a chance and also knowing what's out there also plays a part in it all together. It's fantastic and it means a lot.
"... These are coaches that have played for the clubs now that are getting an opportunity, so then they know what that club's about.
"It makes a lot of sense with the way a lot of clubs have gone and I think it's great that a lot of young Australian coaches are getting their chance.
"Has that had a bit to do with the whole COVID situation or not? I'm not sure ... it's great for all us coaches that are now given an opportunity and now hopefully that's gonna add something exciting to the league."
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Has It Really Been 8 Years Since The McRib Has Been Available At McDonald’s?
'The McRib is back!'
It's a saying that has been a part of pop culture ever since McDonald's put it in print to promote one of the most popular "limited-time-only" menu items of all time.
But has it really been gone for eight years?
McDonald's made the announcement back at the end of October that the barbecue sandwich known as the McRib would be returning nationwide for the first time since 2012.
The key word here is "nationwide" as the McRib has been available at select restaurants more recently than in 2012. There is even a McRib locator website for the most dedicated McRib enthusiasts to track down the sandwich when it surfaces at specific locations for a limited amount of time.
The boneless pork sandwich, slathered in barbecue sauce and topped with onions and pickles on a hoagie bun made its U.S. debut back in 1982, and starting today it will be available at every McDonald's location nationwide for the first time in nearly a decade—but only for a limited time, so act fast if you want one.
Also, if you were wondering if McRib heaven existed, it does—but you'll have to travel to Germany where it's available on the menu year-round.
Filed Under: mcdonald's, McRib
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AA Agnostica
Starting an AA Meeting
Alternative 12 Steps
Step Interpretations
Secular Group Websites
Key Players in AA History
Young Bill Wilson – Part One
by Roger · Published November 24, 2013 · Updated November 28, 2020
By bob k
Part One (Prequel to a Prequel)
War fever ran high in the New England town to which we new, young officers from Plattsburg were assigned, and we were flattered when the first citizens took us to their homes, making us feel heroic. Here was love, applause, war; moments sublime with intervals hilarious. I was part of life at last, and in the midst of the excitement I discovered liquor. I forgot the strong warnings and the prejudices of my people concerning drink. In time we sailed for “Over There”. I was very lonely and again turned to alcohol.
Thus begins the book – the “big” book – that has affected the lives of millions of people. From a writer’s perspective, it is a strong opening. As a frightened twenty-one year old soldier faces the most uncertain of futures, “Bill’s Story” begins with the discovery of alcohol, and its mystical power to transform. In fact, Bill’s story starts some twenty years earlier, and in a very real sense, a good deal earlier than that.
Nineteenth Century America
The events described in this essay take place in the nineteenth century, amid circumstances that were stupendously different from the world as we experience it today. Bill Wilson was born in 1895, almost exactly 118 years ago. The main means of transportation were the horse and the railroad. The Wright brothers were mere bicycle shop proprietors, five years away from their very first testing of gliders. The earliest automobiles were seen broken down on the sides of roads, and mocked by those passing in carriages drawn by trusty steeds. The rambunctious Teddy Roosevelt was not yet a “Roughrider,” and five years away from becoming America’s youngest ever President at forty-two. The sitting President was Grover Cleveland.
The world of 1895 was a dangerous place. Minor infections often spread through the body unchecked – a cut on the hand could lead to a crudely executed amputation, or even a fatality. This America of the late nineteenth century was particularly harsh for women, thousands dying in childbirth, and a distressingly large number of children failed to reach adulthood.
Bill Wilson’s parents were born only five years after the end of the American Civil War, and eleven years prior to the Earp brothers’ legendary gunfight at the OK Corral. Bill’s grandparents, the males only, of course, may have voted for (or against) Abraham Lincoln. Emily Griffith Wilson, Bill’s mother, was a highly intelligent woman who became a medical doctor, an osteopath, but she got to vote in no Presidential elections until she was fifty years of age.
The volume of alcoholic beverage consumption had risen explosively earlier in the century, as had the consequences. The forces of temperance were vocal, and in ascension. Drinkers of the time were shamed, much as are cigarette smokers in current times. Dr. Bob’s recollection of the same era was that “men who had liquor shipped in from Boston or New York by express were looked upon with great distrust and disfavor by most of the good townspeople.” (Doctor Bob’s Nightmare, p. 171) National Prohibition was as yet some time away, but the “anti-alcohol” forces were moving forward with a growing momentum.
Divorce was almost unheard of and carried a ferocious stigma, especially in America’s heartland. Young Bill Wilson would be teased relentlessly by other children for having no parents after his father fled across the continent when he was nine, and less than a year later his mother dumped him onto her parents in order to attend school in Boston. Some people suffer the misfortune of having one parent dreadfully unsuited to the role. The adolescent Vermonter seems to have had two.
The Vermont “Ethos”
The Green Mountains of Vermont… were the cradle of the taciturn New England virtues – thrift, honesty, industry. Of course, an undercurrent of New England vices thrived there as well – tobacco, homemade cider, illegal whiskey from Canada, and hotheadedness often legitimized by the euphemism ‘rugged individualism.” Ethan Allen, from a Dorsett family, was the leader of the Green Mountain Boys during the Revolution. A young man who might in another state and another time be classified as a juvenile delinquent, Allen used his hatred of authority and his willingness to take insane risks, to become a great American hero and the epitome of Vermont values. (My Name is Bill, Susan Cheever, p. 9)
Vermont was a “dry state” when Bill Wilson was growing up, “a state where self-righteousness about not drinking lived side by side with self-righteousness about drinking anyway.” (Cheever, p. 13) In the late nineteenth century, the Temperance Movement in America was strong.
Dorset and East Dorset
Mount Aeolus divides the town of Dorset into three distinct hamlets…
Even today, Dorset is a very small town with a population of about 2,000. Mount Aeolus divides the town into three distinct hamlets. Bill’s sister Dorothy recalled the East Dorset of her youth as “a small village of about twenty homes on two main streets… There were two general stores, two marble mills, a cheese factory, a blacksmith shop, and a cobbler shop; also a public school and two churches.” (Pass It On, p. 18) “East Dorset… was a gritty, blue-collar town. The marble quarry owners lived in Dorsett, the workers in East Dorset.” (My First Forty Years, Bill Wilson, p. vii)
East Dorset, even today, is extremely rural, ethnically homogenous, and possessed of a strange mixture of conservatism and rebelliousness. Quarrying was the main industry in the Dorset area, eventually slowing at the turn of the twentieth century, and nearly extinct by 1920. The marble mined in the East Dorset area was considered among the world’s finest, and the local industry was booming around the turn of the century, fueled by contracts to supply major projects such as the New York Public Library.
Cool Wind and Blinding Light
Bill’s paternal grandfather, William C. Wilson, a quarryman, and the son of a quarryman, in 1865 “married Helen Barrows, one of whose ancestors had built the largest house in East Dorset, a great rambling structure… For years this house had been run as an inn called the Old Barrows House, but soon after the wedding William discovered that, along with working in the marble quarries, he enjoyed managing the inn and the name was changed to Wilson House.” (Bill W., Robert Thomsen, p. 14) The property was directly across the street from the railroad station, which had opened in East Dorset in 1851.
Grandfather Wilson, enthusiastic innkeeper, had had his good friend, alcohol, turn against him. “One Sunday morning in despair he climbed to the top of Mount Aeolus and beseeched God to help him. He saw a blinding light and felt a great wind, and rushed down to interrupt the service at the Congregational Church. Demanding that the minister leave the pulpit, Wilson described his experience to the congregation… Emily loved this story about her husband’s father, and she told it to her son and husband as often as they would listen. In the eight years that he lived after that experience, the elder Wilson never had another drink.” (Cheever, p. 17)
Fifty-seven years later, the extremely desperate future AA founder was a very frightened patient at Towns Hospital. It was his fourth visit. Perhaps the oft told tale of his grandfather came to mind. Bill’s 1934 “spiritual experience” was remarkably similar to that of the old innkeeper near the summit of a windy mountain in 1877. Perhaps a nurse inadvertently contributed to the grand event by leaving a window open.
Gilman and Family
Following the death of her husband in 1885, Helen Wilson was assisted in the day-to-day business of innkeeping by her two teenaged son, one of whom was Bill’s father, Gilman, called “Gilly” by some, and “Jolly” by others. William C. Wilson’s son, Gilman Barrows Wilson followed his father’s footsteps into three family enterprises – quarry work, hotel management, and drinking. Gilman “was an immensely likable man, known as an excellent storyteller with a fine voice that got even better with a few drinks… He managed a marble quarry near East Dorset, and he was so highly regarded as a leader that later, when he went off to work in British Columbia, a number of old East Dorset quarrymen pulled up stakes to follow him.” (Pass It On, p. 14)
“Gilly” may have been, what some would term today, a “functioning alcoholic.” For this or other reasons, throughout his life Bill remained reluctant to brand his father an alcoholic, all the while acknowledging a history of alcohol abuse among the Wilsons.
“Emily taught school before she married… She had intelligence, determination, ambition and immense courage. She would later become successful in a profession, long before most career fields were open to women.” (Pass It On, p. 15) One may wonder what the gregarious Gilly saw in the bookish and reserved Emily Griffith? “Emily was a tall, extremely handsome young woman with masses of dark chestnut hair and deep-set thoughtful eyes.” (Thomsen, p. 15) Physical attraction and a lack of other options in the tiny village may have driven their decision to marry. At twenty-four, Emily may have felt some social pressure to stave off “spinsterhood.”
“True to her Griffith heritage, Emily was a proud woman… also… a high-strung, hard, and unforgiving one, who increasingly soured on her husband’s free and easy ways.” Early on, it was evident that “these two were of extremely dissimilar temperaments.” (Thomsen, p. 13) Of course, as is often the case, “Emily had hoped that marriage would turn him into a responsible man.” (Cheever, p. 7)
“Emily found herself in love with a fellow she never truly understood. If, during their brief engagement, certain things troubled her, she was quite able to rationalize them… And whatever worries might have presented themselves, they were all ignored in the beautiful spring of 1894… and in September they were married in the white Congregational church.” (Thomsen, pp. 15-16) Marriage failed to tame the gregarious quarryman. The thought that fatherhood would render “Jolly” Wilson more domesticated doubtlessly crossed Emily’s mind, and she became pregnant early in 1894.
A Difficult Birth
It was the night before Thanksgiving, when the pains of child labor drove Emily Griffiths Wilson from preparations for the next day’s meal. “Emily’s pains drove her from out of the kitchen into the north parlor. She lay on a couch there, trying to breathe, doubling over as the contractions wracked her body… In and out of consciousness, she screamed and cried out as midnight passed. Inside the house, the midwife and her mother tried to comfort her. Ou tside, Bill’s friend-to-be, Mark Whalon, remembered a crowd of local boys gathered on the porch listening to Emily Wilson’s screams as evidence of the strangeness of the adult world. Later, Emily was fond of saying that Bill’s birth had almost killed her.” (Cheever, p. 18)
The future founder of Alcoholics Anonymous entered the world on November 26th, 1895, “in a little room in back of a bar.”
(You can read the rest of this story by clicking here: Young Bill Wilson – Part Two.)
A paperback version of Key Players in AA History is available at Amazon USA.
As well, you can get the paperback version at Amazon Canada and at Amazon – UK.
It is also available at all of the standard online outlets in all eBook formats, including Kindle, Kobo and Nook, as well as an iBook for Macs and iPads.
Tags: AABill Wilsonco-founderdorsetvermont
Next story Young Bill Wilson – Part Two
Previous story Rob Ford: What he could expect in rehab
Chris K. says:
Very interesting time in North American history.
Diane O. says:
I always had an interest in the history and origin of Bill’s life. I knew there was a lot more that the story in the Big Book tells. I think you did a fantastic job compiling this information and writing it as you have. As I was reading it I couldn’t get through it fast enough I just found it so interesting and informative so much to learn from your essay. I was deeply touched by the traumatic events that took place in Bill’s life and seemingly “grave emotional and mental disorders” that he may have suffered from. Doctor Bob and Bill seem to have opposite personalities, yet they both personalities complement each other and they had a very close relationship. I’m not surprised that Bill had trust issues and not too many close friends, given the loss of love he had encountered in his early days that probably would have accounted for that. In closing I just want to say that this is an amazing article and I look forward to reading your previous essays. Diane O
Frank M. says:
Thanks, Bob.
I suspect that Bill and Dr. Bob would have disapproved of my finding analytical clues regarding the nature of the psychological angle to Bill’s drinking there in his childhood, but I do.
Bill’s thirst for greatness, which he sublimated with his thirst for alcohol (spiritus contra spiritum), probably began with that difficult home life – for which, perversely, children tend to blame themselves.
A handsome piece here. Keep up the great work, and thank you for sharing your research with us.
Sheri B says:
It is interesting that Bill re-created his parents marriage to a degree with Lois even though he was only with them as a family unit for a relatively short time. I have often wondered if Bill had been exposed to ACOA ideas if he would have had an easier sobriety. Thanks Bob real interesting stuff.
bob k says:
Interesting point about recreating the parents marriage. Very similar except in the wives’ willingness to tolerate the drunken husband. Emily “got out of Dodge” in quite short order.
Others offer the theory that the Lois-Bill relationship had a lot of mother-son elements. In 1918, marrying a woman almost 5 years one’s senior was odd indeed. If the ubiquitous philandering rumors are even partially true, a mother-son bond would be more accommodating to this. There is some suggestion that the Bill-Lois union dropped its sexual component at some point.
Cor says:
Cor: Always enjoy reading history. Lots of research has gone into your work. Thank you for informing and sharing this piece!
Thanks to all for the more than kind comments. I have a fascination with the “background” story behind the story. The early part of this essay was enjoyable to write, especially connecting this bit of AA pre-history to the broader cultural era of Lincoln, Roosevelt and the Wright brothers.
It “blows me away” that Bill’s parents were born before the shootout at the OK Corral, and I miss the innocent days of my own childhood. There was not mistaking the good guys from the bad. It was uncomfortable to learn that the Earp brothers were, in many ways, less than heroic.
Our world is many shades of gray. At least 50!
Jamie K. says:
Bob… Thank you for setting the background with the dates… It helped me to relate it to my own family members and get a better feel for the historical significance of the time period, and what Bill W. went through. Great well written article !!
Metka V. says:
Thank you Bob for bringing to life the 19th century America and the ethos of Vermont, especially that of Dorset and East Dorset. You shed light on so many details that needed to be stressed to be able to understand these historical times and circumstances, i.e. the anti-alcohol movement, Temperance Movement, the stigma of divorce and unfit parents, childbirth and life in general. It was also good to be reminded of the spiritual experiences of both Bill and his grandfather. Definitely a combination of skill and talent in your writing. Looking forward to part 2 for sure!
Tom C. says:
Good stuff Bob! Having done genealogy and having an interest in history, it amazes me what the generation born in around 1900 experienced! They were still using horse and buggy and cable cars then! Setting the stage for Bill Wilson’s life and times is an essential part of the story! Good job!
Great stuff Bob. Very interesting. I didn’t know a lot of this but was very interested in his Grandfather’s spiritual experience at the top of the mountain – like you say this sounds very similar to Bill’s description of his experience. Jung also talked about these vital spiritual experiences which bring about recovery didn’t he?
Nice to get a bit of background to the circumstances in which he grew up too.
Jeff H. says:
Thanks Bob! Very well written and researched. Will be reading part two for sure.
rich n says:
Very interesting. I just saw Bill W. and Dr. Bob at Soho Theatre, NYC. Great show with fantastic actors. It runs til January 5.
Joe C says:
Bill Wilson could have founded Adult Children of Alcoholics. The man had issues. Bob, you have a skill for putting a reader in the story. I could feel the Vermont air and smell the alcoholic Apple Cider.
Maybe a meeting would be a good idea tonight…
larry k says:
I love this stuff. Good to know Bill comes from congregational roots…thus ensuring the concept of group autonomy! Hmmm, not such a unique AA concept after all.
I wait with baited breath for the prequel sequel.
Thomas B. says:
Indeed Bob — excellently fashioned. I especially admire how you drew upon both “conference approved” AA and non-AA sources to flesh out the story. What’s important are not just the facts of the story but the environment within which those facts occurred. Drawing from both AA and non-AA sources gives a well-rounded depiction of “What Happened” from varied perspectives.
And like the two Johns, I look forward to Part II next week . . .
Lon Mc. says:
Excellent piece. It well captures details which I had forgotten, as well as details I never knew. From Stan Freberg’s weekly radio show in the 1950’s: “Tune in next week for the next episode of our action packed drama!” … Except this is not satirical here. I do look forward to it.
John K. says:
Bobby you keep us wanting. I’m looking forward to the next insertion. Bob, are there any shining stars, or shepherds, not to mention Inns, that will only accept credit cards? I look forward to the conclusion. All the best, John.
This is really intriguing background so far. You have written it with such flair that the drama of what comes next makes one wish this was not in two parts. I look forward to part two next week.
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Meet Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, the history-making NASA and SpaceX astronauts
Both men are married to fellow NASA astronauts.
ByCatherine Thorbecke
SpaceX, NASA launch US astronauts into space
The SpaceX Demo-2 successfully launched with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, and is making its way to the International Space Station.
SpaceX/NASA
SpaceX and NASA are set to launch two American astronauts to the International Space Station on Saturday, in the first crewed mission for Elon Musk's private space company.
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley participate in a test of critical crew flight hardware on March 30, 2020, at a SpacerX processing facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Saturday's SpaceX Demo-2 test flight is also historic in that it would mark the first time in nearly a decade that the U.S. is sending American astronauts into space from American soil, ditching an expensive dependency on Russia for seats to space. The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but rescheduled due to inclement weather.
MORE: NASA's SpaceX launch scrubbed due to weather, next chance on Saturday
While there has been a lot of hype and buzz surrounding Musk and SpaceX, the NASA astronauts have largely shied away from the spotlight.
In a video released by NASA ahead of the launch, the two were bashful when asked about what makes the other great and joked with each other like longtime friends.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken greet their families before the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Fla., May 27, 2020.
There are a lot of similarities between Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. Both joined NASA's astronaut program in 2000, they are both married to fellow NASA astronauts and they are fathers. They even share the same taste in music.
Here is everything you need to know about Hurley and Behnken, the astronauts NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has called "truly the best of us."
MORE: SpaceX and NASA set for 'milestone' launch of astronauts to the International Space Station
John Raoux/AP Photo
NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley, left, and Robert Behnken wave as they walk out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Pad 39-A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., May 27, 2020.
Doug Hurley
Hurley, 53, was a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot prior to being selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2000.
He piloted two spaceflight missions in July 2009 and July 2011, and has logged a total of 683 hours in space.
Hurley is a native of Apalachin, New York. When he's not flying to space, he enjoys hunting and spending time with his family in the Texas Hill Country, according to his official NASA biography.
Hurley is married to fellow NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg. They have one son.
Ahead of the launch, Hurley shared an image that his son drew of the Crew Dragon spacecraft on Instagram.
Bob Behnken
Behnken, 49, a veteran Air Force test pilot, was first selected as an astronaut in July 2000.
The St. Ann, Missouri, native has logged more than 708 hours in space and flew on two space shuttle flights in March 2008 and February 2010. He has also logged more than 37 hours of spacewalking on six different occasions, according to NASA.
Eva Claire Hambach/NASA TV/AFP via Getty Images
This still image taken from NASA TV, shows the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with astronauts Bob Behnken (front) and Doug Hurley, at Launch Coomplex 39A in Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 27, 2020.
Behnken is married to fellow NASA astronaut K. Megan McArthur and has a young son.
Bringing spaceflight capabilities back to the U.S. is important to him so that his son can witness him launch, Behnken said in a video released by NASA.
"On a deeply personal level, I’m really excited that my son is going to get a chance to see me launch into space," he said. "Being an astronaut has been a little bit of an abstraction thing for him because he’s seen me do it in old videos but he hasn’t seen me do it for real."
"I'm just one piece of a multi-thousand member team that is going to hopefully pull this off in short order," he added. "It's inspiring to me and I'm just excited to be a part of it."
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Flood of Donations for Michigan Man James Robertson With 21-Mile Walk to Work
A 19-year-old stranger started a fundraising page for James Robertson
By KATIE KINDELAN
Flood of Donations For Man With 21-Mile Walking Commute
A 19-year-old stranger started a fundraising page for James Robertson.
Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press/AP Photo
— -- Evan Leedy, a 19-year-old Detroit college student, was on Facebook Sunday morning when he read a story about James Robertson, a 56-year-old factory worker who walks 21 miles each day to and from his job in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
“What he walks is like me walking to work every day and I honestly couldn’t believe that,” Leedy told ABC News. “I thought to myself, ‘What would I do if my car broke down?,’ and I thought, ‘I have my parents and I have money to get an Uber.’”
“This guy doesn’t have that and he didn’t quit,” Leedy said.
After reading the Detroit Free Press story on Robertson, Leedy saw in the comments that people were looking for a way to help so he started a GoFundMe page for Robertson, a complete stranger to him, within minutes of finishing the story.
“I initially set the goal for $5,000 just to get him something, bus fares and taxi rides,” Leedy said. “I went to go get ready and an hour later we had $2,000 donated already.
“I bumped it up to $10,000 and within four hours we had over $10,000,” he said. “I bumped it up again and by the end of the day we had over $30,000 and now it’s up to over $50,000.”
Leedy says he received a call from the corporate offices of Honda offering to donate a car, and a local Chevrolet dealership, Rodgers Chevrolet, has also already offered to give Robertson a car.
“We are in a position that we can help and we just want to pay it forward,” Angela Osborne, a customer service specialist at Rodgers, told ABC News. “His story really struck home.”
All the attention and donations are coming as a shock to Robertson, according to his friend and sometimes driver, Blake Pollock.
Pollock, a vice president of wealth management at UBS, started seeing Robertson walking on his daily commute a few years ago. When Robertson cut through the parking lot of Pollock’s office building one day two years ago, the banker stopped him.
Pollock told ABC News he learned that Robertson walked most of his 20-plus mile commute daily, leaving his home in Detroit early each morning to get to work at a $10.55 per hour factory job in time for his 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift.
Robertson then does the reverse commute on the way home, having to walk even further because the bus lines on his route do not run at night, according to Pollock.
“I said, ‘Next time I see you I’ll give you a ride,’” Pollock recalled. “A few months later I saw him literally standing on top of a snow bank and gave him a ride.”
Pollock estimates he has given Robertson close to 100 rides in the years since, even leaving his home at night to make sure Robertson gets home safely.
“I’m sitting in my warm house and I’m thinking this guy has five more miles to walk,” Pollock said.
