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__label__wiki	0.853248	0.853248	« »August 2020 Eighty-Seven Years of Curtain Calls at the Bergen County Players Robert Sean Leonard, Tony Award winner and star of Fox television’s hit drama “House.” Broadway actress Beth Fowler, of “Sweeney Todd” and “The Boy from Oz,” who also originated the role of Mrs. Potts in “Beauty and the Beast.” Robert Jess Roth, director of “Beauty and the Beast.” Allison Smith, star of Broadway’s “Annie” and television’s “Kate & Allie.” Robert McClure of "Something Rotten", "Noises Off", Chaplin the Musical" and “Avenue Q.” International bestselling suspense author Mary Higgins Clark. Those are some of the now famous faces that earlier in their careers graced the stage and wings of the Bergen County Players (BCP) in its 87-year-history. Other faces include neighborhood doctors, lawyers, writers, telephone company workers, graphic artists, police officers, contractors and others you may run into at the bank, supermarket, school, coffee house, or mall. From its roots as a small community theater, the Bergen County Players has grown into a little theater with a big reputation for quality productions. As the Players marks its 87th anniversary this 2019-20 season, the troupe celebrates its rich history, which includes musicals, comedy, drama and suspense. The year was 1932, and President Herbert Hoover was having problems. The country was deep in the throes of the Great Depression, with breadlines a common sight. Those involved in the theater, however, knew they had a purpose too – to keep people entertained. And so it was that several groups of people who had been putting on amateur productions in different parts of Bergen County met in a back room at the Hackensack YMCA. They signed a charter and brought into being a community theater organization they called The Bergen County Players Inc. Helen Burke Travolta, mother of movie and television star John Travolta, was there that night, and this photograph of her (4th from the left) seated with the other original members still hangs in the lounge of the Little Firehouse Theatre, the Players’ current home. It was there long before anyone heard of her now-famous son. The theater group drifted from high school auditorium stages to various barns and then settled into The Barn Theater, Howland Avenue, River Edge. It featured a pot-bellied stove and a family of skunks in residence under the foundation. One cold winter night in 1944, the structure burned to the ground. Nobody knows how the fire started, but the blaze left the Players homeless. In the best theatrical tradition, the next show opened on schedule at Bergen Junior College, which later became the Teaneck campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. In 1949, the town of Oradell built a new, modern building for its firefighters, leaving the old building on Kinderkamack Road vacant. It didn’t take long for the Bergen County Players to see the potential in the quaint historic firehouse (pictured right, during renovations in 1949). After negotiations with the town, they took over the space, built a stage on the back, put seats where the old fire trucks used to be and called their new space The Little Firehouse Theatre. The theater built an extension in 1969 for extra rehearsal space and storage; increased its seating capacity to 210; upgraded to an electronic light board in 1980; installed central air conditioning in 1982; computerized the box office in the 1990s and, recently added handicapped accessibility, among other improvements. Over the years, the theater has worked to build on its artistic programs. In 1987, a series called “Conversations With An Artist” was initiated to provide members and the public with an opportunity to converse with professional artists. Past speakers have included actor Jonathan Silverman (“Broadway Bound,” “Weekend at Bernie’s”), Tony Award-winning actor Philip Bosco (“Lend Me A Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo”) and Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes (“The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Curtains.”) In 2001, Holmes even collaborated with the Bergen County Players to premier his new play at the Little Firehouse Theatre, a comic mystery called “Thumbs.” Every year, the Bergen County Players features seven main-stage and at least two second-stage shows. The children’s show, a December tradition, continues to delight audiences of all ages. Today, the Bergen County Players, a non-profit organization, counts more than 300 volunteer members as part of its family. A family in more ways than one, many married couples met here and multiple generations of families continue to share the theater experience. With typically three shows in rehearsal at one time, plus workshops and set construction, the theater makes use of this pool of talented people on and off the stage. It hopes to continue to grow and looks forward to providing audiences with quality entertainment for years to come. Since that very first meeting in a back room 80-plus years ago, the Bergen County Players has welcomed hundreds of thousands of patrons through its doors to experience the joy of live theater, some for the very first time. Many return year after year, and bring new people with them. And hundreds of actors, directors, technical people and others have found an outlet, a home away from home, and a training ground for their interest in the magic of theater. Thanks to its many supporters, the Bergen County Players has become one of the premier little theater groups in the country.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line1
__label__wiki	0.679127	0.679127	Motociclismo/Motorcycle DriveTime Tv Home ⁄ Tag Archives: Peter Herzog dui Lake Forest councilman gets 3 years probation for drunk driving NEWPORT BEACH – Lake Forest City Councilman Peter Herzog pleaded no contest today to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge and was placed on three years informal probation. Prosecutors dismissed another misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence against Herzog, who is also an attorney. As part of his sentence, he must complete a three-month first-offender alcohol program. “It was a very common, standard first-offender deal,” Herzog’s attorney, Edward Stopyro, said. “It’s pretty much what everyone gets for a first-offense DUI.” Herzog, 57, issued a statement saying he was taking responsibility for his actions. “When you make a mistake, as I have done, you face up to it, without excuses, do what is necessary to address it, and move on in a positive fashion,” he said. “I would like to thank my friends, family, and all the poeple who have sent me kind words of support these past months. I have done everything possible to make amends for my error and, in moving forward, I will strive to be a force for good in this community and will continue to provide the people of Lake Forest the same dedication and thoughtful representation as I have for the past 18 years. I hope many learn from my mistake and to those I have disappointed, while I do not ask you to forgive me, I hope you can see how I have worked to take full responsibility and accountability for my actions.” Herzog, who was charged Jan. 24, was arrested at home Nov. 17 after motorists called sheriff’s deputies to report he had been driving erratically, according to Farrah Emami of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. About 8:15 that night, Herzog made a left turn from Portola Parkway to Lake Forest Drive on the wrong side of the road, Emami said. He then swerved over the center median to get back onto the westbound lanes. Herzog made a too-wide left turn from Lake Forest Drive to Regency Lane, hitting the right side of the curb in the process, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He veered into the opposite lane and weaved back and forth until he got home. Investigators measured Herzog’s blood-alcohol level as .18 percent, more than twice the legal limit, as of 10:30 p.m. the night he was arrested, according to prosecutors. amazon coffee canister De nombre común a honorable; desde hoy se llama Honorary Dr. Samuel Joaquín Flores Drive In Category : Noticias Bereavision En KSDY 50.3 To protect our users from spam and other malicious activity, this account is temporarily locked. Please log in to https://twitter.com to unlock your account. © 2010 - 2018 Bereavision All Rights Reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line3
__label__wiki	0.5882	0.5882	I'm horrified I'm horrified at the fate of Otto Warmbier, the American college student who traveled to North Korea with a group in early 2016, was arrested and imprisoned, and several weeks later was forced to give an obviously coerced statement that he had tried to steal a banner hanging on a wall in the hotel he had been staying in. The video of that statement is terrible to watch: Warmbier was crying hysterically. He was sentenced to 15 years hard labor. Several days ago, the North Koreans released him to the United States, but revealed that he had been in a coma for over a year. Upon his return, doctors determined that he had suffered massive brain damage from lack of blood flow to the brain. He died within days. I'm amazed that so many people take it for granted that the alleged reason for his imprisonment is what really happened, especially since we know that the reason they've given for his coma is false. They said he came down with botulism and they gave him a sleeping pill which caused the coma. But the American doctors have said that there are none of the tell-tale signs that he had botulism, and at any rate, botulism-plus-sleeping-pills wouldn't cause a coma. Something prevented the blood from getting to his brain, and botulism wouldn't do it. He may have suffered a heart attack and didn't receive treatment quickly enough, but we don't know. What we do know is that the North Koreans are lying about one of the two basic facts of his case that they've told us. So why are so many people assuming that they're telling the truth about the other basic fact, the reason for his arrest and imprisonment? I mean, in his forced confession, he claimed to have tried to steal the banner on behalf of the American government. Does anyone really believe that? I'm also horrified at the response of some Americans to this. They've basically said, "Well, he went there and broke their laws, that's what you get." They've mocked him, and they've mocked the terror he expressed in his forced confession. This could have happened to someone you love, who these mockers love. It's beyond disgusting. It is vaguely similar to the case of Michael Fay who confessed to committing vandalism and stealing signs in Singapore in 1993, and was sentenced to be caned -- that is, to be struck with a cane four times. The American public was divided on this: he committed a clear crime but corporal punishment bothered many people. Others said he was in their country, and that's how they punish those crimes there. But this is only vaguely similar: Fay confessed to more severe crimes than Warmbier, and Warmbier's punishment was much worse than Fay's. I think if they had sentenced Fay to 15 years hard labor, Americans would have been united to bring him back home. Moreover, Fay lived in Singapore, Warmbier merely traveled to North Korea for a few days. And there are numerous claims, alleged at least, that North Korea has kidnapped Americans and forced them to live in North Korea for whatever purposes they have for them. We know they've done that with South Koreans and Japanese before. So for people to treat Warmbier's case offhandedly is, again, beyond disgusting. And is it really so implausible that North Korea treated Warmbier as a representative of the United States that is currently rattling its saber in their direction? This is a horrific crime, and it wasn't just committed against Otto Warmbier and his family. Labels: Culture and Ethics, War and Terrorism	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line5
__label__cc	0.694967	0.305033	Home Staff Undergraduate Graduate Calendar Centers CIIP CAT+FD Career Advancement Center CMHHDR CUR Confucius Institute Department Chairs Faculty Info Handbook Opportunities Forms and Guides Professor Emeritus Tuesday Meeting Schedule Standing Committee Deadlines ©Xavier University of Louisiana. All rights reserved. Xavier University of Louisiana University Catalog 2020-2021 Select a Catalog University Catalog 2020-2021 University Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] University Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] University Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] University Catalog 2014-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] CAS Divisions and Departments Undergraduate Degrees Offered Graduate Degrees Offered Requirements for the Degree Change of Major or Minor The Core Curriculum Administration Building 110 - (504) 520-7652 - https://www.xula.edu/collegeofartsandsciences The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) consists of six Academic Divisions comprised of nineteen Academic Departments which together with the College Deans share responsibility for the quality and integrity of the academic programs of the College and fidelity to Xavier’s mission. The CAS Dean’s Office provides service to faculty and students on matters pertaining to teaching and learning including curricula, academic progress, and degree requirements. The office staff is accountable for implementation of established policies and procedures found in this University Catalog. Through the CAS Academic and Planning Councils, the Dean’s Office provides oversight of the College Core Curriculum as well as departmental/divisional and interdisciplinary curricula. This includes provision for assessment at all levels within the College as well as monitoring all programmatic and attitudinal university-wide assessment procedures. An academic faculty member in the student’s major is appointed as an advisor to assist each student in registering for appropriate courses and in determining academic progress. Students who are uncertain about a major or who are not making satisfactory academic progress in their chosen major are temporarily assigned as “Deciding Majors.” Biological and Applied Health Sciences Fine Arts and Humanities Art and Performance Studies Physics and Computer Science Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with majors in: English/English Education French Education Music-Jazz Studies Concentration Music Liberal Arts Physics with Dual Degree in Civil Engineering, B.A. Physics with Dual Degree in Electrical Engineering, B.A. Physics with Dual Degree in Environmental Engineering, B.A. Physics with Dual Degree in Mechanical Engineering, B.A. Social Studies Education Spanish Education Bachelor of Music (B.M.) with majors in: Music Performance Instrumental Music Performance - Piano Music Performance Voice Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with majors in: Biology Pre-Medical Biology with Dual Degree in Biomedical Engineering Chemistry A.C.S. Chemistry with Dual Degree in Chemical Engineering Chemistry with Dual Degree in Pharmacy Chemistry Pre-Pharmacy Chemistry Pre-Professional * Includes Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, and Pre-Veterinary Computer Science with Dual Degree in Computer Engineering Physics with Dual Degree in Civil Engineering Physics with Dual Degree in Electrical Engineering Physics with Dual Degree in Environmental Engineering Physics with Dual Degree in Mechanical Engineering Pre-Medical Psychology Statistics and Biostatistics Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Master of Public Health in Health Equity (M.P.H.) Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed. D.) Certificates Offered Entrepreneurship Certificate Health Communication Certificate Spanish for Health Professionals Certificate Requirements for the Undergraduate Degree In the College of Arts and Sciences, a candidate for the degree must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of course work with at least a 2.0 cumulative average in an approved program. Each program must include the core curriculum, a major, and a minor (or a double concentration in place of the minor). The candidate must also pass a comprehensive/performance/capstone examination in his/her major field, usually in the senior year. A student who has not passed the Senior Comprehensive, or all parts of the Praxis Exam or GRE for the departments/divisions which allow these tests to be used as a substitute for the Senior Comprehensive, will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony or to receive a diploma. Approved substitutions for the Senior Comprehensive are stated in the departmental sections. Each candidate for a degree in the College must complete an approved major concentration of at least twenty-four, and no more than seventy-three, semester hours. Eighteen hours of these must be completed at Xavier. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required by the College in the major field, but individual departments/divisions may require a higher average. Students are expected to receive a “C” grade or better in each course in their major. The approved programs are listed under the departments/divisions which offer them. See Second Bachelor’s Degree for more information about earning a second degree. See Requirements for more information about earning a double major . The student who wishes to transfer from one major or minor department/division to another must observe the following procedures: Report to the Registrar’s Office to obtain a Change of Major form; Consult the Head of the prospective department/division to ascertain whether the Head is in favor of the change; Obtain written approval from the current departmental/division Head; and Return to the Head of the prospective department/division to obtain written approval. Return the completed form to the Registrar’s Office. The student must follow the academic program and requirements of the department/division that are in effect at the time of transfer. Each student’s program of study must include a minor in an academic discipline other than the major discipline. The minor is composed of not less than 18 or more than 21 semester hours. When a major curriculum has a “built-in” minor, the student is required to complete that minor. Each student must declare a minor at the beginning of the junior year unless it has already been declared or has been determined by the major. Declaration of the minor is completed when the appropriate form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the student. Prescribed minors are found in this catalog within the descriptions of the various departments/divisions that offer them. Successful completion of an official minor will be designated on the student’s official record. The official minor designation requires that a minimum of nine (9) of these hours be completed at Xavier. A student may also satisfy the minor requirement by successfully completing an interdisciplinary minor, which has been approved by the Academic Council of the College, or by successfully completing a double concentration. A double concentration consists of at least twelve hours in each of two disciplines. The specific twelve hours must be approved by the Head of the student’s major department/division and the head of the other two departments/divisions as well as the Dean of the College. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the student’s Department Head and the Dean of the College. For a list of the latest course offerings, visit: http://webusers.xula.edu/aedwards/core/index.html. Xavier University of Louisiana’s Core Curriculum (the Core) emphasizes Xavier’s identity as a Catholic and historically Black institution and supports the goal that students should achieve both breadth and depth of knowledge in the liberal arts. The Core enriches the undergraduate educational experience by exposing students to integrative approaches in learning and by cultivating nuanced perspectives for engaging in thought and in action the major questions of their lives. Required of all undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the 40 credit hours of the Core provide the foundation and, together with the major program of study, contribute to a well-rounded education. The following Learning Outcomes of the Core Curriculum include skills, knowledge, and values that reinforce Xavier’s mission and its identity as a Catholic and historically Black university. Students will be able to communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will be able to use quantitative, empirical, and critical reasoning skills to solve problems. Students will be able to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives in their analysis of issues, from local to global, and to recognize the interconnectivity of human experience. Students will be able to demonstrate a science-based understanding of the natural world. Students will be able to interpret and evaluate diverse forms of human expression. Students will apply socially responsible and ethical principles to promote equity and sustainability in ways that align with Xavier’s mission as a historically Black and Catholic institution. The Core helps to prepare students for lifelong learning and ethical living. It includes courses that frame an integrative academic experience, support student’s work in their major, and provide the tools to synthesize and apply knowledge, skills, and values. The Core requires students to engage in a continuous search to make meaningful connections by incorporating and applying multiple perspectives and methodologies to find solutions to complex problems. It also includes bookend courses that highlight Xavier’s unique mission. By the time Xavier students complete their course of studies, they are better equipped to exercise global leadership towards the creation of a more just and humane society. Three skills are embedded throughout the different areas of the Core Curriculum. In practice, the skills of writing, speaking, and critical thinking are all interdependent. Sharpening one of them leads to greater command of the others. The ability to communicate ideas clearly, accurately, ethically, and in an engaging way is essential to success in both academic and professional life. Oral Communication skills allow students to transmit ideas appropriately in spoken form based on audience, purpose, and context, and to listen with critical and literal comprehension. Integrating Oral Communication across the curriculum enhances students’ ability to analyze and construct messages critically, accomplish communicative goals, and apply ethical communication principles. Written Communication skills allow students to express ideas clearly and cohesively in multiple written forms to different intended audiences. Integrating Writing across the curriculum enhances students’ ability to produce writing of increasing complexity that has a clear central purpose, appropriate structure, and compelling argument. Critical Thinking skills allow students to analyze, assess, and reach informed and logical conclusions about different subjects, issues, or concerns. Integrating Critical Thinking across the curriculum enhances students’ ability to investigate increasingly complex questions and produce rational conclusions from multiple perspectives. Students begin their intellectual exploration during their early years; this will prepare them for more integrated and applied learning as they advance through the curriculum. Students progress through the Core in three distinct stages: 1) Foundations at Xavier; 2) Explorations in the Liberal Arts; and 3) Engagements with Knowledge and Practice. Special Note: Courses that fulfill the core may be counted toward majors and minors except as noted for XCOR 3010 /XCOR 3020 . FOUNDATIONS AT XAVIER (13 hours) Foundations at Xavier introduces Xavier students to college-level written and spoken rhetoric, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and writing skills necessary for success in school and in life. The Experience courses expand both knowledge and skills, and shape the habits of mind that lie at the heart of what it means to live Xavier’s mission. In addition to promoting general academic skills, these courses help students explore issues of self-identity and foster an examination of their individual roles within larger communities. These Experience courses also offer opportunities to create new communities among students and to develop unique mentoring relationships with professors. XCOR (4 hours) College Writing (3 hours) Advanced Rhetoric and Composition (3 hours) Quantitative Reasoning (3 hours) EXPLORATIONS IN LIBERAL ARTS (21 hours) Explorations courses build on the Foundational requirements and foster the breadth of knowledge, skills, and values essential to a well-rounded, liberal arts education within the intellectual space of a Catholic and historically Black university. These categories are not organized by department or discipline, but by areas of inquiry. It is expected that these areas may inspire the creation of new courses - or revisions to existing ones - that will expand the interconnectivity of different perspectives and blur the lines of disciplinary isolation. The courses in any particular category might come from several disciplines. If an individual course is approved for multiple Explorations categories, students may only count that course to fulfill one of the categories. Although Explorations courses can be taken any time before graduation, it is recommended that students complete these required courses during their first two years so that they are better able to integrate all areas of inquiry into their overall academic experience. Students must take at least one course from each area below. African American Heritage and Legacies (3 hours) Creative Expression and Engagement (3 hours) Examined Life (3 hours) Faith and Society (3 hours) Human Behavior (3 hours) Human Past (3 hours) Scientific Reasoning (3 hours) ENGAGEMENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE (6 hours) Engagements courses accentuate integrative and applied learning. Catholic intellectual tradition emphasizes that learning is most meaningful when difficult questions are investigated from a variety of perspectives. The Engagements courses allow students to explore connections between disciplines and provide opportunities to study a “big idea” topic from multiple disciplinary perspectives in order to find solutions to complex problems. The Engagements seminars prepare students to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by enhancing students’ preparedness to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Senior Capstone (0 hours) University Academic Calendar College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs Printable University Catalogs All catalogs © 2021 Xavier University of Louisiana.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line9
__label__cc	0.535263	0.464737	Science journal editors: a taxonomy After many years of publishing papers, I have come to recognise wide diversity among journal editors. This variation has major consequences for authors, and it is important that they recognise the creature they are dealing with, if they want their work to be published in as timely and painless a way as possible. I have therefore developed a tripartite system of classification to guide authors. Taxonomy of the Genus Editoris This species of editor should be avoided at all costs. The Returning Officer This humble creature has a very limited brain and is unable to make decisions. It can, however, count, and it therefore uses a strategy of accumulating reviewer reports until a consensus is reached. Typically, it is risk averse, and a single negative report will lead to rejection of a paper, even if other reports are glowing. If you aren’t rejected, an initial communication from a Returning Officer will say “Please address all the comments of the reviewers in your revision”, giving no guidance about how to deal with contradictory recommendations. When you submit your revision, the Returning Officer will send it back to all the reviewers, even if only minor changes were made, leading to unnecessary delay in publication and more toil for overworked reviewers. Since the Returning Officer cannot make a decision unless there is convergence of reviewer opinions, most papers are doomed to a long process with an ultimately negative outcome. The Automaton This is a subspecies of Returning Officer which has no human characteristics at all. It evolved relatively recently with the advent of web-based journal submission systems. It generates letters written in computerese and does not read communications from authors. My most recent experience of an Automaton was with Journal of Neuroscience. The letter from the editor gave a rather ambiguous message, stating that the paper was potentially acceptable, but that major revision was required, and it would need to go back to reviewers. It also included the statement: Violations: -The gender of the species should be mentioned in the methods The dictionary definition of ‘violation’ includes such phases as “the act of violating, treating with violence, or injuring; the state of being violated. Ravishment; rape; outrage.” I decided it might be unwise to point this out to the editor, but I did explain that the “gender of species” was actually given in a table in the Methods section. A further round of review took place, and the reviews (which were very useful) were accompanied by another letter from the Automaton. It was identical to the previous letter, gave no indication that the editor had read the paper or my response to reviewers, and simply upped the ante on the violation front, as it now stated: Violations: -The species is not mentioned in the abstract; -The gender of the species should be mentioned in the methods In what, thankfully, proved to be the final round of revision, I put the word “gender” in the text of the Methods. I explained, though, that I was reluctant to put “human children” in the Abstract, as this would be a tautology. The Vacillator This is a slightly more evolved form of Returning Officer, which is capable of decision-making, but prone to fits of paralysis when confronted by conflicting information. The hallmark of a Vacillator is that, rather than waiting for consensus between reviewers, it responds to conflicting opinions by seeking yet more opinions, so that a paper may accumulate as many as four or five reviewers. A variant known as Vacillator statistica sometimes inhabits the environment of medical journals, where the assumption is made that neither the editor nor the researchers understand statistics, so you are asked at submission whether a statistician was consulted. My experience suggests that if you say no, then after an initial round of review, the paper goes to a statistician if it looks promising. It would be fine if the journal employed statisticians who could give a rapid response, but in my case, a brief paper sent to Archives of Disease in Childhood sat for months with a statistical reviewer, who eventually concluded that we did indeed know how to compute an odds ratio. The Sloth The Sloth has powers of judgement but finds journal editing tedious, so engages with the process only intermittently. The motivation of the Sloth is often mysterious; it may have become an editor to embellish its curriculum vitae, and is then bewildered when it realises that work is involved. It is important to distinguish the true Sloth, who just can’t summon up the energy to edit a paper, from Crypto-sloths, who may have genuine reasons for tardiness; editors, after all, are beset by life events and health problems just like the rest of us. Vacillators may also be mistaken for Sloths, because of the slowness of their responding, but their level of activity in soliciting reviews is a key distinguishing feature. Even Paragons (see below) may get unfairly categorised as Sloths, as they are dependent on reviewers, who can delay the editorial process significantly. A true Paragon, however, will be pro-active in informing an author if there are unusual reasons for delays, whereas the distinguishing feature of a Sloth is that it is unresponsive to communications and blithely unconcerned about the impact of delays on authors. Species in class 2 pose less of a threat to an author’s career, but can nevertheless be dangerous to mental health. The Talent Scout This species is found in the rarefied habitats of the top high-impact journals, although it starting to spread and may now be found in medium-impact journals who have introduced a triage process. The Talent Scout’s principal concern is whether a research finding has star quality. The species is distinguished from other species by including individuals who are not active researchers: many are individuals with a doctorate in science who have moved into science journalism. Although it can be depressing to have one’s work judged as too unsexy for publication by someone with no expertise in your field, the decision-making process is usually mercifully quick, making it possible to regroup and resubmit elsewhere. Although this means that the impact on the author is less severe than for Class 1 editors, it does have potentially worrying implications for science as a whole, because it introduces bias. For instance, it is all too easy to see why Science published a study of a computer-based intervention for language problems in children: the study was headed by a top neuroscientist, the method was innovative, and it demonstrated potential to help children with a common neurodevelopmental disorder. A study like this presses all the buttons for the Talent Scout. However, the methodology was weak and subsequent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been disappointing (see review). I don’t know if authors of those RCTs would have tried to publish them in Science, but my guess is that if they did, their papers would have been rejected because it is simply much less interesting to show that something doesn’t work, than to provide evidence that it does (see blog). The Deity The Deity is the opposite of the Vacillator: the Deity makes decisions which may strike authors as unfair or subjective, but which are absolute and irreversible. Deities do not engage in correspondence with authors, but delegate this to office staff, as I found on the one occasion when I tried to engage in debate with a Deity from PNAS. I was incensed by a reviewer report that maintained a postdoc and I had been ‘cherrypicking’ results because we’d used an automated artefact removal procedure to remove noisy trials from a study using event-related potentials (ERPs). The reviewer clearly had no expertise in ERP methods and so did not realise that we were following standard practice, and that the idea of cherrypicking was just silly – it would be quicker to re-run the experiment than to go through the thousands of individual trials removing data we didn’t like the look of. In my letter to the editor, I explained that I did not want the paper reconsidered, but I did want an acknowledgement of the fact that I had not been fudging the data. What ensued was a tedious correspondence with a member of editorial staff, whose response was to send the paper back to the reviewer as part of an ‘appeal’ process, and to then inform me that the reviewer still didn’t like the paper. Nowhere in this process did the Deity descend from the heights to offer any comment. Indeed, I still wonder whether this Deity was really an Automaton. It showed no signs of having any sense of morality. Another encounter with a Deity was when I sent a paper to New England Journal of Medicine. Since I thought this should have at least warranted review (novel study with important clinical and theoretical implications), I wrote to ask what the reason was for rejecting it without review. The response from editorial staff was classic Deity: they could not give me any feedback as the paper had not been sent out for review. Species in class 3 are typified by their attitude to the job of editor, which is neither as bean-counter, nor as gatekeeper, but as facilitating the communication of high quality research. The Paragon reads manuscripts and treats reviewer reports as advisory rather than as votes. He or she aims to make decisions fairly, promptly and transparently. Confronted with conflicting reviewer reports, a Paragon makes an honest attempt to adjudicate between them, and explains clearly to the author what needs to be done – or why a paper has been rejected. The Paragon will listen to author complaints, but not be swayed by personal friendship or flattery. I’ve often heard authors complain about a Paragon who writes such a long decision letter that it is equivalent to a further reviewer report: I don’t see that as cause for complaint. I would sometimes do that myself when I was a journal editor (needless to say, I tried hard to be a Paragon), and I saw it as part of my job to pick up on important points that were missed by reviewers. Paragons write personal letters to authors, and to thank particularly helpful reviewers, rather than relying on computer-generated bureaucratese. The Obsessive The Obsessive is a Paragon that has gone over the top. Obsessives are not dangerous like class 1 and 2 editors: they typically damage themselves rather than the authors, to whom they are just irritating. They essentially take upon themselves the job of copy editor, requiring authors to make minor changes to formatting and punctuation, rather than restricting themselves to matters of content and substance. Journal publishers have got wise to the fact that they can save a lot of money by sacking all the copy editors and requiring the academic editor to do the work instead, and they realise they have hit gold if they can find a natural Obsessive to do this. Academics should be aware of this trap: their training equips them to judge the science, and they should not spend hours looking for extraneous full stops and missing italicisation. They should remember that they already do work, typically for no reward, for publishers who make a lot of money from journals, and they should demand that the publisher offers appropriate support to them and their authors. (They should also employ people to assist authors with graphics – see blog). The main problem for authors is that you often don’t know what species of editor you are dealing with until after the event of submitting a paper. In my main field of psychology, I am impressed at how many journals do have Paragons. The APA journals are usually good, in my experience, though Obsessives do make an appearance, and I know of one case where a junior colleague’s career was seriously blighted by a mega-Sloth. It’s harder to generalise about small moderate-impact journals: many of them are overseen by a dedicated Paragon, but my impression is that you can only be a Paragon for 10 years at most. Editors who have served a longer term than this are liable to transmute into Sloths. I also publish in the fields of neuroscience and genetics, and here I’ve struck more variability, with Returning Officers, Automatons and Deities being fairly prevalent. If you want to publish in the really top journals, you have to grapple with Talent Scouts: my attempts to make my work exciting enough for them have been singularly unsuccessful, and I've given up on them, but it may encourage younger readers to know that I’ve had a happy and successful career all the same. Note: The author was co-editor of Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry from 1990-1993 and Chief Editor from 1994-1997. This year she signed up as an Academic Editor for PLOS One, in support of their Open Access publishing policy. Labels: #science #publishing #editing Science and journalism: an uneasy alliance “Fish oil helps schoolchildren to concentrate” shouted the headline in the Observer, “US academics discover high doses of omega-3 fish oil combat hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder”. Previous research on this topic has been decidedly underwhelming (see slides for 7th BDA international conference), so I set off to track down the source article. Well, here's a surprise: the study did not include any children with ADHD. It was an experiment with 33 typically-developing boys. And another surprise: on a test of sustained attention, there was no difference between boys who'd been given supplementation of an omega 3 fatty acid (DHA) for 8 weeks and those given placebo. Indeed, boys given low-dose supplementation made marginally more errors after treatment. So where on earth did this story come from? Well, in a brain scanner, children given DHA supplementation showed a different pattern of brain activity during a concentration task, with greater activation of certain frontal cortical regions than the placebo group. However, the placebo group showed greater activation in other brain regions. It was not possible to conclude that the brains of the treated group were working better, given the large number of brain regions being compared, and the lack of relationship between activation pattern and task performance. A day or two later, another article was published, this time in the Guardian, with the headline Male involvement in pregnancy can weaken paternal bond. I tried to track down the research report. I couldn’t find it. I traced the researcher. He told me that the piece was not referring to published research, but rather to views he had expressed in an interview with a journalist. He told me he had not intended to recommend that fathers stay away from antenatal classes. He was also concerned that the article had described him as Director of his research institute - in fact he is a lecturer. At this point, inspired by the example of the Ig Nobel prize, I announced the Orwellian Prize for Journalistic Misrepresentation, an award for the most inaccurate newspaper report of an academic piece of work, using strict and verifiable criteria. An article would get 3 points for an inaccuracy in the headline, 2 points for inaccuracy in the subtitle, and 1 point for inaccuracy in the body of the article. The fish oil piece totalled 16 points. Comments on the prize were mostly supportive. I had thought I might attract hordes of journalistic trolls but they did not materialise. Indeed, several journalists responded positively, though they also noted some difficulties for my scoring system. They politely pointed out, for instance, that headlines, to which I gave particular weight in the scoring, are not written by the journalist. Also, it is not unknown for university press officers, who regard it as their job to get their institution mentioned in the media, to give misleading and over-hyped press releases, sometimes endorsed by attention-seeking researchers. But over in the mainstream media, a fight was brewing up. Ben Goldacre, whose Bad Science column in the Guardian I’ve long regarded as a model of science communication, independently picked up on the fish oil article and gave its author a thorough lambasting. Jeremy Laurance of the Independent retorted with a piece in which he attacked Goldacre. Laurance made three points: first, science journalism is generally good; second, reporters can’t be expected to check everything they are told (implying that the fault for inaccuracy lay with the researcher in this case), and third, that journalists work under intense pressure and should not be castigated for sometimes making mistakes. I would be the first to agree with Laurance’s initial point. During occasional trips to Australia and North America, I've found the printed media to be mostly written as if for readers with rather few neurons and no critical faculties. Only when deprived of them do you appreciate British newspapers. They employ many talented people who can write engagingly on a range of issues, including science. Regarding the second point, I am less certain. While I have some sympathy with the dilemma of a science reporter who has to report on a topic without the benefit of expertise, stories of hyped-up press releases and self-publicising but flawed researchers are numerous enough that I think any journalist worth their salt should at least read the abstract of the research paper, or ask a reputable expert for their opinion, rather than taking things on trust. This is particularly important when writing about topics such as developmental disorders that make people’s life a misery. Many parents of children with ADHD would feed their child a diet of caviare if they felt it would improve their chances in life. If they read a piece in a reputable newspaper stating that fish oil will help with concentration, they will go out and buy fish oil.(I've no idea whether fish oil sales spiked in June, but if anyone knows how to check that out, I'd be interested in the answer). In short, reporting in this area has consequences – it can raise false hopes and make people spend unnecessarily. On the third point, lack of time, Goldacre’s supporters pointed out that working as a doctor is not exactly a life of leisure, yet Ben manages to do a meticulously researched column every week. Other science bloggers write excellent pieces while holding down a full-time day-job. It was unfortunate indeed that the following week, Laurance, whom I've always regarded as one of our better science journalists, produced a contender for the Orwellian in an Independent report on a treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Under the title 'Magnets can improve Alzheimer’s symptoms' he described a small-scale trial of a treatment based on repetitive transcranial magnetic simulation, a well-established method for activating or inhibiting neurons by using a rapidly changing strong magnetic field. In this case, the account of the research seemed accurate enough. The problem was the context in which Laurance placed the story, which was to draw parallels with ‘magnet therapy’ involving the use of bracelets and charms. Several commentators on the electronic version of the story went on the attack, with one stating “This is not worthy of print and it is absolutely shameful journalism.” I was recently interviewed for the More or Less radio 4 program about the Orwellian Prize, together with a science journalist who clearly felt I was being unfair in not making allowances for the way journalists work – using arguments similar to those made by Jeremy Laurance. At one point when we were off the air, she said, “But don’t you make loads of mistakes?” I realised when I said no that I was simultanously tempting fate, and giving an impression of arrogance. Of course I do make mistakes all the time, but I go to immense lengths of checking and rechecking papers, computations, etc, to avoid making errors in published work. A degree of obsessionality is an essential attribute for a scientist. If our published papers contained ‘loads of’ mistakes we’d be despised by our peers, and probably out of a job. But is the difference between journalists and scientists just one of accuracy? My concern is that there is much more to it than that. I did a small experiment with Google to find out how long it would take to find an account of transcranial magnetic stimulation. Answer: less than a minute. Wikipedia gives a straightforward description that makes it abundantly clear that this treatment has nothing whatever to do with 'magnet therapy'. Laurance may be a busy man, but this is no excuse for his failure to check this out. So here we come to the nub of the matter, and the reason why scientists tend to get cross about misleading reporting: it is not just down to human error. The errors aren't random: they fall in a particular pattern suggesting that pressure to produce good stories leads to systematic distortion, in a distinctly Orwellian fashion. Dodgy reporting comes in three kinds: 1. Propaganda: the worst case of misleading information, when there is deliberate distortion or manipulation of facts to support the editor’s policy. I think and hope this is pretty rare, though some reporting of climate change science seems to fall in this category. For instance, the Australian, the biggest-selling national daily newspaper in Australia, seems much happier to report on science that queries climate change than on science that provides evidence for it. A similar pattern could be detected in the hysteria surrounding the MMR controversy, where some papers only covered stories that argued for a link between vaccination and autism. It is inconceivable that such bias is just the result of journalists being too inexpert or too busy to check their facts. Another clue to a story being propaganda is when it goes beyond reporting of science to become personal, querying the objectivity, political allegiances and honesty of the scientists. Because scientists are no more perfect than other human beings, it is important that journalists do scrutinise their motives, but the odd thing is that this happens only when scientists are providing inconvenient evidence against an editorial position. The Australian published 85 articles about the 'climategate' leaked emails, in which accusations of dishonesty by scientists were repeated, but they did not cover the report vindicating the scientists at all. 2. Hype. This typically does not involve actual misrepresentation of the research, but a bending of its conclusions to fit journalistic interests, typically by focusing more on future implications of a study rather than its actual findings. Institutional press officers, and sometimes scientists themselves, may collude with this kind of reporting, because they want to get their story into the papers and realise it needs some kind of spin to be publishable. In my interview with More or Less, I explained how journalists always wanted to know how research could be immediately applied, and this often led to unrealistic claims (see my blog on screening, for examples). The journalist’s response was unequivocal. She was perfectly entitled to ask a scientist what relevance their work was, and if the answer was none, then why were they taking public money to do it? But this reveals a misunderstanding of how research works. Scientific discoveries proceed incrementally, and the goal of a study is often increased understanding of a phenomenon. This may take years: in terms of research questions, the low-hanging fruit was plucked decades ago, and we are left with the difficult problems. Of course, if one works on disorders, the ultimate goal is to use that understanding to improve diagnosis or treatment, but the path is a long and slow one. I discussed the conflict between the nature of scientific progress and the journalists’ need for a ‘breakthrough’ in another blog. So the typical researcher is, on the one hand, being encouraged by their institution to talk to the media, and on the other hand knows that their research will be dismissed as uninteresting (or even pointless) if it can’t be bundled into a juicy sound-bite with a message for the lay person. One of two reactions ensues: many scientists just give up attempting to talk to the media; others are prepared to mould an account of their research into what the journalists want. This means that the less scrupulous academics are more likely to monopolise media attention. 3. Omission: this is harder to pin down, but is nonetheless an aspect of science journalism that can be infuriating. What happens is that the papers go overboard for a story on a particular topic, but totally ignore other research in the same area. So, a few weeks before the fish-oil/ADHD paper was covered, a much larger and well-conducted trial of omega-3 supplementation in school-children was published but ignored by the media. Another striking example was when the salesman Wynford Dore was actively promoting his expensive exercise-based treatment for dyslexia, skilfully using press releases to get media coverage, including a headline item on the BBC News. The story came from a flawed small-scale study published in a specialist journal. While this was given prominence, excellent trials of other more standard interventions went unreported (for just one example, see this link). I guess it is inevitable: Telling the world that you can cure dyslexia by balancing on a wobble board is newsworthy - it has both novelty and human interest. Telling the world that you can improve reading with a phonologically-based intervention has a bit of human interest but is less surprising and less newsworthy. Telling the world that balancing on a wobble board has no impact on dyslexia whatsoever is not at all surprising, and is only of interest to those who have paid £3000 for the intervention, so it's totally un-newsworthy. It's easy to see why this happens: it's just a more extreme form of the publication bias that also tarnishes academic journals whose editors favour 'interesting' research (see also Goldacre on similar issues). Problem is, it has consequences. For an intelligent analysis of these issues, see Zoe Corbyn’s article in the Times Higher Education, and for some ideas about alternative approaches to science reporting, a blog by Alice Bell. I, meanwhile, am hoping that there won’t be any nominations for the Orwellian Prize that earn more points than the fish oil story, but I’m not all that confident. P.S. I wanted to link to the original fish oil article, but it is no longer available on the web. The text is on my blog page describing the Orwellian prize. P.P.S. Ah, I’ve just had a new nomination that gets 17 points, largely because it ignored wise advice tweeted recently by Noah Gray (@noahWG), Senior Editor at Nature: “Journalism Pro Tip: If your piece starts talking more about a study's untested implications rather than what the science showed, start over." P.P.P.S It has been gently pointed out to me that I erred in original version of this blog, and said the Laurance magnet piece was in the Guardian, when in fact it was in the Independent. Deeply embarrassing but now corrected. Labels: #science #journalism Genes for optimism, dyslexia and obesity and other mythical beasts Copyright: www.CartoonStock.com I recently received an email from a company called mygeneprofile: “By discovering your child's inborn talents & personality traits, it can surely provide a great head start to groom your child in the right way… our Inborn Talent Genetic Test has 99.8% accuracy.” I’d registered to receive information from the company having heard they were offering a genetic test for such diverse traits as optimism, composure, intelligence, and dancing (link). Despite all the efforts of the Human Genome Project, I was not aware of any genetic test that could reliably predict a child’s personality or ability. I was not therefore surprised when my emails asking for evidence went unanswered, though I continue to receive messages that oscillate between carrots (free gifts! discounts!!) and sticks (without this test “your child will have MISERABLE life (sic))”. The test company relies on a widespread assumption that people’s psychological attributes are predictable from their genes. So where does this belief come from, and why is it wrong? People’s understanding of genetic effects is heavily influenced by the way genetics is taught in schools. Mendel and his wrinkly and smooth peas make a nice introduction to genetic transmission, but the downside is that we go away with the idea that genes have an all-or-none effect on a binary trait. Some characteristics are inherited this way (more or less), and they tend to be the ones that textbooks focus on: e.g., eye colour, colour-blindness, Huntington’s disease. But most genetic effects are far more subtle and complex than this. Take height, for instance. Genes are important in determining how tall you are, but this is not down to one gene: instead, there is a whole host of genes, each of which nudges height up or down by a small amount (see link). The expression of a gene may also depend crucially on the environment; for instance, obesity relates both to calorie intake and genetic predisposition, but the effects are not just additive: some people can eat a great deal without gaining weight, whereas in others, body mass depends substantially on food intake (see link). Furthermore, a genetic predisposition to obesity can be counteracted by exercise (see link).Furthermore, genetic influences may interact in complicated ways. For instance, coat colour in mice is affected by combinations of genes, so that one cannot predict whether a mouse is black, white or agouti (mouse coloured!) just by knowledge of status of one gene. This means that we get a very different impression of strength of genetic influences on a trait if we look at the impact of a person’s whole genome, compared to looking at individual genes in isolation. The twin study was the traditional method for estimating genetic influences before we had the technology to study genes directly, and it compares how far people’s similarity on a trait depends on their genetic relationship. Researchers measure a trait, such as sensation-seeking, in identical and fraternal twin pairs growing up in the same environment and consider whether the two twin types are equally similar. If both sets of twins resemble each other equally strongly, this indicates that the environment, rather than genes, is critical. And if twins don’t resemble one another at all, this could mean either that the trait is influenced by child-specific experiences, not shared by the co-twin, or that our measure of sensation-seeking is unreliable. But if identical twins are more similar than fraternal twins, this means genes affect the trait, i.e. it is heritable. There are several niggly criticisms of the twin method; for instance, it can give misleading estimates if identical twins are treated more similarly than fraternal twins, or if twinning itself influences the trait in question. For most traits, however, these don’t seem sufficient to explain away the substantial heritability estimates that are found for traits such as height, reading ability, and sensation-seeking. But these estimates don’t tell us about the individual genes that influence a trait – they rather indicate how important genes are relative to non-genetic influences. Interactive effects, either between multiple genes or between genes and environments, will not be detected in a conventional twin study analysis. If a gene is expressed only in a particular environment, twins who have the same version of the gene will usually also have the same environment, and so the expression of the gene will be the same for both. And for an effect that depends on having a particular combination of genes, identical twins will have the same constellation of genetic variants, whereas the likelihood of fraternal twins having an identical gene profile decreases with the number of genes involved. Heritability estimates depend on comparing similarity of a trait for identical vs fraternal twins, and will be increased if gene-gene interactions are involved. In contrast, genome-wide association studies are designed to find individual genes that influence specific traits. They adopt the strategy of looking for associations between DNA variants (alleles) and the trait, either by categorising people, e.g. as dyslexic or not, and comparing the proportions with different alleles, or by seeing whether people who have zero, one or two copies of an allele differ in their average score on a trait such as reading ability. When these studies started out, many people assumed we would find gene variants that exerted a big effect, and so might reasonably be termed ‘the gene for” dyslexia, optimism, and so on. However, this has not been the case. Take personality, for instance, one of the domains that mygeneprofile claims to test for. A few weeks ago, a major study was reported in which the genes of over 5000 people were investigated but no significant associations were found. Commentators on the research argued that the measurement of personality – typically on the basis of self-report questionnaires - may be the problem. But the self-same measures yield high estimates of heritability when used in twin studies. And a similar pattern has been found for other traits: including height, intelligence and obesity, i.e., a mismatch in evidence of genetic influence from twin studies (typically moderate to strong for these traits) and findings of individual genes associated with the trait (with effects that are very small at best). This account may surprise readers who have read of recent discoveries of genes for conditions such as dyslexia, where the impression is sometimes given that there are strong effects. The reason is that reports of molecular genetic studies usually emphasise the p-value, a measure of how probable it is that a result could have arisen by chance. A low p-value indicates that a result is reliable, but it does not mean the effect is large. These studies typically use very large samples precisely because this allows them detect even small effects. Consider one of the more reliable associations between genes and behaviour: a gene known as KIAA0319 which has been found to relate to reading ability in several different samples. In one study, an overall association was reported with p = .0001, indicating that the likelihood of the association being a fluke is 1 in 10,000. However, this reflected the fact that one gene variant was found in 39% of normal readers and only 25% of dyslexics, with a different variant being seen in 30% of controls and 35% of dyslexics. Some commentators have argued that such small effects are uninteresting. I disagree: findings like this can pave the way for studies into the neurobiological effects of the gene on brain development (see link), and for studies of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. But it does mean that talk of a ‘gene for dyslexia’, or genetic screening for personality or ability are seriously misguided. The small effect size of individual genes, and interactions with environment or other genes, are not the only explanations for “missing heritability”. A trait may be influenced by genetic variants that have a large effect but which are individually very rare in the population. These would be very hard to detect using current methods. The role of so-called copy number variants is also a focus of current interest: these are large chunks of DNA which are replicated or deleted and which are surprisingly common in all of us. These lead to an increase or decrease in gene product, but won’t be found with standard methods that focus just on identifying the DNA sequence. Both mechanisms are thought to be important in the genetics of autism, which is increasingly looking like a highly heterogeneous condition – i.e. there are multiple genetic risk factors and different ones are important in different people. What are the implications of all of this for the stories we hear in the media about new genetic discoveries? The main message is we need to be aware of the small effect of most individual genes on human traits. The idea that we can test for a single gene that causes musical talent, optimism or intelligence is just plain wrong. Even where reliable associations are found, they don’t correspond to the kind of major influences that we learned about in school biology. And we need to realise that twin studies, which consider the total effect of a person’s genetic makeup on a trait, can give different results from molecular studies of individual genes. What makes us individual can’t be reduced to the net effect of a few individual genes. Bishop, D. V. M. (2009). Genes, cognition and communication: insights from neurodevelopmental disorders. The Year in Cognitive Neuroscience: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1156, 1-18. Maher, B. (2008). Personal genomes: The case of the missing heritability. Nature, 456, 18-21 doi:10.1038/456018a. Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., McClearn, G. E., McGuffin, P. (2008). Behavioral Genetics. (5th Edition). New York: Worth Publishers. Rutter, M. (2006). Genes and Behavior: Nature-Nurture Interplay Explained. Oxford: Blackwell. Note: this is a slightly extended version of a blog on Guardian Science Blog, 9/9/10 Labels: #genetics #twins #personality #dyslexia #autism Genes for optimism, dyslexia and obesity and other...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line16
__label__wiki	0.674253	0.674253	The Jawsome Olde Tyme Revue All revue, all the tyme, all the nues that's flog to blog Posted by proximal at 12:53 Greetings, extensive fanbase. Allow me to kick off my debut revue here at this jawsome blog by confessing a very personal part of myself: I’m what you’d call a “casual gamer.” I know, I know. They’re the worst of the worst, right? I just don’t understand what’s so jawsome about non-casual gamers. Actually, I don’t even know what non-casual gamers are. All that come to mind are professional game testers and that kid from the 1989 classic, The Wizard. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m hard-core when it comes to games with my boys Link or Mario. I do not, however, play Halo or WoW. But I digress. The purpose of introducing myself as a casual gamer is to introduce a very special casual game I found today. Sprout is a short, Flash-based puzzle adventure I found online this morning during a quest to cure boredom. It was more than effective, I assure you. Sprout (I assume that’s his name), a tiny nut* with identity issues and delusions of grandeur, starts the game borne of a coconut and sitting on a volcanic island with a few coconut palms (including its “mother”). In the intro he asks his mom, “Hey man, what am I?” The palm replies that Sprout’s a coconut palm. Sprout says, “Not an acorn? ’Cause I feel like an acorn.” The palm tells him there’s no possible way and directs him to the nearest oak grove, completely on the other side of the playing map.* At that point an epiphany strikes Sprout: “My family sucks. …But I guess a coconut’s the only thing getting off this island.” The player clicks on the coconut icon in the thought bubble, and Sprout grows into a p erfectly oriented coconut palm hanging off the edge of the beach. A coconut falls off the tree and into the water, and we follow it as it washes up on shore of the mainland, right next to a smarmy little dandelion. The coconut becomes Sprout again, and he starts thinking, “Hey. I could be a coconut palm again if I wanted to… or I could be a dandelion like that sucker over there.” The puzzle element starts here as you choose to be any of a number of plants Sprout meets on the way, in order to help him overcome the obstacles between him and the oak grove. Before I address the only two drawbacks to this game, let me hit a few of its good points. First good: the graphics. The crayon-scribble style, obvious in the screen shots, matches the whimsy of the story perfectly and is very easy on the eyes. I’ve seen this style abused and relatively obnoxious in certain commercial franchises which shall remain nameless***, but Sprout gets it right and keeps it right from beginning to end. What isn’t easy to see from the screenshots are the animation and three-dimensional effects. The scribbles of the ocean water flow back and forth like ocean water. Moving objects, including our hero, slide over the background as animated paper cutouts. The scrolling background even conforms to parallax as the immediate background, two layers of hills and clouds, and the sun all move at different speeds against the (paper-grained) blue sky. Next good: the general concept. I’m surprised no one came up with this sooner. A plant who can turn into different plants, each with its own ability. It’s very much like A Boy and His Blob but without the ridiculous kid and plot (but also without those jawsome jellybeans). I wouldn’t mind seeing a whole franchise of this character (or a similar one) in different settings and with different flora/fauna helping out. I mean, instead of a herbivore eating and defecating the hero, go further up the food chain, be eaten by a mouse who is then eaten and excreted by an owl! Hear that, developers? Get on this one! It’s a keeper! Final good: Did I mention how simple this game is? The player needs no reading ability, nor much of a working knowledge of botany, as there’s enough trial-and-error in this game that experimentation will show you most of the things your plants can accomplish (with a few notable exceptions). My six-year-old cousin and eighty-year-old grandfather could handle this game, since its large graphics and lack of hand-eye timing keep it accessible to those with little fine motor control. In short, it rocks. “What happened to those two drawbacks?” you may be asking yourself. Or asking me, which is even more ridiculous than asking yourself, since I’m back here speaking to you from the past and you are obviously well into the future. But I’ll answer you anyway: They follow. Drawback A: Certain tasks in the game are less than intuitive. Remember how I mentioned a few notable exceptions to the simplicity of the game? This is where I note them. At least once in this short game, the player is required to repeat the same action a few times until the desired result results. In most games the first iteration of this action has some effect, even if it’s only a fraction of the desired effect. For example, if the player is melting an ice cube by throwing fireballs at it, the first fireball should melt the ice a little, just to signal that repeatedly shooting fireballs will eventually melt it. Sprout, however, does nothing the first time you attempt that action. Repeating what seems ineffective is counterintuitive and annoying. Games are meant to be frustrating, not annoying. Luckily Sprout provides more than enough jawsomeness to make up for that. Drawback B: Game’s too short. This revuer could have played for hours and hours, but no. Not much of a drawback, I agree, but play and see if maybe you don’t feel the same way. Final word: Watch out, Mario and Link. If this thing ever gets picked up, you’re in trouble at the next Smash Bros. Figuratively, yes, but I meant it literally. All quotes loosely translated from whatever plant-language they speak. Completely coincidentally. **No sense offending the creators of Yoshi’s Island, ditto Story, etc. Tags: Sprout, video games Posted by nearby at 11:14 Today's jawsome revue is a revue of something that is basically jawsome -- Jason Shiga's Knock Knock, an interactive comic book that knock knocked my socks off! Now that that's out of my system, on with the revue. What exactly is an interactive comic book, you say? I've seen this book referred to as a Choose Your Own Adventure-style book, but to me it's more like solving a puzzle by finding the correct path. Granted, if I recall correctly the CYOA books had quite a few insta-death endings (resulting in having several pages bookmarked for easy backtracking), but this has only one true ending and thus the adventure is already chosen for you. Anyway, it's interactive because on each page, there are several (and I mean several) objects to interact with/actions, and you get to choose which one by turning to the designated page. Pretty cool, huh? I can't really say much because I don't want to give any hints, so I'll talk about the presentation instead. It's "handmade" which probably means self-published at a local copy shop, which is pretty awesome, except after two run-throughs I'm worried about the binding coming loose. The cover is made to resemble a door, with a handle and an actual hole for the peephole, with the sound effect "KNOCK KNOCK!" emblazoned on it. When you open it, you're face to face with the dude on the other end (featured later in the actual book). The inside face of the cover has instructions, and page 2 has a reminder to read the instructions in case you're a douche and didn't read them. There is a noticeable lack of any kind of attribution to an author, which is unfortunate, but I guess if you bought it you probably know who made it. Still, weird. The pages change color midway through the book; I guess they ran out of white paper at the copier? Leafing through it (after "winning"), I found an easter egg (I guess?), plus cheat protection, which rules. A large portion of the losing paths are worth following, for either a) clues on how to win, b) insight into the characters and your current predicament, or c) hilarious death scenes. Yeah, that's right, there's characterization going on in this game too! As I died in sundry ways, I developed a deep sense of loathing for the killer and a desire to emerge heroic and victorious. The cool thing about it being in book form as opposed to being, say, a strip on the internet or a point-and-click game or something, is how simple and self-contained it is. It's just this impenetrable thing of 500 pages waiting for you to unlock its secrets. Pretty neat. And when you do win? One nit to pick here: it is difficult to immediately understand the implications because it's hard to see what is going on in one of the most important panels. But the panels following it are just confusing enough for you to go back and -- that is when the full awesome, nay, jawsomeness, of the ending hits you. So yeah, I'm now on the quest to acquire the other books in Shiga's oeuvre -- the ones that are available, that is. It is both cool and annoying that they are hard to find. He has made a great deal of them available to read for free on his website, but this is a rare occasion when having the physical copy is important to me. I'm even tempted to get a second copy of Knock Knock since I don't think I want to loan mine out. If you decide to give this book a "Berry Good", turn to page 23. If you decide to give this book a "Peary Good", turn to page 40. * Basically jawsome defined as having a jawsome content of 98% or higher. Tags: comics, Knock Knock Star Ballz Posted by distant at 10:24 All right, look. Here's the situation. My sadistic colleague gave me the assignment to revue Star Ballz. She had seen it years ago, so she should have known better, but she told me to do it anyway, and hearing that it was a hentai parody of Star Wars, Sailor Moon, and a bunch of other pop culture, I thought it might be fun. I knew it would be a bad movie, but I thought maybe I could enjoy it ironically or at least have some laughs making fun of it. I was young and foolish then. I'm reluctant to even write this revue, because I just know that some poor fool will read it and make the same mistake I did. Don't do that to yourself! I am perfectly aware that some movies are "so bad they're good;" trust me when I say that this is not one of those movies. It goes so far past "so bad it's good" that not only does it go back to being bad, but it reaches new levels of badness that scientists haven't been able to classify yet. You might also think, "well, I'm not looking for Hamlet here; porn's porn." All I can say to that is that if you actually get off on this movie, you're probably not the kind of person I ever want to meet. The character designs look like they were drawn in some horny fat kid's Trapper Keeper during sixth-grade social studies class. The animation for the sex scenes is the same few frames cycled over and over again in each shot, and then each shot is repeated several times (even in different scenes), so there are probably about seventeen total frames of animation in all of the sex scenes. The voices sound like they were recorded over VoIP on dial-up using the built-in microphone on someone's iBook with the gain turned up too high. The best thing I can say about the audio for the sex scenes is that it's consistent with the animation, in that it's a few moans and phrases sampled on someone's Casio keyboard and played over and over again. Everything's mixed all wrong so you can hardly make out the dialogue most of the time, but that's probably for the best. In fact, if you must watch this movie, you should probably just turn the sound off. And the video. The touted "hilarious parody" consists of including a character for no reason other than to say "look! We are aware of the existence of this character of whose existence you are also aware! Isn't that hilarious?" If you're lucky you might get more value for your buck when the character makes some sort of ass joke. It's the Family Guy school of comedy. To add insult to injury, the movie includes no fewer than two fake-out endings before it finally does end. I'm letting you know ahead of time in case you ever get kidnapped and tortured by someone who shows you this movie, so the first time the phrase "THE END" comes up, don't get your hopes up, because you still have a good ten minutes left. Er, well, you have ten minutes left, but they are by no means good. The best thing I can say about this movie is that it is only forty-seven minutes long, but then, that's forty-seven minutes too long, and I assure you it feels like much longer. (That's what she said! (And I make that terrible joke only to point out that it's much funnier than any of the ones in Star Ballz.)) My initial reaction to this movie was the desire to punch everyone involved in the production in the mouth, but over time that feeling gave way to a sort of melancholia, and I started to worry about what kind of circumstances in people's lives could have led them to make a movie like this, and how many of them have killed themselves since then. And if they haven't, why the hell not? Tags: movies, porn, Star Ballz If Halo 3 and its embarrassing ad campaign complete with Mountain Dew Game Fuel have taught us nothing else (and they haven't), it's that the launch of a video game is a "cultural event," comparable to Woodstock, landing on the moon, or the fall of the Berlin wall. Yet as much as I mock this media blitz right now, my very own beloved Mario was guilty of equal or even worse crassness back in 1989, when the introduction of Super Mario Bros. 3 through the movie The Wizard went over like the third coming of Jesus. Since then, Nintendo have forgotten how to market themselves out of a wet paper bag, and the Mario brand has been diluted by an endless parade of spin-offs that have become franchises of their own (of varying quality), but suffice it to say that there's still a sizeable number of people for whom the prospect of a new Mario platform game creates a great deal of excitement, and quite a few of them grew up to be video game journalists. What all this means for you, the consumer, is that if you're looking for a "fair and balanced" critique of said game, you may encounter some difficulty. Reviews of this game tend to be several pages of gushing hyperbole with a couple of token complaints thrown in to offset any accusations of bias. Look, I like Mario as much as anybody, but a review like that isn't going to do anyone any good. So with this revue I hope to balance some of that out and give you a better idea of what playing the game is really like, so you're not too disappointed when you play it and it's not the end-all be-all of human existence. Don't get me wrong, Super Mario Galaxy is a great game. But that's all it is, and it's not perfect. I put it to you that if it were not a Mario game but a game starring some anonymous new characters, we as a society would be considerably less forgiving about some of its flaws. A lot of people raved about Super Mario Sunshine at first too, and now it's the bastard redheaded stepchild of the series. So I implore you, let's skip the "OMG a new Mario game" stage and go straight to looking at it critically. The story of Super Mario Galaxy, if you really need one, is that Mario gets a letter from Princess Toadstool (Peach) inviting him to her castle because she has something she wants to give him. Wink wink, nudge nudge. Advanced readers may notice that this is exactly the same setup as Super Mario 64, except that this time there's an additional element of mystery because you don't know whether the thing she wants to give him is a cake or some other baked good, possibly a pie. Hell, it could even be a quiche -- this game breaks all the rules. Anyway, before Mario can actually approach Peach's castle, Bowser shows up in his airship (the disturbance you just felt was a million Mario fanboys ejaculating at once due to the return of Super Mario Bros. 3's airship motif) to kidnap Peach again. This time he just picks up her whole castle and takes it with him -- you know, kind of like what he did in Paper Mario. Kind of exactly like that. The one new element is that this time he's enlisted the help of a UFO, and they warp away after hitting Mario with a magic missile that knocks him onto some planet. There, some little star creatures turn into rabbits and make you chase them around to teach you the controls, after which they introduce you to their "mama," the cyclopean (I can only assume) Princess Rosalina, who explains that, as you could probably have guessed, rescuing Peach will require collecting a bunch of stars, which will also gradually get you access to additional levels and open up the dark areas of this game's "hub world," the Observatory. If this sounds oddly familiar it's because it's the same tired level structure they've been using since Super Mario 64 more than ten years ago. Not a criticism... just an observation. Okay, so with all that out of the way we can finally get to the meaty stuff: the game mechanics. Setting the game in space is a way to justify having Mario run around on small spheroids, which is a bigger deal than it sounds. When it's used effectively I would say that this is almost as big a change as going from 2D platforming to 3D in Super Mario 64. It's kind of like 3 1/2-D. Being able to explore every side of a surface and jump out of the orbit of one planet and into another opens up a lot of level design possibilities never before seen in a game like this. It doesn't always live up to its potential, though. Like a little girl with a little curl, when the level design is good, it's very very good, but when it's bad, it's slightly less good. The problem is that the levels that make use of these new gravity-based designs are so fun and new that they make the other, more conventional levels feel quite drab in comparison. Too many levels in Galaxy are just large landmasses floating in space that you can only walk on the top of (which makes no sense, which is part of a separate issue I'll talk about later) -- they wouldn't be at all out of place in Super Mario 64. I suppose Nintendo didn't want to alienate people who preferred the more traditional level design, but seriously, fuck those people. And yes, these levels are fine by those standards, but after being tantalized with the more "galactic" ones, it's kind of a bummer to have to go back. Besides the level design, the other big change to the Mario formula here is the physics. Maybe the problem here is just my own expectations, but for a game involving a bunch of free-floating stuff in space, I really thought that gravity would be more important. I mean, it's there; it stops you from falling off the planetoids. But that's about it. I do still have a ways to go before finishing the game, but so far, the amount of gravitational force has been the same on every planetoid, regardless of the size, and while you can sometimes do cool tricks like long-jumping around the edge of a planetoid (I haven't managed to get into orbit yet), I haven't encountered a situation where you actually have to use anything like that to your advantage. Which is okay, I guess; I mean, it's not really necessary, but it sure would be cool. Just strikes me as another case of potential not being used. The other thing about the gravity is that it's somewhat inconsistent, by which I mean, sometimes you can walk around the edge of a planet and sometimes you'll fall off the edge to your death, and it can be hard to know which to expect. Even within planetoids, there may be some walls you can walk up and others that are just walls; some platforms you can walk all the way around and some you'll fall off, with no way to tell which is which. Sure, you can figure it out through trial and error, but if you're expecting Galaxy's gravity to be anything like the universe's gravity, let me disabuse you of that notion right now, my friend. The game uses black holes to justify all of its "falling in a chasm" deaths, but even if you can see a black hole nearby (which is a big "if" anyway due to the automatic camera), it's not always clear what will cause you to fall into it and what won't. In some situations the black holes work fine (it wouldn't be Mario without some jumping across chasms), but other times it seems like the designers didn't feel like making a planet that goes all the way around, so they just made a "flat Earth"-style planet and chucked a black hole under it to keep you from exploring the bottom. I guess it makes more sense than the invisible walls at the edges of levels of earlier games, but not by much, and unexpectedly falling off the world is quite annoying. The last thing I want to talk about is the camera. I have actually seen a few reviews mention it, but they seem to be focusing on times when it doesn't automatically move to the best position -- which does happen occasionally, but I haven't found it to be a big deal. It does sometimes make it hard to judge the jump distance for stomping on things, and it's probably for that reason that jumping in this game has actually been downplayed quite a bit in favor of a spin attack, which feels like a bit of a kludge, but it gets the job done. But no, what I want to talk about is running around upside down (something you'll have to do fairly frequently). There's a problem that always plagues games where you switch from moving around normally to moving around upside down while the camera stays in the same orientation (something that happens surprisingly often in Nintendo games; see also the spider ball in the Metroid Prime series and the iron boots in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess). It's kind of hard to explain, but basically, once you're upside down, your directional controls are inverted, to an extent. I.e. you were pressing up on the analog stick and moving away from the camera a second ago, but now you've walked up the wall in front of you, but because you're still pressing forward you're now moving toward the camera. So now you need to turn right. Which direction should you move the analog stick? I don't know. I guess to the right would make the most sense, but then you're pressing right and your character is moving left on the screen. Pretty confusing. If pressing left makes your character go left, then the left/right axis corresponds to what's on screen but the up/down axis doesn't. Also pretty confusing. But to make things even more confusing, if you stop moving and let go of the analog stick, then start moving again, pressing the same direction might not have you moving the same direction you were a moment ago, because while you stopped moving the controls re-calibrated themselves so that analog stick direction will correspond to screen direction. Which is probably what you want to happen in the long run, but to press the same direction twice and have your character go a different way each time is a bit disorienting. In Zelda and Metroid, walking upside down was such a minor part of the games that this problem was pretty easy to ignore, but it's considerably more prominent in Galaxy. I don't know what the solution is, but keeping the camera more or less behind Mario at all times as he walks around a planet seems like a good start, although it might make it harder to get a feel for your environment. So all of these are areas in which I think the game could be improved. Do they stop it from being fun? Hell no. Pretty much every other element of the game more than makes up for these minor quibbles, and it's easily the best 3D Mario game, even if the formula is starting to show its age. Still, when the worst thing you can say about a game is that sometimes it feels like playing Super Mario 64, I think you're in pretty good shape. Tags: Super Mario Galaxy, video games, Wii Howdy howdy folks, welcome to my first jawsome revue (though I cannot in good conscience call any of my reviews truly jawsome -- I'm merely referring to it as a revue that is on the jawsome revue blog). Double Happiness is a graphic novella (1999, 64 pg) that delves into a favorite of topics: finding one's identity in a foreign land. First a confession: I got this book because it was cheap. I ordered Knock Knock (review forthcoming) solely on its Choose Your Own Adventure premise, but didn't want to order just one book. So I browsed Jason Shiga's other selections, and based on pages per dollar -- 64 pages for $5 -- it was the best deal, compared to for example another book that was 60 pages for $25. I kind of wish I'd also sprung for the $25 book since it was another CYOA-themed book and probably would have had far more "replay value." Anyway, basically I had totally forgotten that I had ordered this book. Okay. So it's about this Chinese guy that goes to live with some distant cousin of his in SF's Chinatown and his attempts to and feelings on fitting in there vs. his past life growing up in Boston. And it kind of goes in a fairly predictable way, including a burgeoning love story, until the last act, where it leads somewhere that was hinted at subtly throughout. So on the surface you have a sort of generic boy-makes-good-in-new-territory story, with undercurrents of something-is-not-quite-right. Granted, I don't know too much about the things that go on, so perhaps to a different audience it's pretty clear. Which brings me to the art style. Apparently he's aped an artist that is hugely famous in Southeast Asia but not as much anywhere else -- and has provided a glowing recommendation to this artist in the introduction. It's a fairly simple, cartoony style with wobbly lines and all, but it effectively conveys character's emotions and it "reads" easily. There are also some trope-y things, like speed lines, extreeeemely emotional faces with sweat flying off, extreme close-ups, but used sparingly and appropriately. The thing about the style is that it creates some assumptions as to what kind of story this is going to be -- a bit cutesy, a little romantic, funny, light in tone -- which is, as I said earlier, turned quite suddenly on its ear in the later parts. In fact, the shift hits at the highest point in the main character's arc, just when you think you've got the ending figured out. I do want to talk more about this but I hate being spoilery (though the odds of you running out and getting this are slim -- but if you do see it, don't hesitate to pick it up; it's a really well-done book), so I'll just leave off with some of the notes I wrote in the outline for this review. - Parallels to own life, vis a vis being a banana, Asian growing up in a predominantly white community, outsider everywhere (oh cry me a river). - A lot of nice character moments. I'm a sucker for these. - Abrupt, obtuse ending that made me google for reviews to try to figure it out. - What would I have done? Probably the opposite of what the main character did. It seemed like a good idea to me. Grade: 7 Jaws Tags: comics, Double Happiness Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure Let me make one thing clear from the start: Zack and Wiki is not a Wikipedia game. I'm sorry to give you the bad news so bluntly, but we might as well get the disappointment out of the way up front. It'll be better for you in the long run. It builds character. Anyway, in case you haven't heard of it, Zack and Wiki is a new Wii game by Capcom. It's perhaps best known for being the "media darling" of IGN's Matt Casamassina and Mark Bozon, who spearheaded a "Buy Zack and Wiki" campaign during the months before the game was released, running the risk of looking like fools (even moreso than usual; see the photo below) if the game turned out to suck when it finally came out. They decided that such a campaign was necessary because Zack and Wiki has a stupid name. They much preferred its working title, Project Treasure Island Z. In fact they hated the actual title so much that they started referring to it exclusively as "Z&W" and then "Z-Dub," which is obviously much less stupid. I have to admit that the "Buy Zack and Wiki" campaign sort of worked on me. Not that I based my decision to buy it on the opinions of IGN, which would just be absurd, but they did at least raise my awareness of its existence, and after further investigation I was able to determine that it did look like a game I was interested in playing. So now the game is finally out, and the question on everyone's minds is: does it live up to the hype? Forget what those guys told you -- I'm here to give you the real scoop on Zack and Wiki. ...but it turns out they were pretty much right and the game is jawsome. I don't know if I would agree with the assertion that everyone should buy it, but I'm glad that I did. Zack and Wiki is basically a point-and-click adventure/puzzle game that's about using the right item at the right time to accomplish a goal. It plays somewhat similarly to the old Sierra or LucasArts adventure games, but combined with something like The Adventures of Lolo. Instead of one large world with puzzles and items spread out all over the place, Zack and Wiki is set up as a series of individual levels, each of which puts a bunch of obstacles between your character and a treasure chest, and your job is to overcome those obstacles and get the treasure. "What kind of obstacles?" you may well ask. The answer varies widely. Some puzzles are based on principles of physics, some involve creatures that can be turned into items, some involve items that can be turned into creatures, some have killer robots, mad science, paintings that do stuff, etc. There's a lot of variety, is basically what I'm saying. You play as Zack, a kid who wants to be an infamous pirate, and you're accompanied by a gold monkey named Wiki, who has the power to turn into a bell that can turn other living things into various tools. You control the duo by pointing and clicking at things on the screen with the Wii remote, or shaking it to ring Wiki's bell and turn stuff into other stuff. Even though there's no real rhyme or reason to what each creature will turn into, you'll pretty quickly get a sense of what each animal can do for you. Complicating matters is the fact that Zack has no sort of inventory system and can only carry one thing at a time. Besides the animal items, there are various things built into each stage that you can interact with, usually by moving the Wii remote in some sort of gimmicky fashion. Some of these motions work pretty well, and some of them don't. Personally I could take or leave them, but if you're one of those people who are like, "I paid for motion sensing and damn it, I'm gonna use it!" then I guess you'll enjoy them. Anyway, the puzzles are where the game really excels. Like I said, there's a lot of variety to them, and the solutions usually make some kind of sense, at least in video game logic (of course putting weight on a pedestal will make a bridge appear; why wouldn't it?). If you do get stumped, you can use up a "hint doll" and get a vision of what your next move should be, but those dolls ain't free, and in fact the prices go up every time you buy another one, so you'll probably want to use them sparingly (or you could just look up the solution on GameFAQs, but if you do that, you're really only hurting yourself). This game also brings back the lost art of instant deaths. The game encourages you to just try messing with everything to see what happens, and sometimes you'll be rewarded for doing that, but other times it will kill you. That might sound incredibly frustrating, but it's actually not that bad. For one thing, you have the option of reviving yourself and undoing the move that killed you, using a system similar to that of the hint dolls. But even if you run out of those, the worst that can happen is you have to restart the levels, and most of the time the levels are short enough that once you know what you need to do, it's not that big an inconvenience to go through the motions again (there are a few exceptions with really big levels where you have to wait for Zack to walk long distances). It's that fact, though, that initially led me to worry about the game's replayability. There are enough levels to keep you busy for a couple of days, depending on how long you play each time, but then what do you do? Fortunately they've taken this into consideration. Your performance on each level is graded based on how efficiently you solve the puzzles. For example, if it takes you a couple of tries to move some items into the right position, you don't get as many points as you would if you got it right on the first try. Additionally, sometimes there are alternate ways to solve puzzles, which might get you a different amount of points. So you can always go back and try to improve your score/ranking on each level. If, on the other hand, you feel that playing for high scores has been pointless since 1987, there's still other stuff to do. Secret treasures are hidden throughout the levels, whether it's stashes of coins, collectible pixel art of characters from past Capcom games, or a skeleton guy who makes you play a rhythm game for a treasure map, which you can then use with another character who will go out and hunt down the actual treasure for you. That guy can also help you find other treasures to fill up little galleries of characters and creatures from the game, as well as sound/music tests and also probably some other stuff I don't remember off the top of my head. The point is, if you're a completist, you can play this game for a while. There's much more to do than meets the eye. So that's about it for the game mechanics. What else? The story is pretty much irrelevant. It gets the job done setting up the premise of the game and then mercifully gets out of the way for most of the time, but if you must know, you're trying to collect pieces of this skeleton pirate made of gold so he can come back to life and give you his ship. There's also a hot female pirate who is your rival and will probably be the subject of a lot of fan art before too long. The graphics are presented in a cel-shaded style that's somewhat similiar to Wind Waker but with better character models. It's very colorful and quite nice, and each 'world' has a different theme, most of which are fairly interesting to look at. The sound is a lot of various noises made by Japanese people, but no full-fledged voice acting (thank god). The music is well done but I didn't find it particularly memorable. Anyway. The point and click adventure genre is hardly new, but it is still fun, and this game brings some interesting new twists to it. There's a lot to do, and it's all very well polished and presented with style and a unique charm. If that kind of gameplay sounds at all appealing to you, I highly recommend checking out Zack and Wiki. It's the most fun I've had playing a new game in quite some time. And if I may editorialize a bit here, I have to say that it's really a sad state that the industry is in when a jawsome, unique game like this is in danger of being overlooked in favor of games about space marines. So buy Zack and Wiki and support the blue sky in games. Thank you, and good night. Tags: video games, Wii, Zack and Wiki Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II In an earlier post, I asserted that the mission statement of this blog was to revue things that are jawsome, or to revue things that are not necessarily jawsome in a hopefully jawsome way. The subject of tonight's post, the 1987 horror movie Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II, falls in the latter category. I could not in good conscience call this movie jawsome, or even good, but it does have a certain charm. I haven't seen the original Prom Night, but from what I hear on The Internet, that doesn't matter, as aside from sharing a setting, an actor (as a different character), and the catchphrase "It's not who you come with; it's who takes you home," the two are completely unrelated. Prom Night 1 was apparently a straightforward slasher flick, fairly well respected in the genre and set for a remake in 2008. But I don't care about it. In the world of 1980s horror, you were either a Jason man or a Freddy man. Unless you were a woman. I would count myself firmly among the Freddy camp. Prom Night 1, it would seem, was more of a Jason kind of movie, but Prom Night II: Electric Boogaloo is a rare case of a franchise changing teams mid-race (please pardon my mixed metaphors) and ripping off A Nightmare on Elm Street pretty directly with a supernatural villain and lots of surreal, dream-like sequences (though in this movie they're not dreams). Throw in a 1950s theme with appropriate soundtrack, a pinch of incest, and a dash of showering lesbians and you've got a recipe for wackiness. The story of Prom Night II: Twenty-Three Skidoo starts in 1950-something at the high school prom, where the titular Mary Lou is floozying it up and making out with some guy, much to the dismay of her prom date, Bill. Demanding vengeance, Bill decides to dump pigs' blood on Mary Lou during her coronation as queen o' the prom. Sorry, did I say pigs' blood? I meant a stink bomb. Unfortunately something goes wrong and Mary Lou's apparently kerosene-soaked prom dress immediately goes up in flames, roasting her alive. Flash forward to the present (the '80s), where we meet Vicki, a moderately not-unattractive blonde girl with an unfortunate hairstyle and an overbearing mother who's all set to be queen o' this year's prom (Vicki, not her mother). Some boring stuff happens, and Vicki's classmate Josh, who is basically J.T. from Degrassi, is introduced, making a radio out of a potato and saying, "This moment will be inserted into the anals [sic] of science history, and I think we all know how painful that can be." Which should give you some idea of the comic sensibilities of this film. (Okay, I'm underselling it; there actually are some decent jokes in the movie.) We now learn that Bill, the guy who set Mary Lou on fire, is now principal of the high school and has a son who doesn't want to go to college and sometimes forget to eat. Oh, and that son is dating Vicki. For some reason that I either missed or they just didn't bother to tell me, Vicki goes down into a spooky basement or something in the school... oh yeah, I think she's trying to find a prom dress because her mother won't let her buy one, and I guess they keep dresses in the school basement. Whatever, it doesn't matter. The point is she finds a mysterious chest and opens it. Little does she know that she's freeing Mary Lou's soul! Which was sealed in the chest for some reason, along with the official prom queen tiara and cape, which Vicki takes. Next we get a bit of melodrama as Vicki's even-more-unfortunately-coiffed friend Jess reveals... very... slowly... that some guy impregnated her and won't call her back. Fortunately she won't have to worry about this for long. We're about twenty-five minutes in and it's time for the first official murder! (Mary Lou's origin story doesn't count.) Jess fiddles with the tiara, which pisses off the ghost and all hell breaks loose. By which I mean some bags of shredded paper burst open and some paint falls off the shelf. Then the prom queen cape attacks her and drags her toward a paper cutter. You wouldn't be faulted for thinking she's about to get her head chopped off... but no! It's the classic misdirect, and she actually just ends up hanged by the cape instead. Oh, and then after she's dead, she gets thrown out the window for good measure. Naturally everyone assumes that Jess killed herself and then threw her own corpse out the window, and some asshole priest uses her funeral to espouse his views about violence in the media (what?). Vicki finds herself mysteriously drawn to Mary Lou's grave. But the prom must go on! One of the other prom queen nominees or whatever makes a snide remark about Jess, and Vicki flies off the handle. This is foreshadowing because -- I'll save you the suspense -- she's gradually being taken over by Mary Lou's spirit or whatevs. She starts having hallucinations about a dark, nightmarish Silent Hill version of the school, where the Fonz attempts to rape her. Meanwhile, the nerdy comic relief J.T. guy asks a girl out, which I guess is supposed to make us like his character more, or maybe just remind us that he's in the movie, because to be honest I had forgotten. Then Vicki gets brained with a volleyball, resulting in more creepy hallucinations with everyone calling her Mary Lou and the volleyball net turning into a big spiderweb that she gets caught in. Principal Bill hears her yelling "I'm not Mary Lou" and is disturbed, so he goes to the basement/dress storage room and somehow figures out that Mary Lou's soul escaped from the chest, though I don't know how he knew it was in there in the first place. On account of getting beaned, Vicki gets the rest of the day off from school, but her psychotic mother decrees that she must spend it confessing stuff to a priest in a pointless scene. That evening she has some more Mary Lou-related hallucinations, in case you haven't figured it out yet. Then her really fucking creepy rocking horse comes alive, unseen hands grope her under the sheets (or something), and her mirror turns into liquid in a gag straight from Evil Dead. Well, that scene was pretty cool, but by this time the film's leisurely pace is starting to wear thin and you just want her to finish getting possessed and start killing people already. There are some more scenes that don't really add up to much. The priest tries to warn Bill (his former classmate) that Mary Lou is back and that "she can't touch me; I'm a priest," but Bill should be careful and find Jesus, but Bill's not having it. Meanwhile, Vicki complains to her boyfriend about the inconveniences of being possessed, and the mean girl convinces J.T. to rig the prom queen election via computer in exchange for sexual favors. In an unrelated incident, Vicki slaps mean girl and gets sent to detention. Then, with some pretty cool effects, she gets sucked into the blackboard. She ends up in the basement/dress storage room, naked, and apparently this is the point where she's fully taken over by Mary Lou. Vicki Lou goes back to the priest for another confession, except this time she asks him to fuck her, then kills him. Apparently his crazy notion about being invincible due to his priestiness was inaccurate. The next day, Vicki's classmates are confused because she's dressing anachronistically and being sassier than usual. J.T. is the only one who correctly assumes that it's because she's possessed. When Vicki Lou's chemistry teacher Mr. Craven (groan) gropes her, she blows the hair out of her face, causing something to ignite the teacher's crotch. Next is the film's most famous (to me) scene. Vicki Lou and some girl get in a fight in the locker room. When the girl goes off to shower, Vicki Lou joins her and tries to make out with her. The girl gets creeped out and runs away, leading a very nude Vicki Lou to stalk her throughout the locker room while singing the Little Richard hit "Tutti Frutti" in a creepy way. When the girl hides in a locker, Vicki Lou uses her telekinetic powers to crush the locker that she's in like an aluminum can, causing what is presumably brain matter to sluice through the vents. Pretty gross. I actually saw this scene on television many years ago but didn't know what it was, and it left enough of an impression on me that I eventually decided to track down the whole movie. Anyway, nothing can really top that scene, so I'm sorry to say it's pretty much all downhill from here. Vicki Lou comes to visit Bill and vaguely threatens his son, then goes home and makes out with Vicki's father, which unnerves her mother, whom she telekinetically pushes through the front door, possibly killing her but I'm not sure. Bill knocks his son unconscious with his own shoe, then goes to dig up Mary Lou's grave, but finds preacher-man buried in it instead. Why would Vicki Lou take the time to swap them out? How would she know that he would dig up the grave? It seems like a pretty random and stupid thing to do, but I guess maybe from having dated him, she knew that he was the kind of person who, upon finding out that the girl he killed was possessing his son's girlfriend, would go and dig up her corpse. That's pretty impressive forethought. Next there's a weird scene where J.T. takes a picture of Vicki Lou at the prom and asks her if she's seen Monica, and she turns into a burst of white light. I have no idea what that's about, but it doesn't seem to affect anything, and the next time we see any of those characters they're just going about their business as usual. So, just ignore it, I guess. J.T. goes to his secret nerd lab to hax0r the prom queen election results, as per his agreement with mean girl, who shows up and holds up her end of the bargain. Then she goes back to her date, who asks her if she has any more mints because her breath smells great. Gross. When J.T. changes the prom queen from Vicki to mean girl, Vicki Lou doesn't like it and electrocutes him through his computer. After the most awkward possible reading of the line "Ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna pick the prom queen now," Vicki is announced as the winner. The mean girl is dismayed, and a guy asks her, "How'd you blow it?" See, because she blew that dude, get it? Meanwhile, Bill's son has recovered from the shoe attack and shows up at the school. Also meanwhile, Bill himself is up on the rafter above the stage as Vicki Lou is coronated. Is he going to recreate the stink bomb stunt and burn this girl alive too? As it turns out, no... he just shoots her. Just as his son arrives! But it's too late. She's dead. But not really! The dessicated corpse of Mary Lou bursts out of Vicki's body (I guess that's where she put it after she took it out of the grave) and everything starts getting all Carrie on us. Oh, by the way, mean girl is randomly impaled with a neon light, so don't worry, she got her comeuppance for being mildly rude. Mary Lou makes a bunch of lights and stuff explode, and I guess this gives her energy and restores her body to mostly non-dessicated status. It also gives her voice a lot of reverb. Well, Mary Lou rampages a bit and eventually chases Bill's son down to the basement/wardrobe department, where the priest's corpse (how did it get there?) tells him he's in deep shit. Mary Lou pulls the classic "pretend to be a loved one" trick and impersonates Vicki, and Bill's son falls for it, the poor dope. It seems that if she can get him pulled into the chest (the one her soul was stored in, I mean, not her breasts), then... well, I was going to say that she'd be free, but she seems pretty free already, so I don't know what she's trying to do, but basically he's in danger of being sucked into the chest. But at the last second, Bill shows up, puts the tiara on her head, and kisses her. Then there are a lot of bright lights and a crazy tracking shot, and something explodes. The implication is that Bill and Mary Lou are gone, somewhere. Now Bill's son opens the chest and for some reason Vicki comes out of it, even though we saw her get shot and die and a creature burst out of her corpse earlier. I think what they're trying to say is that the real Vicki was in the chest ever since that blackboard scene, and everything since then was really just Mary Lou looking like Vicki, which I guess I can buy. Anyway, when Vicki comes out of the chest, Bill's son asks her if she takes sugar in her coffee, and she says, "No, that stuff'll kill you." That's a callback to an earlier scene where they had coffee, but it doesn't make any more sense in context. It has nothing to do with the current scene and is really lame. Cut to: A cop saying, "I don't know what we got here! Something strange," in a way that just sells it. And that's his only line. Anyway, the survivors are leaving the prom. Bill is back, so I guess he didn't die after all... or did he?! He's going to drive Vicki and his son home, but he turns the radio to one of the soundtrack's dozens of songs that include the name Mary Lou! And he's wearing a ring that seems like it probably has some significance, but I wasn't really paying attention to that scene earlier. But at any rate I get the idea that the kids are probably not in a good situation as creepy Bill says, "Hey kids. They're playing our song! Let's cruise." and all the windows roll up and doors lock and they drive away to their doom in a direct rip-off of the end of A Nightmare on Elm Street, except nobody gets pulled through a door which was really the best part. Also, the car's license plate says "MARY LU2". Why the 2? Oh well. The end! In conclusion, this isn't a very good movie, but for the most part it is at least entertaining, and has some pretty neat special effects set pieces. For me, cheesy horror movies like this live and die (no pun intended) on their creative death scenes, and this one delivers a few pretty decent ones, and it has a sense of humor without becoming a total parody of itself like the later Freddy movies. And if you're not into any of that, well, you can't go wrong with full frontal nudity. Tags: Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II, movies Dexter 2x06: "Dex, Lies, and Videotape" And now the Jawsome Olde Tyme Revue presents a new feature, in which my associate and I discuss the latest episode of stuff we've been watching. You'll feel as though you're there standing around the water cooler with us, observing our conversation but not participating, much like all of my social interactions. First up on the agenda is the latest episode of Dexter. nearby: How's it going? I saw Dex[ter episode 2x06]. me: What did you think? nearby: I'm disappointed that Dex is in recovery. me: At least he killed somebody. nearby: But he didn't "need" to. Also, Rita's a nag; a harpy. I liked her much better in the first season. me: Yeah. But they broke up, so it's OK. nearby: No wonder Paul used to beat her. [chuckles] me: [laughter] nearby: God, I'm so horrible. me: Yeah. nearby: [grins] But at least you're not offended. Also, I don't like the new Cody. me: The new Cody? nearby: The kid. He's new from last season. I mean, they replaced Cody 1.0. me: Oh. I didn't notice; they all look the same to me. I like how the FBI guy was like, "It tastes like a hippo." nearby: [grins] I like how Deb's boyf was like, "you looooooove Grundy." [laughter] me: Yeah... [chuckles] Grundy. nearby: Man. Hilarious. me: Man, the secondary characters were actually not that bad this time (besides Rita). nearby: I guess. The thing is, of the secondary characters, I usually like Rita, because of her relationship with Dexter. But lately she's become a harp. me: Frankly I've never liked her. I like how Lila keeps showing the goods. nearby: She's always wearing the same kind of underwear (character consistency). That weird thong thing; it's got, like, a thick band and then a thong. Weird. me: It's probably the same pair. nearby: She's got a nice pair of 'tocks. me: She's a butterlips. nearby: Also, tvclub linked to another TV commenter in the Dexter commentary that I started reading. The funny thing is I already saw this blog before. He retroactively recapped Freaks and Geeks; he was quite fawning about it. Anyway, he did some season 1 reviews of Dex, but not enough. But now I'm reading his commentaries on season 2. [quoting from the commentaries:] "Mostly, though, I didn't have much to say. The show was so consistent both in what was working (Michael C. Hall's performance, the flashbacks to Harry's lessons, Dexter's relationships with Deb and Rita, the advancement of the Ice Truck Killer mystery) and what wasn't (office politics in the Miami PD) that I would have been repeating myself week after week." me: Heh. Yeah. nearby: It's true. me: Frankly I like this season better. nearby: I don't like how Dex is showing too many emotions. [chuckles] me: [chuckles] I don't know; I think he always had them. nearby: I guess. I prefer him being like this empty hollow shell of pretending. [laughter] me: [chuckles] Like me. nearby: I like how he basically still has no moral compunction about killing, though. me: Yeah. I guess you're right, though. Dex should need to kill people; otherwise he might stop doing it. nearby: Yeah. I hope he ends up killing Lila at the end of the season. Or, um, Lundy (Grundy). me: Why would he? nearby: She finds out his secret and freaks out. (Butterlips.) me: But she would have to murder someone. nearby: Eh. I don't think she'd have to. He doesn't care about Harry's code any more. I mean, like, he's trying a "new me." me: I don't know; I think he's still using the code. Why else would he kill that guy even though he didn't need to? nearby: My favorite thing about Television Without Pity's recaps of Dex is the one time where they suggest that Doakes and Dex will kiss (because of Six Feet Under). [laughter] me: [chuckles] You're such a "shipper." nearby: UGH! Please, don't call me that. me: You just want all the dudes to make out with each other. nearby: No! No. It's funny because the first time i watched Dex, I was like, "Heh, Doakes is Dex's Keith." me: I did like seeing Dex get all mad this eppy. nearby: [swooning] Me toooooooo! Also the other eppy, when he beat that dude. me: Even though that's an emotion. nearby: I don't mind angry. [chuckles] I agree that he has emotion. It's just like, all effed up. me: You just don't want the good emotions. nearby: He probably can't control them, so he buries them. me: Like me. nearby: That's why he feels like he has none. He just wants to bury the bad ones, but it's a package deal. nearby: I like how Dexter never uses an umbrella. He was wet, like, half the time. me: I didn't notice that, possibly because I never use an umbrella either, so it just seemed natural. nearby: Also, I forgot to fawn over his shirtless scene. I also like how Dexter is all, "Great, I'm THAT guy." me: What guy? nearby: With a love triangle. Well, I gotta eat. Laters. me: Wah! Tags: convos, Dexter, TV Peepshow #1-14 Welcome, one and all, to the Jawsome Olde Tyme Revue, the blog where we revue things that are jawsome -- or is it that the things may not actually be jawsome, but our revue is? It's hard to say. Anyway, the first item up for revue is issues 1-14 of Peepshow, a comic book by Joe Matt, the man of two first names. I'm not really into the indie comic "scene," so my colleague would probably be better suited to revue this, but she hasn't gotten around to reading it yet, so the task has been delegated to me. So you'll just have to excuse me if I don't know what I'm talking about. All I know about this comic and its author is what I learned from reading it. Peepshow is an autobiographical comic. The narrator is somewhat unreliable, so it's not clear how much of it is exaggerated or outright fabricated, but it doesn't really matter. I know that being unflattering and self-deprecating in an autobiographical work is a common device, but this guy takes it to a whole new level. During the first storyline (ishes 1-6), he seems to go back and forth between pointing out how much of an a-hole he is and trying to portray himself as a sympathetic character. The first issue is about his crush on a friend of his girlfriend; the second is about him dealing with his girlfriend not being happy about his making a comic about his crush on her friend. You're never sure whether his ridiculous justifications for his behavior are being presented as a target for laughter at his expense or whether he actually expects you to agree with him. It's probably a little of both. It's kind of a strange mix, but it works. His character is most assuredly an a-hole, but he's still likable. It helps that his friends Seth and Chester (who are apparently other comics peeps, but I'm not familiar with them) are usually around to make fun of him and act as representatives of the reader's incredulity at his a-holeness. (Pictured above: Seth reiterates his analogy that talking to having a conversation with Joe is like being a treadmill.) So the first six ishes deal with Joe lusting after various women, and the consequences that arise from that. I'd go into more detail, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything. By the way, despite what the title might lead you to believe, this isn't an especially bawdy comic. Oh sure, there's the occasional T&A (and even some C&B in a later ish) and lots of masturbation references, but the really filthy stuff is not explicitly depicted. Just thought you should know so you're not disappointed. After six ishes of Joe Matt's girl troubles, ishes 7-10 comprise the "Fair Weather" storyline, an abrupt and radical departure from the previous ishes. Out of nowhere, Joe Matt flashes back to his childhood for a story about attending church fairs, making unfair trades with his unwitting friends for rare comics, digging underground forts, and trying to meet a TV horror host. If this all sounds a little saccharine, well, it is, but tolerably so (no worse than any other nostalgic childhood remembrances), and it's somewhat balanced out by Joe and his friend making fun of a retarded girl and sneaking peeks at topless women (not pictured) through a fence. It's a cute enough little story, but it's not really where the author's true talent lies, and maybe I'm no better than the unwashed masses complaining about it on the letters pages, but I have to admit I was glad when this storyline was over and Peepshow returned to the present-day (more or less) neurotic sex-addict version of Joe. Even so, the last storyline (ishes 11-14) is a different beast. Now Joe is less of an a-hole and more just pathetic. He seems to have stopped interacting with women altogether and now spends all his time borrowing porn videos, dubbing them and editing out all the shots of the guys (with the exception of money shots), and masturbating several times a day. He reaches new heights of patheticness when he comes up with the "stroke of sheer genius" of keeping a second urine bottle in his closet so he'll have to empty them half as often. Aside from Seth and Chester, he now tries to avoid interacting with other people whenever possible, and a large portion of this storyline consists of him talking to himself. It starts off as an exposé of his porn addiction and then drifts into commentary on his comics output and his life in general. Then it just kind of ends, unsatisfyingly. Apparently the next storyline will be about Joe moving to Los Angeles. But this series started in 1992 and is only now up to issue 14, so you probably shouldn't hold your breath waiting for it. Oh, I guess I should talk about the art style a little bit, since it is a visual medium and all. (Here's the part where I really don't know what I'm talking about.) Well, it's a pretty simple style, black and white (except for the last storyline when the pages turn yellow and he incorporates splashes of red (not the infamous ZZT game)), with bold lines. The early ishes have a more grotesque R. Crumb sort of look to them; "Fair Weather" is just sort of straightforward cartoony; and the last storyline simplifies it even more and makes it look sort of like a newspaper comic strip or something, fuck if I know. Obviously I know nothing about art but I felt obligated to have something about that in here. I also recommend reading the letters pages, where readers repeatedly admonish Joe Matt for various things and suggest he get therapy. Plus it includes special celebrity guest letter-writers such as Rivers Cuomo, James Kochalka, one of the women depicted in an earlier comic, and Joe Matt's mom. So, for my money, the first six ishes of Peepshow are the most amusing, but the whole series is worth reading. Czech it out if you get the czance. Tags: comics, Peepshow welcome to the jawsome olde tyme revue -- all revue, all the tyme, all the nues that's flog to blog Hey man. Hey man Welcome to the Jawsome Olde Tyme Revue, where we revue things that are jawsome, or jawsomely revue or recap things that are not necessarily jawsome, or just write revues that are on the Jawsome Olde Tyme Revue. P.S. We are aware that this is a non-standard usage of the term "revue," so don't bother pointing that out. We're reclaiming it. proximal welcome to the jawsome olde tyme revue -- all revu... convos (1) Double Dragon (1) Double Happiness (1) Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1) Knock Knock (1) Peepshow (1) Star Ballz (1) Super Mario Galaxy (1) The Secret Life of the American Teenager (14) video game movies (4) Zack and Wiki (1)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line19
__label__wiki	0.716556	0.716556	Soul-kit speaks untold stories of teenagers through music Hidden under the monotonous school uniform and chained by the tightened everyday schedule, Korean teenagers lack ways to speak out for themselves. For the sake of this tragic situation, university students gathered their heads to create “Soul-kit,” a group which turns teenagers’ stories and worries into a piece of music. Soul-kit is a project by 30 passionate students who seek to make music that Korean teenagers can truly symphasize with. It started off when two university students realized the absence of music for teenagers and managed to put their thoughts into practice in 2011. “In high school, I always felt that there was hardly any music that actually cared about or reflected the lives of teenagers,” said Cho Hye-sun (University of London, 3), the co-president of Soul-kit. “Most of them deal with topics inappropriate for teenagers, and the lyrics tend to be meaningless as well.” Last September, Soul-kit recruited members who were interested in music and teenage issues. Even though all of the members came from different backgrounds, their love and devotion toward music bonded them together as a group to pursue the same ultimate goal of creating the right culture for teenagers. “I think it is the absence of communication between teenagers and the rest of the world that begets serious issues,” Joo Sung-yup (Sogang University, 2) said. “Soul-kit wishes to become a means of communication for them.” To make sure that the songs that they create authentically reflect the thoughts of teenagers, Soul-kit held a story contest last December for teenagers to hear them out. From studying burdens to lookism, many topics that have been concerning teenagers became honest stories for Soul-kit to turn into music. “I remember a story about teenagers and suited-up commuters criticizing each other—one for conforming to society and the other for not being able to dream,” Moon Ji-ae (Sungkyunkwan University, 2) said. “It was made into a song called ‘Monday Morning’ and I think anyone can sympathize with it.” The members’ efforts were finally materialized on July 25, when the “SOULKIT 2012: First Project Album” was officially released online. The album includes ten tracks, eight of which were written based on real stories sent from teenagers. Furthermore, the first Soul-kit concert was held on Aug. 7 this year in Sangsang-madang Live Hall. More than 200 people attended, filling up the entire hall. Although the influence has not been wide enough to change all the teenagers in Korea yet, Soul-kit takes pride in providing memorable experiences and trying to make a big difference to those they are able to touch. “One student with a serious complex on her appearance sent us an essay, and it was selected to be made into a song,” Moon said. “She invited her friends to the concert and told us that sharing her agony with them helped her open up and regain self-confidence. I was so proud.” Soul-kit also has a positive impact on changing the members’ personal values regarding their lives. “Before taking part in Soul-kit, my life was all about attending a prestigious university and majoring in business to get a high-profile job,” Joo said. “Through working with the members and encountering people who agreed with us and willingly offered helping hands, I realized the most important value in life: Helping others.” As Soul-kit’s official activities for this year has ended, the members’ major concern is where to donate their earnings. Among various options, the group has narrowed down to donating to two organizations: A teen suicide center or school violence prevention center, both of which concern the welfare of teenagers. Even though the exact period of the next recruitment for members is still under discussion, Soul-kit plans to continue sharing its passion and goal with the world. “Soul-kit’s ultimate aim is to trigger more attention towards teenagers,” Cho said. “Although it is just the beginning, I hope such movement continues and empowers young people by showing them that sincere dreams and passion are all you need to make a difference.” * Reporter: Chung Yoon-young & Chung Che-yoon	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line24
__label__wiki	0.831405	0.831405	Rosalía Confirms That She Is Working With Pharrell Williams \| Music News 13 Apr 2018 — Filed Under: Music, Music News Rosalía Vila, also known as Rosalía, is a Spanish flamenco singer. She released her first album in 2016 titled Los Angeles, working alongside producer and musician Raúl Refree. After, she released many songs with other artists including one with like her boyfriend, C. Tangana called “Antes De Morirme“. She is set to feature on J Balvin‘s next project and she is also working on her next solo project with Pharrell Williams. She posted a picture and video with no sound on Instagram where she appeared with other people in Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Many artists has worked at Conway including Beyoncé, the king of pop Michael Jackson, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and others. In her Instagram post, she wrote that it’s a “dream” to work with the “Happy” singer. Also, she confirmed that she will present her next album with brand new sounds at Sónar Festival. Visit her website for more information. Watch Instagram post below: es 1 sueño hacer musica contigo @pharrell 🦄🦄 s/o mike @miguelmilliones A post shared by ROSALÍA (@rosalia.vt) on Apr 12, 2018 at 12:24pm PDT Watch her last single called “Aunque Es De Noche” below: Watch “Antes De Morirme” music video with C. Tangana below: #Peace.Love.Rosalía Raúl Ramírez I was born in a small island where the nature is special, Gran Canaria. When I was a child, I felt that I wasn't like the rest. I spent my childhood around music and many films and books. When I grew up, I focused my vision in other countries and I found love in different cultures like British, American, Japanese, Korean, etc. Once time I read that “it’s no always necessary to be strong, but to feel strong”, and because of that, I consider myself a very rebel, adventuress and creative person. Latest posts by Raúl Ramírez (see all) Parra Join With Nike To Reveal A New Air Max 1 \| Fashion News - June 29, 2018 Francis And The Lights – Back In Time \| Music Video - June 29, 2018 Pale Waves – Noises \| New Music - June 29, 2018	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line25
__label__cc	0.536047	0.463953	(908) 236-8417 vanessa@dreammerchantwine.com Au Bon Climat www.aubonclimat.com WINERY HISTORY Au Bon Climat is a French term for “a well exposed vineyard site”. Being that the winery is situated in one of the preeminent vineyards in Santa Barbara County – The Bien Nacido Vineyard – the name certainly fits. It is the brain child of master winemaker Jim Clendenen. The winery was founded in 1982. The Central Coast which is now well known as one of the premiere wine growing regions in the country was in its fledgling stage. By 1989 Robert Parker, whom at that time was the dominant voice in the US wine industry, had identified ABC (as the initiated refer to it) as one of the “Best Wineries in the World”. A significant achievement for a winery only seven years old! The focus at Au Bon Climat is the production of well balanced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a clear nod to the great wines of the Burgundy region of France. Jim does own two vineyards, one at the southern end of the Santa Maria Valley called Le Bon Climat, as well as Rancho La Cuna located in Los Alamos, but he also sources grapes from many of the most historically significant vineyards in all of Santa Barbara County: Bien Nacido, Sierra Madre, Neilson, Sanford & Benedict, and Los Alamos, as well as many from outside the county: Talley Rincon (San Luis Obispo), Elke (Anderson Valley), and Barham-Mendelsohn (Russian River). Jim also produces a profound wine which emulates the original Corton Charlemagne cepage planted around 800 AD. After extensive research in France, tracing lore and legend, Jim discovered that the original plot had no Chardonnay planted at all! It was a blend made from the Burgundy clone of Pinot Gris called Pinot Buerrot, Pinot Blanc, and a bit of Aligote. The legend that surrounds this historic vineyard site is recaptured on the back label of what is Jim’s favorite white wine, Hildegard. It is named for King Charlemagne’s patient but ultimately intolerant wife. The King loved to party, and the parties lasted days. The local wine was Pinot Noir, and left quite a mess after Charlie’s bacchanalian soirees. In an effort to appease his beautiful bride he ripped out some of the vines from one of his best vineyards (Corton) and planted the above mentioned white grapes in their place. Much less messy. Party on. Au Bon Climat makes about 22 wines under this unique triangular label. Jim however, never met a grape he didn’t want to ferment, so he has spawned numerous other labels over the years to accommodate his various projects. Presently, he has consolidated most of these projects under the Clendenen Family Vineyards label, though he also makes a small amount of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir under the Ici La Bas label sourced from Oregon and the Anderson Valley. The winery is located smack in the middle of the dramatically landscaped Bien Nacido Vineyard on the outskirts of Santa Maria. It is not open to the public, however they do welcome visitors from the wine trade by invitation only. FOUNDER/WINEMAKER BIO – Jim Clendenen, The Mind Behind Jim graduated from UC Santa Barbara with honors in a Pre-Law program in 1976. And no doubt Jim would have won many arguments throughout what would have surely been an illustrious career in the courtroom, but his path took an unexpected turn while visiting France during his “junior year abroad” in 1974. He discovered that there was a life beyond tacos and beer. Upon graduation, he rewarded himself with a one month stay in Burgundy and Champagne which sealed the deal on his fate to become one of the pioneers of the Central Coast fine wine world. After a quick initiation stint as a “cellar rat” voraciously learning everything he could about the process of wine making from dirt to barrels, beginning with the 1978 harvest Jim stepped in as the Assistant Winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery – one of the first estate wineries established in Santa Barbara County. Jim being a firm believer at the time that anything worth doing is worth doing to excess, in 1981 he found a way to work 3 harvests in one year – directing the crush at wineries in Australia and France as well as on his home turf. This masochistic feat convinced him he was ready to start his own winery. He launched Au Bon Climat the following year. He began working with his now ex-partner Adam Tolmach in a leased space. He quickly cultivated a reputation for making some of the best Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the country. He also made delicious Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. By 1989 Robert Parker included Au Bon Climat on his “short list” of Best Wineries in the World. The honors and accolades have kept coming ever since. In 1991 Oz Clark selected Jim as one of 50 world-wide Creators of Modern Classic Wines. The Los Angeles Times selected him as “Winemaker of the Year” in 1992. Food & Wine Magazine selected Jim as “Winemaker of the Year” in 2001. The leading wine publication in Germany Wein Gourmet named Jim “Winemaker of the World” in 2004. And in 2007 Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America”. To this day, rarely a year goes by that Jim is not quoted in either a wine or mainstream publication as a sage sharing his passionate philosophy of producing balanced wines that are compatible with food. A style that has fallen in and out of favor over his 35 years of wine making, but never once did he consider veering from his course. Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc Chardonnay Santa Barbara “Los Alamos” Chardonnay “Sanford & Benedict” Chard “Nuits Blanches” Chard Pinot Noir Santa Barbara “La Bauge” Pinot Noir “Knox Alexander” Pinot Noir “Isabelle” Pinot Noir “Talley Rincon” Pinot Noir “Bien Nacido” Pinot Noir Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir Historic Vineyard Collection Jim Clendenen – Sell Seet © 2021 River Net Creative Industries \| A Division of River Net Computers	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line26
__label__cc	0.604635	0.395365	Egypt: Citizenship Requirements at the Test of Presidential Elections Published: 4/Jun/2012 Source: EUDO Citizenship Observatory by Gianluca Parolin (EUDO CITIZENSHIP expert, American University of Cairo) Citizenship seems to have become the last frontier of political litigation in Egypt. It had been so even before the constitutional amendments approved in a national referendum in March 2011, a month after the ousting of President Mubarak. The interest in citizenship has been recently revived by the taxing citizenship requirements set on candidates to run for Egypt’s presidency, effective 2012. In early April, the Presidential Elections Commission (PEC) decided not to put Hazim Abu Isma’il’s name on the presidential ballot because of his late mother’s acquisition of US citizenship. Abu Isma’il was a front candidate for the Islamist bloc, had started a very active campaign, and seemed to be enjoying immense popularity at the moment of his disqualification. Demonstrations against the PEC’s decision later led to the Abbasiyya riots that resulted in at least nine deaths and several hundreds injured. After the first round of presidential elections, held on 23-24 May, a case has been filed in the administrative court to demand that the two sons of the front runner for the runoffs, Mohamed Mursi (candidate of the Freedom and Justice Party, the political branch of the Muslim Brotherhood), be deprived of Egyptian citizenship on grounds of their acquisition of a foreign citizenship. The case is likely to have only minor political repercussions for two reasons. First, even if Egyptian law requires an authorisation to acquire a foreign citizenship, the decision to strip the dual national who has not obtained the authorisation of her Egyptian citizenship is not mandatory, and requires a motivated decision of the Council of Ministers (art. 10 and 16 of the Law 26/1975). Second, even in the unlikely case of the administrative court ruling to strip Mursi’s sons of Egyptian citizenship, this will not legally disqualify Mursi, as the amended art. 75 (now art. 26 of the Constitutional Declaration of 30 March 2011) does not mention the offspring’s citizenship. Read on EUDO Citizenship Observatory website: http://eudo-citizenship.eu/news/citizenship-news/655-egypt-citizenship-requirements Themes: Nationality and Elections, Nationality of Politicians Regions: North Africa, Egypt Amended amendments to the Egyptian Constitution to set high citizenship requirements for the President pass Proposed amendments to the Egyptian Constitution to set high citizenship requirements for the President and ignore external voting Benin’s landmark elections: An experiment in political transitions Identity politics at work in Gabon Former DR Congo white parliamentarian found guilty of nationality fraud	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line28
__label__cc	0.515786	0.484214	Tag Archives: musica Posted on February 23, 2012 by Daniel Aston Spanish symphonic outfit Diabulus In Musica are producing some of the most intriguing sound waves in today’s metal scene. More than just a metal band, the group takes their gothic and classical influences to a new level with their second album The Wanderer. Their debut album Secrets was met with much appraisal with each band member bringing together their own musical styles to create a unique sound along with some special collaborations from renowned musicians. I interview vocalist Zuberoa Aznárez to find out more about the new release and delve into what lies behind the construction of their material. Daniel Aston: What can fans expect from your upcoming album The Wanderer? Zuberoa Aznárez: An eclectic album, with big orchestra and choirs, hard guitars, new instruments such as the lute, different flutes, percussions, acoustic guitars… It’s an album that reflects many different feelings, emotions and sounds. DA: How has the new material developed since your debut album Secrets? ZA: I think The Wanderer it’s a big step forward. We kept our main influences: classical music and metal, but the arrangements are more ambitious and there is space for more ‘mystic’ sounds as well. I’d say this second album reflects a clear and natural evolution and maturity. The main difference between Secrets and The Wanderer is the concept, as the new album is a conceptual one. We first thought about what we wanted to tell and then start to work on the songs, having a very clear idea about how they should sound. We maybe were searching for something more like a ‘soundtrack’. Music had to fit what we wanted to tell in each song, it had to recreate the atmosphere we had in mind in each ‘scene’. I would say that The Wanderer is a very passionate album. All the feelings are perfectly captured. It’s also denser, more bombastic… but also more refined than Secrets. DA: Your debut featured contributions from a number of respected artists, can we expect any on the new record? ZA: Yes! We were honored to have Mark Jansen from EPICA grunting and screaming in the track ‘Blazing a Trail’. We invited again our friend and great soprano Maite Itoiz (for the choir, for a duet and to play the lute in one song) and her husband John Kelly (Elfenthal) who is singing in the beautiful ballad ‘Sentenced to Life’. We also invited some great classical soloists for the big choirs, most of them colleagues from classical ensembles I sing in. And well, I invited myself too hehe to play the baroque and traverse flute as well as some Celtic whistles. DA: What has been the inspiration for the lyrical side of the new material? ZA: The World itself. I usually write about my personal worries, which are mostly related with nature, freedom, spirituality and social problems. In the case of The Wanderer, it talks about a girl who has something ‘special’, ‘different’ and somehow feels isolated. She wanders searching for a place where she can finally be accepted. The whole concept is an allegory of Mother Earth, the future of humanity and human corruption and the shock among people who stays ‘pure’ or linked with Nature and modern society. It is not easy to reconcile this way of being with all the changes that society is suffering, and above all, with human corruption in all its sides. All these ‘special’ people are unfortunately starting to disappear and in my view, they are the last hope to change the World. It is so sad that human beings are forgetting where we come from! It is also kind of odd that after thinking about the concept, I’ve seen many artists talking about something similar in their works. It seems that many people perceive that society is not walking towards the right way… It is clear that some of us have this kind of ‘apocalyptic’ thoughts… Maybe that’s a good sign and we can still change? DA: The band has many musical influences and that is expressed through your music, who would you cite as your main influences? ZA: Our influences are mainly classical music and metal, although each one has a different musical background. Anyway, not all of these styles have to necessarily influence the music we write. In my case, what I like the most in the classical field is Early Music, from medieval to baroque. In rock, I started listening to hard rock bands of the 80’s when I was a child. After that I was introduced into power metal and now maybe what I like the most is symphonic and folk metal. I also love ethnic or World music. In short we don’t have only a musical influence, we like different stuff and we have no boundaries in creating music. In our music it can be found a lot of classical stuff, but also sometimes a folk-ethnic touch, electronic sounds… You can expect anything from us! ;) DA: How would you describe your music? ZA: I would say we make ‘passionate’ symphonic metal surrounded by a magic mystic halo… DA: Do you think it’s important now more than ever for a band to have a unique sound? ZA: What it is necessary is to stay true, no matter where. If you are searching for something totally different only because you think you have to, you’ll never give the best of yourself. If you are a true artistic spirit, your inspiration will guide you towards the right place, evolution is a natural thing. You need to follow your musical instincts, trying to do your best, of course. Anyway I think people should focus more on enjoying the music when they like it and when not, forget about it. I listen to the music I like, so the more bands I find of the style I like, the better for me! It’s not a matter of style, but a matter of quality and musical taste. I’m not going to like or not a band only because it is totally different from others or because it cannot be tagged. DA: How did Diabulus In Musica form originally? ZA: We all are from Pamplona, which is a small city, so almost all the metalheads here know each other. We were friends since years. I played with Gorka in a local band and Gorka played with Adrián in another one. Xabi and were also involved in the local music scene. I decided to start the project with Gorka after our previous band disappeared. We immediately thought about Adrián and he accepted immediately. Xabi and Álex joined us later. DA: What is your opinion on the current music scene with the opportunities and obstacles that appear for bands compared with previous generations? ZA: Obviously the music scene has changed a lot recently. We couldn’t say if it’s for the better or not… On the one hand, thanks to the Internet you can listen to whatever you want, before we were more limited. Also, it is easier to spread your music, but it’s more difficult to grow and also to get some money to make better albums, gigs, etc… I think there are not going to be ‘icons‘ as Metallica or AC/DC anymore… To make this possible, the music industry needs to earn a lot of money to invest in only a few bands, but as I said, there’s no money and there are many bands nowadays… DA: Are there any plans for touring once the album has been released? ZA: We are working on it. At the moment we can only confirm some gigs in Benelux and Spain. We will open for Tarja in Brussels the 27th February and for Leaves Eyes in Spain the same week. We hope we can visit more countries in Europe this year. Categories: Interview, Music \| Tags: 2012, anzarez, aston, dan, daniel, diabulus, in, interview, metal blade, musica, records, the, wanderer, zuberoa	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line34
__label__wiki	0.514097	0.514097	Why Do They Hate U.S.? We are not exactly the flavor of the month in most countries abroad. In fact, we haven't been that popular for a long time, but recently the hatred of the United States as a country has reached a new peak. A survey last spring showed a further decline in the American reputation: [In 1999-2000], in a State Department survey, 78% of Germans said they had a favorable view of the U.S. That fell to 61% in our 2002 poll – and to 45% in the survey conducted this spring. Opinion of the U.S. in France has followed a similar track: 62% positive in 1999-2000, 63% last year and 43% in the most recent survey. What is most striking, however, is how anti-Americanism has spread. It is not just limited to Western Europe or the Muslim world. In Brazil, 52% expressed a favorable opinion of the U.S. in 2002; this year, that number dropped to 34%. And in Russia, there has been a 25-point decline in positive opinions of the U.S. over the past year (61% to 36%). If anything, fear and loathing of the U.S. has intensified in recent months. A Eurobarometer survey conducted among European Union countries in October found that as many people rate the U.S. as a threat to world peace as say that about Iran. Even in the United Kingdom, the United States' most trusted European ally, 55% see the U.S. as a threat to global peace. And in four countries – Greece, Spain, Finland and Sweden – the United States is viewed as the greatest threat to peace, more menacing than Iran or North Korea. The U.S. image in the Middle East has been dismal for some time. State Department surveys show that, four years ago, just 23% of Jordanians expressed a favorable view of the U.S. What has changed is that these sentiments have now spread to predominantly Muslim countries far outside of the region. Just 15% of Indonesian Muslims look favorably at the U.S. – down from 61% in 2002, there is considerable evidence that the opinion many Muslims have of the United States has gone beyond mere loathing. In this year's Pew survey, majorities in seven of eight predominantly Muslims nations believe the U.S. may someday threaten their country -- including 71% in Turkey and 58% in Lebanon. And Muslims are increasingly hostile to Americans as well as America; in the past, as the 1983 Newsweek survey showed, people did not let their distaste for U.S. policies affect their view of the American people. Whether this trend is worrying depends on whom one asks. The American neoconservatives don't care, of course: the Empire is strong enough without a single ally, they think, and 'power is to be exercised -never negotiated'. But Americans answering a recent poll about the importance of foreign opinions beg to differ. Three quarters of the respondents felt that the poor American reputation in other countries is a problem, especially in the war against terrorism. I think that it might also prove uncomfortable in many other international fields such as the containment of infectious diseases, environmental protection and global trade, not to mention the unpleasantness it causes the average American tourist abroad. Some signs of these more general problems are already visible: The Bush administration has suffered a significant loss of leadership already as a result of snubbing its nose at diplomatic relations. Treated as children by clumsy and arrogant U.S. diplomats..., many nations are rebelling with angry rhetoric and contrary policies. International trade meetings reflect this defiance. The failure of the World Trade Organization talks in Cancun, the implosion of the FTAA in Miami, and the lack of results at the Special Summit of the Americas in Monterrey are evidence of the mounting resistance to U.S.-tailored economic integration. They also reflect a widespread and deepening rejection of the "our way or the highway" diplomacy of the Bush administration. The causes of American unpopularity elsewhere are many and some of them are likely to be present for a long time. The United States is the only remaining superpower and as such will stay an object of envy and fear for that reason alone. Its general policies affect other countries in ways which are not always taken into account by those who make the policy, and this causes understandable resentment in the affected countries when the results are negative. There will always be a dislike of the U.S. as so much wealthier than the majority of the world, and disagreement about its proper role in the development of the poor countries. American values differ considerably from those in Western Europe; Americans are more religious than any other developed country, most favor capital punishment, and the U.S. currently votes on social issues in the United Nations in a block with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan. The military might of the U.S. makes the military budgets of other countries look ridiculous. And the U.S. Middle East policy has been a cause for anger in the Arab world for a long time. But the current administration has certainly made things much worse than they needed to be. It is Bush that most foreigners fear and loathe, not the American people. He has succeeded in focusing so many negative emotions on one man by acting as an international bully boy. The Europeans, in particular, hate his unilateral policies and the withdrawal of the U.S. from environmental treaties or the attempt to build a global legal court. And the concept of 'pre-emptive defense' causes people sleepless nights all over the world. If Bush intends to globally advertize the neoconservative policy of 'might makes right', he is doing a great job. He recently boasted about being a 'war president' as part of the 2004 election campaign. But how will this boast sound abroad? Given that the United States is not currently involved in a formal war, the president's bellicose language--"I make decisions here in the Oval Office in foreign policy matters with war on my mind"--has set other nations, allies and foes alike, on edge. Around the world, the administration's approach to international affairs has governments and their citizens feeling alienated and apprehensive. It's all very unfair to all decent and nice Americans who know that they are not the sort of war-hungry, dollar-grasping monsters that the foreigners fear and loathe, and who might not have even voted for Bush in the first place. And now they can't even be sure of a friendly reception on their next vacation trip to somewhere exotic. Most unfair. No wonder that the Bush administration is trying to mend matters by various advertizing campaigns and by attacking those foreign news organizations that portray the most anti-American messages. But these are vain attempts, because the reason for the anti-American sentiment are largely not in biased reporting or ignorance about what America stands for. Consider this parable to the current U.S. situation: A small village somewhere has a varied population. Most inhabitants are quite poor, a small number (the minister, the lawyer, the teacher and so on) are relatively well-off, and one family, those who live in the big manor house, are rich. Traditionally, the village has pulled together in solving the common problems of fighting crime, maintaining the roads and caring for the environment, though the shares of each inhabitant in the total costs of these activities have disproportionately fallen to the more affluent. Then the manor house is sold to a new owner. The village organizes a welcoming party in the village hall and hangs up banners to greet the new owners of the manor. But the new owners refuse to attend the party; instead they inform the rest of the village that they will no longer participate in the maintenance of roads or the prevention of pollution or the police activities. When they are asked about the wisdom of this choice, they point out that they can afford to hire their own defense forces and to maintain adequate nature in their own park. They don't need roads as they commute by private helicopters. Things go on like that for a time. Then there is a break-in at the manor house: a criminal gang kills some of the owners' family members and burns down part of the building. The village acts as one, sending food and cards and asking how they can help. The owners of the manor house tell the whole village to go out to apprehend the killer, the house is turned into a fortress, and the owners still stay away from all village parties. Slowly the roads fall into disrepair and pollution levels rise. The police force (consisting of one officer) is overstretched by the need to keep looking for the criminal gang that attacked the manor house, and everyday tasks remain undone. Then the manor owners suddenly decide that it might be useful to open the house and garden for a day so that the general riff-raff could see how kind and generous the new owners are. Nobody turns up. This is very much like the U.S. world standing right now. Unfair? For ordinary Americans, very much so. That's why it is so urgent for all of them to vote in the next elections. On Chicken Litter and Mushrooms What do these two have in common? Probably nothing except for the fact that they will both perform in this post, one about the wonders of politics and policies. First this piece of very good news: The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the following things can no longer be fed to cows: cow blood, poultry litter (consisting of bedding, spilled feed, feathers and fecal matter), and restaurant wastes. I don't know whether to feel relieved that they've been removed from the list or shocked that they were ever on it to begin with. And I shudder to think what's still on the list. If a human who likes to snack on other humans is called a cannibal, what is a cow who drinks cow blood called? At least the humans had some choice in developing their weird culinary tastes. Got milk? Next, something that has to do with mushrooms: ...the Arizona state legislature is led by the draconian speaker Jake Flake. When one moderate Republican representative voted for the governor's program for basic children's services, he was stripped of his committee chairmanship. The conservatives at the statehouse are known as the "Kool-Aid Drinkers", after the religious cultists who committed mass suicide, while the few remaining moderate Republicans call themselves the "Mushroom Coalition" - kept in the dark and covered with excrement. I love mushrooms. Too bad that from now on I'll be thinking it's moderate Republicans that are sliding down my throat with a bit of garlic butter as an accompaniment. The U.S.A as a Smorgasbord The following are my musings on recent political events here, from the AWOL debate about the president to the proposal of a constitutional amendment to 'defend' marriage. The United States of America is not a melting pot, or even a tossed salad of different ingredients. If it resembles any culinary treat at all, it resembles the smorgasbord: an offering of many separate dishes together; some cold, some hot, some savory, some sweet. It encourages greed and gorging, and the outcome of this is indigestion when the warring ingredients meet each other in the stomach. Indigestion and possibly ulcers. But also an exquisite sensory experience, a cookbook full of flavors. Whatever one wishes to eat, the smorgasbord provides it: old, familiar dishes in abundance, novel experiments from every culinary culture ever invented. Still, too much variety in food causes increased appetite which causes obesity, an engorgement of everything from myths and religion to body sizes. We dinner guests at this table are obese in such a way, full of grandiose dreams and stomach aches, conflicting desires and violent rage, beautiful principles and the intent to be good. But to feel this maelstrom in ones stomach is hard, so hard and painful. It would be a relief to simplify the menu, limit it to wholesome myths and stories, lofty principles, easy ideas. No dinner guest can agree about which these might be, of course, so the menu can be changed only with force, ruthlessness, aggression, which are then met with force, ruthlessness and aggression. For how could it be otherwise when ones favorite dishes are threatened, those on which everything depends? And threatened by someone who is not the same, is different, is The Other (who shouldn't have been allowed in the room in the first place, should be booted out now, or at least made to respect this religion, this ideology, this language, this dish.). There is a violence in this country, in its dining-room, which differs from the violence of guns and knives. This is violence as a basic push-and-shove in how to run a country, a kitchen or a world, open and in-your-face kind of violence. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you're not for us you're against us. America: love it or leave it. But what do you expect, no mere mortal can survive serenely the overabundance, the glut of aromas, tastes, philosophies which attack each other, and the diners, at this table of choices. No mere mortal in some other countries even needs to try, for smorgasbords are rare, and many nations have long ago agreed on a menu of just a few dishes. Boring, perhaps, or, as many believe, a sign of government oppression on freedom of choice. But not always; in some cases the choice of dishes is limited because that is what the diners wish, having come to their preference along the same shared road of a shared past. This may have once contained a smorgasbord, too, but the battles it caused, if any, are now faded into a shared mythology. But the United States of America is a teenager, as countries go, and its repast is freshly laid. The ingredients are appetizing: freedom, faith, justice, equality of opportunity, but the final dishes can't satisfy everybody: private property, religious orthodoxy, free markets, democracy, equality. Which would you like to sample? How about intolerance, fanaticism and aggression? No? But these, too, are on offer. And so are caring, neighborliness, kindness. So the dinner guests pick and choose, watching other diners with wary suspicion, urging them to try a different dish, and when this fails, forcing them to do so. Or they taste every dish on the table, hoping that the hot balances the cold, the savory neutralizes the sweet. No wonder that it sometimes seems better if someone else plans the menu: Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Ayn Rand, Rupert Murdoch, or perhaps even a divine power or a president. But this would never satisfy the majority of the diners. Blog Maintenance and Quarter- Anniversary I now have trackback, so ping to your heart's content. The other blog maintenance is of the sort that most of my housekeeping tasks tend to be: on the eternal to-do list. I plan to reorganize the links and add to them considerably when I get a round tuit. And this is not really maintenance, but my blogging career is now three months old, and I wish to thank all of you who read here for that. I have met many wonderful people here, I have learned a lot and I have had great fun. I hope you haven't been bored to death, either. In any case, I plan for another three months. The Presidential Prayer Team Do you belong to it? Is it real or a joke? I'm still not sure, but this article about the presidential prayer team is excellent. A short excerpt: I was praying in private until someone got the bright idea of starting a Presidential Prayer Team. If you sign up on the Internet--no fee required--you get a sticker that shows George Washington genuflecting, his head bowed, his hat in hand. Each week members receive an e-mail detailing the difficulties the President must deal with that week so that they can pray for heavenly guidance. After all, scientific studies have shown that prayer helps those who are ill to heal even when they don’t know that people are praying for them! (What kind of a control group did they use for this study, I wonder?) So I signed up and the e-mails started coming. They asked for God’s blessings on Bush and various members of Congress. (Heaven knows they need our prayers: 435 people who can’t agree on what to put on a pizza are making decisions for our whole country!) They prayed for the debut of Mel Gibson’s controversial film on Jesus Christ, and for the end of "unlawful unions" taking place between same-sex couples in San Francisco, though I can’t imagine what either of those issues have to do with the presidency. They offer weekly prayers for the members of the president’s cabinet and the Supreme Court. So I looked again: All of the names mentioned are _Republican_ members of the government. How odd. If I were a conservative, I think I’d be praying to change some liberal minds. What America do the founders of the Presidential Prayer Team live in? It doesn’t look like my America. Where I live, there are people living on the streets. In winter, they are forced by the cold into emergency shelters. There are more food banks than ever and greater contributions than in the past but they still run short. Seniors buy their drugs from Canada; they used to buy them from Mexico before the U.S. government forbade us to buy them there. So much for NAFTA. Women on welfare have no childcare and few choices. I’ve never seen them mentioned as recipients of the Presidential Prayer Team rogations. Do read the whole thing. Rara Avis, Part V: The Life and Times of Caitlin Flanagan She's the newest staff writer of the venerable New Yorker, one of such literary talents that her fuzzy thinking and careless ways with evidence are quite forgiven by the East Coast Literary Establishment. What would they not forgive for a brilliant writer who is a woman (a definite boost for the affirmative action lefties) and a feminist-basher (an equal bonus for the life-is-a-jungle-and-home-its-refuge righties)? Now the intelligentsia can have their very own Dr. Laura, a woman who tells how it is, puts the blame squarely where it belongs, and suffers no emotional nonsense. Flanagan sees her role at the New Yorker as the insightful critic of the modern family life, a sort of hybrid of Mary McCarthy and Erma Bombeck. That this family life will only belong to the upper classes and that the insightfully critical eye will only focus on the women in these families goes without saying, at least to anyone who has read her columns during the last two years in the Atlantic Monthly. Which I have done, one of those small things that I like to do to make a life worth living for others. Just as Flanagan believes in the importance of using real napkins as opposed to paper tissues at home dinners, I believe that her writing deserves real scrutiny rather than merely superficial murmurs of "You go, girl." Her Atlantic Monthly columns, all book reviews, are wonderful little mini sermons on the importance of being a housewife and on the nastiness of educated career-minded women, and I'm using the word 'housewife' quite advisedly here. Flanagan doesn't like stay-at-home-mothers; she likes women who revel in ironing their husband's shirts, planning dust ruffles, darning socks and telling their children to get out of their hair. You might think that she'd therefore be very fond of me, for example, as I'm excellent at all those tasks. You would be wrong. I'm one of the nasties in her books as I'm also highly educated and career-minded. Women must be one-or-the-other in Flanagan's world, and one side must wear the white hats (the good), the other one the black hats (the bad). I was initially quite shocked to find how deeply Flanagan hates the uppity women of our times. To explain what I mean, here are some examples of her opinions on them:* "De-cluttering a household is a task that appeals strongly to today's professional woman. It's different from actual housework, because it doesn't have to be done every day...Scrubbing the toilet bowl is a bit of nastiness that can be fobbed off on anyone poor and luckless enough to qualify for no better employment..." (March 2002) "...this is a book from the perspective of "high-achieving women", and the main impression we get of the type is that they are going to get exactly what they want, and damn the expense or the human toll. These are women who have roared through the highest echelons of the country's blue-chip law firms, investment banks, and high tech companies.... Hewlett does her best to make us sympathetic toward such fiercely driven women, but the comments of a young male New Yorker—meant to reveal what cads high-achieving single men can be—backfire on her. He observes, "There's a whole bunch of them where I work. They're armed to the teeth with degrees—MBAs and the like—they're real aggressive, they love to take control, and they have this fierce hunger for success and for stuff. Everything they do and everything they want is expensive.""(June 2002) "the hotshot career women who can't manage to coax eligible men into the honeymoon suite."(November 2002) Take that, you selfish investment bankers, physicians, lawyers, scientists and - dare I even say this? - journalists. You must choose: either stay on the course, and you will be punished with eternal singlehood or a loveless, sexless marriage in a messy, uninviting house, or repent and join the new Future Housewives of America with Caitlin Flanagan. If you do the latter, your life will be good, she vows: What's missing from so many affluent American households is the one thing you can't buy—the presence of someone who cares deeply and principally about that home and the people who live in it; who is willing to spend a significant portion of each day thinking about what those people are going to eat and what clothes they will need for which occasions; who knows when it's time to turn the mattresses and when the baby needs to be taken out for a bit of fresh air and sunshine. Because I have no desire to be burned in effigy by the National Organization for Women, I am impelled to say that this is work Mom or Dad could do, but in my experience women seem more willing to do it. Feminists are dogged in their belief that liberated, right-on men will gladly share equally in domestic concerns, but legions of eligible men who enjoy nothing more than an industrious morning spent tidying the living room and laundering the dust ruffle have yet to materialize. (March 2002) It turns out that the "traditional" marriage, which we've all been so happy to annihilate, had some pretty good provisions for many of today's most stubborn marital problems, such as how to combine work and parenthood, and how to keep the springs of the marriage bed in good working order. What's interesting about the sex advice given to married women of earlier generations is that it proceeds from the assumption that in a marriage a happy sex life depends upon orderly and successful housekeeping. (Jan/Feb 2003) Of course, you might not agree with Flanagan that it is pointless to expect men to carry out any household chores or childrearing, or that sex indeed is a wifely duty (as she argues in the column from which the second quote is taken). If these trouble you or if you wonder what evidence she might have for the argument that people in traditional marriages had better sex, well, then you're probably one of the black hats and not intended to read the Atlantic Monthly or the New Yorker in the first place. You are not in their desired readership profile. Flanagan is a stubbornly dualistic thinker. That housewives equal 'good' and professional women equal 'bad' is only one example of this pattern. Another one is her habit of seeing the world as consisting of only two classes: the upper class where women have nannies for their children and the class of the poor immigrants from which these nannies come. There is something innocently childlike about this vision of the world, as there is also in her fictional dream of a housewife's life, but the truth is that her treatment totally omits all the women whose lives fit none of these descriptions, and these women are numerically the majority. And what about men in Flanagan's writings? Here are some of her views on the male sex: The national Boy Project may have taught America's young men to treat women with new respect in the classroom and the boardroom, and it has certainly prepared them for an unprecedented amount of no-strings nooky; what it has not impelled them to do is to make a bride of every hard-charging woman who suddenly—and fleetingly—wants to play fifties girl with a diamond solitaire and a box full of Tiffany invitations. (December 2002) What we've learned during this thirty-year grand experiment is that men can be cajoled into doing all sorts of household tasks, but they will not do them the way a woman would. They will bathe the children, but they will not straighten the bath mat and wring out the washcloths; they will drop a toddler off at nursery school, but they won't spend ten minutes chatting with the teacher and collecting the art projects. They will, in other words, do what men have always done: reduce a job to its simplest essentials and utterly ignore the fillips and niceties that women tend to regard as equally essential. And a lot of women feel cheated and angry and even—bless their hearts—surprised about this. In the old days, of course, men's inability to perform women's work competently was a source of satisfaction and pride to countless housewives. A reliable sitcom premise involved Father's staying home for a day while Mother handled things at his office; chastened and newly admiring of the other's abilities, each ran gratefully back to familiar terrain. Under these conditions, pity the poor married man hoping to get a bit of comfort from the wife at day's end. He must somehow seduce a woman who is economically independent of him, bone tired, philosophically disinclined to have sex unless she is jolly well in the mood, numbingly familiar with his every sexual maneuver, and still doing a slow burn over his failure to wipe down the countertops and fold the dish towel after cooking the kids' dinner. He can hardly be blamed for opting instead to check his e-mail, catch a few minutes of SportsCenter, and call it a night . (Jan/Feb 2003) The Between Boyfriends Book describes men in a manner so dismissive and callous that had a man written such a book about women, the cries of misogyny would be deafening. But upper-middle-class women hold a lot of power in our culture these days. Still, though, there's one bit of power women will never wrest from men: the decision to deem one group of women candidates for marriage and another group candidates for quick and quasi-anonymous sex. (December 2003) It's a long time since I last read something similar to these ideas. In fact, it was in the 1950's. Flanagan's men are 1950's men, unchanged and unchangeable. Do they wear white or black hats in her tales about life? This is difficult to decide: on the one hand men are given the freedom and liberty not to have any nonfinancial responsibilities towards their wives and children, on the other hand men are treated as genetically incapable of learning the simplest household chore if it hasn't always been labeled a guys' job. Given Flanagan's tendency towards rigid, dualistic thinking, there must be one Wicked Witch orchestrating all these breakdowns in the family lives of the comfortable classes. And there is! It's feminism, as is pretty evident from the quotes I have included here. Feminism is all wrong, thinks Flanagan, because men will always be 1950's men and women will always have higher housekeeping standards than men. For Caitlin Flanagan feminism was and is nothing but an upper class white woman's ego trip. Her view of feminism pays no attention to feminist-sponsored legislation that now guarantees equal treatment of women and men at work or in education or to the feminist-initiated changes in societal views on rape and domestic violence. That it might actually be a good thing for the society to have women who are physicians or lawyers or politicians or managers or even journalists doesn't seem to occur to her either. Instead, her latest book review takes a step even further and accuses feminism (i.e. uppity women's ego trips) of surviving only due to serfdom (i.e. the use of nannies from poor, developing countries). In fact, it's titled "How Serfdom Saved the Women's Movement". This article contains revelations about Flanagan's own life that stunned me. It turns out that she hired a nanny to help her in the house while she was trying to be a good housewife, and it turns out that neither she nor her husband have ever changed the sheets in their beds. Either they have the filthiest house imaginable, or - is this too mean to say? - a form of serfdom must be taking place in their household: someone else is changing the sheets. It is now very hard for me to take anything she writes seriously. Yet she does talk about topics which are important, and she does have a point, though not the one she thinks she has. If she could only drop her obsession about the uppity feminists, she might notice that what she's really writing about is class, and class is one of the few things that are non-mentionable in the mainstream media. That's why it is quite acceptable to blame professional women who employ nannies under poor working conditions, as this is a problem caused by selfish, ambitious women (and the job of child-rearing, in any case, is seen as not a job at all, but something women are supposed to do for nothing), but not acceptable to ask about the wages and benefits of the person who bags your groceries at the supermarket or cleans your windshield at the gas station or vacuums and dusts your office at work. She also has a second unintended point, and that is the tremendous demands of work that are now seen as expected. Most professionals think nothing about sixty hour workweeks, and much longer weeks than that are not unheard of. What is homelife like for someone with such hours? Never mind if the worker is male or female, there is something deeply disturbing in expecting someone to work so hard that no meaningful time can be spared for ones nearest and dearest. And Flanagan is right to state that those in the upper classes can refuse such hours; it doesn't make them or their families starve. Indeed, I'd like to see a major strike amongst the well-heeled, with a general renewed emphasis on the goal of an eight-hour day for all workers, and Barbara Ehrenreich, at least, agrees with me. Flanagan is even partly right in goading feminists to work harder on behalf of the poorest women, though her total refusal to acknowledge that any such work is already being done makes it tricky to find the arguments where her accusations are valid. I suspect that Caitlin Flanagan will not try to adjust her writing so as to properly address these issues. Why not continue with the recipe that has proven so successful: the general bashing of uppity women? In this she's not really a rare bird, of course, but rather a participant in a female growth industry with such luminosities as Camilla Paglia, Ann Coulter, Wendy McElroy and Laura Schlessinger: the anti-feminist movement. The more I think about this series, the more convinced I become that I'm a poor human-watcher, that my copybook is full of jottings about the most ordinary of all sparrows: people in the service of the prevailing powers. Now, if I could find the male equivalent of Caitlin Flanagan, a man who consistently and mercilessly bashes other men as men rather than as individuals, now that would be a find! A true rara avis for my collections. Can anybody help me here? *You can link to the articles from which these quotes were taken by going to the back issues of the Atlantic Monthly . They are ordered by year and month, and Flanagan is always under the Book Reviews in the lists of contents. 