Pollock has also over the years taken friends who could not believe Robertson’s story along with him on rides to show that Robertson does indeed make that commute daily. Most amazing to Pollock is that Robertson, who could not be reached today by ABC News, “thinks nothing of it.”
“He’s said, “I can’t imagine people who don’t work. I can’t imagine not doing that,’” Pollock said. “Nothing gets him down. “If it’s rainy, if it’s cold, he just always says, ‘Hi Mr. Blake.’”
“I get to sit in the car and have that inspiration right next to me,” he said of Robertson, who began walking to work a decade ago when his then-car broke down.
Now Pollock is leading the charge to make sure that Robertson – whom Pollock says is not aware of the extent of the outpouring of support – benefits from the donations made in his name. Part of that effort includes establishing a group of community leaders and professionals who can help advise Robertson on the influx of money.
“We want to make sure that all of the wonderful contributions go to truly benefit James and not get wasted on other things or go to people who want to leech off of him,” Pollock said of Robertson, whom he says lives with his girlfriend and her family in a home she inherited from her mother.
“He deserves to feel good and he deserves to not walk 20 plus miles to work,” Pollock said. “We don’t want to change his life. We want to enhance his life.”
Leedy, who started the fundraising campaign, plans to meet Robertson, along with Pollock, for the first time in Detroit this evening.
“My vision now is to really help in any way,” said Leedy, who noted that GoFundMe officials have already contacted him with offers to help make sure 100 percent of the donations go directly to Robertson. “This could really change his life.”
"I want to talk to James first and know what his needs are," Leedy said. "It’s not my money or my choice. I’m just facilitating the whole thing."
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Costa Rica’s president says therapeutic abortions will be allowed
Costa Rica's president says therapeutic abortions will be allowed
SAN JOSE — Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado on Thursday issued a technical decree that will allow for therapeutic abortions in the Central American nation, despite opposition from religious and conservative political groups.
On paper, a 50-year-old law allows a pregnancy to be terminated only if the mother’s health is at risk, but a lack of regulatory clarity at hospitals has meant the law could not be applied.
Continued: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/costa-ricas-president-says-therapeutic-abortions-will-be-allowed
Daniel Salas
therapeutic abortion
Costa Rica – Therapeutic abortion, part II: paper vs. practice
Therapeutic abortion, part II: paper vs. practice
Paula Umaña
Because of a lack of knowledge and fear of legal consequences, health care professionals in Costa Rica often bolster obstacles to pregnancy interruption in Costa Rica, even though the practice is legal when it is carried out to protect the health of the mother.
In one case studied by Semanario Universidad, a pregnant woman was hospitalized because of complications as a result of heart disease. Her life was in danger and her pregnancy had to be terminated. The patient’s discharge papers describe her treatment; however, the abortion wasn’t registered as such in the medical record. According to those records, she was treated for heart disease.
Continued: http://www.ticotimes.net/2018/02/22/therapeutic-abortion-part-ii-paper-vs-practice
Allan Varela
Article 121 of the Costa Rican Penal Code
INCIENSA
María Carranza
Research and Teaching Institute in Nutrition and Health
Therapeutic abortion: a Costa Rican right ensnared in doubts and fears
On Nov. 29, 2017, journalism student Paula Umaña published an in-depth feature for the weekly Semanario Universidad as part of Punto y Aparte, a mentoring program for young journalists. The Tico Times is proud to translate and publish her original piece with Semanario Universidad about therapeutic abortion in Costa Rica. Part I of III.
Because of lack of knowledge and fear of legal consequences, health care professionals contribute to the obstacles to therapeutic abortion in Costa Rica.
At 24, Lucía is in her last year of medicine at one of the country’s universities. When asked about therapeutic abortion, she says she remembers seeing it mentioned in one class and says “that it’s prohibited in Costa Rica”.
Continued: http://www.ticotimes.net/2018/01/25/therapeutic-abortion-a-costa-rican-right-ensnared-in-doubts-and-fears
Christian Blanco
fatal fetal abnormality
Larissa Arroyo
Luis Zamora
Oscar Cerdas
Raimundo Riggioni
Sylvia Mesa
Incest Case Attests That, In Costa Rica, Abortion Is Legal In Name Only
Larissa Arroyo Navarrete, University of Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, women have had the right to abortion since 1970. Well, more or less.
The concept of the “unpunished abortion”, established in article 121 of the penal code, permits the termination of a pregnancy as long the procedure is consensual, performed by a doctor (or, if necessary, by an authorised obstetrician), and is the only way to protect the life or health of the woman.
This is commonly called a “therapeutic abortion”. And while it may be technically permissible, in practice the public hospitals where most Costa Ricans receive care refuse to offer the procedure except when a woman’s life is in imminent danger. As in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, for instance.
Continued at source: Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/incest-case-attests-that-in-costa-rica-abortion-is_us_58ecc8d0e4b0ea028d568cc6
abortion for rape and incest
Asociación Ciudadana ACCEDER
Belém do Pará Convention
incest and abortion
Larissa Arroyo Navarrete
Organisation of American States’ Expert Committee
Caesarean section in the late second trimester as an alternative to a refused abortion: an unethical and clinically unjustifiable practice
Blog, by Marge Berer
https://bererblog.wordpress.com/
In 2013, I published a paper about the death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland, who died completely unnecessarily from uterine sepsis during pregnancy. Her death was due to the refusal of the Catholic-run hospital providing her maternity care to terminate her 17-week non-viable pregnancy, apparently because there was still a fetal heartbeat. In that paper, I said that termination of pregnancy to save a woman’s life, which is legal in all but 5-6 countries globally, should be understood to mean “to prevent a pregnancy from becoming life-threatening before it is already life-threatening...One would have thought that that includes termination to complete an inevitable miscarriage and to end an unviable pregnancy, both of which could easily become septic ‒ as well as termination when the woman has or develops a life-threatening illness while pregnant.”
In that paper, I was concerned only about unviable pregnancies and saving the life of the woman involved. I did not take into account what I believe is a newly developed policy among some Catholic physicians to act to save the life of the fetus, not just the woman, as their main or only basis for action. Since 2012, several new cases have come to light that suggest what appears to be a new way to refuse a woman an abortion before the pregnancy goes to term or ends spontaneously in a miscarriage.
These are cases where the pregnant woman (or girl) is not seen to be at immediate risk of dying, is kept in hospital until such time as the pregnancy is viable in the late second trimester, and is then “offered” or forced to have a caesarean section as an alternative to carrying the pregnancy to term ‒ in order to “save the unborn baby”. Ironically, as far as the baby is concerned, the earlier in pregnancy it is delivered, the more risk there will be to its life. The failure of the anti-abortion proponents of such a policy reveals not only how little they value the life of the girl/woman involved but also how profoundly uninterested they seem to be in whether the “unborn baby” has the best chance of staying alive, let alone being healthy.
This paper describes five such cases, from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ireland, Paraguay, and most recently a bill tabled in February 2016 in the Alaska USA state legislature. It argues that the denial of the abortions concerned is unethical, violates a woman’s right to health, and deserves to be condemned just as much as cases in which the woman is left to die rather than being allowed an induced abortion. The Alaska bill requires doctors to terminate pregnancies in such a way that the fetus has the best chance to be born alive.
Two cases from Costa Rica: old style vs. new style
Two cases from Costa Rica show how the change in practice has manifested itself. In 2007, a 27-year old Costa Rican woman with an anencephalic pregnancy was refused an abortion and forced to carry the pregnancy to term. After seven hours of labour, she gave birth to a dead baby. According to a report by the Colectivo por el Derecho de Decidir in Costa Rica, as a result of this experience she was still fighting depression, anxiety attacks, chronic diarrhoea, and social withdrawal in 2013.
In 2012, “Aurora”, also from Costa Rica, was a very different case. The Colectivo por el Derecho de Decidir reported that Aurora, aged 32, became pregnant after months of trying. However, at eight weeks of pregnancy, the doctors informed her that the fetus had multiple severe malformations that would not allow it to survive outside the uterus, including severe scoliosis, decreased level of amniotic fluid, and a complete absence of abdominal wall, which meant the internal organs (e.g. liver and intestines) were sitting outside the body. Further tests confirmed the diagnosis of a non-viable pregnancy. A little after her first appointment, Aurora started experiencing strong abdominal and back pain that prevented her from working and seriously affected her physical and emotional health. She described “in addition to the physical pain, the stress and suffering resulting from the news, which has provoked constant sadness, depression, severe stress, insomnia, nightmares, and constant tears”. She requested an abortion numerous times. However, the medical professionals and medical authorities in Costa Rica repeatedly denied her the right to a therapeutic abortion, even though it is permitted under Costa Rican law, Article 121. When she was 29 weeks pregnant, her waters broke, and then she was “allowed” to have a caesarean section.
The offer or rather imposition of a caesarean section on a woman who has asked for an abortion, following the denial of the abortion, is a new phenomenon, and it is happening in more countries than just Costa Rica.
A case in El Salvador
Abortion is illegal in El Salvador, even to save the life of the woman. In June 2013, “Beatriz”, 22 years old, underwent a caesarean section at 27 weeks of pregnancy, giving birth to a baby without a brain, who died five hours later. The previous week, having delayed a decision, the country’s Supreme Court had refused to allow an abortion for Beatriz. Her plight drew international attention and a ruling from the Inter-American Court on Human Rights, which said that El Salvador should protect her life and help her to end the pregnancy. As far as the Health Ministry was concerned, that is what they did.
The Health Ministry said it would allow a caesarean section because the pregnancy was already at 26 weeks, and the country’s strict abortion laws (which it seems do not consider an abortion to be an abortion by that stage) were no longer at play. Thus they felt they had done what the Human Rights Court asked. This is not the case. A caesarean section is not an induced abortion even if it terminates the pregnancy. One of the main aims of a caesarean section is to deliver a live baby as a form of emergency obstetric care ‒ unless the baby is already dead. Ensuring the woman survives the pregnancy is the other aim, of course.
In early April 2013 doctors advised Beatriz that continuing her pregnancy was very high risk, so she requested an abortion. Yet the Health Ministry was reported as saying it could determine what was most medically sound for “the mother versus the unborn baby”, and a news report at the time claimed they were lauded internationally for working to save her life, though lauded by whom is not clear.
“Doctors at the Maternity Hospital,” it was reported, “had been preparing to perform the c-section at the slightest danger signs to save Beatriz’s life, said Maria Isabel Rodriguez of the Health Ministry. A majority of judges on the high court rejected the appeal by Beatriz’s lawyers, saying physical and psychological exams by the government-run Institute of Legal Medicine found that her diseases were under control and that she could continue the pregnancy.”
Beatriz was as good as imprisoned in the hospital and unable to care for her 20-month-old son for some two months while this went on. Compounding the emotional stress during her hospitalization, anti-choice groups managed to contact her by phone to attempt to convince her to change her mind about requesting an abortion. They offered to move her from the under-funded and overcrowded public maternity hospital to an exclusive private hospital, which they described as equivalent to a five-star hotel, and to take care of all her expenses. The most inhumane episode occurred when an anti-choice group brought Beatriz a basket of baby clothes, including small knitted caps to cover the head of the unviable fetus she was carrying.
The Health Ministry’s claim that she was in safe hands was patently false and their description of the c-section as a “premature delivery”, when the baby had no chance of survival, was appalling. What could possibly have gone on in the minds of people working in health who were so dismissive of this woman’s life, let alone her physical and mental health and well-being? Why did they consider they owed a duty of care to a fetus that had no sentience, no life and no chance of life?
A clue to their answer may be found in a comment made by an anti-abortion spokesperson who claimed that “the rights of all had been respected”, and that “it wasn't necessary to perform an abortion, the point was to respect the baby's life and to give Beatriz the care and the right to health that she deserved.”
In fact, three months after the caesarean section, Beatriz was struggling daily with poor health resulting from the denial of an early abortion, while trying to rebuild a life for herself and her son in a poor rural area. Although she was holding her own when she was interviewed by RH Reality Check, her future, both short- and long-term, was uncertain because of permanent health problems, including aggravated lupus and kidney disease. Where was the hospital and the anti-abortion movement for her then?
Forcing a woman to deliver a live baby against the woman’s wishes: Ireland
In Ireland, under the new law brought in following Savita’s death, the only time a woman can legally have an abortion is if her life is at risk.
Ms Y: the cruellest story of them all
Ms Y, a young asylum seeker, had been raped in her country of origin and found she was pregnant when she was about eight weeks gone, not long after arriving in Ireland. She immediately expressed a desire to die rather than bear the rapist’s child. She was referred to the Irish FPA for help to go to England for an abortion but although the details of what happened are not clear, it must have taken some 8 weeks to try and arrange everything, and by then she would have had to pay for a second trimester abortion. The cost was too high and she could not afford it. At that point, being 16 weeks pregnant, it was reported that she attempted to take her own life. A friend advised her to go to her GP and get help. The GP referred her to a hospital, where she saw two psychiatrists and was then taken to another hospital. There she had a scan and was apparently told the pregnancy was 24 weeks and one day, as if such accuracy were feasible. They said they could not do an abortion that late. She said: “You can leave me now to die. I don’t want to live in this world anymore.”
After that, she said she was watched all the time, and she stopped eating and drinking. A doctor came and told her they would do an abortion in several days but that she had to start eating and drinking, so she did. Then, she was told the plan had changed and they couldn’t do it. This happened more than once until, finally, they claimed that because she was too far gone, they could only do a caesarean section. She said: “They said wherever you go in the world, the United States, anywhere, at this point it has to be a caesarean. That was of course a lie, but she didn’t know that at the time.
A spokeswoman for the Health Service Executive (HSE), when asked about the allegation that Ms Y was not offered a right to appeal the decision to carry out a caesarean section, said her request for a termination on the basis of suicide risk had been acceded to. Her words were that “a pregnancy can be terminated by way of delivery through caesarean section, as it was in this instance.” Thus, caesarean section is magically turned into an abortion method, even though what they had done was to force her to accept the delivery of a live baby. Moreover, the spokeswoman said that as they had acceded to Ms Y’s request for a termination, there was no requirement for a review of what had happened.
In short, they said they could not do an abortion, and then afterwards when they had forced her to accept the early delivery of a live baby, they claimed they had done an abortion. George Orwell would have been proud of the double-think.
Ms Y said: “When I came to this country I thought I could forget suffering… The scar [from the c-section] will never go away. It will always be a reminder. I still suffer. I don’t know if what has happened to me is normal… I just wanted justice to be done. For me, this is injustice.”
Saving the life of the baby against the wishes of a pregnant child’s mother: Paraguay
The case of the 10-year-old girl in Paraguay made international news in May 2015. The girl was apparently sexually abused by her stepfather for something like two years and became pregnant. Her mother took her to the hospital when she complained of stomach pains, and it was only discovered then that she was 20 weeks pregnant. Her mother claimed she had previously reported the sexual abuse to the police, but they had done nothing. She requested an abortion for her daughter, but this was refused. Instead, the mother was arrested and charged with conspiring in the sexual abuse. The stepfather was found some days later and also arrested. The little girl was kept in hospital until she reached 26 weeks of pregnancy and was then subjected to a caesarean section.
This case prompted a national debate in Paraguay about the prevalence of child sexual abuse and underage pregnancies, but the focus was it seems more on stopping adult sexual violence than the right of sexually abused girls to a safe abortion. The Guardian reported that the Clinicas hospital has recently reported almost 400 pregnancies in girls under the age of 16 years which they said had gone to term without complications. The gynaecologist in charge of the 10-year-old’s case said in a press release that he was surprised at the fuss because the previous year a nine-year-old girl had given birth.
Nonetheless, the case led to a large demonstration in the country’s capital, Asunción, and other parts of the country, as well as a worldwide protest. For example, the UN Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice, composed of five independent experts from all regions of the world, made the following statement regarding this case:
“The Paraguayan authorities’ decision results in grave violations of the rights to life, to health, and to physical and mental integrity of the girl as well as her right to education, jeopardising her economic and social opportunities.
“Despite requests made by the girl’s mother and medical experts to terminate this pregnancy, which puts the girl’s life at risk, the State failed to take measures to protect the health as well as the physical and mental integrity and even the life of the 10-year old girl. No proper interdisciplinary and independent expert assessment with the aim to insure the girl’s best interests was done before overturning life-saving treatments, including abortion.
“According to the World Health Organization, child pregnancies are extremely dangerous for the health of pregnant girls as they can lead to complications and death in some cases, especially as girls’ bodies are “not fully developed to carry a pregnancy.
“In Latin America, in particular, the UN reports that the risk of maternal death is four times higher among adolescents under 16 years old with 65% of cases of obstetric fistula occurring in the pregnancies of adolescents. In addition, early pregnancies are also dangerous for the babies with a mortality rate 50% higher.”
On 23 June 2015, it was reported that the doctors in Paraguay had finally acknowledged it would be too risky for this little girl’s health to allow her pregnancy to go to term. Having refused to do an abortion, they too did a caesarean section when she was more than six months pregnant. Both children survived the operation. What the future holds for either of them is uncertain, especially if the girl’s mother is kept in jail.
Caesarean section as an alternative to a refused abortion: a coincidence or an emerging policy? Developed by whom?
Overall, I believe that the cases summarised here, even though there are only four, could not have happened coincidentally in such a short space of time. There is actual policy under Guidance for health professionals in the Irish Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act 2013 (clause 6.4), 19th September 2014. The text reads as follows:
6.4 Gestational age
“An important consideration in relation to the carrying out of the medical procedure is the issue of the gestational age of the unborn. There is no time limit imposed by the Act in carrying out the medical procedure. However, the Act legally requires doctors to preserve unborn human life as far as practicable without compromising the woman’s right to life. Therefore, there is no specific stage of pregnancy below which the certifying doctor will not have to consider the possibility of preserving the life and the dignity of the unborn where practicable without compromising the life of the mother.
“Once certification has taken place, a pregnant woman has a right to a termination of pregnancy as soon as it can be arranged. The clinicians responsible for her care will need to use their clinical judgment as to the most appropriate procedure to be carried out, in cognisance of the constitutional protection afforded to the unborn, i.e. a medical or surgical termination or an early delivery by induction or Caesarean section.
“Following certification, if the pregnancy is approaching viability, it is recommended that a multidisciplinary discussion takes place to ascertain the most appropriate clinical management of the case.”
This, in turn is in line with the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which is in line with Catholic health doctrine related to pregnancy, abortion and “protection of life”:
“The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.” (Article 40.3.3°, Irish Constitution)
Taking this one step further, we can refer to a 2012 statement from the Standing Committee of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference:
“Whereas abortion is the direct and intentional destruction of an unborn baby and is gravely immoral in all circumstances, this is different from medical treatments which do not directly and intentionally seek to end the life of the unborn baby. Current law and medical guidelines in Ireland allow nurses and doctors in Irish hospitals to apply this vital distinction in practice while upholding the equal right to life of both a mother and her unborn baby.”
(Standing Committee, Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference Statement, November 2012)
Cases have now “popped up” in four different countries within a few years of each other, when formerly this practice was completely unheard of. Is the main link between them, as occurred with cases like Savita’s, which was also not a unique case, a recent (and as yet unwritten) addition to Catholic health policy? I suspect that this policy was developed in order to avoid being held responsible for more deaths like Savita’s. However, as an alternative to forcing a woman to go to term after denying her request for an abortion, it “allows” an unwanted pregnancy to be ended earlier, but is nevertheless an abuse of the purpose of a caesarean section and of the woman’s decision not to deliver a live baby.
A c-section is an emergency procedure whose primary aims are to deliver a live baby to a live woman. Abortion is intended to prevent a live baby being born to a live woman. While the pregnancy is ended in both cases, these two procedures have nothing else in common. This policy, whoever thought it up, is a new, unethical form of imposing an unwanted medical procedure on girls and women to avoid providing an abortion. It is occurring in some of the same Catholic church-dominated countries and health systems where a safe abortion is practically unobtainable for all but rich women. While the USA does not fit this description, there are many anti-abortion politicians who would like to make it that way.
The recently tabled bill in the USA
It is likely that what appears to have been the individual treatment of a few women actually reflects or has become a new policy. That at least is what seems to have happened with the bill tabled in the Alaska USA state legislature this month, which contains a requirement that doctors terminate pregnancies “in a way that affords ‘the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive’ after the procedure, without jeopardizing the woman’s life” ‒ and at the same time also “mandates Alaska physicians to judge if a fetus is viable and outlaws abortion care in those cases”. This bill has just been published. It cannot be a coincidence that the language is so similar to the language in the Irish law and policy. Information about its intended clinical consequences is needed, and its implications need further analysis. The bill makes exceptions to the restriction in cases of incest or sexual assault, or if “the abortion is medically necessary.” Is it calling for pre-viable pregnancies to be aborted in such a way that the fetus can survive? Or does it intend only that in the case of viable fetuses, efforts to save the fetus must be made? In either case, doesn’t this inevitably mean by caesarean section?? Moreover, the bill says: “fetuses that are ‘born alive’ can be turned over to the state’s care under its ‘children in need of aid’ provision”. The implications are mind boggling.
There is no information that I know of, of who is behind these policies. They cannot be ignored, however, as they represent yet another twisted form of trying to deny women abortions.
I would welcome information from anyone who has any evidence of where this is coming from, or from anyone who has a different theory about why these cases have appeared, particularly now that this legislation has suddenly emerged in the USA.
Berer M. Termination of pregnancy as emergency obstetric care: the interpretation of Catholic health policy and the consequences for pregnant women. An analysis of the death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland and similar cases. Reproductive Health Matters 2013. http://www.rhm-elsevier.com/article/S0968-8080(13)41711-1/pdf.
Knight Shine N. Alaska GOP: Doctors should try to save fetuses during abortions. RH Reality Check. 16 February 2016. http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2016/02/16/alaska-gop-doctors-try-save-fetuses-abortions/?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=reality&utm_content=4+-+Alaska+GOP+Doctors+Should+Try+to+Save+Fe&utm_campaign=daily-enews-2-17-2016&source=daily-enews-2-17-2016.
http://safe-abortion-womens-right.tumblr.com/post/39475005027/costa-rica-acci%C3%B3n-urgente-para-ayudar-a-aurora. 2 January 2013.
Ill Salvadoran woman denied abortion has c-section. Associated Press, 3 June 2013. http://safe-abortion-womens-right.tumblr.com/post/53840867560/beatriz-in-el-salvador-has-a-caesarean-section.
Baby born to El Salvador woman denied abortion dies after C-section, Guardian, 4 June 2013. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/04/baby-el-salvador-woman-abortion-dies.
Bougher K. El Salvador: no longer a front-page story, ‘Beatriz’ continues to struggle from denial of abortion care. RH Reality Check. 26 September 2013. http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/09/26/no-longer-a-front-page-story-beatriz-continues-to-struggle-from-denial-of-abortion-careberate-in-salvadoran-society/.
Berer M. Does a C-section make it OK for Beatriz in El Salvador? 01 June 2013. http://safe-abortion-womens-right.tumblr.com/post/53839227861/does-a-c-section-make-it-ok-for-beatriz-in-el.
Holland K, Mac Cormaic R. They said they could not do an abortion. I said, ‘You can leave me now to die. I don’t want to live in this world anymore’. Irish Times, 19 August 2014. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/they-said-they-could-not-do-an-abortion-i-said-you-can-leave-me-now-to-die-i-don-t-want-to-live-in-this-world-anymore-1.1901258.
Holland K, Mac Cormaic R. Woman in abortion case tells of suicide attempt. Irish Times, 19 August 2014. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/woman-in-abortion-case-tells-of-suicide-attempt-1.1901256.
Paraguay march poised to draw record crowd after 10-year-old denied abortion. Guardian. 28 May 2015. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/28/paraguay-abortion-child-rape-protest.
UN experts deplore Government’s failure to protect 10-year-old rape survivor. 11 May 2015. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50826#.VVGJZ9pVhBc.
11-year-old Paraguay girl ‒ denied abortion after rape ‒ pregnancy to be induced. 23 June 2015. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/paraguay/11694009/11-year-old-Paraguay-girl-denied-abortion-after-rape-to-be-induced.html.
Tags: denial of abortion, USA, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ireland, Paraguay, Catholic church
denial of abortion
illegal abortion
Marge Berer
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News — black businesses
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Black in Business: This Black Woman Entrepreneur Created An App To Combat Racial Bias Within The Health Field
Racial disparities within the healthcare system due to to the lingering effects of systemic racism prevent thousands of Black and Latinx patients from receiving the adequate service they deserve. One Black woman is seeking to change that by establishing a new tool to help marginalized groups connect with doctors from their communities.
Kimberly Wilson is the founder of HUED, an app created to help Black and Latinx patients connect with doctors of colors for healthcare services. Wilson created the company after her own health scare exposed her to the disparities many like her face.
“As a 30-something, I was traumatized by this experience, and in that, I realized my story is the same as countless others, though many are unequipped to be their own self-advocate,” said Wilson. “That was when I developed a solution for improving the patient care experience.”
Wilson says the COVID-19 pandemic has only given more exposure to the disparities Black and Latinx patients face when seeking healthcare services leading more consumers to the app. “Where investors and other stakeholders were uninterested and unbothered by the work that HUED was doing, even just a year ago,” she explains, “there’s been a spotlight on healthcare that is helping us to validate a problem that we’ve sought to address well before this moment in time.”
The health app recently partnered with Vaseline and award-winning actress Regina King to collaborate on a search tool to help people find dermatologists and other specialist doctors of color. “Through this partnership, we co-created a search tool with Vaseline specifically focused on helping people identify and connect with dermatologists of color and those experienced in treating skin of color,” said Wilson.
“The online platform will also offer educational resources that provide expert recommendations on how to treat and monitor skin at home, understanding when to seek a dermatologist for proper care, and how to best prepare for an appointment with the right questions and what to expect.”
Wilson went on to say that she hopes the services can help combat these disparities as a start to reform the system and help those within the community. “HUED’s solution not only reduces the economic toll of payers (resulting from racial disparities),” she says, “but also drastically improves health outcomes for people of color by allowing patients to search, review, and book culturally competent physicians that specifically understand their physical, mental, and cultural needs.”
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African Development: Safaricom Profits Fall After M-PESA Scraps Fees
Safaricom’s half year profits slumped 6% in a sign that Africa’s telecoms sector may not be immune from the commercial upheavals of Covid-19.
After-tax profits at the Kenyan telecoms giant fell to Ksh33.07bn ($303.7m) in the six months to September from Ksh35.2bn the year before as flagship mobile money service M-PESA and voice revenues declined, even as mobile data usage increased.
The scrapping of charges for M-PESA transactions under Ksh1000 in a bid to reduce physical transactions amid the pandemic led M-PESA revenue to decline 14.5% year-on-year. The firm said it had enabled “zero-rated” M-PESA transactions worth KSh1.76trn during the pandemic. Voice declined 6.5% year-on-year as the growth in customers and usage prompted by Covid-19 was offset by customers paying lower rates per minute. Total revenues declined by 4.1% to Ksh124.5bn, while interest before taxes, depreciation and amortisation fell 7.3% to Ksh63.4bn.
While Covid-19 has accelerated the continent’s telecoms revolution by boosting customer registration and data usage, Safaricom’s performance indicates that some of the firm’s consistently bankable services are vulnerable amid the pandemic. Outgoing voice calls account for 33.9% of Safaricom service revenue while M-PESA accounts for 30.3%.
The results cap a challenging first few months for Safaricom chief executive Peter Ndegwa, who assumed the role in April shortly after the death of former long-time CEO Bob Collymore.
“There is no doubt that COVID-19 has dealt a huge blow to many people not just in Kenya, but across the globe. This has been a tough period for businesses and our customers and we committed ourselves to walk through this journey together. During this period, we took several initiatives to support our customers and the government to pull through this pandemic. This included but was not limited to zero rating M-PESA transactions below KShs 1,000, double bandwidth for our Fibre to Home/Business customers, setting up the 24/7 COVID-19 Information Centre in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health amongst other activities,” Ndegwa said in a statement.
Nevertheless, the long-term trends boosting the African telecom sector remain evident. Safaricom mobile data usage grew 14.1% year-on-year, driven by customer growth, while 4G devices using more than 1GB in the network grew 60.6% year-on-year. One month active customers grew from 28.6m at the end of Q4 2020 to 30.3m at the end of Q2 2021. Fibre to the home (FTTF) revenue grew 47.2% year-on-year with distinct customers up 56.8% as working from home increased. GSMA forecasts that the number of smartphone connections in sub-Saharan Africa will almost double to 678m by the end of 2025, with mobile data consumption expected to grow more than fourfold. Ndegwa repeated his intention to diversify the firm’s revenues.
“Over the last 20 years, Safaricom has grown to be more than just a mobile service provider. It has morphed into a digital lifestyle enabler leveraging on technology driven by our purpose: to transform lives. As we go into the next decade, we have a vision of being a purpose-led technology company by the year 2025. I aim to create a technology business by going beyond in new borders and boundaries, developing new digital ecosystems in health, agriculture and education sectors as we aim to be the technology partner for our customers.”
Tags: African development, black businesses, Black development, black in business, safaricom
Black in Business: Neiman Marcus Adds African-Owned Skincare Brand To Its Premier Beauty Collection
Since the start of the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year, many have demanded that major corporations and institutions do more to advance diversity and inclusion within their business structures. Neiman Marcus announced this week that it will be adding to its premier beauty collection catering to women of color with an African-owned skincare brand, Yangu Beauty.
Zimbabwean entrepreneur Sipho Gumbo is the founder of Yangu Beauty and creates her products based on traditional Bantu beauty herbs used a lot in her culture. Her award-winning products all include plant-based ingredients that cater to women of color while implementing sustainable business practices.
Gumbo hopes that the new partnership with Neiman Marcus will help expose her brand to new consumers looking for high-quality products that cater to their skin. “Our brand partnership with Neiman Marcus is a validation of our quality, luxurious products that can compete head-to-head with some of the most renowned brands on the market,” Gumbo stated in a press statement.
“To be added on the Neiman Marcus list is a great achievement that we are most certainly proud of. This means a lot especially for women of color to now have a complete product line of high quality — created especially for them and available in this luxury space for their shopping convenience. We are just so excited and ask that everyone supports us to stay at Neiman Marcus for the foreseeable future.
Tags: black businesses, black in business, women empowerment, Women Entrepreneurs
Feature News: Nigeria’s Efforts To Boost Milk Production Falter
The Central Bank of Nigeria has been forced to backtrack in its attempts to boost local milk production by restricting access to foreign exchange, but efforts to cut down Nigeria’s dependence on imports continue. Kelechukwu Iruoma reports from Lagos
In July 2019, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) included milk and dairy products on its list of items not eligible for foreign exchange (FX), leading to the restriction of milk imports into the country.
The decision banned commercial banks and other authorised dealers from accepting Form M – a mandatory document to monitor goods that are imported into the country – for milk and dairy products. This meant that milk importers would be forced to resort to the more highly priced parallel market to obtain foreign exchange, making importation more expensive.
In a statement, the CBN’s director of communications, Isaac Okorafor, stressed that the bank was not banning milk importation but that the FX restrictions were necessary to encourage local production.
The CBN’s list of items not eligible for foreign exchange was introduced in 2015 in support of Nigeria’s policy of “backward integration” – a form of import substitution aimed at conserving foreign exchange and creating jobs. Milk now joined commodities such as rice, tomatoes and starch on the list.
Okorafor said that Nigeria had been heavily dependent on milk imports for over 60 years and there was a need to channel energy and funds into improving and increasing local production. Nigeria spends between $1.2bn and $1.5bn a year on milk imports.
He stated that the bank had approached milk importers and asked them to take advantage of the CBN’s low-interest loans to begin local milk production, but that although there had been some successes the vast majority of importers had continued to treat this “national aspiration” with “imperial contempt”.
At the same time, he stressed that the bank was “ready and able to provide the needed finance to enable investors who genuinely want to engage in milk production”.
“That is a very high import product into the country, given that it is a product that we are convinced can be produced in Nigeria,” CBN governor Godwin Emiefele told journalists after the announcement of restrictions.
Prices spike at market
Yet the decision by the CBN led to shortfalls in milk production and an increase in the prices of dairy products across the country. Milk sellers at markets in Lagos complained of scarcity and an increase in prices.
“Milk became scarce and the prices went up,” says Chinwe Amadi, a milk wholesaler at the popular Balogun market in Lagos. “The Marvel milk we had, we used to sell between N11,000 [$29] to N13,000 for the small [wholesale] size. Then we started to sell N15,000 per carton. The big size of it, we used to sell N20,000 but we started selling N25,000 per carton.”
Despite the potential for producing milk in large quantities, Nigeria’s domestic production does not meet consumer demand. Nigeria’s annual milk production is estimated at 500,000 tonnes while the annual local demand for milk stands at an average of 1.7m tonnes, with the shortfall imported into the country.
Nigeria’s cattle rearing sector has met with numerous challenges including a lack of feed, water, and poor rearing techniques. Desertification in the north as a result of climate change has led to cattle and herders travelling far south for grazing and given rise to conflict with farmers. Meanwhile, outdated cattle rearing practices also lead to lower milk yields per cow, leading local manufacturers to resist sourcing raw milk locally.
While the CBN has been keen to reduce currency outflows through milk importation, it was clear that the local market did not yet have the industrial capability to produce the quality and quantity of milk required domestically. As a result, the CBN started giving loans to cattle farmers to boost production.
“We are determined to make milk production in Nigeria a viable economic proposition. If you need a loan to acquire land, do artificial insemination, grow grass or even provide water, we will give to you,” Emiefele said on Twitter following the announcement of restrictions.
Sourcing locally
The CBN has also led efforts to encourage foreign milk manufacturers to source produce in Nigeria. Milk manufacturers including FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria; Chi, and TG Arla Dairy Products have started to engage with state governments and local cattle farmers to partner with them to source milk locally for production.
In September 2019, the Kaduna state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arla Foods International, a Denmark-based milk production company, to source milk locally from its cattle farmers. Now operational, the aim of the project is to create 50,000 jobs. Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna said the investment in the livestock sector would help to increase production among nomadic herdsmen.
“Our hope is that what we started with Arla leads to the development of the grazing reserve in Kubau local government; and we want to develop jointly with them. [We] will show the itinerant nomadic herdsmen that it is possible to engage in modern livestock production without having to go up and down the country,” he said.
In November 2019, the Niger State government signed an MOU with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria to provide 10,000 hectares of land at the Bobi Grazing Reserve for milk production.
Policy failure?
Despite the deals, progress has been slow. The challenge of meeting targets by local farmers – who lack the equipment and expertise of industrial-scale foreign producers despite CBN support – and the unwillingness of milk manufacturers to source milk from local production led to the lifting of restrictions for some companies by the CBN in February 2020.
The CBN asked commercial banks to start accepting Form M again from Nestlé Nigeria, FrieslandCampina, HBC Chi, Promasidor Nigeria, TG Arla Dairy Products and Integrated Dairies Limited.
The bank stated that the decision to lift the ban was due to the failure of its efforts at stimulating the local production of milk. Despite the failure to reach its ambitious target, efforts continue. It said that the aim was to increase milk production in the country to 550,000 tonnes within the next 12 months.
Citizens have been left frustrated by the experiment with backward integration. Though there is again enough milk supply in the country, prices continue to rise, said Jane Frances Onuoha, a young Nigerian citizen.
“It is devastating that the price of milk in Nigeria is increasing on a daily basis,” she lamented. “Milk is one of the essential dairy products and it should not be expensive. We have a lot of cattle in Nigeria. So why should the price of milk always increase?”
Tags: black business matters, black businesses, black in business, Milk, Nigeria
Black in Business: Meet The Black Woman Disrupting The Floral Industry Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to stay indoors to combat the viral spread. While inside, people have been getting into different hobbies to promote self-care during anxious times. For one woman, her love of floral arrangements in her pastime led to a business opportunity.
Talia Boone is the founder of Postal Petals, a farm-direct delivery service that allows consumers to order flowers in bulk for DIY activities. What motivated Boone to start her business was when she wanted to make her own floral arrangements at home while in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic and couldn’t find any options to buy flowers in bulk for her DIY projects since she wasn’t buying as a business.
“I recognized a hole in the marketplace and decided it was a business opportunity,” says Boone in an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE via email.”There was no farm-to-table model for fresh flowers in the same way for fresh produce boxes. Like many industries, I also saw that the flower industry was realizing that they’d need to pivot in some way to survive while in this pandemic, especially in the wake of events and weddings (some of their biggest moneymakers) being halted due to lockdowns. This was an opportunity to engage with flower farms in a way they likely would not have been open to pre-pandemic.
Boone works with local farms across the country to source her fresh flowers who were open to the opportunity after the COVID-19 outbreak disrupt their industry. “The pandemic’s impact on the flower industry led to some farm’s openness to entertaining unconventional fulfillment and getting their flowers to consumers efficiently,” she says.
“I took about a week to brainstorm the framework that is now Postal Petals, circled back to him with a more refined concept, and just 3 months later, Postal Petals beta launched with nearly 20 domestic flower farms shipping for us. Interestingly enough, now that more farms are understanding the model, we’ve had others recently reach out to us about partnering. ”
Boone says the pandemic is what provided an opportunity for her business to blossom as a way to help people connect virtually to arrange flowers during the quarantine. “The flower industry is not easy to infiltrate, so the pandemic really opened the door for Postal Petals even to be able to exist,” she states.
“Because of the pandemic, the flower farms were a lot more receptive to this new business model and participating in our farm-to-table flower box model. Also, taking into account our virtual flower arranging experiences providing a way for people to gather virtually, Postal Petals is really fit for a time.”
Tags: black businesses, Black entrepreneurs, black women, covid-19, Women Entrepreneurs
Black in Business: Amazon Plans To Increase Number Of Black People In Company’s Senior Executive Roles
Amazon says it plans to increase the number of black leaders in the company, according to FOX Business. The company said the effort includes working to double the representation of Black Vice Presidents and Directors in 2020 and again in 2021.
In addition, the move will also see the e-commerce giant making “increased investments and programming designed to grow Black leaders from within.” Through the Black Employee Network Executive Leadership Development Program, Amazon plans to build Black leaders at the vice president and director-level roles.
“At Amazon, we’re constantly learning and innovating – and our long-term efforts in diversity and inclusion are no different. As part of this work, we are setting aggressive goals in our ongoing effort to be a top employer for Black employees,” an Amazon spokesperson told FOX Business.
Black employees make up around 26.5% of Amazon’s workforce as of 2019. Also, 80 percent of Amazon’s top leadership worldwide was either held by white or Asian people, while Black people accounted for just 8.3% of those positions.
According to Amazon, it intends to increase the company’s black leadership through robust programs such as its $700 million commitment to “upskilling” — the process of teaching employees new skills that will aid them in their work.
“There will also be smaller pilots such as the Black Employee Network Executive Leadership Development Program, which includes targeted and specialized training to build Black leaders at the Director and above level,” According to Fox Business.
Amazon recently donated $10 million to organizations focused on combating systemic racism and improving the lives of blacks. It also launched an employee $17 million to the 12 organizations and their local affiliates, which the Black Employee Network (BEN) helped select.
This is in addition to Amazon’s initial donation of $10M in early June. In all, these organizations have now received more than $27M from the Amazon community.
Amazon recently appointed its first Black executive to join the firm’s senior leadership team popularly called “S-Team”. Alicia Boler Davis was appointed as the e-commerce’s Senior Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment.
The prestigious S-Team meets regularly with Bezos to take strategic and critical business decisions. With the addition of Boler Davis along with John Felton and Dave Treadwell, the expanded leadership will now have 26 executives.
In her new role, Boler Davis will be responsible for the worldwide network of over 175 Amazon fulfilment centres across 16 countries. Also, she will lead the worldwide network of Customer Service operations and technology, as well as the Sustainability, Product Safety, Security and Product Compliance teams.
Tags: African development, amazon, black business matters, black businesses, Black development
Do Blacks need REPARATIONS? - London StreetTalk
We catch up with some members of the Public in London and ask them what they think of Black Parenting. Interview by Mathew Roache
Tags: #BuyBlack, adultification of black girls, being black, black britain, Black British History, black business matters, black businesses, black comedian, Black development, black economy, black empowerment books
Black in Business: Here’s How Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Built His $885 Million Empire
Sean “Diddy” Combs, 50, began his career as a newspaper vendor at the age of 12. “Since then, I’ve always understood that if I give the customers my best and service them differently, whether music, clothing or vodka, I’ll get a return on my hard work,” he told Forbes.
Today, Diddy is worth close to $1 billion after building a successful business empire in addition to his music career. Celebrity Net Worth estimates that the American rapper is worth $885 million and his fortune comes from stakes in businesses such as Ciroc Vodka, Sean John clothing line, DeLeon tequila, Aquahydrate water, and sponsorships deals.
The journey toward becoming a successful businessman for Diddy started on a shaky foundation. He was dismissed from Uptown records where he started as an intern and later became a talent developer in the 1980s. He established his own record label called Bad Boy Entertainment and signed artistes such as Notorious BIG, Carl Thomas, Faith Evans, 112, Total, and Father MC.
He released his first hit song titled “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” in 1997 under the name Puff Daddy and it stayed on top of the Billboard Hot chart for 28 weeks. He has since changed his name from Puff Daddy to P.Diddy and then to just Diddy.
Aside from music, he has stakes in other viable ventures that bring him a fortune. In 1998, he successfully launched his clothing line called Sean John which became an instant hit, fetching him nearly $600 million. Each year, he organizes fashion shows to debut his newest collections.
Also, he has a stake in Aduahydrate, one of the largest bottled water companies in the world. According to Forbes, the company has enjoyed triple-digit annual growth since 2012 and is the fastest growing water in the U.S. The company is reportedly worth $2 billion.
Diddy is also a part-owner of digital cable television Revolt TV that focuses on pop culture and entertainment. It has a huge market on social media which brings in millions. In addition, he is also a part-owner of Ciroc Vodka which is worth an estimated $100 million for Diddy.
Diddy, moreover, secured a joint venture with Estee Lauder to create Sean John Fragrances. Diddy’s flagship fragrance, Unforgivable, reached number one in department stores in the USA in a very short space of time and became the first male fragrance to claim the title of ‘Best Selling Fragrance’ in 2006.
Diddy was raised by his grandmother following the killing of his dad when he was only two years old. He graduated from the Roman Catholic Mouth Saint Michael Academy in 1987 and proceeded to Howard University as a business major, but left after his sophomore year, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
He is credited with nurturing talents such as Jodeci and Mary J. Blige besides Notorious BIG, Carl Thomas, Faith Evans, 112, Total, and Father MC.
Tags: black business matters, black businesses, black entertainer, Diddy
Black in Business: Jay-Z Ventures into America’s $130bn Cannabis Industry with His Own Brand
The marijuana industry in the U.S. is booming and attracting some of the world’s renowned celebrities and business owners. The industry is estimated to pump up to $130 billion on an annual basis into the U.S. economy by 2024, according to Marijuana Business Factbook.
Marijuana Business Factbook further estimates legal cannabis sales increased from $38 billion-$46 billion in 2019 to $106 billion-$130 billion by 2024 – a 181% increase. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the $130 billion figure is similar to the 2019 gross domestic product of Nebraska’s $129 billion.
The profitable nature of the cannabis business has caught the attention of billionaire rapper Jay-Z. Born Shawn Carter, the 22-time Grammy award winner and business mogul recently launched his cannabis brand, Monogram, in collaboration with the largest vertically-integrated cannabis company in California, Caliva. Before launching his own cannabis brand, the African American had served as Chief Brand Strategist for Caliva since July of 2019.
A press statement from the brand says Monogram seeks to “redefine what cannabis means to consumers today. In an effort to provide a more tailored customer experience, the brand will also launch through a best in class e-commerce platform dedicated exclusively to its singular product line.”
According to Monogram’s website, the flower is grown in small batches, “allowing for every plant to receive personalized attention from our expert growers.” It adds that “Our batch-by-batch approach and unique potency designation allow us to highlight the nuances in between harvests and tell you the story of every flower.”
Monogram says it has assembled a board of cannabis experts who grade and select every flower by hand. “These luminaries have developed a program of extended humidity control, post-harvest care, trimming, and flushing that guarantees our finished product is the best it can be,” it says.
Customers are encouraged to sign up by email to be “first in line for the drop” on the website.
Monogram is the latest of Jay-Z’s businesses. The musician first ventured into the business when he launched his clothing line called Rocawear in 1999 and later founded a sports bar chain called the 40/40 Club in 2013. In 2015, he acquired the tech company called Aspiro and also launched Tidal, a music streaming services.
Jay-Z also has a stake in French audio tech firm Devialet. The tech firm recently launched wireless earbuds, called Gemini, to rival Apple and Samsung’s dominance in the wireless earphones market.
The rapper is not the only famous name to venture into the cannabis industry with it being legalized in several US states. Others include Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg, and Martha Stewart.
Tags: black business matters, black businesses, black in business, Cannabi, Jay-Z
Black in Business: This Successful Mom Entrepreneur Created an All-Natural Skincare Brand to Cure Her Daughter’s Eczema
Lydia Gibson put on her superhero collar as a mom to save her daughter from the clutches of eczema by creating her own natural skin and hairline, Eva Jenae Naturals. Gibson says she believes in the healing powers of nature and so carefully mixed natural ingredients to cure her daughter’s skin irritation.