1. "Girls having sex with snakes" shouldn't bring up my blog. Do you hear me, Google? 2. Listen to old Herodotus: When Heracles reached the country which is now Scythia, the weather was bad and it was bitterly cold, so he drew his lion's skin over him and went to sleep. While he slept, the horses which he had unharnessed from his chariot and turned loose to graze mysteriously disappeared. As soon as he awoke Heracles began to look for them, and roamed all over the country until he came at last to a place called Hylaea, or the Woodland, where in a cave he found a viper-maiden - a creature which from the buttocks upwards was a woman, but below them was a snake. Can you guess who he is talking about here? For a moment he looked at her in astonishment; then asked if she had seen his mares straying around. She replied that they were in her own keeping, and promised to return them to him on condition that he lay with her. Utter rubbish. I didn't have to use any extortion methods whatsoever! Heracles complied. The viper-woman, however, did not at once give him back the mares, but put off the fulfilment of her bargain in order to keep Heracles as long as possible for her lover, though all he wanted himself was to get the horses and go. All he wanted was to get the horses and go. Right! And pigs do fly. Herodotos got it all wrong, and it gets even worse after this bit. Lies, all lies. Why Herodotos calls his book The Histories is one of those eternal mysteries, in the same class as the Fox News' slogan "Fair and Balanced". Come to think of it, the two sources have a lot in common, though Herodotos is considerably more entertaining. Rara Avis, Part V: The Life and Times of Caitlin F...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line36
__label__cc	0.654426	0.345574	T’ESTIMO by Faiyaz \| 29 June 2017 \| Europe, Spain, Travel Barcelona, t'estimo. It's the city that keeps on giving, unconditionally. Gems to be discovered and enjoyed are scattered generously throughout every street. And speaking of streets, Barcelona is the dream city for people who, like myself, enjoy exploring on foot. The neat, grid-like plan of the city means that with a dash of patience, you could effectively get to most of your destinations. Till date, I've never heard anyone say that they didn't enjoy their time in Barcelona, or that they ever felt bored. There's so much to do and see, whether you're an explorer, a culture vulture, a foodie, a sports fan (Força Barça!), a shopaholic or a beach bum. Personally, I'm a little bit of everything. Despite visiting twice already, there's still enough reason for me to visit a third time (fingers crossed). Places to visit and things to do... Antoni Gaudí's architecture - if you can, you should check all of them out. The ones on the top of my list are La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Parc Güell and Palau Güell. Gaudí's eccentric eye and uncontainable imagination have resulted in some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen. Parc De La Ciutadella - perfect for a picnic, especially in the warmer months. It's always bustling with life, making it a great spot to people watch. At one end you're greeted by the majestic Arc De Triomf, and at the other, the Barcelona Zoo. Neighbourhoods to explore - Las Ramblas is a long stretch of one of the most crowded promenades and is teeming with tourists. Here you'll find everything from markets and art to souvenirs and street food. Do remain alert, because... On my first visit to Granada, I proudly proclaimed that "the city definitely warrants a second visit". A year later while touring Spain, I proved myself right. As often happens after you discover something great, when you experience it again and again, it seems to lose it's charm - it's never as good as the first time. An experiential desensitisation, if you will. However, it's definitely not so with Granada. Other than the 40 degree temperature difference from my previous visit, everything else was the same. The same ease of life lingered in the air, seducing you with every breath. The same levels of awe for what has remained from it's explosive history, juxtaposed with the repose of modernity. When you're under the Andalusian sun, surrounded by so many gems waiting to be discovered, with Sierra Nevada as a backdrop, there is almost nothing that could make you feel any sort of tension. It's as if life itself in Granada is rose-tinted. I think it's now safe to say that it's one of my favourite cities to travel to and I look forward to these future visits. In the meantime, here are some snapshots from my brief return to a most magical place. Wearing: Mango - Shirt // Acne Studios - Trousers // Gloria Ortiz - Hat // Bershka...	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line41
__label__cc	0.585608	0.414392	International wood pellets markets - a retrospection on 2008 Wood pellets prices up in Europe RWE Innogy to establish one of the biggest wood pellet pla... New school in Fredericton to be heated with wood pellets Sweden consumes more than 20% of the world’s wood pellets... Industrial wood pellet prices flat in Europe Nashwaak Valley Wood Energy to start second shift at pelle... The use of wood pellets as fuel for domestic stoves and boilers and for co-firing in thermal power plants has been an amazing success story over the past 10 years. Recently, the exorbitant speed of growth caused supply problems and a slowdown of markets, but the next boom is waiting, says Christian Rakos. Fuel pellets made from wood wastes - and in some cases also from agricultural residues such as straw - are no newcomer.They were actually invented in the late 1970s in the USA, and led a very quiet life in small niches for two decades before a furious market development started in Europe.This was followed by renewed interest in the USA and subsequently worldwide. While this renewed interest in pellets has been confined to a limited number of markets in Europe - Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Germany and Italy being the major areas of interest - sales of pellet heating equipment in these markets has been growing on an average between 30% and 50% per year during the last decade. In addition, the use of pellets for co-combustion in coal-fired plants has grown dynamically and by 2006, markets for heat and power absorbed about the same amount of pellet fuels at 3.5 million tonnes per year each. High oil prices in the autumn of 2005 accelerated sales of pellet-fired stoves and boilers, while a very cold winter in Europe created both stronger demand and a significant shortage of raw material for pellet production. With wood harvesting at a standstill due to the extremely low temperatures and large amounts of snow, the combination of rapidly growing demand and supply-side problems created unexpected shortages of pellets in both European and US markets. A continued shortage of raw material through 2006 finally led to a sharp increase in prices, which rose within a few months from a residential average of [euro]180 per tonne of bulk pellets delivered to [euro]270/tonne. These price increases were experienced in most of the European countries with developed pellet markets, though some younger markets with a small number of market players, such as Ireland, experienced less price volatility. The effect of this price volatility on market development was significant. Rising pellet prices drew significant media attention and supply shortages knocked consumer confidence in the 'new' product.As a consequence, sales of pellet stoves and boilers dropped for the first time in a decade, both in EU markets and the USA. Pellet producers were also affected by the extremely mild winter of 2006-2007, with the warm weather curbing demand for fuel by about 30% in Europe compared with a typical year, and leaving them with high stock levels. THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET SITUATION Pellets were developed in the USA as a reaction to the energy crisis in the late 1970s and pellet stoves became quite popular during this period in a few forested regions.As energy prices dropped again, pellet markets were quiet for almost 20 years, until, with rising oil prices, the interest in pellet stoves was rekindled. Pellet stove sales grew from 40,000 in 2000 to 150,000 in 2006, putting growing pressure on pellet supply. In winter 2006 significant pellet shortages occurred on both the west and east coasts of the US. Production has recently grown significantly, but the supply situation varies from region to region. The West Coast still tends towards undersupply, over capacity is available in the northern Midwest, while the situation on the East Coast shows a supply-demand balance. Large distances in the US, coupled with a lack of train transport facilities, make logistics difficult when it comes to moving pellets from those places with oversupply to places with undersupply. Shortages again led to a considerable decline in demand for pellet stoves in 2007. Over the border, Canada is currently the country with the largest potential for the production of wood pellets. The availability of extremely large volumes of trees destroyed by the mountain pine beetle disaster in British Columbia represents a huge resource that could be utilized for pellet production. Ambitious plans to realize large-scale pellet production from these resources have not, so far, materialized, however. As domestic utilization of pellets is still very low in Canada, producers are strongly dependent on exports, mainly to the USA and Europe. Sharply rising shipping rates have made pellet transport to Europe expensive recently and made it more difficult for Canadian producers to compete with European rivals. Export to the USA is also difficult due to high transport costs and the low value of the American dollar. Significant interest has developed recently in Canada to look at the opportunities to use pellets in the domestic market, particularly for commercial heating applications. THE SCANDINAVIAN SITUATION Sweden is currently the world's largest pellet market, with overall pellet demand reaching 1.6 million tonnes in 2006. Pellets are used both for residential heating and in large combined heat and power (CHP) plants.The Swedish market also experienced considerable price increases in 2006 and a temporary decline of demand for residential pellet heating systems, and Swedish pellet prices are significantly higher than than those in central Europe at the moment. However, Sweden has very high energy taxes on fossil fuels, making pellets, even at [euro]220/tonne, 50% less expensive than fuel oil. New data published by the Danish Energy Agency reveals that the Danish market development has been strongly influenced by changes in that country's political framework conditions. During the late 1990s the Danish market for residential pellets boilers was one of the most dynamic markets in Europe.A sudden change of policies was introduced by a new conservative government, which cancelled all subsidies for renewable energies.This led to an immediate decline in the market after 2000. Between 2004 and 2006 the demand for pellets for residential heating increased again and grew by about 200,000 tonnes. Pellets are also used extensively in district heating plants and power plants in Denmark. Given limited domestic wood resources, straw pellets are also used here, and the amount of imported wood pellets is growing significantly. THE UK AND IRELAND Ireland is an interesting example of how fast a market can be established by financial incentives. Pellet heating in Ireland was virtually non-existent when in March 2006 the Greener Home Scheme was implemented.This subsidy scheme offered [euro]4200 grants for pellet boiler installation, [euro]1800 for pellet central heating stoves and [euro]1100 for pellet stoves. Within one year 4000 applications were submitted to the scheme, although the number of realized projects was lower. Nevertheless, according to Sustainable Energy Ireland, 1900 pellet boilers, 240 central heating stoves and 330 stoves were installed between April 2006 and August 2007.Another subsidy scheme implemented for commercial use of pellets, the Renewable Heat Programme, offers subsidies of up to 30% for commercial applications of biomass.Within a year 52 projects were realized and further 74 applications for the programme accepted. In many cases the projects are in a power range of 500 kW to 2 MW. However, one problem for the Irish market is that there is only one producer of pellets. Even though this producer has a very modest pricing policy, a wider supply base is required to give consumers confidence of supply.At present three further pellet production projects are in the process of being planned with an overall production capacity of 150,000 tonnes and pellets are also offered by various importers. Typically for a new market, inconsistent pellet quality and some poor-quality boilers introduced by local companies with no experience of working with the new fuel have created some problems.With the fundamental role of quality in sustained market success not properly understood by all players in an immature market, public policies can be helpful to establish quality criteria for subsidies, training courses and standards. At present pellets are used in the UK predominately in power plants - their use in single family households is negligible. The market for larger biomass boilers suitable for heating residential blocks or larger buildings has been more promising. In many cases these boilers use wood chips rather than pellets, however.At present only small amounts of pellets are being produced in the UK although this is set to change - estimates suggest that by 2010 about 400,000 tonnes of pellets could be produced in the UK annually. A number of political initiatives could speed up the development of pellet use in the UK. For instance, a rapidly growing number of local authorities are starting to apply the so-called Merton Rule.This rule, which was introduced in the London suburb of Merton, requires all new building projects with more than 1000 m2 of usable space or more than 10 individual buildings to source at least 10% of their energy requirements from renewable sources. Such a ruling forces the construction industry to consider the different possibilities of renewable energy in residential construction and it may be expected that the industry will quickly realise that in terms of a cost-benefit relationship, pellet heating performs much better than most other options. From April 2008 to 2011 an extensive carbon emission reduction target programme will be carried out in the UK with overall budget of #3.2 billion ([euro]4.3 billion). The goal of the programme is to realize a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by households.The programme is to be carried out by utilities that have full freedom to realize a range of different measures.Again, it may be expected that utilities will quickly realise where the cost effective opportunities are and focus on pellet heating projects. The UK government is also presently considering a subsidy scheme for renewable heat.This move has been influenced by the prospect of the upcoming renewable energy directive from the European Union, which will create the first incentive to use renewable heat at EU level. The future use of pellets in the power markets in Great Britain could be very significant, too. It is, however, highly dependent on the regulatory framework and financial incentives. The regulatory framework conditions for biomass co-firing have still not yet been established. In France the first official statistics for the sales of pellet boilers have been recently published by the French Energy Agency ADEME. According to these statistics, 210 pellet boilers were sold in France in 2004 while in 2005 and 2006 this figure grew to 895 and 4690 respectively. French pellet production in 2006 reached 120,000 tonnes and was expected to grow to 200,000 tonnes in 2007.The demand for pellet boilers was initially restricted to the eastern parts of France, which were influenced by the booming German market, but the use of pellet boilers is now starting to grow in Central and Western France. Many established pellet boiler producers - most of them Austrian - have entered the French market where the political framework conditions are beneficial. Pellets and pellet boilers are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 5.5%, and 50% of pellet boiler costs can be deducted from income tax payments. In addition, regional subsidies are available. France has a large potential to exploit pellets due to the significant forest coverage and the large traditional use of wood. As in France,Austria has played a key role as a pioneering market for residential use of pellets in boilers. This role developed from more than 20 years of R&D in woodchip combustion, which could be immediately applied to pellets as soon as the new fuel appeared on the market. It was Austrian companies that introduced pellet boilers to Germany and several other European countries and no country has a comparable level of market penetration of pellet boilers. In 2006 some 12.5% of all sold boilers for residential use were pellet boilers. Austrian pellet production has been growing continuously and will exceed 1 million tonnes in 2008.The current political discussion on carbon dioxide reduction in Austria could lead to increased financial incentives that, together with the ongoing oil price rally, can be expected to again show significant market growth in 2008. Due to the ample supply of high quality pellets from Austria, a booming pellet stove business was also able to develop in Italy. According to recently released data from Italian stove producers, some 90,000 pellet stoves were sold in Italy in 2005. In 2006 this figure had increased to 220,000 stoves making the country currently the largest market for pellet stoves worldwide.The volume and speed of growth on the Italian market shows the huge potential of pellet stoves, particularly if the economic framework conditions are attractive. Due to high taxes on oil and gas, pellets have been particularly economic in Italy, where the pellet imports from Austria play an important role in market supply. With the fragmented structure of saw mill and wood working industries in Italy leaving the domestic pellet production industry also fragmented into many small producers, further growth in imports can be expected. MARKET FUNDAMENTALS The pellet market is a very young market and its extremely rapid growth has inevitably led to a number diverse problems. These issues, such as quality problems, lack of know-how, the emergence of profit hunters, and a lack of market transparency, are typical for emerging markets. In contrast to other renewables like wind or solar, the pellet business faces not only the issue of selling devices, but also establishing sophisticated logistics solutions that support fuel supply over large geographic areas. Establishing such a solution is no easy thing, particularly in a market where margins are limited and many other barriers make development difficult. However, a reliable fuel supply is of fundamental importance for further market development and the engagement of a growing number of LPG and heating oil businesses is a promising trend. Such experienced hands will bring professional practice and a long-term view into the pellet supply business together with the resources to establish a reliable supply chain capable of supporting further growth. Strong growth can be expected with certainty, with political support on the EU level playing a major role for the extension of pellet business into new member states. The ambitious EU target of achieving 20% of energy supply from renewable energy by the end of 2020 is impossible without dedicated policies to develop renewable heating. In addition, the on-going oil price rally and carbon dioxide reduction targets have a similar effect on expanding markets for pellets. The production of pellets is an easy, low-cost option for upgrading biomass to a dense, homogenous and transportable fuel and offers considerable advantages over other biomass resources. For instance, the overall net energy yield of pellet biomass can be up to 10 times that of producing ethanol per unit area. And, while current global annual pellet production amounts to 9 million tonnes, it is expected to grow to some 15 million tonnes by 2010. By 2020, EU pellet demand alone could grow to 150 million tonnes, based on recent assessments from industry players. This sector has a big future. Issued by: Renewable Energy World Author: Christian Rakos e-Mail: rakos@propellets.at Issue date: February 4, 2008 Link to Article: Origin of text Energie aus Holzbiomasse	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line43
__label__wiki	0.869236	0.869236	Breaking the Mold As he shatters through barriers one by one, Gary Chen ’22 knows only blood and sweat pushed him this far. Jonathan Chen, WSS Intern “You have to be willing to put in the pain to see the glory.”” — Gary Chen Just over two years ago, Gary Chen broke stereotypes and defied his parents. He accomplished this by starting football. Why did he dare break past so many barriers? He liked the sport. That was all. He does not let anything stand in the way of his goal. When Chen first started football in his first year at Northwest Junior High, he knew it was gonna clash with his parents. They had always objected to him playing football, and until this point, they had never let him, concerned about his safety. Yet, in seventh grade, they obliged. “I had to agree because he loved it[football] so much and I couldn’t stop him,” said Runping Wang, Chen’s mother. Even though he liked it, it didn’t mean he worked very hard at it. During his first year, the amount of time he spent working on football outside of school amounted to a grand total of zero. However, as the school year came to a close, and something dawned on him. “[I realized] that I could be one of the first Asians to succeed at this,” Chen said. [Eighth grade] was a new opportunity.” So he worked. Hard. As summer hit, the amount of time he spent practicing outside of school rose to 4 hours a day. Sure enough, when it was time for eighth grade, he was a starter. Now in his freshman year, Chen plays linebacker and center. As a linebacker, his job is to think fast, determining in a split second what his defensive role will be, whether to prevent a pass, stop a run, or, most importantly, blitz, charging towards the quarterback(the passer). On the other hand, while playing center on offense, his job is to make sure that the entire play starts smoothly, by snapping the ball to the quarterback. And he excels at both of these roles. However, now that he’s good, it doesn’t mean he’s going to get lazy anytime soon. “Everyday after practice, he just snaps [the ball],” said Owen Aanestad ’22, one of Chen’s teammates. “Everybody leaves, and he stays behind and keeps snapping. [Gary’s] really outgoing, he’s always wanting to get out into the game, and he works really hard.” Football is particularly important to Chen because it fuels his competitive and eager personality. “[It’s] really that feeling of being able to show your assertion over a less dominant player, therefore making you feel more powerful,” Chen said. “[There’s also] the overall feeling of being in a team family environment.” These past two years of football have also made Chen grow substantially more as a person. “He(Chen)’s much more mature,” said Parker McBride ’22, a longtime friend of Chen’s. “And he’s way stronger.” One of his most important games was against Franklin Junior High in eighth grade. It was especially memorable to him because he “got to run over so many people.” As well as football, Chen also competitively swims. When he started swimming at the age of 3, he always looked up to competitive team swimmers and strived to join a team. So, two years later, he joined a team. In his first team, he made very little progress and eventually left. But in seventh grade, he joined a new team, IFLY. “I felt like IFLY was really a better team for me, because I started improving really fast, and everything went better,” Chen said. Competitive swimming especially appeals to Chen because of the exhilarating spirit that’s embedded in the sport. “The thrill of winning and the rush of going fast always fulfills me,” Chen said. Competition and hard-work are things that Chen’s character has always pointed him towards, and sports are a perfect fuel for his fiery personality. Looking forward, he’s aiming for his next goal: All-State for football. His love of competition, and especially hard-work, will be influential in achieving this goal. “For all aspiring athletes, talent is apesh*t. Only hard work and dedication will get you to where you want to be,” said Chen. “You have to be willing to put in the pain to see the glory. Pain is weakness leaving the body. Get used to it.” Gary Chen Iowa City West High	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line48
__label__wiki	0.584553	0.584553	Hippocrene Guide to The Underground Railroad Blockson, Charles L. Hippocrene Guide to the Underground Railroad. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1994. Lewis Hayden (Blockson, 1994) Type: Description Charles L. Blockson, Hippocrene Guide to The Underground Railroad (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1994), 185. Body Summary: Hayden was himself a slave who had escaped from Kentucky in 1816 and settled in Boston. He made his large, four-story home on Beacon Hill a station stop. When William and Ellen Craft made their daring escape in 1848 from Macon, Georgia, they were forwarded to Hayden’s home. Upon recovering the Crafts, Hayden placed himself by two kegs of gunpowder and stood with a candle, grimly determined to blow up his home, the Crafts and himself, rather than surrender his guests if slave hunters came to his door. In 1851, Hayden led by a group of Boston African-Americans in liberating, by force, a fugitive slave named Frrederick Jenkins (known also as Shadrach) from federal officers. Hayden operated his station with his wife Harriet, and assisted his friend Harriet Tubman when she passed through Boston. He was elected to serve in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1873. After his death in 1889, a scholarship fund at Harvard University was established by his widow. How to Cite This Page: "Hippocrene Guide to The Underground Railroad," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/19512.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line52
__label__wiki	0.552118	0.552118	More COVID Casualties: Stroke Victims Who Put Off Treatment THURSDAY, May 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- During the current coronavirus pandemic, U.S. hospitals are seeing fewer people for signs of stroke, a new study finds. Evaluations for stroke have dropped nearly 40%, said researchers who looked at data from more than 850 hospitals across the country. "Our stroke team has maintained full capacity to provide emergency stroke treatment at all times, even during the height of the pandemic," said researcher Dr. Akash Kansagra, an assistant professor of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis. "Nevertheless, we have seen a smaller number of stroke patients coming to the hospital and some patients arriving at the hospital after a considerable delay. It is absolutely heartbreaking to meet a patient who might have recovered from a stroke but, for whatever reason, waited too long to seek treatment," Kansagra said in a university news release. The researchers examined data from software known as RAPID, which analyzes brain scans of suspected stroke victims. They compared how often the software was used on nearly 232,000 patients nationwide in February, before the pandemic, and from March 26 to April 8, when much of the country was sheltering in place. Before the pandemic, hospitals saw at least one patient a day with stroke symptoms. Since February, that number fell 39%. "Even patients with really severe strokes are seeking care at reduced rates. This is a widespread and very scary phenomenon," Kansagra said. It's not likely that the number of strokes has dropped, the researchers noted. "I suspect we are witnessing a combination of patients being reluctant to seek care out of fear that they might contract COVID-19, and the effects of social distancing," Kansagra said. The response of family and friends is important when a loved one is experiencing stroke symptoms, he explained. Oftentimes, family and friends recognize the stroke symptoms and make the call to 911. "In an era when we are all isolating at home, it may be that patients who have strokes aren't discovered quickly enough," Kansagra said. Signs of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; difficulty speaking; confusion; difficulty seeing or walking; and severe headache. It's critically important to get stroke care immediately, Kansagra said. The risk of delaying treatment for a stroke is far greater than the risk of getting COVID-19, he added. "The effect of coming in too late is the same in many respects as not coming in at all," Kansagra said. "When patients come in too late, they may no longer be candidates for treatments that they would have qualified for just hours before. And as a result, they may not have access to treatments that are extremely effective in reducing death and disability." The report was published May 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine. For more on stroke, see the American Stroke Association. SOURCE: Washington University in St. Louis, news release, May 8, 2020	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line55
__label__wiki	0.732357	0.732357	In 1968, an old farm house on Kephart Lane was slated for demolition to make way for a new subdivision. As the crews worked to tear down the house, they were surprised to discover that a log cabin existed under its modern exterior. The two-story wooden structure was built approximately 1829 to 1830 by Francis Murdock, the area’s first lawyer and an early settler of Berrien County. While Francis eventually moved to Missouri and gained fame as one of Dred Scott’s lawyers, the house remained occupied by members of his family for a number of years. The first recorded while birth and white death in Berrien Springs occurred in the home. It is believed that the precursor to the building’s modern exterior was added around the time of the Civil War, with portions of the back wall removed for a new extension. As families came and went, the house continued to be modernize, but the cabin remained hidden to all. In fact, upon its discovery, several individuals who had lived in the home expressed shock and surprise that the cabin had been there all along. Originally the Historical Commission had hoped to leave the house in its location and build a park around it. However, that did not come to fruition and for five years the house stood on Kephart Lane, the victim of time, weather, and vandals. Eventually, recognition from the state pushed the preservation plans forward. Funds from various donors and municipalities made the move possible and it made front page news back in the day. The building was moved in tact to the Courthouse Square in 1973 and area experts created new wall sections to match the original in order to close the holes. At first glance, it’s hard to tell that anything was cut out from the wall, proving that great skill can make anything seamless. In the early years, the house was outfitted in period artifacts, but currently the home is semi-empty when not in use by re-enactors and the upper level is off limits to the public until repairs can be made. By the early 1990s, a historically accurate garden was added by the Michigan State University extension master gardener group as part of their course completion project. Plans to renovate and expand the garden in addition to updating the cabin is on the books for the Historical Association. The Murdock Cabin is one of the oldest surviving structures in the state of Michigan, with only a handful of other buildings surpassing it in age. There is debate if it is the oldest two-story log cabin as the Davenport House on Mackinac Island, which is older, is believed to be a two-story structure. However, with the modernization of the Davenport House, Murdock remains the oldest cabin in its original state.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line56
__label__wiki	0.935495	0.935495	Wilbert "Dutch" Hiller 1945 Montreal Canadiens Dutch Hiller, Wilbert Dutch Hiller, Wilbert Carl Hiller, 1940 Stanley Cup Winner, 1940 Stanley Cup Champion, 1946 Stanley Cup Champion, 1946 Stanley Cup Winner, Dutch Hiller Bio, Dutch Hiller Biography, Wilbert Dutch Hiller Bio, Wilbert Dutch Hiller Biography, Kitchener Empires History, Kitchener Empires Ex Players, Kitchener Empires Players, Sudbury Cub Wolves History, Sudbury Cub Wolves Ex Players, Sudbury Cub Wolves Players, Sudbury Frood Miners History, Sudbury Frood Miners Ex Players, Sudbury Frood Miners Players, Sudbury Falcons History, Sudbury Falcons Ex Players, Sudbury Falcons Players, Falconbridge Falcons History, Falconbridge Falcons Ex Players, Falconbridge Falcons Players, Harringay Greyhounds History, Harringay Greyhounds Ex Players, Harringay Greyhounds Players, New York Rovers Ex Players, New York Rovers Players, New York Rovers History, New York Rangers History, New York Rangers Ex Players, New York Rangers Players, New York Rangers Legend, New York Rangers Legends, Detroit Red Wings Ex Players, Detroit Red Wings Players, Boston Bruins Ex Players, Boston Bruins Players, Boston Bruins History, Montreal Canadiens History, Montreal Canadiens Ex Players, Montreal Canadiens Players, Pittsburgh Hornets Ex Players, Pittsburgh Hornets Players, Kitchener Dutchmen Ex Players, Kitchener Dutchmen Players Uploaded By: PRESIDENT on October 23rd, 2018 Wilbert Carl "Dutch" Hiller - Born May 11, 1915 in Kitchener, Ontario – Died November 12, 2005 in Glendale, California was a professional ice Hockey left winger. Hiller played his first junior Hockey with his hometown Jr. B Kitchener Empires in 1932. Hiller then signed with the Sudbury Cub Wolves, and played there for 2 seasons from 1933 to 1935. He joined the senior Sudbury Frood Miners in the 1935-36 season. In the spring of 1936, Hiller joined the local team that was sponsored by the Falconbridge Mining Company in Sudbury. They were known as the Sudbury Falcons / Falconbridge Falcons, and went to the finals of the 1936 Allan Cup, losing to the Kimberly Dynamiters. Hiller then went to England for the 1936-37 season, playing for the Harringay Greyhounds of the English National League. After a solid season with the Greyhounds, scoring 22 goals, 11 assists, Hiller was lured back to the USA, where he signed with the New York Rovers for the 1937-38 season. Hiller had another strong season with the Rovers, and after scoring 26 goals, 30 assists in 43 games, the NHL New York Rangers signed him on February 24, 1938, and he played the final 8 games of the season and 1 playoff game with the Rangers. Hiller played the next 3 seasons as a Ranger, originally playing on a line with Phil Watson and Bryan Hextall, he was switched to playing with Alf Pike and Snuffy Smith. Rangers coach Frank Boucher was quoted as saying "Nobody could keep up with Dutch. Nobody," and during the 1939-40 season, Dutch scored 13 goals, 18 assists in the regular season, then in the playoffs, he scored 2 gaols, 4 assists in helping the Rangers win the 1940 Stanley Cup championship. Hiller was claimed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings from the Rangers, April 8, 1941, playing just 7 games in a Red Wings jersey before they traded him to the Boston Bruins with $5,000 for Pat McReavy, November 24, 1941, and played out the 1941-42 season in Boston. The Bruins traded Hiller to the Montreal Canadiens on August 15, 1942. Hiller served as a defensive specialist with Montreal but put his speed to work when he got hold of the puck, picking up 14 points in 1942-43, and after playing in Montreal for 1 season, they loaned Hiller to the Rangers with John Mahaffy, Fern Gauthier, Charlie Sands and future considerations for the loan of Phil Watson, October 27, 1943. Hiller was back in Montreal to start the 1944-45 season, where he had his best season as a pro, scoring 20 goals for the Canadiens. In 1945-46, his final NHL season, Hiller scored 7 regular season goals, once again concentrating on countering enemy forwards rather than putting points on the board. Come playoff time, his offensive talents came to the forefront with the versatile left winger contributing 4 goals and six points towards the Canadiens’ 1946 Stanley Cup Championship. Hiller's failing eyesight precipitated his departure from the NHL in 1946. An attempt at using an early, crude version of contact lenses failed to cure his problem. So Hiller wound out his Hockey career with the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets in the 1946-47 season, and then back in Ontario with the OHA Sr. Kitchener Dutchmen to finish his career in 1947-48. Hiller later moved to California, and worked as a goal judge for Los Angeles.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line57
__label__wiki	0.978689	0.978689	Client gate Legal norms Data of public interest Constitutional complaint Current agenda Translations/Summaries Translations/Summaries 1990-2018 Previous sittings Fundamental law Act on the CC About the hungarian legal system Pál SOLT (1937) Dr. Solt was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from November 1989 to June 1990. Péter SCHMIDT (1926) Dr. Schmidt was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from July 1990 to December 1996. András SZABÓ (1928-2011) Dr. Szabó was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from July 1990 to February 1998. János ZLINSZKY (1928-2015) Dr. Zlinszky was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from November 1989 to March 1998. Géza KILÉNYI (1936-2006) Dr. Kilényi was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from November 1989 to November 1998. Ádám ANTAL (1930) Dr. Antal was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from November 1989 to November 1998. Imre VÖRÖS (1944) Dr. Vörös was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from June 1990 to July 1999. Ödön TERSZTYÁNSZKY (1929) Dr. Tersztyánszki was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from June 1990 to July 1999. Ottó CZÚCZ (1946) Dr. Czúcz was a Judge to the Constitutional Court from December 1998 to May 2004. János STRAUSZ (1934-2020) Dr. Strausz was a Judge to the Constitutional Court from December 1998 to December 2004. Éva TERSZTYÁNSZKY-VASADI Dr. Tersztyánszky-Vasadi was a Judge to the Constitutional Court from June 1999 to February 2006. István BAGI (1942) Dr. Bagi was a Judge to the Constitutional Court from June 1997 to June 2006. Attila HARMATHY (1937) Dr. Harmathy was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in December 1998. István KUKORELLI (1952) He was a member of the Constitutional Court between June 1999 and July 2008. László TRÓCSÁNYI (1956) He was a member of the Constitutional Court between February 2007 and October 2010. Péter KOVÁCS (1959) Dr. Kovács was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in September 2005. András BRAGYOVA (1950-2020) Dr. Bragyova was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in September 2005. Elemér BALOGH (1958) Dr. Balogh was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in November 2005. László KISS (1951) He was a member of the Constitutional Court from March 1998 – after being relected – until March 2016. Miklós LÉVAY (1954) Dr. Miklós Lévay was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in March 2007. He entered into office on 21st April 2007. Géza HERCZEGH (1928-2010) Dr. Hercegh was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from July 1990 to May 1993. Tamás LÁBADY (1944-2017) Dr. Lábady was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from June 1990 to July 1999. From July 1993 to November 1998 he was Vice-President of the Constitutional Court. Árpád ERDEI (1939) From March 1998 to March 2007 he was Judge, from August 2003 to March 2007 Vice-President of the Constitutional Court. László SÓLYOM (1942) Dr. Sólyom was a Judge of the Constitutional Court from November 1989 to November 1998. János NÉMETH (1933) Member of the Constitutional Court from June 1997 to July 2003. President of the Constitutional Court from November 1998 to July 2003. András HOLLÓ (1943) Dr. Holló was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in November 1996. From November 1998 to July 2003 he was Vice-President, from August 2003 to November 2005 President of the Constitutional Court. Mihály BIHARI (1943) Dr. Bihari was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in June 1999. President of the Constitutional Court from November 2005 to July 2008. Reelected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament on 22 July 2010. Péter PACZOLAY (1956) Dr. Paczolay was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in February 2006, he entered into office on 24 February 2006. Since 4 July 2008, he has been the President of the Constitutional Court. Barnabás LENKOVICS (1950) He was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in March 2007, from 21st April 2007 for nine years. He was elected President of the Constitutional Court on 1 December 2014 with the effect of 25 February 2015. András VARGA ZS. (1968) Dr. András Varga Zs. was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by the Hungarian Parliament in September 2014. István STUMPF (1957) Dr. Stumpf was elected Judge of the Constitutional Court by Parliament in July 2010. István BALSAI (1947-2020) Dr. Balsai was elected Judge of Constitutional Court by the Hungarian Parliament in June 2011, with the effect from 1st September 2011. Back to the top of page 1015 Budapest, Donáti u. 35-45., 1535 Budapest, Pf. 773. (+36-1) 488 31 00 (+36-1) 212 11 70 Client Gate Contact 2021 © The Constitutional Court of Hungary	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line59
__label__cc	0.500616	0.499384	October 16, 2018 September 23, 2018 by Joni On Saturday we said farewell to Northumberland, heading south from Alnmouth train station to Durham, whose historic heart is located within a bend of the River Wear. Our B&B (appropriately named “Castle View”) was in a quiet residential district, on top of the hill opposite the castle. Durham has a LOT of hills. The peninsula is dominated by the castle – now part of Durham University – and Durham’s wonderful cathedral. Saturday was an “Open Day” for the university, so the city center was thronged with 6th-formers and their parents touring colleges and checking out the university scene. Durham cathedral is my favorite in Britain. Construction began on the cathedral in 1093, following William the Conqueror’s destruction of northern England. The Norman intimidation program included construction of castles and cathedrals to demonstrate (a) military dominance and (b) who had god on their side. Durham was completed in only 40 years, making it one of the few cathedrals built entirely in the same architectural style. (There is an addition at the back of the nave and some frilly later additions around the altar, but it’s otherwise all of a piece.) Sadly, the powers that be now prohibit photography inside – the only cathedral I’ve visited with this restriction. I wondered why until I saw this notice in the place where all the best information is found: inside a toilet stall in the ladies room. A special opportunity indeed – at 10 quid a head. Very much in keeping with Durham’s history of fleecing pilgrims, methinks. Lacking the ability to take an infinity of snaps, I grabbed some shots of Durham’s stunnning interior from the Durham World Heritage website. I particularly love the austerity of this cathedral. The lack of sculptural adornment and fancy tracery provides a purity of line along the nave that is unparalleled, in my view. I took these shot sbefore realizing that photography wasn’t allowed. This bit was added because the Benedictines wouldn’t let women inside the cathedral proper. (There’s a line in the floor just inside the nave over which no feminine foot was to tread.) The chapel nearest to us (with the wooden kneeling desk) holds the tomb of the Venerable Bede, an 8th century monk/scholar who wrote the first history of Anglo-Saxon England. (The medievalists among us will ooh and ahh.) Durham is the first English cathedral to use ribbed vaulting in the ceiling, an innovation that elevates and lightens the otherwise heavy Romanesque interior. Our cathedral tour guide said that the Benedictine monks who inhabited the abbey saw the ribbed ceiling as the keel of a ship turned upside down – a ship lifting the faithful to heaven. William and company chose Durham because it was already a sacred site: the last resting place of the peripatetic Cuthbert, whom we last encountered at Lindisfarne. “Rest in peace” was not Cuthbert’s epitaph, at least for the first 300 years after his death. His body was dug up and carted all around Northumberland by monks trying to keep his remains safe from Norse raiders (and likely squabbling over who got to keep the economic gold mine that his remains represented). Legend says that Cuthbert put an stop to the wandering by making his coffin too heavy to lift, then reinforced the message with a vision of “dunholme” followed by the timely appearance of a maiden searching for her lost dun cow. Such is the stuff from which great power centers – the Prince Bishops of Durham – were born. More prosaically, the bishop’s son-in-law was Uhtred, Earl of Northumberland, and Durham was included among the family lands. A plateau surrounded by steep hills with a river on three sides would look mighty attractive to people searching for a site they could defend against marauding Danes. Cuthbert is still buried at Durham, in a (still much visited) shrine located behind the main altar. Today’s shrine is relatively austere, but the original must have been a sight to behold: “It is said that just one of the many jewels decorating the shrine would have been worth a king’s ransom. The base of the shrine was made of expensive green marble and gilded. In the base were four seats, where pilgrims – especially the sick and lame – could kneel to receive the blessings of God and St Cuthbert.” Only Cuthbert’s body survived the depredations of Thomas Cromwell during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. The cathedral recently turned the monk’s dormitory into an exhibit hall called “Treasures of St. Cuthbert” which reportedly houses “some of the world’s most precious Anglo Saxon artefacts.” Sadly, the dormitory was closed the weekend we were there as exhibits were being changed. This is a replica of the Durham “sanctuary knocker” (original is in the Treasures exhibit). In medieval times, if you could manage to escape your pursuers long enough to grasp hold of this ring, you’d be entitled to sanctuary for 37 days – long enough to come to trial. The image is meant to be the Anglo-Saxon’s view of the entrance to hell. “If you look closely, you can make out a man being eaten by a lion, which is being eaten by a double-headed snake. It was meant to be hideous enough to ward off evil spirits.” Well OK, then… I loved these flower sculptures constructed from sedums and semperviums. Bishop’s crown Because we are always suckers for a boat ride, we hopped aboard the Prince Bishop River Cruiser for the slowest – and possibly shortest – river cruise of all time. Walking paths on both sides of the river make for pleasant wandering in a semi-natural setting. These shots are from Saturday afternoon’s wander round the peninsula and Sunday morning’s walk downstream to the Crook Hall and Gardens. Salmon were trying to work their way upstream to spawn – heavy going against the weirs and greedy birds. Crook Hall & Gardens was an unexpected delight, just ten minutes walk from Durham’s center. There are five acres of eclectic gardens surrounding an eccentric manor house with architecture from three eras: medieval hall, Jacobean family room and Georgian drawing rooms. The family occupies part of the Georgian section of the house, and brings in extra income by renting out certain rooms and portions of the grounds for events. 13th century hall, from the minstrel’s gallery I lusted after this attic Jacobean rooms High Tea is served in the Georgian drawing room. There’s an artist in the family And a gallery room for local artists Categories England, Travels Tags England, Travel Post navigation Norfolk: Ludham, the Broads and Horsey Beach	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line67
__label__cc	0.628318	0.371682	Ma Jun , Simon Zadek：A Low-Carbon Belt and Road 2019-04-03　来源：Project Syndicate China’s Belt and Road Initiative is set to spur a sharp acceleration in GDP growth and development across the 60-plus participating economies. In order to ensure that BRI-related infrastructure projects don`t also undermine global climate .... Ma Jun , Simon Zadek BEIJING – Discussions about climate action nowadays often focus on the largest past and current emitters. But, if one looks to the future, the biggest climate risks and opportunities lie in the more than 60 countries that have signed up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The BRI, which China launched in 2013, is focused primarily on mobilizing capital for infrastructure investments and improving connectivity among participating economies, most of which are still relatively low-income developing countries. But while it is hoped that the BRI will spur a sharp acceleration in GDP growth and development across these economies, infrastructure and other investments associated with the initiative could also have profound environmental and climate consequences. As it stands, Belt and Road countries, not including China, account for about 18% of global GDP and 26% of global carbon dioxide emissions. In the coming two decades, however, BRI countries’ GDP average growth rate is expected to be twice that of the OECD, and investments in BRI countries are likely to comprise more than half of total investment worldwide. In the worst-case scenario, the BRI countries could account for over half of global CO2 emissions by 2050. That possibility – set out in a forthcoming study that we co-authored – assumes that BRI economies stick to their current carbon-intensity trajectory, while the rest of the world reduces its emissions in line with the Paris climate agreement. In other words, if not managed in a climate-conscious way, development in the BRI countries would undercut efforts to meet the world’s climate goals. This is a risk that needs to be taken seriously. Though many global investors are becoming more sensitized to climate risks, and thus less attracted to carbon-intensive assets overall, BRI infrastructure projects are likely to be largely exempt from these pressures. After all, most BRI countries lack carbon-related obligations or incentives, including carbon-pricing systems that would show investors the shadow price of carbon-intensive assets. Moreover, these countries hold many of their carbon-intensive assets on public balance sheets, which are less likely to become “stranded assets.” In order to ensure that development in the BRI countries does not undermine the global climate agenda, meaningful steps must be taken to reduce substantially the carbon footprint of new investments in these economies. The window for action is narrow: investment decisions made in the coming few years will determine the carbon intensity of critical infrastructure and major real-estate assets that will operate for decades. By linking policy, finance, and the international community’s expertise and technological resources, it is possible to lay the groundwork for low-carbon development in the BRI economies. To that end, three focused and interconnected actions should be pursued. First, global investors must be convinced to adopt green principles for investments in the BRI region. Such an effort could include promoting the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road, introduced by China’s Green Finance Committee and the City of London last November, in cities like London, Hong Kong, New York, and Singapore – the world’s principle sources of capital. Requiring investors to disclose the carbon footprint of BRI infrastructure projects, rather than just the risk climate change poses to investments, would also make a difference. Second, China could take more aggressive action to promote low-carbon investments in BRI countries, in line with the government’s high-level commitments to advance sustainable development and its international climate leadership. For example, China could require all BRI investmentsby Chinese financial institutions and non-financial corporations to adhere visibly to specific green standards. This could be complemented by the creation of a low-carbon compact that includes leading Chinese and international companies carrying out BRI projects and providing green technologies to participating countries. Finally, international organizations should increase their support to BRI countries for greening infrastructure development. Beyond environmental governance, such organizations should help to advance frameworks for green finance policy and increase their capacity for green public procurement. After all, while most BRI infrastructure investments still rely on international financing, over time, larger BRI countries’ financial systems will increasingly shape the carbon intensity of domestic investments. The BRI has the potential to invigorate developing economies and raise incomes for many millions of people. But we need to make sure that the benefits are not offset by unmitigated climate change. Now is the moment for China and the international community to work together to take concrete action to ensure that BRI investments are climate friendly. Ma Jun Writing for PS since 2015 4 Commentaries Ma Jun, a former chief economist of the People’s Bank of China, is Director of the Center for Finance and Development at Tsinghua University and Chairman of China’s Green Finance Committee. Simon Zadek 20 Commentaries Simon Zadek is Senior Visiting Fellow at the Center for Finance and Development at Tsinghua University.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line69
__label__wiki	0.56578	0.56578	10 Rare Tribes That Civilization Hasn’t Been Able To Track Down As Yet Article by Contributor, May 8, 2014 In times when Man has been able to map the geography of not only his own planet but also of plenty others in his vicinity, there are some people and groups of people who are still living miles away from the modernization of our age. While it’s hard for most of us to go without using or being in contact with the products of modern times these tribal groups are living in isolation and practicing traditions passed down to them through words of mouth by their ancestors. Anthropologists have often wondered how many such groups could possibly exist out there. Rebecca Spooner, one of the specialists at the London-based organization Survival International says, that there are more than 100 such tribal uncontacted tribes. Most of them are living in the Amazon and areas of New Guinea. Peru too has reported more than 15 such uncontacted tribes. Most researchers say that these tribes are in reality “voluntarily isolated” rather than uncontacted. And there are many reasons as to why these tribes have avoided contact or civilization all together. Many of these tribes are being forced into settling because of Oil & Mining companies and the land mafia at work in the countries of South America. Their homes have been bulldozed and often they have been harassed if they refuse to settle. But even after these pressures from our civilization there are some tribes which owing to their survival skills have managed to maintain distance from civilizations and societies and still live their lives in the wild. Here’s a list of such top 10 rare tribes that civilization hasn’t been able to track down as yet- 10. Khanty Khanty is a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the upper reaches of the Siberian stretch in the state of Russia. They have been known to reside in the area since the 19th century and live off hunting game in and often trading with other indigenous people. After the Industrialization kicked in the Tsarist Russia and Trans Siberia railway line made Khanty move further up and some of the groups split from the main branch of the tribe. In the times of Soviet Russia some of them were caught and made to settle. They were forced to learn the language, give up their religion and often forced to work as laborers. However, some groups of the tribe still live yet to be contacted in a climate where temperature drops to below -50 degrees in the winter. 9. Pintupi Aboriginals Pintupi live in the outback of Australia and successfully avoided contact with the modern world till the last couple of decades. They are nomadic and often keep shifting places. They were first spotted by a westernized aboriginal. The white men who followed were mistaken for spirit by the pintupi aboriginals. Some contact has been established with the tribe following the first contact but majorly they live out there on their own without any aid from our modern world. 8. Korowai Tribe Korowai tribes live in the thick jungles of Papua in Indonesia. Their customs and beliefs are known from the survey done in 2010. They believed that If they ever move from their home ground the entire world will be destroyed by an earthquake. They are also considered a merry bunch of pranksters since many anthropologists who have ventured into their area have been pranked and made fun of by the Korowai Men. In any case, they believe they have the right to decide how they want to live. 7. The Awa Awa is one of the tribes which is very endangered as of now. For centuries they have lived in isolation from the world and survived on the game that the men recover from the forest. Recently, Survival International established contact with one of the groups of the Awa tribe and launched a campaign to save the remaining uncontacted awa from the likes of land encroachers and groups which are forcing them to settle. 6. Block 67, Peru Block 67 in Peru has been a source of debate among the various organizations working for the uncontacted tribes. One of the largest Petroleum reserves was discovered in this area, following which the Peruvian government sent a team of Anthropologists, historians, linguists and health officers to check the area for traces of any tribes or people living in isolation. The final report said that the area had no people living in it, but the anthropologists privately have stated that there were evidences of leaf shelters, arrow heads and other artifacts that proved otherwise. However since in a court of law the plaintiff has to appear in person, the statements of other indigenous groups and personal opinions of anthropologists hardly count against the nonappearance of the plaintiff. Thus the area since then remains a source of conflict. 5. The Ruc people- Vietnam Ruc people live in the Quang Binh province of Vietnam. They survive on hunting and gathering. When they were first spotted by the North Vietnamese soldiers there was a huge conflict with the communist government since it planned on relocating them. Many turned militant and launched a violent protest against the government. Some of these groups still remain in the forest away from the modern world though they continuously face a threat on their homes. 4. Brazilian Tribe For the first time this tribe was spotted on the Brazil-Peruvian border by an airplane flying over the area. Since then the FUNAI- the department for establishing contact with the Indians in the amazon has made several attempts to fly over the area to observe their lifestyle. They live in Thatched huts and have their faces painted in shades of red. FUNAI and Survival International both report that this is one of the biggest tribes in the area which lives isolated. Some male tribesmen even shot arrows at the airplanes clearly gesturing towards their unwillingness to establish any contact. Due to lobbying by many NGOs the FUNAI has suspended its operations and given the tribe space to live as they want to. 3. Mascho-Piro There are more than 15 uncontacted tribes in Peru. One of these was accidently discovered by a group of tourists and recorded on the camera. Initially behaving aggressively later the tribesmen calmed down and stared with wonder at these strange clothed men. The tribesmen hardly wore any clothes and were recorded eating fruits and berries like a stereotypical film. The movie was used by NGOs to campaign for leaving the tribe alone. 2. Sentinelese islanders Sentineleses are one of the last tribes to remain isolated in the Andaman Islands, they are said to be one of the oldest tribes of the world and are direct descendents of originals who moved out of Africa some 55,000 years ago. Indian government has made many trials to establish contact but has failed to calm down the tribesmen who become aggressive at the sight of an airplane. These people live on one of the Andaman Islands and survive living off the resources of the forest. They have often been called savage and backward by many groups who want the tribe to accept the gestures of Indian government for accepting better health facilities etc. But as has been noted in history of contact with such tribes, bringing them into the fold of our world has often ended up as a genocide due to their immune system working on completely different lines. Thus, the government has withdrawn all the operations regarding contact with the tribe. 1. “Loneliest man on the planet” He has been caught on camera, pointing arrows towards the crew and being generally discreet. This man has been alleged to be the last surviving member of his tribe though others believe that his tribe is just good at living unseen. Anthropologists have found many leaf shelters and observed his artifacts to figure out how he is able to live all alone in silence in the vast areas of Amazon forest. Linguists and other social scientists want to establish contact with him so that more can be known about his tribe since they think he’s the last and all the knowledge will die out with him. But FUNAI has decided to extend the area by 3000 acres and give him more space and game to hunt so he can live out his life in peace. Top 10 Ways to Spot the Untrustworthy Person in the Group Want an Exotic Car Lease? With Contract Car Leasing You Can! Extension Cord Safety Tips Posted in Education, Facts, News. 10 Not So Happening Tourist Places 10 Reasons to Start Gym Membership Today	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line70
__label__wiki	0.711141	0.711141	White Cloud Travelling Shared Legacies The Visitors’ Books at the Lindauer Art Gallery Piecing Parts of a Puzzle Together: Researching Ana Rupene and Child He Roimata Ua, He Roimata Tangata. Te Pukapuka Manuhiri a Lindauer Lindauer: Gallery of Memories Behind the Brush Making the Website Since their creation, the pictures have very rarely left the country, and this is the first time such a large number of them have been sent on a journey. They were farewelled with traditional blessings and ceremonies from the museums in Auckland and Wellington and received by a Māori delegation in the Alte Nationalgalerie. It is only by being accompanied spiritually and personally that the works' cultural safety is assured, and they are prepared for viewing by visitors to the exhibition. "The visit of the British Royals to New Zealand seems like a symbol for the encounter between European and Polynesian culture: on one side, straight lines with precise rows of buttons, on the other, intertwining patterns. That is how they face each other: the elegant Kate, clasping her handbag as if she wanted to cover herself up with it, and the Maori greeting her in Aotearoa, the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'. A hefty Polynesian carries his ta moko, the traditional tattoo of the Pacific islanders, curling across his back. Designer coat meets indigenous body ornament. Both show the high status of those displaying them."1 On 7 April 1773, the famous navigator James Cook stood on the beach in today's Dusky Sound on the sparsely populated South Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand and rubbed noses with a Māori warrior. The latter had never seen a European, and James Cook had not met many Māori up to then.2 At the start, the Māori had been profoundly intimidated, and it had been a complex operation to entice him to perform the hongi. To make himself less threatening, Cook had left his crew on board the Resolution and had laid out his handkerchief and a few sheets of white paper on the beach as an offering of friendship. In that way, he eventually succeeded in putting a positive face on the situation, so that noserubbing ensued. The meeting of cultures, and what we understand as 'global' chronology, both ran their courses - a world evolved which is connected through interlocking systems, where an entire indigenous society was deprived of its historical self-determination, fell under foreign control and was realigned to the predominantly commercial interests of colonial Europeans. Subsequently, new relations and needs linked people who had until then lived geographically far distant from each other, and a sort of alienation between colonised and colonisers was characteristic and required. What was expected was a wide-ranging acculturation to the values, customs and commercial needs of Europe. James Cook and his scientific and artistic companions initially collected flora and fauna, objects of indigenous art, made maps and lists, and everything of interest to the team of explorers was minutely registered.3 Numerous taonga (treasures) Māori had inherited from their ancestors, which were of great personal worth, possessing high status and testifying to a shared whakapapa (genealogy) wound up in Europe. As evidence of great discoveries, they were presented as gifts to members of the royal family, to aristocratic collectors and to research institutions or sold for handsome sums, given that such objects were the few documents available from distant peoples and hence highly prized. Cook's voyages of exploration and all the subsequent social, political, cultural and commercial upheavals and catastrophes followed their drawn-out course throughout the nineteenth century and far into the twentieth. All the while, the Māori preserved their memories by associating particular ancestors with significant events in their original settings, maintaining respect for lands and waters, concluding a treaty with the colonial power at Waitangi in 1840 and by being not only warlike but also clever and adaptable. Both forms of remembrance and preservation are still available to us today, but they have come down to us in completely different ways. On the one hand, there are museums, libraries and collections scattered across the world and, on the other, oral learning stretching over generations and preserved under the most difficult circumstances, rituals, private manuscripts and the conscious cultivation of the heritage of the past as a whole. The photograph occasioned by the first visit of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to Aotearoa/New Zealand displays the whole dynamic in the nexus of past and present, and it is clear how modern articulations of traditions are becoming more important, various aspects of globalisation notwithstanding. The British Queen is indeed still the head of state, and her grandchildren travel with large retinues, but Māori also go to London on an equal footing, with all their commercial sway and their culture, as representatives of their country. At the end of the twentieth century, the historical cycle of colonialism as an expression of European global dominance has closed.4 The traditional ceremonies and greeting rituals are not folklore performed for the representatives of the former British Empire. On these occasions, prominent state representatives greet each other, with each respecting the allegiance and culture of the other. Each of them acts according to their own cultural tradition. Over the centuries, Europeans on their travels have been Puritans, their buttons all done up, dressed in whatever was the fashion of the time and with shoes on their feet; the people who were naked or dressed in unfashionable natural products were always the savages, the foreigners, the 'Others', the ones in need of missionaries and civilising. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, traditional greeting rituals self-confidently characterise a modern country, where all areas of public life refute any monocultural sense of history. The issue here is one of your links to the past and to your lineage, of a different and shared history. This is the background against which the exhibition project Gottfried Lindauer. The Māori Portraits in the Alte Nationalgalerie should be viewed. It is a further step in coming to terms with history and in offering a new way of reading pictures and collections when we engage with them in museums. In 2010, the Nationalgalerie had already staged the exhibition Who Knows Tomorrow in four of its premises (the Alte and the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Hamburger Bahnhof and the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche). It dealt with the issue of the historical connections and interrelations between Africa and Europe and reflected on which and whose history is available for telling and negotiating nowadays. By presenting works from contemporary artists with African backgrounds, we tackled the question as to what contribution art does make to overcoming (art-) historical constructs and stereotypes and what it means to exhibit 'Others' and 'Otherness'. The Nationalgalerie, and particularly our work with nineteenth-century art in the Alte Nationalgalerie, stands amidst the tensions these debates generate, given, in fact, that the "construction in museal discourses and collections very closely involved the construction of 'Otherness"'.5 Fig. 1 Caspar David Friedrich, Solitary Tree, 1822 oil on canvas, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin The works of Gottfried Lindauer (1839-1926) depicting Māori are not being shown in the Ethnologisches Museum (Ethnological Museum) in Dahlem, the context traditionally devoted to this geographical area, because that is where 'foreignness' is determined and demarcations are made between 'us' and 'them' according to geographical boundaries. We regard the paintings as works of art created in the tradition of realistic portraiture and manifesting the global interconnection of a common history. Up to now, the platform for such discussions has existed in the con temporary context; art history is only just beginning to critically revise its view of the nineteenth century along postcolonial lines, and the multiplicity of transcultural voices still needs thorough investigation. Fig. 2 Caspar David Friedrich, Moonrise over the Sea, 1822 oil on canvas, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Nineteenth century globalisation was not a purely commercial process. The images produced mingled with each other in Europe and in all further parts of the world. Pictures and objects circulated en masse and influenced artists, architects, crafts and literature. Different cultures and societies were sharing pivotal experiences of upheaval, migration and processes of integration. At the same time, the entire typology of the museum was emerging and owes its definitive form to the nineteenth century. Fig. 3 Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Gothic Church on a Rock, 1815 oil on canvas, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Gottfried Lindauer's paintings have a salient significance for the cultural identity and for the modern society of Aotearoa/New Zealand. They show the people living there: who they are, who they were, who they wanted, and were, to be. The works are a cultural heritage and contain the memories of a nation. For Māori, the persons represented are living ancestors and belong to their descendants spiritually and emotionally. For non-Māori, the pictures and the biography of the painter stand for the life of a settler from Europe, who, like almost all of them, had to leave his homeland because times were hard, and had to secure some sort of living for himself in order to survive in the new, foreign land. He found a niche and became the chronicler of his epoch, lending it a face. The pictures are not ethnographic portraits; they do not depict anonymous Māori with moko (tattoos), weapons of war and traditional costume, but show men and women who have names and whose life stories are widely known because they are closely connected to the history of New Zealand. Since their creation, the pictures have very rarely left the country, and this is the first time such a large number of them have been sent on a journey. They were farewelled with traditional blessings and ceremonies from the museums in Auckland and Wellington and received by a Māori delegation in the Alte Nationalgalerie. It is only by being accompanied spiritually and personally that the works' cultural safety is assured, and they are prepared for viewing by visitors to the exhibition. As these paintings are not simply depictions of persons, but form a bridge, in Māori tradition, between past and present, particular supervision is necessary during their long absence. Ancestors are integrated into the communal life of tribes and can be consulted from a distance. The whakapapa, extracts of which are attached to each portrait in this catalogue, attests to the long succession of ancestors. This belongs to the essential education of any Māori. It has been due to these special requirements in dealing with such cultural objects that the paintings have previously not figured at all in the flows of global exhibitions and lending. The portraits do not circulate as freely available in the internet either, and the descendants of their subjects have to be consulted over any reproductions or lending, as they control the cultural administration of the artworks. The stories and their import, the hidden knowledge of relationships can only be investigated jointly and with express permission. Fig. 4 Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Castle by the River, 1820 oil on canvas, Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin The paintings and the historical photographs on view as adjuncts to Gottfried Lindauer's pictures are not being presented in their own separate exhibition area. The two galleries, where the works of Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel have their customary place in the Alte Nationalgalerie, maintain their usual configuration. Friedrich's pictures Solitary Tree and Moonrise over the Sea (both 1822, Figs 1 and 2) as well as Schinkel's Gothic Church on a Rock (1815, Fig. 3) and Castle by the River (1820, Fig. 4) belong to the gallery's art-historical treasures. They formed the core holdings of the Nationalgalerie's collection, which was founded in 1861 with the donation of works from the private collector and banker Joachim Heinrich Wagener and opened in its own premises, the accentuated temple structure built according to the plans of the court architect Friedrich August Stüler on the Museum Island in 1876. In the neighbouring rooms, the Māori portraits are providing what amounts to a framework for the paintings by Friedrich and Schinkel that are key-works to German Romanticism and German Idealism respectively. As we have decided, as curators, not to isolate the pictures, we are directing the viewer's gaze to the complex network of a fluid order of different cultures and societies, and we are inviting discussion on identity and belonging. In the first instance, the mixture of local and global history fundamental to Lindauer's paintings conveys an impression at once familiar and exotic. The contrast to Karl Friedrich Schinkel's ideal image of humanity, schooled on antiquity, and to the inwardness and transcendence of a Caspar David Friedrich brackets the various developments in Europe with the world, which was, from a European standpoint, 'discovered' in the nineteenth century. It has become clear that any assessment of this art can only succeed, if not exclusively correspondences are sought and dubious quality standards applied. The museum will, in a manner similar to the photograph showing the greeting and the encounter between royals and Māori, present works with equal status, which should be integrated into a mutual historical narrative and cannot just be assessed according to the European categories of style evolved over centuries. Thus, it appears sensible to ask what is specific and characteristic in Lindauer's portraits, as differing conditions for producing portraits do not negate a shared history. The dignified rendering of the great heroes of Māori culture by a European artist indicates how complex the intercultural relations are, when a representation in the traditional European sense is something that appears at first sight strange and requires a very different mode of reading. Lindauer's work attests to a genuine and rare bicultural interaction and demonstrates the fruitful meeting of very different people, societies and cultures. Gottfried Lindauer, the painter of these pictures with their capacity for establishing identity, was an immigrant from the Habsburg Empire, who had studied in Vienna, where he had altered his name from 'Bohumir' to 'Gottfried' in response to the pressure to conform. He left his homeland Bohemia above all for economic reasons, and it was only in his new home, as far distant from Europe as was possible, that he got to know and to respect the local indigenous culture and its proud heroes.6 When he arrived in Aotearoa/New Zealand in 1874, he found a dominant European culture, which was doing everything to convert the indigenous populace to the proper Christian faith, was denying it possessed any culture, was using all means to get rid of it, was stealing its land, introducing diseases and provoking wars. Lindauer initially earned his living in this country by painting mainly European settlers including some famous personalities. These commissions did not, however, suffice for a well founded existence. The settlers lived in a land rich in natural beauty, with some raw materials and more suitable for whaling and agriculture, so that surviving there at first meant working hard. Photography additionally furnished a quicker and cheaper medium, with which you could have your portrait taken and easily send it back home. At this time, there was not a lot of energy, time or capacity for developing the fine arts in the European sense in Aotearoa/New Zealand. A considerable number of immigrants and travelling researchers did, however, recognise very well how Māori culture was changing and how the Māori were being forced to conform to the new realities and living conditions in the community of the day.7 This change was happening quickly and dramatically. It almost destroyed the entire Māori culture and populace. There was much said and written about a dying culture - and, logically enough, that often came from precisely those researchers and travellers who were dealing extensively in indigenous cultural objects, founding or expanding rich collections in Europe, or were involved in the vigorous trade in the severed heads of Māori and were turning them into successful exports throughout the world, where some of them still remain today. It was through Samuel Carnell (1832-1920), well known for the quality of his photographs of Māori, which he took at the behest of the Native Land Court, that Lindauer became interested in depicting them and got to know his two patrons, the Englishborn business man Henry Partridge (1848-1931) and the ornithologist and lawyer Walter Buller (1838-1906). Both had gained the trust of Māori. They wanted to document their culture through images, or even to rescue it, and commissioned large numbers of portraits. In the 1880s, Lindauer became a specialist for depictions of Māori. These paintings smoothed his path to reputation and success. The two patrons and collectors, together with the artist himself, developed a very close working relationship. Thus, Partridge and Buller also found their places in the nation's history: Henry Partridge as the patron of the significant museum collection incorporated into Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, and Buller, whose collection is held in the Whanganui Regional Museum, as a magistrate embroiled in many illegal land sales and dealing extensively in Māori artefacts, tattooed heads, greenstone weapons and so on and becoming very wealthy in the process. The legendary bird huia (an extinct native bird whose tail feathers were prized) was driven to extinction by him selling it to natural history collections worldwide. After a few leading Māori first saw Lindauer's pictures in the shop window of Henry Partridge's Auckland tobacco business, they were overwhelmed by the precision and dignity of the reproduction, and so rangatira (chief) rapidly became clients of the painter. The years of bitter fighting between Pākehā (people of European descent) and Māori had just come to an end, and there was a great need to immortalise the redoubtable heroes, in order to integrate their memory into the community. Those Māori who had engaged with British-dominated Aotearoa/New Zealand by mounting political initiatives and becoming members of Parliament to improve their people's living conditions, also commissioned work from Lindauer. Lindauer did not paint for a European market. He did not just superficially document the skin tones, the intricate moko, the traditional clothing, decorative adornments and the possession of significant cultural, ritual or traditional weapons. Out of respect for each individual's achievements, he tried to capture the physical and psychic characteristics of his models precisely. He was able to combine the depiction of social rank with personal achievement and found expression for the status each Māori had within his own community. In the main, he applied his quite particular accuracy to rendering bust and half-length portraits. He worked with both photographs, as was the custom in Europe as well, and with subjects in his studio. He did not just represent the personality of the rangatira in vivid detail, but he also depicted the insignia of their rank, their weapons, jewellery, feathers and ear ornaments with extreme acuity. After the English had introduced muskets at the beginning of the century, these had rapidly become sought-after commodities, and the numbers of traditional weapons had reduced considerably. We can admire them today in the collections of ethnological museums all over the world. The precious, soft garments made from feathers, flax and other materials, with their richly ornamented borders, in their turn became trophies distinctly coveted among ethnographic collectors, and Lindauer brought out the brilliance of their texture. As Christian missionaries had made significant inroads by the time the painter began working, the indigenous people were required to dress in European style, and precious traditional clothing was about to die out. Lindauer (or his patrons) had a stock of accessories, with, among other things, traditional korowai (woven cloaks), which had, however, different ornaments and fashionable innovations insinuated into them under European influence. Lindauer devoted particular attention to representing the moko. Men carried them predominantly on their faces, their thighs and buttocks, and women on their chins. Moko played its greatest role on faces. The fine lines were etched into the skin, following the form of the physiognomy and emphasising it. Lindauer achieved a particularly sculptural effect in accentuating the visible grooves and the deep lines resembling reliefs. As moko endowed those bearing them with strength or power, representing them took on a particular significance. They were a symbol for inner strength and potency and are a sort of visiting card, revealing the bearer's role and status in the social hierarchy and his spiritual guardians. As Lindauer spent many hours with his models in his studio, he could probably decipher moko. Because the head represents the most sacred part of the body for Māori, a fastidious and realistic rendering was highly prized and rewarded by Lindauer's patrons. The significant recognition value, which lends portrayal of the person the aura of authenticity, perhaps enables us to even perceive the painter's enthusiasm and empathy as he investigated and re corded the indigenous history of his new home through his portraiture and genre painting. Like his models, he had himself experienced the upheavals of colonial times. Fig. 5 Gottfried Lindauer, Paratene Te Manu, oil on canvas, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of H E Partridge, 1915 In her 2011 novel, Rangatira, Paula Morris gave a literary account of the life of her ancestor, Paratene Te Manu (Fig. 5). Lindauer certainly painted his portrait from a photograph, but the fictional conversation between the two reproduces the situation in his studio very vividly, something also reinforced by the fact that Lindauer's portraits do not depict unalloyed reality, but the painter instead frequently 'documented' the way people imagined the old tradition: "'Perhaps you will wear this pompom cloak?' the Bohemian says. Like the English, he wants to see us Maori in a cloak, not a coat. He drapes a ngore around me, and it's soft against my skin. I don't mind wearing this, as he requests. [...] The Bohemian is named Mr Lindauer, and he wants to know what I should be called. Do I prefer Paratene or Te Manu? This question takes me some time to answer, because I never really think about this. Te Manu is the name I was given at birth, and Paratene is the one suggested by the minister, Mr Williams, all those years ago, I think it was 1838, or perhaps 1839, when I finally agreed to be baptised. [...] 