The eastern North Carolina native’s daughter was diagnosed with eczema in 2006 when she was just a toddler and all the prescribed medications were aggravating her skin irritations.
Although some of the products had “natural” boldly written on the labels, they contained perfumes, parabens, and other chemicals that defeated the purpose of the medication. They did not provide the required nourish and moisturizing effect needed to soothe and protect her delicate skin.
“I wanted to trust what I was putting on my daughter’s sensitive skin, and the best way to do that was to create my own recipes,” Gibson says.
The alternatives that were on the shelves were not cutting it for Gibson, so she began experimenting with centuries-old ingredients known for their healing and soothing properties.
Eva’s skin began clearing up after using her mixture. Gibson then shared some with close friends and relatives who then encouraged her to go make it her business so she can share her formula with the world.
The mother of two and an Air Force veteran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of West Florida and a Master of Arts in Management from Wayland Baptist University. She says she had always wanted to be an entrepreneur since the 7th grade and in the process of finding a cure for her daughter, she rekindled her passion for entrepreneurship.
The transition from hobby to business happened in 2011 when Gibson, then a newly unemployed mother and wife, found herself in a new city, Ohio, after her husband’s military transfer. The family had to leave Florida with him.
Her family was very supportive of her desire to venture into the business of creating all-natural skincare and hair products.
Gibson is passionate about her business and her mission is to create vegan, all-natural skin and hair care products while using her platform to promote entrepreneurship, self-empowerment, self-love, and community involvement, especially among the youth. True to her word, Gibson donates portions of her sales to different non-profit organizations in her community that share in her vision.
There are other natural products out there, but Gibson says what sets hers apart from others is the fact that she uses simple and yet effective all-natural and or organic products sourced from responsible suppliers.
Her products are made in small batches in a clean and sterile environment, so they maintain their freshness. They do not contain any parabens, synthetic fragrances, petroleum, or fillers, and there is no animal testing involved in her production.
Tags: black businesses, black in business, Mom, women empowerment, Women Entrepreneurs
Black in Business: Meet the young Nigerian business owner who is taking Michigan by storm
Chi Uwazurike was walking through Royal Oak with his friends in July this year when he saw a store that was closing. He found the owner of the shop and within hours, he closed a deal with the landlord to be the new occupant of the store.
Although he was initially skeptical about his business’ chances because of the coronavirus pandemic, he was determined to see his dream materialize. Uwazurike, a Nigerian, is now the youngest black business owner in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Customers can find apparel, music, games, lounging and art exhibitions in the store called Le Don which was started in 2017. It is divided into three sections: fashions, art and games. “We’re art, fashion, sneakers,” Uwazurike told ClickonDetriot. The journey to becoming a business owner started four years when he decided to create something that would last. “We realized that being a “Don” meant being your best self. The type of self you would be happy living with for the rest of your life,” he says.
“Le Don Collection was built upon the foundation that one must achieve greatness in whatever line of work they are enrolled or associated with. We don’t quit or throw the towel in rather we fight. We Apply, reapply and repeat,” he added.
As a student at Wayne State University, he switched from Biology to Economics to have a grasp on business and market issues. Uwazurike then created Le Don to rival French fashions. Just like major global brands, his brands are produced in China after managing to establish extensive networks in that country.
“I figured in order to follow my passion. I had to learn about the market and also how to do business in it. I’ve managed to stay consistent for almost a decade,” he told Voyage ATL.
Nicknamed after his store, Uwazurike says he chose to open a store in Royal Oak because of his late friend DJ Slick B. And so when he finally decided on opening a fashion store, “Royal Oak just felt like the right place,” Le Don said. “We want to make sure that we’re catering to everybody and in the day in age where we’re screaming Black Lives Matter, we want to make sure that we’re leading by example by being inclusive as well.”
Being a double minority has been challenging for the Nigerian. Nonetheless, he has managed to weather the storm to draw in some good customers. “As a Nigerian business owner, you don’t get what you deserve. You’re looked at as double-minority,” Uwazurike told Detriot Free Press.
“African Americans are considered minority, but they’re not. Nigerians are considered a double minority. Nigerian business owners are not really categorized as African American business owners. They’re not shown a lot of love the same way as African Americans are shown,” he added.
Uwazurike is a man of faith and he is loud about it. He believes God is guiding his steps in all things he does. “I just think that everything I’m doing is God’s plans,” he says. “He was leading me because I understood how to be vulnerable. I’ll spend every dime on this if I have to. That’s the thing, you have to want it. So it’s still scary, but I’m up for the task.”
His passion is not only limited to fashion design, photography and entrepreneurship but politics as well. Uwazurike has since 2018 been talking about the importance of the black vote as the surest way of securing change in American society.
“That’s what black votes do,” Uwazurike said at a conference. “They make sure that our people are being heard and at this crucial time, this is when we need that. We need to come together for a common goal. We’re really fast to condemn things, but when it comes to our lives and our future, our future has to be secured. So with that being said, we have to vote. I can’t stress that enough.”
Tags: black business matters, black businesses, nigeria
Black in Business: Shopify And Operation Hope To Create 1 Million Black Businesses in 5 Years
Operation Hope, one of the leading financial education and economic empowerment groups serving African Americans, teamed up with global e-commerce powerhouse Shopify to create 1 million Black-owned businesses over the next five years.
John Hope Bryant, the organization’s president and CEO, announced today the HOPE One Million New Black Business & New Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB) and its goal to develop multitudes of new Black-owned firms throughout the nation in the U.S. by 2030. To achieve this bold mission, Operation HOPE will work closely with Canada’s largest publicly-traded company which estimates the value of its commitment at $130 million over the course of this initiative.
Operation HOPE has also quantified its portion as worth tens of millions of dollars and will secure other partners who will make significant in-kind contributions. In fact, 100 Black Men of America Inc., the country’s top African American-led mentoring organization chaired by influential businessman and civic leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., helped initiate the effort as a key founding community partner. In that role, the organization has pledged to supply 1MMB with business mentors nationwide.
“Creating generational wealth through the creation of new Black businesses and Black entrepreneurs is a direct gateway to social justice. The creation of ownership, jobs, and opportunity in a generation helps to strengthen democracy and ensure freedom through self-determination. This is empowerment at scale,” Bryant said in a release. “To have Shopify actively supporting the 1MBB Initiative is a true game changer. Working together, we can scale our business creation platform to help underserved communities and enhance economic prosperity across America.”
“At Shopify, we believe more independent voices make commerce better for everyone. That’s why we work to break down the barriers to entrepreneurship every day,” Shopify President Harley Finkelstein said in a release. “By collaborating with Operation HOPE and working together on our shared passion for helping underserved communities succeed, we believe we can help unlock even more economic opportunities for Black business owners across the country, leading to greater choices for shoppers everywhere.”
Historically, the Black community has faced systemic barriers to entry. Moreover, COVID-19 has further served as an anathema to Black businesses. Operation HOPE reports “that 58% of Black firms were considered at risk or distressed as well as suffering from low profits, low credit scores, or income shocks in the months immediately following the onset of the pandemic And according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, more than 40% of such firms have been forced to close their doors.
Partnered with Shopify, Operation HOPE seeks to address these challenges by reducing impediments, encouraging more entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses and offer business-building tools, resources, and education.
According to Operation Hope, the program has launched its website and will provide guidance for those seeking to participate including :
The 1MBB initiative is open to any Black entrepreneur or small business owner who has a dream of starting a business or taking their existing business to the next level.
Each entrepreneur will create his/her unique path, depending on their work experience, how far along they are in their business plan and their specific areas of need. There is also a program for those with no experience, just the passion and drive to build a business, by utilizing the HOPE Business in a Box (HBIAB) online training program for those starting at square one. This program consists of a variety of self-paced learning modules and can be completed in as little as 10 weeks.
1MMB provides a wide range of services including creating or modifying a business plan; providing 1:1 small business coaching; getting advice from experts in a variety of areas.
It will also help entrepreneurs launch their operations either in a physical location and/or through an e-commerce platform; and provide guidance on ways to attract funding and customer development/retention.
Tags: black businesses, Hope, Operation, Shopify
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Companies Act 2006 Provisions/Director’s Duties
by admin | Sep 24, 2011 | Limited Company
You may be aware that in late 2006 the Companies Act 2006 became law although it did not become fully effective until late 2009. This Act is said to be the largest single piece of legislation ever enacted in the UK with some 1300 sections and 16 schedules. The purpose of this letter is to highlight the key issues arising from the Act and its impact on the day-to-day operation of a private company.
In principle the Act represents the result of a consolidation/codification exercise in which many existing provisions have simply been carried over into the new Act with little, or no, change. However there is increasing evidence that the Department of Business is taking a stronger line in considering whether directors have complied with their Companies Act 2006 statutory duties of office (see below), particularly where companies have failed. In 2009 the number of director disqualifications was more than in the whole of the previous three years. Historically directors’ duties were mainly common law obligations but Companies Act 2006 now places such duties on a statutory basis and therefore it is perhaps easier to show that breaches have occurred. The main circumstances which can lead to a director disqualification order are where companies have continued to trade whilst insolvent, companies have operated to the general detriment of creditors, there has been a failure to keep proper books and records, file accounts, pay taxes when due or deal with other compliance obligations.
In view of the above it is clearly important to ensure compliance with all the Companies Act requirements and the remainder of this letter outlines the recent key changes which are likely to affect private companies.
Electronic Communications (Effective date 1 January 2007)
All electronic communications (principally e-mails but also applicable to text messages etc) must include details of the company’s full name, place of registration, registered office and registered number. Similar provisions apply to company websites. Limited liability partnerships are also bound by these requirements, breach of which will incur a fine of up to £1,000.
Directors’ Shareholdings (Effective 6 April 2007)
There is no longer a requirement to maintain a register of directors’ (and their close relatives’) shareholdings or to disclose such shareholdings in directors’ reports signed after 6 April 2007 (although transactions with directors will continue to be disclosed usually as a note to the accounts).
Annual General Meetings/Written Shareholder Resolutions (Effective 1 October 2007)
There is no longer any requirement to hold an annual general meeting or indeed any other meeting at which shareholders are physically present, except in respect of resolutions to remove a company director or the company auditors. Most resolutions to be considered by shareholders are now able to be passed by written resolution. Written resolutions require the approval of a simple majority (ordinary resolutions) or 75% (special resolutions) of those eligible to vote.
Directors Duties (Effective 1 October 2007 except statutory duty to avoid conflicts of interest which became effective 1 October 2008)
Perhaps the most significant change is that the duties of directors which have built up over the years via case law have been clarified, expanded and codified as statutory obligations as follows such that directors:-
Must only act within appropriate authority, i.e. in accordance with the company’s Articles of Association and decisions taken by the company’s members.
Must promote success of the company for shareholders’ benefit.
Exercise independent judgement and use reasonable care, skill and diligence.
Must avoid conflicts of interest and in particular personal benefits should not be accepted from third parties and personal interests in proposed transactions or arrangements with the company must be declared. Note that directors will not be deemed to have breached the first or second of these duties (conflicts of interest/personal benefits) if authorisation has been provided by independent directors or the shareholders, nor will a director be deemed to have breached the third duty (declaration of personal interest in proposed transactions) if the other directors were already aware of the interest.
Must consider long-term consequences of any decision, the interests of the company’s employees, the impact of the company’s operations on the environment and community, the need to act fairly as between the members, the need to maintain high standards of business conduct, the interests of creditors and the need to foster (positive) business relationships with suppliers, customers and others.
The Act also eases the procedure for action to be taken for breaches of the above duties. One relaxation, however, is that the previous prohibition on loans to directors is removed provided such loans are approved by the shareholders. (NB This relaxation does not extend to the adverse tax implications of loans to directors which continue to apply unchanged and also note that for accounting periods beginning on or after 6 April 2008 considerable detail must be disclosed in the notes to the accounts in respect of individual transactions on overdrawn balances.)
Accounting Records (Effective 1 October 2007)
The requirement under the Companies Act 1985 to keep “proper” accounting records has been replaced with a requirement to keep “adequate” accounting records. A new statutory duty is also imposed on directors to approve only accounts that give a true and fair view of the company’s assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss (thus clarifying the previous legal position under which company accounts had to be prepared to show a true and fair view or be prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards).
Group Accounts (Effective 1 October 2007)
The previous exemption for medium sized companies from the requirement to produce group accounts has been abolished and all companies except those which are small will have to include a business review as part of the directors’ report.
Accounts Filing Deadline (Effective date 6 April 2008)
The accounts for private companies (with a start date on or after 6 April 2008) need to be filed at Companies House within nine (previously ten) months of the balance sheet date and from 1 February 2009 accounts filed late incur higher levels of late filing penalties than was previously the case with additional penalites where accounts are late for two consecutive years. Where the balance sheet date is, say, 30 June the filing date will, however, be 31 March the following year rather than 30 March, as was the case previously under the “corresponding date” rule. The exact format and content of both full accounts and abbreviated accounts are similar to those previously in use and applies to accounting periods commencing on or after 6 April 2008. However one significant change is that full details of all loans and advances to a director made at any time during an accounting period must now be disclosed in the company’s annual accounts.
Company Secretary (Effective date 6 April 2008)
There is no longer a requirement for a company secretary, although the position may be retained if so desired. Retaining the position of company secretary may be useful if the individual concerned holds 5% of the ordinary share capital but is not a director or employee and wishes to secure entrepreneurs’ relief for capital gains tax. Also retaining the position of company secretary may be appropriate where there is a sole director and the company secretary can be another person who could act in the best interests of the company if the sole director were incapacitated.
Company Constitution Matters (Effective date 1 October 2008)
The ability of private companies to repay issued share capital has been simplified and now involves a statutory solvency declaration by the directors rather than the need for court approval and the requirement for an auditor’s report for providing certain types of financial assistance has also been removed. Both new and existing companies will only be able to appoint directors aged 16 or over and will have to have at least one natural (i.e. living) person as a director, so it will no longer be possible to avoid director’s responsibilities through sole corporate appointments or the appointment of minors although there were transitional arrangements until October 2010 for some existing appointments.
Company Constitution Matters (Effective date originally 1 October 2008 but deferred until 1 October 2009)
Companies have been incorporated under the 2006 Act with effect from 1 October 2009. Such companies do not need to have a “Memorandum of Association” in the previous sense (the 2006 Act “Memorandum” simply consisting of the names of the subscribers), the need for Authorised Share Capital and Company “objects” has disappeared and new simplified model “articles” will apply automatically unless tailor made articles are specifically adopted. Existing companies are able to adopt, via a special resolution, the new structure should they so desire although it should be noted that the common condition included in the past in the articles of private companies which gave the unfettered right to directors to refuse to register a share transfer for any reason has been outlawed by Section 771 C.A. 2006 which requires reasons to be given in all cases..
In conclusion, there are significant company law issues to consider as a result of Companies Act 2006 which should not be overlooked. If there are any specific matters you wish to discuss then please do not hesitate to contact me accordingly.
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You are here: Home / BLOG / Screenwriting Blog / Superman Returns opening and other bad ideas
Superman Returns opening and other bad ideas
August 1, 2011 /1 Comment/in Screenwriting Blog /by StoryMapsDan
I recently found the deleted opening scene from Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, which is rumored to have cost $10 million (huh?) and was meant to show where Superman went and thus where he’s returning from (thus the title), so I was psyched to view it since I’ve always felt that this unanswered question in the theatrical release was the biggest thing that torpedoed the first half of the film (and the second half’s torpedo came in the form of Lex Luthor’s preposterous real-estate plan).
In fact, when I break down my Beat Sheet in my book, Story Maps: How to Write a GREAT Screenplay and discuss the crucial “Opening” beat, I use Superman Returns as a BAD EXAMPLE:
The opening of Superman Returns launches the initial Central Dramatic Question of the film: “Where did Superman go for four years?” Eventually, we are told that he went back to the location of his home planet of Krypton based on a shaky scientific lead that there may have been survivors. Huh? So what did he do there and why did it take him four years? This is never answered.
And, by the way, there weren’t any survivors, so the effect is…he’s now more lonely than before?
Now, it’s the darndest thing, but after watching this legendary deleted scene (embedded below), I still don’t know the answer! Firstly, he’s not really gone, he’s just astral-projecting (for lack of a better term) from the Fortress of Solitude, right? At least, that’s what I think he’s doing. Secondly, it sure doesn’t look like this trip would take four years to get there and back. And finally, once he gets to the meteor-thing (which I assume is a chunk of his home planet after it exploded?) he doesn’t really do anything. The scene doesn’t end with a conclusive beat. Now, I haven’t seen the movie in a while so maybe this is meant to generate the question, “What happened after we cut away from this scene?” and this is addressed later in the film, but there’s just so little real action in this opening that it’s not generating my curiosity the way that a great opening can. And from what I remember, it isn’t addressed later in the film, at least not in any kind of active way.
Here’s the scene — hopefully YouTube won’t take it down…
In my humble opinion, the entire movie was just a bad idea to begin with. When discussing this film, which will no doubt be forgotten once the “new” Superman comes out (the third incarnation of this franchise, because we need that), I always talk about the issue of bad concepts, which can ruin a film more than anything else, because it’s the foundation of the story. If we don’t like or believe in a central idea in the film, it’s going to pull us out of the story and we’ll be left scratching our heads.
With Superman Returns, I thought there were several concepts that were just bad ideas from the get-go and went against the Superman canon:
1) As said, the Central Dramatic Question is never answered. It’s in the title, Singer! If Supes is returning, I want to know from where and why?!
2) The use of Marlon Brando from the original Richard Donner film, and the concept that Superman Returns is to be wedged chronologically between Superman II and Superman III, just made Singer’s film feel like it couldn’t stand on its own and needed to borrow from the Christopher Reeves films.
3) Clark and Lois Lane having a baby, who is revealed to be a “Superboy.” Firstly, wouldn’t Clark, um, kill Lois if they did the nasty? (Just sayin’, but okay, I’m trying to apply logic to a guy with a red cape who flies and puts on glasses and no one recognizes him). Secondly, if Singer meant for this film to launch a new franchise, then why would he paint himself into a corner by necessitating their child be present in the sequel? Has anyone ever wanted a Supergirl or Superboy?!
4) Superman is nearly killed and he’s brought to the hospital and saved by human doctors and the love of the citizens of Metropolis. Superman doesn’t need our doctors or medicine, he’s Superman!
5) Lex Luthor’s ridiculous plan to use shards of Kryptonite to create prime real estate off the coast of Manhattan. Unfortunately, he succeeds in creating only craggy rock formations that couldn’t possibly be hospitable. It’s also not personal to anyone, it’s just a get-rich-quick scheme, so we never invest in it and it never creates emotional stakes. Like the rest of the film, it’s oddly sterile.
Now that I’ve beaten Supes to a pulp, let’s learn from all of this, shall we?
If you’re writing a spec screenplay, I suggest that you work on your Logline for the story and your Story Engines for each of the four Acts. If the Story Engine, or “dramatic situation” for an Act is not particularly interesting, clear, or not logical to the “rules” of your fictional world, then the reader will tune out. There needs to be an organic, “shown” motivation that drives the Protagonist’s pursuit of their goal in that chapter of the story it needs to be compelling for the reader/audience (i.e., don’t bore us). On that note…
Related: The Dark Knight Screenplay Analysis
Related: X-Men Story Map in the Story Maps Booster Pack #1
Tags: story maps book, story maps booster pack, Superhero screenplay, Superman Returns
http://actfourscreenplays.com/staging/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/great-script-header7.png 0 0 StoryMapsDan http://actfourscreenplays.com/staging/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/great-script-header7.png StoryMapsDan2011-08-01 16:52:442011-08-01 17:09:16Superman Returns opening and other bad ideas
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thesaifking says:
Nice article. I feel like Singer’s film was taking advantage of the nostalgia from the old films but that was dumb. I was a bit confused also why there were flat screen monitors in The Daily Planet when the other films took place in the 70s/80s I think. Talk about continuity issues.
Kill Bill | Setups and Payoffs Part One Louis C.K. Interview — Writing and Directing “Louie” on F...
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You can’t take a picture of this – it’s already gone
March 2, 2008 March 7, 2008 Matt19 Comments
For all of those who thought that after weeks and months of me going on about Six Feet Under you were finally rid of wafflings about the Fisher family, I’m afraid you were popping the champagne corks too early.
So, what brings on this bout of raising the dead? Frankly, I’m not quite sure. I’ve been in a strange mood all day, and the last few minutes of “Everyone Waits”, the final episode of Six Feet Under, kept coming to my mind. Mostly in fragments: a bit of Late Nate Jr. singing “I Just Wanna Celebrate (Another Day of Life)” against a blinding white background, a bit of Sia’s “Breathe Me”. But mostly one short scene: as Claire says farewell to her family, she takes out her camera to take a picture. As she looks at them through the viewfinder, Nate stands behind her, telling her “You can’t take a picture of this; it’s already gone.”
And it’s this line that’s been running around in my head. Taken out of context – by which I mean the whole scene, the episode and indeed the entire series – it’s nothingy. It even seems trite at first, like a slightly reformulated Seize the Day-type motto. But there’s more to it. The context adds layers. Is it about Claire’s constant attempts, as an artist, to capture something; call it the truth, the spirit of the moment, or just pretentious twaddle? Is he telling her not to hold on to moments, because those moments become the past immediately, and while you’re busy trying to hold on to it, you miss out on life? Is he telling her that life is fleeting? We all could drop dead from a brain aneurysm, be shot, die in a car accident, or have our heads crushed by blue ice falling from a plane passing overhead?
Probably there’s something of all of these in Nate’s cryptic sentence, but what kept coming back to me isn’t just what he says or how he says it. It’s the fact that Claire, after Nate has said his bit, takes the photo anyway.
What is it about this moment that keeps coming back to me? On the one hand it’s the sentence itself, and if I try to reformulate what it means to me, it just becomes trite. On the other hand, it’s Claire’s defiance: yes, the moment is fleeting, yes, tomorrow we shall die, yes, sooner or later we will lose everything we have to time (there I go, getting all trite, even though I said I wouldn’t…) – but she takes the photo anyway. Against hope, against reality, against her better knowledge, she tries to hold on to the moment. A lesser series would have had her take the photo, and only then Nate tells her that what she just did was futile. So much of Six Feet Under was about defying that futility – to hold on to what we have already lost, and to honour it in everything we do in the present. It’s already gone – and personally I dread the moment we accept that and move on without looking back. I hope with all my heart to know fully well that I can’t hold on to the present moment, and nevertheless to do so.
P.S.: Next time, more HBO – and Peter Pan, by way of overrated Swiss directors. At least that’s what I’ve got planned. Yes, I actually plan these things in advance. Sad, isn’t it?
Deadwood, Movies, Six Feet Under, TV, Videobreathe me, carpe diem, claire fisher, everyone waits, finding neverland, hbo, it's already gone, mark forster, nate fisher, peter pan, series, sia, Six Feet Under
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Scott, Thomas Alison (1777–1881)
by Vivienne Parsons
Thomas Alison Scott (1777?-1881), pioneer sugar grower, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Thomas Scott, merchant, and his wife Elizabeth, née Rhodey. He claimed to be the brother of Admiral Sir James Scott. He was first sent to his uncle Thomas Rhodey, a merchant and insurance broker of Liverpool, for training in business, and was then taken to St Thomas in the West Indies by Sir James Bonstein, who procured the appointment of customs searcher and waiter for him. In 1797 he went to Antigua where he managed his father's estate for several years. After visiting sugar plantations in Louisiana he called at Sydney about 1816 on his way to Calcutta. Impressed with the potential of New South Wales for sugar growing, Scott decided to stay.
In 1820 he went to Tahiti to establish a sugar plantation, having been engaged by Edward Eagar, but stayed only a few months because the necessary machinery was at Raiatea. He was then asked by Rev. John Williams to establish sugar production at Raiatea in 1822; for this he was paid by the London Missionary Society. Major Frederick Goulburn learnt of his success there and in December 1823 engaged him to grow sugar and tobacco at Port Macquarie, at a salary of £250. The sugar he produced there in 1824 appears to have been the first in Australia, and large quantities of his sugar and tobacco were sold at the commissariat store in Sydney. The venture was not an unqualified success, for in 1825 Scott was suspended, and a commission of inquiry in 1828 commented unfavourably on his work. Governor Darling reported in 1830 that before the commission was set up Scott had been found unqualified for the management of such an establishment, and he had subsequently been dismissed and the production of sugar abandoned because no one could replace him.
Scott received an order for a land grant of 1280 acres (518 ha), but exchanged it for 320 acres (129 ha) which he considered highly suitable for sugar growing, only to find it had been set aside for the township of Gosford. He was allowed to retain 25 acres (10 ha) and select another 640 acres (259 ha) elsewhere. In 1837 he applied without success for compensation for the loss he claimed to have sustained in this transfer. On his land, which he named Point Clare, Scott established a model sugar plantation, but he lacked the capital to buy the machinery needed for commercial success. He supplemented his income by government employment, being postmaster at Brisbane Water in 1836-40, clerk of petty sessions in 1836-43 on a salary of £100, and also poundkeeper and coroner for a time. He raised tobacco and bananas, for which he won prizes at the Floral and Horticultural Society shows in 1840 and 1841.
For many years Scott carried on a vigorous campaign for the introduction of sugar on a commercial basis in the colony. He later claimed to have directly influenced the beginnings of the industry at Kiama and on the Manning River, and to have supplied Captain Louis Hope, who began sugar growing in Queensland, with plants and instructions. He exhibited sugar at the Melbourne and Paris Exhibitions. In 1866 he petitioned the Legislative Assembly for a reward for his public services and his case was taken up by Rev. John Dunmore Lang. A select committee was formed in 1869 to decide his case, and Scott gave evidence of his pioneering work carried out at a financial loss. Many of his claims were denied by Rev. Edward Holland, who also claimed to have pioneered the industry, but the committee nevertheless agreed to Lang's motion to present Scott with a gratuity of £1000. He was eventually granted a pension of £240 instead, much to his disappointment, for he feared his family would soon be left destitute.
Scott married Mary Anne Crone of Port Macquarie on 17 December 1827 at Scots Church, Sydney; they had seven daughters and five sons. He died at Point Clare on 16 October 1881, aged 105, and was buried at Point Frederick. Mary Anne Scott died on 19 August 1905, aged 94.
Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vols 15, 19
C. Swancott, The Brisbane Water Story, vol 4 (Woy Woy, 1955)
A. G. Lowndes, South Pacific Enterprise (Syd, 1956)
J. Jervis, ‘T. A. Scott and the Genesis of the Sugar Industry’, Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society, 26 (1940)
Sydney Gazette, 25 Aug 1821
manuscript catalogue under Thomas Alison Scott (State Library of New South Wales).
Vivienne Parsons, 'Scott, Thomas Alison (1777–1881)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/scott-thomas-alison-2644/text3677, published first in hardcopy 1967, accessed online 17 January 2021.
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Point Clare, New South Wales, Australia
postmaster/mistress
sugar cane farmer
tobacco farmer
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Concrete Construction Contractor Services in Hollywood, CA
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HomeAirportsGreener Renewal
Greener Renewal
November 6, 2012 Airports, Environment, Passenger Terminal, Features 0
A 7,700-space parking garage takes shape. (All images: DFW)
DFW makes its terminals more energy efficient, by Carroll McCormick.
Reducing power consumption by 10% and water consumption by 25% are key goals of the seven-year Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
This will be largely achieved by concentrating nearly 70% of the renovation’s budget for the four TRIP terminals (A, B, C and E) on mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The other 30% will be spent on architectural finishes. The renovations include high-efficiency motors; reduced air infiltration; fewer entrances and revolving doors; improved wall and roof insulation; high-efficiency variable air volume systems; and low-pressure piping systems.
The 10/25% target reflects the airport’s commitment to sustainability formalised in its Environmental Management Policy. It is also part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) DFW signed with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 22, 2012. Other targets outlined in the MoU include optimising materials management through recycling, reuse, conservation and providing annual data on the impacts of these goals. In return the EPA will help DFW reduce its environmental footprint, provide a single point of contact to discuss sustainable strategies and provide tools that quantify economic and environmental benefits.
“The great value of this MoU is in the relationship building and networking that will take place between DFW and our federal level environmental regulator,” explains Julie Ludeman, the airport’s Communications Director, TRIP.
On the water consumption front DFW calculates it will easily beat the 25% target. It already estimates that it will save 5.5 million gallons (20.8 million litres) of water a month, a 40% reduction, with equipment such as automatic faucets/taps and toilet flushing. Other water-saving initiatives include drip irrigation, rainwater collection and water reuse.
The building, and its glass in particular, is a rich place to obtain savings. Replacing the 40-year-old windows in the terminals with low-E, fritted glass will reduce heat gain and save about 100 tons (91 tonnes) of cooling capacity per terminal. Fritted glass has enamel images fired onto its surface, which reduces solar gain and glare. “The mechanical systems reflect the efficiencies of the glass,” Ms Ludeman says.
The terminal designs also maximise the use of daylight in order to reduce energy consumption. Window shading will help keep heat gain within reasonable limits. Signage will use LED lighting, which require 70% less energy than fluorescent tubes. Improved light control systems and dual-level fixture switching will further reduce the electrical bill.
A tremendous reduction in the energy required to heat and cool the terminals will come from the use of fanwall technology. This consists of multiple fans for each of the 42 cooling units in each terminal. Since the fans operate independently of each other, they can be taken offline or brought back online as cooling and heating requirements change. The result is reduced energy consumption. A test of the system in late 2011 identified a 34.45% decrease in the energy required to cool a section of Terminal A.
A new ability to control the indoor environment will also reduce energy waste. “For the first time we will be able to control all the terminals from a central location. For example, we will be able to control the HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] from the central area,” says Perfecto Solis, Vice President of Airport Development and Engineering Department, DFW.
DFW is not seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System certification for the work. With the project already on a tight budget, the extra funds that pursuing LEED would involve in terms of initial outlay, plus the need to monitor, track and record applicable data, makes it too expensive. However, other capital projects have given the airport a very LEED-oriented attitude. “As sustainability relates to capital programmes like ours, we try to achieve LEED silver for stand-alone buildings. We completed a 10,000sq ft [929m2] environmental affairs department in April 2010. We built a geothermal farm under the parking lot for it and reduced electrical/mechanical costs by 30%,” Mr Solis says. Another example is the new fire station at the north end of the airport which opened in September 2011. It was designed to obtain LEED silver certification.
The first phases of the Terminal A renewal will be completed during the winter of 2012/13.
In the TRIP design, project management, construction methods and operation, DFW is following a script with a familiar LEED ring. “With the terminals we try to take the best LEED thinking and develop our programme around that. Sustainability is a cornerstone of DFW. It is a philosophy we bought into years ago,” Mr Solis explains.
Recycling and reusing materials removed during demolition is an important component in applying sustainability strategies to TRIP. By October 2012, contractors had recycled 48% of the material they removed from Terminal A. This includes carpeting, 54 tons (49 tonnes) of copper wire and 1,250 tons (1,134 tonnes) of other metals, to the tune of 1,328 tons (1,205 tonnes) of material so far. The airport crusher has already processed 54,000 tons (45,359 tonnes) of concrete from the demolished parking garages at Terminal A for reuse onsite.
The TRIP programme takes another chapter from LEED in the selection of new building materials. It calls for the use of environmentally responsible content, such as carpeting with recycled and locally available products, reducing energy consumption used in shipping.
Air quality is one of the most difficult environment issues facing North Texas, according to DFW. When construction peaks next autumn, as many as 2,500 construction workers will enter and leave the job sites every day. To save fuel and reduce pollution, says Mr Solis, “we will make a consolidated parking area and bus the workers to the construction sites”.
Architects have generated approximately 20,000 sheets of drawings for each phase of each terminal’s renewal. Using technology that earlier contractors and project managers could only have dreamed of, all of the drawings are stored on the ‘cloud’ computer memory for retrieval and viewing on iPads. The handy tablets are standard equipment for reviewing drawings.
All of the concepts are in a 3D model that lets contractors detect any clashes in the design/build. This ability to preview designs eliminates a lot of material waste. “All of our nearly 200,000 drawings are on the cloud to avoid printing. Everyone uses iPads. We are saving several million dollars on printing charges,” Mr Solis explains.
Avoiding printing costs and the use of seven tons (6.35 tonnes) of drawing paper is arguably a minor line item for a $2.3 billion project, but the advantages of electronic storage and retrieval of the drawings are many. “Our construction team has set up its own WiFi on the site. Using the iPads for video conferencing on issues that need instant attention avoids driving around and burning gas,” Solis says. “There is no wasting time going back and forth.”
Sustainable and green building operating practices are not simply declared a success when construction is completed, then left to fend for themselves, so to speak. The airport does what is called continuous commissioning, which is when system performance is reviewed after construction is completed to make sure systems are operating within their design parameters. Take the lesson of Terminal D, finished in 2005: Texas A&M University recommissioned all the electrical and mechanical systems and found an additional 10% in savings.
“Just because an asset has been completed and put into service it does not mean that we are done,” Mr Solis says. “With TRIP, A&M University, with which we have an agreement, is going to start working the day after commissioning so we can maximise our savings.”
A seven-year Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program will breathe new life into four legacy terminals at DFW.
What is TRIP?
TRIP is a $2.3 billion project encompassing four terminals (A, B, C and E) over seven years of construction. “We are gutting down to the existing frame and rebuilding. About 30% of the work is architectural and 70% is mechanical, electrical and plumbing,” says Perfecto Solis, Vice President of Airport Development and Engineering Department, DFW.
TRIP is 18 months into the schedule, with work currently ongoing in three of the four terminals. Jacobs Engineering in Dallas, Texas, is the engineer of record – responsible for all aspects of design and systems – for the first third of Terminal A, which will be put back into service in late 2012 or early 2013.
Jacobs Engineering is also responsible for the design at Terminal C, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Station (DART) and the Enhanced Parking Structure at Terminal A. Dallas, Texas-based DMJM/EJES Joint Venture is responsible for the design at Terminals B and E. Irving, Texas-based Paslay Management Group is the Owner’s Representative and Dallas-based Freese & Nichols is providing professional service staff on behalf of the airport for the programme.
The work, designed to extend the life of the terminals, includes enhanced concessions, improved parking, reconfigured and expanded security checkpoints and enhanced self-service ticketing areas. Additional terminal capacity and some additional capacity for international flights will be added, plus ten more gates for domestic flights. The DART Orange Line will be extended to the airport, linking it to the city commuter system.
“TRIP gives us an opportunity to rearrange our assets to reflect our international reach and position ourselves to be very competitive in the coming years,” Mr Solis says.
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The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added three new x-ray systems from L-3 Security & Detection Systems (SDS) to its Air Cargo Qualified Product List (QPL). The PX 10.10-MV, PX 15.17-MV 200 and PX […]
Orlando Sees Double-Digit International Growth
Orlando International Airport handled 1,047,434 international passengers in the first three months of 2013, representing a 10.8% growth compared to the first quarter of 2012. Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, commented: […]
Airline Focus
Silver Airways Increases Tampa Services
On the same day that Tampa International Airport, USA, welcomed its inaugural nonstop flight to West Palm Beach, Silver Airways announced it is ready to add a third daily flight to the destination from February […]
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Alan Gilderdale’s career divides itself between the first twenty years working professionally in England, and the following forty in New Zealand. His early career saw him regarded as a promising young English artist. After studying at the Slade between 1942-8, during the 1950’s he exhibited with the London Group, the National Society of Artists and Reigate Artists. For most of this period he taught part-time at St Martin’s School of Art, but his output reduced after a similar job at Reigate School of Art became full time. Working within a limited palette, his English works engaged with landscape and figures in increasingly abstracted ways. Little of his English output remains, however, owing to the limits on what could be transported to New Zealand on an assisted passage. The surplus was burned. After he moved to New Zealand, in 1969 Gilderdale took a break from teaching and had a whole year devoted to painting. This allowed him to totally remake his art, responding to the new culture, light and environment, and moving to almost complete abstraction. This activity resulted in a one-man show at Auckland’s New Vision gallery. 1970 was not, however the ideal time for unveiling work from a newly arrived British artist. New Zealand was looking to its own, and the show elicited a muted response.
Gilderdale returned to full-time tertiary teaching for the next few years, and it was not until he went part-time again in the late 1970’s that he was able to regather his momentum. A year in England in 1975, with visits to France and Italy meant he encountered contemporary European artists like Manessier and Alechinsky. The next few years were a period during which he reconciled his New Zealand abstraction with these new impulses, and what emerged was a strongly symbolic set of works that incorporated his interest in the ideas of Jung. Colour became increasingly vibrant, and figurative and narrative elements re-emerged, but usually in ways which required the reader to interpret them via their own experience. During the eighties and nineties he exhibited regularly, mostly at Auckland’s New Vision and ASA galleries, to increasingly positive reviews. However his painterly works seemed ‘unfashionable’. A seventy year-old, male, British painter with no skill at self-promotion was hardly the most marketable commodity in the brash new world of the nineteen nineties Auckland art scene. Over his final years, it was his work as a book illustrator that brought him national recognition, with the Little Yellow Digger series having sold over 400,000 copies. These books each took six months to complete, and they disrupted the momentum of his painting. After his 1996 Gilgamesh show, he did not exhibit further work, though he continued painting.
Gilderdale’s innate modesty meant he was unwilling to put on a retrospective during his lifetime. However 2015 saw a large-scale retrospective across all five galleries at Northart, curated by Warwick Brown, who recognised that the lack of recognition of Gilderdale’s contribution was a serious oversight. This website aims to expand on that show and to provide more material that can allow a critical re-evaluation of Gilderdale’s work to take place. The material in this section aims to provide background context for the work, with a fuller biography, critical responses, and a full CV that document Gilderdale’s substantial output. The news section will update additions to this website, as well as comment and further exhibitions as they occur.
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Why AI Is The Most Significant Human Breakthrough
Artificial Intelligence: Principles, Technologies, Breakthroughs, Impacts and Challenges
Principles Behind Artificial Intelligence
FIGURE 1: Bayesian Statistics stimulating AI thinking using Artificial Neural Network (Fattal, 2018).
Mind Simulation and Cybernetics
Symbolic Reasoning and Reduction
Technologies that Fuel the Rapid Development of AI
Breakthrough – Driverless Cars
Challenges for AI Researchers/Experts
FIGURE 2: In-depth AI academic research advancement timeline (Mauro, 2016).
Ethical Challenges
The Impact of AI on Science, Technology, and Society
The twenty-first century has witnessed a tremendous growth in computing technology. Artificial Intelligence is one of the most important aspects of Information Technology that has received a boost due to this growth. Computers and their accessories have become increasingly cheaper, allowing more people to participate in the evolution of the technology. The interest to develop machines with human-like thinking capabilities began in the mid-twentieth century with the invention of the Turing machine. Since then, engineers, scientists, and software programmers have successfully created programs and algorithms that enable machines to act autonomously. The future presents a vast array of possibilities, mainly spurred by advances in technology and contribution to the field. An often asked question is whether future AI will be capable of developing sentient thoughts. This research explores the principles, supporting technologies, breakthroughs, and impacts of AI technology in modern society.
Throughout the AI evolution, experts have divided it into various mostly unrelated subfields. These subfields could be technical considerations, goals of development (e.g. robotics & machine learning), particular tools in use (such as neural networks) and philosophical considerations. AI mainly focuses on research into the areas of reasoning, perception, natural language processing, learning, planning, knowledge representation and the capability of motion and spatial manipulation. The discipline uses multiple approaches to these problems, including: traditional symbolic intelligence, computational intelligence, and statistical methods. Thus, the field of AI employs operating principles from fields of computer science, mathematics, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology among many others. This section covers the principles of Artificial Intelligence.
The main principle behind human-like machine thinking is the ability to learn. Intelligent machines take in data about a place, observe the pattern & trend and then model their behavior to best match their environment. Various subfields of AI are dedicated to artificial learning. Machine Learning and Deep Learning are computational methods mainly developed to effect learning in computers. The fields of big data and statistical methods mainly concern themselves with the acquisition of data and determination of trends that occur within sets of information (Domingos & Lowd, 2009). Mathematics helps create algorithms that determine patterns and predict future trends. Linguistics, psychology, and philosophy contribute to AI learning by observing knowledge acquisition and usage in humans.
This is the arm of Artificial Intelligence mainly concerned with building machine systems that mimic the human body and mind. The field of robotics has come a long way, from those machine-like structures used in early twentieth-century manufacturing to the modern, life-like animatronics in use. Computer scientists and engineers have also been able to create neural networks that can react to real-world stimuli the same way organisms do (Bor, 2015). Modern robots pick up environmental data, analyze the information and develop action plans that enable a proper response to the conditions. The creation of such systems is a result of the interaction between the fields of neurobiology, information theory, and cybernetics.
With the advent of computers, the field of AI needed techniques that represented the real world as a set of machine-readable symbols. Thus, various experts demonstrated methods to reduce human intelligence into symbolic manipulation. The first approach to symbolic reasoning was cognitive simulation. This technique utilizes computer programs that simulate human problem-solving methods. Logic-based reasoning eliminated the need to simulate the human thinking process, instead utilizing abstract problem-solving and reasoning, regardless of how the solution is arrived at (Stiegler, Dahal, Maucher & Livingstone, 2017). Anti-logic reasoning suggests the use of ad-hoc solutions since there’s no general principle that can capture human thinking. Knowledge-based reasoning has led to the expert AI systems in use today.
The field of Artificial Intelligence has experienced surges and spikes since the 1960s. Over the past two decades, however, the field has seen an unprecedented growth, with developments in various fields. This section discusses a few technologies that have spurred the growth and development of AI machines.
Since the invention of the Turing machine in the 1940s, developments in computing technology have brought us closer to machine intelligence. Development of transistor technologies in the 1950s and 1960s gave rise to machines that could perform calculations based on symbols that represent real-world quantities (Chrisley, 2003). The growth of the internet has spurred research and development by enabling worldwide collaboration and access to resources and information on AI. Internet connectivity has also led to the creation of technologies that allow computers to learn on a global scale. Growth of the Personal Computer (PC) market has also spurred AI by facilitating the collection of data from a diverse population, thus enabling the observation of universal trends.
Advances in manufacturing technology have led to the creation of machines that could physically mimic the human body. Research and developments in the field of material science have enabled experts and companies to create textures and materials that enable machines to sense changes in the environment around them. The development of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) enable the precise manufacturing of component parts, with simulations to allow for testing before development (Spector, 2006). The fields of mechatronics and robotics enable the creation of machines with bodies built as a physical fit for the environment they occupy. Further advances in manufacturing will enable the development of machines with human-like sensitivity and response to environmental stimuli.
Biotechnology is set to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of AI development. Conversely, advances in biotechnology have also spurred the development of AI technology. Research into the field of genetics led to the discovery of the DNA and the mapping of the human genome. These discoveries help engineers design systems that could mimic humans on a molecular level (Spector, 2006). Studies into the physiology of various plants and animals help designers create machine systems that optimally utilize natural resources. Observing the biological and chemical makeup of organisms leads to the development of systems that can fight the challenges that we, humans face when interacting with our environment. Biotechnology has allowed for the study of patterns in the brain’s neurons when thinking, further boosting developments in the creation of artificial neural networks.
The automotive industry is, perhaps, one of the greatest beneficiaries of advances in AI technology. AI is partly responsible for such systems as satellite navigation, cruise control, assisted parking and traffic monitoring. One of the greatest breakthroughs, however, is the realization of mainstream, driverless cars (Trappl, 2016). While not a new phenomenon, the number of driverless cars on public roads has increased tremendously over the past 5 years. One huge player in the development of autonomous cars is Tesla Motors, whose CEO- Elon Musk-is wary of advances in AI. Even then, the company has gone on to create various driverless models, including the Tesla Model 3, predicted to enter mass production in 2019.
Artificial Intelligence is central to the operation of driverless cars. These cars harvest road and traffic data using a wide range of sensors, interpret the data then enact the correct procedures in reaction to the road conditions. These sensors detect, among other things, weather conditions, lane traffic, and pedestrian traffic among others. The vehicles’ on board computers then process this information to determine the most suitable course of action (Trappl, 2016). Several tech giants such as NVidia and drive.ai have invested large amounts of R&D in the development of intelligent systems from autonomous vehicles. These companies use techniques of deep learning to determine typical human behavior in driving conditions to steer the vehicle along the most suitable path.
Artificial Intelligence promises unlimited potential for the fields of manufacturing, transport, entertainment, education, and medicine among others. These fields could only benefit from AI through iterative processes of development, testing, and improvement. Throughout its evolution, AI has faced a lot of challenges. These challenges could be a result of technical, social, financial or ethical considerations. This section examines the in-field challenges for AI researchers and scientists.
The last few years have seen a tremendous growth in complex software systems that interact with human data. Artificial Intelligence now touches on most personal aspects of our lives. This interaction between systems and data has fostered the growth of the information economy, which has changed how businesses run. Ethical issues arise whenever personal data is used to improve business. One great ethical challenge of AI is to ensure that the gains of the technology benefit the society as a whole (Prokopenko, 2014). The mining of personal data to improve business for individuals and businesses that can afford it leans on the unethical side of things. The handling of this data also presents a challenge, as individuals would always like to know that their data is safe.