'When I was a child my name was Bohumir,' he says. He tells me about walking to Vienna when he was a young man. Vienna is an enormous city, like London, and it took him six days to walk there from his father's house. 'I go to study to paint, at the Academy. In Vienna everyone speaks German. My teachers. The students. The people who will pay me to paint their pictures. So I change my name to a German one, Gottfried.' These two names of his mean the same thing, I discover. The greatness of God, the peace of God. I wouldn't mind having a name that meant the greatness of God. Instead I'm named for a bishop who's been dead for a long time. Soon no one will have heard of him, and it will be so much for the name of Paratene Te Manu. 'Please, will you look here?' the Bohemian asks me, and I oblige him by fixing my gaze on a picture on the wall, fastened just be hind his head. [...] The important thing is sitting here, looking straight ahead. In this painting I will not crouch on the edge of things, or avert my eyes. People will look at it, and see my moko, and know who I am."8 Paratene Te Manu had already fought in the 1820s, when the Māori waged wars among themselves over the resources vital to their survival. He was converted to Christianity, witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, was photographed without his permission, and his image circulated widely in Europe, because it exactly suited the image Europe wanted to see of the 'Other', of what people suspected were cannibalistic Māori. Queen Victoria, ruler of New Zealand, knew very well what effect photographs could have.9 In 1863, Te Manu travelled with a group of prominent Māori to England. He had an audience there with the Queen, was received by members of the aristocracy, causing among them various speculations on his history, culture and society. Later, however, he was 'exhibited' at public events and became an attraction and a source of finance for those organising such spectacles. When he came back to New Zealand, he founded the Ngunguru School. He and his tribe had their land taken from them. Paratene Te Manu died in 1897. Pictures have always presented ways of looking at the world. Art history's view of New Zealand has oriented it towards Europe and has, for a long time, banished Lindauer's works into their own niche and regarded his art as unimportant. In the main, the criteria behind this dismissive assessment were his static formal language, his colour palette and his borrowings from photography. People only considered the social and historical significance of his paintings and so attributed an unimportant form of 'Otherness' to them, whilst denying their capacity for connecting with Modernity. It has only been in the last thirty years that Lindauer's unique work has come in for a fundamental reassessment and has attracted the interest of subsequent generations of artists. In the 1970s, cultural issues entered more strongly into a wider political forum, so that the official mono-cultural concept of history was questioned, and still is. Given the huge social change and new departures in critical and theoretical thinking, it is not surprising that people have come to engage extensively with issues from the controversial fields of representation and identity. The potential in numerous of Lindauer's paintings to connect to a contemporary and vital art-scene cannot be ignored. His pictures offer a bridge to a completely different artistic past and are intermediaries and symbols for a living Māori culture and a shared past. Many Māori and non-Māori artists choose their path by way of traditional media, and carry over time-honoured patterns and traditions into the present, renew long-established ornaments and revitalise them by applying them to clothes, bodies, installations and accessories. The conditions governing reception have shifted into the foreground, coupled with a more acute conscious ness of political, cultural and theoretical questions. A large proportion of the vital and progressive production from contemporary artists refers to the colonial heritage. Over and above their spiritual value for descendants, Lindauer's pictures are open to every encounter, comparison and shift in meaning; they can be addressed, interpreted and adopted. Māori and non-Māori are engaging with the questions and problems of belonging, identity and homeland in an urban setting, and the Lindauer portraits form a precious and lasting reservoir in this respect. Fig. 6 Gordon Walters, Kura, 1982, screenprint, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki I would like to mention two very different artists to indicate the impetus these works offer for a vigorous approach to the past. Wellington-born Gordon Walters (1919-1995) lived in the 1940s and the early 1950s in Europe and Australia - many New Zealand artists of his day, most of them Pākehā, continued to suffer right up to the mid-twentieth century under their isolation from Europe. They were aware of the discussions and directions in Modernity, which were having a radical influence on the development of the fine arts. Individuals, therefore, decided to undertake the long sea voyage to the centres of the art world. On his return, Gordon Walters, who had been influenced by the op-art of Piet Mondrian, Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley, discovered Polynesian culture as a huge source of inspiration and integrated traditional Māori patterns or ornaments respectively into his abstract pictures (Fig. 6). The motif used most often in Māori indigenous culture is the koru (fern frond pattern). In it, groups of several lines are shaped into spirals, imitating an unfurling fern frond. The motif stands traditionally for a new beginning and a rebirth. In his koru series, Gordon Walters modifies the curved form of the received, highly symbolic motif into precise geometrical abstractions, the basic form of which he connects in each case with a dividing line, which can be read as a gap in the story. Walters has re-interpreted the old ornamental motif in the pictorial language of the twentieth century and integrated it into a contemporary narrative. His works denote a new beginning in dealing with Māori culture. His works are held in numerous collections and museums. Lisa Reihana (born in 1964, Ngapuhi, Ngati Hine, Ngai Tū) is an artist living in Auckland, who cannot be pinned down to one artistic medium and thus also avoids any final definition. She has Māori and British forebears and is a member of Haerewa, a Māori group of scholars and artists who are cultural advisers to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and guardians of the country's cultural heritage. In her work, Lisa Reihana engages with central questions of contemporary Māori culture, characterised as it is by hybridity. She displays the multiplicity of cultural references and suggests that many identities have accommodated themselves to several contexts simultaneously and that a vital indigenous culture can only be understood and accepted from the standpoint of a shared past. Lisa Reihana has marked out a wide field, in which her works operate beyond their local reference and are, at the same time, deeply rooted in it. She always locates her works deliberately in an exotic, or perhaps better, in an exoticising sphere. That is what makes them so provoking. Fig. 7 Lisa Reihana, Dandy, 2007, photograph, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of the Patrons, purchased with assistance from the Auckland Art Gallery, 2010 In the multiple sequence of the ongoing project, 'Digital Marae', begun in 2007, Lisa Reihana is making reference to the spiritual and cultural meeting-places, called marae in Māori and possessing a central significance for their communities. Numerous Lindauer copies and originals are still today held in these locations as living memorials to ancestors and to a proud history. Lisa Reihana re-stages situations and pictures in the tradition of early European photographs, with which the image of the 'Other' was constructed. She reveals relationships and attributions, which were dominant between the 'cultures in those days and still represent a central problem for identity today. The artist does not just reflect the complexity of her own background, but uses her interdisciplinary approach to blend a theoretical and conceptual way of working with indigenous and Western cultural practices. In the photograph of the Dandy (Fig. 7), she combines cultural badges of recognition from both Māori and European culture. The large-scale photograph shows a well-dressed, proud gentleman, who seems privileged simply on the basis of his European clothing alone, itself possibly pointing to his background. However, at the same time, he confidently carries his traditional moko on his face and thus shows where he comes from, where he belongs and what identity for him we can construct here. Gottfried Lindauer's portraits are not just historical pictures; they belong to a living society of today and they influence the work of contemporary artists. The writer and storyteller Joe Harawira, born 1956, put it this way: "We [Māori] walk into the future backwards." 10 Britta Schmitz First published in Gottfried Lindauer: die Māori-portraits for the Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in collaboration with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki; edited by Udo Kittelmann und Britta Schmitz. Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, 2014. Reprinted online with the kind permission of the author and publishers. gux, "Zeichen der Hierarchie", in: Die Welt, 8 April 2014, p. 3. See Dorinda Outram, Auf'bruch in die Moderne, Stuttgart: Belser Verlag, 2006, pp.130ff. The painter "William Hodges (1744-1797) and the natural history draughts man Sydney Parkinson (1745-1771) produced numerous portraits of Māori, rendering the moko (tattoos) and the adornments and the jewellery of the rangatira (chief) in particular detail. On this topic, see Jürgen Osterhammel, Kolonialismus. Geschichte, Formen, Folgen, München: C. H. Beck, 2009. Alexandra Karentzos, "Postkoloniale Kunstgeschichte. Revisionen von Musealisierungen, Kanonisierungen, Reprāsentationen", in: Julia Reuter und Alexandra Karentzos (eds.), Schlüsselwerke der Postcolonial Studies, Wiesbaden: Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 2012, pp. 249-267, here p. 249. On the history of the German-speaking immigrants, see Oliver Harrison, "The Paradise of the Southern Hemisphere". German and Austrian Visitors to New Zealand 1876-1889, Auckland: University of Auckland Press, 2008, as well as Friedrich August Krull, An Indescribable Beauty. Letters home to Germany from Wellington, New Zealand, 1859 &1862, Wellington: AWA Press, 2012. To name just a few Germans as examples, Andreas Reischek (1845-1902), Otto Finch (1839-1917), Franz Reuleaux (1829-1905), Baron Alexander von Hubner (1811-1892) and Robert von Lendenfeld (1858-1913). Paula Morris, Rangatira, Auckland: Penguin, 2011 (Kindle Edition, location 520- 531 of 3208). See A Royal Passion. Queen Victoria and Photography, exhibition catalogue, Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, 2014. Quoted from Elsemarie Maletzke, "Am Saum der Welt", in: Die Zeit, Nr. 41, 11 October 2012, p. 7. Tangata pūkenga \| The Artist Learn about Gottfried Lindauer, one of the best-known painters of Māori portraits. Read about his painting techniques, why the works were painted, and the role of his patron Henry Partridge.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line73
__label__wiki	0.825004	0.825004	Print \| Close this window Andrew Obeney Andrew grew up in Hackney, East London. He came into acting at 30 when he went on to train at Webber Douglas. Most recently Andrew has been on set filming the Feature Film 'London Recruits' and filming a number of commercials. TV credits include: 'Casualty' (BBC), 'Waking The Dead' (BBC), 'Holby City' (BBC), 'War on Drugs' (History Channel), 'The Knock' (LWT) and 'London's Burning' (LWT). Within the Theatre Andrew has performed in 'The Diary of Tommy Crisp' (Best Comedy performance at The New York Film Festival), A finalist in 'The Sitcom Missions 2011 and 2012'. 'Joking Apart' playing Sven (The Union Theatre) and 'Cloud Nine' playing Clive and Kathy. (The Union Theatre). www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/M20756.html	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line75
__label__cc	0.506846	0.493154	New Zealand little bittern Ixobrychus novaezelandiae (Purdie, 1871) Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae Conservation status: Extinct Other names: kaoriki Paul Martinson New Zealand little bittern. Adult. Oil on board 300 x 370 mm. From the publication 'New Zealand's Extinct Birds' (Brian Gill 1991).. . Image © Paul Martinson by Paul Martinson There are several kinds of small bitterns found over various parts of the world, but New Zealand had its own. Like several of our poorly known species it had an identity crisis, with some ornithologists suggesting that it was similar or identical to the Australian little bittern. It is now recognised as having been a distinct species. Most of the New Zealand little bitterns were collected on the West Coast, apart from a very early record from Tauranga and a specimen collected at the head of Lake Wakatipu. A few fossil bones are also known. It was never a common bird in European experience and was said to “hate civilisation.” The last definite records were from the mid 1890s. The crown and nape of adult male New Zealand little bitterns were bluish black, and the throat buff, merging to rich chestnut on the hind neck. Brownish spotting on the foreneck formed an irregular reddish brown streak along the centre. The face was buffy chestnut, with a rich chestnut streak over the eye and a less distinct browner patch from the gape below the eye finishing below the ear. The upper back was black with reddish brown streaks at the base of the neck becoming browner towards the tail. The tail was black and the flight feathers dark brown. The upper wing surfaces were chestnut from the wing joint and blackish brown streaked with buffy brown closer to the body. The under sides were buffy white with blackish spots, larger and almost forming irregular stripes on the sides of the breast. The bill was dark brown with the lower edge yellowish green. Bare skin between the bill and the eyes was yellowish green, the eye golden yellow and the legs green. Female New Zealand little bitterns appear to have had similar plumage to males, which is unusual in small bitterns. Young birds were browner below and blacker on the back, while the upper wing was entirely rich tawny buff. Voice: wild birds were not known to call but Buller noted that a captive bird showing alarm at a cat gave “a peculiar snapping cry” and “when molested it uttered a cry not unlike that of a kingfisher, but not so loud.” New Zealand little bitterns were probably once widespread in New Zealand. Subfossil bones have been found widely in the North and South Islands and also on Chatham Island. Almost all birds collected in the 1800s came from the West Coast. Here, William Docherty recorded that “They are to be found on the salt-water lagoons on the sea shore, always hugging the timbered side. … I caught one about two miles in the bush on the bank of a creek, but the creek lead to a lagoon.” Two were taken near a deep, slow flowing fresh water stream near Kaniere. The early scarcity of New Zealand little bitterns may have been due to the early spread of Norway rats and feral cats throughout New Zealand. A captive bird showed alarm at the presence of a cat. Their final demise seems to coincide well with the first wave of the stoat invasion on the West Coast and was before the wetlands were drained for farming. It was said to nest on the ground but it is unclear if this was a guess or whether a nest was actually seen. An egg taken from inside a dead bird was said to be large. Docherty noted that “I have seen them in two positions, standing on the banks of the lagoon with their heads bent forward, studiously watching the water and standing straight up, almost perpendicular; I should say this is the proper position for the bird to be placed in when stuffed. … They are always found alone and stand for hours in one place.” Birds in captivity ate mudfish and worms, but would only take food served in water. Buller, W.L. 1888. A history of the birds of New Zealand. The Author, London. http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-BulBird-t1-g1-t2-body-d51.html Oliver, W.R.B. 1955. New Zealand birds. A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington. Potts, T.H. 1870. On the birds of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 3: 59-109. Tennyson, A.; Martinson, P. 2006. Extinct birds of New Zealand. Te Papa Press, Wellington. Southey, I. 2013. New Zealand little bittern. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz Similar species: Little bittern, Australasian bittern A small heron with a brown and yellow bill, yellowish-green facial skin, golden yellow eyes and green legs. Adults had bluish-black, buff, chestnut and reddish-brown plumage with brownish spots on the foreneck and an irregular reddish-brown streak along the centre. We would like more photos of this bird. If you have some you would like to share please contact us.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line76
__label__cc	0.656862	0.343138	Read more from Liverpool Sleep rough for Brazilian street kids The Bluecoat has already done bed-ins Now for something a little less luxurious Written by Liverpool Confidential. Published on June 7th 2011. DO you think you are up to sleeping rough in the city centre? If you think you could have a go, there's an aid organisation for Brazilian street children that would love to hear from you. The Action for Brazil’s Children Trust is inviting people in Liverpool to ditch their duvets for a cardboard box next month with a Big City Sleep. It's part of the huge BRAZILICA festival taking place over the weekend of July 15-17. “We want Liverpool to come and have a go if you think you’re hardy-enough...” they say. While three days of very hard partying gets under way, with the biggest Brazilian carnival in the UK planned, the ABC Trust wants to remind revellers that Brazil is as much about abject poverty and misery as samba, sun and soccer. There are currently an estimated 7 million children living and working on the streets of Brazil, with no homes or loved ones to care for them. No-one should have to sleep on the streets, especially a child, say organisers. “That’s why we’re going to do it for them.” The ABC Trust is asking is that participants try their best to reach a £100 fundraising target which, they say, will go towards making a real difference to the lives of children at their partner projects in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife and beyond. They have already tried this to great acclaim at Spitafields Market in London last December. It could be said that Liverpool is getting off lighty given the season – not to mention mood music with that non-stop carnival, don't forget. Of course, it's going to be nothing like taking your chances in the Barrios of Rio – or even Stanley Street - the safer confines of the Bluecoat garden at the back of School Lane is the venue. But it's not going to be a bed of roses either – for a start there aren't any. On the night of the Big City Sleep, Momentum Arts’ artists Hilary Cox and Beverly Carpenter will be working with the sleep-out participants to create a cardboard “favela” (Brazilian shanty-town) out of anything from plastic bottles to old shoeboxes. It aims to give people an indication of the harsh and brutal reality of the everyday life of these vulnerable children. "We are asking Liverpool to come together in support and solidarity for these children and take part in a fun and worthwhile event to help to change lives. It is for one night only and can be done with your friends and family; just think of it like a big sleepover, but outdoors." If you’d like to register as a participant or you would like to know more about the Big City Sleep at the Bluecoat on 15th July, please contact lydia.stevens@abctrust.org.uk or call 0207 287 3818. For full info on Brazilica, click here Angie Sammons shared this on Facebook on June 7th 2011.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line78
__label__wiki	0.866191	0.866191	Bismarck News Updates Young Legend: Younjosh on His Journey Towards Becoming a Musical Sensation In today’s highly dynamic and saturated music industry, there are those who still manage to stand out and make a memorable impact. Among the sea of talented artists gifted with such ability emerges Younjosh, an outstanding musician whose unique pieces bring together the finest style and flair in the most remarkable way possible. And as he continues to take his career to greater heights, he proves that it is only a matter of time before he makes it to the summit. Widely acknowledged for embracing his individuality, Younjosh harnesses his uniqueness and uses it as his weapon in braving the competitive waters of the music industry. Immensely fueled by the determination to share his craft, he sends the powerful message that being different is nothing to be afraid of. Quite the contrary, one’s authenticity can be the driving force behind their success. As one of the foremost advocates of self-expression, Younjosh, more prominently known as the “Young Legend,” believes that every voice deserves to be heard. And as he cements his name in the music industry, he encourages aspirants and dreamers to speak their truths and wield their talents to spark inspiration and ignite passion in the lives of others. Born March 16, 1984, Younjosh Chrys Marley is an internationally renowned DJ, record producer, director, songwriter, brand ambassador, and remixer. With an incredible passion for music, his goal is to bring people into the groove and dance along with his beats. Growing up in Paris, he explains that much of his artistry is influenced by his grandmother, Constance Marley, who was a well-known pop, reggae, and gospel singing sensation. In an interview, Younjosh shared that he spent the early days of his career spinning house and pop music. According to this up and rising musician, his mixes quickly evolved into a whole musical production where he introduced a seductive combination of electro house, deep house, pop blend, and hip-hop. He also released a bootleg of David Guetta’s hit smash, “I Got a Feeling,” that was discovered online and captured many promoters’ interest in the United States. With his growing connections and expanding exposure, Younjosh began to forge friendships and work with celebrities such as Harvey J, Flo Rida, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, and Arty, to name a few. His debut album, #InMusicWeTrust, back in 2016, reached more than a hundred thousand streams within the first month of its release. Since dipping his toes into the music scene, Younjosh has managed to stay afloat and distinguish himself from other artists and musicians because of his unmatched dedication and all-out efforts. As his way of relating to his listeners, he regularly keeps in touch with them through social media accounts. For this reason, he proves worthy of all the love and support he has been getting from fans. In the coming years, this must-watch artist looks forward to having his independent record label company and club. Through these avenues, he aims to help the house music community thrive and flourish. In addition, he also hopes to cater to budding artists by expanding their horizons and maximizing their potential. More importantly, in the process of birthing tracks and other creative outputs that are bound to leave an impact, Younjosh wishes to inspire aspiring individuals to celebrate their uniqueness courageously. With his big plans to dominate the scene and influence people for the better, it can be expected that this multi-talented artist will evolve into a musical phenomenon. To know more about Younjosh, you may stream his music on Spotify, follow him on Instagram, or subscribe to his channel on YouTube. Company Name: YOUNJOSH Contact Person: John Gerrard / Andrew Calloway Website: www.instagram.com/Younjosh © 2019 Copyright Arizona News Online. All Rights reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line80
__label__cc	0.618261	0.381739	How Honest Is New York State’s Public Education Plan? July 18, 2017 July 19, 2017 Laura Waters The New York State Department of Education is in the final throes of tweaking its plan for complying with America’s new school education law called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In this brave new world of bloated state control and anorexic federal oversight, parents are increasingly dependent on their state’s commitment to honest and clear presentations of each school’s progress. While there are commendable aspects to NYS’s ESSA plan, it fails both the adequacy and transparency tests. First, the good parts. States are required to choose one indicator other than academic achievement to evaluate schools and NYS chose chronic absenteeism, which refers to how many kids missed 15 or more days in a year. That’s a good choice because researchers have found that, for example, New York City schools with the lowest chronic absenteeism rates had twice as many students achieve proficiency benchmarks on English and math tests, as well as more positive climates. Course content standards remain high, despite some minor changes to the Common Core, and the state affirms appropriate emphases on college and career readiness. The state will continue to intervene in low-performing schools. White suburban opt-out fever aside, New York will abide by ESSA’s requirement of 95% student participation in state tests; after all, how else to create a snapshot of student progress? But now comes the bad part. The federal education law says states have to set long-term goals for students. They’ve got to look at how all kids are doing at the school overall, but also how specific groups of students are doing—like students with disabilities, those from low-income families, non-native English speakers, and every major racial and ethnic minority. In New York’s draft plan, which is due to the feds in September, the state lays out the current situation for every important thing they want to measure (e.g., how many Hispanic kids graduate each year), and what the five-year goal is to improve things. Each year, each school will be assigned a grade on a scale of 1 to 4 to show that school’s progress. Sounds straight-forward enough, right? Parents examining a school’s performance report — which, the State tells us, will emulate the far clearer school profiles issued by the New York City Department of Education — will be able to gauge the best placement for their child. Let’s look at those high school graduation rates (on page 25 for those of you following along). Currently 91.2 percent of white students graduate from high school in four years. The long-term goal for this group is 92 percent. Thus, the state has set a goal of increasing white student graduation rates of less than one percent in five years. Currently, 71.1 percent of Black students graduate high school in four years. The long-term goal for this group is 75.9 percent. The state has set a slightly higher goal for Black students, an increase in five years of 4.8 percent. The goal for white student high school graduate rate increases is too low, just over one-tenth of one percent per year. And the goal for Black students? Barely a dent in our historically dismal achievement gap. Would a Black family want to send their child to a school where one out of four students don’t graduate from high school? The second part of the problem with this aspect of this ESSA plan is that the state proposed a ratings of all schools on a scale from 1-4 but will conceal the low expectations that have dogged students of color. Here’s how it works.. Let’s say a school with primarily Black students raised its graduation rate by 1 percent next year. This may compare favorably with other schools, although a graduation rate of 72 percent is hardly something to celebrate. Yet that school may very well receive a rating of 3 or 4 because NYS will compare students from the same group. Ian Rosenblum, executive director of EdTrust-NY, explains: It is extremely dangerous. If the main information parents have is a dashboard with all these ratings, if they see a 4, they should be confident 4 means a high level of performance. But it doesn’t. It just means better performance than schools with the same subgroups of students. Thus, NYS’s ESSA plan not only sets unambitious goals for traditionally-disenfranchised students but obfuscates school performance for their parents. We not only have a barely-ameliorated achievement gap but an honesty gap as well. Ursulina Ramirez, NYC Department of Education The Chief Operating Officer for the NYC Department of Education, told the New York Times yesterday that this scheme is merely “differentiated accountability.” But it’s more than that: it’s bureaucratic jargon designed to render opaque an uninterrupted tradition of soft bigotry and low expectations. New York state’s parents, schoolchildren, and teachers deserve an ESSA plan that replaces complacency with urgency and honesty. Accountability Achievement Gap Common Core State Standards Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) New York State Department of Education Standardized Testing Student Achievement Students of Color Previous Post Do Kids Care If Their Teachers Are Certified? Should Parents? Next Post Three Reasons Why Teachers Must Travel Over the Summer!	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line81
__label__wiki	0.717885	0.717885	Home News Audio Interview – Derek Sherinian: “Phoenix represents a record of life and energy which will burst through the ashes, and bring hope.” Audio Interview – Derek Sherinian: “Phoenix represents a record of life and energy which will burst through the ashes, and bring hope.” by Mislav Mihaljević 18/09/2020 written by Mislav Mihaljević 18/09/2020 Despite of continuous attempts of Covid-19 to fatally wound the music scene in it’s normal existence, Derek Sherinian (Sons Of Apollo, Black County Communion) fights back with a new solo record. Bearing the name “Phoenix”, it represents a record of life and energy which will burst through the ashes, and bring hope to all of us passionately in love with music. Derek has expressed his keyboard playing skills alongside many great, well-known music legends, such as Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and Joe Bonamassa. He was also a member of Dream Theater from 1994 to 1999. During his interesting musical journey, he has released seven solo albums as well, the last one dating back to 2011. Today, after nine years of silence, Derek rises again. With great honor, and privilege, Metal Jacket Magazine brings you an exclusive audio interview with the man of the hour, Derek Sherinian, who presents his eighth solo record, the “Phoenix”, on the day of it’s official release! Black Country CommunionDerek SherinianDream TheaterinterviewPhoenixSons of Apollo Mislav Mihaljević "If you shake my hand better count your fingers." ALTER BRIDGE to Release New EP “Walk The Sky 2.0” Rockshots Records Signs BLUE HOUR GHOSTS	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line83
__label__wiki	0.956657	0.956657	Memorable Manitobans: Ingolfur Gilbert Arnason (1901-1990) Born at Winnipegosis on 7 May 1901, son of Sveinbjorn Arnason and Maria Bjarnadottir, brother of Terry A. Arnason, his family moved to Winnipeg when he was young. He attended United College, graduating with a BA degree in 1922, prior to which he taught at Arnes School for one year. He received MA (1929) and PhD (1952) degrees in Zoology from the University of Manitoba, and did post-graduate work at the University of Chicago and Yale University. He taught science at Isaac Newton School (?-?), Aberdeen School (1927-1930), Daniel McIntyre Collegiate (1930-1938), and Kelvin High School (1938-1945) before becoming Vice-Principal at Machray School (1945-1946). He later served as Principal at Mulvey School (1955-1958), Lord Nelson School (1960-1962), and Luxton School (1963-1966). For two years (1958-1960) he was in charge of the RCAF No. 2 Wing school in France. He retired in 1969 after returning to Kelvin High School for the last three years of his career. He and wife Elsie Arnason (?-?) had a son, Bary Arnason. He was a member of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church for 60 years and served as church secretary for many years. He was a Mason and a member of the Scientific Club of Winnipeg. He died at Winnipeg on 28 May 1990 and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery. Birth registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics. 1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy. “Five more depart,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 April 1969, page 27. Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 30 May 1990, page 39. We thank Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here. Page revised: 14 May 2020	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line84
__label__wiki	0.947524	0.947524	An Irish-Cypriot couple: Sir Hal Blackall and Maria Severis Irish Hellenic Society 7:30p.m. GMT Wednesday 13 January 2021 Zoom lecture by Paddy Waldron WWW version: http://pwaldron.info/Blackall/ YouTube version: My connection to the Blackalls 1889-1932: Before Cyprus Marriage to Maria Severis 1934-1981: Married life The Blackall roots Relationship diagram A baptism in Castleconnell on 17 March 1855 Sir Hal had both an uncle (1842-1877) and a greatuncle named Nicholas living near Castleconnell in 1855. Did my grandparents know that they were both connected to the Blackalls? Deep roots in the legal profession: Henry Blackall (1851-1931), solicitor, from Limerick married his double fifth cousin Isabella Emily Butler (1866-1939) from Cork, at St. Andrew's Church, Westland Row, Dublin, on 1 September 1888 Henry's parents, Jonas Blackall (c1812-1888), solicitor, of Gardenhill, County Limerick, and Catherine Blackall (c1816-1889) of Killard, County Clare, were third cousins Jonas was apprenticed to a relative of his paternal grandmother Elizabeth Barrington Henry William Butler Blackall, later known informally as Hal, was the firstborn of Henry and Isabella's nine children Born on 19 June 1889 at 93 George('s) Street in Newtown Pery in Limerick, the Blackall town house and legal offices since before 1867 Baptised in St. Michael's parish on 23 June 1889 93 O'Connell Street is still a solicitor's office today At home for censuses of 1901 and 1911 (although his younger sister Isabel was already a boarder in 1901 with the Faithful Companions of Jesus nuns at Laurel Hill, all of 10 minutes walk from home!) The Blackalls of Limerick City also had country houses: Sir Hal eventually sold Gardenhill House in Castleconnell parish According to Sir Hal, his grandfather Jonas had "built another residence near Castle Connell which he named Bloomfield The present Bloomfield House was Broomfield on historic OSi maps and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage estimates that it was built before Jonas's birth (1790-1810)! The Blackalls probably summered in Kilkee (near Catherine's birthplace in Killard), where one of his sisters was born in 1893; they had a Kilkee-born cook in 1901 The cook was 62 in 1901 but only 49 in 1911! Received a Jesuit education (including classical Greek): 1900-1903 (as Blackhall) at Sacred Heart College, Crescent House, Limerick (only 3 minutes walk from home; and where his father had been one of the earliest pupils) acknowledged (again as Blackhall) among Crescent Alumni: Another distinguished lawyer was Sir Henry Blackhall (OC1903), who was consecutively Attorney General in Cyprus and in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), and Chief Justice in Trinidad and in Hong Kong. then at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire Then St. G. Coll. Surrey (St. George's College, Weybridge?) Trinity College Dublin: Admitted on 21 Jun 1907 left page right page: Admissorum Nomina: Henricus Guil. Butler Blackall Fidei Professiones: RC Patres: Henricus Patrum Qualitates: solicitor AEtatis Anni: 18 Nativitatum Loca: Limerick Ludimagistri: St. G. Coll. Surrey Tutores: Mr. Kelleher As early as 1793 Roman Catholics had been permitted to enter and take degrees in Trinity Only two RCs among the 34 new students on this page in the admission register Under the Maynooth Statutes of 1956, Dublin Archbishop John Charles McQuaid's ban on attendance at Trinity College was extended to all dioceses: Only the Archbishop of Dublin is competent to decide, in accordance with the norms of the instructions of the Holy See, in what circumstances and with what guarantees against the danger of perversion, attendance at that College may be tolerated. The ban was lifted in 1970. Henry took Firsts in History and Law won every possible Law prize and scholarship BA, ?LLB King's Inns: BLACKALL, HENRY WILLIAM BUTLER (b. 19 June 1889) eld. s. of Henry Blackall, solicitor, of 93 George Street, Limerick, and Isabella Emily Butler; B.A. (Sen. Mod.); M 1909. 1912/M/01 [2 items]. Colonial Service in Kenya, Nigeria, Cyprus, Gold Coast. Knighted (1945) as President of the West Indian Court of Appeal, 1943-6; Chief Justice of Hong Kong, 1946-8; President of the West African Court of Appeal, 1948-51. Genealogist. Died 1 Nov. 1981. Who's Who. [Ferguson, King's Inns Barristers 1868-2004 (2005, p. 140)] Placed first in the class of 11 men called to the bar on Friday 1 November 1912 Classmates included his fellow genealogist Cecil Stackpoole Kenny (1891-1915), whose father was a solicitor practising at 55 George Street, directly across the street from the Blackalls. His pedigrees and family histories in the National Library of Ireland are separate from the Stackpoole Kenny papers Blackall and Kenny shared distant Blackall cousins Ferguson also writes (p. 119): The King's Inns has always educated many more students than chose to join the Law Library. Many graduates of the King's Inns will have been reconciled to going abroad. From the late nineteenth century, Irish barristers regularly took up colonial appointments. In 1909 the Bar Council took credit for having "brought before the Colonial Office the claims of the Irish Bar to a share in the appointments to Colonial legal offices, and with the assistance of the Attorney-General of Ireland were enabled to secure that the same notification of vacancies should be given to the Irish Bar as is given to the various Inns of Court in England, and these notices have since been sent to the Under Treasurer, King's Inns, who has forwarded them to the Secretaries of the Bar Council to be posted in the Library" (The Irish Law Times and Solicitors' Journal, xliii, 4 December 1909, p. 299) World War I: Served throughout the First World War (Times obituary) Medal card Private, South Irish Horse, Regimental Number: 2077 Commissioned 2/Lieut., Cheshire Regiment, 26 Mar 1918 RAF, founded on 1 April 1918 (mentioned in Times obituary but not on medal card) Ferguson (p. 79) does not list him among the 127 members of the Irish Bar who served in the First World War, so we can infer that Henry had not joined the Law Library after his 1912 call to the Irish Bar Did he take a year out to study genealogy before the outbreak of war? Both his first volume of Genealogical Notes and Records and his transcription of the Letters Patent granting lands to his Blackhall ancestors are dated 1913 Post-war address in England: 9 Cavendish Rd., Southsea, Hants. Belle Vale Lodge, Gateacre, nr. Liverpool Colonial Legal Service 1919-51: Crown Counsel, Kenya 1919 Appointed Member of Legislative Council of Kenya 1920 Did not contest the first elections in Kenya later in 1920 Crown Counsel, Nigeria 1923 Attorney-General, Cyprus 1932-6 Marriage to Maria/Maritsa Severis First impressions of Nicosia (© Centre of Visual Arts and Research): Went for a walk around the city with Thomas. The cathedral built by the Crusades is now a mosque and being Ramadan we could not enter inside. Nicosia is a regular Eastern city. The different houses being together each of their own part of the bazaar. It is certainly incomparably more interesting than a place like Lagos… Maria became "his charming and capable wife", daughter of Demosthenes Severis, Chairman of the Bank of Cyprus She was almost 20 years his junior (see August 1945 passenger list left side right side) Married on 21 April 1934 (wedding photograph) Queen's Counsel 1935 Sold Gardenhill House Attorney-General, Gold Coast [Ghana] 1936-43 Member of Executive Council (all Europeans), Gold Coast Member of Legislative Council (Executive Council members and others, incluing Africans), Gold Coast Governor's Deputy, Gold Coast, 1940 Chief Justice, Trinidad and Tobago 1943-46 President West Indian Court of Appeal 1943-46 Chief Justice, Hong Kong 1946-8: CHIEF JUSTICE SIR HENRY BLACKALL TO BE POSTED HERE The announcement was made yesterday that Sir Henry Blackall, Chief Justice of Trinidad, has been appointed Chief Justice of Hong Kong. Sir Henry is at present in British Guyana, and it is expected that he will leave for Hong Kong at an early date. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall was born in 1889, the son of the late Mr Henry Blackall, of Garden Hill, County Limerick, a descendant of the ninth Baron Dunboyne. Sir Henry was married in 1934 to Maria, only daughter of Mr D. Severis, at one time a member of the Legislative Council of Nicosia, Cyprus. The new Chief Justice of Hong Kong was educated at Stonyhurst and later Trinity College, Dublin, from which he received his BA and LLB. (1st place). He also obtained first class honours in Modern History and was first prizeman in Roman Law and first prizeman in International Law and Jurisprudence. Fought with Cheshires Sir Henry had a distinguished record in World War I when he served with the Cheshire Regiment and Royal Air Force. Appointed Crown Counsel in Kenya in 1919, Sir Henry became a member of the Legislative Council there in 1920. In 1923 he was Crown Counsel in Nigeria and was Acting Solicitor-General between 1923 and 1931. (South China Morning Post and Hongkong Telegraph, Vol. II, No. 395, Sunday 24 March 1946; republished 24 March 1996.) President West African Court of Appeal 1948-51 Retired in 1951 to White Arches, Kyrenia Almost annual visits to Dublin during the 1950s and 1960s, when he went to the Public Record Office every day Regularly attended meetings of the Irish Genealogical Research Society at the Irish Club, 82 Eaton Square, London, inclulding lecturing about "The Butlers of County Clare" on 24 June 1953 Remained in Kyrenia until after the Turkish occupation in 1974. Hubert Butler wrote: They had a beautiful house at Kyrenia and I cherish a letter that he wrote me after the Turkish occupation, when he had to abandon it and move to Greek Nicosia. He wrote with marvellous nonchalance about his loss and gave such a vivid understanding description of the Greco-Turkish struggle, that I asked if I could print it in the Jorunal [of the Butler Society]. He said, "No, it has nothing to do with the Butlers". That is, of course, true, yet now that he is gone I wish it had been published. It would have been a memorial to a very old man who could face misfortune with sangfroid and detachment. Sir Hal wrote to the Thomond Archaeological Society in 1977, complaining of "loss of memory from old age (88)", offering the North Munster Antiquarian Journal a pedigree of the O'Mulvihills, which never materialised Listed as "Blackall, Sir Henry, Q.C., 7 Halkydon Street, Nicosia, Cyprus" in the Thomond Archaelogical Society membership lists (NMAJ, Vol. XXI, 1979, p. 69) Maritsa died on 1 January 1981, in the arms of her nephew's wife Rita Severis Hal died ten months later, on 1 November 1981, the 69th anniversary of his call to the Irish Bar, aged 92 Obituaries: Journal of the Butler Society, vol. 2, no. 2, p. 155, by his eighth cousin twice removed Hubert Butler (1900-91) The Irish Genealogist, vol. 6, no. 3, p. 396, by H.D.G. [presumably his fellow Gallwey descendant and editor of the journal Hubert Dayrell Gallwey (1915-1983)] The Times, Saturday, 7 November, 1981; pg. 8; Issue 61076; col H. North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol.. XXIV, 1982, p. 117 by E. MacLysaght (1887-1986) Wikipedia entry Knighthood (Knight Bachelor in 1945 New Year Honours) Ll.D. (jure dignitatis) (D.U.) 1945: Clare Champion 14 July 1945 CHIEF JUSTICE OF TRINIDAD Among those who received honorary degrees at the Commencements held at Trinity College, Dublin, last week, was Sir Henry William Butler Blackall, Chief Justice of Trinidad and President of the West Indian Court of Appeal, upon whom was conferred, "in absentia," the degree of LL.D. (jure dignitatis). Sir Henry, who is a graduate of T.C.D., received a Knighthood at the New Year. He is grandson of the late William Butler, of Bunnahow, a former High Sheriff of this county, and a collateral descendant [GGGGGGnephew] of the famous Clare lawyer, Sir Toby Butler, who was M.P. for Ennis in the historic parliament of 1689 and Solicitor-General to King James II. Fellow of Irish Genealogical Research Society, 1969 Contributions published in the Society's journal The Irish Genealogist from 1941 until after his death in 1981. Drafted the new rules of the Society after the death of the founder Fr. Wallace Clare in 1963 Vice-President from 1964 Also Vice-President of The Butler Society and a regular contributor to its journal Sample publications: [Blackall, 1941] Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. Abstracts from Blackall family records. The Irish Genealogist, 1(9):265-275, October 1941. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. The Butlers of County Clare. North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 6(4):108-129, 1952. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. The Butlers of County Clare (continued). North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 6(5):153-167, 1953. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. The Butlers of County Clare (concluded). North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 7(2):19-45, 1955 [This three-part series was reprinted as a single stand-alone publication and is now available in an online version]. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. The Burnells and the Penal Laws. The Irish Genealogist, 4(2):74-80, October 1969. Sir Henry William Butler Blackall. The Blackall family of Limerick, Dublin and Clare, 1971. [Burke, 1976] Burke. Irish Family Records. Burke's Peerage, 5th edition, 1976 [Blackall entry, pp. 111-13]. Sir Hal and his only brother George Jonas Butler ("Friday") Blackall (1902-1976) had no issue survived by three sisters (who all died in 1986), three nephews, one niece, in-laws by 1985, just one Blackall in Irish Telephone Directory (Cuid a Dó) by 1994/5, just one Blackall in Irish Telephone Directory (01 area) surname virtually "daughtered out" in Ireland Gave his record of his researches on the Blackalls to Edward MacLysaght, who deposited it in the MS Dept of the National Library of Ireland (MacLysaght Collection, pp. 3470-3480) Fr. Mark Tierney (1925-2011), O.S.B., of Glenstal Abbey, described himself as Sir Hal's literary executor and deposited seven boxes of his genealogical papers in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin Fr. Mark's greataunt Jane Healy was married to Sir Hal's uncle Nicholas George Blackall These papers remain poorly indexed and catalogued They include several enormous manuscipt volumes of Genealogical Notes and Records - Volumes I and II in Box 4, Volumes III and V in Box 1, Volume IV in Box 5, etc. The Centre of Visual Arts & Research of the Costas & Rita Severis Foundation in Nicosia holds Sir Henry's personal diaries dating from 1929 – 1980 and many, many photographs, e.g. Sir Henry in his formal attire Henry and Maria at an official event the Adah Ciftlik in Kyrenia where they lived Sir Harry W. B. Blackall Papers, Rhodes House, Oxford University Libraries Source for 2016 Ph.D. dissertation, Fallible Justice: The Dilemma of the British in the Gold Coast, 1874-1944, by Neal M. Goldman, City University of New York Sir Hal's time in the Gold Coast is also referred to in The Power to Name: A History of Anonymity in Colonial West Africa, by Stephanie Newell (Ohio University Press, 2013) Colonial Service: Parallels to career of Sir Paget John Bourke (1906-1983): not called to the Irish Bar until 1928, six years after foundation of the Irish Free State married Sir Hal's second cousin once removed Doris Killeen in 1935 joined the British colonial service Chief Justice of Cyprus 1957-60 Knighted 1957 uncle of Mary Terese Winifred Bourke, better known by her married name, Mrs. Mary Robinson Genealogy: He performed an invaluable service to all those related to Blackalls by devoting up to seventy years of his life to investigating and documenting the history and genealogy of the family He did much of his work in the Public Record Office of Ireland before it was destroyed during the Irish Civil War in 1922 The 1941 article above was accompanied by a true copy of the Letters Patent of 5 April 1667, granting lands in County Limerick to Thomas Blackhall [sic] under the Act of Settlement, which had formerly been in the Public Record Office, Dublin, being a transcript made about 1913 by the author. The 1941 article also included abstracts from Prerogative Wills, Grants of Administration, Marriage Licence Bonds, etc., which may also have been lost in the 1922 fire. He should be of great interest to the Beyond 2022 team who are attempting to restore as much as possible of what was lost in 1922 His research work on the Blackall family history has been invaluable to me personally for several decades he was reluctant to express doubt by using such words as 'probably' or 'possibly', or such expressions as 'may have been'. He preferred to give a judicial verdict on the evidence available. This legal approach sometimes let him down when fresh facts later came to light. Even reputable newspapers have occasionally carried fake news about Blackalls. To those who may be reluctant to publish anything that is not perfectly researched, with the result that nothing ever appears, he liked to quote the adage The best is the greatest enemy of the good The Blackalls are described by Sir Hal as "Cromwellian Landed Gentry" They became Catholic middlemen George Blackall, Lord Mayor of Dublin, "stated in no uncertain terms" in a 1694 letter "that his family came from Devon" The Burnells and the Penal Laws: Sir Hal's ancestry was not entirely Catholic His GGGGgrandfather Christopher Burnell (c1700-c1778) lived at Ranaghan, Co. Clare and was a `Papist' and all his children were so trained. Christopher was a victim of that iniquitous provision of the Popery Act 1703 whereby an undutiful son, on becoming a Protestant, could prevent a `Popish' father providing for his Catholic offspring from his estate. See Chancery Bill of 7 June 1763, Henry Burnell, gent. v. Christopher Burnell, Mary his [2nd] wife [Henry's stepmother] and Cornet James Butler, her nephew. Henry, the eldest son, was the undutiful one. When he expressed a desire to become a Protestant, Christopher and Mary threatened to maintain him no longer. Henry alleged that Christopher and Mary made a treaty for James Butler to buy Ranaghan in trust for their children, and Christopher admitted to making over his estate in said lands by a deed registered in Jan 1763. Christopher claimed that Henry did not conform to the Church of Ireland on principle, but was idle and extravagant and desirous to spend more than the family's circumstances allowed, and so threatened not to support him if he changed his religion. He had been at great expense to apprentice Henry to a merchant at Ennis, but Henry quitted business and in April 1763 made his recantation. He would be willing to provide for Henry were he a dutiful son. The Butlers of Bunnahow, from which branch Sir Hal's mother descended, were the only branch of the Butler family which continued to adhere to the Catholic Faith throughout the Penal times Killard There is a lease for lives dated 17 Apr 1740 of 629 acres of the lands of Killard, Cahirlonemore and Cahirlonebeg [Caherlean] from John Westropp of Attyflin, Co. Limerick, to Thomas and John Blackall The Great Famine in Killard THE EVICTIONS AT KILLARD, COUNTY OF CLARE, Limerick and Clare Examiner, Wednesday 24 October 1849: A letter has appeared on the LIMERICK AND CLARE EXAMINER, of the 26th ult., signed John [McMahon] Blackall, Killard ... the house levelling which took place within the last twelve months, on what he now terms his son [George]'s portion of Killard. ... Hugh and Thomas Clancy, the father and son, never paid rent; Hugh Clancy was married to the sister of Mr. [John McMahon] Blackall, and got the place in right of his wife from old George Blackall, deceased. See also Illustrated London News, 9 February 1850 The Blackall lands descended to Marcella (Miss Massie) Blackall (1866-1948). Miss Massie wanted the Killard farm to remain in the Blackall name, and actively encouraged her niece Nancie Blackall's relationship with Sir Hal's brother "Friday" Blackall, her second cousin. He was 44 and she was 41 by the time they married, and they had no issue. By 1963, they had sold up in Killard and moved to Dublin. Royal descents Sir Hal was 9th cousin twice removed of the present Queen of England, as both of his parents and her mother were descendants of Walter Butler, 11th Earl of Ormonde (d. 1632/3) Closest Y-DNA matches to John Blackall of Liverpool, but of County Clare ancestry, are the surnames Blackledge, Blacklidge, Blackler, Berdahl, Ekman	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line93
__label__wiki	0.84525	0.84525	Review: District 9 Alien invasion stories can often seem a bit far-fetched, but making a great action movie with a compelling story for just $30 million shouldn’t. If “District 9” scores at the box office, maybe it will drive home to Hollywood that eternal but oft forgotten message that great films come from great stories. “District 9” is a sci-fi movie that takes a great concept and runs with it behind committed visionaries who believe completely in what they’re doing. If carefree producers with fat checkbooks had been involved, this story of aliens stranded in Johannesburg, South Africa, forced by the government to live in slums would feel about as hokey as “Starship Troopers.” Instead, it’s a gripping action blockbuster accompanied by a running social commentary. The only big name attached to “District 9” is producer Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”). South-African born Director Neill Blomkamp makes his debut based on a script he wrote with friend Terri Tatchell. The star is Sharlto Copley, who you’ve also never heard of before. So aside from Jackson, what’s the draw? Blomkamp’s premise will simply capture your imagination and glue your interest. Most people can’t sell a film with just that, but Blomkamp is so firmly in control of this fictional scenario that anyone can easily believe it for just a couple hours. If you think you can tell that from the trailers, just wait, there’s more. Starting out as a fictional documentary, “District 9” explains how the aliens, termed “prawns” for their shrimp-like appearance, showed up hovering over Johannesburg in their mothership and were eventually forced to relocate to Earth. The South African government gave policing permission to Multi-National United, a corp that claimed it wanted to study the species scientifically, when it was chiefly interested in decoding its incredible weapons technology. Eventually the film shifts gears into full-out action mode as Wikus van de Merwe (Copley), who was put in charge of a new operation to relocate the prawns 200 kilometers outside of the city in new refugee-type camps for MNU, becomes infected by an alien substance, making him a walking piece of scientific research. Carrying the historical weight of Apartheid in South Africa, “District 9” essentially plays out a social drama in many aspects, wondering exactly how things might turn out if aliens came to Earth without the goal of taking over our planet. How would we treat them? Segregate them? Kill them without just cause? There are several bumps on the road to fully realizing this concept, but the idea of it and the details Blomkamp gives the aliens — such as an affinity for rubber and an almost drug-like addiction to cat food — cover up the mistakes with ease, keeping you interested in what’s going to happen next or what else you might learn about the aliens and their circumstances. As an action film, “District 9” picks up halfway through, giving plenty of blood-soaring body- dismembering gore (sometimes to a comical degree) to those viewers that bought tickets just to get what they expected from the genre. It does not cheat those looking for just entertainment. But “District 9” clearly strives to earn more respect with its audience. The movie doesn’t flaunt its weapons inventions, for example, but incorporates them naturally into the plot in order to generate intrigue, then pulling the trigger and giving us the long- awaited spectacle. It’s the kind of respect that a serious storyteller has for his or her audience, and Blomkamp has it. Many plot points and dialogue exchanges are predictable, but the presentation is highly original and the concept is fresh, modern and head-smart compared to the ’90s garbage of “Independence Day” and “Men in Black,” as wildly popular as those films were. The documentary feel and the hand-held camera action might be the trappings of low budget, but they really tell this story in unique riveting fashion. It amazes me that Michael Bay can take $200 million and make the dizzying piece of scrap metal that was “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” yet an unknown pal of Peter Jackson can take less than a quarter of that money and make thought-provoking and exciting science-fiction with some of 2009’s most original storytelling. Released: 14 August 2009 Directed by: Neill Blomkamp Written by: Terri Tatchell, Neill Blomkamp Starring: Sharlto Copley Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3453485593/ ← Rankings: Top 10 Brunette Beauties Archive Review: Scary Movie (2000) →	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line96
__label__wiki	0.676551	0.676551	Ribault & Rushe RR Solicitor – Avocats representing your interest defending your rights Les Avocats Ray RUSHE Roger RIBAULT Franck BOULIN Commercial litigation in the UK Posted on 20 décembre 2018 20 décembre 2018 AuthorAntoine Par Ray Rushe, Solicitor – Avocat à la cour When engaging in litigation the outcome is inherently uncertain and will depend to a great extent on factors which are outside the control of the parties. Furthermore litigation is expensive and time consuming; therefore, in most circumstances it will be advisable to try firstly to resolve the dispute through a commercial solution. It is by no means a sign of weakness to approach the other party in order to explore the possibilities of a settlement. In fact litigation should always be viewed as a last resort and negotiations with a view to settlement may continue to be attempted at any time and even during the litigation process. Several forms of dispute resolution are available, including negotiation, expert determination and mediation (see below). Whatever the form of dispute resolution, legal advice should firstly be obtained in order to ensure that discussions are conducted within the framework of ‘without prejudice’ negotiations. Working within such a framework allows the parties to discuss the dispute freely so that any concessions or admissions made by the parties during such proceedings will not adversely affect the parties’ positions should the resolution process fail. When embarking on litigation the following points should be considered: How much is the claim worth? Can your adversary pay if you win? What are the costs involved in bringing the claim? What are the implications for your business should the claim fail? Could the dispute cause any problems in terms of bad publicity when your firm is looking for new business? Could the dispute affect your business reputation? How much time commitment will be involved in instructing lawyers and generally managing the dispute? Is there any commercial advantage for your business in suing your adversary? eg. by showing competitors that you are serious about protecting your rights. Initial steps when a dispute arises: You may receive official documents from the court indicating that a claim has been made against you; alternatively, an incident may occur which appears litigious. For risk management purposes, take legal advice as soon as is practicable. Avoid at this stage talking to the other side. You may say something which can be used against you at a later stage. Do not make any admissions or agree to settle without first discussing the situation with your lawyer. Do not procrastinate; you may need to comply with certain time limits. Ensure that any employees who are in contact on a business level with your adversary are aware that a dispute has arisen. Before Commencing Proceedings Before commencing proceedings, the parties must comply with certain pre-action protocols (procedures). Depending on the type of case, the appropriate guidance is set out in the relevant pre-action protocol and practice CPR direction. Such protocols usually impose upon the claimant a duty to send a letter before action, which will be followed by a reasoned reply from the defendant as to why the party denies liability. Furthermore, the parties are generally required at this stage to exchange any essential documentation to prove their respective cases; to consider whether their dispute could be settled by way of mediation or any other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism; to consider whether the dispute may be resolved by making a Part 36 offer (an offer to settle for a certain fixed amount, which, if rejected can lead to certain adverse cost consequences if the final award at trial is less than the amount offered in the Part 36 offer of settlement); and to consider whether they could appoint a joint expert in case expert evidence is required. Under the law of England and Wales various limitation periods are set out by statute, the most important of which is the Limitation Act 1980. The limitation period for contract is six years, with the time running from the breach of contract, and generally from the date on which the cause of action arose. In some circumstances i.e. in cases of fraud or concealment, the limitation period may be extended. Litigation in England and Wales The English legal system is based on the common law tradition. The English courts are bound by the principle of precedent. Civil court procedure in England is governed by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) The UK legal profession is divided between solicitors and barristers. Solicitors primarily have case management functions and have direct contact with clients on a day-to-day basis. Barristers (known in court as ‘counsel’) are normally instructed by solicitors for any advocacy before the higher (senior) courts. Solicitor-advocates, who are solicitors with the same rights of audience in the senior courts as barristers, may also represent the interests of a party in court. Contractual disputes in England and Wales are heard in the County courts or the High Court, both of which are courts of original jurisdiction (trial courts). Cases which are more, complex, sizeable and of higher value are exclusively dealt with by the High Court, which is divided into three divisions: the Queen’s Bench Division (QBD) ; the Chancery Division (ChD), and the Family Division. (FamD). The QBD deals with all commercial matters and is the most appropriate forum for claims in contract. The ChD deals, amongst others, with corporate matters and intellectual property. Appeals lie to a divisional court of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in the last instance, but only if the issue appealed is of ‘general public importance’. There are various specialist courts within the High Court, including the Administrative court, the Technology and Construction Court, the Commercial Court, the Admiralty Court, the Companies Court and the Patents Court. The Commercial Court forms part of the High Court QBD in London, and is generally regarded as the most appropriate forum in England to resolve contractual disputes. The main steps in commercial law proceedings before the courts of English and Wales are: issue of a claim form in the court; service of the claimant’s claim form and statement of case; service on the defendant of a claim form and (usually at same time statement of claim); service of the defence; service of claimant’s reply; allocation of the claim to a case management track; disclosure of documents; exchange of witness and expert evidence; listing for trial; trial; and assessment of costs. The CPR lays down strict time limits and procedural requirements for the various stages. The overall average duration of commercial proceedings (excluding appeals) varies between one and two years. Appeal proceedings can take substantially longer, especially if the appeal is taken to the highest and last instance in England and Wales, the Supreme Court. Costs in commercial proceedings vary considerably depending primarily upon the size and complexity of the case and the level of fees of the solicitors and counsel instructed. In the courts of England and Wales there is a long-established common law principle that “costs follow the event”, whereby the loser generally bears the costs of the proceedings. Unless agreed by the paying party, costs will need to be assessed at a detailed costs assessment hearing once the case is over. A substantial proportion of the costs incurred will generally be recoverable after assessment, but this is unlikely to amount to a full reimbursement. The legal system in England and Wales allows conditional fee arrangements between lawyers and their clients (“no win no fee”). However, these are limited to a percentage on top of the fees payable, known as an ‘uplift’. No contingency fees are allowed in contentious proceedings, so that lawyers cannot share in the damages awarded. Once proceedings have commenced, defendants may apply for security for costs against a claimant company if there is reason to believe that it will be unable to pay the defendant’s costs if ordered to do so. An application may also be made if a claimant is resident outside the EU, but only for the additional amount of costs that would be incurred in enforcing the judgment in the claimant’s jurisdiction. Article 6 (1) of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) has made it increasingly difficult to obtain security for costs. The reason for this is that requiring a party to provide funds that it is unable to raise may amount to a breach of its rights to a fair trial. Commencing Proceedings Commercial proceedings are commenced by issuing a claim form, which is sealed by the competent court. The required steps for service of the claim form must be taken within four months of issuance. A claim form for service out of the jurisdiction must be served within six months of issuance. The claim form sets out: the names and addresses of the claimant and the defendant; the nature of the claim; the relief sought; and the value of a money claim. Methods of service under the CPR include: personal service; leaving the document at a place specified in the CPR; first-class post; by fax or other means of electronic communications. Service abroad is effected pursuant to the corresponding rules of service applicable in the country where service is sought. The 1965 Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters and the EU Service Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No.1348/2000) provide guidance on service in the countries which are party to these instruments. Permission of the court is required to serve proceedings on defendants outside the EU. Leave is not required for service on defendants in the EU, but a form must be lodged at court with the claim form indicating the grounds on which service outside the jurisdiction is permitted. The preferred method of service of foreign proceedings in England and Wales under the Hague Convention is by way of personal service. Defending a Claim The defence must state: which allegations made in the particulars of claim the defendant denies; which allegations the defendant admits; which allegations the defendant is unable to admit or deny, but on which he puts the claimant ‘to proof’ ie. the defendant wishes to see proof of the matter alleged; The defendant may also issue a counterclaim provided the party has a cause of action against the claimant and that the parties to the counterclaim can be sued in the same capacity in which they appear in the initial claim. Where the defendant issues a counterclaim, the claimant must file a defence to counterclaim. Under Part 20 of the CPR a defendant may bring a claim (a “Part 20 claim”) against a third party for an indemnity or contribution or some other remedy within the context of the existing proceedings, rather than commencing separate proceedings against that party. Once served with the Part 20 claim form, the third party becomes a party to the original action. Allocation to a ‘track’ The courts of England and Wales apply a track allocation system, according to which commercial claims are allocated to one of three case management tracks: small claims track the fast track, or the multi-track The small claims track provides a speedy, informal and inexpensive procedure for simple claims worth no more than £5,000 and is dealt with by a District judge in chambers ie. not open court, in the County Court. The fast track aims to provide an equally streamlined procedure for resolving disputes valued between £5,000 and £25,000 and is dealt with by the County Court. Fast track cases must be heard within 16 weeks of filing and will be dealt with by way of a maximum one-day trial. The multi-track caters for the resolution of more complex disputes whose value exceeds £25,000. However, claims worth less than £50,000 which have been commenced in the High Court will generally be transferred to a County Court, unless there is a specific requirement for them to be heard in the High Court. Claims brought before the Commercial Court are automatically allocated to the multi-track. Under the CPR, the courts of England and Wales are under a duty to manage cases actively with a view to minimising costs incurred. Active judicial case management includes: encouraging the parties to co-operate in the conduct of the proceedings; identifying the issues that require full investigation and trial and deciding summarily on those which do not; encouraging the parties to enter ADR if the court considers this appropriate; facilitating the settlement of the dispute in whole or in part; controlling the process of the case in a cost-conscious and efficient manner by setting procedural timetables and giving other appropriate directions; reducing the parties’ need to attend court to a minimum; and making full use of technology. A range of interim applications are available to the parties. These include: security for costs ; interim injunctions (such as search orders and freezing orders); orders for specific disclosure; amendment of a statement of case; costs sanctions and other constraining measures against a party who does not comply with the court’s previous procedural directions. Under the CPR, the courts of England and Wales have powers to compel uncooperative parties to comply with its orders and directions, including the power to award cost orders. The courts are also empowered to make a strike-out order whereby the courts are empowered to strike out the whole or any part of a statement of case on their own motion or upon application by one of the parties. Furthermore, the court may strike out a statement of case if it appears to the court that: the statement discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing or defending a claim; the statement constitutes an abuse of the court’s process or is otherwise likely to obstruct the just disposal of the proceedings; or there has been a failure to comply with a rule, practice direction or court order. Normally, an application for an order striking out a statement of case will be made during the pre-trial stages of proceedings, and often together with an application for summary judgment. However, a court can exercise this power before trial or even during the course of trial. Summary judgment Under the CPR, the courts of England and Wales may enter summary judgment in favour of the claimant without holding a full trial. This may occur where a claimant can show that the defence has no real prospect of success and there is no other reason why the case should go to trial. Summary judgment procedure may also be invoked by defendants against weak or unfounded claims that lack any prospect of success and there is no other reason why the claim should be brought to trial. The courts may also enter summary judgment of their own motion in order to prevent weak or unfounded cases from proceeding. This power is generally available for the benefit of claimants and defendants. Disclosure is an exercise which obliges the parties to reveal their cases at a relatively early stage thus encouraging settlement. Disclosure must be treated seriously because it can impact heavily on the outcome of proceedings. The credibility of a party at trial may be adversely affected if that party fails to give proper disclosure because documents have been destroyed or overlooked. The court may impose severe sanctions on any party not complying with its disclosure obligations. Furthermore, a lawyer owes an independent duty to the court to ensure that proper disclosure is given. Under the CPR disclosure rules, the parties to the proceedings are under a duty to give advance notice to each other of any material documentation in their respective control. This process is known as “standard disclosure” and usually consists of exchanging a list of relevant documents which are or have been in each party’s possession or control. Disclosure is followed by inspection, where parties can request copies of documents appearing on the other party’s list or physically inspect the original documents at the other party’s solicitors’ office. Standard disclosure requires the parties to disclose the following documents: those on which a party relies for making its case; those which adversely affect its own case or another party’s case; and those which support another party’s case. Documents that are not material to the case do not require disclosure. There are three categories of privilege in commercial proceedings: legal advice privilege, covering any confidential communications between a solicitor and client for the purposes of giving legal advice; litigation privilege covering confidential communications between a client and a third party or a lawyer and a third party provided that litigation was contemplated or pending and the information was for the purposes of the litigation; and ‘without prejudice’ privilege, whereby any ‘without prejudice’ communications made orally or in writing with the intention of settling of the dispute are privileged and may not be disclosed to the court. Documents that are classified as privileged must be disclosed by listing the existence of such documents. This is often done in a generic fashion, rather than by specific reference to the particular documents. Privileged documents are not made available for inspection by the other side. Under the CPR, the parties are required to make advance disclosure of all material documents before trial. Moreover, court directions may require the parties to exchange expert reports and statements of witnesses of fact they seek to rely on at trial. Hearsay evidence is admissible at trial if advance notice identifying the hearsay evidence is given to the other party. Hearsay evidence is evidence which a witness gives of facts they have not personally experienced for the purpose of proving the truth of those facts. Admissibility of evidence Admissible evidence includes: expert evidence; witnesses of fact; and hearsay evidence. Permission of the court is required to adduce expert evidence and such evidence will be restricted to that which is reasonably required. A court may control expert evidence by giving directions as to the issues on which it requires evidence and the nature of the evidence which it requires to decide those issues. Witnesses of fact Written witness statements for each witness of fact are usually exchanged by the parties before trial and stand as evidence-in-chief of the witnesses to be called so that there is no oral examination–in-chief of witnesses by their lawyer. However, witnesses giving evidence at trial are cross-examined by the lawyer acting for the other side. Types of judgments The court may make a summary judgment or a judgment by default. Judgment in default is a speedy way for claimants to obtain judgment without a trial. In most cases a defendant served with a claim form and particulars of claim must acknowledge service and then file a defence. If no acknowledgement or defence is forthcoming the claimant may ask the court to give it judgment in default. The judgment can award damages e.g. for lost contractual profits, and/or an order e.g. for specific performance so that the court orders that a defaulting party performs its outstanding obligations under a contract and/or any other form of declaratory relief. The courts of England and Wales are empowered to make a wide variety of orders, including: injunction orders, compelling a party to perform a particular act (mandatory) or prohibiting a party from doing a particular act (prohibitory), or consent orders evidencing a contractual agreement between the parties; Tomlin orders (a consent order in the form of a stay of proceedings on terms agreed between the parties and recorded in a confidential schedule); and provisional damages orders which are normally confined to personal injury cases. The courts of England and Wales may award damages for loss suffered, including economic loss. Where the loss suffered is negligible, the court will award nominal damages only. The courts of England and Wales are not allowed to award punitive damages. The courts have the power to award costs of the litigation in accordance with the ‘costs follow the event’ principle, whereby the loser usually pays the costs (see above). There may be a departure from this principle if the winner has displayed unreasonable behaviour during the course of the proceedings. Cost orders are generally discretionary. The courts may award interest on both damages and costs awarded. Enforcing a domestic or a foreign judgment Domestic judgments A domestic money judgment may be enforced: by means of a writ or warrant of execution granted by the court against the debtor’s goods; by a third party debt order against the debtor’s bank account; by attachment of earnings against the debtor’s salary; or by obtaining a charging order whereby the debt is secured against the judgment debtors real estate. Non-money judgments are enforced in accordance with their own specific enforcement procedures, as provided in the relevant legislation. Foreign judgments The direct enforcement of foreign judgments in the courts of England and Wales is governed by the bi/or multi-lateral conventions to which the UK is a party, and which have been transposed into English law. The UK is a party to Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2001 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (formerly the Brussels Convention), which provides for the enforcement of judgments throughout the European Union. The relevant provisions may also be found in the Administration of Justice Act 1920 and the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933. Under the CPR, an appellant is required to apply for permission to appeal. Permission to appeal may only be given if: the court considers that the appeal would have a real prospect of success; or there is some other compelling reason for which the appeal should be heard. Apart from litigation, the most commonly used methods of ADR in England and Wales are arbitration and mediation. Mediation is a widely accepted alternative dispute resolution mechanism which is recognised by the CPR. Mediation usually requires the agreement of the parties to mediate. Under the case management powers of the CPR the court does have the power to order the parties to attend mediation however it has no power to oblige the parties to settle. The mediation process is confidential and benefits from the ‘without prejudice’ privilege rule, so that any communications made during the mediation proceedings where no settlement was reached may not be disclosed at a later date without the express agreement of the mediating parties (unless there is a dispute as to whether a settlement was actually reached). The mediator is not empowered to adopt any interim measures or make any type of orders. Mediations are usually facilitative only, so that the mediator merely assists the parties in finding a commercially viable solution to their dispute, instead of actively evaluating the merit of the parties’ respective positions. If the mediation is successful, it is concluded by a settlement agreement, which is an enforceable contract. Expert determination Expert determination is often used for disputes relating to complex financial matters such as price adjustments on take-overs, the valuation of shares in private companies, information technology and construction contracts. Expert determination is final and binding with no availability of an appeal. Unlike arbitrators, expert determiners deliver ‘non-speaking awards’, i.e. awards that do not set out detailed reasons for the final decision delivered. An expert determination may only be challenged on the grounds of a ‘manifest error’, or for breach of the principles of natural justice or due process. Arbitration proceedings in England and Wales are governed by the English Arbitration Act 1996, which applies to both domestic and international arbitration. Depending on the parties’ arbitration agreement, various institutional arbitration rules may be applied e.g. the Rules of the London Court, or those of the London-based trade associations. The two major arbitration institutions in England and Wales are the London Court of International Arbitration and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Other more specialised arbitration institutions include: the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association; the Federation of Oils, Seeds & Fats Association; the London Metal Exchange. Arbitration is a technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons (the arbitrators) whose decision the parties agree to be bound by. The arbitrators review the evidence and impose a decision that is legally binding for both sides and enforceable. Arbitration is often used for the resolution of commercial disputes, particularly in the context of international commercial transactions. The aim of arbitration is to obtain a fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense. Arbitrators in principle have more flexible schedules than judges and there is less likelihood of there being a delay. Parties have greater control over the timing of the arbitration proceedings. Arbitration also leads to faster resolution because the proceedings are less formal than a court case. Furthermore, there is a limited right of appeal against arbitration awards thereby ensuring that disputes are not prolonged by long appeal processes which can mean speedier enforcement and less scope for a party to delay matters. However there is an ongoing debate concerning whether the cost of arbitration is lower than the cost of going to trial for more complex cases. Arbitrators’ fees can be relatively high and there are other incidental costs such as hire charges for the venue, transport and hotel costs for the parties etc. Therefore, costs may no longer be a relevant factor for consideration by the parties in their choice of whether or not to use arbitration as a means of dispute resolution. Arbitration is less formal than court proceedings. Parties are attracted to this less formal approach which encourages a speedier and less costly way of settling disputes. This flexibility extends to the freedom to choose the venue of the arbitration whether in the arbitration agreement set out in the contract itself or at a later stage. This decision allows parties from different legal jurisdictions and different legal systems to pick a neutral venue or a venue that is convenient for them. The parties may also decide on the seat of the arbitration i.e. the legal jurisdiction to which the arbitration is tied. The seat dictates which national law governs the procedure. The seat of the arbitration is important since it will normally determine the procedure or rules which the arbitration adopts, and the courts which exercise jurisdiction over the seat will have a supervisory role over the conduct of the arbitration. Agreeing to arbitration also allows the parties to choose the language in which they would like the proceedings to be conducted. There is an implied right of confidentiality in the arbitration process whereby matters arising in it remain private between the parties involved (court litigation falls into the public domain). Therefore in arbitration, outsiders do not get access to sensitive information and the parties do not risk the possibility of damaging publicity arising out of reports of the proceedings. In terms of enforcement, the provisions of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (the New York Convention) make arbitration awards generally easier to enforce abroad than court judgments. There are more than 140 signatory states to the convention which recognise and enforce awards made in other signatory states. For further information on litigation in the courts of England and Wales or ADR: www.justice.gov.uk/courts www.international-chamber.co.uk/arbitration www.ciarb.org/ www.ukmediation.net/ Commercial Litigation in the UKTélécharger ← Précédent Article précédent : Le Brevet Unitaire de l’Union européenne, incitation à l’innovation Suivant → Article suivant : Droit à l’Oubli – Arrêt de la Cour (grand chambre) 13 mai 2014 Google Spain SL, Google Inc. Contre Agence Espagnole de Protection des Données (AEPD) Copyright © 2021 Ribault & Rushe. All Rights Reserved. \| rrsolicitor-avocats de Ribault & Rushe	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line98
__label__cc	0.516234	0.483766	Strong claims Louisville Cardinals lost game because of COD: MW3, Twitter accounts prove it Michael Foley November 16, 2011 0 Everybody’s been talking about it, millions have been playing it and it seems that one football team lacks focus because of it. Yes, I’m talking about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (COD: MW3) and Louisville coach Charlie Strong is blaming the blockbuster video game for losing their game against Pitt last week. The Cardinals lost 21-14. Tough to swallow for a team whose offense had scored 38 points against West Virginia the week before but only managed to gain a total of 73 yards in the first half against Pitt. Strong had warned the team that a lack of focus and preparation for the upcoming game would lead to defeat and it seems that he was right. Making it clear at a press conference on Monday that COD: MW3 was the culprit for his team’s lack of concentration, Strong had this to say: “Our guys talk about it. It’s the buzz when you hear it all the time. Call of Duty, the new video game out, so it was a call to duty and they got called to duty Saturday. It’s young people. We’re dealing with young guys who see something new, they want to try it and it just engulfs them. I heard them talking about it all week.” Strong stated that he knew their focus wasn’t on football due to their Twitter accounts, “What guys don’t realize is on Twitter, you know what’s going on with these guys because they don’t realize you can read everything they’re saying and they’re all talking about the video game. I told them, I can find out anything I want to about you guys, all I have to do is go to my Twitter page.” So effective has been the marketing for COD: MW3 it seems that it not only affected the players’ athletic performance but also their academics. As Strong revealed, “We had guys miss class because they stayed up all night playing that video game. It’s such a big deal.” This story tells two tales: one of the power of social media and the other, a testament to the health of the video gaming industry. As more and more people start using social media sites like Twitter, they give access to mountains of information about their everyday lives. Such self-expression can be seen as a great way to manage all your communications but users should be wary of how much they actually post online without a filter. In this case, the information was merely used by Strong as evidence to support his case, but many more intrusive applications linger in the backdrop. The video gaming industry, thanks to breakthroughs in gaming graphics and artificial intelligence, have turned a small industry into a multi-billion dollar business. Games like COD: MW3 become massive hits, reaching millions of people, literally overnight. Pnosker reporters covered COD: MW3’s release and it’s effects in the entertainment industry as well as conduct a review of the game. With so many games out there, it is easy to get lost in the fantasies they present, but at what cost? For Louisville, it was another loss to add to their 2011 season. When asked if he ever played Call of Duty, Strong laughed and let all Call of Duty players know they won’t find him online as he’s “not a video guy.” TAGS » Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Cardinals, Charlie Strong, COD, COD: MW3, football, home, Louisville, modern warfare 3, Social Media, Twitter, video game POSTED IN » News, Social Media, Tech News About the author: Michael Foley View all posts by Michael Foley Michael Foley is the Managing Editor of pnosker.com. He is particularly interested in the growing connection between technology and American culture. When not crawling the web for tech news, he is an aspiring novelist, world traveler, iPhone aficionado and loves to read Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Why does he love technology? Because "civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which [it] can perform without thinking of them." - Alfred North Whitehead. Facebook to Buy WhatsApp Messaging App for $16 Billion Twitter Introduces New Media Website Twitter Shares Drop in Second Day of Trading Are you a human? * five + seven =	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line107
__label__cc	0.651313	0.348687	4601 LIBERTY AVENUE IN PITTSBURGH 412-682-6809 OUR STORY REMEMBERING KELLY REVIEWS REMEMBERING KELLY Kelly always loved his hamburgers. Most little kids when asked what treat they would like to have would probably say, “Candy!” or, “Ice cream!” Not Kelly. The only treat he liked more than a burger was two burgers. Kelly grew up in Allison Park with his parents and eight siblings. While growing up, they were encouraged to spend their days being involved in many activities: school, social, sports and otherwise. Kelly’s special interests lied in athletics and he loved to play ball—football, in particular. He played in elementary, he played in high school and he was a scholarship player at Villanova University. This is where he studied and earned his degree to become a teacher. Anyone who knew Kelly would tell you that he would have made a great teacher. He didn’t just TELL stories, he REINACTED them. His big, expressive brown eyes, bushy, animated brows and trademark beard would have you rolling on the ground clutching your sides with laughter and people would gather around to hear (and watch!) Kelly’s tales unfold. Unfortunately, as he was student teaching in Philadelphia one day, someone pulled a knife on him. After that, he decided that teaching wasn’t for him and returned to Pittsburgh. The combination of his love for sports and burgers had led him to become familiar with many bars and restaurants, particularly sports bars, in the area. Kelly knew just about everybody in the business: coaches, bartenders, restaurateurs, athletes, other sports and American food aficionado and they all seemed to love him and enjoy having him in their company. Eventually, Kelly himself became a bartender at Hampton Inn and so began his adventures in the food and beverage industry. Being such a warm and larger-than-life personality, he soon developed his own fan base as a lot of people came especially to see him, talk to him and be entertained by this bartender with the booming laughter who knew all the stats to all the sports games happening. After years of experience learning about managing and running a bar and restaurant, he decided it was finally time to fulfill one of his longtime dreams of building his own tribute to one of the great loves of his life: the hamburger. He bought the already existing neighborhood bar from Rich Tessaro in Bloomfield and went about making it his own with a clear concept in mind: simple, good, honest. It is, in all actuality, a reflection of Kelly himself as a human being. Simple because he didn’t need all the bells and whistles to enjoy his life: spending time with family and good friends, a good meal, a good game and the most amazingly comfortable recliner in the world. Good because helping people was just a matter of fact for him. He changed numerous lives by giving people chances, often times when no one else would. He opened up countless opportunities for students by contributing to their education and supported many organizations in the community. Honest because Kelly is just Kelly. He treated everybody from politicians to plumbers exactly the same way: with respect and a great sense of humor. Over two decades have passed and Tessaro’s is still going strong. It may have been repainted once or twice but the quality of the food hasn’t changed since Kelly himself was flipping the burgers on the grill back in the early 1980s. Kelly put his heart into building a legacy that today is known as one of Pittsburgh’s culinary landmarks and it is no exaggeration when put this way: Kelly, Pittsburgh misses you and remembers you fondly.