Central to the implementation of AI technologies is obtaining, processing and retaining data. The effectiveness of each AI system depends on the quality of data in use. The data used to analyze trends and behavior patterns should represent a large subset and is balanced. Data inputs with errors could cause the systems to predict incorrectly. AI techniques also require computers that can perform numerous calculations rapidly (Prokopenko, 2014). With growth in volumes of data, experts require even more processing power to perform these calculations. Thus, AI can only make significant progress if the underlying computer technologies keep up with the volumes of data being processed.
A major issue in modern AI implementation is the establishment of public trust. Most members of the public are concerned that developments in AI technologies could lead to a scarcity of jobs, impacting the quality of life. Most people with no idea how AI technology works always think of AI machines as sentient beings out to rule the world (Trappl, 2016). Most movies depict the AI takeover as a doomsday scenario, sparking public fear over the capability of these technologies. Most individuals also have issues with computers storing their data and using it for prediction and behavior modeling. To solve these trust issues, AI companies should educate the public on the operation and benefits of AI systems.
Artificial Intelligence has far-reaching effects in scientific study and human interaction. AI systems have changed the way we perform experiments, especially on impractically small or large objects. Particle physics, the branch of science that studies the universe using small collisions, lends most of its findings to developments in AI (Spector, 2006). AI helps extract important data by filtering out unwanted noise signals, leaving behind the trace signal. AI machines have also helped research in the fields of astronomy, medicine, and geographical exploration.
AI has also helped foster technological developments. AI systems have been used to precisely manufacture parts for electronics used in most modern systems and devices in use. AI has also helped in research and development, by providing technologies that enable safe prototyping and testing of new products (Chrisley, 2003). Artificial Intelligence has helped boost manufacturing technology by enabling the creation of precision design and manufacturing systems. The field of technology is set to benefit from further advancements in technology such as: nanotechnology, quantum computing, driverless automobiles and smart systems (home, farms e.t.c).
It is hard to ignore the impact of AI technology on modern societal living. Social media, an unmissable 21st-century phenomenon, owes its existence to AI technologies. These technologies use algorithms and personal data to help determine one’s network and preferences (Prokopenko, 2014). Besides facilitating communication, AI on social media affects commerce. Most AI companies analyze personal data to find preferences and trends in consumption. They then sell this data to vendors who develop their products in line with their target audience’s tastes and preferences.
AI also helps modern living by streamlining other aspects of existence. For instance, AI has boosted business worldwide by connecting sellers and buyers in geographically disparate locations (Spector, 2006). AI has also spurred business by observing trends in the population and suggesting the best business moves. In future, AIs will run businesses through applications such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems. AIs will also help in product delivery using unmanned vehicles and other delivery systems.
Besides business, AI systems impact modern medicine and healthcare systems. Over the past couple of years, Health Information Systems have gained popularity in healthcare centers. These systems connect patients, caregivers, and families and help them determine the best medical interventions. Such data helps caregivers gain the insight of other professionals when attending to their subjects (Bor, 2015). These systems also help families manage their patients’ health in the absence of a caregiver. In the future, these systems will have gathered enough data to correctly diagnose infections and give prescriptions to patients.
Other areas of modern life that could benefit from AI include: space exploration, education, entertainment, construction, and utility operations.
This research has covered the basis, principles, breakthroughs, challenges, and impacts of artificial intelligence. The main operation principles for AI are learning, simulation & robotics and reasoning & reduction. These principles have come as a result of breakthroughs in various technologies. The main technologies that have led to AI improvement include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Manufacturing Technology and Biotechnology. The surging popularity of autonomous cars represents one recent significant breakthrough in the field of AI. While promising, AI faces technical, social, financial and ethical challenges. If these challenges are addressed, AI could effectively revolutionize science, technology, and society.
Bor, D. (2015). The Mechanics of the Mind. Modeling Of Artificial Intelligence, 8(4). doi: 10.13187/mai.2015.8.242
Chrisley, R. (2003). Embodied artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, 149(1), 131-150. doi: 10.1016/s0004-3702(03)00055-9
Domingos, P., & Lowd, D. (2009). Markov Logic: An Interface Layer for Artificial Intelligence. Synthesis Lectures on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, 3(1), 1-155. doi: 10.2200/s00206ed1v01y200907aim007
Prokopenko, M. (2014). Grand Challenges for Computational Intelligence. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 1(4), 44-48. doi: 10.3389/frobt.2014.00002
Spector, L. (2006). Evolution of artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, 170(18), 1251-1253. doi: 10.1016/j.artint.2006.10.009
Stiegler, A., Dahal, K., Maucher, J., & Livingstone, D. (2017). Symbolic Reasoning for Hearthstone. IEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games, 1-1. doi: 10.1109/tciaig.2017.2706745
Trappl, R. (2016). Ethical Systems for Self-Driving Cars: An Introduction. Applied Artificial Intelligence, 30(8), 745-747. doi: 10.1080/08839514.2016.1229737
Zuoyue Wang, Ph.D. UCSD
History of American Science and Technology
Peter W. Ross, Ph.D. CUNY
Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive Science
SURE Program
MBRS RISE
NSF Big Data Security and Privacy
OU Research
View Lecture
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US flew B-1B bombers just off coast of North Korea (PHOTOS)
Updated on September 24, 2017 By Mexico_b Leave a comment
The US has flown B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by F-15 fighters off North Korea’s coast venturing the “farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone,” separating the two Koreas, in the 21st century, the Pentagon’s spokesperson said.
The planes took off from Okinawa, Japan and flew over the waters east of the Korean Peninsula.
“This is the farthest north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) any U.S. fighter or bomber aircraft have flown off North Korea’s coast in the 21st century, underscoring the seriousness with which we take (North Korea’s) reckless behavior,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White.
The DMZ is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula near the 38th Parallel, separating North Korea from South Korea. It was created in 1953, following the armistice which ended the Korean War.
#PACOM stands prepared to use our full range of military capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland and our allies if called upon to do so.
— U.S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) September 23, 2017
The B-1B Lancer strategic bombers entered service in the mid-1980s. The plane was designed specifically as a bomber for nuclear capabilities, thus having a limited capability to carry conventional bombs. Following the demise of the Soviet Union, the role of a bomber for purely nuclear war became questionable, and the Lancer fleet was grounded. The planes eventually underwent a series of modifications, which bolstered their conventional bombing capacity, but deprived them of their nuclear load.
The patrol followed a 3.4 earthquake registered in North Korea earlier on Saturday, which prompted fears of a new nuclear test. The seismic event, however, turned out to be a natural occurrence and “unlikely man-made,” according to geology and nuclear weaponry experts.
The show of force reinforced the recent threats voiced by US President Donald Trump, who vowed on Friday that Kim Jong-un “will be tested like never before,” branding the North Korean leader a “madman.”
Via : RT
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Drb Grant
Dudley Ransford Brandyce Grant was an educationalist who specialized in the theory of early childhood school development in Jamaica. He is regarded by many as the ‘Father of Early Childhood Education in Jamaica’. Born in Santa Marta, Colombia on September 15, 1915 he immigrated to Jamaica with his parents, James and Annie, at an early age. He attended Maldon Primary School, St. James in his youth before continuing his education at Mico Teachers’ College in St.
Andrew. Mr. Grant also went on to complete a Master’s of Science at Cornell University, USA before furthering his learning at great institutions including Oxford University’s School of Education in England and the Universities of New York and Columbia in the United States. Career D. R. B Grant was a highly respected and accomplished tutor and theorist whose career was filled with an extensive list of achievements and positions of authority at all academic levels.
He began his educational profession as a Primary school teacher, later moving up to school Principal, before continuing his progression through the teaching ranks as Senior lecturer, University of the West Indies and Visiting Lecturer at University of Maryland in the USA. Early Childhood Education After this, Mr. Grant began to concentrate on his Early Education work. Below are the positions and roles that D. R. B undertook: Director for the Project for Early Childhood Education (PECE) • Consultant to the Jamaican Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Education Program • Director of University of West Indies/Bernard van Leer Foundation Centre for Early Childhood Education • Consultant/Advisor on Early Childhood Education in developing countries • Vice Chairman of Jamaican Government’s Programme for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE).
During the period 1967-1968, while on secondment to the Ministry of Education Jamaica, he started the first teaching internship programme which has become a major component of the teacher education programme in Jamaica. D. R. B. Grant also conceived and implemented the Project for Early Childhood Education (P. E. C. E. ) which was funded by the van Leer Foundation of Holland. He directed this project from 1966-1987.
He became a highly respected international authority in the field of early childhood education and occupied various consulting and advisory roles. In 1972, D. R. B. Grant was appointed by the Ministry to Education, Jamaica as a member of the Committee for an In-depth Study for Primary Education. He also played a pivotal role in the design and organization of the Hope Valley Experimental School. In recognition of D. R. B.
Grant’s contribution to early childhood education, the University of the West Indies, Mona has named the Early Childhood Resource Centre in his honor. In addition, the Dudley Grant Memorial Trust (DGMT) was established through the Bernard van Leer Foundation in 1989 to commemorate his life and work. D. R. B Grant officially retired in 1978 but continued his work until his death on August 25, 1988. He was 73 years old. Dudley Ransford Brandyce Grant Name: Sherene Badjnaut Teacher:
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The Emirates Group is composed of airport services provider DNATA (the Dubai National Air Transport Association) and Emirates Airlines. Owned by the government of Dubai and based at the busiest airport in the Middle East, Emirates has flourished under the sheikdom’s ‘wide open skies’ policy, in spite of the restrictions placed on it by other countries. The airline, renowned for its luxurious in-flight service, was unique among long-haul airlines in that it had not joined a global alliance such as the Star Alliance or oneworld by the beginning of the new millennium.
The Maktoum family led the tribe throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.Dubai became one of seven sheikdoms in the United Arab Emirates, which was formed in 1970. Gulf Air began to cut back its service to Dubai in the mid-1980s. As a result, Emirates Airlines was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubai’s royal family, whose Dubai Air Wing provided two of the airline’s first aircraft, used Boeing 727s. (An Airbus A300 and Boeing 737 were two others. ) Because of Dubai’s unique political structure, wrote Douglas Nelms in Air Transport World, Emirates could be described as both government-owned and privately held, though most considered it state-owned.Maurice Flanagan was named managing director of the new airline.
Formerly of the Royal Air Force, British Airways, and Gulf Air, Flanagan had been seconded to DNATA in 1978 on a two-year assignment as assistant general sales manager. Chairman was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, nephew of the ruler of Dubai. Only 27 years old in 1985, he had graduated from the University of Colorado just four years earlier (his degree was in political science and economics). Sheik Ahmed also became chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and DNATA itself.Although he lacked any direct experience in the airline industry, Sheikh Ahmed embraced his new role, learning to fly a variety of aircraft along the way. As Lisa Coleman duly noted in Chief Executive, he was indeed experienced in one area that would be the new airline’s defining trait: luxury. The first flight, Dubai-Karachi on October 25, 1985, was a Pakistani connection in more ways than one.
The airline leased the aircraft, an Airbus 300, from Pakistan International Airlines. Bombay and Delhi were the other two earliest destinations.From the beginning, Emirates flights carried both passengers and cargo. Emirates was profitable within nine months. During its first year, it carried 260,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of freight. The next year, Gulf Air posted a loss. In its second year, Emirates also posted a loss, before setting out on decades of profitable growth.
One reason for the success of Emirates was its aggressive marketing. Another was the high level of in-flight service in its new Airbus aircraft, which it outfitted with generously spaced seating.Our Vision ; Values The principles which propel us forward A strong and stable leadership team, ambitious yet calculated decision-making and ground-breaking ideas all contribute to the creation of great companies. Of course, these have played a major part in our development, but we believe our business ethics are the foundation on which our success has been built. Caring for our employees and stakeholders, as well as the environment and the communities we serve, have played a huge part in our past and will continue to signify our future.Our culture of respect At the Emirates Group, we place great value on corporate citizenship and social responsibility and believe our business ethics are integral to our continued success. Each member of staff’s commitment towards ongoing improvement combines to maintain the competitive edge of our operation in global markets.
We firmly believe our employees are our greatest asset and their contribution to the staggering pace at which we have developed can not be underestimated.Without them it would not have been possible and we acknowledge this with a range of excellent benefits, including a generous profit share scheme, and programmes designed to help them fulfill their career goals. These principles enable us to attract employees of the highest calibre and have helped us become the largest employer in the UAE. We now have a team of more 40,000 loyal workers, many living far away from their own families, and we are committed to caring for them within ours.This dedication to the welfare of our employees does not distract from the fundamental economic role of our business – to reward stakeholders. While rivals have faltered under the strain of fluctuating fuel prices and the intense level of competition synonymous with our industry, we have posted profits in all but one year of our history. While we are focused on maximising profit margins, as a leader in aviation innovation, we are devoted to growing our business while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution.
The billions of dollars we have invested in purchasing the most advanced aircraft in production mean we operate one of the youngest and most eco-efficient fleets in the world. Our commitment to the environment extends to our interests on the ground. We take great pride in our involvement with the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of area. The National Park, the largest protected area in the UAE and home to more than 30 species indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, is considered the regional benchmark for sustainable development and conservation.Our green projects do not stop at home and plans are already well under way to create two of the world’s most eco-friendly conservation-based destinations – Wolgan Valley Resort ; Spa in Australia and Cap Ternay Resort ; Spa in the Seychelles. Company Overview The Emirates Group has spread its wings into every aspect of travel and tourism to become a leading global corporation in its field. With one of the youngest fleets in the sky and more than 400 awards for excellence worldwide, Emirates airline is one of two key divisions in the group.
The other is Dnata, which provides ground handling services at numerous airports around the world, including Dubai International. It is also one of the largest providers of travel services in the Middle East and has been a household name in Dubai for more than 50 years. Propelled forward by their united strength, the two have evolved at a phenomenal rate to establish the Emirates Group as an immense organisation, pning a portfolio of more than 50 brands and employing over 50,000 people. Growing from strength to strengthEmirates Group is always looking to expand its portfolio with strategic ventures that will enhance its commercial proposition, revenues and reputation. Among its many projects in development is a luxurious conservation resort in the Seychelles which will raise the benchmark in eco-tourism, as well as highlight Emirates’ commitment to protecting the environment for future generations. Cap Ternay Resort ; Spa Set on a spectacular tropical island in the Seychelles, the resort will give guests a traditional beach holiday combined with a taste of the lush forests, towering granite mountains and wildlife unique to this Indian Ocean sanctuary.The senior management team To build a travel and tourism empire at such staggering speed would not have been possible but for the collective talents of a group of men who have each proven to be leaders in their field of expertise.
Almost all of the executives at the helm of the Emirates Group have been with the organisation since its birth and it is their pioneering vision – combined with meticulous planning and brave yet calculated decision making – which has given flight to the fastest growing airline in the world and the Middle East’s largest provider of airport and travel services.SWOT Analysis This part of the assignment will analyse the strategic position of Emirates Airline through the use of SWOT analysis. Based on the given case, the strategic position of the Emirates Airline specifically their airline and aviation position has been challenged because of the changing situations of the airline market. Rival industries of the company has been able to announced the establishment of their business approach in the global market which offers diversified airline industries to cater to the needs of the passengers, cargo and shipment services.The announcement of this company affects the strategic position of the entire Emirates Airline. In order to make sure that the company will not be left behind, Emirates Airline has been able to involve themselves into the expansion to technological developments. Strengths.
As a competitive and globally recognised airline industry, Emirates Airline has been able to have strategic position in the global market. In fact, when Emirates Airline streamlined their business, it already had the advantage of size. The Emirates Group – SWOT AnalysisDescription: The The Emirates Group – SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. The Emirates Group – SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy. The Emirates Group is a conglomerate which operates through Emirates Airline, an international airline, and Dnata, a travel organization operating in the Middle East. The group is wholly owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. It provides scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 100 destinations.
The company has operations across Middle East, Europe and Americas, Far East and Australia, West Asia and Indian Ocean, and Africa. It is headquartered in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and employs 28,037 people. The group recorded revenues of AED42,674. 3 million ($11,621. 5 million) during the financial year ended March 2009 (FY2009), an increase of 17. 1% over FY2008. The operating profit of the group was AED2,573.
3 million ($700. 8 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 42. 2% compared to FY2008. Its net profit was AED981. 7 million ($267. 3 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 80. 4% compared to FY2008.Scope of the Report – Provides all the crucial information on The Emirates Group required for business and competitor intelligence needs – Contains a study of the major internal and external factors affecting The Emirates Group in the form of a SWOT analysis as well as a breakdown and examination of leading product revenue streams of The Emirates Group -Data is supplemented with details on The Emirates Group history, key executives, business description, locations and subsidiaries as well as a list of products and services and the latest available statement from The Emirates Group Reasons to Purchase Support sales…
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Tag Archives: indie game
Posted in game reviews, gaming, general by Julie Faye
Originally posted on indie-love.com
There is a dragon living in the kingdom, guarding his hoard of treasure. The king has decreed that it is time for the serpent’s reign to end. The only solution is to steal the dragon’s mate away from him and take command of the land again!
That’s the general premise of dʒrægɛn: A Game About a Dragon, which is currently in development and on Steam Greenlight. While it sounds like the most standard of fantasy tropes, dʒrægɛn has a twist. You play as the dragon and you’re pretty bummed out that the king kidnapped your girlfriend. Especially when all you want to do is watch trashy daytime television.
I got a chance to play the demo for dʒrægɛn today. The creator describes it as being “an exploration-adventure masquerading as a platformer RPG. “It’s a cute little game with a couple of polarizing features that I suspect will ultimately make or break it.
I can’t talk about dʒrægɛn without talking about its art style, which is easily its most defining feature. It’s a hand drawn game, with levels that look as if they come from a child’s book rather than traditional game design. For the most part, the artwork is done with crayons, though I think I saw some markers and colored pencils as well. It’s a welcome change from the retro graphics that many indie platformers have, and some of the aspects of it quite well done. The character design is pretty cute. The dragon wears hippie glasses, there are revolutionary sheep, and some of the guards goof off on their phones when you’re not near them. The storytelling comes in the form of pages that look as though they could be from a kid’s book. Those pages are where the art style works the best.
Where I feel the graphics become challenging is in the settings themselves. It looks more like a child’s drawing rather than being an illustration from a child’s book, and I think that’s an important distinction to make. There are games out there that pull off the children’s book illustration look, and I actually like a lot of those. In my opinion, if the aim to is create a game that could look like a children’s book, it could be helpful to draw inspiration from books in that genre. Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry, and Shel Silverstein all used pretty simple illustrations, but there’s still a level of polish there that I think would be beneficial if applied to this game.
I wish the game environments had the same level of detail and finesse that the dragon illustration does. The crayon texture can be distracting and tends to lack depth since the white of the paper shows through on almost every color. And where the design of the dragon was clearly well thought out, the trees, buildings, mountains, and signs of the world feel sloppy by comparison. There’s not a lot of contrast between light and dark, which actually made my eyes tired after a while. I think if the main material used to create the art is going to be crayon, the illustration style itself needs to offset the childish nature of the medium by feeling a bit more realistic and mature. Parts of the game are super cute, but I almost feel like the unrefined nature of the graphics kept me from getting fully drawn into the world.
And that’s a shame. While the plot is quite basic and simple, the writing is good and it had me chuckling. I like the idea of a lazy dragon who watches TV shows about baby daddies and has a girlfriend who’s a bit of a feminist. I like the idea of revolutionary sheep who are pissed off that the establishment is taking their wool for unfair wages. It’s irreverent and I’d like to learn more about this strange world. I actually wish there were more of an incentive to learn about the lore of the world through exploring the levels. It’s fun to earn new abilities through exploration, but I think added story in the levels would give them depth that they’re lacking now.
At the moment, the levels feel very short and are not too difficult to complete. The creator of the game, T.W. Dragon, has said that he wants this to be the kind of game where you go back and replay previous levels as you grow stronger to discover additional secrets. While I like this concept, I think the initial playthrough of each level needs to offer a bit more as well. Whether this is through more lore or plot, or by additional challenges, I think it could only improve the game.
dʒrægɛn: A Game About a Dragon, shows promise, especially in the humor with which the story is told. Though I personally am not 100% sold on the art, I know others who like it. The game plays fairly well, especially when using a gamepad over a keyboard. The music is charming, and as a whole, the game is a cute diversion from the normal bloody hack and slash of many games. If you’re the type who often ends up cheering for the dragon in fantasy stories, this game will likely make you smile.
Check it out on Steam Greenlight, and if you like it, give it a vote to help it eventually end up on Steam.
dragon, hand drawn, indie game, preview Leave a comment
It’s the near future. Aliens have invaded Earth. The humans fought back… and won. Now they’ve launched a counterattack against the aliens where it will hurt them most; their home planet. That’s where you come in.
The Anomaly series by 11 bit Studios has always been a tower offense game where you play as human forces attacking the aliens who have invaded their homes. Anomaly Defenders, their latest release and the final game in the series, is different. Now you play as the aliens on their home planet, and the game has switched to tower defense. It’s all about protecting the launchpads from invading human forces, so that your people can escape their onslaught. It’s an interesting take on a classic trope, and one that works well for the game.
Anomaly Defenders consists of twenty-four levels that can be played at three different difficulty settings. You start out the game with only the most basic of towers, and as you complete each level, you earn technology points. These points are invested in your Technology Tree, which gives you access to more towers, functions, and perks that help you in your defense against the humans. Fairly standard stuff, but that’s not a bad thing.
Each level consists of the launchpad you need to protect, one or more entry points for human forces, set routes that they follow, and designated spots for you to set up your defense. You spend carusaurum to build your towers, and every time you destroy an enemy unit, you earn back carusaurum. You can also build mining units that both earn you more currency and serve to distract the enemy forces from making their way straight to the launchpad. Destroying enemy units also causes them to explode into balls of energy, which you can collect and spend to use special functions on your towers, such as using a shield or repair. Each of your towers has a different function, and it’s up to you to figure out how to use them to their best ability. Once you defeat all of the waves for the enemies, you’ve won the level and you can progress on.
I don’t play that many tower defense games, and yet I found myself really enjoying Anomaly Defenders. The art is what drew me at the start. Each level is rendered beautifully in a way that calls to mind both the light streaked urban settings of Tron and the bioluminescent natural world of Avatar. I’ve been playing mostly retro games lately, and so this was a welcome change. The design of the towers themselves is fine. Nothing particularly special, but I don’t think it needs to be. What’s important is that the UI itself is easy to understand and user friendly. It only takes one level to understand what you’re looking at, and even if you don’t get it right away, the game gives you hints as you go along.
Gameplay is engaging and fun and the towers have different specialties that help you combat different sorts of enemies. I think that these abilities, combined with the power ups that you can use on each tower, allows for the creation of an individual playstyle that I found appealing. I found myself utilizing long ranged towers most often, and when one of my friends played, he said he prefered a completely different strategy. It’s nice that it doesn’t feel like there’s one correct way to beat a level, which adds more replay value as you experiment with different technologies. One of the helpful features of the game is the pause button, which lets you stop the action so you can build more towers or apply functions to your existing towers. On large, expansive maps, this is especially useful since you will have enemies attacking from multiple entry points that aren’t always visible on one screen. This is helpful during massive waves of enemies, or when more difficult enemies appear. The humans have many different types of units to deploy, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses, as your own towers do. Learning how to best attack them is part of the fun of the game.
The technology tree that you can access between levels has a nice feel to it. You choose different towers to develop, and each of those have different strength levels that you purchase as well. I found some of the towers more useful than others, and there were a few that I didn’t develop at all because I didn’t see a strong use for them. I was playing the game mostly on easy and normal though, so it’s possible these towers are more useful when playing at a higher difficulty. The same went for the different functions available. I found some of them useful but ended up completely ignoring others that I didn’t use a lot. Surprisingly, the perk branch was one of the most useful sections of the tree for me. Here was where I could spend less to build towers and hold onto more energy to defend them. Investing points in that tree made the game a lot easier for me.
Despite the twist of being about aliens whose world is being invaded by humans, the story for Anomaly Defenders is pretty basic. There’s not actually that much in the way of storytelling at all, outside of the short intro movie and the bit of detail you receive about each level. In a way, this is okay. It’s a tower defense game, so the story probably doesn’t need to be too involved. Still, because the world itself looks cool, I found myself wishing I knew more about it. Why is the world dying? Why do the plants glow? What’s some of the history of the alien people? I actually found myself making up my own answers to these questions, so in a way perhaps it was better that the game doesn’t really spell these things out. I do think it would have been fun to get a little more lore about the various levels you’re defending, especially since they went to the trouble to name them, but ultimately it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the game at all.
I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed Anomaly Defenders. It’s an engaging game that’s fun to play, and it has a decent amount of replay value as well. Between the beautiful art and the enjoyable play, I can highly recommend the game (and already have to a few friends), even to those who don’t normally enjoy the genre. Definitely one of the more fun games I’ve played in awhile.
Anomaly Defenders is on PC, Mac, and Linux for $9.99 and is available on Steam and Games Republic.
aliens, gaming, indie game, tower defense Leave a comment
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WOW – Workouts of the Week
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WOD For Wednesday 1/15/14
Partner Wednesday!!
This workout is in honor of Mike Jenkins. He wrote this workout the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving with the intention having his members complete this WOD on Thanksgiving morning. This was the last workout he ever wrote. Mike Jenkins (November 3, 1982 – November 28, 2013) was a professional strongman competitor from Westminster, Maryland.[1] Jenkins worked as a high school athletics director when not competing as a strongman.[1] He was a college and professional football player before switching over to strongman competition in 2007.[1] He won the Maryland’s Strongest Man contest in 2007 which qualified him for the North American amateur national strongman championships later that year and he placed sixth in that contest.[1] He placed second in the North American nationals in 2009.[1] Jenkins competed in the inaugural Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships in 2010 and won that contest.[1] This victory earned him his pro strongman card, as well as an invite to the 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic. He competed in the 2010 America’s Strongest Man later in the year and placed second behind 3 time champion Derek Poundstone.[2] He entered the 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic placing second overall ahead of the reigning World’s Strongest Man, Zydrunas Savickas.[3] and qualified for the finals of the 2011 World’s Strongest Man contest, which, though winning the first 2 events, he had to withdraw from after suffering a back injury, finishing in in eighth place overall. Jenkins won the 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic, finishing ahead of former champions Derek Poundstone, Zydrunas Savickas and Brian Shaw,[4] and won the Giants Live event in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on March 17, 2012, which qualified him for the 2012 World’s Strongest Man contest later in the year.[5] He set a joint world record in the hip lift event with Nick Best with a lift of 1,150 kilograms (2,540 lb).[5] Mike Jenkins died on November 28, 2013, aged 31, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.[6][7] From our Coach, Geoff Blake: All those things were true, but what made him an amazing person is how kind and thoughtful he was. I met him at the lifting comp, and he messaged me that evening about what we were talking about. Sue would tell you the same, as well as anyone else that met him.
Partners Split Reps evenly. Burpees are completed together.
Met-con: 3 Rounds for time: 28 Goblet Squats 70/55 28 KB Strict Overhead Press – 14 each arm 55/35 28 Step-Ups 24/20 28 Ball Slams 28 Lunges – Bar in the front rack 95/65 Every minute do 2 burpees
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Basics Graduations
WODs for Thursday 1/16/14
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Tag: #womenart
Women to the Fore at the Hudson River Museum
In Dialogue with co-curators Laura Vookles, Chair of the Curatorial Department, and Victoria Ratjen, Curatorial Assistant
Installation view. (Front) Ola Rondiak (American, b. 1966). Motanka Installation, 2019. Papier-mâché, plaster of Paris, and other mixed media. Courtesy of the artist. © Ola Rondiak. Photo: Steve Paneccasio
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment guaranteeing women’s voting rights, Women to the Fore, the current group exhibition at the Hudson River Museum features more than forty female-identifying artists, spanning one hundred and fifty years. The two curators, Laura Vookles and Victoria Ratjen, selected diverse artworks across media —paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, collage and sculpture— from the Museum’s permanent collection, regional artists, galleries, and collectors. The exhibition includes works by renowned artists like Marisol, Judy Chicago, Louise Nevelson, and Mary Cassatt among many others, and less recognizable contemporary and 20th century artists. For instance, one of the highlights in this show is Anna Walinska’s self-portrait which not only marks her first return to the walls of the Hudson River Museum in over 60 years, but also brings to light her significant role in the art world of her time, including her dedication to promoting the work of other artists, like Arshile Gorky, who got his first New York City solo show in the mid-30s at the Guild Art Gallery, an art venue she founded and ran.
Continue reading “Women to the Fore at the Hudson River Museum”
Maria de Los Angeles in Domestic Brutes at Pelham Art Center
In Dialogue with Maria de Los Angeles
Artist in her Studio. Photo by Ryan Bonilla 2019 . Photo by Ryan Bonilla 2019
Maria de Los Angeles says she feels very blessed to be included in the Domestic Brutes exhibition at the Pelham Art Center. A DACA recipient, she grew up undocumented and currently she is working on getting her citizenship, looking forward to contributing by voting for the first time. “Since I arrived to this country 20 years ago, I have looked forward to Voting. I love this county and consider it my home and can’t wait to do my part by helping elect new people. I truly believe we can build a better future together,” she says.
Continue reading “Maria de Los Angeles in Domestic Brutes at Pelham Art Center”
Lacey McKinney in Domestic Brutes at Pelham Art Center
In Dialogue with Lacey McKinney
Lacey McKinney at McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 2019,.Courtesy Chris Edwards Photography
Lacey McKinney who resides in Upstate New York, is drawn to the alchemy of processes like painting and alternative photography. For the last several years, McKinney has worked within the framework of painting, using figuration to reference embodiment. Usually splitting her time between working in the studio and teaching, this year she feels lucky enough to embark on a one-year teaching sabbatical, which has given her extra time for experimentation with other media such as using cyanotype process to make photograms that incorporate into collage and mixed media works. The artist shares some insights on her body of work in Domestic Brutes, the all women group show at the Pelham Art Center which engages the visitor with diverse approaches of what feminism means in American society today.
Continue reading “Lacey McKinney in Domestic Brutes at Pelham Art Center”
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Home Team John Morisson
John Morisson
CEO of Company
Planning, Strategy
Born in Mendrisio in 1943, Mario Botta graduated with a degree in architecture from IUAV in Venice, working with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn. Strongly influenced by the two great masters, his architectural vocabulary evolved to design pure imposing geometric forms. Brick is a key material in his poetics, used as a covering material to underline the severity of the volumes he designs.
Every one of his works is covered with a mantle of sacredness, through which he demonstrates the importance of architecture as a means of expression of human memory.In 1969 Botta opened his own practice in Mendrisio and began a busy career designing highly significant, exemplary works of architecture, including several prominent religious buildings.
Luckily nobody was in the sports arena at the time.
Architects design all kinds of buildings.
A school will need many medium-sized rooms for classrooms.
Travelling regularly to building sites.
The building was a sports arena with a large, curved roof.
Another architect might like to design buildings that look sleek.
3D Skills
Diversity of Experience
The client, a young video maker with difficulties getting onto the housing ladder due to Dublin housing shortages, was given the opportunity to build a house in the back garden where once stood the tree house he used to play in as child. The awkward triangular shape of the site generated the pure triangular plan of the house surrounded by three gardens; an entrance garden to the north, a breakfast garden to the east and green garden to the south.
One example is the office building in Hochstrasse (1988), where “the language of neo-modernism gives way to a minimalist expressive system”. This was followed by a series of projects (the Fides Building, Building in Picassoplatz, SBV Training Centre) in which the tension of construction (implemented primarily through particular ways of working with windows and doors) reveal the studio’s focus on plastic and morphological issues.With Italian influences (A. Rossi, G. Grassi), Diener & Diener’s urban projects aim to “give single large, anonymous constructions a metaphysical presence”.
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Top 50 CEO Awards
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Posted on October 17, 2014 | Stephen Kimber | 1 Comment
Imagine you could turn back the clock to before 9/11, I suggest to American audiences when I read from my most recent book, What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five.
What if the United States had had its own intelligence agents inside Al Qaeda? What if those agents had uncovered the plot to attack the U.S.? What if, as a result, 9/11 hadn’t happened?
How would Americans feel about those agents? They’d be heroes.
But if they’d been successful, of course, most Americans would never have heard of them. That’s the nature of the clandestine intelligence world.
So let’s throw a wrench into this alternate history scenario, I say. Imagine U.S. authorities had informed Afghan officials what its agents had discovered. And the Afghan government had turned around and arrested… not the terrorists who’d been plotting the attacks but the American agents trying to stop them?
Americans would, understandably, be outraged. And their government would move heaven and Afghanistan to get their agents back.
Which is why, I then say, Americans should also understand why Cubans will not rest until every last member of their “Cuban Five” is home again with their families. The capsule version: During the 1990s, the Cuban government dispatched a network of intelligence agents to south Florida to infiltrate anti-Castro exile groups plotting terrorist attacks against Cuba. In 1997, those exile terrorists set off explosives at more than a dozen tourist hotels in Havana, killing a Canadian.
In early 1998, the Cuban agents uncovered a significantly more sinister plan: blow up an airplane filled with beach-bound tourists. The Cuban government, concerned it couldn’t stop that plot itself, shared the information its agents had gathered with the FBI. The FBI arrested… not the terrorists but the Cuban agents.
In 2001, not long after 9/11, the Cubans were all sentenced to long terms in American prisons. Three of the five, who are national heroes in Cuba, are still in jail, including one serving a double life plus 15 year sentence. As I was researching the book, I remember being struck by just how hypocritical we all are–as individuals, as businesses, as governments–and how different our perspectives would be if we occasionally stood our version of reality on its head and attempted to see the world as the “other” sees it.
Consider the Ukraine. The dominant western media version is that a popular revolution this spring toppled a corrupt, pro- Russian regime. But that corrupt “regime” was actually elected in 2010 with 48 per cent of the vote (a significantly higher percentage than Stephen Harper’s Tories got in 2011), and the “popular” revolution involved a violent coup.
When the traditionally pro- Russian Crimea in eastern Ukraine then voted 96.77 per cent to break away and join the Russian federation, western powers denounced the referendum as Moscow-rigged. But rather than propose a fairer vote to determine the actual wishes of the Crimeans, the west simply supports the Ukraine military’s violent suppression of its separatists.
In mid-July, when the rebel forces apparently misfired a rocket, blowing a Malaysian civilian plane out of the air and killing 298 innocents, Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander was quick to the microphones to denounce this “brutal act of terror against perfectly innocent civilians.”
But if shooting down that passenger plane, which was almost certainly tragically mistaken for a military target, could be described as a terrorist act, how would you characterize the killing of 1,500 innocent civilians in Gaza during this summer’s more than 5,000 “targeted” Israeli air strikes?
Speaking of Israel, how do we describe the 1,100 foreigners who traveled there from their own homelands to join the Israeli Defence Force to fight and sometimes die for a country and a cause that is not theirs? We have no problem knowing what to call young Arab men who travel to Islamic countries to sign up with foreign fighting forces. We now arrest them for even thinking about it. But how different really are they and their motivations?
I’m not suggesting one view is right, the other wrong, only that the world, including the business world, is far more complex, nuanced and grey than we usually acknowledge. Seeing those hues occasionally might help us see our world more clearly.
1 Comment to “The devil is in the details”
Jon Goldberg // December 5, 2014 at 4:33 pm // Reply
I find it most interesting that an editorial by Mr. Kimber shows up in Atlantic Business. That Mr. Kinber is a long time anti-US and anti-Israel proponent, who in my opinion, is a spokesman for the far left and is more anti-business than pro would be given an opportunity to spout his crazy theories is ludicrous. By comparing those who volunteer for ISIS, who want to kill all non-Muslims, with the Jewish people from the West, who go to Israel to live a Jewish life in the Jewish State, shows his complete lack of understanding of the reality of the State of Israel.
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Auction Previews
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The Mackey-Gregory Hooded Merganser Pair, Ira Hudson (1873-1949)
Starting: $75,000
The Mackey-Gregory Hooded Merganser Pair
Ira Hudson (1873-1949)
Chincoteague, VA, c. 1925
13 in. long
Hooded mergansers are sometimes referred to as “hairy heads” due to their crests. Ira Hudson stylistically embraced the challenge of making a functioning hooded merganser decoy by creating a whimsical, slicked back, and racy-looking hen. Complementing her, he gave the drake a more serious-looking persona, reminiscent of a Roman centurion soldier. This amusing tension, along with their rarity, lies at the heart of the collectability of these Hudson “footballs,” one of the most iconic pairs of Southern decoys known to exist. Collectors have long understood the scarcity of hooded merganser decoys. Similar to buffleheads, dedicated gunning rigs are not necessary for attracting hoodies. Examples of decoys by known makers that have been embraced by the collecting community include singular works by Joseph Lincoln (1859-1938), William Hart (1875-1946), and Lloyd Tyler (1898-1970), each of which approached or topped the $200,000 mark.
Early collector Roy Bull (1911-1982) and his wife, Lula, obtained all six hooded mergansers in this important Hudson rig sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Within this esteemed rig, there were only two drakes. The Bulls kept the other pair. Those two carvings subsequently became key acquisitions in the collections of leading decoy collectors Bill Purnell, Tom Figge, and Paul Tudor Jones II.
The Bulls, who were friends with Bill Mackey, were two of the most important early collectors of Southern decoys. They would go on to amass approximately 1,700 decoys during their lifetimes, including top-tier carvings by the Cobbs, the Wards, Birch, and Hudson. Mackey obtained these two prized decoys directly from the Bulls and proceeded to exhibit them extensively.
The decoys were next acquired by Americana and folk art collecting legend Stewart E. Gregory (1913–1976), who also acquired the top two Earnest dovetailed geese. Gregory was both the vice president and a trustee of the American Folk Art Museum during the 1960s and 70s.
Gregory’s collection contained numerous pieces acquired from early and noted dealers, including Mary Allis (1899-1987) and Adele Earnest (1901-1993). The Collection included works by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) and Erastus Salisbury Field (1805-1900), as well as decoys, hooked rugs, weathervanes, and tinware. In 1972 the American Folk Art Museum held the landmark exhibition An Eye on America: Folk Art from the Stewart E. Gregory Collection.
In 1978 this merganser pair was sold by the Gregory Estate through Richard A. Bourne. His broader collection, titled Important American Folk Art and Furniture: The Distinguished Collection of the Late Stewart E. Gregory, Wilton, Connecticut, was sold by Sotheby Parke-Bernet, Inc. in 1979. According to American Folk Art Museum director Gerard C. Wertkin, the Gregory Sale “is often considered a watershed in the field because of the widespread public interest that it engendered and the high prices that it realized. Indeed, many of the finest works acquired by Gregory are now in the collections of important American museums.”
The football-shaped Mackey-Gregory mergansers, with their pronounced crests and fluted tails, are two of the most animated and recognizable carvings within the field of Southern decoys. Adding to this, in Hudson’s distinctive style, the drake’s head, body, and tail turn gently to the left. The paint on the backs of each bird is striking, showcasing the maker’s very best scratch feathering.
Offered here for the first time since 1978, this pair boasts an equally impressive lineage as the Purnell-Figge-Jones pair. Muller’s tenacity in hunting down the very best of the Mackey decoys is on full display in these mergansers. Flipping them over, the two collecting moguls’ ink stamps are seen side by side.
Original paint with even gunning wear, restoration to the hen’s bill and along the top of drake’s crest, less than ½ inch high, and a few age lines at neck bases with minimal touch-up.
Provenance: Roy and Lula Bull Collection
William J. Mackey Jr. Collection, acquired from the above
Stewart Gregory Collection, acquired from the sale of the above, 1973
Dr. Peter J. Muller Jr. Collection, acquired from the sale of the above, 1978
Literature: Richard A. Bourne Co. Inc., “Very Rare and Important American Bird Decoys from the Collection of the late William J. Mackey, Jr. of Belford, New Jersey,” July 17, 1973, Session I, lot 283, exact pair illustrated.
Richard A. Bourne Co., Inc., “Rare American Bird Decoys, Bird Carvings, and Related Materials,” Hyannis, MA, July 1978, lot 582, exact pair illustrated.
Henry A. Fleckenstein Jr., “Southern Decoys of Virginia and The Carolinas,” Exton, PA, 1983, p. 34, exact pair illustrated.
Hal Sorenson, ed., “IBM Exhibits Mackey Decoys,” Decoy Collector’s Guide, 1966-1967, p. 48, exact pair illustrated.
Joe Engers, ed., “The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys,” 1990, p. 152, Jones’ pair illustrated.
Loy S. Harrell Jr., “Decoys: North America’s One Hundred Greatest,” Iola, WI, 2000, p. 173, Jones’ pair illustrated.
Robert H. Richardson, “Chesapeake Bay Decoys: The Men Who Made and Used Them,” 1991, p. 139, Jones’ pair illustrated.
Sam Dyke et al., “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Salisbury, MD, 1994, p. 2, exact pair illustrated.
Joe Engers, “Dr. Peter J. Muller: Bringing a good eye and an artistic approach to decoy collecting,” Decoy Magazine, January/February 2008, pp. 8-9, exact drake illustrated.
Robert Shaw, “Bird Decoys of North America,” New York, NY, 2010, p. 212, exact pair illustrated.
Exhibited: Manhattan, New York, “The Decoy Maker’s Craft,” IBM Gallery of Arts and Sciences, August 29-October 1, 1966.
St. Paul, Minnesota, “American Bird Decoys Selected from the Collection of William J. Mackey Jr.,” St. Paul Art Center, September 28-November 12, 1967.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, “American Bird Decoys Selected from the Collection of William J. Mackey Jr.,” The Paine Art Center and Arboretum, December 2-31, 1967.
Salisbury, Maryland, “Classic Hunting Decoys & Sporting Art,” Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, September 20, 1994-January 1, 1995.
Please email condition report requests to [email protected] Any condition statement given is a courtesy to customers, Copley will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
The Winter Sale 2020
Start: Feb 15, 2020 10:00 EST
Click here to bid online
Click here if you are an Auction House or Dealer & Gallery
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Anisotropy parameters for a 1-electron system using the Cooper-Zare (CZ) model (with...
Paul Hockett
Cooper and Zare showed that the form of the angular distribution in the simplest (atomic) case can be expressed as: I(\theta)={(2l+1)^{2}}\left\{ l(l+1)\left[^{2}+^{2}+2\cos(-)\right]+\left[l(l-1)^{2}+(l+1)(l+2)^{2}-6l(l+1)\cos(-)\right]\cos^{2}(\theta)\right\} where σl is the l-channel cross-section, and δl the scattering phase. The derivation of this form of the observable follows from application of the angular-momentum selection rules to reduce the allowed continuum states to just the two terms (l + 1) and (l − 1), under the assumption that the initial state is defined by a single l. The cylindrical symmetry of the problem also means that the ϕ dependence can be dropped. By comparing this equation to the general form, I(\theta)=}{4\pi}\left[1+P_{2}(\cos(\theta))\right] where σtotal is the total (l-summed) cross-section, and the terms in square brackets are the L = 0, 2 contributions (normalised to the total cross-section), an equation expressing β₂ can be derived, =^{2}+(l+1)(l+2)^{2}-6l(l+1)\cos(-)}{(2l+1)\left[l^{2}+(l+1)^{2}\right]} This formalism is explored in the attached Jupyter/iPython notebook (requires a live version for interactive plotting).
Towards Reconstructing the Molecular Frame for Photoionzation of Polyatomic Molecules...
Varun Makhija
INTRODUCTION Measurements in the molecular frame help elucidate the fundamental physics of molecules. The physics of molecules in turn inform the nature of interaction between a number of quantum particles, important for both the understanding of larger systems and that of fundamental quantum phenomena. Measurements made in the laboratory frame from randomly oriented molecules, or a thermal mixture of numerous angular momentum states, result in a loss of information due to incoherent averaging over the orientations, or equivalently, the rotational states. Methods to overcome this either coherently drive a large number of rotational states, or select the ground rotational state from an ensemble. Either scenerio results in spatially anisotropic distribution, with the former approaching the molecular frame as the distribution of rotational states broadens. This is the preferred method in ultrafast physics, since the time resolution allows for measurements at the moment of sharpest alignment. The latter method is typically applied for precision spectroscopic measurements. Recent advances in laser cooling of di- and tr-atomic linear molecules has enabled coherent selection of the ground rotational state, allowing for precise spectroscopic measurements of dissociative molecular states.
Angle-resolved RABBIT: theory and numerics
ABSTRACT Angle-resolved (AR) RABBIT measurements offer a high information content measurement scheme, due to the presence of multiple, interfering, ionization channels combined with a phase-sensitive observable in the form of angle and time-resolved photoelectron interferograms. In order to explore the characteristics and potentials of AR-RABBIT, a perturbative 2-photon model is developed; based on this model, example AR-RABBIT results are computed for model and real systems, for a range of RABBIT schemes. These results indicate some of the phenomena to be expected in AR-RABBIT measurements, and suggest various applications of the technique in photoionization metrology.
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BdNewsX
Insurance , Mortgage and Loans
Luck. Manisha Koirala Was Not The First Choice For These Films.
July 20, 2020 BeRz0OIi4O Celebrities 0
Manisha Koirala is one of the underrated actresses in Bollywood. She has done many remarkable movies in Bollywood.
However, she hasn’t done many movies with top directors of Bollywood of that time and many good movies she has done weren’t offered to her first.
Here we have created a list of some hits movies of Manisha Koirala which were written for and approached other actresses.
Producers approached Manisha at last and shot the movie with Manisha as the lead actress.
Check out the list of such movies that glorify the movie because of Manisha’s performance.
Khamoshi: The Musical
Khamoshi the musical is one of the best movies directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It was reported that Manisha was not the first choice of the director.
Director wanted to recreate the iconic movie pair of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun into Khamoshi.
He approached Madhuri Dixit and later the role was offered to Kareena Kapoor.
Kareena wasn’t ready to make her Bollywood debut then and the role went to Manisha Koirala who did a fabulous job in the movie.
Lajja
Lajja was a controversial movie that highlighted many problems in society. The film tanked at the box office despite having an ensemble cast of actors like Ajay Devgn, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, and Manisha Koirala.
Throughout time, it became a cult movie in Bollywood.
However, the director was not sure about the cast and wanted to shoot the movie with Tabu and Karisma Kapoor playing the roles of Manisha and Madhuri in the movie.
Later, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was also offered the role which she rejected due to her busy shooting schedule.
Kachche Dhaage
Kachche Dhaage starring Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan in the lead role is famous for its action sequences. A few awesome tracks of the movie are still popular among the audience.
Producers have already signed Mayuri Kango to play the female lead in the movie along with Namrata Shirodkar.
Later, Mayuri walked out of the film due to some unknown reasons and Manisha Koirala was approached to play the female lead in the movie.
1942: A Love Story
Another cult movie 1942: A Love Story was offered to Madhuri Dixit. Fans and Producers both wanted to see the hit pair of Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor in another romantic drama.
For instance, Javed Akhtar wrote down the lyrics of the song ‘Ek Ladki Ko…’ for Madhuri Dixit. Madhuri said no to the film because of her busy schedule.
After that, makers approached Manisha Koirala to play the female lead opposite Anil Kapoor. The movie is one of the best films in Manisha Koirala filmography.
Agni Sakshi
Agni Sakshi is a romance thriller released in the 90s. The story revolves around a married couple Suraj and Shivangi who get approached by a man named Vishwanath who claims that Shivangi is his wife, Madhu.
It was the remake of the Hollywood movie Sleeping With The Enemy.
While Nana Patekar was the only attraction in the movie, the role played by Manisha Koirala was initially offered to Madhuri Dixit who couldn’t sign the movie because of her busy schedule.
Dil Se
Another blockbuster Dil Se which became a cult classic in Bollywood was not approached to Manisha Koirala at first. Mani Ratnam wanted to cast Kajol to play the part of Suicide Bomber in the movie.
Kajol also wanted to be part of the film but turned down the offer because of the date clashes. However, Manisha was fabulous in the movie and everyone appreciated the chemistry of the lead actors.
Gupt
Gupt is remembered by the audience only because of Kajol’s vamp role in the movie. Manisha Koirala also has a prominent role in the movie.
The film was criticized for showing such bold content. In addition to this, it was also rumored that the role of Manisha Koirala in the movie was offered to Raveena Tandon and she has also shot a couple of scenes in the movie.
Raveena walked out of the project and it was offered to Karisma Kapoor but things didn’t work out.
Mann starring Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala is a huge hit and appreciated for its soulful tracks.
Little do you know that directors wanted to cast Aishwarya Rai to play the love interest of Aamir Khan in the movie. After Aishwarya rejected the script, it went to Tabu.
For instance, Nandita Das was also approached for the role.
Age Difference.TV Actresses Who Are Older Than Their Husband.
Lesser known Sisters Of Bollywood Actors.Away From Limelight.
Dark Love Affairs Of Bollywood Directors And Actresses.
These 8 Movies Of Akshay Kumar Were Never Released.
Meet The Lesser Known Sisters Of Famous Cricketers.
These Famous Actresses Of TV Industry Are Still Single.
Bollywood Celebrities Who Have Not Tasted Stardom Despite Being Talented.
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Home/ Free Essays/ Economics/ Boeing and Chinese Companies
Free Boeing and Chinese Companies Essay Sample
Boeing being the world's largest and Defense Company has claimed to be the largest exporter for the aerospace. For a couple of years this company has reported an upward shift in terms of the revenues it has earned since its formation. Investing in China would therefore be advantageous considering the economical trends in China aggregated by the political tensions.
Trends and forces in China
China is headed by an economist government which has greatly contributed towards companies shying away from investing in the country, mainly due to the political tensions. Despite of such political evils, China has recorded an annual increase of 10% in the Traffic growth- a factor that has triggered the Chinese companies to become essential and potential consumers of Boeing aircraft (Yenne, 2005).)
The political instability in China has been a major drive for the company. For instance, according to the recent research it has been affirmed that some aerospace destroyers in America were made out of the military threats that had been perceived by America. Some of the aerospace destroyers made were the F-22, DDG-1000 and the Virginia class submarine as they were made prior the anticipated threats in China. It is projected that should the threats continue, Boeing will report an increase in its financial prospects. This means that Boeing does not compromise on bargaining away some important industry knowledge but rather increase on its sales. Whether the relationship between U.S.A and China will be stabilized, Boeing will continue investing in Chinese companies even at the verge of any predetermined risk (Boeing Company. (2007).)
China being a developed country has been termed as having potential trading grounds which has resulted in the success of many businesses across the world. This is mainly attributed to the adequate resources and positive economical trends in the country. However some other drawbacks have caused investors to withdraw away from the country with the exclusion of Boeing Company. The nature of the business Boeing carries out is very beneficial to the Chinese companies and therefore despite all the repercussions that the companies experience, Boeing will still invest in the country (N.R. C & code of federal regulations, 2002).
Outsourcing Reading Summary
Reading Summary
Hollywood and the Rise of Cultural Protectionism
BRIC Sovereign Debt Crisis
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Beyond The Entertainment
The Personalities Behind the Lens
Justin M October 9, 2018
Carnal: Alexis Fawx
She’s one of the most desirable and jaw-dropping women to ever appear in the adult entertainment industry. When Alexis Fawx decided to enter the industry in 2010, she shook up things and has made her mark as an exceptional performer and creative individual in the industry. If Alexis isn’t your favorite adult film star, she’ll soon take that spot once you get to know her more. What makes Alexis unique and stand out from the other women in the industry is that she has the “it” factor. You’ll never forget Alexis once you see her, and you’ll be wanting more and more. Alexis exudes professionalism and her personality is infectious. Learning more about Alexis has us admiring her even more.
What was going through your mind when you started your career in 2010?
Alexis Fawx: Well, I think that I was in a place of change, so I answered a Craiglist ad, and that’s how this all this started. I just simply said, “yes” versus thinking about it or the “what ifs?” or “this or that.” I just said, “yes” and I’ll figure it out along the way, and here I am today. It’s pretty cool being like one of the top Milfs, so it’s pretty fucking cool so far (laughs).
Did you set any specific goals that you wanted to accomplish in the industry when you started out?
Alexis Fawx: Well, considering that I just kind of fell into it, I didn’t have any pertinent goals. I was just like, “wow, what is this world that I entered into, and where could it take me?” You know, and I think goals are great along the way. I think that they keep you motivated and they keep you inspired, they keep you focused on there’s some type of endgames and little points along the way, it’s like positive reinforcement, but I think you should also constantly reevaluate those goals and see how you can expand on them further and further. So, my goal in the beginning, because the situation I was coming from was survival, and now that I’m surviving, it’s like, “ok, now I have this great brand, how can I expand it and make it even bigger and better?” In 2010, if you would’ve asked me, I would’ve laughed in your face and said, “what? no way!” For instance, I’m producing and hosting a live comedy show in LA. Never in my life, if you would’ve asked me in 2010 and said to me, “hey, do you see yourself hosting and producing a live show in LA?” I would’ve been like, “yeah, alright, cool. Like, whatever.” I’m gonna be launching my own coffee bean. All these things open up to you. So, as goals are an inspiration and ways as guides and focus, be constantly aware of what those things are and learning and expanding. Don’t put a ceiling on where you are. You’re much bigger than that.
What’s your determining factor (or factors) in deciding to appear in a scene/movie?
Alexis Fawx: You know, those change over time to be honest. Now I would have to say I’m more into the quality of the scene. Who am I working with? You know, what is the scene? What is the fantasy that we’re selling here? Do I want to be known for that? I think my tastes have been saying, “ok, how can I bring a mature woman that’s not always a mom into it?” You know what I mean? Those Milf roles fucking pay the check, right? (laughs) They’re great, but as a woman who’s not a mom, I like to be a hot woman, you know what I mean? I think men like to see women fuck, a hot woman fuck. It doesn’t have to be you know, this college kid. I like to fuck men. I like to fuck other women, you know what I mean? Now I like to look more towards what company, what director, who am I working with, what’s the content? There are just some people that I absolutely love working with (laughs) it’s gonna be fun and a pretty easy day, no matter how hard the scene may be, and it’s just a really overall good fucking time.
I prefer working with talent that is 21 or over. I just do. I feel that there are those couple years in there that will help you develop sexually, and give you that experience. Maybe at 18, you fucked a lot of girls, but you haven’t fucked a woman yet. Most 18-year-olds have not fucked a woman, you know what I’m saying? I’m a woman, and I can be intimidating.
I think about all those things now where I didn’t think about those things in 2010, or I really didn’t think about those things in 2015. I think over time you develop your brand or you work on your craft, no matter what you do I think you’re going to start looking at quality and what is your legacy and what are you known for? I want to put out some hot fucking scenes. Not just for men to jerk off to, but I like to put out hot fucking scenes that couples can fuck to. I want to women on just as much as I turn men on, to be quite honest. Why not? Wouldn’t it be rad if your girlfriend or wife was like, “yeah babe, let’s watch this.” Then she fucking blows you and fucks you like wild. I think it’s hot. Those are my fantasies anyway (laughing).
You recently filmed something in a movie that you’ve never shown before. Can you share what that was?
Alexis Fawx: I finally put out my anal showcase, which is really exciting. It just felt like the right time. Like, let’s do this. So, I tried my first anal and my first DP. That’s pretty cool, right?
In 2017, you were recognized by XBIZ and AVN for your performance in the ‘Preacher’s Daughter,’ and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. What’s it like getting recognition for your work?
Alexis Fawx: I think it’s great, and I’m always super happy to be nominated. It just feels great. I mean, out of hundreds and hundreds of girls, you made the top ten. Fuck yeah! In my mind, you’re a fucking winner. That’s great, you know what I mean? I’m super honored, and I’m always just so happy, and super grateful and thankful for really everything that’s come into my life.
What is your favorite scene that you’ve been in and why is it your favorite?
Alexis Fawx: I really don’t have one particular favorite scene. I think now my favorite scene that I put out most recently would be my showcase, and my performance in ‘Fantasy Factory.’ I’ve had a lot of fun scenes. The one with Brandi Love and Cherie DeVille was awesome for Sweetheart Video. There are so many and so many different things that are out there.
You’re known to be a creative person. Were you always like that or was it something that developed over time for you?
Alexis Fawx: I’ve always been a creative person. It’s just that I’m showing it more. I’m a very private person. I just now started getting the courage to share some of it. I feel like there’s a story in me that needs to be written. I consider myself more of an artist than anything.
What do you want people to understand better about you and the industry?
Alexis Fawx: I think what would be really great is that if people just understand that we’re a business. We work hard to make our livelihood, so it’s not cool for people to download our stuff for free or ask for free shit. We work hard. There are some days where I’m spending ten hours doing business, social media, emails, calls, and stuff like that. It’s a lot of work that we put into it, so appreciate us. Understand that we’re entertainers just like a mainstream actress, that we’re just like entertainers like a rockstar, or a rapper or whatever you look up to. So, treat us as that, and have that respect for us. Appreciate our work. Show us that you appreciate it. That’s one thing and also know that we are also intelligent people. This wasn’t always the last resort for people. So treat us as intelligent people. It’s so funny, it’s like a backhanded compliment that people don’t realize that they give. I’m educated. I can articulate things well, and I’m creative and so on and so forth. People find that out and then they’re like, “Oh, I would’ve never imagined a person like you could’ve thought that.” What do you mean a person like me? A person with a job or a pornographer? Or pornstar? I hate that word (pornstar), but that’s what fans call us or whatever. I’m an adult model and an actress, whatever. Whatever they say, it’s just like you realize that’s a shitty compliment, right? (laughs) because you’re judging me more on my career choice than who I am or my character.
I know so many people in this industry that are heartfelt givers. They’re doing charity work, they’re doing volunteer work, and you just don’t fucking care about it. Because as one, it’s not going under their work name, it’s probably going under their real name. For instance, I cannot volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, because when they do the checks, they see I do adult work, and oh my god! I’m a horrible person, even though I’m legal, I pay taxes, and I can actually add value to something because I have the fucking time where other people don’t. You know what I mean? (laughs). You tell me how many lawyers have spent a month in Peru giving physical therapy to children from ages 0-15, who probably won’t make it past the age of six. You do that. You show me that. Then you come to talk to me and tell me that I’m a horrible person. I look at my brand now and I’m coming out with different products, and I’m more mainstreaming. I’m like, “ok, how do I get women to like me?” Honestly. How do I get other women to like me? Because they either see the big tits come in or they know what I do, and they’re like, “whoah!” (laughing).
What can people expect to see from you in the future?
Alexis Fawx: I think they’re gonna be expecting me to expand as a performer, more amazing quality scenes, and sexy, and you know, enjoying my womanhood.
Keep up with Alexis Fawx and never miss what she’s up to:
Fancentro
This entry was tagged Entertainment, Girls, Interview. Bookmark the permalink.
Stifling: Monica Rose
Sybaritic: Selina
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The real reason ‘True Detective’ season 2 was so bad
Image source: HBO
If you’re looking for someone to blame for the boring disappointing monstrosity otherwise known as the second season of True Detective, HBO President Michael Lombardo is willing to fall on his sword.
In a recent interview with The Frame, Lombardo explained that the success of the show’s first season caused him to put a lot of undue pressure on series creator Nic Pizzolatto to deliver a repeat performance in a compressed time frame. To the point, Lombardo said that he effectively gave Pizzolatto an arbitrary deadline rather than letting him work through the creative process and deliver a finished product when he was truly done.
DON’T MISS: There’s more to Rey’s mysterious flashback in ‘The Force Awakens’ than meets the eye
“And I think in this particular case,” Lombardo explains, “the first season of ‘True Detective’ was something that Nic Pizzolatto had been thinking about, gestating, for a long period of time. He’s a soulful writer. I think what we did was go, ‘Great.’ And I take the blame. I became too much of a network executive at that point. We had huge success. ‘Gee, I’d love to repeat that next year.'”
“Well, you know what? I set him up,” Lombardo continued. “To deliver, in a very short time frame, something that became very challenging to deliver. That’s not what that show is. He had to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Find his muse. And so I think that’s what I learned from it. Don’t do that anymore.”
Lombardo’s confession, while appreciated, is still unfortunate given that first season of True Detective was a bonafide masterpiece. A crime drama set in Louisiana, the series was a rare gem insofar as it delivered a thrilling storyline coupled with memorable dialogue and truly compelling protagonists, played to perfection by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. The show was beloved by both fans and critics alike, garnering numerous awards in the process, including an Emmy for outstanding directing in a Drama series.
So when HBO announced the release date for the show’s second season, with an entirely new cast at that, fans couldn’t contain their excitement. Anchored by stalwart actors like Colin Farrel and Rachel McAdams, not to mention the somewhat curious casting of Vince Vaughn, expectations for the show’s second go-around were incredibly high. In that respect, I suppose it’s fair to say that Lombardo’s expectations were no more misplaced or hurried than those of the show’s passionate fanbase.
In any event, it’s no secret that True Detective season 2 was an abject failure on many fronts. Not only was the show plagued by a muddled storyline and forgettable characters, it seemed as if all of the ingredients that went into making the show’s first season so special were casually tossed aside.
With Lombardo finally giving us an inkling as to how and why the show’s quality level dropped off so precipitously, we can only hope that a rumored third season, which will hopefully be ordered, will be able to restore the level of quality that season 1 delivered in spades.
Tags: HBO, True Detective
Conan, Kevin Hart and Ice Cube teaching a student driver is a beautiful disaster
This common drug might save people with COVID-19
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Just how many Star Wars and Marvel movies is Disney making?
Image source: Star Wars
By Jacob Siegal @JacobSiegal
When Star Wars: The Force Awakens released in theaters last month, we all knew it was the beginning of something massive. Disney spent over $4 billion on the property, so no matter how many records The Force Awakens breaks in theaters, on Blu-ray or on demand, you van guarantee that the company is already looking forward to the future of the franchise.
READ MORE: Kit Harington says Jon Snow is dead, pretends he won’t be back in ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6
We already know that Disney is planning to produce Episode VIII and Episode IX to complete the latest saga trilogy. We also know that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will serve as the first theatrical spin-off in franchise history, to be followed by a Han Solo prequel movie that is currently in the casting phase.
Beyond that, all Disney knows is that we’re going to be watching new Star Wars movies for plenty of years to come.
“There are five Star Wars films – four more with Episode VII: The Force Awakens – that are in varying stages of development and production,” Disney CEO Bob Iger told BBC Newsbeat in an interview. “There will be more after that, I don’t know how many, I don’t know how often.”
Speaking of billion dollar acquisitions, Disney has also seen unprecedented success at the box office (as well as on the TV screen and within the world’s most popular video streaming subscription service) from Marvel over the past several years.
Although the current lineup of heroes is expected to begin winding down following the finale that will be the two-part sequel Avengers: Infinity War, Iger says that superheroes are here to stay. “Marvel, you’re dealing with thousands and thousands of characters – that will go on forever,” he said.
You’re certainly not the only one if you feel that at least a decade of Star Wars movies and enough Marvel material to last “forever” might be overkill, but Iger isn’t worried about interest petering out, saying that “we keep raising the bar in terms of telling stories that bring them back, that excite them, that make it feel new and that is what we do for a living.”
Tags: Disney, Marvel, Star Wars
Jacob started covering video games and technology in college as a hobby, but it quickly became clear to him that this was what he wanted to do for a living. He currently resides in New York writing for BGR. His previously published work can be found on TechHive, VentureBeat and Game Rant.
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You won’t believe what the WHO just said about the coronavirus pandemic
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By Yoni Heisler 12 hours ago
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Tailor Stone | January 13, 2021 | Art | No Comments
Nearly six months after being denounced by nine women who accused him of sexual misconduct, comedian Julien Lacroix broke the silence on social networks on Tuesday, confessing his alcoholism and apologizing to the people he injured. His ex-wife, Geneviève Morin, as well as the comedian Rosalie Vaillancourt, reacted to his apologies.
Hi everyone, I admit I’m very nervous about writing to you but I feel like I’m doing it for the maids …
Published by Julien lacroix sure Tuesday, January 12, 2021
“I am breaking the silence, after a lot of shame, regret and sadness,” he wrote Tuesday morning on his Facebook page which has more than 193,000 subscribers.
Is Julien Lacroix subtly preparing his return to professional life? He assures us not.
“This speech, I do not do it with the aim of announcing a return,” he said. I do it to apologize to the people I have deeply hurt. I also do it out of respect for the people who have followed me for years, but above all for my relatives, my lover and my little brothers ”.
Listen to the analysis of Victor Henriquez, public relations expert, at the microphone of Geneviève Pettersen, at QUB radio
Julien Lacroix then affirmed that he supported the wave of denunciations that occurred last summer, “despite the major impacts it had in my life,” he confides. I am aware that this is how revolutions are made and necessary changes take place. It is abnormal that in 2021, so many men continue to have toxic behaviors. I never want to be in that category again. “
“Long therapeutic process”
He reiterated that he was now working every day to “humbly become a better person”.
“I have started a long therapeutic process that will last my entire life. I also joined groups of young men who want to get out of it and discuss without being judged, ”he adds.
The comedian also confessed his alcoholism. “(J) ‘I stunned my discomfort with alcohol, drugs and later work. […] I don’t want to hide behind this disease in any way. I am an alcoholic and I am recovering one day at a time. “
The duty revealed on July 27 the testimonies of nine women who accused the comedian of sexual misconduct, including non-consenting relationships.
Among them, Geneviève Morin, who was his girlfriend for six years, claimed that he sexually assaulted her eight months after their breakup.
“I told him ‘no, stop’ and, despite that, he continued, she had confided. I was crying but he did what he had to do and when he was done he put his pants back on and said to me: “Stop crying, you don’t know how much I love you”, and he left “.
“I’m tired of crying”
The latter reacted to her first public outing, Tuesday, at the end of the afternoon on Instagram, citing the poem The Nectar of Pain, by author and activist Najwa Zebian, who begins with “It’s our story that haunts me, I don’t want you in my life anymore.”
“I’m tired of crying,” Geneviève Morin wrote under the post.
Later in the evening, comedian Rosalie Vaillancourt, who supported the victims last July, also reacted strongly with a long message on Facebook.
She claimed that his apology was rushed, and that contrary to what he said, rumors are circulating that he would prepare his return to work with a production company.
“I am in good faith,” she said. (…) I am for redemption. But right now, it seems to me like a formatted message. A message written by image professionals. “
Terraces and alcoholic beverages
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The Green Curtain says she is the victim of an injustice
Naya Ali receives one of the first Black Canadian Music Awards
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Nikolai Gogol's Bundle of 12 books
Ukrainian-born Russian writer. Although his early works, such as Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, were heavily influenced by his Ukrainian upbringing and identity, he wrote in Russian and his works belong to the tradition of Russian literature; often called the "father of modern Russian realism" he was one of the first Russian authors to criticize his country's way of life. The novels Taras Bul'ba (1835; 1842 [revised edition]) and Dead Souls [1842], the play The Inspector-General (1836, 1842), and the short stories Diary of a Madman, The Nose and The Overcoat [1842] are among his best known works. With their scrupulous and scathing realism, ethical criticism as well as philosophical depth, they remain some of the most important works of world literature.
This book contain Bundle of 12 books
1. Taras Bulba [1835]
2. Dead Souls [1841-46]
3. The Inspector-General (The Government Inspector) [1836]
4. St John's Eve
5. How the Two Ivans Quarrelled (The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich)
6. Memoirs of a Madman (Diary of a Madman)
7. The Nose [1836]
8. The Calash (The Carriage) [1836]
9. The Cloak (The Overcoat) [1842]
10. The Mysterious Portrait [1842]
11. A May Night ; or the Drowned Maiden
12. The Viy
Ficción y literatura
Space-O InfoWeb, Inc.
Space-O InfoWeb, Inc
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Dead Souls
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