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line108
__label__cc	0.516213	0.483787	Archive \| April RSS feed for this section April 1st in African American History – William Manning Marable By Chimsima Zuhri on April 1, 2012 in African American History, April, Author, Civil Rights, Education Tags: civil rights activist, Colgate University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Earlham College, educator, founder, Ohio State University, Tuskegee University, University of Colorado, University of Maryland, University of Wisconsin April 1, 2011 William Manning Marable, educator, author, and activist, died. Marable was born May 13, 1950 in Dayton, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham College in 1971, his Master of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1972, and his Ph. D. from the University of Maryland in 1976. […] Dwight Hal Johnson – April 30th in African American History By Chimsima Zuhri on April 30, 2011 in African American History, April, Military Tags: April 29, April 30, Army, May 7, Medal of Honor April 30, 1971 Dwight Hal Johnson, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Johnson was born May 7, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 and in June, 1968 was serving in Company B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor, 4th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. His citation partially reads: […] McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters) – April 30th in African American History By Chimsima Zuhri on April 30, 2011 in African American History, April, Music Tags: April 30, April 4, Grammy Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, US Stamp April 30, 1983 McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters), blues musician and “the father of Chicago Blues,” died. Waters was born April 4, 1913 in Issaquena County, Mississippi. He started out playing the harmonica but by age 17 he was playing the guitar at parties. In 1943, Waters moved to Chicago and drove a truck and worked […] Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington – April 29th in African American History Tags: April 29, Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame, Grammy Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, May 24, NAACP, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Spingarn Medal, US Stamp April 29, 1899 Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, composer, pianist and big band leader, was born in Washington, D. C. Ellington began taking piano lessons at the age of 7 and at 14 wrote his first composition, “Soda Fountain Rag.” At the age of 18, he formed his first group, The Duke’s Serenaders, who played throughout […] Parren James Mitchell – April 29th in African American History By Chimsima Zuhri on April 29, 2011 in African American History, April, Military, Politics Tags: April 29, Army, Congress, House of Representatives, May 28, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, World War II April 29, 1922 Parren James Mitchell, the first African American elected to Congress from Maryland, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Mitchell served as an officer in the 92nd Infantry Division during World War II and earned the Purple Heart. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University in 1950 and that year successfully sued […] Percy Heath – April 28th in African American History Tags: April 28, April 30, Army, National Endowment for the Arts, NEA Jazz Master, Tuskegee Airmen, World War II April 28, 2005 Percy Heath, jazz bassist, died. Heath was born April 30, 1923 in Wilmington, North Carolina but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started playing the violin and singing at the age of eight. Heath was drafted into the United States Army in 1944 and became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. After World […] Will Robinson – April 28th in African American History By Chimsima Zuhri on April 28, 2011 in African American History, April, Sports Tags: April 28, basketball, Illinois State University, June 3, NFL, University of Michigan, West Virginia State University April 28, 2008 Will Robinson, the first African American head basketball coach at a Division I college, died. Robinson was born June 3, 1911 in Wadesboro, North Carolina. As a high school student, he finished second in the state golf tournament despite not being allowed on the course with the white players. Robinson lettered in […] May 4th in African American History – Ron Carter October 21st in African American History – Charles Edward Anderson September 26th in African American History – Betty Carter October 13th in African American History – Raymond Mathew Brown January 8th in African American History – James Edward Cheek	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line114
__label__cc	0.708799	0.291201	Salford E-theses home Impediments to the adoption of total quality management (TQM) in Jordanian ISO 9000 series certified manufacturing companies Al-Madi, FN 2005, Impediments to the adoption of total quality management (TQM) in Jordanian ISO 9000 series certified manufacturing companies , PhD thesis, University of Salford. Restricted to Repository staff only until 31 July 2021. Download (49MB) \| Request a copy Since ISO 9000 was introduced in 1987 there has been a tremendous growth in the number of companies seeking registration to it, both in developed and developing countries. It was found in the literature that few ISO 9000 certificate holders have converted their quality management programme to TQM. Jordan, a developing country, is not an exception. However, this subject has not received enough attention and certainly these studies in developing countries are almost totally lacking. Therefore, the aim of this research is 'to develop a framework to help in the identification of the impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM among Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies'. The research methodology involved the adoption of a survey as a research strategy and a quantitative approach, utilising a self-administered questionnaire, to arrive at the major findings of the study. The research findings indicate that several impediments have emerged as inhibitors to going beyond ISO 9000 towards TQM in the Jordanian context. Among these are: the prevailing organisational culture/climate, lack of reward and recognition, lack of training and education, lack of employee empowerment and involvement, and infrastructure factors. By integrating the literature review and the study findings, a simple framework aimed at assisting in the identification of the impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM in Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies was constructed. The thesis seeks to make an original contribution to knowledge in the quality management discipline by discovering the factors that are impediments to going to TQM and by developing a framework to help in the identification of these impediments to the transition from ISO 9000 standard towards TQM in Jordanian ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies. Such contributions will be beneficial both academically and professionally. Academically, this research aims at gaining academic attention to this neglected domain in the context of this research and professionally, managers will also look at the practical implications of the research and the possibility of implementing the implications of this research in their organisations. Some recommendations for future research have been derived from this research. Davies, J (Supervisor) and Doran, EJ (Supervisor) Schools > Salford Business School Schools > School of the Built Environment Schools > Salford Business School > Salford Business School Research Centre	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line118
__label__wiki	0.799784	0.799784	10 Forgotten Tragedies By Ola Thomas On July 22, 2019 0 Most tragic events make a historical splash, and some become positively iconic—Pompeii, the Titanic, the Rwandan genocide, etc. Others, however, drop off the public radar almost immediately (or never really reach it). Historical memory is a tricky thing. An event can be horrific and devastating yet still rapidly recede into the mists of memory if conditions are right (or wrong). Sometimes the world moves on far too swiftly to the next tragedy, leaving memory only in the minds and hearts of those most affected; sometimes even survivors wish to forget the painful past; and sometimes disasters are deliberately minimized or suppressed. Against these tendencies stands the principle that the best honor that can be given to the lost is the privilege of memory. Read on, then, and remember . . . 10 The Rana Plaza Collapse The deadliest structural failure accident in modern history occurred in April 2013, and you’ve probably never heard of it. The infamous Boston Marathon bombing occurred the week before and garnered much media coverage with its three deaths and hundreds of wounded. But the collapse of this Bangladeshi building was a tragedy on a different order of magnitude: 1,134 people were killed, with more than twice as many injured. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was home to the Rana Plaza structure, originally constructed to contain shops and offices. Yet multiple upper floors were added on, without a permit, in order to house the heavy machinery for multiple clothing factories. These factories manufactured goods for such prominent brands as Benetton, Prada, Gucci, and Versace and employed around 5,000 people. Few, if any, of them knew they were working in a top-heavy death trap. Occupants of the building noticed cracks in the walls, ceilings, and floors on April 23, and the building was evacuated. Yet the building’s owner declared the structure safe and urged workers to return the following day. The shops and bank on the lower floors refused and remained closed, while the garment company managers threatened to dock the pay of any workers who failed to clock in. Just before 9:00 AM the following morning, the entire structure failed, disintegrating into a pile of ruin that an eyewitness compared to a one-building earthquake. More than 3,000 people were in the building at the time, including garment workers, support staff, and children in the companies’ in-office nurseries. Some died instantly, while thousands more were entombed in the rubble. The governmental reaction was mixed. Local emergency services responded as best they could, rescuing hundreds from the wreckage, and the government declared a national day of mourning on April 25. Yet there was also bureaucratic face-saving at work. UN offers of help were rejected by officials leery of negative international exposure.[1] Volunteer rescue workers were ill-equipped and ill-led. The work dragged on. The last survivor, seamstress Reshma Begum, was not pulled out until 17 days later. The tragedy lives on in the minds of Bangladeshis and certain international watchdog organizations, even though it has gotten little sustained attention elsewhere. Garment workers in the nation have protested substandard safety practices and low wages, though these protests have in some cases been violently suppressed. The owner of the building, Sohel Rana, is still awaiting judgment on multiple charges of murder. 9 The Spanish Flu It seems absurd to describe a worldwide pandemic with a 50 million-plus death toll as “forgotten.” Indeed, in its day, the effect was very widely felt. Yet the strange aspect here is now little of a historical footprint this rampaging illness made. It seemed to disappear into distant memory very quickly. It was certainly a sledgehammer blow at the time. A nasty strain of the influenza virus had developed among the trench-bound soldiers of World War I and traveled with them as they journeyed home. It was an ugly parting shot from that devastating war. Each stricken locale blamed it on somewhere else (hence the “Spanish flu” moniker; Spaniards called it the “French flu”), even though epidemiologists have never been able to determine a Ground Zero for the virus. This flu was particularly severe. Most flu epidemics have a mortality rate of a tenth of a percent (meaning one out of every 1,000 infected persons dies). In 1918, the mortality rate worldwide was 20 percent—one out of every five. Badly affected victims would hemorrhage from the nose, stomach, and intestines. Secondary deaths killed even more, as bacterial pneumonia developed in compromised patients. Unusually, the young and vigorous were hit hardest. This is partly explained by hardiness in the older population: An earlier flu pandemic in 1889 to 1890 had left its survivors with partial immunity. Another factor was the manner in which the Spanish flu killed—it caused cytokine storms, overreactions of the immune system which ravage the body. The stronger the immune system, the stronger the overreaction. The felling of the youthful only added to the skyrocketing economic and demographic cost of the pandemic, as fewer fit caretakers were left to tend to the ill. Many of the best health and sanitation workers were among the afflicted, and public authorities were overwhelmed. The sheer number of sick was more than any nation’s health system had been designed to bear. Countries without systematic hospital systems were even worse off. From Peru to the Arctic Circle, people were dying in droves—with the flu claiming three to five percent of the world’s population in an 18-month period. Yet there are few memorials to the event, and general interest in it subsided after the deaths stopped. One reason for this was the rapid, distributed nature of the pandemic—it killed suddenly in one area and then moved on, making it seem like other epidemic outbreaks that populations had experienced, if an especially nasty one. The enormity of the flu’s toll is best seen when analyzing the impact at a national or worldwide level, which most people simply did not have the opportunity to do. Moreover, the flu came on the tail of the world’s most devastating conflict to date; many people seemed to regard it as an accessory of the Great War tragedy, and the flu did not make a separate psychological impression upon them.[2] 8 The Vaal Reefs Mine Disaster Another modern disaster, this time in South Africa, is notable less for its death toll (at 104 deaths, the smallest on this list) than for its extremely bizarre circumstances. It combines the worst aspects of a mining disaster, an elevator failure, and a locomotive crash. Mining is a major industry in South Africa, and some of the mines there are truly massive. The company AngloGold Ashanti maintains a large gold mine in the town of Vaal Reefs, so huge that internal locomotives are used to move workers, machinery, and ore back and forth on different lateral levels. These levels are, of course, served by vertical shafts that connect them to the surface and to one another. On May 10, 1995, 104 night shift workers were going up the #2 Shaft in a large elevator cage, ready to head home. They never got there. Above them, in circumstances that remain unclear, a driver lost control of a locomotive and jumped clear. Switches designed to stop the engine if it was driverless failed, and multiple safety barriers could not stop the accelerating vehicle. It broke through and plunged straight downward, landing square on the ascending elevator. The winch cable broke instantly, and the two vehicles plunged together for 460 meters (1,500 ft), all the way to the bottom of the shaft. Anyone aboard who wasn’t killed in the initial impact was crushed when the whole plummeting mass hit the shaft floor. Would-be rescuers who found the elevator cage reported that it had been compressed to half its normal size. Recovery efforts were particularly grisly. As a supervising government official described it: At the moment they are cutting through the cage with blowtorches and they must take out a hand here, a foot there and bits of body and wrap it all up and bring it up to the surface. It was immensely sad to see human flesh mingled with steel two kilometres underground. And that is their grave. [ . . . ] It is something I will never forget.[3] Though some regulatory reforms and victims’ pensions resulted from the tragedy, most of South African and the world moved on. Vaals Reefs is best remembered by victim’s families, the local mining industry, and the Guinness Book of World Records—which records that May 10 as the date of the worst elevator accident in history. 7 The Aberfan Disaster Continuing the theme of bizarre mining disasters brings us to Wales in the 1960s. There, a mining catastrophe claimed the lives of 144 people—all of them above the ground. The Welsh village of Aberfan is nestled in a valley overlooked by a coal-rich mountain range. In 1966, it had a population of 5,000, most of them employed in the coal mines. Looming directly over the streets was a “spoil tip,” a heap of waste material removed during the mining process. The British National Coal Board had approved the location of the tip, despite its proximity to the town. The problem was that heaps of spoil are inherently less stable than virgin rock and vulnerable to liquefying after becoming saturated with water. Ominously, the tip was located over a natural spring, whose presence was well known to the NCB. On the morning of October 21, Aberfan had just received three weeks of historic rainfall. Miners had just noticed slippage along the surface of the tip. And Pantglas Junior High School, less than 900 meters (3,000 ft) away, had just started classes for the day. With booming thunder, roughly 110,000 cubic meters (3.9 million ft3) of spoil slurry began sliding down the mountain, a rapid half-flood, half-avalanche that engulfed the western edge of the village. Outlying farmhouses were obliterated, broken water mains added to the flow, and the school was swamped with debris. The choking, stinking mass flooded into the classrooms, flowing swiftly through doors and windows and quickly resolidifying into solid matter once it stopped moving. When the booming avalanche stopped, an awful stillness welled up. As one of the trapped survivors remembered bitterly: “In that silence you couldn’t hear a bird or a child.”[4] A mound of solidifying debris more than 9 meters (30 ft) high covered the area. The lucky people were trapped in debris up to their waists or necks. 114 people in the school—all but five of them children—were not so lucky. Miners streamed down from the mountainside, anxious to dig the children—including their own—out of the rubble. Their experienced efforts were impeded by other horror-stricken rescuers, whose frantic digging attempts had to be restricted lest they destabilize the whole mass again. No survivors were found after 11:00 AM. A later inquiry faulted the NCB and several employees for creating the preconditions for the disaster, but no prosecutions or penalties resulted. Aberfan’s coal mine continued to operate until 1989. The tragedy is best remembered in Aberfan itself, where a memorial cemetery is located, and remains well-known in the UK. But the catastrophe is still little-known in the rest of the world. 6 The Victoria Hall Stampede While we’re in Great Britain, we can examine an earlier disaster of similar scope and horror. Here, too, children were the primary victims—and the primary factor. The only avalanche at Victoria Hall was a human one. In the summer of 1883, Victoria Hall, a theater in Sunderland, England, was hosting a children’s variety show. More than 1,000 children aged three to 14 were in attendance, many in the upstairs gallery seats. All was going well until the end of the show, when the entertainers began passing out prizes to some children in the audience. Those in the gallery were worried about missing out. So they started to run. However, the door at the bottom of the staircase opened inward—and worse, it had been bolted mostly shut, leaving a gap so small that only one child could pass through at a time. This measure was apparently intended to ensure that tickets could be properly checked. It made the staircase a death trap. The children who made it to the bottom first could not clear the way or warn those coming behind—so successive waves kept coming. The crushing tide was irresistible. As one child later recalled: “Suddenly I felt that I was treading upon someone lying on the stairs and I cried in horror to those behind ‘Keep back, keep back! There’s someone down.’ It was no use, I passed slowly over and onwards with the mass and before long I passed over others without emotion.” Adults rushed to free the door but could not get at the bolt (also on the children’s side of the door) to do so. Eventually, a strong man wrenched the door from its hinges—only to find 183 little corpses on the other side.[5] At the time, the tragedy sent shock waves of horror throughout Great Britain. A disaster fund was set up—to which Queen Victoria contributed—and a memorial was raised in a park across the street. Outrage at the circumstances even led to legal changes. Soon afterward, push-bar (or “crash-bar”) doors became required for all public venues in Great Britain, a requirement that would soon be repeated throughout the world. While the requirement remains, knowledge of the instigating disaster faded. The memorial, a statue of a grieving mother holding a dead child, degraded and was eventually vandalized. Admirably, it was restored in the early 2000s, and local historical groups have preserved some remembrance of the event for the future. The next time you use a push bar, remember Victoria Hall. 5 The Great Smog Of London Alongside stampedes, avalanches, and locomotive crashes, air pollution sounds unimpressive as a culprit for disaster. Even those who are aware of the problems of poor air quality tend to think of it as a low-grade or slow-motion problem. But such pollution managed to rack up extreme casualties in the capital of England in 1952. Londoners are used to fog, but in early December of that year, the residents noticed an unusually dense, yellow-black cloud settling over everyone and everything. People could barely see in front of their faces; many compared the experience to being blind. Walking out of doors meant shuffling along with hands outstretched, feeling for obstacles. For four days, public transportation ground to a halt, ambulance service was suspended, and even events in large interior spaces were canceled, as the smog penetrated within.[6] There was no panic—but everywhere, the insidious effects mounted. Hypoxia and respiratory infections multiplied, with acute bronchitis or pneumonia resulting. The very young died, as did the very old or those with prior respiratory problems. When the smog finally cleared due to a shift in wind, authorities realized that over 4,000 people had died in the four days it had blanketed the city. Death rates trended high for months, inflated by smog-related complications. Modern research indicates the final death toll might have reached 12,000, with many more people suffering permanent health effects. It was a cruel but simple combination of factors that caused the smog. Low-grade coal burned in residences, buildings, and power plants, all of which were poorly regulated at the time. Vehicle exhaust added to the fumes, and air masses settled in such a way as to trap noxious gases close to the ground. Some researchers even theorize that these conditions allowed concentrated sulfuric acid to accumulate at ground level. As with some other distributed disasters, the true impact of this one was known best by health officials and regulators who took the time to gather and interpret huge amounts of data. Many of those who lived through it, or even lost loved ones because of it, may still not understand the enormity of the event. 4 The Ohio Penitentiary Fire If hundreds of people burned to death in your average government facility, you’d get a ton of headlines. But if these people are “involuntary guests of the state” at a prison, those headlines will be converted to footnotes with disquieting speed. The overcrowded 4,300 prisoners had just been locked in their cells on the evening of April 21, 1930, when a misplaced candle started a fire on the roof of one of the main cell blocks. The criminals, trapped before an advancing conflagration, clamored to be let out and allowed to save themselves. Some guards responded in humanitarian fashion and unlocked cell doors, but many more refused to do so.[7] As the human drama unfolded, the fire only grew. One narrow survivor remembered: “There was nothing to do but scream for God to open the doors. And when the doors didn’t open, all that was left was to stand still and let the fire burn the meat off and hope it wouldn’t be too long about it.” Some men began killing themselves rather than be cooked alive. Other desperate inmates managed to overpower a guard, take his keys, and begin releasing their fellows. Only a few dozen were saved this way; suffocating smoke stymied the rescuers, and soon, the flaming roof collapsed on the cell block. Angered over the mistreatment, surviving prisoners who had escaped their cells started to riot, hurling rocks at both guards and firefighters attempting to get close to the blaze. This created a standoff as prison authorities focused on containing the riot rather than the fire. Hundreds of military personnel were called in to restore order, even as the flames rose ever higher. By the time the ash settled, 322 inmates were dead, and another 230 were injured. Newspapers at the time called the tragedy preventable, and some prison reform did result, in the form of the Ohio Parole Board, established in 1931. But there was no grand memorial or outpouring of public sorrow for the deceased. The most vital memory of the disaster was buried with them, and today, few people (aside from Ohio history buffs) have ever heard of that fiery April day. 3 The Salang Tunnel Incident Our next calamity combines noxious gases, fire, and military silence. It is so shrouded in secrecy that details are sketchy, even nearly 40 years after the fact. In 1982, Soviet military forces in Afghanistan were embroiled in a seemingly never-ending war with fierce local resistance fighters, the mujahedeen. Hindered by extremely inhospitable geography, the campaign saw units constantly compromised by their isolation and the surrounding terrain. At the frigid Salang Pass in the Hindu Kush mountain range, a terrain improvement (a 2.7-kilometer [1.7 mi] road tunnel) became the scene of a disaster. All analyses agree that a Soviet military convoy was moving south through the tunnel on November 3, 1982, and that some fatal crisis occurred. Here, the accounts diverge. Some say a fuel tanker exploded, due either to a traffic accident or a mujahedeen attack (though local insurgents denied any role). Others say there was no explosion, only a traffic jam when two convoys tried to pass one another. But all accounts report that deaths began occurring rapidly thereafter.[8] Fire—if present—would have leaped from vehicle to vehicle, consuming flammable materials and fuel tanks and roasting people alive. It would also have quickly used up the oxygen in the tunnel, leading others to die of asphyxiation. On the other hand, Soviet military records claim that scores of people—Soviet soldiers and Afghans alike—died merely from carbon monoxide poisoning due to the many vehicle engines left running in the confined space. Death presided, though the number of dead is hotly disputed. Low estimates place the death toll at 100 to 200; high estimates reach as many as 2,700. Either way, life was cheap that day in the dark confines of the Salang Tunnel. Whether it was an embarrassingly tragic accident, a successful attack by insurgents, or some combination of the two, the mysterious Salang Tunnel incident remains (arguably) the deadliest road accident in history. 2 The SS Leopoldville Continuing the military secrets angle . . . RMS Titanic’s sinking was so disastrous, in part, because of its remote location. More people could have been saved, if only there had been sufficient (and attentive) ships nearby. But a generation later, another ship went down with major casualties in the center of one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, the English Channel. And almost no one at the time heard about it. It was Christmas Eve 1944. Rather than tucking themselves in for a long winter’s nap, however, men of the US 66th Infantry Division were hurrying aboard a Belgian transport ship, the SS Leopoldville. The ongoing Battle of the Bulge was in full-on crisis mode, and the 66th was part of the reinforcements being rushed to the front. Everything about the operation was hasty: the disorganized loading of the men, the poor excuse for a lifeboat drill, and the totally insufficient number of life jackets. When a surviving German U-Boat launched two torpedoes at the Leopoldville just before 6:00 PM, the stage had already been set for a disaster.[9] Roughly 300 infantrymen were killed instantly in the torpedo explosion or the immediate flooding which followed. Yet many more preventable deaths occurred. Evacuation orders were given in Flemish, which none of the American troops understood. The majority of crew members departed in lifeboats without encouraging the servicemen to follow. Most escort ships busied themselves searching for the U-boat, with only one (the destroyer HMS Brilliant) pulling alongside the stricken Leopoldville. Yet the massive size difference between the ships (Brilliant being much smaller) meant that the rescue ship could only take off about 500 men, and these had to clamber dozens of feet down the side of the sinking Leopoldville on scrambling nets while the heaving sea conditions hampered the effort. As one Brilliant crewman remembered: Some men had started to jump down from a height of approximately 40 feet. Unfortunately limbs were being broken when they landed on the torpedo tubes and other fixed equipment on the starboard side of the upperdeck; some men fell between the two vessels and were crushed as the two vessels crashed into each other. Leopoldville took more than two hours to sink. Several hundred Allied vessels were only 8 kilometers (5 mi) away in Cherbourg harbor, but most crewmen and radio operators were off duty at holiday parties. This fatally impeded the rescue operations. More than 500 men went down with the ship, with another 250 dying in the water or shortly thereafter. Most of these died of hypothermia. Yet no newspapers carried headlines for the sunken transport, and no radio broadcasts listed the names of the dead. The reason was military secrecy. Wartime censors carefully blocked evidence from reaching the home front, to avoid demoralizing people or encouraging enemy resistance with news of the disaster. Survivors discharged at the end of the war were told not to talk about the incident, or they would lose their veterans’ benefits. It took many decades for the truth to become known—and it still remains underappreciated, even today. 1 The SS Cap Arcona What could be worse than a boatload of soldiers drowned before they ever got the chance to fight? How about two boatloads of concentration camp survivors sunk by their own would-be rescuers? In the choppy waters of the Baltic Sea on May 3, 1945, four German transports were steaming hard for Norway. Even as the Third Reich collapsed into ash, the architects of the Final Solution were sticking to their tasks. To that end, they loaded nearly 10,000 concentration camp prisoners aboard several vessels, including the converted ocean liner SS Cap Arcona. Forebodingly, the ship had seen prior use as an on-location set for the Nazi propaganda film Titanic (1943). The decks of the Cap Arcona, so recently used to reenact a dreadful sinking, were about to experience the real thing. Allied forces, having received word that high-ranking Nazi SS officials were attempting to flee to neutral territory in Scandinavia, were eager to prevent this. Sighting the German prison flotilla—whose ships were not marked to signify their purpose, with prisoners locked out of sight belowdecks—British spotters assumed they were fair game and called in the fighter-bombers. The fat, slow, unprotected German ships made easy targets.[10] Horrific chaos reigned aboard the Cap Arcona. The Titanic’s often-exaggerated sealing of lower class passengers in the belly of the ship played out with appalling reality—SS guards ignored the cries of locked-in prisoners, appropriated life jackets for themselves, and abandoned ship. Many people, unfortunates who had endured months at Sachsenhausen and other death camps, were either burned alive in the spreading fires or entombed in the water-filled depths of the vessel. Of those who made it to the open water, most were ignored by German rescue ships—which focused on rescuing SS guards—while British aerial 20-millimeter cannons strafed the scene. As one pilot remembered: “We used our cannon fire at the chaps in the water . . . we shot them up with 20 mm cannons in the water. Horrible thing, but we were told to do it and we did it. That’s war.” Some prisoners who made it through the maelstrom, still strong enough to swim, made it to the beach—where they were massacred by armed Hitler Youth members. In the end, only 350 of Cap Arcona’s 5,000 prisoners survived the day. With 2,750 additional dead from the accompanying Thielbek, it made for nearly 8,000 fresh corpses bobbing in the Baltic. It’s hard to imagine the anguish of the British pilots upon learning that they had inadvertently killed so many of the people they were trying to liberate. Yet it must have paled in comparison to the anguish felt by the doomed prisoners in their final moments. They’d survived years of incredible privations, only to die now in sudden, inexplicable fashion. Most probably never knew the full extent of the tragedy—only their small, terrifying portion of it. Most of the general public has never heard of it, either. Almost everyone involved had reason to forget: the Germans to deflect or mitigate the memory of their Holocaust guilt, the British to limit embarrassment at what was essentially a grand mal friendly fire issue, and the few survivors to exorcise the demons of one horrific incident among many. The few small memorials to the sad victims of the Cap Arcona are scattered among local cemeteries in Germany. David F. Ellrod lives in Maryland with his wife, three children, and one very excitable dog. You can reach him at https://ourfamilycanvas.wordpress.com/ or on Twitter @DavidEllrod. In History Leave a comment Top 10 Strange Facts About Soap 10 Ridiculously Elaborate Things Made With LEGO Bricks	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line121
__label__wiki	0.983112	0.983112	For other people named Robert Patrick, see Robert Patrick (disambiguation). Patrick at the 2016 WonderCon Robert Hammond Patrick Jr. (1958-11-05) November 5, 1958 (age 62) Marietta, Georgia, U.S. Barbara Hooper (m. 1990) Richard Patrick (brother) Robert Hammond Patrick Jr. (born November 5, 1958) is an American actor and voice actor. Known for his portrayals of villainous characters,[1] Patrick is a Saturn Award winner with four nominations. Patrick dropped out of college when drama class sparked his interest in acting, and entered film in 1986. After playing a supporting role in Die Hard 2 (1990), Patrick starred as the T-1000, the main antagonist of Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)—a role he reprised for cameo appearances in Wayne's World (1992) and Last Action Hero (1993). Other film credits include Fire in the Sky (1993), Striptease (1996), Cop Land (1997), The Faculty (1998), Spy Kids (2001), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Ladder 49 (2004), Walk the Line (2005), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), We Are Marshall (2006), Bridge to Terabithia (2007), The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), and Safe House (2012). In television, Patrick is known for his portrayals of FBI Special Agent John Doggett in The X-Files and Colonel Tom Ryan in The Unit, and has played ongoing roles in series such as The Outer Limits, The Sopranos, Elvis, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Burn Notice, Last Resort, Sons of Anarchy, it's spin-off Mayans M.C., and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. In 2014 he was cast in the role of DHS agent Cabe Gallo in the CBS drama series Scorpion. He was also guest host on season two of GunnyTime. AllMovie journalist Tracie Cooper wrote that, by the conclusion of The X-Files in 2002, Patrick had developed a "solid reputation within the industry", with critics, fans and co-stars alike praising his "work ethic, personality, and consistent performances."[2] Actor and director Jason Bateman described Patrick as "one of the great heavies."[3] 4.2 Television Robert Hammond Patrick Jr.[4] was born in Marietta, Georgia, on November 5, 1958,[2] the oldest of five children born to Nadine and Robert Patrick Sr. He is of Irish and Scottish descent.[5] He has two sisters named Cheri and Karen, and two brothers named Lewis and Richard, the latter of whom is best known as the lead singer for the rock band Filter.[6] Patrick spent his early life in Bay Village, Ohio. He did not start to pursue an acting career until his mid-twenties. During his childhood, he did not like to act; in third grade, he refused to wear a pair of green tights required for Peter Pan.[2] He graduated from Farmington High School in Farmington, Michigan in 1977. He was a track and field and football athlete at Bowling Green State University. He dropped out before graduating when he found an interest in drama and acting.[4] After leaving college, Patrick worked as a house painter and continued as such until a boating accident in 1984 in Lake Erie.[2] He swam for three hours in order to save others still stranded on the accident site, and nearly drowned in doing so.[4] After the accident, he moved to Los Angeles at age 26. His main income during his first years was as a bartender, and he often lived in his car. He was then picked up for various small roles in low-budget films. Looking back, he credited his early appearances in films to his "tough-looking exterior".[2] Patrick in December 2007 Patrick made a short appearance in Die Hard 2 as a bit part henchman for Colonel Stuart before landing a role in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) as the main villain, the T-1000; it was his first starring role. James Cameron, the film's director, said he chose Patrick for the role because of his physical appearance, which he felt fit the role. During the filming of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Patrick was "broke", living in a cheap apartment with his girlfriend, Barbara, whom he married during filming. He has credited the film with starting his career.[2][6] After Terminator 2, Patrick landed roles in various feature films such as Last Action Hero, Fire in the Sky (both 1993) and Striptease (1996). Because of his fondness for martial arts, Patrick starred in two martial arts films titled Double Dragon and Hong Kong 97, both released in 1994. His performance in Fire in the Sky led The X-Files creator Chris Carter to cast him in that series for the role of John Doggett. Patrick's brother, Richard, had previously worked for the series by adding music for the soundtrack album The X-Files: The Album. Patrick was cast as Doggett in 2000. The X-Files was canceled two seasons later, after Duchovny left the show following season 7, which resulted in low ratings for the show. Patrick made several appearances on many genre magazines, with TV Guide going so far as to label him one of the Ten Sexiest Men of Sci-Fi.[2] In 2000, Patrick appeared in three episodes of The Sopranos ("The Happy Wanderer", "Bust Out" and "Funhouse") as David "Davey" Scatino, a store owner struggling with gambling debts owed to Richie Aprile and Tony Soprano. Four years later, he made a guest appearance in the pilot episodes for Sci-Fi Channel's original series Stargate Atlantis, "Rising", as the military component commander of the Atlantis expedition, Marshall Sumner. He accepted the role, since he had worked with the same crew on The Outer Limits, a series which he appeared in during the early 1990s.[6] Patrick played Johnny Cash's father, Ray Cash, in the film Walk the Line and Elvis's father, Vernon Presley in the miniseries Elvis.[7] In 2003, he appeared in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, which reunited him with his Striptease co-star, Demi Moore. He had a regular role on The Unit,[8] and played Elvis Presley in Lonely Street (2009).[9] In October 2006, he starred in the WWE Films production The Marine as Rome.[10] He also appeared in We Are Marshall as Marshall University head coach Rick Tolley, who lost his life when Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed in 1970.[11] His credits also include a guest starring role in the Lost episode "Outlaws", as well as a recurring role as the voice of Master Piandao in Season 3 of the Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Patrick played a supporting role in Firewall, a 2006 action movie starring Harrison Ford. He has also appeared in Meat Loaf's music video "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are" with Will Estes.[12] Director McG, who directed Terminator Salvation, said that he wanted to reintroduce characters from the previous Terminator films: "I like the idea and the perspective for the next picture that you meet Robert Patrick the way he looks today, and he's a scientist that's working on, you know, improving cell replication so we can stay healthier and we can cure diabetes and do all these things that sound like good ideas, and to once again live as idealized expressions as ourselves."[13] Patrick also starred in the psychological thriller The Black Water of Echo's Pond, which was directed by Italian filmmaker Gabriel Bologna.[14] In recent years, he has appeared in such television series as Burn Notice, NCIS and True Blood, among others. From 2012 to 2013, he also starred in Last Resort as Chief of the Boat Joseph Prosser. He played a supporting character in Identity Thief (2013). From 2014 to 2016, he starred in Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series as Jacob Fuller. He also played Agent Cabe Gallo on the CBS drama series Scorpion from 2014 to 2018. On March 28, 2017, Patrick was cast in Amazon Video horror anthology series Lore, which is based on the award-winning and critically acclaimed podcast of the same name. Lore recounts true stories of frightening and paranormal occurrences. Lore premiered on October 13, 2017,[15] and has been renewed for a second season. Patrick married actress Barbara Hooper in 1990. They have appeared together in various films and TV shows such as Zero Tolerance and The X-Files.[2] They have two children: a son named Samuel and a daughter named Austin (named after the police officer the T-1000 assumes the identity of in Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Patrick is a devout Episcopalian.[16] He is also a member of the Boozefighters motorcycle club. He often joins the Love Ride, a charity motorcycle ride held annually in Southern California.[17] On October 22, 2010, in Dallas, Texas, Patrick joined his brother Richard's band Filter onstage to provide guest vocals on a performance of their song "So I Quit".[18] 1986 Eye of the Eagle Johnny Ransom Equalizer 2000 Deke Future Hunters Slade 1987 Killer Instinct Johnny Ransom Warlords from Hell 1989 Hollywood Boulevard II Cameraman 1990 Die Hard 2 O'Reilly 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-1000 1992 Wayne's World Cameo Broken Cop Uncredited 1993 Fire in the Sky Mike Rogers Last Action Hero T-1000 Cameo 1994 Double Dragon Koga Shuko The Cool Surface Jarvis Scott Writer Body Shot Mickey Dane Hong Kong 97 Reginald Cameron 1995 Zero Tolerance Jeff Douglas Decoy Jack Travis 1996 T2 3-D: Battle Across Time T-1000 Universal Studios attraction Striptease Darrell Grant 1997 Cop Land Officer Jack Rucker Rosewood Fanny's Lover Hacks Goatee The Only Thrill Tom McHenry Asylum Nicholas Tordone 1998 The Vivero Letter James Wheeler Ambushed Shannon Herrold Renegade Force Jake McInroy The Faculty Coach Joe Willis 1999 From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money Buck Direct-to-video A Texas Funeral Zach Shogun Cop Detective Tactical Assault Colonel Lee Banning 2000 Mexico City Ambassador Mills All the Pretty Horses Cole 2001 Spy Kids Mr. Lisp Texas Rangers Sgt. John Armstrong BackFlash Ray Bennet Angels Don't Sleep Here Detective Russell Stark 2002 Out of These Rooms John Michael Pavement Samuel Brown Ticker FBI Agent Segment for the BMW short film series The Hire Uncredited D-Tox Peter Noah 2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Ray Carter 2004 Ladder 49 Lenny Richter 2005 Supercross Earl Cole Walk the Line Ray Cash The Fix Shay Riley 2006 Firewall Gary Mitchell The Marine Rome Flags of Our Fathers Colonel Chandler Johnson We Are Marshall Head Coach Rick Tolley Uncredited 2007 Bridge to Terabithia Jack Aarons Balls of Fury Sgt. Pete Daytona 2008 Fly Me to the Moon Louie Voice Strange Wilderness Gus Hayden 2009 Autopsy Dr. David Benway Alien Trespass Vernon Lonely Street Mr. Aaron The Black Waters of Echo's Pond Pete The Men Who Stare at Goats Todd Nixon 2010 Five Minarets in New York Becker The Wrath of Cain Warden Dean 2011 S.W.A.T.: Fire Fight Walter Hatch Red Faction: Origins Alec Mason Good Day for It Luke Cain 2012 Safe House Daniel Kiefer Trouble with the Curve Vince Jayne Mansfield's Car Jimbo Caldwell Mafia Jules Dupree 2013 Gangster Squad Max Kennard Lovelace John Boreman Identity Thief Skiptracer 2014 Endless Love Harry Elliot Kill the Messenger Ronald J. Quail The Road Within Robert Ask Me Anything Doug Kampenfelt 2015 Lost After Dark Mr. C Hellions Corman Hollywood Adventures Studio Guard #1 Chinese film 2017 Eloise Dr. H.H. Greiss Last Rampage Gary Tison 2018 Edge of Fear Jack Pryor Back Roads Chief Mansour 2019 Sgt. Will Gardner Tony The Poison Rose Chief Walsh The Rising Hawk Zakhar Berkut The Laundromat Captain Richard Paris Tone-Deaf Harvey 2020 Honest Thief Agent Sam Baker 1989 The New Lassie Russ Episode: "Once Upon a Time..." 1992 Tales from the Crypt Lothar Episode: "The New Arrival" 1993 SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron Dr. Lieter Greenbox Voice Episode: "Chaos in Crystal" 1995 Body Language Delbert Radley Television film 1995–1996 The Outer Limits Major John Stokes Guest role; 2 episodes 1996–1997 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Roger T. "Race" Bannon/Additional voices Main role; 24 episodes 1996 Superman: The Animated Series Martin LeBeau Voice Episode: "Feeding Time" 1997 Rag and Bone Sgt. Daniel Ryan Television film 1998 Perfect Assassins Leo Benita Television film 1999 The Angry Beavers Wingnut Voice Episode: "Mistaken Identity/Easy Peasy Rider" 2000 The Sopranos David Scatino Guest role; 3 episodes Batman Beyond Richard Armacost Voice Episode: "Big Time" 2000–2002 The X-Files John Doggett Main role; 41 episodes 2003 1st to Die Nicholas Jenks Television film 2004 Bad Apple Colonel Tom Ryanmy "Bells" Bellavita Television film Stargate Atlantis Colonel Marshall Sumner Episode: "Rising" 2005 Lost Hibbs Episode: "Outlaws" Duck Dodgers J. Edgar Ashcan/Prisoner Voice Episode: "Of Course You Know, This Means War and Peace: Part I" Elvis Vernon Presley Miniseries Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ray Schenkel Episode: "Demons" 2006 Ben 10 Phil Billings/Rookie Voice Episode: "Truth" 2006–2009 The Unit Colonel Tom Ryan Main role; 69 episodes 2006–2009 Disorderly Conduct: Video on Patrol Narrator Voice 2007–2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender Piandao Voice 2008 The Batman Hawkman/Katar Hol Voice 2009 Hell's Kitchen Himself Red guest diner; Season 5 Episode 8: "9 Chefs Compete" American Dad! Stranger Episode: "In Country...Club" NCIS Col. Merton Bell Episode: "Outlaws and In-Laws" 2010 Psych Major General Felts Episode: "You Can't Handle This Episode" Chuck Colonel Keller Episode: "Chuck Versus the Tic Tac" Burn Notice John Barrett Guest role; 2 episodes 2011 Big Love Bud Mayberry Guest role; 2 episodes 2012–2014 True Blood Jackson Herveaux Main role; 12 episodes 2012 Last Resort Command Master Chief Petty Officer Joseph Prosser Main role; 13 episodes 2013–2014 Sons of Anarchy President Les Packer Guest role; 2 episodes (seasons 6–7) 2014 Community Head of Parking Waldron Episode: "Analysis of Cork-Based Networking" From Dusk till Dawn: The Series Jacob Fuller Main cast (season 1); 10 episodes 2014–2018 Scorpion Cabe Gallo Main role; 93 episodes 2015 Ultimate Spider-Man Robert Frank / Whizzer (voice) Episode: "S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy" 2017 Lore Reverend Eliakim Phelps Episode: "Passing Notes" 2018–2019 Mayans M.C. President Les Packer 2 episodes 2020 Perry Mason Herman Baggerly Recurring role 2021 The Walking Dead Mays TBA (season 10)[19] 2021 Peacemaker Auggie Smith Main role, upcoming series 1992 Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-1000 Voice 1995 The Dig Commander Boston Low 2005 The Outfit Deuce Williams 2013 LocoCycle S.P.I.K.E. 2014 Elite: Dangerous Zachary Hudson 2020 Madden NFL 21 Coach Red O'Brien 1992 MTV Movie Awards Best Villain Terminator 2: Judgment Day Nominated Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated 1994 Best Actor Fire in the Sky Nominated 2001 Best Actor on Television The X-Files Won 2002 Nominated 2005 Jury Awards Best Actor The Fix Won ^ 'Last Resort's' Robert Patrick says he's not the villain this time. Yahoo! ^ a b c d e f g h "Robert Patrick". AllMovie. Retrieved February 13, 2018. ^ Identity Thief: Cops, Cons and Skiptracers Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Emanuel Levy. ^ a b c "Robert Patrick: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved August 21, 2009. ^ "Robert Patrick". TVGuide.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016. ^ a b c Anderson, Martin (February 28, 2008). "The Den of Geek interview: Robert Patrick". The Den of Geek. Retrieved August 21, 2009. ^ Bianco, Robert (May 5, 2008). "A shook-up 'Elvis' biopic". USA Today. Retrieved August 28, 2009. ^ Baillie, Russell (October 21, 2006). "Robert Patrick goes commando". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved August 28, 2009. ^ Beifuss, John (August 1, 2009). "As Elvis, Robert Patrick Wanted to Pay Tribute, Restore 'Dignity' to the King". California Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2009. ^ Hiltbrand, David (August 1, 2009). ""The Marine": Little depth, lotsa pow!". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 28, 2009. ^ Toole, Angie (January 7, 2007) "'We Are Marshall': Former NHS Eagles football star gets to try on coaching cleats in this new Matthew McConaughey movie". Northwest Florida Daily News. Retrieved on August 28, 2009. ^ Catlin, Roger (January 7, 2007) "On Tour, Meat Loaf head's for home". Hartford Courant. Retrieved on August 28, 2009. ^ Jake Rico (January 12, 2009). "Terminator Salvation - First Review". ShowBizCafe.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009. ^ "Theatrical One Sheet for 'Black Waters of Echo's Pond'". ^ Eric McAdams (August 29, 2017). "Watch the Trailer for Lore, Amazon's Creepy New Show". Paste Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2017. [permanent dead link] ^ "robert patrick (@robertpatrickT2) - Twitter". Retrieved March 4, 2016. ^ "20,000 cyclists join Love Ride". Clutch and Chrome. [permanent dead link] ^ Filter - So I Quit - HD w/ Robert Patrick - 10-22-10 - Dallas, TX on YouTube ^ Wigler, Josh (November 19, 2020). "'Walking Dead' Enlists Robert Patrick as Extended Season 10 Details Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2020. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Patrick. Robert Patrick on IMDb Robert Patrick on Twitter Robert Patrick on TVGuide.com	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line122
__label__cc	0.547856	0.452144	ALLIANCE ONE INTERNATIONAL, INC. Form 10-K Alliance One's 10-K Filing [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED March 31, 2009 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 8001 Aerial Center Parkway Morrisville, North Carolina 27560-8417 Telephone Number (919) 379-4300 Common Stock (no par value) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X] Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes [ ] No [X] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large Accelerated Filer [ ] Accelerated Filer [X] Non-Accelerated filer [ ] Smaller Reporting Company [ ] Yes [ ] No [X] As of September 30, 2008 the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $320 million based on the closing sale price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. As of June 1, 2009, there were 88,974,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding (no par value) excluding 7,853,000 shares owned by a wholly owned subsidiary. Certain information contained in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (to be held August 6, 2009) of the registrant is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES ITEM 1. BUSINESS We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Our website address is http://www.aointl.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information contained on our website shall not be deemed part of this annual report on Form 10-K for any reason. Alliance One is one of only two global independent publicly held leaf tobacco merchants, each with substantially similar global market shares. We have broad geographic processing capabilities, a diversified product offering and an established customer base, including all of the major consumer tobacco product manufacturers. We select, purchase, process, store, pack and ship tobacco grown in more than 45 countries, serving manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products in more than 90 countries around the world. We process tobacco through a complex mechanized threshing and separating operation and then dry it to meet precise moisture levels in accordance with the customer’s specifications. The processing of leaf tobacco facilitates shipping and prevents spoilage and is an essential service to our customers because the quality of processed leaf tobacco substantially affects the quality of the manufacturer’s end product. In an increasing number of important markets, we also provide agronomy expertise for growing leaf tobacco. Alliance One holds a leading position in most tobacco growing regions in the world, including the principal export markets for flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco: the United States, Brazil, Malawi, Turkey, Argentina, India and Thailand. In addition, we process tobacco in more than 50 owned and third party facilities around the world. We sell our processed tobacco primarily to large multinational cigarette manufacturers, including Philip Morris International, Inc., Japan Tobacco, Inc., Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC, China National Tobacco Co., British American Tobacco, Philip Morris USA, Inc., Eastern Company S.A.E., R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Lorillard Tobacco Company and others. Alliance One is a Virginia corporation, and our common stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1995. Through our predecessor companies, we have a long operating history in the leaf tobacco industry and have maintained relationships with many of our major customers for more than 50 years, with some of these relationships beginning in the early 1900s. We have two geographic operating segments in which we evaluate performance. They are the South America operating segment and the Other Regions operating segment. The Other Regions operation segment is the aggregation of the Africa, Asia, Europe and North America regions. The world's large multinational cigarette manufacturers, with one exception, rely primarily on independent leaf tobacco merchants such as Alliance One to supply the majority of their leaf tobacco needs. Leaf tobacco merchants select, purchase, process, store, pack and ship tobacco and, in a growing number of markets, provide agronomy expertise. Our revenues are primarily comprised of sales of processed tobacco and fees charged for processing and related services to manufacturers of tobacco products around the world. Processing and other revenues are less than 5% of our total revenues. We do not manufacture cigarettes or other consumer tobacco products. Product (Continued) We deal primarily in flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos that are used in international brand cigarettes. International brand cigarettes include Virginia cigarettes that contain only flue-cured tobaccos as well as American blend cigarettes. American blend cigarettes contain approximately 50% flue-cured, 35% burley and 15% oriental tobacco, contain less tar and nicotine and taste milder than locally produced cigarettes containing dark and semi-oriental tobacco historically consumed in certain parts of the world. Several of the large multinational cigarette manufacturers have expanded their operations throughout the world, particularly in Asia, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, in order to increase their access to and penetration of international brand cigarette markets. As cigarette manufacturers continue to expand their global operations, we believe that demand will increase for local sources of leaf tobacco and local tobacco processing and distribution, primarily due to beneficial tariff rates and lower freight costs. We believe that the international expansion of the large multinational cigarette manufacturers will cause these manufacturers to place greater reliance on the services of leaf tobacco merchants with the ability to source and process tobacco on a global basis and to help develop higher quality local sources of tobacco by improving local agronomic practices. Geographic Regions of Operation We have developed an extensive international network through which we purchase, process and sell tobacco. We own or have an interest in processing facilities in Argentina, Brazil, India, Tanzania, the United States, Malawi, Thailand, Germany, Indonesia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. These facilities encompass all leading export locations of flue-cured, burley and oriental tobaccos. We have historically contracted with third parties for the processing of tobacco in certain countries including Argentina, Canada, China, Guatemala, India, Thailand and certain countries of the former Soviet Union. In addition, we have entered into contracts, joint ventures and other arrangements for the purchase of tobacco grown in substantially all other countries that produce export-quality flue-cured and burley tobacco, including Argentina, Canada, China, India, Indonesia and Thailand. We purchase tobacco in more than 45 countries. During the three years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 76%, 77%, and 77%, respectively, of our purchases of tobacco were from the seven countries noted in the table below. The remaining amounts were purchased in more than 38 different countries with no single country accounting for more than 5% of the amount purchased. The following table summarizes the tobacco purchase percentages for each country of the dollar value of tobacco Alliance One purchased during the periods indicated: Years Ended March 31, Other Regions: Amounts do not equal column totals due to rounding The purchasing, processing, selling and storing of leaf tobacco is similar throughout our business. However, we maintain regional operating and financial management in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia to monitor our various operations in these areas. In reviewing these operations, we have concluded that the economic characteristics of South America are dissimilar from the other operating regions. Based on this fact, we are disclosing South America separately and have aggregated the remaining four operating segments, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America into one reportable segment “Other Regions.” Our financial performance is reviewed at this level and these regions represent our operating segments. See Note N “Segment Information” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Tobacco is primarily purchased directly from growers ("direct contract buying") with small quantities still sold at auction. Prior to the 2004 crop in the United States, flue-cured and burley tobacco crops were purchased at public auction, but these markets have undergone a fundamental change. In addition to the leaf merchants, a number of our U.S. customers purchase green tobacco directly from the growers. Although our U.S. facilities continue to process the tobacco purchased directly from growers by these customers, we no longer take ownership of that tobacco and no longer record sales revenues associated with its resale. The majority of our purchases of U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco are made through the direct contract buying system where we buy the farmer’s entire crop. With respect to tobacco purchased by us through this system (and to which we still take title) and consistent with industry practices, we assume the risk of matching the quantities and grades required by our customers to the entire crop we must purchase under contract. As a result, we work closely with our customers in advance of the crop to estimate our customer requirements and use these estimates as the basis to contract tobaccos directly from farmers. However, this arrangement has increased the possibility that we may accumulate inventories of grades of tobacco that our customers do not need. When purchases are made from an auction system, tobaccos are purchased primarily to match specific customer orders. Principal auction markets include Canada, India and Malawi. We usually purchase tobacco at those auction markets after receiving specific customer orders or indications of customers' upcoming needs. Our network of tobacco operations and buyers allows us to cover the major auctions of flue-cured and burley tobacco throughout the world. These buyers are experts in differentiating hundreds of grades of tobacco based on customer specifications and preferences that take into account, among other factors, the texture, visual appearance and aroma of the tobacco. In non-auction markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Tanzania, Turkey and Zambia, we purchase tobacco directly from growers or from local entities that have arranged for purchase from growers. We often make these direct purchases based upon our projection of the needs of our long-standing customers rather than against specific purchase orders. Our arrangements with growers vary from locale to locale depending on our predictions of future supply and demand, local historical practice and availability of capital. For example, in Brazil, we generally contract to purchase a grower's entire tobacco crop at the market price per grade at the time of harvest based on the quality of the tobacco delivered. Pursuant to these purchase contracts, we provide growers with fertilizer and other materials necessary to grow tobacco and may either directly loan or guarantee Brazilian rural credit loans to growers to finance the crop. Under longer-term arrangements with growers, we may also refinance borrowings as well as finance or guarantee financing on growers' capital assets. In addition, our agronomists maintain frequent contact with growers prior to and during the growing and curing seasons to provide technical assistance to improve the quality and yield of the crop. In other non-auction markets, such as Argentina and China, we buy tobacco from local entities that have purchased tobacco from growers and supervise the processing of that tobacco by those local entities. We believe that our long-standing relationships with our customers are vital to our purchasing operations outside of the auction markets. We process tobacco to meet each customer's specifications as to quality, yield, chemistry, particle size, moisture content and other characteristics. We own and operate 15 tobacco production facilities in 10 countries. Unprocessed tobacco is a semi-perishable commodity that generally must be processed within a relatively short period of time to prevent fermentation or deterioration in quality. Accordingly, we have located our production facilities in proximity to our principal sources of tobacco. Upon arrival at our processing plants, flue-cured and burley tobacco is first reclassified according to grade. Most of that tobacco is then blended to meet customer specifications regarding color, body and chemistry, threshed to remove the stem from the leaf and further processed to produce strips of tobacco and sieve out small scrap. We also sell a small amount of processed but unthreshed flue-cured and burley tobacco in loose-leaf and bundle form to certain customers. Oriental tobaccos are handled and processed in a similar manner other than that the tobaccos are not threshed to remove stems. Processed flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco is redried to remove excess moisture so that it can be held in storage by customers or us for long periods of time. After redrying, whole leaves, bundles, strips or stems and scrap where applicable are separately packed in cases, bales, cartons or hogsheads for storage and shipment. Packed flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco generally is transported in the country of origin by truck or rail, and exports are moved by ship. Prior to and during processing, steps are taken to ensure consistent quality of the tobacco, including the regrading and removal of undesirable leaves, dirt and other non-tobacco related material. Customer representatives are frequently present at our facilities to monitor the processing of their particular orders. Throughout the processing, our technicians use quality control laboratory test equipment to ensure that the product meets all customer specifications. The purchasing and processing activities of our tobacco business are seasonal. Flue-cured tobacco grown in the U.S. is purchased, processed and sold generally during the five-month period beginning in July and ending in November. U.S. grown burley tobacco is purchased, processed and sold usually from late November through January or February. Tobacco grown in Brazil is usually purchased, processed and sold from January through July and in Africa from April through September. Other markets around the world have similar purchasing periods, although at different times of the year. During the purchasing, processing and sales seasons, inventories of unprocessed tobacco, inventories of redried tobacco and trade accounts receivable normally reach peak levels in succession. Current liabilities, particularly advances from customers and short-term notes payable to banks, normally reach their peak in this period as a means of financing the seasonal expansion of current assets. At March 31, the end of our fiscal year, the seasonal components of our working capital reflect primarily the operations related to foreign grown tobacco. Customers and Selling Arrangements We ship tobacco to manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products located in more than 90 countries around the world. We ship to international locations designated by these manufacturers. A majority of the shipments of tobacco are to factories or storage facilities of these manufacturers that are located outside the United States. In certain countries we also use commissioned agents to supplement our selling efforts. The consumer tobacco business is dominated by a relatively small number of large multinational cigarette manufacturers and by government controlled entities. For the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Philip Morris International, Inc (“PMI”), Altria Group, Inc. (“Altria”) and Japan Tobacco Inc., including their respective affiliates, accounted for more than 10% of our revenues from continuing operations. On March 28, 2008, Altria completed the spin-off of its international tobacco business, PMI. We conduct business with both PMI and Altria’s retained domestic tobacco business, Philip Morris USA, Inc., and the spin-off did not have a material effect on our results. The following table summarizes the percentage of Alliance One’s sales and other operating revenues from PMI and Japan Tobacco Inc for the year ended March 31, 2009 and Altria and Japan Tobacco Inc. for the years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007: Japan Tobacco Inc. Less than 10% In 2009, Alliance One delivered approximately 57% of its tobacco sales to customers in Europe and approximately 14% to customers in the United States. One customer directs shipments to its Belgium storage and distribution center before shipment to its manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia. In 2009, these Belgium sales accounted for 35% of sales to customers in Europe. The remaining sales are to customers located in Asia, Africa and other geographic regions of the world. Selling Arrangements We typically make our leaf tobacco purchases pursuant to customer orders or supply contracts or customer indications of anticipated need, with most purchases made based on indications. Customers are legally bound to purchase tobacco acquired by us pursuant to orders, but no contractual obligation exists with respect to tobacco purchased in response to indications. However, we have done business with most of our customers for many years and have never experienced a significant failure of customers to purchase tobacco for which they have given indications. Generally, our agreements with customers establish a framework for pricing our services that is negotiated with respect to crop year, grade of tobacco leaf or type of service provided based on market prices. The majority of these agreements do not provide for minimum purchases and are terminable upon reasonable notice. Customers and Selling Arrangements (Continued) Selling Arrangements (Continued) We recognize sales revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the customer is fixed, collectibility is reasonably assured and title and risk of ownership is passed to the customer, which is upon shipment or delivery. Individual shipments may be large, and since the customer typically specifies shipping dates, our financial results may vary significantly between reporting periods due to timing of sales. In some markets, principally the United States, we process tobacco that is owned by our customers, and revenue is recognized when the processing is completed. Our normal customer payment terms are either cash against documents, payment against invoice or customer letter of credit. Most of our sales throughout the world are denominated in U.S. dollars. While we can receive payment for tobacco sold after we have processed and shipped it, some of the larger customers advance payments to us throughout the buying and processing season as we purchase and process tobacco for the customers' accounts. Alliance One is one of only two global publicly held leaf tobacco merchants, with substantially similar global market shares in markets in which we both operate. We expect to maintain a major position in most major tobacco growing regions in the world, including the principal export markets for flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco and, as a result of our scale, global reach, and financial resources, we believe we are well-suited to serve the needs of all cigarette manufacturers. The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive and there are a number of independent global, regional or national competitors. Competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based primarily on the price charged for products and services as well as the merchant's ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing, residue compliance and financing of tobacco. In addition, there is competition in all countries to buy the available leaf tobacco and in many areas, total leaf tobacco processing capacity exceeds demand. In addition to the primary global independent leaf tobacco merchants, the cigarette manufacturers increasingly buy tobacco directly from farmers, and other independent leaf merchants with low fixed costs and overhead who have entered the leaf purchasing and processing business on a local basis. We routinely cooperate with both our customers and the manufacturers of the equipment used in our processing facilities to improve processing technologies. However, no material amounts are expended for research and development, and we hold no material patents, licenses, franchises, or concessions. Alliance One Employees Alliance One’s consolidated entities employed approximately 4,400 persons, excluding seasonal employees, in our worldwide operations at March 31, 2009. In the Other Regions operating segment, Alliance One’s consolidated entities employed approximately 3,500 employees at March 31, 2009 excluding approximately 7,000 seasonal employees. During processing periods, most seasonal employees as well as approximately 220 full-time factory personnel in the United States are covered by collective bargaining agreements. In the South America operating segment, Alliance One’s consolidated entities employed approximately 900 persons, excluding approximately 3,000 seasonal employees, at March 31, 2009. We consider Alliance One’s employee relations to be satisfactory. Government Regulation and Environmental Compliance See Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for a discussion of government regulation. Currently there are no material estimated capital expenditures related to environmental control facilities. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ALLIANCE ONE INTERNATIONAL, INC. The following information is furnished with respect to the Company’s executive officers as of April 1, 2009 and the capacities in which they serve. These officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and are elected at each annual organizational meeting of the Board. Robert E. Harrison Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Sheets Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer Hilton Kappaun Executive Vice President - Global Operations J. Pieter Sikkel Executive Vice President - Business Strategy and Relationship Management Henry C. Babb Senior Vice President - Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Michael K. McDaniel Senior Vice President - Human Resources William D. Pappas Senior Vice President - Chief Information Officer The business experience summaries provided below for the Company’s executive officers describe positions held by the named individuals during the last five years. Robert E. Harrison has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2007 and as Chairman since August 2007. Previously he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Alliance One from May 2005 to January 2007, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Standard from August 1996, and its Chairman from August 2003 to May 2005. Robert A. Sheets has served as Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer since April 2008. Previously, he served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Standard until its merger with DIMON in May 2005. Hilton Kappaun has served as Executive Vice President – Global Operations since April 2007. Previously, he served as Regional Director of South America for Alliance One from May 2005 to April 2007 and served as Regional Executive of South America for DIMON from January 2002 to May 2005. J. Pieter Sikkel has served as Executive Vice President – Business Strategy and Relationship Management since April 2007. Previously, he served as Regional Director of Asia for Alliance One from May 2005 to April 2007, Senior Vice President of Asia for Standard from April 2004 to May 2005 and Regional Manager of Asia from 1999 to April 2004. Henry C. Babb has served as Senior Vice President - Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Alliance One since May 2005. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President - Public Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Standard from April 2004 to May 2005 and served as Secretary from June 1998 to April 2004. Michael K. McDaniel has served as Senior Vice President - Human Resources of Alliance One since May 2005. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President - Human Resources of Standard from April 2004 to May 2005 and served as Vice President - Human Resources from June 1997 to April 2004. William D. Pappas has served as Senior Vice President - Chief Information Officer of Alliance One since May 2005. Previously, he served as Chief Information Officer of DIMON from December 2004 to May 2005 and served as Vice President - Chief Technology Officer from October 2001 to December 2004. The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, our operating results, our financial condition and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this Annual Report. We may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in filings with the SEC, in reports to stockholders and in press releases and investor calls and webcasts. You can identify these forward-looking statements by use of words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “continues,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements and whether to invest in or remain invested in Alliance One International, Inc. securities. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are identifying important risk factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by us; any such statement is qualified by reference to the following cautionary statements. We elaborate on these and other risks we face throughout this document. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that we may make from time to time. Risks Relating to Our Operations Global shifts in sourcing customer requirements may negatively impact our organizational structure and asset base. The global leaf tobacco industry is experiencing shifts in the sourcing of customer requirements for tobacco. For example, significant tobacco production volume decreases have occurred and may continue to occur in the United States, Zimbabwe and Western Europe from historical levels. At the same time, production volumes in other sourcing origins, such as Brazil and other areas of Africa, are stabilizing. Additional shifts in sourcing may occur as a result of currency fluctuations, including devaluation of the U.S. dollar. A shift in sourcing origins in Europe has been influenced by modifications to the tobacco price support system in the European Union (EU). Customer requirements are changing due to these variations in production, therefore influencing our ability to plan effectively for the longer term in Europe. We may not be able to timely or efficiently adjust to these shifts in sourcing origins, and adjusting to these shifts may require changes in our production facilities in certain origins and changes in our fixed asset base. We have incurred, and may continue to incur, restructuring charges as we continue to adjust to these shifts in sourcing. Adjusting our capacity and adjusting to these shifts in sourcing may have an adverse impact on our ability to manage our costs, and could have an adverse effect on our financial performance. Our financial results will vary according to growing conditions, customer indications and other factors, which reduces your ability to gauge our quarterly and annual financial performance. Our financial results, particularly the quarterly financial results, may be significantly affected by fluctuations in tobacco growing seasons and crop sizes which affect the supply of tobacco. The cultivation period for tobacco is dependent upon a number of factors, including the weather and other natural events, such as hurricanes or tropical storms, and our processing schedule and results of operations can be significantly altered by these factors. The cost of acquiring tobacco can fluctuate greatly due to smaller crop sizes and increased competition in certain markets in which we purchase tobacco. For example, in Malawi, a smaller 2007 crop and increased competition in the Malawi market increased green tobacco costs at auction by almost 100%, while processing and overhead costs also increased. Furthermore, short crops in periods of high demand translate into higher average green prices, higher throughput costs and less volume to sell. Further, the timing and unpredictability of customer indications, orders and shipments cause us to keep tobacco in inventory, increase our risk and result in variations in quarterly and annual financial results. The timing of shipments can be materially impacted by shortages of containers and vessels for shipping as well as infrastructure and accessibility issues in ports we use for shipment. For example, shortages in shipping containers were a major factor in shipping delays in Brazil during our 2006 fiscal year. We may from time to time in the ordinary course of business keep a significant amount of processed tobacco in inventory for our customers to accommodate their inventory management and other needs. Sales recognition by us and our subsidiaries is based on the passage of ownership, usually with shipment of product. Because individual shipments may represent significant amounts of revenue, our quarterly and annual financial results may vary significantly depending on our customers’ needs and shipping instructions. These fluctuations result in varying volumes and sales in given periods, which also reduces your ability to compare our financial results in different periods or in the same periods in different years. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued) Risks Relating to Our Operations (Continued) Farmers who have historically grown tobacco and from whom we have purchased tobacco may elect to grow other crops instead of tobacco, which affects the world supply of tobacco and may impact our quarterly and annual financial performance. Increases in the prices for other crops have led and may in the future lead farmers who have historically grown tobacco, and from whom we have purchased tobacco, to elect to grow these other, more profitable items instead of tobacco. A decrease in the volume of tobacco available for purchase may increase the purchase price of such tobacco. As a result, we could experience an increase in tobacco crop acquisition costs which may impact our quarterly and annual financial performance. Our extension of credit to tobacco growers could expose us to losses. We make advances to tobacco growers in many countries to finance their growing of tobacco for sale to us. Crop advances to growers are generally secured by the grower’s agreement to deliver green tobacco. In the event of crop failure or other failure of farmers to deliver the year’s crops, recovery of advances could be delayed until deliveries of future crops or indefinitely. The temporary or permanent loss of these advances to growers could result in losses. When we purchase tobacco directly from growers, we bear the risk that the tobacco will not meet our customers’ quality and quantity requirements. In countries where we contract directly with tobacco growers, including Argentina, Brazil, the United States and certain African countries, we bear the risk that the tobacco delivered will not meet quality and quantity requirements of our customers. If the tobacco does not meet such market requirements, we may not be able to sell the tobacco we agreed to buy and may not be able to meet all of our customers’ orders, which would have an adverse effect on profitability and results of operations. Weather and other conditions can affect the marketability of our inventory. Like other agricultural products, the quality of tobacco is affected by weather and the environment, which can change the quality or size of the crop. If a weather event is particularly severe, such as a major drought or hurricane, the affected crop could be destroyed or damaged to an extent that it would be less desirable to our customers, which would result in a reduction in revenues. If such an event is also widespread, it could affect our ability to acquire the quantity of products required by customers. In addition, other items can affect the marketability of tobacco, including, among other things, the presence of: non-tobacco related material; genetically modified organisms; and excess residues of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. A significant event impacting the condition or quality of a large amount of any of the tobacco crops we buy could make it difficult for us to sell such tobacco or to fill our customers’ orders. Our reliance on a small number of significant customers may adversely affect our results of operations. Our customers are manufacturers of cigarette and other tobacco products. Several of these customers individually account for a significant portion of our sales in a normal year. Approximately 25% of our consolidated tobacco sales in 2009 were to various tobacco customers owned by or under common control of Philip Morris International (formerly owned by Altria Group, Inc.) and 33% and 34%, respectively, of our consolidated tobacco sales in 2008 and 2007, were to various tobacco customers which are owned by or under common control of Altria Group, Inc. Approximately 24%, 22% and 19%, respectively, were to various tobacco customers which are owned by or under common control of Japan Tobacco, Inc. No other customer accounts for more than 10% of our sales. In addition, tobacco product manufacturers are experiencing consolidation and further consolidation among our customers could decrease such customers’ demand for our leaf tobacco or processing services. The loss of any one or more of such customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We face increased risks of doing business due to the extent of our international operations. We do business in more than 45 countries, many of which do not have stable economies or governments. Our international operations are subject to international business risks, including unsettled political conditions, expropriation, import and export restrictions, exchange controls, inflationary economies, currency risks and risks related to the restrictions on repatriation of earnings or proceeds from liquidated assets of foreign subsidiaries. These risks are exacerbated in countries where we have advanced substantial sums or guaranteed local loans or lines of credit for the purchase of tobacco from growers. For example, in 2006 as a result of the political environment, economic instability, foreign currency controls and governmental regulations in Zimbabwe, we deconsolidated our Zimbabwe subsidiaries. Zimbabwe had imposed a requirement of governmental authorization of any dividends paid from our Zimbabwe operation, which had been unsuccessful in satisfying unattainable criteria set by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and, therefore, in obtaining the necessary authorizations. We face increased risks of doing business due to the extent of our international operations. (Continued) We have expanded our international operations in areas where the export of tobacco has increased due to increased demand for lower priced tobacco. We have significant investments in our purchasing, processing and exporting operations in Argentina, Brazil, Malawi, Tanzania and Turkey. In recent years, economic problems in Zimbabwe and Brazil have received wide publicity related to devaluation and appreciation of the local currency and inflation. Devaluation and appreciation can affect our purchase costs of tobacco and our processing costs. We are subject to potentially inconsistent actions by the governments of certain foreign countries in which we operate which may have a significant impact on our financial results. For example, in 2006, our concession to promote tobacco production in the Chifunde district of Mozambique was terminated by the government. Thereafter, we assessed our remaining Mozambique operations without the Chifunde district and determined that it was not in our economic interest to remain in Mozambique without this strategic district. Consequently, we discontinued our operations within Mozambique after the 2006 crop. Our exposure to changes in foreign tax regimes could adversely impact our business. We do business in countries that have tax regimes in which the rules are not clear, are not consistently applied and are subject to sudden change. This is especially true with regard to international transfer pricing. Our earnings could be reduced by the uncertain and changing nature of these tax regimes. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations. We conduct our business in many countries around the world. Our business is generally conducted in U.S. dollars, as is the business of the leaf tobacco industry as a whole. However, we generally must purchase tobacco in non-U.S. countries using local currency. As a result, local country operating costs, including the purchasing and processing costs for tobaccos, are subject to the effects of exchange fluctuations of the local currency against the U.S. dollar. When the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, our costs for purchasing and processing tobacco in such currencies increases. We attempt to minimize such currency risks by matching the timing of our working capital borrowing needs against the tobacco purchasing and processing funds requirements in the currency of the country where the tobacco is grown. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating results. In addition, the devaluation of foreign currencies has resulted and may in the future result in reduced purchasing power from customers whose capital resources are denominated in those currencies. We may incur a loss of business as a result of the devaluation of these currencies now or in the future. Low investment performance by our defined benefit pension plan assets may increase our pension expense, and may require us to fund a larger portion of our pension obligations, thus, diverting funds from other potential uses. We sponsor a domestic defined benefit pension plan that covers certain eligible employees. Our pension expense and required contributions to our pension plan are directly affected by the value of plan assets, the projected rate of return on plan assets, the actual rate of return on plan assets, and the actuarial assumptions we use to measure the defined benefit pension plan obligations. Due to the significant market downturn that began in 2008, plan asset values declined significantly. If plan assets continue to perform below the assumed rate of return used to determine pension expense, future pension expense will increase. Further, as a result of the global economic instability, our pension plan investment portfolio has recently incurred greater volatility. The proportion of pension assets to liabilities, which is called the funded status, determines the level of contribution to the plan that is required by law. In recent years, we have funded the plan in amounts as required, but changes in the plan’s funded status related to the value of assets or liabilities could increase the amount required to be funded. We cannot predict whether changing market or economic conditions, regulatory changes or other factors will further increase our pension funding obligations, diverting funds we would otherwise apply to other uses. Competition could erode our earnings. The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive. We are one of two global publicly held competitors in the leaf tobacco industry, each with approximately equal market share. Competition is based primarily on the prices charged for products and services as well as the merchant’s ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing and financing of tobacco. In addition, there is competition in all countries to buy the available tobacco. The loss or substantial reduction of any large or significant customer could reduce our earnings. Competition could erode our earnings. (Continued) In addition to the two primary global independent leaf tobacco merchants, the cigarette manufacturers increasingly buy tobacco directly from farmers, and new independent leaf merchants are entering the leaf purchasing and processing business. We face increasing competition from new local and regional independent leaf merchants with low fixed costs and overhead and good customer connections at the local level. These new independent merchants are buying an increasing portion of the crops in certain international markets, particularly Brazil and parts of Africa, where the new entrants have been able to capitalize in the global transition to those markets. Any of these sources of new competition may result in less tobacco available for us to purchase and process in the applicable markets. We have identified several material weaknesses related to our internal control in the past, and there can be no assurance that material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. As a result of our testing of our internal control over financial reporting for the year ended March 31, 2008, we identified certain matters involving our internal control over financial reporting that we and our registered public accounting firm determined to be material weaknesses under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Although we have remediated those material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, believe that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at March 31, 2009 as reported elsewhere in this Annual Report and intend to continue to monitor and improve our internal controls, we cannot assure you that other material weaknesses will not occur in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or result in misstatements in our financial statements in amounts that could be material. Inferior internal controls could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock and could also require additional restatements of our prior reported financial information. Risks Relating to Our Capital Structure We may not continue to have access to the capital markets to obtain long-term and short-term financing on acceptable terms and conditions. We access the short-term capital markets and, from time to time, the long-term markets to obtain financing. Although we believe that we can continue to access the capital markets in fiscal 2010 on acceptable terms and conditions, our access and the availability of acceptable terms and conditions are impacted by many factors, including: (i) our credit ratings; (ii) the liquidity and volatility of the overall capital markets, which has been negatively impacted by the U.S. sub-prime debt turmoil; and (iii) the current state of the economy, including the tobacco industry. There can be no assurances that we will continue to have access to the capital markets on terms acceptable to us. We may not have access to available capital to finance our local operations in non-U.S. jurisdictions. We have typically financed our non-U.S. local operations with uncommitted short term operating credit lines at the local level. These operating lines are typically seasonal in nature, normally extending for a term of 180 to 270 days corresponding to the tobacco crop cycle in that location. These facilities are typically uncommitted in that the lenders have the right to cease making loans or demand payment of outstanding loans at any time. In addition, each of these operating lines must be renewed with each tobacco crop season in that jurisdiction. Although our foreign subsidiaries are the borrowers under these lines, many of them are guaranteed by us. As of March 31, 2009, we had approximately $261.5 million drawn and outstanding on foreign seasonal lines totaling $479.5 million. Additionally against these lines there was $40.1 million available in unused letter of credit capacity with $3.8 million issued but unfunded. Because the lenders under these operating lines typically have the right to cancel the loan at any time and each line must be renewed with each crop season, there can be no assurance that this capital will be available to our subsidiaries. If a number of these lenders cease lending to our subsidiaries or dramatically decrease such lending, it could have a material adverse affect on our liquidity. Failure of foreign banks in which our subsidiaries deposit funds or the failure to transfer funds or honor withdrawals may affect our results of operations. Funds held by our foreign subsidiaries are often deposited in their local banks. Banks in certain foreign jurisdictions may be subject to a higher rate of failure or may not honor withdrawals of deposited funds. In addition, the countries in which these local banks operate may lack sufficient regulatory oversight or suffer from structural weaknesses in the local banking system. Due to uncertainties and risks relating to the political stability of certain foreign governments, these local banks also may be subject to exchange controls and therefore unable to perform transfers of certain currencies. If our ability to gain access to these funds was impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Risks Relating to Our Capital Structure (Continued) We have substantial debt which may adversely affect us by limiting future sources of financing, interfering with our ability to pay interest and principal on the notes and subjecting us to additional risks. We have a significant amount of indebtedness and debt service obligations. As of March 31, 2009, we had approximately $931.9 million of indebtedness. In addition, the indenture governing the notes allows us to incur additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. If we add new indebtedness to our current indebtedness levels, the related risks that we now face could increase. Our substantial debt will have important consequences, including: that our indebtedness may make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes and our other obligations; that our indebtedness may limit our ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms and to otherwise fund working capital, capital expenditures, debt refinancing, acquisitions and other general corporate requirements; that a significant portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to paying interest on and the repayment of the principal of our indebtedness. This reduces the amount of cash we have available for making principal and interest payments under the notes and for other purposes and makes us more vulnerable to a decrease in demand for leaf tobacco, increases in our operating costs or general economic or industry conditions; that our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and to compete with other global leaf tobacco merchants may be hampered by the amount of debt we owe; increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged; limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities. In addition, the indenture governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility each contain financial and other restrictive covenants that will limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debt. Also, a substantial portion of our debt, including borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, bears interest at variable rates. If market interest rates increase, variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which would adversely affect our cash flow. While we may enter into agreements limiting our exposure to higher debt service requirements, any such agreements may not offer complete protection from this risk. Despite current indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could exacerbate further the risks associated with our significant leverage. We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indenture governing the notes will restrict, but will not completely prohibit, us from doing so. Our senior secured credit facility provides for a $305.0 million revolving credit line. There were borrowings of $120.0 million under this facility at March 31, 2009. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks we now face could intensify. The indentures governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility contain, and in the future could contain additional, covenants and tests that limit our ability to take actions or cause us to take actions we may not normally take. The indentures governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility contain a number of significant covenants. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock; merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of our assets; grant liens on our assets; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or restricted payments; repurchase or redeem capital stock or prepay subordinated debt; make certain investments; agree to restrictions on the payment of dividends to us by our subsidiaries; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests of our subsidiaries; enter into transactions with our affiliates; and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. The indentures governing the notes and our senior secured credit facility contain, and in the future could contain additional, covenants and tests that limit our ability to take actions or cause us to take actions we may not normally take. (Continued) Our senior secured credit facility and the indentures require us to meet certain financial tests. Complying with these covenants and tests may cause us to take actions that we otherwise would not take or not take actions that we otherwise would take. The failure to comply with these covenants and tests would cause a default under the credit facility and, under the indenture, would prevent us from taking certain actions, such as incurring additional debt, paying dividends or redeeming senior notes or subordinated debt. A default, if not waived, could result in the debt under our senior secured credit facility and the indenture becoming immediately due and payable and could result in a default or acceleration of our other indebtedness with cross-default provisions. If this occurs, we may not be able to pay our debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. We have had to obtain waivers and amendments under our existing financing arrangements to avoid future defaults or cure past defaults. In the recent past, we have sought and obtained waivers and amendments under our existing financing arrangements to avoid future non-compliance with financial covenants and cure past defaults under restrictive covenants. We also paid significant fees to obtain these waivers and consents. You should consider this in evaluating our ability to comply with restrictive covenants in our debt instruments and the financial costs of our ability to do so. Any future defaults for which we do not obtain waivers or amendments could result in the acceleration of a substantial portion of our indebtedness, much of which is cross-defaulted to other indebtedness. We will require a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This is subject to general economic, financial, competitive and other factors that may be beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our senior secured credit facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the notes, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt, including our senior secured credit facility or the notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Additionally, to the extent permitted under our senior secured credit agreement and indentures, we may repurchase, repay or tender for our bank debt, senior notes or senior subordinated notes, which may place pressure on future cash requirements to the extent that the debt repurchased, repaid or tendered cannot be redrawn. If we refinance our current credit facilities, we may not be able to obtain the same credit availability or at interest rates similar to our current credit facilities. If the recent worsening of credit market conditions continues or increases, it could have a material adverse impact on our ability to refinance our current credit facilities on similar or better terms than our current credit facility. Risks Related to the Current Global Financial Crisis The volatility and disruption of global credit markets and adverse changes arising from the current global financial crisis may negatively impact our ability to access financing and expose us to unexpected risks. The current global financial and credit crisis exposes us to a variety of risks. We fund our business with a combination of cash from operations, short-term seasonal credit lines, our revolving credit facility, long term debt securities and customer advances. We have financed our non-U.S. operations with uncommitted unsecured short term seasonal lines of credit at the local level. These local operating lines typically extend for a term of 180 to 270 days and are typically uncommitted in that the lenders have the right to cease making loans and demand repayment of loans at any time. As of March 31, 2009, we had approximately $261.5 million drawn and outstanding on foreign seasonal lines with maximum capacity totaling $479.5 million. In light of the global credit crisis it is uncertain whether local seasonal lines will continue to be available to finance our non-U.S. operations to the extent or on terms similar to what has been available in the past and whether repayment of existing loans under these lines will be demanded prior to maturity. To the extent that local seasonal lines cease to be available at levels necessary to finance our non-U.S. operations or we are required to repay loans under the lines prior to maturity, we may be required to seek alternative financing sources beyond our existing committed sources of funding. In light of the current capital and credit market disruption and volatility, we cannot assure you that such alternative funding will be available to us on terms and conditions acceptable to us, or at all. In the event that we may be required to support our non-U.S. operations by borrowing U.S. dollars under our existing revolving credit line, we may be exposed to additional currency exchange risk that we may be unable to successfully hedge. Further, there is additional risk that certain banks in the U.S. revolving credit line syndicate could be unable to meet contractually obligated borrowing requests in the future as a result of the global financial crisis. In addition, we maintain deposit accounts with numerous financial institutions around the world in amounts that exceed applicable governmental deposit insurance levels. While we actively monitor our deposit relationships, we are subject to risk of loss in the event of the unanticipated failure of a financial institution in which we maintain deposits, which loss could be material to our results of operations and financial condition. Derivative transactions may expose us to unexpected risk and potential losses. We are party to certain derivative transactions, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, with financial institutions to hedge against certain financial risks. Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments that are not cash flow hedges are reported in income, and accordingly could materially affect our reported income in any period. Moreover, in the light of current economic uncertainty and potential for financial institution failures, we may be exposed to the risk that our counterparty in a derivative transaction may be unable to perform its obligations as a result of being placed in receivership or otherwise. In the event that a counterparty to a material derivative transaction is unable to perform its obligations thereunder, we may experience material losses that could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry Reductions in demand for consumer tobacco products could adversely affect our results of operations. The tobacco industry, both in the United States and abroad, continues to face a number of issues that may reduce the consumption of cigarettes and adversely affect our business, sales volume, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. These issues, some of which are more fully discussed below, include: governmental actions seeking to ascribe to tobacco product manufacturers liability for adverse health effects associated with smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; smoking and health litigation against tobacco product manufacturers; tax increases on consumer tobacco products; current and potential actions by state attorneys general to enforce the terms of the Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA, between state governments in the United States and tobacco product manufacturers; governmental and private bans and restrictions on smoking; actual and proposed price controls and restrictions on imports in certain jurisdictions outside the United States; restrictions on tobacco product manufacturing, marketing, advertising and sales; the diminishing social acceptance of smoking; increased pressure from anti-smoking groups; other tobacco product legislation that may be considered by Congress, the states, municipalities and other countries; and the impact of consolidation among multinational cigarette manufacturers. Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry (Continued) Tobacco product manufacturer litigation may reduce demand for our services. Our primary customers, the leading cigarette manufacturers, face thousands of lawsuits brought throughout the United States and, to a lesser extent, the rest of the world. These lawsuits have been brought by plaintiffs, including (1) individuals and classes of individuals alleging personal injury and/or misleading advertising, (2) governments (including governmental and quasi-governmental entities in the United States and abroad) seeking recovery of health care costs allegedly caused by cigarette smoking, and (3) other groups seeking recovery of health care expenditures allegedly caused by cigarette smoking, including third-party health care payors, such as unions and health maintenance organizations. Damages claimed in some of the smoking and health cases range into the billions of dollars. There have been several jury verdicts in tobacco product litigation during the past several years. Additional plaintiffs continue to file lawsuits. The effects of the lawsuits on our customers could reduce their demand for tobacco from us. Legislative and regulatory initiatives could reduce consumption of consumer tobacco products and demand for our services. Congress is currently considering enactment of a bill, entitled the “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,” to extend the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to encompass the regulation of tobacco products. This measure was approved by the House of Representatives on April 2, 2009 and a similar measure has been introduced in the Senate. The bill would authorize the FDA to adopt product standards for tobacco products, including the level of nicotine yield and the reduction or elimination of other constituents of the products, along with provisions for the testing of products against these standards. The bill contemplates further restrictions on advertising of tobacco products, would authorize the FDA to limit the sales of tobacco products to face-to-face transactions permitting the verification of the age of the purchaser, would authorize a study to determine whether the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco products should be increased and would require submission of reports from manufacturers of tobacco products to the FDA regarding product ingredients and other matters, including existing reports on health, toxicological, behavioral, or physiologic effects of tobacco products and their constituents. The bill also would require mandated warning labels and require packaging to indicate the percentage of domestically grown tobacco and foreign grown tobacco included in the product. In addition, the bill would direct the FDA to promulgate regulations requiring that the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for, the manufacture, preproduction design validation, packing, and storage of a tobacco product conform to current good manufacturing practice, although the bill would not apply to tobacco leaf that is not in the possession of a manufacturer of tobacco products, or to the producers of tobacco leaf, including tobacco growers, tobacco warehouses, and tobacco grower cooperatives unless those entities are controlled by a tobacco product manufacturer. If this bill were to be enacted, our business, volume, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Reports with respect to the harmful physical effects of cigarette smoking have been publicized for many years, and the sale, promotion and use of cigarettes continue to be subject to increasing governmental regulation. Since 1964, the Surgeon General of the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services have released a number of reports linking cigarette smoking with a broad range of health hazards, including various types of cancer, coronary heart disease and chronic lung disease, and recommending various governmental measures to reduce the incidence of smoking. More recent reports focus upon the addictive nature of cigarettes, the effects of smoking cessation, the decrease in smoking in the United States, the economic and regulatory aspects of smoking in the Western Hemisphere, and cigarette smoking by adolescents, particularly the addictive nature of cigarette smoking in adolescence. Numerous state and municipal governments have taken and others may take actions to diminish the social acceptance of smoking of tobacco products, including banning smoking in certain public and private locations. A number of foreign nations also have taken steps to restrict or prohibit cigarette advertising and promotion, to increase taxes on cigarettes and to discourage cigarette smoking. In some cases, such restrictions are more onerous than those in the United States. For example, advertising and promotion of cigarettes has been banned or severely restricted for a number of years in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Singapore and other countries. Further, in February 2005, the World Health Organization treaty, the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, entered into force. This treaty, to which 164 nations were parties at March 31, 2009, requires signatory nations to enact legislation that would require, among other things, specific actions to prevent youth smoking; restrict or prohibit tobacco product marketing; inform the public about the health consequences of smoking and the benefits of quitting; regulate the content of tobacco products; impose new package warning requirements including the use of pictorial or graphic images; eliminate cigarette smuggling and counterfeit cigarettes; restrict smoking in public places; increase and harmonize cigarette excise taxes; abolish duty-free tobacco sales; and permit and encourage litigation against tobacco product manufacturers. Due to the present regulatory and legislative environment, a substantial risk exists that past growth trends in tobacco product sales may not continue and that existing sales may decline. Government actions can have a significant effect on the sourcing of tobacco. If some of the current efforts are successful, we could have difficulty obtaining sufficient tobacco to meet our customers’ requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations. The WHO, through the FCTC, has created a formal study group to identify and assess crop diversification initiatives and alternatives to leaf tobacco growing in countries whose economies depend upon tobacco production. The study group began its work in February 2007. If certain countries were to partner with the FCTC study group and seek to eliminate or significantly reduce leaf tobacco production, we could encounter difficulty in sourcing leaf tobacco to fill customer requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We have been, and continue to be, subject to governmental investigations into, and litigation concerning, leaf tobacco industry buying and other payment practices. The leaf tobacco industry, from time to time, has been the subject of government investigations regarding trade practices. For example, we were the subject of an investigation by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice into certain buying practices alleged to have occurred in the industry, we were named defendants in an antitrust class action litigation alleging a conspiracy to rig bids in the tobacco auction markets, and we were the subject of an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in some countries within the European Union, including Spain, Italy, Greece and potentially other countries. Our subsidiaries in Spain, Italy and Greece have been subject to these investigations. In 2004, the EC fined us and our Spanish subsidiaries €4.4 million ($5.6 million) solely relating to the investigations in Spain. In respect of the Italian investigation, in October 2005, the EC announced that we and our Italian subsidiaries have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €24.0 million ($28.8 million). Several tobacco processors, growers and agricultural associations that were the subject of the investigation in Italy were assessed fines in various amounts totaling €56.0 million ($67.0 million), inclusive of the fines imposed on us and our subsidiaries. We, along with the applicable subsidiaries, have appealed the decisions of the EC with respect to Spain and Italy to the Court of First Instance of the EC for the annulment or modification of the decision; but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. In March 2005, the EC informed us that it had closed its investigation in relation to the Greek leaf tobacco industry buying and selling practices. In relation to these investigations into certain tobacco buying and selling practices, the DGCOMP could decide to pursue investigations into other countries and additional fines may be assessed in those countries. We have recently been made aware of a review by the Malawi Government of the operation of its tobacco auction markets. Although the Government’s preliminary report suggests that there may have been violations by the leaf dealer industry of certain Malawi competition laws, the review is at an early stage and it is not possible to predict its outcome or its possible impact on us. We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities and are conducting our own internal investigation. In March 2004, we discovered potential irregularities with respect to certain bank accounts in southern Europe and central Asia. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation of activity relating to these accounts. That investigation revealed that, although the amounts involved were not material and had no material impact on our historical financial statements, there were payments from these accounts that may have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In May 2004, we voluntarily reported the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice (“Justice”). Soon thereafter, we closed the accounts in question, implemented personnel changes and other measures designed to prevent similar situations in the future, including the addition of new finance and internal audit staff and enhancement of existing training programs, and disclosed these circumstances in our filings with the SEC. In August 2006, we learned that the SEC had issued a formal order of investigation of us and others to determine if these or other actions, including those in other countries in which we do business, may have violated certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules thereunder. In May 2008, we learned that Justice is conducting an investigation into possible violations of federal law stemming from the same actions being investigated by the SEC. If the U.S. authorities determine that there have been violations of federal laws, they may seek to impose sanctions on us that may include, among other things, injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices. It is not possible to predict at this time whether the authorities will determine that violations have occurred, and if they do, what sanctions they might seek to impose. It is possible, however, that any sanctions which might be imposed could materially adversely affect results of operations. Both of these investigations are ongoing as of the date of this report and we are fully cooperating with the SEC and Justice. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Following is a description of Alliance One’s material properties as of March 31, 2009. Our corporate headquarters are located in Morrisville, North Carolina. We own a total of 15 production facilities in 10 countries. We operate each of our tobacco processing plants for seven to nine months during the year to correspond with the applicable harvesting season. While we believe our production facilities have been efficiently utilized, we continually compare our production capacity and organization with the transitions occurring in global sourcing of tobacco. We also believe our domestic production facilities and certain foreign production facilities have the capacity to process additional volumes of tobacco if required by customer demand. The following is a listing of the various material properties used in operations all of which are owned by Alliance One: SOUTH AMERICA SEGMENT VENANCIO AIRES, BRAZIL FACTORY/STORAGE SANTA CRUZ, BRAZIL VERA CRUZ, BRAZIL EL CARRIL, ARGENTINA OTHER REGIONS SEGMENT WILSON, N.C. FARMVILLE, N.C. DANVILLE. VA LILONGWE, MALAWI MOROGORO, TANZANIA KARLSRUHE, GERMANY NGORO, INDONESIA In October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (“DGCOMP”) of the European Commission (“EC”) began an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in some countries within the European Union, including Spain, Italy, Greece and potentially other countries. The Company and its subsidiaries in Spain, Italy and Greece have been subject to these investigations. In respect of the investigation into practices in Spain, in 2004, the EC fined the Company and its Spanish subsidiaries €4.4 million (US$5.6 million). In respect of the investigation into practices in Italy, in October 2005, the EC announced that the Company and its Italian subsidiaries have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €24.0 million (US$28.8 million). With respect to both the Spanish and Italian investigations, the fines imposed on the Company and its predecessors and subsidiaries were part of fines assessed on several participants in the applicable industry. With respect to the investigation relating to Greece, the EC informed the Company in March 2005 it had closed its investigation in relation to the Greek leaf tobacco industry buying and selling practices. The Company, along with its applicable subsidiaries, has appealed the decisions of the EC with respect to Spain and Italy to the Court of First Instance of the European Commission for the annulment or modification of the decision, but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. The Company has fully recognized the impact of each of the fines set forth above and has paid all of such fines as part of the appeal process. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Continued) In March 2004, the Company discovered potential irregularities with respect to certain bank accounts in southern Europe and central Asia. The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation of activity relating to these accounts. That investigation revealed that, although the amounts involved were not material and had no material impact on the Company’s historical financial statements, there were payments from these accounts that may have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In May 2004, the Company voluntarily reported the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice (“Justice”). Soon thereafter, the Company closed the accounts in question, implemented personnel changes and other measures designed to prevent similar situations in the future, including the addition of new finance and internal audit staff and enhancement of existing training programs, and disclosed these circumstances in its filings with the SEC. In August 2006, the Company learned that the SEC had issued a formal order of investigation of the Company and others to determine if these or other actions, including those in other countries in which the Company does business, may have violated certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules thereunder. In May 2008, the Company learned that Justice is conducting an investigation into possible violations of federal laws stemming from the same actions being investigated by the SEC. If the U.S. authorities determine that there have been violations of federal laws, they may seek to impose sanctions on the Company that may include, among other things, injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices. It is not possible to predict at this time whether the authorities will determine that violations have occurred, and if they do, what sanctions they might seek to impose. It is possible, however, that any sanctions which might be imposed could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. Both of these investigations are ongoing as of the date of this report and the Company is fully cooperating with the SEC and Justice. The Company had previously disclosed that it had received notice from Mindo, S.r.l., the purchaser in June 2004 of the Company’s Italian subsidiary Dimon Italia, S.r.l., of its intent to assert against the Company, or its subsidiaries, a claim arising out of that sale transaction. That claim, which may be followed by additional claims, was filed before the Court of Rome on April 12, 2007. The claim, allegedly arising from a guaranty letter issued by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company in connection with the sale transaction, seeks the recovery of €7.4 million (US$9.7 million) plus interest and costs. On December 13, 2007, the Public Prosecutors’ offices in the States of Santa Catarina and Parana filed claims against the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary, Alliance One Brazil Exportadora de Tobaccos Ltda. and a number of other tobacco processors, on behalf of all tobacco farmers in those states. The lawsuits primarily assert that there exists an employment relationship between tobacco processors and tobacco farmers. At the initial hearing in Santa Catarina, on January 29, 2008, the Court granted the Company’s motion to have the case moved to the Labor Court in Brazilia. No hearing date has yet been set. In the state of Parana, the relief sought by the Public Prosecutor was granted by the local Labor Court. The Company appealed that initial ruling and it was overturned in part and affirmed in part. The Company has appealed from that part of the initial ruling which was affirmed and no ruling has yet been rendered on the appeal. The Company has separately asserted, on April 11, 2008, a lack of jurisdiction motion similar to that which it asserted in the case in Santa Catarina which resulted in the transfer of that case to the Labor Court in Brazilia. No hearing date for that motion has been set. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Alliance One’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol "AOI." The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low reported sales prices of our common stock as reported by the NYSE and the amount of dividends declared per share for the periods indicated. Alliance One Year Ended March 31, 2009 $.000 As of March 31, 2009, there were approximately 6,754 shareholders, including approximately 6,493 beneficial holders of our common stock. The payment of dividends by Alliance One is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on business conditions, compliance with debt agreements, achievement of anticipated cost savings, financial condition and earnings, regulatory considerations and other factors. ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES (Continued) Alliance One International, Inc. Comparison of Cumulative Total Return to Shareholders The following line graph and table presents the cumulative total shareholder return of a $100 investment including reinvestment of dividends and price appreciation over the last five years in each of the following: Alliance One International, Inc. (AOI) common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 600 Small Cap Index and an index of peer companies. The sole company in the peer group is Universal Corporation (UVV). Cumulative Total Return Fiscal Year Ending Custom Selected Stock List S&P Small Cap 600 Index ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL STATISTICS Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries The information presented in the table below includes periods ending prior to the completion of our merger with Standard Commercial Corporation (“Standard”) on May 13, 2005. Accordingly, the information presented does not include any results of operations or other information related to Standard for the year ended March 31, 2005. (in thousands, except per share amounts and number of stockholders) Summary of Operations Sales and other operating revenues Goodwill impairment Restructuring and asset impairment Debt retirement expense Income (loss) from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Per Share Statistics Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share: $.10 $(.03) $(5.21) (.22) Net income (loss) (1) Cash dividends paid Balance Sheet Data Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (2) Common shares outstanding at year end Number of stockholders at year end (3) 1) For the year ended March 31, 2005 the assumed conversion of Convertible Debentures at the beginning of the period has an antidilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share. In connection with the closing of the merger with Standard many of the Company’s financing arrangements were refinanced, including in July of 2005, the Company’s $73,328 of convertible subordinated debentures due 2007. For the years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, all outstanding restricted stock and stockoptions are excluded because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect on the loss per share. 2) In 2006, fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $442,087. 3) Includes the number of stockholders of record and non-objecting beneficial owners. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussions should be read in conjunction with the other sections of this report, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Item 8 of the Form 10-K: The following executive overview is intended to provide significant highlights of the discussion and analysis that follows. Average selling prices increased over the prior year in response to increased green tobacco and processing costs partially offset by a decrease in quantities sold. Increased sales prices and profitability improvements by both our South America Region and Other Regions operating segments provided a stable balanced platform from which our financial results for the year were achieved. The costs of this year’s crops were higher as a result of crop competition, inflationary pressure and various appreciating currencies versus the U.S. dollar and in particular, the Brazilian real during the growing season. Recently these trends have reversed somewhat as an impact of the current financial crisis. Working closer with our dedicated customer base also played a major role in improved performance this year versus the prior year, as we worked in concert with them to anticipate their evolving requirements. Our liquidity as of March 31, 2009, was $489.8 million comprised of $87.7 million of cash and $402.1 million of available credit, that includes $185.0 million undrawn on our $305.0 million senior credit facility, $2.9 million of other long term debt, $174.1 million of notes payable to banks, and $40.1 million exclusively for letters of credit. While the global capital markets remain challenged by the current financial crisis our access to capital has remained in line with management’s expectations and required levels to adequately fund ongoing business requirements. We continue to monitor unfolding financial market developments, with a view toward adjusting our strategy if warranted to protect capital and liquidity, while maintaining funding sources, controlling costs and maximizing enterprise flexibility. As a result, we have borrowed $120.0 million under our revolver and reduced borrowing under foreign seasonal lines of credit because of more attractive interest rates. Challenges in anticipating future financial market changes, coupled with the seasonal nature of our business, industry and country supply and demand levels, as well as other external economic and currency factors that may change quickly and in an unanticipated manner, could negatively impact our results. As part of addressing these risks, our liquidity is derived from a numbers of sources including cash from operations, our committed Senior Credit Facility, sale of accounts receivable, active working capital management, advances from our well-capitalized customers, and lastly, bilateral short-term credit lines throughout the world. Additionally, our primary overnight cash investments are with financial institutions that have government guaranties, though in amounts that may exceed applicable guarantee levels, and we do not invest cash in auction rate securities or mortgage backed money market funds. Our strategy to protect capital and ensure appropriate liquidity management is dynamic and will be modified to meet changing market conditions. Industry stocks have remained tight but it is anticipated that the Malawi burley crop that is beginning harvest will increase global supplies of burley tobacco significantly, although other factors may result in higher costs to procure this tobacco. Global flue cured and oriental production should be relatively unchanged with some cost increases probable over the next twelve months. We continue to work closely with our global farmer base to ensure their sustainability while using our significant agronomy resources to also ensure that best practices and total product integrity is being maintained in the face of increasing product regulation. One of the primary challenges we face is potential further adjustments that may be necessary due to the continuing dynamic global financial uncertainty. We continue to attract working capital financing with appropriate levels of liquidity but at a higher cost. Further decline in the global financial systems could negatively impact our ability to secure cost effective funding, so we are monitoring the fluid situation, planning with our well-capitalized customers while working closely with our global financing sources. When combined with further expense control and focus on specific global markets that are growing, our balanced approach and delivery of goods and services should provide value. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) Consolidated Statement of Operations Twelve Months Ended March 31, Selling, administrative and general Equity in net income of investee Minority interests (income) Income (loss) from discontinued Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of income tax $ 132.6* $ 16.9* $ (21.6)* * Amounts do not equal column totals due to rounding. Sales and Other Operating Revenue Supplemental Information (in millions, except per kilo amounts) Tobacco sales and other operating revenues: Average price per kilo Processing and other revenues Total sales and other operating revenues Results of Operations (Continued) Comparison of the Year Ended March 31, 2009 to the Year Ended March 31, 2008 Sales and other operating revenues. The increase of 12.3% from $2,011.5 million in 2008 to $2,258.2 million in 2009 is the result of a 25.3% or $0.88 per kilo increase in average sales prices and an 8.9% or $7.0 million increase in processing and other revenues partially offset by a 10.4% or 58.1 million kilo decrease in quantities sold. South America region. Tobacco revenues increased $19.8 million, reflecting an increase of $1.16 per kilo in average sales prices substantially offset by a decrease of 58.8 million kilos in quantities sold. The increase in average sales price is primarily due to improved customer pricing and the decrease in volume is mainly attributable to reduced inventories carried over from the prior fiscal year and smaller crop sizes. Other regions. Tobacco revenues increased $220.0 million or 20.2% primarily as a result of a $0.70 per kilo increase in average sales prices and a slight increase of 0.7 million kilos in quantities sold. Average sales price increases due to improved customer pricing, as well as increased byproduct volumes in the Africa region, were the primary contributors to the increase in revenues in the Other Regions operating segment. Average sales prices and changing product mix as well as increased volumes in the Asia and North America regions also contributed significantly to the increase in revenues. In Europe, improved customer pricing more than offset decreased volumes that resulted from the exit from the Greek and Spanish tobacco markets as well as reduced demand in Russia. Processing and other revenues increased 8.9% or $7.0 million from $78.5 million in 2008 to $85.5 million in 2009 primarily as a result of increased processing volumes and prices in Africa. Gross profit as a percentage of sales. Gross profit increased 44.1% from $250.4 million in 2008 to $360.8 million in 2009 and the gross profit percentage increased as well from 12.4% in 2008 to 16.0% in 2009. South America region. Gross profit in the South America Region operating segment increased $26.1 million primarily as a result of the nonrecurrence of significant grower bad debt and interstate trade tax provisions in the prior year. In 2008, as a result of the poor quality of the 2006 crop and the resulting surplus quantities on hand combined with substantial increases in both green tobacco and tobacco processing costs for the 2006 and 2007 crops due to the strengthening Brazilian real, 2007 crop production and purchases declined as expected. The continued decline in market conditions again resulted in an increased grower bad debt provision for the 2007 crop. As a result, a $37.5 million bad debt provision associated with farmer accounts related to the cumulative impact of the lower quality of the 2006 crop and smaller 2007 crop was recorded. The positive impact on gross profit from the nonrecurrence of these provisions in 2009 was partially offset by the impact of decreased volumes and net losses on derivative financial instruments. During 2009, the gross profit from sales of the 2008 crop remain negatively impacted by higher grower bad debt and other costs that result from the decreased supply of tobacco volumes available. However, increased sales prices mitigate the impact of these higher costs. The net impact to gross profit from derivative financial instruments was a reduction of $9.3 million compared to the prior year as a result primarily of the volatility in the Brazilian real. Other Region. The increase in gross profit of $84.3 million is primarily attributable to the Africa and Asia regions. Gross profit in Africa increased as a result of better sales prices and increased volumes combined with lower freight costs and lower period costs as a result of more throughput due to increased third party processing. Gross profit in Asia increased as a result of delayed shipments from the prior fiscal year into the current fiscal year, increased sales prices in all Asian regions, changing product mix and lower freight costs. Gross profit in the Europe region improved as a result of improved customer pricing, lower period costs and the favorable impact of exchange rates. The North America region results remained relatively consistent with the prior year. Selling, administrative and general expenses decreased $1.4 million or 0.9% from $157.4 million in 2008 to $156.0 million in 2009. The decrease is primarily due to reduced travel, insurance and the movement of foreign currency exchange rates which were partially offset by increased incentive compensation costs. The stronger U.S. dollar positively impacted expenses denominated in foreign currencies, primarily Brazilian Reals, Euros and Pounds Sterling. Foreign currency denominated expenses accounted for approximately 29.4% and 33.1% of the total selling, administrative and general expenses in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Comparison of the Year Ended March 31, 2009 to the Year Ended March 31, 2008 (Continued) Other income decreased $20.0 million from $20.2 million in 2008 to $0.2 million in 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to the gains of approximately $9.5 million and $7.0 million on the non-recurring sales of the Malawi factory and Greek properties, respectively, in 2008. These sales occurred primarily during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The remaining decrease in other income between 2008 and 2009 is primarily the change in gains on other sales of fixed assets. See Note A “Significant Accounting Policies” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Restructuring and asset impairment charges were $0.6 million in 2009 compared to $19.6 million in 2008. The charges in 2009 are primarily employee severance charges related to the closure of an operation in Germany. In 2008, asset impairment charges of $10.6 million were incurred primarily as a result of a $6.1 million charge from the sale of our interest in Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas (“CdF”). In addition, we reported an impairment charge of $2.7 million related to long-lived assets in Turkey as a result of significant reductions in future Turkish flue cured and burley tobacco volumes. The remaining restructuring charges of $9.0 million were substantially employee severance charges primarily in Malawi due to the sale of one of the Malawi factories, in Turkey due to the significant reductions in future volumes, in Brazil due to the sale of one of the operating facilities as previously disclosed and other employee severance charges as the execution of our merger integration plan continued. See Note D “Restructuring and Assets Impairment Charges” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Debt retirement expense of $1.0 million in 2009 and $5.9 million in 2008 relate to accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs as a result of debt prepayment and retirement in both years as well as other one time costs associated with the retirement of senior notes including premiums paid for the repurchase of the senior notes and other debt related fees. Interest expense decreased $3.9 million from $101.9 million in 2008 to $98.0 million in 2009. Interest expense decreased primarily due to the reduced impact of Brazilian farmer financing in 2009 compared to 2008 and lower average rates. The decrease in expense was substantially offset by higher average borrowings. Interest income was $3.8 million in 2009 and $16.2 million in 2008. The decrease of $12.4 million was primarily due to lower cash balances and decreased interest income from Brazilian farmer refinancing in 2009 compared to 2008. Effective tax rates were a benefit of (20.1)% and (268.8)% during the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Effective tax rates are largely determined by the distribution of taxable income among various taxing jurisdictions as well as management’s judgment on the ability to realize the tax benefits of deferred tax assets. The significant variance from the statutory tax rate in 2009 is due primarily to the decrease in the valuation allowance, foreign income tax rates lower than the U.S. rate, permanent differences related to local goodwill amortization, and to exchange gains and losses and currency translation adjustments. Our valuation allowances are reviewed when the outlook for utilizing those credits changes. The significant variance from the statutory rate in 2008 is due primarily to permanent differences related to local goodwill amortization and to exchange gains and losses and currency translation adjustments, partially offset by an increase to the valuation allowance. See Note L “Income Taxes” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Income from discontinued operations was $0.4 million in 2009 compared to $7.9 million in 2008. The decrease of $7.5 million is primarily due to gains on the sale of the remaining wool assets of $7.2 million in 2008. See Note C “Discontinued Operations” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Sales and other operating revenues. The increase of 1.6% from $1,979.1 million in 2007 to $2,011.5 million in 2008 is the result of a 6.7% or $0.22 per kilo increase in average sales prices and a 12.5% or $8.7 million increase in processing and other revenues partially offset by a 4.9% or 28.8 million kilo decrease in quantities sold. South America region. Tobacco revenues increased $121.5 million, reflecting increases of 32.6 million kilo in quantities sold and $0.05 per kilo in average sales prices versus the prior year. The return of certain customer sales in 2008 as well as increased demand for Brazilian tobacco are the primary reasons for the increase in the South America operating segment revenues. Other regions. Tobacco revenues decreased $97.8 million due to a 61.3 million kilo decrease in quantities sold, partially offset by a $0.32 per kilo increase in average sales prices. The decrease in volumes was primarily as a result of opportunistic sales of U.S. inventories that occurred in the prior year. The decrease in sales also reflected the exit from the European markets in Greece and Spain, decreased volumes available in Zimbabwe and reduced sales from Malawi and Zambia due to smaller 2007 crops. These decreases were partially offset by Asian sales due to increased demand for these tobaccos. Processing and other revenues increased 12.5% from $69.8 million in 2007 to $78.5 million in 2008 primarily as a result of increased processing volumes and prices in the United States. Gross profit as a percentage of sales. Gross profit decreased 15.3% from $295.7 million in 2007 to $250.4 million in 2008 and the gross profit percentage decreased from 14.9% in 2007 to 12.4% in 2008. South America region. Gross profit declined $38.8 million in 2008 compared to 2007. Although 2008 volumes increased, 2007 results included the reversal of a reserve for interstate trade tax assets from the State of Rio Grande do Sul as the assets were determined to be realizable due to an amended agreement with the government. In addition, gross margin was negatively impacted by a $37.5 million bad debt provision associated with farmer accounts related to the cumulative impact of the lower quality of the 2006 crop and smaller 2007 crop. The continued impact of the strengthening Brazilian real also had a negative impact on gross margin as we experienced substantial increases in both green tobacco and tobacco processing costs for the 2006 and 2007 crops. Management considered the 2007 crop to be of improved quality. However, as a result of the poor quality of the 2006 crop and the resulting surplus quantities on hand, 2007 crop production and purchases declined as planned. The decline in market conditions again resulted in an increased grower bad debt provision for the 2007 crop. During 2008, a provision of $6.2 million related to interstate trade taxes receivable from the State of Parana was recorded which also negatively impacted Brazilian gross profits. See Note P “Contingencies - Non-Income Tax” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. These cost increases in 2008 were partially offset by an $8.6 million inventory valuation adjustment in 2007 as a result of poor quality crops. Other Region. Gross profit in 2008 decreased $6.5 million primarily as a result of the increased cost of the 2007 burley crop in Malawi that was being sold. A smaller crop size due to weather, coupled with an increase of competition within the Malawi market, almost doubled the average auction prices for the 2007 crop in Malawi. In addition, the reduction in crop purchases also increased the per kilo processing and overhead costs allocated to the 2007 crop. Negotiated sales price increases were insufficient to compensate for lost volumes thereby resulting in decreased 2008 margins. These factors had a material negative impact on Other Region gross profit as the remainder of the 2007 Malawi burley crop was sold in fiscal 2009. Also negatively impacting gross profit in the Africa region was the short crop in Zambia and the decrease in volumes available from Zimbabwe. Partially offsetting these decreases in gross profit were increases in gross profit from the Asia, Europe and North America operating segments. The increases in gross profit were primarily related to decreased inventory valuation adjustments of approximately $6.3 million as well as the timing of shipments in the current year in the oriental markets in Bulgaria and Serbia and increased volumes in certain Asian markets. Selling, administrative and general expenses decreased $0.9 million or 0.6% from $158.3 million in 2007 to $157.4 million in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to decreased legal and professional fees and compensation costs. The weak U.S. dollar negatively impacted expenses denominated in foreign currencies, primarily Brazilian Reals, Euros and Pounds Sterling. Foreign currency denominated expenses accounted for approximately 33.1% and 32.9% of the total selling, administrative and general expenses in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Other income increased $14.1 million from $6.1 million in 2007 to $20.2 million in 2008. The increase was primarily attributable to the gains of approximately $9.5 million and $7.0 million on the sales of the Malawi factory and Greek properties, respectively. These sales occurred primarily during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The remaining 2008 income was primarily other gains on sales of fixed assets. The 2007 income was primarily related to the final collection of pre-1991 Gulf War Iraqi receivables written off in prior years and gains on fixed asset sales. See Note A “Significant Accounting Policies” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Restructuring and asset impairment charges were $19.6 million in 2008 compared to $29.8 million in 2007. During 2008, we incurred asset impairment charges of $10.6 million which were primarily the result of a $6.1 million charge from the sale of CdF. In addition, we reported an impairment charge of $2.7 million related to long-lived assets in Turkey as a result of significant reductions in future Turkish flue cured and burley tobacco volumes. The remaining restructuring charges of $9.0 million were substantially employee severance charges primarily in Malawi due to the sale of one of the Malawi factories, in Turkey due to the significant reductions in future volumes, in Brazil due to the sale of one of the operating facilities and other employee severance charges as we continued the execution of our merger integration plan. The 2007 costs relate to additional impairment charges of $13.2 million to write down our Zimbabwe operations to zero as a result of the continuing political and economic strife as well as the further decline in crop size. Other asset impairment charges of $6.7 million related to assets in the United States, Thailand and Greece, primarily machinery and equipment. The remaining $9.9 million in 2007 related primarily to employee severance and other integration related charges as a result of the merger. See Note D “Restructuring and Assets Impairment Charges” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Debt retirement expense of $5.9 million in 2008 related to accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs as a result of debt prepayment and retirement as well as other one time costs associated with the retirement of senior notes including premiums paid for the repurchase of the senior notes and other debt related fees. Debt retirement expense of $3.9 million in 2007 related to one time costs of refinancing our senior secured credit facility. Interest expense decreased $3.7 million from $105.6 million in 2007 to $101.9 million in 2008 primarily due to lower average borrowings. Interest income was $16.2 million in 2008 and $8.6 million in 2007. The increase of $7.6 million was primarily due to higher cash balances in 2008 and increased interest income from Brazilian farmer refinancing. Effective tax rates were a benefit of (268.8)% in 2008 and an expense of 122.7% in 2007. Effective tax rates were largely determined by the distribution of taxable income among various taxing jurisdictions as well as management’s judgment on the ability to realize the tax benefits of deferred tax assets. The significant variance from the statutory tax rate in 2008 was due primarily to permanent differences related to local goodwill amortization and to exchange gains and losses and currency translation adjustments, partially offset by increases to valuation allowance. The significant unfavorable variance from the statutory rate in 2007 was primarily due to the inability to recognize the benefit of losses in certain jurisdictions and the additional income tax accrual for the tax audit in Germany. See Note L “Income Taxes” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. The effective rate was favorably impacted as a result of the reduction in tax rates in Turkey and a reduction in valuation allowance related to U.S. foreign tax credit carryovers. Income (loss) from discontinued operations was $7.9 million in 2008 compared to $(18.7) million in 2007. The increase of $26.6 million was primarily due to gains on the sale of the remaining wool assets of $7.2 million in 2008, 2007 charges of $9.3 million related to finalizing our exit from the Italian market and a 2007 fair value adjustment to inventory in Mozambique for $1.1 million. The remaining increase of $9.0 million is due to our exit from the discontinued operations in Italy, Mozambique and wool operations. See Note C “Discontinued Operations” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Historically we have needed capital in excess of cash flow from operations to finance accounts receivable, inventory and advances to farmers for pre-financing tobacco crops in certain foreign countries. Purchasing, processing and selling activities of our business are seasonal and our need for capital fluctuates with corresponding peaks where outstanding indebtedness may be significantly greater or less as a result. Our long term borrowings consist of unsecured senior and subordinated notes as well as a senior secured revolving credit facility. We also have short term lines of credit available with a number of banks throughout the world to provide needed seasonal working capital to correspond with regional peaks of our business. Over the fiscal year a combination of further devaluation of the U.S. dollar versus most of the currencies that we experience costs in, coupled with lower customer advances, as well as increased inflationary pressure on commodity and green tobacco costs have required higher working capital, shorter term credit line availability and utilization, while overall working capital has increased since March 31, 2008. In conjunction with our farmer debt guarantee and pre-financing activities, we reported $95.2 million of farmer credit lines on our balance sheet as our debt as of March 31, 2008 and relieved associated guarantees to various banks. Following repayments on these lines over the year, a balance of $37.3 million remains on our balance sheet as our debt as of March 31, 2009. Over the last twelve months and in line with one of management’s stated areas of focus we continued to reduce debt, net of cash, by $13.8 million from $858.0 million as of March 31, 2008 to $844.2 million as of March 31, 2009. From time to time in the future, we may elect to redeem, repay, retire or cancel indebtedness prior to stated maturity under our senior secured credit agreement or indentures, as permitted therein. At March 31, 2009, we had $87.7 million in cash on our balance sheet, $120.0 million in borrowings under our $305.0 million revolving credit facility with $185.0 million available, $261.5 million outstanding under foreign lines with $174.1 million available under those lines and $42.3 million outstanding of other debt with $2.9 million available for a total of $449.7 million of debt availability and cash on hand around the world, excluding $3.8 million in issued but unfunded letters of credit with $40.1 million available. Another source of liquidity as of March 31, 2009 was $72.7 million funded under our $100.0 million receivable sale program, which was increased from $55.0 million as of March 31, 2008, with improved pricing and its maturity extended for five years from origination. Additionally, customers advances were $44.4 million in 2009 compared to $91.9 million in 2008. To the extent that these customers do not provide this advance funding, we must provide financing for their inventories. Should customers pre-finance less in the future for committed inventories, this action could negatively affect our short term liquidity. At March 31, 2009, we had no material capital expenditure commitments. We believe that the sources of capital we possess, or have access to, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated needs for fiscal year 2010. No cash dividends were paid to stockholders during the twelve months ended March 31, 2009. See Note G “Short-term Borrowing Arrangements” and Note Q “Sale of Receivables” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Seasonal liquidity beyond cash flow from operations is provided by our revolving credit facility, seasonal working capital lines throughout the world, advances from customers and sale of accounts receivable. As of March 31, 2009, we are in our working capital build and nearing our high point in seasonally adjusted working capital borrowing. Borrowings related to South America are approaching full utilization as tobacco from the most recent crop is being purchased and processed, while the peak tobacco sales season for South America is at its beginning stages. Africa is also in the middle of its buying, processing and selling season and is utilizing working capital funding as well. North America and Europe are still selling and planning for the next crop that is now being grown. Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued) Our working capital increased from $440.2 million at March 31, 2008 to $620.9 million at March 31, 2009. Our current ratio was 2.0 to 1 at March 31, 2009 compared to 1.6 to 1 at March 31, 2008. The increase in working capital is primarily related to a decrease in notes payable to banks and advances from customers. The decrease in notes payable to banks is primarily due to an increase of $120.0 million in revolver borrowings at March 31, 2009 which is classified as long-term debt. Decreases in cash were offset by increases in advances on purchases of tobacco while total inventory costs remained consistent. The following table is a summary of items from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of March 31, (in millions except for current ratio) $ (24.5) Net trade receivables Inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco Notes payable to banks Advances from customers 2.0 to 1 Total long term debt Net cash provided (used) by: Operating Cash Flows Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $4.2 million in 2009 compared to 2008 which decreased $149.7 million compared to 2007. Significant increased earnings in 2009 combined with the decrease in inventory and advances to suppliers was substantially offset by the increase in trade and other receivables and in deferred items. The decrease in cash provided by operations in 2008 is primarily due to the increase in inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco and the change in cash used by discontinued operations which are partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Investing Cash Flows Net cash provided by investing activities decreased $89.6 million in 2009 compared to 2008 which increased $13.1 million compared to 2007. The decrease in cash provided in 2009 compared to 2008 is primarily due to a decrease in proceeds from the sale of property and equipment, cash received from the sale of CdF in 2008 and the purchase of foreign currency derivatives in 2009. The increase in cash provided in 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily the increase in cash provided by discontinued operations as a result of the sale of the remaining wool assets. Financing Cash Flows Net cash used by financing activities decreased $52.9 million in 2009 compared to 2008 which decreased $110.7 million compared to 2007. The decrease in cash used in 2009 compared to 2008 is primarily due to increased proceeds from long-term borrowings due to $120.0 million outstanding under our revolver at March 31, 2009 and a decrease in repayment of long-term borrowings due to significant prepayment of senior notes and retirement of Term Loan B in 2008. Partially offsetting the decrease in cash used is less proceeds from short-term demand notes and the significant repayment of short-term borrowings as a result of financing our needs under our revolver agreement instead. The decrease in cash used in 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily due to the change in short-tem borrowings as a result of a significant portion of the 2007 Brazil crop being financed with excess cash on hand in the prior year instead of short-term financing. Substantially offsetting this increase in 2008 is the net decrease in proceeds and repayments from long-term borrowings as a result of the debt refinancing arrangements in the prior year. The following table summarizes our debt financing as of March 31, 2009: Lines and Discount Amortization and Repayment Schedule by Fiscal Year (in millions except for interest rates) Senior secured credit facility: Senior notes: 11% senior notes due 2012 8 ½% senior notes due 2012 (.1) 12 ¾% senior subordinated notes due 2012 Other long-term debt Notes payable to banks (3) $ .8 Long term: Long term debt current Long term debt Total credit available (1) Balance consists of legacy DIMON and Standard Senior Notes with balances and maturities as follows: $ 3.5 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011 0.4 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 6.3 8% Senior Notes due 2012 (2) Weighted average rate for the year ended March 31, 2009 (3) Primarily foreign seasonal lines of credit The following summarizes the material terms of each significant component of our debt financing. Senior Secured Credit Facility On March 30, 2007, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), with a syndicate of banks that amends and restates the Company’s prior credit agreement and provides for a senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that consists of: a three and one-half year $240.0 million revolver (the “Revolver”) which initially accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%; and a four-year $145.0 million term loan B (the “Term Loan B”) which accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%. The interest rate for the Revolver may increase or decrease according to a consolidated interest coverage ratio pricing matrix as defined in the Credit Agreement. Effective May 25, 2007, the Company increased the Revolver by $10.0 million to $250.0 million by adding additional Lenders thereto. The $145.0 million term loan B was repaid in full as of September 30, 2007. Fourth Amendment. On August 4, 2008, the Company closed the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement which included the following modifications effective March 31, 2008: Increased the permitted lien basket for foreign subsidiary debt from $150.0 million to $275.0 million; Increased the maximum uncommitted inventories basket from $150.0 million to $225.0 million through March 30, 2009; Increased permitted foreign subsidiary indebtedness from $600.0 million to $685.0 million from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008, $840.0 million from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, $675.0 million from January 1, 2009 through March 30, 2009 and as of March 31, 2009 and at all times thereafter $600.0 million; Amended and restated the consolidated EBIT, committed inventories, confirmed order and uncommitted inventories definitions; and Added a new definition for “permitted allowance.” Fifth Amendment. On February 20, 2009, the Company closed the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement which included the following modifications effective February 20, 2009: Increased the revolving committed amount by $55.0 million from $250.0 million to $305.0 million; Provided a waiver related to our Congo entity for potential events of default; Amended and restated the consolidated EBIT, revolving commitment percentage and revolving lender definitions; Increased the portion of the borrowings under the Revolver by the Company, as defined in the Credit Agreement, from $150.0 million to $200.0 million; Amended the maximum consolidated leverage ratio to 5.0 to 1.0 for the period October 1, 2008 through and including June 30, 2009; 4.75 to 1.0 for the period July 1, 2009 through and including September 30, 2009; 4.50 to 1.0 for the period October 1, 2009 through and including December 31, 2009; 4.25 to 1.0 for the period January 1, 2010 through and including March 31, 2010 and 4.0 to 1.0 for the period April 1, 2010 and thereafter; Decreased permitted foreign subsidiary indebtedness from $600.0 million to $545.0 million; Decreased the permitted lien basket for foreign subsidiary debt from $275.0 million to $200.0 million; Amendment to the acquisitions, advances, investments and loans section to allow for a potential acquisition not to exceed $90.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions, and investment in Delta Technology and Management Services Private Limited not to exceed $.45 million; Amendment to remove the Company’s ability to use the restricted basket to purchase all or any portion of the outstanding senior notes and/or senior subordinated notes; and Amended the maximum uncommitted inventories basket to $225.0 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008; $150.0 million for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009; $225.0 million for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009; $150.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $225.0 million at the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter. Senior Secured Credit Facility (Continued) Borrowers and Guarantors. One of the Company’s primary foreign holding companies, Intabex Netherlands B.V. (“Intabex”), is co-borrower under the Revolver, and the Company’s portion, as defined in the Credit Agreement, of the borrowings under the Revolver is limited to $200.0 million (per Amendment 5) outstanding at any one time. One of the Company’s primary foreign trading companies, Alliance One International AG (“AOIAG”), is a guarantor of Intabex’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. Such obligations are also currently guaranteed by the Company and must be guaranteed by any of its material direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries. Collateral. The Company’s borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority pledge of: 100% of the capital stock of any material domestic subsidiaries; 65% of the capital stock of any material first tier foreign subsidiaries; U.S. accounts receivable and U.S. inventory owned by the Company or its material domestic subsidiaries (other than inventory the title of which has passed to a customer and inventory financed through customer advances); and Intercompany notes evidencing loans or advances the Company makes to subsidiaries that are not guarantors. In addition, Intabex’s borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a pledge of 100% of the capital stock of Intabex, AOIAG, and certain of the Company’s and Intabex’s material foreign subsidiaries. Financial Covenants. The Credit Facility includes certain financial covenants and required financial ratios, including: a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 1.70 to 1.00; a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00; a maximum consolidated total senior debt to borrowing base ratio of not more than 0.80 to 1.00; and a maximum amount of annual capital expenditures of $40.0 million during any fiscal year of the Company. Certain of these financial covenants and required financial ratios adjust over time in accordance with schedules in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, restrictions on additional indebtedness, guarantees, liens and asset sales. The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these covenants and is not in default as of, or for the three months or twelve months ended March 31, 2009. If the Company was in default and was unable to obtain the necessary amendments or waivers under its Credit Facility, the lenders under that facility have the right to accelerate the loans thereby demanding repayment in full and extinguishment of their commitment to lend. Certain defaults under the Credit Facility would result in a cross default under the indentures governing the Company’s senior notes and senior subordinated notes and could impair access to its seasonal operating lines of credit in local jurisdictions. A default under the Company’s Credit Facility would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and financial condition. Senior Notes On May 13, 2005, the Company issued $315.0 million of 11% senior notes due 2012 and on March 7, 2007, the Company issued $150.0 million of 8 ½% senior notes due 2012 at a 0.5% original issue discount to reflect an 8.6% yield to maturity. During the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company purchased $42.3 million of its $315.0 million 11% Senior Note due May 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $272.7 million of the 11% Senior Notes outstanding at March 31, 2008. Associated cash premiums paid were $2.0 million and non-cash deferred financing costs of $0.7 million were accelerated. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company purchased $8.3 million of its $315.0 million 11% senior notes due 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $264.4 million of the 11% senior notes outstanding at March 31, 2009. Associated cash premiums paid were $.1 million and non-cash deferred financing costs of $.1 million were accelerated. From time to time in the future the Company may purchase more of its debt securities through a tender process as permitted. The indentures governing each of the 11% senior notes and the 8 ½% senior notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock; merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of its assets; grant liens on its assets; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or restricted payments; repurchase or redeem capital stock or prepay subordinated debt; make certain investments; agree to restrictions on the payment of dividends to the Company by its subsidiaries; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests of its subsidiaries; enter into transactions with its affiliates; and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these covenants and is not in default as of, or for the three months or twelve months ended March 31, 2009. Senior Subordinated Notes On May 13, 2005, the Company issued $100.0 million of 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 at a 10% original issue discount to reflect a 15% yield to maturity. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company purchased $10.5 million of its $100.0 million 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $89.5 million of the 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes outstanding at March 31, 2009. Associated non-cash deferred financing costs, net of discount, of $0.8 million were accelerated. The indenture governing the senior subordinated notes contains covenants substantially identical to those contained in the indentures governing the 11% senior notes and the 8 ½% senior notes. Foreign Seasonal Lines of Credit The Company has typically financed its non-U.S. operations with uncommitted unsecured short term seasonal lines of credit at the local level. These operating lines are seasonal in nature, normally extending for a term of 180 to 270 days corresponding to the tobacco crop cycle in that location. These facilities are typically uncommitted in that the lenders have the right to cease making loans and demand repayment of loans at any time. These loans are typically renewed at the outset of each tobacco season. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $261.5 million drawn and outstanding on foreign seasonal lines with maximum capacity totaling $479.5 million subject to limitations as provided for in the Credit Agreement. Additionally against these lines there was $40.1 million available in unused letter of credit capacity with $3.8 million issued but unfunded. Aggregate Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have summarized in the table below our contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments as of March 31, 2009. Payments / Expirations by Period Long-Term Debt Obligations* Capital Lease Obligations* Operating Lease Obligations Tobacco Purchase Obligations Retained Interest in Receivables Sold Amounts Guaranteed for Tobacco Suppliers Total Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments Long-Term Debt Obligations and Capital Lease Obligations include projected interest for both fixed and variable rate debt. We assume that there will be no drawings on the senior secured revolving credit facility in these calculations. The variable rate used in the projections is the rate that was being charged on our variable rate debt as of March 31, 2009. These calculations also assume that there is no refinancing of debt during any period. These calculations are on Long-Term Debt Obligations and Capital Lease Obligations only. We do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, as defined under the rules of SEC Release No. FRR-67, Disclosure in Management’s Discussion and Analysis about Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations. Lease Obligations We have both capital and operating leases. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, operating leases are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The operating leases are for land, buildings, automobiles and other equipment; the capital leases are primarily for production machinery and equipment. The capitalized lease obligations are payable through 2013. Operating assets that are of long-term and continuing benefit are generally purchased. Tobacco purchase obligations result from contracts with growers, primarily in the United States, Brazil and Turkey, to buy either specified quantities of tobacco or the grower’s total tobacco production. Amounts shown as tobacco purchase obligations are estimates based on projected purchase prices of the future crop tobacco. Payment of these obligations is net of our advances to these growers. Our tobacco purchase obligations do not exceed our projected requirements over the related terms and are in the normal course of business. Aggregate Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements (Continued) We sell accounts receivable in a revolving trade accounts receivable securitization. Under the agreement, we receive 90% of the face value of the receivable sold, less contractual dilutions which limit the amount that may be outstanding from any one particular customer and insurance reserves that also have the effect of limiting the risk attributable to any one customer. Our 10% retained interest is subordinate to the purchaser of the receivables. See Note Q “Sale of Receivables” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. In Brazil, Argentina, Malawi, and Guatemala we provide guarantees to ensure financing is available to our tobacco suppliers. In the event these suppliers should default, we would be responsible for repayment of the funds provided to these suppliers. See Note B “Advances on Purchases of Tobacco” and Note P “Contingencies and Other Information” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Planned Capital Expenditures We have projected a total of $20.0 million in capital investments for our 2010 fiscal year. We forecast our capital expenditure needs for routine replacement of equipment as well as investment in assets that will add value to the customer or increase efficiency. Tax and Repatriation Matters We are subject to income tax laws in each of the countries in which we do business through wholly owned subsidiaries and through affiliates. We make a comprehensive review of the income tax requirements of each of our operations, file appropriate returns and make appropriate income tax planning analyses directed toward the minimization of our income tax obligations in these countries. Appropriate income tax provisions are determined on an individual subsidiary level and at the corporate level on both an interim and annual basis. These processes are followed using an appropriate combination of internal staff at both the subsidiary and corporate levels as well as independent outside advisors in review of the various tax laws and in compliance reporting for the various operations. We consider unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries operating outside the United States to be invested indefinitely. No U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes are provided on such permanently reinvested earnings, in accordance with APB No. 23,”Accounting for Income Taxes, Special Area.” We regularly review the status of the accumulated earnings of each of our foreign subsidiaries and reassess this determination as part of our overall financing plans. Following this assessment, we provide deferred income taxes, net of any foreign tax credits, on any earnings that are determined to no longer be indefinitely invested. See Note L “Income Taxes” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Critical Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) requires the use of estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental disclosures including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition. Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and potentially yield materially different results under different assumptions or conditions. Given current facts and circumstances, we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP and are consistently applied. Our selection and disclosure of our critical accounting policies and estimates has been reviewed with our Audit Committee. Following is a review of the more significant assumptions and estimates and the accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Also see Note A “Significant Accounting Policies” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” which discusses the significant accounting policies that we have selected from acceptable alternatives. Critical Accounting Estimates (Continued) Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories are reviewed and written down for changes in market value based on assumptions related to future demand and worldwide and local market conditions. If actual demand is lower or market conditions vary unfavorably from those projected by management, additional write-downs to lower of cost or market value may be required. Inventory write-downs for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $0.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively. See Note A “Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Our annual tax rate is based on our income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining our tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions including evaluating uncertainties under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). We review our tax positions quarterly and adjust the balances as new information becomes available. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in future years. Such assets arise because of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We evaluate the recoverability of these future tax deductions by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. To provide insight, we use our historical experience and our short and long-range business forecasts. We believe it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred income tax assets may expire unused and have established a valuation allowance against them. Although realization is not assured for the remaining deferred income tax assets, we believe it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. However, deferred tax assets could be reduced in the near term if our estimates of taxable income are significantly reduced or available tax planning strategies are no longer viable. See Note L “Income Taxes” and Note P “Contingencies and Other Information” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Advances on Purchases of Tobacco and Guarantees of Brazilian Rural Credit Financing to Farmers We provide agronomy services and seasonal crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies. These advances are short term in nature, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to us, and are reported in advances on purchases of tobacco in the consolidated balance sheet. Primarily in Brazil and certain African countries, we have made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In addition, due to low crop yields and other factors, in some years individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and we may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. In Brazil, we also assist the farmer in obtaining government subsidized rural credit financing which is guaranteed by the Company. The guarantees on the rural credit financing are within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees (“FIN 45”), which requires the Company to make estimates in determining the fair value of the guarantees. Each reporting period, we must make assumptions as to the balances of farmer advances that may prove uncollectible. Based on these assumptions, we make estimates resulting in a valuation allowance for farmers’ advances and accruals for obligations under rural credit financing guarantees. See Note B “Advances on Purchases of Tobacco” and Note P “Contingencies and Other Information” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Asset Impairment We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Determining whether an impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which undiscounted cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount, and the asset’s residual value, if any. In turn, measurement of an impairment loss requires a determination of fair value, which is based on the best information available. We derive the required undiscounted cash flow estimates from our historical experience and our internal business plans. To determine fair value, we use our internal cash flow estimates discounted at an appropriate interest rate, quoted market prices when available and independent appraisals, as appropriate. Accordingly, the fair value of an asset could be different using different estimates and assumptions in these valuation techniques which would increase or decrease the impairment charge. We recognized impairment losses on long-lived assets of $10.6 million and $19.9 million during the fiscal years ending 2008 and 2007, respectively. See Note D “Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We test goodwill for impairment annually on the first day of the last quarter of our fiscal year and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. Determining whether an impairment has occurred requires valuation of the respective reporting unit, which we estimate using a discounted cash flow method. In applying this methodology, we rely on a number of factors, including actual operating results, future business plans, economic projections, market data and selection of an appropriate discount rate. If this analysis indicates goodwill is impaired, then measuring the impairment requires a fair value estimate of each identified tangible and intangible asset. In this case, we supplement the cash flow approach discussed above with independent appraisals, as appropriate. We have no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. We test other identified intangible assets with defined useful lives and subject to amortization by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value based on estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss would be indicated. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the intangible asset over its discounted future cash flows. We use judgment in assessing whether the carrying amount of our intangible assets is not expected to be recoverable over their estimated remaining useful lives. The factors considered are similar to those outlined in the goodwill impairment discussion above. See Note E “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Stock Based Compensation We account for our stock based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. We have granted awards under various share based payment plans and utilize the Black-Scholes model for option valuation and the fair value on grant date to estimate the fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Certain restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards contain performance conditions based on future earnings, which are periodically re-evaluated. The fair value of those awards is calculated by multiplying the stock price on the date of grant by the expected payout percentage and the number of awards granted. We account for these awards over the two year term of the award based on the grant date fair value. We also have stock appreciation rights that permit settlement in cash at the optionee’s discretion. The fair value of these awards is re-measured each reporting period. Pensions and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits The valuation of our pension and other postretirement health care and life insurance plans requires the use of assumptions and estimates that are used to develop actuarial valuations of expenses, assets and liabilities. These assumptions include discount rates, investment returns, projected salary increases and benefits and mortality rates. The significant assumptions used in the calculation of pension and postretirement obligations are: Pensions and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits (Continued) Discount rate: The discount rate is based on investment yields available at the measurement date on high-quality fixed income obligations, such as those included in the Moody’s Aa bond index. Salary increase assumption: The salary increase assumption reflects our expectations with respect to long-term salary increases of our workforce. Historical pay increases, expectations for the future, and anticipated inflation and promotion rates are considered in developing this assumption. Cash Balance Crediting Rate: Interest is credited on cash balance accounts based on the yield on one-year Treasury Constant Maturities plus 1%. The assumed crediting rate thus considers the discount rate, current treasury rates, current inflation rates, and expectations for the future. Mortality Rates: Mortality rates are based on gender-distinct group annuity mortality (GAM) tables. Expected return on plan assets: The expected return reflects asset allocations, investment strategy and our historical actual returns. Termination and Retirement Rates: Termination and retirement rates are based on standard tables reflecting past experience and anticipated future experience under the plan. No early retirement rates are used since benefits provided are actuarially equivalent and there are not early retirement subsidies in the plan. Health Care Cost Trends: Trends for future increases in medical costs are based on past experience as well as forecasts of long-term medical cost trends. Management periodically reviews actual demographic experience as it compares to the actuarial assumptions. Changes in assumptions are made if there are significant deviations or if future expectations change significantly. Based upon anticipated changes in assumptions, pension and postretirement expense is expected to increase by $1.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 as compared to March 31, 2009. We continually evaluate ways to better manage benefits and control costs. The cash contribution to our employee benefit plans in 2009 was $14.5 million and is expected to be $9.7 million in 2010. The effect of actual results differing from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in such future periods. Changes in other assumptions and future investment returns could potentially have a material impact on our pension and postretirement expenses and related funding requirements. The effect of a change in certain assumptions is shown below: Estimated Change in Projected Benefit Obligation Increase (Decrease) (in 000’s) Estimated Change in Annual Expense Change in Assumption (Pension and Postretirement Plans) 1% increase in discount rate $(12,818) 1% decrease in discount rate 1% increase in salary increase assumption 1% decrease in salary increase assumption $ (1,105) 1% increase in cash balance crediting rate 1% decrease in cash balance crediting rate 1% increase in rate of return on assets 1% decrease in rate of return on assets Changes in assumptions for other post retirement benefits are no longer applicable as the benefit is capped and no longer subject to inflation. See Note M “Employee Benefits” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Other Estimates and Assumptions Other management estimates and assumptions are routinely required in preparing our financial statements, including the determination of valuation allowances on accounts receivable, value-added tax credits in Brazil and the 2007 write-down of our Zimbabwe investment to zero. Changes in market and economic conditions, local tax laws, and other related factors are considered each reporting period, and adjustments to the accounts are made based on our best judgment. In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141R”). This standard will significantly change the accounting for business acquisitions both during the period of the acquisition and in subsequent periods. Among the more significant changes in the accounting for acquisitions are the following: (a) transaction costs will generally be expensed, (b) in-process research and development will be accounted for as an asset, with the cost recognized as the research and development is realized or abandoned, (c) contingencies, including contingent consideration, will generally be recorded at fair value with subsequent adjustments recognized in operations, and (d) decreases in valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets will be recognized in operations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 141R on its financial condition and results of operations. In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS No. 160”). This standard will significantly change the accounting and reporting related to noncontrolling interests in a consolidated subsidiary. It will require noncontrolling interests (or minority interests) to be reported as a component of shareholders’ equity, which is a change from its current classification between liabilities and shareholders’ equity. It also requires earnings attributable to minority interests to be included in net earnings, although such earnings will continue to be deducted to measure earnings per share. SFAS No. 160 is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 160 on its financial condition and results of operations. In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP”). This FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, and other U.S. GAAP. This FSP is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of this FSP on its financial condition and results of operations. In June 2008, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 08-3, Accounting by Lessees for Maintenance Deposits (“EITF 08-3”). The objective of EITF 08-3 is to clarify how a lessee shall account for a maintenance deposit under an arrangement accounted for as a lease. EITF 08-3 is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of EITF 08-3 on its financial condition and results of operations. In November 2008, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations (“EITF 08-6”). The objective of EITF 08-6 is to clarify the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. EITF 08-6 is effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is evaluating the impact of EITF 08-6 on its financial condition and results of operations. In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets (“FSP”). This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 132, Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to provide guidance on employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The FSP also includes a technical amendment to Statement 132(R) that requires a nonpublic entity to disclose net periodic benefit cost for each annual period for which a statement of income is prepared. The disclosures about plan assets required by this FSP are required for the Company in its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. The Company is evaluating the impact of this FSP on its financial condition and results of operations. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT Derivatives policies: Hedging interest rate exposure using swaps and hedging foreign exchange exposure using forward contracts are specifically contemplated to manage risk in keeping with management’s policies. We may use derivative instruments, such as swaps or forwards, which are based directly or indirectly upon interest rates and currencies to manage and reduce the risks inherent in interest rate and currency fluctuations. We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction specific so that a specific debt instrument, contract, or invoice determines the amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge. Foreign exchange rates: Our business is generally conducted in U.S. dollars, as is the business of the tobacco industry as a whole. However, local country operating costs, including the purchasing and processing costs for tobaccos, are subject to the effects of exchange fluctuations of the local currency against the U.S. dollar. We attempt to minimize such currency risks by matching the timing of our working capital borrowing needs against the tobacco purchasing and processing funds requirements in the currency of the country where the tobacco is grown. Also, in some cases, our sales pricing arrangements with our customers allow adjustments for the effect of currency exchange fluctuations on local purchasing and processing costs. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating results. In our statement of income, we have recognized no exchange gain or loss in 2009, an exchange gain of $4.1 million in 2008 and an exchange loss of $0.2 million in 2007. We have recognized an exchange loss of $9.9 million and an exchange gain of $1.9 million related to tax balances in our tax expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition, foreign currency fluctuations in the Euro and (U.K.) Sterling can significantly impact the currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive income. We recognized a loss of $7.0 million and a gain of $6.5 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a result of fluctuations in these currencies. Our consolidated selling, administrative and general (SG&A) expenses denominated in foreign currencies are subject to translation risks from currency exchange fluctuations. These foreign denominated expenses accounted for approximately 29% or $45.9 million of our total SG&A expenses for the twelve months ended March 31, 2009. A 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to those currencies would have caused the reported value of those expenses to increase or decrease by approximately $4.6 million. Interest rates: We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate and variable rate debt in our total debt portfolio. A 1% change in interest rates would increase or decrease our reported interest cost by approximately $11.3 million. A substantial portion of our borrowings are denominated in U.S. dollars and bear interest at commonly quoted rates. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Cost of goods and services sold Selling, administrative and general expenses Other income, net Derivative financial instruments income Income before income taxes and other items Equity in net income of investee companies Minority interests expense Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of income taxes $ (21,597) Currency translation adjustment Pension adjustment, net of tax $(3,378) in 2009, $(3,450) in 2008 and $241 in 2007 Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share See notes to consolidated financial statements. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued) Trade and other receivables, net Accounts receivable, related parties Advances on purchases of tobacco, net Recoverable income taxes Current deferred taxes Prepaid expenses Current derivative asset Assets of discontinued operations Other deferred charges Other noncurrent assets Due to related parties Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Current derivative liability Long-term debt current Liabilities of discontinued operations Liability for unrecognized tax benefits Pension, postretirement and other long-term liabilities Minority interest in subsidiaries Common stock—no par value: 250,000 authorized shares, 96,827 issued and 88,974 outstanding (88,897 at March 31, 2008) Retained deficit Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Other Comprehensive Income (in thousands, except per share amounts) Unearned Pensions, Net of Tax Balance, March 31, 2006 $(219,937) Net loss for the year Adoption of FAS 123R Restricted stock surrendered Earned compensation Exercise of employee stock Conversion of foreign currency Adjustment in the minimum pension liability Adoption of FAS 158 Net income for the year Adjustment in pensions Adoption of FIN 48 Employee stock option related Adoption of EITF 06-10 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations: Net (income) loss from discontinued operations Debt amortization/interest Restructuring and asset impairment charges (recovery) (Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions Gain on disposition of fixed assets Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net: Trade and other receivables Inventories and advances to suppliers Deferred items Current recoverable income taxes Payables and accrued expenses Excess tax benefits Other operating assets and liabilities of continuing operations Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of discontinued operations Purchases of property and equipment Intangibles, including internally developed software costs Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Cash received (distributed) in disposition of business Purchases of foreign currency derivatives Return of capital on investments in unconsolidated affiliates Payments received on notes receivable Additional investment in notes receivable Surrender of life insurance policies Redemption of Brazilian escrow deposits Refinancing of Brazilian farmers Net cash provided (used) by investing activities STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Continued) Net proceeds/repayments of short-term borrowings Proceeds from short-term demand notes Repayment of short-term demand notes Proceeds from long-term borrowings Repayment of long-term borrowings Debt issuance/retirement costs Proceeds from sale of stock Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements Net cash used by financing activities Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash paid during the year: Note A – Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business The Company is principally engaged in purchasing, processing, storing, and selling leaf tobacco. The Company purchases tobacco primarily in the United States, Africa, Europe, South America and Asia for sale to customers primarily in the United States, Europe and Asia. The accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company uses the cost or equity method of accounting for its investments in affiliates that are owned 50% or less. The Company is accounting for its investment in the Zimbabwe operations on the cost method and has been reporting it in Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates in the consolidated balance sheet since March 31, 2006. During fiscal year 2007, the Company wrote its investment in the Zimbabwe operations down to zero. Reclassifications Related party receivables and payables, presented on a net basis in trade and other receivables or accounts payable in the Company’s previous filings, are now presented as related party receivables and payables to more appropriately reflect the nature of these amounts. Certain prior period amounts included in the consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. At March 31, 2008, the Company reported $158,471 of accounts payable of which $993 was reclassified to Due to Related Parties. Current deferred and recoverable income taxes, presented on a net basis in the Company’s previous filings, are now presented separately as Current Deferred Taxes and Recoverable Income Taxes to more appropriately reflect the nature of these amounts. Certain prior period amounts included in the consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. At March 31, 2008, the Company reported $33,677 of Current Deferred Taxes and Recoverable Income Taxes, which was reclassified as $20,836 of Current Deferred Taxes and $12,841 of Recoverable Income Taxes. These reclassifications had no impact on operating income, net income, total current assets or total current liabilities. The Company’s equity method investments and its cost method investments, including its Zimbabwe operations, are non-marketable securities. The Company reviews such investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recovered. For example, the Company would test such an investment for impairment if the investee were to lose a significant customer, suffer a large reduction in sales margins, experience a major change in its business environment, or undergo any other significant change in its normal business. In assessing the recoverability of equity or cost method investments, the Company uses discounted cash flow models. If the fair value of an equity investee is determined to be lower than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized. The preparation of discounted future operating cash flow analysis requires significant management judgment with respect to future operating earnings growth rates and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, and therefore could increase or decrease any impairment charge. Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. They also affect the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, pension and postretirement health care benefits, inventory market values, allowances for doubtful accounts and advances, bank loan guarantees to growers, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, stock options, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets and for determining the primary beneficiary of variable interest entities, deferred tax assets and uncertain income tax positions, value-added tax credits in Brazil and fair value determinations of financial assets and liabilities including derivatives, securitized retained interests and counterparty risk. Changes in market and economic conditions, local tax laws, and other related factors are considered each reporting period, and adjustments to the accounts are made based on the Company’s best judgment. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of tobacco when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and title and risk of ownership is passed to the customer, which is upon shipment or delivery. The Company requires that all customer-specific acceptance provisions be met at the time title and risk of ownership passes to the customer. Furthermore, the Company’s sales history indicates customer returns and rejections are not significant. The Company also processes tobacco owned by its customers and revenue is recognized when the processing is completed. The Company’s history indicates customer requirements for processes tobacco are met upon completion of processing. In addition, advances from customers are recognized as revenue upon shipment or delivery. Taxes Collected from Customers Certain subsidiaries are subject to value added taxes on local sales. These amounts have been included in sales and were $28,969, $32,975 and $20,044 for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods and services sold in the statement of operations. Other Income consists primarily of gains on sales of property, plant and equipment and assets held for sale. This caption also includes expenses related to the Company’s sale of receivables. See Note Q “Sale of Receivables” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. The following table summarizes the significant components of Other Income. Years Ending March 31, Malawi factory sale Greece factory and other property sales Brazil factory sale Other sales of assets Recovery of pre-1991 Gulf War Iraqi receivables Losses on sale of receivables Cash equivalents are defined as temporary investments of cash with original maturities of less than 90 days. At March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, $300 and $450 of cash held on deposit as a compensating balance for short-term borrowings was included in other current assets. Trade and other receivables consist of $169,165 of trade receivables and $6,540 of other receivables at March 31, 2009. The balances at March 31, 2008 were $171,063 and $9,934 for trade receivables and other receivables, respectively. Trade receivables are amounts owed to the Company from its customers. Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and primarily have net 30 day terms. The Company extends credit to its customers based on an evaluation of a company’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable. The allowance is based on the Company’s assessment of known delinquent accounts, other currently available evidence of collectibility and the aging of accounts receivable. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $8,484 and $10,033 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The provision for doubtful accounts was $882, $2,124 and $1,325 for the years ending March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively and is reported in selling, administrative and general expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Other receivables consist primarily of value added tax (VAT) receivables of $5,287 and $8,137 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Sale of Accounts Receivable The Company is engaged in a revolving trade accounts receivable securitization agreement to sell receivables to a third party limited liability company. In accordance with SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” the Company records the transaction as a sale of receivables, removes such receivables from its financial statements and records a receivable for the retained interest in such receivables. The losses on the sale of receivables are recognized in Other Income, Net. As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, accounts receivable sold and outstanding were $100,611 and $70,862. See Note Q “Sale of Receivables” and Note R “Fair Value Measurements” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories are reviewed and adjusted for changes in market value based on assumptions related to future demand and worldwide and local market conditions. If actual demand is lower or market conditions vary unfavorably from those projected by management, adjustments to lower of cost or market value may be required. Inventory write-downs for the years ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 were $313 and $1,900, respectively. Costs of tobacco inventories are generally determined by the average cost method while costs of other inventories are generally determined by the first in, first out method. Costs included in tobacco inventory include both the cost of raw material as well as direct and indirect costs that are related to the processing of the product. Tobacco inventory is substantially finished goods. Costs included in other inventories are costs of spare parts, packing materials, non-tobacco agricultural products and agricultural supplies including seed, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides. Interest and other carrying charges on the inventories are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, and is allocated to the appropriate reporting unit when acquired. Goodwill is not amortized; rather it is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may be impaired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment by determining the fair value of the related reporting unit. Fair value is measured based on a discounted cash flow method or relative market-based approach. When the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded. Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Continued) The Company has no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. It does have other intangible assets, production and supply contracts and a customer relationship intangible asset, recorded in connection with the merger, as well as internally developed software that is capitalized into intangibles. These intangible assets are stated at amortized cost and tested for impairment whenever factors indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Supply contracts are amortized based on the expected realization of the benefit over the term of the contracts ranging from three to five years. Production contracts and the customer relationship intangible are both amortized on a straight-line basis ranging from five to ten years and twenty years, respectively. The amortization period is the term of the contract or, if no term is specified in the contract, management’s best estimate of the useful life based on past experience. Internally developed software is amortized on a straight-line basis over five years once the software testing is complete. Events and changes in circumstance may either result in a revision in the estimated useful life or impairment of an intangible resulting in revaluation of the asset value to its fair value. See Note E “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Other noncurrent assets consist primarily of long-term VAT receivables and long-term advances to suppliers. The balance of VAT receivables was $34,227 and $48,641 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The balance of long term advances to suppliers was $42,493 and $59,640 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2009 and 2008, are summarized as follows: Less accumulated depreciation Total property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Provisions for depreciation are computed on a straight-line basis at annual rates calculated to amortize the cost of depreciable properties over their estimated useful lives. Buildings, machinery and equipment and technological equipment are depreciated over ranges of 20 to 30 years, 5 to 10 years and 3 to 5 years, respectively. The consolidated financial statements do not include fully depreciated assets. Depreciation expense recorded in cost of goods and services sold for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $22,944, $28,009, and $27,503, respectively. Depreciation expense recorded in selling, administrative and general expense for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $3,094, $4,232 and $5,896, respectively. For fiscal 2009, total property and equipment purchases, including internally developed software intangibles, were $21,555 of which $134 was unpaid at March 31, 2009 and included in accounts payable. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and changes are made to the estimated useful lives when necessary. Long-lived assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. Fair value is the amount at which the asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties and may be estimated using a number of techniques, including quoted market prices or valuations, present value techniques based on estimates of cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenue performance measures. See Note D “Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Property, Plant and Equipment (Continued) Under SFAS No. 144, a component of a business that is either disposed of or held for sale is reported as discontinued operations if the operations and cash flows have been reclassified from ongoing operations and there will be no significant involvement in such operations in the future. The Company has made such decisions in prior years concerning tobacco operations in Italy and Mozambique, a U.S. non-tobacco processing facility and its wool operations. These operations are reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements and have resulted in income of $407 and $7,855 in 2009 and 2008, respectively and a loss of $18,730 in 2007. See Note C “Discontinued Operations” to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information. The Company classifies assets as “Assets Held For Sale” when the company has committed to a plan to sell the assets, including the initiation of a plan to locate a buyer, the assets are available for immediate sale, and it is probable that the assets will be sold within one year based on its current condition and sales price. Upon classifying the assets as held for sale, the assets are recorded at the lower of historical cost or fair value less selling costs and depreciation is discontinued. Assets classified as held for sale were $4,411 and $4,885 at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company uses forward or option currency contracts to protect against volatility associated with certain non-U.S. dollar denominated forecasted transactions. The Company does not currently deem underlying criteria to be perfectly matched and therefore does not believe the currency contracts qualify for hedge accounting as defined by SFAS No. 133. As a result, the Company has recorded a loss of $3,702 and income of $834 and $12,914 in its cost of goods and services sold for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company has also recorded expense of $879 and $94 in its selling, administrative and general expenses for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In fiscal year 2007 the Company also utilized interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its debt from floating rate to fixed rate to reduce interest rate volatility. These instruments did not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133 and resulted in non-cash income of $290 for March 31, 2007. See Note F “Derivative and Other Financial Instruments” to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information. The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. The objective of the asset and liability method is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the income tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. The Company’s annual tax rate is based on its income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to it in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining tax expense and in evaluating tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties under Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). The Company reviews its tax positions quarterly and adjusts the balances as new information becomes available. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in future years. Such assets arise because of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company evaluates the recoverability of these future tax deductions by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. The Company uses historical experience and short and long-range business forecasts to provide insight. The Company believes it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred income tax assets may expire unused and has established a valuation allowance against them. Although realization is not assured for the remaining deferred income tax assets, the Company believes it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. However, deferred tax assets could be reduced in the near term if estimates of taxable income are significantly reduced or available tax planning strategies are no longer viable. See Note L “Income Taxes” and Note P “Contingencies and Other Information” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. On April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. This statement requires the Company to expense the fair value of grants of various stock-based compensation programs at fair value over the vesting period of the awards. The Company elected to adopt this statement using the “Modified Prospective Application” (MPA) transition method which does not result in the restatement of previously issued financial statements. Application of the MPA transition method requires compensation costs to be recognized beginning on the effective date for the estimated fair value at date of grant in accordance with the original provision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, for all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of April 1, 2006. Awards granted after April 1, 2006 have been recognized as compensation expense based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The MPA transition method also required that any unearned or deferred compensation recorded in “contra-equity” accounts be eliminated against the equity accounts that will be affected by the on-going recognition of stock based compensation. Accordingly, on April 1, 2006, the Company reclassified $3,134 from Unearned Compensation – Restricted Stock to Common Stock. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model which was developed for use in estimating the fair value of exchange traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option valuation methods require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. See Note K “Stock-Based Compensation” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Noncash Investing and Financing Activities The Company acquired a supply contract valued at $7,844 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, of which $5,914 was unpaid and included in accrued expenses. The cash portion of the investment, $1,930, is disclosed in Intangibles, Including Internally Developed Software Costs as an investing activity in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. See Note E “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further disclosure on intangible assets. New Accounting Standards In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits companies to elect to report individual financial instruments and certain other items at fair value with changes in value reported in operations. Once made, this election is irrevocable for those items. The Company did not elect the fair value option for any financial assets or liabilities that were not already being measured and reported at fair value. Therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations. In April 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-10, Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements (“EITF 06-10”). This statement establishes that companies will be required to recognize a liability for the postretirement benefit obligation related to a collateral assignment arrangement — in accordance with SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, (if deemed part of a postretirement plan) or Accounting Principles Board Opinion 12, Omnibus Opinion — 1967, (if not part of a plan) — if, based on the substantive agreement with the employee, the employer has agreed to maintain a life insurance policy during the postretirement period or provide a death benefit. The EITF also reached a consensus that an employer should recognize and measure the associated asset on the basis of the terms of the collateral assignment arrangement. The Company adopted EITF 06-10 on April 1, 2008 as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $2,572. In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on January 1, 2009 and it did not have an impact on its financial condition or result of operations. See Note F “Derivative and Other Financial Instruments” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further details. New Accounting Standards (Continued) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (Continued) On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), and FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) on Statement No. 157, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”). See Note R “Fair Value Measurements” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further details. In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161 (“FSP”). The FSP amends FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument. The FSP also amends FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, to require an additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. Further, the FSP clarifies the FASB’s intent about the effective date of FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company adopted the FSP during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 with no material impact to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities (“FSP”). The FSP amends FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, to require public entities to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets. It also amends FASB Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to require public enterprises, including sponsors that have a variable interest in a variable interest entity, to provide disclosures about their involvement with variable interest entities. Additionally, this FSP requires certain disclosures to be provided by a public enterprise that is (a) a sponsor of a qualifying special purpose entity (SPE) that holds a variable interest in the qualifying SPE but was not the transferor (nontransferor) of financial assets to the qualifying SPE and (b) a servicer of a qualifying SPE that holds a significant variable interest in the qualifying SPE but was not the transferor (nontransferor) of financial assets to the qualifying SPE. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 with no material impact to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP EITF 99-20-1, Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20 (“FSP”). The FSP amends the impairment guidance in EITF Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets, to achieve more consistent determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The FSP also retains and emphasizes the objective of an other-than-temporary impairment assessment and the related disclosure requirements in FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and other related guidance. The FSP was effective for interim periods ending after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the FSP during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 with no material impact to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (Continued) NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) Computation of Earnings Per Common Share BASIC EARNINGS Cumulative effect of accounting changes Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding $ (.03) DILUTED EARNINGS Net income (loss) as adjusted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Restricted shares issued and shares applicable to stock options and restricted stock units, net of shares assumed to be purchased from proceeds at average market price Average Number of Shares Outstanding 86,470* $(.25)* For the year ended March 31, 2007, all outstanding restricted stock and stock options of 854 and 1,068, respectively, are excluded because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect on the loss per share. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company may potentially be subject to a concentration of credit risks due to cash, farmer advances and trade receivables relating to customers in the tobacco industry. Cash is deposited with high-credit-quality financial institutions. The Board of Directors is authorized to issue shares of Preferred Stock in series with variations as to the number of shares in any series. The Board of Directors also is authorized to establish the rights and privileges of such shares issued, including dividend and voting rights. At March 31, 2009, 10,000 shares of preferred stock were authorized and no shares had been issued. Note B – Advances on Purchases of Tobacco The Company provides seasonal crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies. These advances are short term in nature, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances on purchases of tobacco in the consolidated balance sheet. Primarily in Brazil and certain African countries, the Company also has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In addition, due to low crop yields and other factors, in some years individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. Current advances of $137,824 in 2009 and $112,989 in 2008 are presented as advances on purchases of tobacco, net in the consolidated balance sheet. The long-term portion of advances of $42,493 in 2009 and $59,640 in 2008 are included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Both the current and the long-term portion of advances on purchases of tobacco are reported net of allowances. Allowances are recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Total allowances were $89,575 at March 31, 2009, and $94,536 at March 31, 2008, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $27,788 in fiscal year 2009, $79,090 in fiscal year 2008 and $40,854 in fiscal year 2007. Estimated bad debt expense on current year advances are capitalized into inventory. Write-downs charged against the allowance were $32,749, $15,522 and $36,010 for fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In Brazil, some farmers obtain government subsidized rural credit financing which is guaranteed by the Company. The farmers borrow these funds from local banks. Repayment of both Company advances and rural credit financing by the farmer is concurrent with delivery of tobacco to the Company. The Company remits payments to the local banks on behalf of guaranteed farmers. Terms of rural credit financing are such that repayment is due to local banks based on contractual due dates. As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, the Company had balances of $36,983 and $76,672 that were due to local banks on behalf of farmers. These amounts are included in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, the Company was guarantor for Brazilian farmer loans of $120,820 and $164,542 with outstanding amounts of $114,514 and $159,602. The fair value of guarantees for rural credit financing was $12,824 and $19,000 as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In Malawi and Guatemala, guarantees were offered on crop input advances to farmers. As of March 31, 2009, the Company in Malawi was guarantor for loans of $7,326 and the fair value of these guarantees is $403. As of March 31, 2009, the Company in Guatemala was guarantor for loans of $2,884 and the fair value of these guarantees is $236. In Argentina, as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, the Company was guarantor for farmer cooperative loans of $33,000 and $27,400. The fair value of the Argentine guarantees was $1,122 and $1,069 as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The fair value of all guarantees is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Note C – Discontinued Operations The Company continually evaluates its component operations to assure they are consistent with its business plan. Results of operations and the assets and liabilities of our business reported as discontinued operations were as follows: Summary of Results of Operations Non-Tobacco Income from discontinued operations, net of tax: Income from discontinued operations, before tax Income tax expense Income from discontinued operations, net of tax Sales and other revenues Income tax (benefit) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, before tax $(1,698) Summary of Assets and Liabilities Other Regions Segment * Assets of discontinued operations: Trade receivables , net of allowances Total assets of discontinued operations Liabilities of discontinued operations: Total liabilities of discontinued operations * The Italy, Wool and Non-Tobacco operations had no assets or liabilities of discontinued operations as of Note C – Discontinued Operations (Continued) Discontinued Italy Operations, Other Regions Segment On September 30, 2004, concurrent with the sale of the Italian processing facility, the Company made a decision to discontinue all of its Italian operations as part of its ongoing plans to realign its operations to more closely reflect worldwide changes in the sourcing of tobacco. The Company has completed the sale of the Italian operations. Discontinued Mozambique Operations, Other Regions Segment On March 16, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company made a decision to discontinue operations in Mozambique after the procurement of the 2006 crop due to its determination that it was not in the Company’s economic interest to remain in Mozambique after losing a concession for the 2007 crop year. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has completed the liquidation of the Mozambique operations. Discontinued Wool Operations, Other Regions Segment During fiscal 2008, the Company received the necessary governmental approvals and completed the sale of the remaining properties associated with its discontinued wool operations. Gains on the sale of these properties reported in fiscal 2008 were $7,233. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has completed the liquidation of the wool operations. Note D – Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges The Company continued to execute the merger integration plan which began in fiscal 2006. In addition, the Company has recorded other restructuring and impairment charges as they occurred in the normal course of business in accordance with SFAS No. 144 and SFAS No. 146. The following table summarizes the restructuring and integration actions as of March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007: Employee separation and other cash charges: Beginning balance Period Charges: Employee separation charges Other cash charges (recoveries) Total employee separation and other cash charges Payments through March 31 Ending balance March 31 Asset impairments and other non-cash charges: SFAS No. 144 asset impairment – tobacco operations: CdF operations assets impairment Greece machinery and equipment impairment Thailand assets impairment Turkey impairment Other non-cash charges Deconsolidated Zimbabwe cost investments Total asset impairments and other non-cash charges Total restructuring and asset impairment charges Note D – Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Continued) The following table summarizes cash payments for employee separation and other cash charges for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Year Ending March 31, Cash Payments by Year Employee separation and other cash charges Adjustments to employee separation and other cash changes Cash paid 2007 Balances at March 31, 2009 to be paid 2010 * Beginning balance for the year ended March 31, 2007 The following table summarizes the employee separation and other cash charges recorded in the Company’s South America and Other Regions segments as of March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007: Beginning balance: Payments through March 31: Ending balance March 31: All asset impairment charges were related to the Other Regions segment during the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, with the exception of $492 for South America during the year ended March 31, 2008. Zimbabwe – Investment Impairment As of March 31, 2006, the Company deconsolidated its operations in Zimbabwe in accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin 51, Consolidated Financial Statements (“ARB 51”). ARB 51 provides that when a parent does not have control over a subsidiary due to severe foreign exchange restrictions or governmentally imposed uncertainties, the subsidiary should not be consolidated. A non-cash impairment charge of $47,899 was recorded to reduce the net investment in Zimbabwe operations to estimated fair value in fiscal 2006. Governmental authorization is required before any dividends can be paid from a Zimbabwe operation. The Company’s Zimbabwe operations had attempted to pay dividends prior to fiscal 2007 but were unsuccessful because it did not satisfy certain criteria set by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the government refused to grant the necessary authorizations. During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company received a $10,000 dividend payment from one of its Zimbabwe subsidiaries that had been negotiated with the Zimbabwe authorities. The $10,000 was permitted as a result of a negotiated prepayment of $20,000 of export funds due into Zimbabwe at a later date. The dividend was recorded as a reduction in the investment in the Zimbabwe subsidiary. Zimbabwe – Investment Impairment (Continued) Economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe continued to decline in fiscal 2007 as inflation, lending rates and investment rates deteriorated. General farming operations were negatively impacted by the lack of foreign exchange to buy crop inputs and fuel. The crop size in Zimbabwe also continued to decline. Due to the continually declining conditions, the Company reevaluated the Zimbabwe operational structure during fiscal 2007 and made several significant operational changes including closing the Zimbabwe processing factory, outsourcing the 2006 crop tobacco processing and significantly reducing permanent personnel. Based on events discussed above, the Company evaluated the fair value of the Zimbabwe operations and determined that the net investment in the Zimbabwe operations exceeded the estimated fair value. The Company recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge of $13,246 in fiscal 2007 to write down the net investment in the Zimbabwe operations to zero. The economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe continued to decline during fiscal 2008, which was evidenced by continued devaluation of Zimbabwe currency and certain large, multi-national companies withdrawing and terminating operations in Zimbabwe. During fiscal 2008, the Company received a $7,000 dividend payment from one of its Zimbabwe subsidiaries after negotiations with the Zimbabwe authorities similar to those of the prior year. The $7,000 was permitted as a result of a negotiated prepayment of $14,000 of export funds that were originally due into Zimbabwe at a later date. The Company also received an additional $363 dividend payment from one of its Zimbabwe subsidiaries in fiscal 2008. Due to the economic and political risk associated with the operations in Zimbabwe, the dividends were recorded as a return against current Zimbabwe advances. The Company continues to provide advances to Zimbabwe for the purchase of tobacco. As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $9,900 and $518, respectively, of net tobacco purchase advances outstanding to its Zimbabwe subsidiary. Sale of Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. – Dark Air-Cured Operations As a consequence of the ongoing transition in overcapacity within certain markets of the industry, the Company decided to dispose of its dark air-cured operations. On January 23, 2006, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its ownership interest in Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. ("CdF") the owner of the Company’s dark air-cured tobacco business. During fiscal 2007, the Company recorded employee severance costs of $1,033 associated with the sale of CdF. During October 2007, the Company completed the sale of CdF which resulted in an asset impairment charge of $6,918. This impairment charge included additional employee severance charges, recognized currency translation adjustments and valuation adjustments against consideration received. Thailand – Asset Impairment In fiscal 2006, concurrent with the closure of the former DIMON Thailand processing facilities, assets of $5,736 were reclassified in the Company’s balance sheet to assets held for sale. These assets were primarily land and production facilities that had become redundant as a result of the merger. As a result, the Company conducted a review of the fair value of the Thailand assets held for sale and recorded an asset impairment charge of $1,143 during fiscal 2007 related to land and buildings based on contractual sales prices. Greece – Asset Impairment As a result of the closure of the Greece facilities, the Company evaluated the long-lived assets for impairment. During fiscal 2007, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $3,689 related to machinery and equipment based on a discounted cash flow model. In fiscal 2008, additional asset impairment charges of $1,035 were incurred related to machinery and equipment. Turkey – Asset Impairment As a result of significant reductions in future Turkish flue cured and burley tobacco volumes from customer information received, the Company tested certain related long-lived assets for impairment and recorded impairment charges of $2,733 in fiscal 2008 which is net of an agreed upon exit fee of $1,700 paid by the customer. As of March 31, 2009, the Company reported assets held for sale of $4,411, related primarily to redundant production and administrative facilities in Brazil, Malawi and Greece, that are being actively marketed by the Company. Note E – Goodwill and Other Intangibles In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, the Company tests the carrying amount of goodwill annually as of the first day of the last quarter of the fiscal year and whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The Company evaluated its goodwill for impairment during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 and determined that no impairment was required. The carrying value of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2009 represents customer relationship, production and supply contracts and internally developed software. These intangible assets were determined by management to meet the criterion for recognition apart from goodwill and have finite lives. The Company uses judgment in assessing whether the carrying amount of its intangible assets is not expected to be recoverable over their estimated remaining useful lives. Amortization expense associated with these intangible assets was $3,412, $2,048 and $2,833 for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company began implementing a new ERP system in fiscal 2008 and capitalized certain costs into intangible assets within the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had incurred $12,025 of capitalizable costs associated with the ERP implementation and $313 of capitalizable costs related to other internally developed software projects. The ERP system was placed in service in the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom during fiscal 2009. Amortization of the final accumulated costs of these locations began in fiscal 2009 over a five year useful life. Goodwill and Intangible Asset Rollforward: Unamortizable Amortizable Intangibles Intangible and Supply Weighted average remaining useful life in years as of March 31, 2009 March 31, 2007 balance: Net balance Amortization expense and purchase accounting tax March 31, 2008 balance Note E – Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Continued) Estimated Intangible Asset Amortization Expense: For Fiscal Years Ended Intangible * * Estimated amortization expense for the internally developed software is based on costs accumulated as of March 31, 2009. These estimates will change as new costs are incurred and until the software is placed into service in all Note F – Derivative and Other Financial Instruments On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS No. 133). The standard supplements the required disclosures provided under SFAS No. 133, as amended, with additional qualitative and quantitative information. Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair values of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risk(s). Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income. During the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, there were no qualified cash flow or fair value hedges. Estimates of fair value were determined in accordance with SFAS No. 107, as amended by SFAS No. 157. See Note R “Fair Value Measurements” to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information of fair value methodology. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives by type at March 31, 2009. Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Under FAS 133: Balance Sheet Account Foreign currency contracts (a) (a) at March 31, 2009, the cumulative adjustment for non-performance risk was a gain of $524. Note F – Derivative and Other Financial Instruments (Continued) Earnings Effects of Derivatives Floating to Fixed Rate Interest Swaps Prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 133, the Company entered into multiple interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its worldwide debt portfolio from floating to fixed interest rates to reduce its exposure to interest rate volatility. As of June 30, 2006, all instruments of this type had been terminated. These instruments did not meet certain criteria for hedge accounting treatment and accordingly, the Company reflected the full amount of all changes in their fair value, without offset, in its current earnings as derivative financial instruments income. The Company periodically enters into forward or option currency contracts to protect against volatility associated with certain non-U.S. dollar denominated forecasted transactions. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, when these derivatives qualify for hedge accounting treatment, they are accounted for as cash flow hedges and are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes. The Company has entered into forward currency contracts to hedge cash outflows in foreign currencies around the world for green tobacco purchases and processing costs as well as selling, administrative and general costs as the Company deems necessary. These contracts do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133, and as such, are reported in income. The following table summarizes the earnings effects of derivatives in the statements of consolidated operations for the years ending March 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007. Under SFAS No. 133 Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Floating to Fixed Rate Interest Swaps Financial instruments, including derivatives, expose the Company to credit loss in the event of non-performance by counterparties. The Company manages its exposure to counterparty credit risk through specific minimum credit standards, diversification of counterparties, and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. If a counterparty fails to meet the terms of an arrangement, the Company’s exposure is limited to the net amount that would have been received, if any, over the arrangement’s remaining life. The Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties and no material loss would be expected from non-performance by any one of such counterparties. Note G – Short-Term Borrowing Arrangements Excluding all long-term credit agreements, the Company has lines of credit arrangements with a number of banks under which the Company may borrow up to a total of $479,472 at March 31, 2009 ($722,406 at March 31, 2008). The weighted average variable interest rate for the twelve months ending March 31, 2009 was 5.5%. At March 31, 2009 and 2008, amounts outstanding under the lines were $261,450 and $387,157, respectively. Unused lines of credit at March 31, 2009 amounted to $174,143 ($284,484 at March 31, 2008), net of $43,879 of letters of credit lines. Certain non-U.S. borrowings of approximately $27,884 have inventories of approximately $14,604 as collateral. As noted below, there is limited recourse against certain receivables of the Company if the Company fails to fulfill its contractual obligations. At March 31, 2009, $300 was held on deposit as a compensating balance. The Company has entered into a $20,000 limited recourse receivable purchase program with one of its lenders. Under the program, the lender takes the receivable payment risk of the customer subject to usual and customary covenants, while the Company fulfills contractual obligations. Funding of the purchased receivable is 80% of the face value, and the Company retains an interest in the remaining 20%, which is paid at collection. As of March 31, 2009, no amount ($3,745 at March 31, 2008) was funded under the program and recorded in short-term borrowings. Note H – Long-Term Debt a three and one-half year $240,000 revolver (the “Revolver”) which initially accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%; and a four-year $145,000 term loan B (the “Term Loan B”) which accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%. The interest rate for the Revolver may increase or decrease according to a consolidated interest coverage ratio pricing matrix as defined in the Credit Agreement. Effective May 25, 2007, the Company increased the Revolver by $10,000 to $250,000 by adding additional Lenders thereto. The $145,000 term loan B was repaid in full as of September 30, 2007. Increased the permitted lien basket for foreign subsidiary debt from $150,000 to $275,000; Increased the maximum uncommitted inventories basket from $150,000 to $225,000 through March 30, 2009; Increased permitted foreign subsidiary indebtedness from $600,000 to $685,000 from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008, $840,000 from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, $675,000 from January 1, 2009 through March 30, 2009 and as of March 31, 2009 and at all times thereafter $600,000; Increased the revolving committed amount by $55,000 from $250,000 to $305,000; Increased the portion of the borrowings under the Revolver by the Company, as defined in the Credit Agreement, from $150,000 to $200,000; Decreased permitted foreign subsidiary indebtedness from $600,000 to $545,000; Decreased the permitted lien basket for foreign subsidiary debt from $275,000 to $200,000; Amendment to the acquisitions, advances, investments and loans section to allow for a potential acquisition not to exceed $90,000, subject to certain terms and conditions, and investment in Delta Technology and Management Services Private Limited not to exceed $450; Amended the maximum uncommitted inventories basket to $225,000 for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008; $150,000 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009; $225,000 for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009; $150,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $225,000 at the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter. Note H – Long-Term Debt (Continued) Borrowers and Guarantors. One of the Company’s primary foreign holding companies, Intabex Netherlands B.V. (“Intabex”), is co-borrower under the Revolver, and the Company’s portion, as defined in the Credit Agreement, of the borrowings under the Revolver is limited to $200,000 (per Amendment 5) outstanding at any one time. One of the Company’s primary foreign trading companies, Alliance One International AG (“AOIAG”), is a guarantor of Intabex’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. Such obligations are also currently guaranteed by the Company and must be guaranteed by any of its material direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries. a maximum amount of annual capital expenditures of $40,000 during any fiscal year of the Company. On May 13, 2005, the Company issued $315,000 of 11% senior notes due 2012 and on March 7, 2007, the Company issued $150,000 of 8 ½% senior notes due 2012 at a 0.5% original issue discount to reflect an 8.6% yield to maturity. During the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company purchased $42,285 of its $315,000 11% Senior Note due May 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $272,715 of the 11% Senior Notes outstanding at March 31, 2008. Associated cash premiums paid were $1,990 and non-cash deferred financing costs of $732 were accelerated. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company purchased $8,334 of its $315,000 11% senior notes due 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $264,381 of the 11% senior notes outstanding at March 31, 2009. Associated cash premiums paid were $73 and non-cash deferred financing costs of $123 were accelerated. From time to time in the future the Company may purchase more of its debt securities through a tender process as permitted. The indentures governing each of the 11% senior notes and the 8 ½% senior notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock; merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of its assets; grant liens on its assets; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or restricted payments; repurchase or redeem capital stock or prepay subordinated debt; make certain investments; agree to restrictions on the payment of dividends to the Company by its subsidiaries; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests of its subsidiaries; enter into transactions with its affiliates; and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these covenants and is not in default as of, or for the three months or twelve months ended March 31, 2009. On May 13, 2005, the Company issued $100,000 of 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 at a 10% original issue discount to reflect a 15% yield to maturity. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company purchased $10,500 of its $100,000 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 on the open market. All purchased securities were canceled leaving $89,500 of the 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes outstanding at March 31, 2009. Associated non-cash deferred financing costs, net of discount, of $758 were accelerated. The indenture governing the senior subordinated notes contains covenants substantially identical to those contained in the indentures governing the 11% senior notes and the 8 ½% senior notes. The Company has typically financed its non-U.S. operations with uncommitted unsecured short-term seasonal lines of credit at the local level. These operating lines are seasonal in nature, normally extending for a term of 180 to 270 days corresponding to the tobacco crop cycle in that location. These facilities are typically uncommitted in that the lenders have the right to cease making loans and demand repayment of loans at any time. These loans are typically renewed at the outset of each tobacco season. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $261,450 drawn and outstanding on foreign seasonal lines with maximum capacity totaling $479,472 subject to limitations as provided for in the Credit Agreement. Additionally, against these lines there was $40,065 available in unused letter of credit capacity with $3,814 issued but unfunded. Summary of Debt The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt are $670,426 and $613,336, respectively, as of March 31, 2009 and $582,977 and $582,367, respectively, as of March 31, 2008. 8 ½% notes due 2012 note due 2012 $ 3,437 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011 435 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 6,285 8% Senior Notes due 2012 Note I – Long-Term Leases The Company has both capital and operating leases. The operating leases are for land, buildings, automobiles and other equipment. Rent expense for all operating leases was $13,821, $13,854 and $12,723 for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Capital leases are primarily for production machinery and equipment. The capitalized lease obligations are payable through 2013. Interest rates are imputed at 8.00% to 11.68%. Amortization is included in depreciation expense. Minimum future obligations and capitalized amounts are as follows: Less interest and deposits Present value of net minimum lease payments Less current portion of obligations under capital leases Long-term obligations under capital leases Capitalized amounts: Machinery and equipment, primarily vehicles Note J – Equity in Net Assets of Investee Companies The Company has equity basis investments in companies located in Asia which purchase and process tobacco. The Asia investees and ownership percentages are as follows; Transcontinental Leaf Tobacco India Private Ltd. (India) 49%, Siam Tobacco Export Company (Thailand) 49%, Adams International Ltd. (Thailand) 49%. In addition to the Asia investees, fiscal 2007 includes the Company’s 50% owned South America investee, Epinosa (Colombia), which was sold in October 2007. Summarized financial information for these investees for fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 follows: Operations Statement Information Balance Sheet Information Property, plant and equipment and other assets Long-term obligations and other liabilities Interests of other shareholders Company’s interest Note K – Stock – Based Compensation On April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” This statement required the Company to expense the fair value of grants of various stock-based compensation programs over the vesting period of the awards. The Company elected to adopt the statement using the “Modified Prospective Application” (MPA) transition method which did not result in the restatement of previously issued financial statements. Application of the MPA transition method required compensation costs to be recognized beginning on the effective date for the estimated fair value at date of grant in accordance with the original provision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” for all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of April 1, 2006. Awards granted after April 1, 2006 are recognized as compensation expense based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The MPA transition method also required that any unearned or deferred compensation recorded in “contra-equity” accounts be eliminated against the equity accounts that will be affected by the on-going recognition of stock based compensation. Accordingly, the Company reclassified $3,134 from Unearned Compensation – Restricted Stock to Common Stock in the quarter ended June 30, 2006. The table below summarizes certain data for the Company’s stock based compensation plans: Compensation Expense for all Stock Based Compensation Plans Tax Benefits for Stock Based Compensation Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised Intrinsic Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Exercised Fair Value of Stock Options Vested Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Vested The Company’s shareholders approved the 2007 Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 16, 2007. As with the Company’s prior equity compensation plans, the 2007 Plan is an omnibus plan that provides the flexibility to grant a variety of equity awards including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units, performance awards and incentive awards to officers, directors and employees of the Company. A maximum of 5,000 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2007 Plan. All prior equity compensation plans have been superseded, and no new equity awards can be granted from them. As of March 31, 2009, 3,020 equity awards have been granted, 237 equity awards have been cancelled and 67 vested under the 2007 Plan, leaving 2,217 shares available for future awards under the 2007 Plan. Total equity awards outstanding are 4,560 inclusive of the 2,716 awards granted and outstanding under the 2007 plan and 1,844 awards granted under prior plans. Shares issued under both the 2007 plan and earlier plans are new shares which have been authorized and designated for award under the plans. Individual types of awards are discussed in greater detail below. Stock Option Awards Stock options allow for the purchase of common stock at a price determined at the time the option is granted. This price has historically been the stock price on the date of grant. Stock options generally vest ratably over four years and generally expire after ten years. The fair value of these options is determined at grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model and includes estimates of forfeiture based on historical experience. The fair value is then recognized as compensation expense ratably over the vesting term of the options. There were 0, 1,166 and 477 stock options granted during fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Assumptions used to determine the fair value of options issued in 2008 and 2007 include the following: Grant Price Expected Life in Years Annualized Volatility Annual Dividend Rate Risk Free Rate Note K – Stock – Based Compensation (Continued) The assumption for the expected life in 2007 is the average of the vesting period and the expiration period for options granted. The expected life assumption in 2008 is based on the average of options granted and ultimately exercised. A summary of option activity for stock options follows: Outstanding at March 31, 2006 Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2009 Exercisable at March 31, 2009 The intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value which is the difference between the Company’s closing stock price and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options. The expense related to stock option awards for 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $1,320, $1,026, and $851, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of options was $0, $1,625 and $7,259 for the fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The table below shows the movement in unvested options from March 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Average Grant Date Fair Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value Unvested March 31, 2008 As of March 31, 2009, there is $2,398 of unearned compensation, net of expected forfeitures, related to stock option awards which will vest over a weighted average remaining life of 2.1 years. Stock Options with Stock Appreciation Rights Stock appreciation rights (SARs) have historically been granted in tandem with certain option grants under which the employee may choose to receive in cash the excess of the market price of the share on the exercise date over the market price on the grant date (the intrinsic value of the share) rather than purchase the shares. The choice to receive cash is limited to five years after grant. After the fifth year and up to the tenth year after grant, the employee will continue to be able to purchase shares under the award but no longer has the choice of receiving the intrinsic value of the shares. Compensation expense for Stock Options with Stock Appreciation Rights is treated as a liability due to the express ability of the employee to make the choice of whether to receive cash or purchase shares. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the intrinsic value of SARs outstanding was multiplied by the cumulative vesting in each SAR award to determine the liability at each balance sheet date. Amounts charged to compensation expense resulted from the change in the vested intrinsic value between balance sheet dates. Following adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the fair value of SARs are determined at each balance sheet date using a Black-Scholes valuation model multiplied by the cumulative vesting of each SAR award. After consideration for estimated forfeitures, this change in accounting resulted in a cumulative effect of accounting change adjustment of $252 on April 1, 2006. SARs awards have historically been given to non-U.S. recipients and the Company did not realize a tax benefit. Options with Attached SARs SAR Term Intrinsic Value Aggregate Fair Vested and Expected to Vest All stock options with attached SARs became vested as of October 2007. However, since actual compensation expense will be determined by the change in fair value of the SARs from period to period, actual compensation expense related to these awards may be different from this amount. The Company recognized income of $215 and $646 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and expense of $619 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 related to stock options with attached SARs. Assumptions used to determine the fair value of SARs as of March 31 included the following: Weighted Average Exercise Price Because the exercise price of these SARs is above the current stock price, the expected life has been determined to be the maximum time period the SARs may be exercised. The discount rate used is the risk free treasury bill rate consistent with the expected life. Volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. Restricted Stock Restricted stock is common stock that is both nontransferable and forfeitable unless and until certain conditions are satisfied. The fair value of restricted shares is determined on grant date and is amortized over the vesting period which is generally three years. Restricted at March 31, 2006 As of March 31, 2009, there was $647 of remaining unamortized deferred compensation associated with restricted stock awards that will be expensed over the remaining service period through August 2011. Expense recognized due to the vesting of restricted stock awards was $1,230, $1,712 and $2,965 for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Restricted stock units differ from restricted stock in that no shares are issued until restrictions lapse. The restricted stock units will vest at the end of a three-year service period. The fair value of the restricted stock units is determined on the grant date and is amortized over the vesting period. Outstanding as of March 31, 2008 As of March 31, 2009 there was $318 of remaining unamortized deferred compensation associated with these restricted stock units that will be expensed over the remaining service period through July 31, 2011. Expense recognized due to the vesting of these awards was $91 during the year ended March 31, 2009. Performance Shares This award differs from restricted stock in that no shares are issued unless and until both service and performance conditions are met. These shares will vest at the end of a two-year performance period but the level of the awards to be earned at the end of the performance period is contingent upon attainment of specific business performance goals. If certain minimum performance levels are not attained, compensation earned under from these awards will be zero. Alternatively, if the maximum performance goals described by the plan are attained, the awards will be 150% of the plan’s target. The table below includes the maximum number of shares that may be earned under the plan. As of March 31, 2009 there was $2,656 of remaining unamortized deferred compensation associated with these awards that will be expensed over the remaining service period through March 31, 2010. Expense recognized due to the vesting of this type of award was $2,656 for the year ended March 31, 2009. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units These restricted stock units will vest at the end of a two-year performance period but the level of the award to vest is subject to the same performance criteria as the Performance Shares described above. This award is also variable in that it ranges from zero to 150% of the plan’s target contingent on the performance level attained. The table below includes the maximum number of restricted stock units that may be earned under the plan. As of March 31, 2009 there was $335 of remaining unamortized deferred compensation associated with these restricted stock units that will be expensed over the remaining service period through March 31, 2010. Expense recognized due to the vesting of these awards was $335 during the year ended March 31, 2009. Note L – Income Taxes FIN 48 The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on April 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $33,722 increasing its liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties and reducing the balance of retained earnings. As of March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits totaled $20,129 and $18,557, respectively, all of which would impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. The following table presents the changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008: Note L – Income Taxes (Continued) FIN 48 (Continued) Balance at April 1 Increase for current year tax positions Increases (reductions) for prior year tax positions Impact of changes in exchange rates Reduction for settlements Balance at March 31 The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company accrued an additional $3,191 and $8,124, respectively, of interest, penalties and related exchange losses related to unrecognized tax benefits. As of March 31, 2009, accrued interest and penalties totaled $25,983 and $12,023, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, accrued interest and penalties totaled $22,020 and $12,795, respectively. The Company expects to continue accruing interest expenses related to the unrecognized tax benefits described above. Additionally, the Company may be subject to fluctuations in the unrecognized tax liability due to currency exchange rate movements. Other than the expiration of an applicable statute of limitations pertaining to an international unrecognized tax benefit for the amount of $4,210, the Company does not foresee any reasonably possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months but must acknowledge circumstances can change due to unexpected developments in the law. The Company and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return as well as returns in several U.S. states and a number of foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2009, the Company’s earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes was its fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Open tax years in state and foreign jurisdictions generally range from three to six years. The components of income before income taxes, equity in net income of investee companies, minority interests and discontinued operations consisted of the following: The details of the amount shown for income taxes in the Statements of Consolidated Operations and Comprehensive Income follow: Income Tax Provision (Continued) The reasons for the difference between income tax expense based on income before income taxes, equity in net income of investee companies and minority interests and the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to such income are as follows: Tax expense (benefit) at U.S. statutory rate Effect of non-U.S. income taxes Goodwill and other asset impairment Change in valuation allowance Increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions Exchange effects and currency translation Permanent items Actual tax expense (benefit) The deferred tax liabilities (assets) are comprised of the following: Deferred tax liabilities: Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax assets: Reserves and accruals Tax loss carryforwards Derivative transactions Postretirement and other benefits Gross deferred tax assets Valuation allowance Total deferred tax assets $ (178,562) Net deferred tax asset The following table presents the breakdown between current and non-current (assets) liabilities: Current asset Current liability Non current asset Non current liability The current portion of the deferred tax asset is included in “current deferred taxes” and the current portion of deferred tax liability is included in “income taxes.” During the year ended March 31, 2009, the net deferred tax asset balance increased by $3,628 for certain adjustments not included in the deferred tax expense (benefit), primarily for deferred tax assets related to pension accruals recorded in Equity as part of Other Comprehensive Income. For the year ended March 31, 2009, the valuation allowance decreased by $40,094. The valuation allowance was reduced by $31,295, primarily due to a change in management’s judgment as to the future realization of deferred tax assets for foreign tax credit carryovers in the United States. As a result of sustained utilization of foreign tax credit carryovers over the past three years and the Company’s forecast of continued sources of foreign source taxable income for the foreseeable future, it is the Company’s judgment that utilization of the foreign tax credit carryovers is more likely than not. The valuation allowance also decreased by $8,799 for certain adjustments not included in the deferred tax expense (benefit), primarily for the elimination of fully reserved deferred tax assets related to entities that have been liquidated and are no longer included in the consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2009, the Company has non-U.S. tax loss carryovers of $121,765 and U.S. state tax loss carryovers of $250,405, respectively. Of the non-U.S. tax loss carryovers, $8,700 will expire in 2010, $4,352 in 2011, $2,982 in 2012, $3,707 in 2013 and $1,642 in 2014. Non-U.S. tax loss carryovers of $3,204 will expire in later years and $97,178 can be carried forward indefinitely. Of the U.S. state tax loss carryovers, $6,837 will expire in 2010, $8,594 in 2011, $9,146 in 2012, $8,594 in 2013, $15,134 in 2014 and $202,100 will expire in later years. At March 31, 2009, the Company has foreign tax credit carryovers in the United States of $50,410 that expire in 2016. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryovers. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets, net of applicable valuation allowances, will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced or increased if estimates of future taxable income change during the carryover period. The Company has provided deferred income taxes of $460 at March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 for estimated U.S. income taxes, net of foreign tax credits, for undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that it no longer considers permanently reinvested overseas. No provision has been made for U.S. or foreign taxes that may result from future remittances of approximately $144,025 at March 31, 2009 and $126,225 at March 31, 2008 of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because management expects that such earnings will be reinvested overseas indefinitely. Determination of the amount of any unrecognized deferred income tax liability on these unremitted earnings is not practicable. Note M – Employee Benefits At March 31, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans ("SFAS No. 158"), which amends SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106 to require recognition of the over funded or under funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Upon adoption, the Company recorded an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $11,487 representing the recognition of previously unrecorded pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities related to net unrecognized actuarial losses, unrecognized prior service costs and unrecognized prior service credits. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 had no effect on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2007. The Company has multiple benefit plans at several locations. The Company has a defined benefit plan that provides retirement benefits for substantially all U.S. salaried personnel based on years of service rendered, age and compensation. The Company also maintains various other Excess Benefit and Supplemental Plans that provide additional benefits to (1) certain individuals whose compensation and the resulting benefits that would have actually been paid are limited by regulations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and (2) certain individuals in key positions. In addition, a Supplemental Retirement Account Plan (SRAP), a defined contribution program, is maintained. A curtailment benefit was recognized for several of these additional executive retirement plans due to changes in personnel at March 31, 2008. The Company’s policy is to contribute amounts to the plans sufficient to meet or exceed funding requirements of local governmental rules and regulations. Note M – Employee Benefits (Continued) Retirement Benefits (Continued) Additional non-U.S. plans sponsored by certain subsidiaries cover substantially all of the full-time employees located in Germany, Greece, Turkey, Malawi and United Kingdom. A reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans at March 31, 2009 and 2008, the measurement dates, is as follows: U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans Change in Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation, beginning Actuarial (gain) loss Plan amendments/settlements/curtailments/special termination benefits Effects of currency translation Net transfers in Benefits paid Benefit obligation, ending Change in Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets, beginning Actual return on plan assets Employer contribution Effect of currency translation Fair value of plan assets, ending Net amount recognized Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Consist of: Non-current benefit asset Accrued current benefit liability Accrued non-current benefit The pension obligations for all defined benefit pension plans: Information for Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets: Projected benefit obligation Accumulated benefit obligation Fair value of plan assets Net periodic pension costs included the following components: Amortization of actuarial loss Amortization of prior service cost Special termination benefits One-time effects of curtailment One-time effects of settlement The amounts showing in other comprehensive income at March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and movements for the year were as follows: U.S. and Non-U.S. Post-retirement Prior service (credit) cost Net gain Deferred taxes Prior service credit Net (gain) loss Total change for 2009 The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the expense for the pension, postretirement, other postemployment, and employee savings plans as follows: 4.50% to 6.00% Rate of increase in future compensation Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets A March 31 measurement date is used for the pension, postretirement, other postemployment and employee savings plans. The expected long-term rate of return on assets was determined based upon historical investment performance, current asset allocation, and estimates of future investment performance by asset class. The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations disclosed for the pension, postretirement, other postemployment and employee savings plans at March 31, 2009 and 2008: For 2009 and 2008, the annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits is not applicable as the Company’s annual cost commitment to the benefits is capped and not adjusted for future medical inflation. Net gain (loss) and prior service credits (costs) for the combined U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans expected to be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2010 is $829 and $(643), respectively. The Company’s asset allocations at March 31, 2009 and 2008 by asset category are as follows: Asset Category: Equity securities Other short term investments The Company’s investment objectives are to generate consistent total investment return to pay anticipated plan benefits, while minimizing long-term costs. Financial objectives underlying this policy include maintaining plan contributions at a reasonable level relative to benefits provided and assuring that unfunded obligations do not grow to a level to adversely affect the Company’s financial health. The Company’s target asset allocation strategy is a 68%/22%/10% allocation between equity, fixed income securities and real estate for the domestic plans and 65%, 27% and 8% equity, fixed income securities and real estate for the foreign plans. Manager performance is measured against investment objectives and objective benchmarks, including: Salomon 90 Day Treasury Bill, Barclays Intermediate Govt. Credit, Barclays Aggregate Index, Russell 1000 Value, Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 2500 Value, Russell 2000 Growth, and MSCI EAFE. The Portfolio Objective is to exceed the actuarial return on assets assumption. Management regularly reviews portfolio allocations and periodically rebalances the portfolio to the targeted allocations when considered appropriate. Equity securities do not include the Company’s common stock. The Company expects to contribute $4,056 to its domestic benefits plans and $5,614 to its foreign benefit plans in 2010. Estimated Future Benefit Payments The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid: Cash Flows (Continued) Years 2015-2018 The Company sponsors 401-k savings plans for most of its salaried employees located in the United States. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the Pension Equity Plan were replaced by a Supplemental Retirement Account Plan (SRAP) during 2008. The Company also maintains defined contribution plans at various foreign locations. The Company’s contributions to the plans were $3,323 in 2009, $3,976 in 2008 and $3,322 in 2007. Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits The Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits to retired U.S. employees (and their eligible dependents) who meet specified age and service requirements. The plan excludes new employees after September 2005 and caps the Company’s annual cost commitment to postretirement benefits for retirees. The Company retains the right, subject to existing agreements, to modify or eliminate these postretirement health and life insurance benefits in the future. The Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits to retired Brazilian directors and certain retirees located in Europe including their eligible dependents who meet specified requirements. The following assumptions were used to determine non-U.S. Plan postretirement benefit obligations at March 31: Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year Ultimate trend rate A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would not have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. Additional retiree medical benefits are provided to certain U.S. individuals in accordance with their employment contracts. For 2009 the additional cost related to these contracts was $37. Prior service credits of $1,660 and unrecognized net actuarial losses of $305 are expected to be amortized from accumulated comprehensive income into postretirement healthcare benefits net periodic benefit cost for the combined U.S. and non-U.S. postretirement benefits during fiscal 2010. A reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans was as follows: Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits (Continued) Plan amendment Plan curtailment Actuarial loss Net transfer in Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Consist of: Accrued benefit liability Accrued non-current benefit liability There are no plan assets for 2009 or 2008. Net periodic benefit costs included the following components: Curtailment Net periodic benefit cost (income) The Company continues to evaluate ways to better manage these benefits and control their costs. Any changes in the plan or revisions to assumptions that affect the amount of expected future benefits may have a significant effect on the amount of the reported obligation and annual expense. The Company expects to contribute $919 to its combined U.S. and non-U.S. postretirement benefit plans in 2010. Employees in operations located in certain other foreign operations are covered by various postretirement benefit arrangements. For these foreign plans, the cost of benefits charged to income was not material in 2009, 2008 and 2007. Note N – Segment Information The Company purchases, processes, sells, and stores leaf tobacco. Tobacco is purchased in more than 45 countries and shipped to more than 90 countries. The sales, logistics and billing functions of the Company are primarily concentrated in service centers outside of the producing areas to facilitate access to our major customers. Within certain quality and grade constraints, tobacco is fungible and, subject to these constraints, customers may choose to fulfill their needs from any of the areas where the Company purchases tobacco. Based upon management’s evaluation of performance using information included in management reports, the Company believes it has five operating segments. The five operating segments are the geographic segments: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. In reviewing these operations, the Company concluded that the economic characteristics of South America were dissimilar from the other operating segments. Based on this fact, the Company is disclosing South America separately and has aggregated the remaining four operating segments, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America into one reportable segment “Other Regions”. The Company concluded that these operating segments have similar economic characteristics and are similar in each of the following areas: the nature of the products and services; the nature of the production processes; the type or class of customer for their products and services; the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services; and the nature of the regulatory environment. Selling, logistics, billing, and administrative overhead, including depreciation, which originates primarily from the Company’s corporate and sales offices, are allocated to the segments based upon segment operating income. The Company reviews performance data from purchase through sale based on the source of the product and all intercompany transactions are allocated to the region that either purchases or processes the tobacco. During the three months ended June 30, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with local government in Brazil, which provides for realization of accumulated intrastate trade taxes related to the 2005 crop on a monthly basis as stipulated therein. As a result, intrastate trade taxes related to the 2005 crop of $19,225, previously recorded as expense in fiscal 2006, were reversed in fiscal 2007. Note N – Segment Information (Continued) Analysis of Segment Operations Sales and other Operating Revenues: Operating Income: Analysis of Segment Assets Segment Assets: Goodwill: Equity in Net Assets of Investee Companies: Total Investees Depreciation and Amortization: Total Depreciation and Amortization Geographic information as to sales and other operating revenues is based on the destination of the product shipped. The Belgium destination represents a customer owned storage and distribution center from which the tobacco will be shipped on to manufacturing facilities. Sales by Destination Sales and Other Operating Revenues to Major Customers: Of the 2009, 2008 and 2007 sales and other operating revenues, approximately 49%, 55% and 53%, respectively, were to various tobacco companies which are now owned by or under the common control of two companies. (The following table summarizes the net sales to each customer for the periods indicated: ) $ - * Customer B Customer C Property, Plant and Equipment, Net: Note O – Foreign Currency Translation The financial statements of foreign entities included in the consolidated financial statements have been translated to U.S. dollars in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.” The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, for which the local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of other comprehensive income. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, for which the U.S. dollar is the functional currency and which have certain transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currencies into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement adjustments that are included in net income. Exchange gains (losses) in 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $(20), $4,073 and $(168), respectively, and are included in the respective statements of income. Note P – Contingencies and Other Information Non-Income Tax In September 2006, the Company’s Serbian operations were assessed for VAT and government pension liability for payments to farmers. The Company has appealed the assessment from the tax authorities based upon favorable discussions with the Ministry of Finance and is awaiting the final decision from the Supreme Court. As of March 31, 2009, the balance of the reserve is $203 and payments of $31 have been made during the year ended March 31, 2009. The government in the Brazilian State of Parana (“Parana”) issued a tax assessment on October 26, 2007 with respect to local intrastate trade tax credits that result primarily from tobacco transferred between states within Brazil. The assessment for intrastate trade tax credits taken is $5,638 and the total assessment including penalties and interest through March 31, 2009 is $10,953. The Company believes it has properly complied with Brazilian law and will contest any assessment through the judicial process. Should the Company lose in the judicial process, the loss of the intrastate trade tax credits would have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company. The assessment of $5,638 represents intrastate trade tax credit amounts which were offset against intrastate trade tax receivables. At March 31, 2009, the Company also has intrastate trade tax receivables from Parana of $9,048. During fiscal 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7,143. After the assessment, the Company has treated new expenditures for intrastate trade taxes on tobacco acquisition as a cost of inventory procurement. The Company also has local intrastate trade tax credits in the Brazil State of Rio Grande do Sul (“Rio Grande”) of $48,092 and $61,340 at March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, respectively. Based on management’s expectations about future realization, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance on the Rio Grande intrastate trade tax credits of $15,004 and $13,284 at March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, respectively. The allowance on the Rio Grande intrastate trade tax credits may be adjusted in future periods based on market conditions and the Company’s ability to use the tax credits. In October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (“DGCOMP”) of the European Commission (“EC”) began an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in some countries within the E	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line128
__label__wiki	0.908884	0.908884	The Lewis Colony in Duluth, Minnesota by admin • 5 August 2008 • Emigration, History • 13 Comments A large number of Lewismen settled in Duluth, Minnesota in the 1870s and 1880s, many becoming prominent citizens in the town. The first was William L Maclennan (1834-1888), son of Donald Maclennan. This family seems to have originated in Kintail or Lochalsh; in 1841 Donald was a shepherd in Bunavoneadar, Harris, and soon thereafter became a small tenant at Kinlochresort, Uig. The family emigrated to Bruce County, Ontario in the 1850s. The following appeared in the Stornoway Gazette in the 1940s: It is uncertain who were the first Lewismen at the Head of Lake Superior or when they came. It is a well-known fact that in the early days of the Hudson Bay Company, they preferred to recruit men for their service in the Isle of Lewis, as Lewismen were found to be very hardy and able to carry on in the severe work of trading, and it was also found that they were more capable of making friends with the Indians of Northwest America than was any other group of people. It is known that Morrison County, in the central part of Minnesota, was named for a descendant of the last Brieve of Lewis. However, the first Lewisman who made his permanent home in Duluth was William L Maclennan, whose home in Lewis was near Loch Hamnaway. His family emigrated to Ontario in the ‘fifties. After a short period there, Mr Maclennan conceived the idea that there might be better opportunities for a young man in the United States, so he moved to Duluth in the late ‘sixties. Duluth was then only a small pioneer town on the outskirts of civilisation. He went into several lines of business in the new town, principally contracting and real estate. He was the builder of the breakwater in Lake Superior that formed what was then the outside harbour of Duluth before the canal was opened to the main harbour. After settling in Duluth, he brought Miss Julia Macleod to this country in 1872 to be his wife. She was a daughter of Roderick Macleod, a well-known builder in Stornoway at the time. Shortly after they were married, Mr Maclennan became one of the organisers of the first bank in Duluth. After organising the bank, the promoters were looking for a capable man to manage the new bank. Mrs Maclennan suggested Mr AR Macfarlane who at that time was in a bank at Toronto, Ontario. Mr Macfarlane, a native of Stornoway, got his early training in the banks there. Mr Macfarlane accepted the new position, and under his guidance the American Exchange Bank of Duluth grew to be one of the largest in the Northwest. Mr Alexander M Morrison of Stornoway, an acquaintance of Mrs Maclennan and Mr Macfarlane, moved to Duluth in the early ‘seventies. He entered the grocery business and made a success of it. After this background, the Lewis colony in Duluth began to grow. Mrs Maclennan’s father, Mr Roderick Macleod, and family had moved to Kincardine, Ontario in 1873. After ten years of building there, in that part of Ontario, they moved to Duluth in 1883. Mr Ronald J Macleod, a member of the family, became one of the most prominent contractors in the city and many of the fine buildings and homes were built by him. Another son, John Macleod, engaged in building grain elevators in North Dakota and western Minnesota, and many of the farm country elevators where grains are stored were built by him. The Macleod home was always a hospitable gathering place for all the Lewis folk of the vicinity. Three of the Macleod family still remain in Duluth, Misses Margaret and Jane Macleod who live in the old home and Mrs Thomas Gibson. Among other Lewismen who came to Duluth in the early ‘eighties were Angus Macfarlane Jr, Malcolm Macdonald, Angus Nicolson, Donald Morrison, all from Ness; James Macrae, Miavaig; John Macleod, Roderick R Macfarlane, Donald Maciver, all from Stornoway and all in the grain business. Another family from Stornoway was the Andrew Gibson family. Mr Gibson was a wholesale fish merchant. Among the members of his family who made Duluth a permanent home was Thomas Gibson, who was for many years a leading grain merchant. In 1884 perhaps the best known member of the Lewis colony, Simon Clark, came to Duluth. Mr Clark entered the grocery business. He was active and energetic in civic and welfare work, and with his sterling qualities was of inestimable value to the Lewis colony, to his community and to his adopted land. He was the principal organiser of Clan Stewart Number 50, Order of Scottish Clans, and served as Chief for three terms. He was also honoured by being elected Royal Chief of the Order of Scottish Clans in the United States and Canada in 1893. Many more Lewismen followed these pioneers. Among them were Alexander Macrae, Miavaig; Donald Macleod and his sister Annie Macleod, George F Mackenzie, Alexander Maclean, Edward Macdonald, Malcolm Macaskill, Percival M Young and his wife, the former Murdina Montgomery, William Morrison, Alice Greenfield, Mrs George F Mackenzie, Mrs TF Upham (both members of the Greenfield family), all from Stornoway; Donald M Morrison, Ness; Angus G Macaulay, Kirkibost; Captain MA Maclennan, John H Matheson, Norman A Matheson, Valtos; John Morrison and his wife, Back; Malcolm Buchanan, Brenish; John Macdonald, Ness; John Mackay, Shawbost; Donald and Murdo Mackay, Garenin; John Macfarlane, Tong; John Graham, Ness; Donald Macphail, Benside; Kenneth D Smith and George Macaulay, Stornoway. Besides these direct immigrants from Lewis, many descendants of Lewis parents made Duluth their home. They were usually as proud of their Lewis connections as were the native Lewis people. In 1911, the Lewismen conceived the idea of forming a Lewis Society. The society was organised at a meeting held September 28, 1911. The first officers elected were: Honourary Presidents, DB Macdonald and Norman Macdonald (prominent citizens who were Canadian born of Lewis descent); President, Donald M Morrison; Vice-President, Alexander Macrae; Secretary-Treasurer, Percival M Young; Piper, Norman Maclean. The first banquet was held Janueary 5, 1912, and was a fine success. The Society has continued to carry on during these years, but its membership has been greatly depleted by the Grim Reaper, and new members are not coming from Lewis in recent years. However, those left are steadfast and loyal and endeavouring to carry on the traditions and memory of the homeland. William was the father of Donald R Maclennan, of Marsh & Maclennan, who was described as “the leading general insurance man in the United States” at his death in 1944 – an obvious parallel to TB Macaulay of Sun Life in Montreal, but in contrast to TB, DR is barely remembered in Lewis. Of course, unlike TB, he didn’t visit, endow the hospital, start an experimental farm or donate 14 henhouses to Valtos. More DR later. Tags: breanish, hamnaway, kinlochresort, miavaig, usa, valtos 13 Responses to The Lewis Colony in Duluth, Minnesota	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line134
__label__wiki	0.944061	0.944061	In memoriam of George Olah Academician and Nobel laureate George Olah, who was also an honorary doctor of the BME and one of the leading chemists of the 20th century, has passed away at age 90. The title of this article is a quotation from the Nobel laureate George Oláh, who wrote to greet his former school in a letter he sent in 2014 for the anniversary of the Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology. “Since I studied under Géza Zemplén, I could call myself the scientific grandson of Emil Fischer, even though I got far from the field of the Fischer-Zemplén school. Everything I have learnt at the Technical University of Budapest served me well all my life. I wish you and your students great success. I am confident that the traditions of the Hungarian organic chemistry will develop further on the basis of the past.” The former student, then teacher and research professor of the Technical University was born in 1927 in Budapest, and graduated at the Piarist High School. After he graduated at the Technical University, he started his career at the Department of Organic Chemistry as the research assistant of Géza Zemplén. Initially, the scientist experimented with aggressive fluorochemicals, and he is credited with the first reconstruction of the “CH” building of the university. In an interview George Olah said that in the post-war period he experimented with highly dangerous chemicals like boron trifluoride and hydrogen fluoride, which were sent by a famous German professor. Professor Zemplén did not want those chemicals in the laboratory, so he “banished” the future Nobel laureate to a half-collapsed balcony with all his experiments. Later, this famed loggia was covered, so they could use it in winter as well. Professor George Olah has always visited his alma mater when he came to Budapest, and he always spoke with sweet nostalgia about his former laboratory which now operates as a modern facility. The researcher, who got his PhD degree in 1949, started working at the Central Research Institute of Chemistry of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences after conducting researches at the Technical University for several years. In 1956, he left his home country with his family. Between 1957 and 1964, he worked in Canada, and later in the United States as a researcher of the Dow Chemical. After that he started teaching at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. In 1977, he became a professor at the University of Southern California, and became the director of the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute. Later, eleven different universities award him an honorary doctorate. His scientific activities include a large number of scientific publications, monographs and patents. George Olah was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the United States. In 2005, the American Chemical Society awarded him the Priestley Medal. The professor's scientific results in the research of carbocations and electron-deficient particles revealed a new approach. His discoveries made during the electrophilic activation of the carbon–carbon bonds and the carbon-hydrogen bonds became the basis of new, more modern carbon-hydrogen chemical processes. The methods developed by George Olah made it possible to create and monitor stable, long-lived carbocation particles. Because of his results achieved in these researches, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1994. In recent years, the so-called Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), developed under the leadership of George Olah, has been in the centre of interest of the world of science. This invention could be the basis of the replacement of traditional energy sources. Even from overseas, George Olah constantly kept in touch with his Hungarian colleagues including the researchers and teachers of the University of Technology. In 1990, he was elected as an honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. In 2001, he received the Corvin Chain Award, and in 2002 he was awarded the Bolyai Prize. In 2006, he received the Hungarian Order of Merit Grand Cross Star, and in the same year he became an honorary citizen of Budapest. In 2011, he was awarded the Széchenyi Grand Prize “for his worldwide respected researches and achievements, for his publications in monographs and books which are now considered classics, for his scientific work carried out to develop the science of chemistry, for his practical application of his research results, and for his lifelong career that became a model for the new generations of scientists.” The PhD School of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology at the BME was named after George Olah (George Olah PhD School), and the George Olah National High School Chemistry Competition also bears his name. “It is no coincidence that we named this competition after George Olah” said Ferenc Faigl, the dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology of the BME. He addressed this sentence to those high school students who have gathered in the “CH” building just a few days ago to have a battle of wits in the finals of the National High School Chemistry Competition. “Our former colleague, George Olah, started his career on the second floor of this building. It was here where he started to research those superacids which eventually won him the Nobel Prize. We are very proud of him, and we are even more proud of the fact that he always came to us and met with the students until his health allowed it.” The Hungarian Chemical Society, the BME VBK Vegy-Érték Tehetségpont and the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology of the BME all contributed in the organization of the competition, while the avid students of the Albert Szent-Györgyi Technical College helped to conduct it. Let us finish this article with another quotation from George Olah that he wrote in his letter (mentioned in the introduction) for the great white hopes of chemistry: “For the young ones, the difficult economic situation in Hungary and elsewhere in the world may seem hopeless, but my generation has gone through much more difficult times, and yet we managed to get along. I only want to say to the freshly graduated chemists that our profession is still greatly needed and always will be needed everywhere in the world. If you work hard and stay persistent, you will manage to start your career.”	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line135
__label__wiki	0.615732	0.615732	The best example of a place society are the Minoans, in Crete. The story of the Minoans begins with a Greek myth. According to Greek myth, Minos was a powerful ruler who lived in Crete in a palace so big that it was known as the Labyrinth. The Athenians had wronged him, so every nine years they had to send seven youths and seven beautiful maidens who were devoured by the Minotaur, a fearsome beast half man half bull. Theseus carries off Ariadne: this vase in the Geometric style is in the British Museum. In her hand, Ariadne has the magic ring-lamp with which she had illuminated their way out of the Labyrinth. Theseus, an Athenian hero, volunteered to go as one of the seven youths, and having arrived in Crete he promptly seduced the King’s daughter Ariadne, who gave him a ball of string and helped him conceal a dagger under his clothes. Theseus tied the string to the doorpost of the palace, went in, slew the Minotaur and then following the string made his way out. He then set sail for Athens taking the besotted Ariadne with him, only to abandon her on Naxos where she took up with the local god Dionysus. Theseus went back to Athens to become the founding figure of Athenian mythology. Archaeology has begun to fill out this story. The Minoans remained unknown until in 1894 Arthur Evans, an English archaeologist and explorer, discovered a grand palace at Knossos in Crete, six miles inland from the major city of Heraklion. The palace was huge and Evans realised he had discovered a new civilisation which he named the Minoans after King Minos of the myth. It seemed to be not unlike the palace that twenty years earlier the German explorer Schliemann had discovered at Mycenae. ull tossing a man with his horns: was this the origin of the Minotaur? This bronze figure is in the British Museum At the centre was a great courtyard in which images of bulls were discovered, some of them showing scenes of bull leaping, where young men caught hold of the horns of charging bulls and were tossed over onto their backs, thus providing an explanation of the story of the Minotaur. Evans continued his exploration of the palace, finding a throne room, elaborate ritual bathrooms, and most interesting of all to the archaeologist, extensive ranges of storerooms, or magazines where olive oil was stored in huge jars. This was the clue to how the palace actually functioned: it is a prime example of the gift exchange economy. Meanwhile other palaces were being discovered: at Phaistos, at Malia, and at Zakro at the far eastern end of Crete. Arthur Evans was a master advocate for this newly discovered civilisation and the Minoans were soon accepted as being one of the most interesting of all the great civilisations. There were also numerous clay tablets cylinders written in an unknown script; it was named Minoan Linear B, and when in 1953 it was triumphantly deciphered and revealed to be an ancient form of Greek, the Minoans increased even more in importance and have become perhaps the prototype of all the palace based civilisations. But to study them further we must start with the fascinating, but still slightly controversial figure of Sir Arthur Evans. On to Sir Arthur Evans	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line137
__label__cc	0.630656	0.369344	Every book for your car in one place 1•800•458•2734 Find Books using this search. Year: First Select a Year Blog 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901 1900 1899 1898 1897 1896 Make: Then Select a Make Model: Last Select a Model Home > 1956 > Chevrolet > Corvette > Base > 4.3L 265Cu. In. V8 GAS Naturally Aspirated 1956-1957 Corvette Engine Tuneup, Fuel Injection & RPO Service Manual (min 1, max 999) Also in 4.3L 265Cu. In. V8 GAS Naturally Aspirated This is a reprint of a manual was produced by Chevrolet in 1957 to train Chevy mechanics to work on unique features of the Corvette. There are two sections. In the first section, you will learn how to properly tune your Corvette engine, fuel system, and ignition system: find out how to diagnose problems, what parts are recommended, and which components need to be checked on a regular basis. The second section has service information for Regular Production Options (RPO). There are complete illustrated step-by-step repair procedures for Fuel Injection, Four-Speed Transmission, and the Positraction Rear Axle. You will also see information on how some options (such as heavy duty brakes & suspension, clutch options, and more), are different from the regular Chevy passenger car. Pictures and illustrations accompany clarify the instructions. 72 pages, New condition. Buy now to own this hard-to-find information for your 'vette. 1955 Chevrolet Service News reprint (9 issues on 1955, 2 on 1956) 1955-1956 Chevy Car CD-ROM Repair Shop Manual Exact Title: "Servicing the 1957 Corvette Engines and R.P.O. Equipment" Wiring Diagrams?: This item is a reproduction. OEM Part Number: 57-RPOE Model-Years Application Covers all Corvettes from 1956 and 1957. 1956-1957 Chevrolet Corvette 1956 Corvette Reprint Owner's Manual 56 1956-1957 Corvette Factory Assembly Manual Reprint 1953-1962 Corvette Reprint Servicing Guide Repair Shop Manual Supplement 1949-1957 Chevrolet Master Parts Catalog Reprint 2 Volume Set 1957 Chevrolet Car Finger Tip Facts Book Dealer Album Original 1957 Corvette Owner's Manual Reprint Package 1953-1957 Chevrolet Corvette Assembly Manuals on CD-ROM 1953-1962 Corvette Servicing Guide CD-ROM 1957-1962 Chevrolet & Corvette Rochester Fuel Injection Repair Shop Manual Reprint Cart Account Login	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line145
__label__wiki	0.858997	0.858997	John Seed, Art Writer Anne Harris: "They start with me..." Anne Harris: Photo by Terry Evans Artist Anne Harris has built her reputation as a painter of women who transfix their viewers with projections of uncomfortable and uncanny emotional states. Each of her paintings is a paradox, a challenge, a chimera, and to some degree a self-portrait. "They start with me -- often -- and are from me in some respect," Harris explains, "but in the end, they become themselves. They're portraits of the people in the paintings." The resulting "people" are born from the artist's discomfort. "I am incredibly self conscious," says Harris, "I am not a comfortable person." Although Harris, who recently turned 50, can be self-deprecating, her point has to be taken seriously. Her paintings are, in some way or another, about her struggle to get to the root of the anxiety while also attempting to shield herself from it. They tend to take their viewers on quite a ride. Some of Harris' most memorable paintings of the 1990s were nude self-portraits that suggested a haunting vulnerability and ripeness. Pregnancy, always a nervous time, accounted for only part of the work's susceptibility. Harris, who is characteristically honest, used the process of painting itself to explore subtle ways that she could make what at first appeared vulnerable opaque. Second Portrait with Max, 1996-7 Oil on canvas, 46 1/8" x 30" To put it another way, Harris is an expert in playing a game of paradoxically revealing and hiding: the result is the art. " If it really works it should go beyond my original intention and take on its own life, " says Harris about her process, "That's when I am done with it." Harris insists that it is up to viewers to bring their own meanings to the work: "They are never wrong," she states. If her paintings are, in her own mind, " mesmerizing, hypnotic, emotionally complicated, and difficult" she has done her job. In the past decade Harris has been hard at work developing chameleonic series of paintings of women who channel a panoramic range of emotional nuance. The most surprising thing about them -- as varied as they at first appear -- is that they are also self portraits. It took Harris by surprise when the author of a catalog essay for her 2003 Exhibition at Bowdoin College -- Without Likeness: Paintings by Anne Harris -- referred to some of her subjects as "invented adolescents." "I was shocked," Harris recalls, "I hadn't thought that at all: they were all starting from myself." Portrait (Blonde), 2003 Oil on Linen, 12" x 12" Harris recalls her childhood, during which her family constantly moved, as being all over the place. "It went sort of like this," Harris recounts, "... born in Cleveland, then 2 yrs in Syracuse, 2 yrs. near Phoenix, AZ (Williams Air Force Base), 2 more yrs in Syracuse, 6 years in Tucson, AZ, 4 years in Morehead, KY. Although I see that only adds up to 16 years; my parents made some short moves when I was a toddler that I don't remember." She wound up attending college in St. Louis, at Washington University, and then earned her MFA Degree in Art at Yale, graduating in 1988. While teaching in Maine she met her husband, photographer Paul d'Amato, and gave birth to her son Max in 1995. Shows in New York, Boston and New Mexico helped firm up her reputation, and critics often grouped her with other artists testing new approaches to self-portraiture and "partial self-portraiture" including Julie Heffernan and Lisa Yuskavage. Everything changed for Harris when she and her family moved to Chicago in early 2001. "I was pining for New England," she states, "Moving was hard." Painting came to a halt, and Harris found her momentum again through drawing, which she devoted herself to exclusively for more than a year and a half. In 2006 a bracing cross section of 86 "drawings," which included mixed-media experiments with watercolor, oil and graphite, were tacked to the wall of the Neilsen Gallery in Boston. How to Draw Yourself Out of a Hole, #53, 2005 Water color, oil, graphite on mylar over paper, 12" x 10" After executing several hundred drawings, Harris found herself productive at the easel again, and several important shows followed. In a group show titled "Beyond Likeness," held in 2007 at the North Dakota Museum of Art, and curated by Laurel Reuter, Harris showed a total of nearly 200 drawings and paintings. A solo show at Alexandre Gallery in New York -- also in 2007 -- consisted of mainly drawings along with two paintings. In the past few years, Harris has referred to the subjects of many of her paintings as "invisibles." A few, like her "Portrait" of 2007 are "Middle-aged Angels." "I have been looking in the mirror," Harris acknowledges, "In the mirror it is all myself." The resulting images, characteristically, are someone and something else. In many cases the painting is "...its own entity: I don't even know how it got there." Portrait (2nd Angel), 2007 Props -- a string of mardi-gras pearls, an antique dress, a bathrobe -- are devices that Harris uses to help a painting gain momentum. They can be important because they are more constant and tangible than the female figures themselves, who tend to morph during the painting process. In "Portrait (Pink) from 2010 the carefully rendered patterns of a pale sheath dress provide the counterpoint to an amber eyed "invisible" who seems to waver and waste into the painting's toned ground. Portrait (Pink), 2010 Few painters today, male or female, are courageous enough to present themselves as Harris does in her work in progress "Red Robe." Frowsy, fright-wigged -- even possessed -- it shows us a Medusa who confronts, disorients and challenges us. If Harris is willing to claim the emotions and images suggested by this painting, she is a step closer to Goya than any other artist working today. Portrait (Red Robe) Detail -- in progress Then again, "Red Robe" isn't a painting that anyone should read as "meaning" anything: Harris herself is clear about that when it comes to reading her work. Her job as an artist was to give birth to the image, not to tell us what it means. Miles Unger, who wrote about Harris in 1997, put it this way: "As our gaze is fixed by the helpless figure on the canvas, the artist slips out the back door, empowered, redeemed, through the very act of painting." Anne Harris is represented by the Alexandre Gallery, New York. Nine Artists by John Seed \| Make Your Own Book All written content copyright John Seed	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line149
__label__cc	0.522638	0.477362	Rio redux – part three Part one \| part two Super Mario and his taxi of joy I shan’t remember 14 August 2016 as the night that Wayde van Niekerk broke the world 400m record, nor will I remember it as the day that Usain Bolt won his third Olympic 100m title in a row. No, I’ll remember 14 August 2016 as the day I had the best taxi ride of my life. I’d visited the Canadian Olympic House with some colleagues and friends that afternoon, and we needed to head back to our hotel to catch our ride to the stadium. So we flag down a taxi, completely oblivious to the fact that we just so happened to pick the greatest freakin’ taxi driver in the history of taxi driving. Mario (who soon became known as ‘Super Mario’) spoke as much English as we did Portuguese: none. But he was able to communicate with my colleague (who is fluent in Spanish) and he was overjoyed to learn that the four people in his cab were of four different nationalities. With him included, it made five. One for each Olympic ring. Clearly some sort of Olympic fate was at play. Anyway, somehow, somewhere, YouTube was mentioned in conversation. He asked my colleague to search on YouTube for ‘Mario taxi Jo Soares’. Up pops a video. It turns out that Jo Soares is Brazil’s answer to David Letterman. Super Mario once appeared on his show, during which he delivered a pro-feminist ode. It later transpired that he had appeared on several other TV shows. Essentially, Super Mario is a Brazilian minor celebrity; one with an important message. He’s basically a cross between Rylan and Emma Watson. So we start watching this video. Super Mario then recites this ode in time with the video – while driving – and acts out all the various moves that go with it. Each stanza is interspersed with an amazing cackle, which was both sinister and endearing all at once. Now this went on for a good two minutes. We had not a clue what was going on. All we knew is that it would be the greatest thing that would happen to us all year. And during a fortnight where we feared for our lives every time we set foot in a car, this ride was a welcome relief. (NB: Here is the original video of Super Mario on Jo Soares’ show. His performance starts at about 6:20.) “These are the Olympics,” Al Oerter said after taking gold at the 1964 Olympics, having torn his rib cartilage just six days prior. “You die for them.” Thankfully I survived my Olympic experience, but there are times when I felt like death. You know it’s bad when you turn up at the stadium for the evening session and your colleagues are urging you to go back to the hotel and to “give this session a miss”. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, though. I’d get the FOMOs. Apart from the two marathons (I missed the men’s, while I covered the women’s remotely from the media centre), I attended every session of athletics, including the three race walks. I’d wake up at 7am on most mornings, catch a car to the stadium at 7:30am, on the days of the combined events I’d stick around at the stadium between sessions, then cover the evening session, then stick around for another couple of hours to write or publish reports, head back to the hotel at 1-2am, then publish the final few things back at the hotel, before eventually falling asleep at 3:30am. And then, before you know it, the 7am alarm is ringing again. I’m not making myself out to be a martyr; many other journos were in the same boat. It’s brutal, but it’s just what you do. I guess in some ways there are similarities to the decathlon in Rio. Each decathlon discipline represents the 10 days of athletics in Rio. The decathlon – like my Olympic experience as a whole – involved early starts and late finishes. The gaps between events – or, in this case, sessions – looked alright on paper, but often ended up going by ridiculously quick. And by the end of it all, we all felt how the decathletes look after the 1500m. But you also feel a real sense of camaraderie with the people whom you work alongside at an Olympics – again, in much the same way that combined eventers seem to have a rapport unlike that in any other event. I worked with some great people in Rio. We also make an awesome relay team. A video posted by @jonmulk on Aug 22, 2016 at 10:41am PDT To be continued with one final instalment, which will cover my favourite event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line150
__label__wiki	0.571526	0.571526	Pro-Adjuster Dietitian and Nutrition Counseling Acupuncture New Patients Ruth Franklin, RN, BSN, CA, L.Ac. Metegenics Store Drug-Resistant Bacteria On The Rise, Often Fatal in U.S. The rate of bacterial infections resistant to even the strongest antibiotics are rising in the U.S. and leading to untreatable and often fatal illnesses. In a recent press conference, officials from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2012 nearly four percent of patients in all U.S. hospitals were infected with the drug-resistant bacteria; the rate in specialty hospitals was nearly 18 percent. The officials called for doctors, hospitals and public health workers to come together to stop the infections from spreading. The last decade has seen an explosion in the rate of hospitalized patients contracting Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE’s. The name refers to the bacteria’s lack of response to carbapenems, a class of drugs currently regarded by experts as ‘last resort’ antibiotics. CRE’s are fatal to over half of patients who get bloodstream infections from them and include over 70 known species that occur naturally in water, soil and the human digestive system. The majority of CRE infections occur in patients receiving medical care for serious conditions in hospitals, long-term acute-condition care facilities and nursing homes. Patients in these facilities often receive antibiotics; the antibiotics wipe out susceptible bacteria but also clear the ground for CRE infections. While only one state reported CRE infections in 2001, they have since spread to 42 states. In 2011, an outbreak of a CRE strain of pneumonia at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland killed seven patients, including a 16-year-old boy. The CDC is hoping to raise public awareness of the drug-resistant germs, as their spread can be controlled with better practices such as as washing hands, grouping patients with CRE together, dedicating staff, rooms and equipment to the care of patients with CRE and limiting the use of antibiotics. Author: ChiroPlanet.com Source: Reuters. March 6, 2013. Article is the Copyright © 2013 of ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC Non-Permitted Users Will Be Prosecuted Mon 9:00-1:00, 3:00-7:00 Tue 3:00-7:00 Wed 9:00-1:00, 3:00-7:00 Thu 2:00-7:00 Fri 9:00-5:00 Health Goals Chiropractic 230 N. Maple Ave Suite G2 Marlton, New Jersey 08053	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line152
__label__cc	0.625508	0.374492	Interview with Billy (1988) 2 Billy Meier Interview - November 20, 1988 2.1 1st Question 2.2 5th Question 2.2.1 Answer 2.3 2nd Question 2.4 3rd Question 2.10 10th Question 2.10.1 Answer 2.12 The answer to an unasked question UFO contact person, Billy Meier, is often attacked by uninformed people who do not have the slightest knowledge of Billy's comprehensive contacts and his mission, and all the details. They have never even met Billy in person. This is proven also by the fact that Billy's real and full name, namely Eduard Albert Meier-Zafiriou, as a rule, Is only familiar to a handful of co-workers, some acquaintances, and the members of FIGU (Freie Interessengemeinschaft für Grenz- und Geisteswissenschaften und Ufologiestudien). Even fewer people know how Eduard Albert Meier-Zafiriou got the name Billy or that his name was marked down 10,000 years ago in documents which were preserved, handed down, and still exist now on earth. The name Billy is not only used by the public all over the world and by Billy's closest associates but also, generally, by the extraterrestrials (ETs). Uninformed critics and untrustworthy people who feel Billy's contacts and mission are impossible, discredit and accuse him of being a charlatan or worse, and try to ridicule him. However, generally speaking, they are ill informed on the issues and contexts and, therefore, are in no position to pass any realistic and competent judgement on the mission, the contacts, or Billy's person. In order to do so in a factual and realistic manner, one has to deal with these matters for many years in a serious, intensive, and honest way to get to know the pertinent and multifaceted information, to study intensely the facts, and to get to know Billy. As a rule, this has been the case with only a few closely associated individuals, as well as several outsiders who publicly announce their positive feelings toward Billy Meier and his contacts. In honest lectures, seminars, radio and TV programs, in films, newspapers, and magazines, the "Billy Meier Case" is called unique within knowledgeable circles. There is probably no other case as richly documented by witnesses' testimonies and material as this one, even though none of the witnesses has ever had personal contact with extraterrestrials. (This privilege was granted exclusively to Billy by the extraterrestrials who came from the planet Erra in the open star cluster of the Pleiades. They have never conducted personal conversations or conscious telepathy with any other person.) It is noteworthy that the witnesses agree to having heard, seen, and experienced inexplicable phenomena, which only could have taken place through Billy's contacts. Those eye and ear witnesses by no means consist solely of Billy's friends and co-workers, but also consist of completely unrelated persons, e.g., spectators who took part in a rock music festival in 1975 on nearby Bachtel mountain (at Ettenhausen, near Wetzikon in the Canton Zürich), from where they witnessed nocturnal beamship demonstrations, etc. Previous members of Billy's group, which has loosely existed since 1975, have to admit that they had phenomenal experiences regarding UFOs and ETs. Billy did not strive for these contacts with extraterrestrials. On the contrary, he was sought out by the Pleiadians, because of an ancient mission from thousands of years ago. Furthermore, it has been shown that Billy did not agree to these contacts for financial gain, publicity, or personal fame, which can be evidenced by his withdrawn lifestyle. The contacts with the Pleiadians also did not take place for his own pleasure because, behind all of these events, there looms a huge mission which must be fulfilled by many people. In connection with the mission many texts have been written, partially transmitted by the Pleiadians or even higher spiritual forms. Some were written by Billy himself at the request of the Pleiadians. Billy's enemies know nothing of the existence and source of these texts, all of which can be obtained from FIGU, Switzerland, in the German language, including the contact notes and the latest publication, the OM. Many years of experience with all types of people have shown that those who try to discriminate against Billy and question everything are obviously envious, pseudo-scientists, sectarians, fanatics, schizophrenics, or simply slanderers. In particular, they seem to be people who, because of some strange opinions concerning the rest of the world, politics, or religions, cannot bear the truth that may differ from their own beliefs. They are willing to suppress the truth with the aid of mean, dishonest methods, and to extinguish it, if possible, even if it means going over dead bodies, tarnishing and destroying the reputation of another human being. Billy Meier Interview - November 20, 1988 When I, Billy Meier, am supposed to give an answer and explanation regarding the Pleiadians, their life, philosophy, life style, and mission, it is impossible NOT to mention Creation, its laws and commandments, as well as the ancestors of the Pleiadians, the old Lyrians and Vegans. In addition, I also would like to mention earth humans of olden days and modern times who had been influenced by the Pleiadians, which would include myself (specifically, my spirit form). I am inseparably united and tied in with ancient and contemporary earth human beings, Lyrians, Vegans, Pleiadians, and the spirit level Arahat Athersata, as an energy, middleman, and messenger. I cannot give the answers and explanations in a brief, banal, superficial, meaningless, ludicrous, wooden, and colorless way as would be the case with allegedly blessed, enlightened people; channelers; apostles; god/Jesus/angel messengers; predestined few; clairvoyants; as well as seers and revelators by their own grace. 99.97% of the messages of these would-be contact persons are fraudulent, full of lies and deceit, schizophrenic or similar. Only 203 of 1 million of the relevant remarks are the truth, despite the fact that these people maintain having had contact with extraterrestrial life forms or higher spirit forms, with others in the "beyond", indeed, with saints, Jesus Christ or other spirit forms. They disseminate all these meaningless, false, banal, and misleading so-called messages, prophecies, threats, and unbelievable stories to their sheepish and misled faithful. The mission of the Pleiadians, Lyrians, and Vegans (with me as the messenger and herald) in relationship to the earth beings and the all-encompassing Creation with it's laws and commandments, entails a horrendous knowledge of spiritual and material form. It simply cannot be pulled out of its basic context and told in a trivial manner, and especially without explanation. This knowledge of the entire mission and history involving the Pleiadians, Lyrians, and Vegans, Earth beings and my spirit form, as well as Creation, etc., is so solid and extensive, that each individual question can often only be answered in connection with other questions. If these are not answered thoroughly, invariably there will occur misunderstandings, false impressions, errors, and chaos which would be detrimental, contradictory, destructive, and misleading to the truth. 1st Question Ozone holes, climatic catastrophes, earthquakes, hurricanes, AIDS, the nuclear threat... the situation on earth appears to be threatening. What do the Pleiadians say to all this? 5th Question According to the extraterrestrials, how can we still save the earth here and now? Earthquakes: Not all earthquakes should be blamed on mankind and its technical progress; many are of purely natural origin and are connected to the natural developmental cycles of earth, even though man must be blamed for causing some terrible earthquakes through the construction of reservoirs, ruthless extraction of oil and gas from the ground, as well as the construction of gigantic cities. Hurricanes: Tornados and hurricanes are closely connected to climatic changes often associated with mismanagement by man against nature, e.g., the cutting down of entire forests, the construction of dams and reservoirs, the destruction of fertile soil with harmful chemicals and poisons, the overfertilization and clearing of land, nuclear testing, the activities of nuclear power plants and their consequences, the burning of fossil fuels, and the utilization of modern chemicals and poisons. Ozone holes: The destruction of the ozone layer is caused by the same human carelessness and bungling, mainly through the usage of bromine gas substances, fluorhydrocarbon, nitric oxide, nuclear radiation, and released fumes, such as those from the combustion engines (more information can be found in the Semjase contact notes from 1975, which already contain a warning by the Pleiadians regarding the destruction of the ozone layer). The growing destruction of the ozone layer, and the resulting dangers can only be eliminated through a rapid global agreement which would prohibit the production and use of all harmful substances currently released into the atmosphere. AIDS: The origin of the AIDS epidemic has been traced to Uganda in Africa, from where the disease spread to Haiti. From there it was transmitted to the entire world by degenerate homosexuals practicing sodomy with long-tailed monkeys, which naturally carry the AIDS virus without any harm to them. The inception and transmission occurred through acts of sodomy and later also through homosexual activities of sodomy. The Pleiadians have explained that a cure for the disease may only be found by medical researchers on earth when it is almost too late, as the epidemic will have spread worldwide by then. They themselves have no medication for this exclusively earthbound disease. Nuclear Threat: The nuclear threat is a mad tool of war of the Earth humans and in every way against Creation and nature. Moreover, it is the product of schizophrenic, sick fools and psychopaths, without a trace of responsibility, addicted to toying with war. The military, as well as the peaceful use of nuclear energy, harbor infinite dangers which the earth humans have yet to control, and will not control completely for a long time to come. Furthermore, radioactive radiation is released during nuclear disintegration that is completely unknown to nuclear physicists on earth at this time. The situation on earth: The situation on earth is threatening in many different aspects: overpopulation, military systems and weapons industries, pollution of the entire world through poisons of all types, radioactivity, crime, power politics, drugs, false religions, global mismanagement in every resort, financial exploitation, misuse of chemicals and poisons, terrorism, racial hatred, slave-trade, prostitution, anarchism, mad exorcisms of the dead, spirits or other demons, war activities and revolutions, etc., etc. What can be done? First and foremost, the human population on earth must be reduced, through a humane form of a worldwide suspension of births, with an immediate follow-up of permanent birth control. If these two measures are not enforced to keep the number of humans on Earth in bearable limits (529 million should be the normal number of inhabitants on Earth), the problems will increase infinitely, grow in equal ratio, and become unsolvable as the human population increases steadily. By the same token, the elimination of various ravages, according to their cause and effect, is an irrevocable necessity and most urgent requirement. The Pleiadians themselves suggested that the following important measures be taken to end the destruction on earth: As mentioned, for several years there must be an absolute birth suspension followed by permanent birth control Immediate end of ALL exploitation of the Earth, including the exploitation of the forests and the devastation of entire landscapes, etc., until a bearable, acceptable level for Earth has been reached Stop of all nuclear testing Stop of production of all illegal drugs and other drugs which are made for abuse, as well as chemicals and poisons that damage nature and life forms through their misuse Destruction of all nuclear power stations Stop of mismanagement of any type Abolition of false politics and religions in the current forms, which are adverse to nature and Creation Formation of a global government in a unified democratic format. Dissolution of all military blocks leaning toward war, and all political and military secret services Dissolution and prevention of all war activities and revolutions, etc. An end to all torture and capital punishment and all other abuses and ravages which burden and harm the Earth and life on it. Formation of a worldwide team of security and safety agents to protect and join the nations; the team would consist of members from all existing peoples and races on Earth. Global dissemination of Creation's laws and commandments and the learning and adhering to the ensuing lifestyle. These things would create a lifestyle according to the rules of Creation and, therefore, a more humane and dignified life. Worldwide support and execution of plans to make amends for all the damages caused already to the land, forests, meadows, water, atmosphere, plants, humans, animals, and microorganisms is mandatory. 2nd Question Why are the Pleiadians interested in the fate of the earth? The Pleiadians are interested in the fate of Earth because they feel responsible for their Lyrian and Vegan ancestors' previous actions, false teachings and religions, misguidance and other wrongdoings against the inhabitants who had previously been born on Earth. Even in those early days, Earth humans joyfully absorbed and perfected the false teachings of the extraterrestrials, viscously and willingly, until they prevailed all over the world, as they are now. Therefore, the blame cannot be laid squarely on the extraterrestrials, but must clearly be placed with the willingness of Earth humans to adopt those negative habits. Nonetheless, the Pleiadians feel responsible for the wrongdoings of their ancestors, as well as for the ensuing degeneration caused by them while they were amongst humans on Earth. The Earth human opened up the floodgates to all types of insanities through his callous willingness and arbitrariness; even now he wallows in terrestrial delights and thrills. 3rd Question You had your first contact with extraterrestrials at the age of 5 years; afterwards you lived for a long time in India, as well as other places; it appears you had been prepared for your task. Why were you apparently chosen for it? In 1942 I began my first contacts with extraterrestrials at the age of 5, with Sfath, the grandfather of Semjase, the Pleiadian female. To start with I learned a lot through my association with him regarding the spiritual teachings and existence and function of Creation's laws and commandments, as well as the use of mental (spirit) telepathy, so that the communication between Sfath and myself could be accomplished in this manner. Beginning in 1944, during numerous visits on his beamship, Sfath explained to me many things and informed me about important data concerning many fields of knowledge, humanities, history, Creation and evolution, incidents and facts, etc., which I had to learn and retain in my memory. This was usually accomplished through electronically induced, deep hypnosis. He explained to me at a later date that due to our mutual efforts my understanding had grown to that of a 35-year old person, even though in reality I was only 7 years old, and that this knowledge would still increase manifold in the coming years. I was told that I would have the highest degree of spiritual evolution of any human being on Earth regarding spiritual knowledge, understanding, and ability. (It must be understood that this did not refer to any knowledge gleaned from books and school training, and not to knowledge patterned on something learned in schools. Instead, it refers to the knowledge of humanities, the existence, workings and utilization of the Creative laws and commandments, as well as the teachings of Creation and our origins all the way up to instructions on evolution and the eternal absolutum.) In later years I was once again pointedly prepared in various ways by different people of terrestrial and extraterrestrial origin in many countries on Earth. They instructed me in the most diverse fields of knowledge of a spiritual and physical nature, so I would be able to fulfill my task in the Mission, and continue my contacts with the Pleiadians. Thus, the necessary requirements and propensities for a meaningful collaboration between the extraterrestrials and me were established and renewed in accordance with my previous lives, as had been the case already for the mission since ancient times. Furthermore, the spiritually and physically very advanced Pleiadians are able to maintain personal, i.e., physical contact only with those Earth humans who have reached the high spiritual level of evolution necessary for the physical and telepathic contacts and for meaningful dialogues. I am the only human being on Earth who is able to maintain physical and telepathic contact with Pleiadians and other life forms of the same evolutionary level. Nobody on Earth is able to do this, not even those people whose spirit forms did not originate on Earth. This is the reason why the Pleiadians began to contact me in my early childhood to lay the groundwork for my forthcoming contacts with them. My spirit form had already been active for millions of years in the Lyra-Vega systems, and had come to Earth, voluntarily, in human bodies as teacher, herald, and prophet. It had also returned into the material sphere from a highly spiritual level (Arahat Athersata level), and had already performed prophetic functions since UR-times on LASAN and other planets of the Lyra and Vega systems. In addition, my spirit form, under the earlier name of NOKODEMJON, assumed the responsibility of fulfilling a required prophetic mission and function. This duty involved, as its mission goal, the teaching, the offering of the truth of the Creative information, the Creative laws, commandments, and spiritual teachings, etc., to human life forms. At first, all this information was brought exclusively to the humans of the Lyra and Vega systems, and only later to the humans on the planet Earth, and to all the other existing spirit forms. These other spiritual forms included the many millions of extraterrestrial spirit forms who moved to Earth, voluntarily or involuntarily, from the Lyra and Vega systems, and the destroyed planet Malona in the SOL system. What do you think of the legend that 3 million years ago 144,000 Pleiadian souls reincarnated on Earth to aid the development of this planet? This legend has no truth in it whatsoever. The first extraterrestrials who came to Earth were not Pleiadians but humans from worlds that exist within another dimension in the area of the Lyra and Vega systems. The first Lyrians, together with the Vegans, came to Earth initially 22 million years ago. Their stay here was very brief and they continued their travels to other star clusters and planets. Their history is largely obscure, even though assault groups occasionally continued to return to Earth. Approximately 389,000 years ago, several million Lyrians and Vegans again left their native worlds, entered our order of space and time in this dimension, and came to Earth where they mingled with the Earthlings. They procreated in the normal manner and through the manipulation of genes by genetic engineers. From this interaction evolved the Lyrian and Earth human mixture of beings by normal reproduction. The results of the genetic engineering produced beings that were part human, part animal, and included giants, titans, and other creatures. In the course of hundreds and thousands of years these creatures were displaced once again, and eventually died out because they could not reproduce or because conditions for their life forms proved fatal for them. The many millions of Lyrians and Vegans, who had left their native worlds, were headed by 144,207 leaders and sub-leaders, etc., who reigned over their followers in a rather hierarchic manner. The leaders also transferred this behavior to Earth humans with whom they had intermingled in the past to create human descendants of various types. These 144,207 leaders and their subordinates were, indeed, the ringleaders who were essentially responsible for the misdeeds, false teachings, and false religions which were absorbed and imitated by humans on Earth. Not everything the leaders brought to Earth was evil, false, or criminal, however; many valuable items and ideas were presented to the Earthlings with regard to crafts, professions, philosophies, ways of thinking, medicine, technology, and many other things. This demonstrates that the 144,207 spirit forms of these ancient Lyrians and Vegans were not reincarnated on Earth by way of another planet - to further the evolution of Earth - and are not Pleiadians, but simply Lyrian and Vegan spirit forms. It was much later that the splinter, space-traveler , groups' descendants of Lyra and Vega called themselves Pleiadians. These splinter groups stayed away from Earth, while the other travelers from Lyra and Vega settled on Earth, only after suitable, habitable worlds in the Pleiades region had been discovered and settled. These worlds, however, just like the Lyra and Vega planets, are situated outside our space and time system in another dimension, a mere fraction of a second off our space/time dimension. The star cluster system of the Pleiades in our present time and space dimension supports no life whatsoever because it is still at a very early stage in its evolution. For this reason, it is understandable that the immigrants from Lyra and Vega, as well as the 144,207 leaders remained on Earth. In due course everyone died, only to be later reincarnated into human bodies on Earth, however, without any memory of their former lives. This is true for all human life forms whereby the Creative laws and commandments prevent chaos and confusion from entering the human way of thinking and feeling. Nonetheless, all these many fallibles who had come to Earth, were unified by an Jshwjsh, and were taught all required Creative laws, commandments, and other guidelines, etc. This union led the fallibles, in particular the 144,207 ringleaders, to declare their willingness to make amends (in later incarnations) for previously induced damages. Simultaneously, they drew up a codex for themselves and all followers, which provided for severest punishment of those who did not strive to make amends for their past mistakes, or who would not pursue the resulting mission. This codex was to be valid for all future times until the day the reparations were completed. Hence, the codex, with its purpose of fulfilling the mission of reparations is in effect to this day and will continue into the future. The ringleaders and their countless followers are all part of this agreement. In this new age, the supporters of the codex are regrouping once again, headed and led by the impulses of the reactivated codex, through the teachings of the Creative law and commandments, and with the help of the Pleiadians, who also feel responsible for the fulfillment of this mission. I, Eduard Albert Meier, called Billy, function as the mediator between the Pleiadians, the supporters of the codex, and the majority of Earthlings. I am doing this after having voluntarily placed myself at the disposal of this mission and task in ancient times, having a higher-developed spirit form, and having received the appropriate education. I must mention also, that from the facts and stories regarding the 144,207 ringleaders there evolved the false Christian-religious and sectarian legend concerning the alleged 144,000 chosen ones. This was accomplished by irresponsible sectarians who wanted to bind the faithful and other misguided followers to false religions, cults, and sects, in order to exploit them, in every way possible, to the last drop of blood. The Pleiadians distinguish between religion and spirituality. What do they mean by spirituality, what do they believe, what spiritual direction do they use, and what are their customs? The life of the Pleiadians, their thinking, feeling, emotions, and actions, etc., are exclusively directed to the knowledge of the existence of Creation, its truth in all matters, to the obedience of the true Creative laws, commandments, and related guidelines. The Pleiadians efforts are steadily following the smooth tracks of knowledge, love, truth, and wisdom, instead of the questionable, macabre, and enslaving religious beliefs which rob people of their spiritual freedom, and reek of evil and falsehood. Religion, in the current Earth-human sense of comprehension, is foreign to the Pleiadians. A creator-god, or whatever the various terrestrial cult religions call him, is a horror to the Pleiadians, and they consider the concept unrealistic. They can not understand why the Earth humans have not succeeded, despite all the efforts in that direction, in severing the cult-religious chains and finally taking upon themselves, through their own initiative and responsibility, the fate of their species; or in commencing with the long overdue commitment and fulfillment of the laws and commandments of Creation and the evolution. The path of life aims straight as an arrow through the hard-earned values of vast knowledge within the Creative guidelines, spiritual and technical matters, and wisdom and ability. The Pleiadians gained their knowledge through hard work and obedience to the truth of Creation, the power of the spirit, and the Creative laws and commandments which teach pure love of all things. With the help of the strengths and wise counsel from their Jshwjsh (JHWH), they have been able to sustain 50,000 years of ultimate peace amongst their peoples. The Pleiadians have been enjoying a wholesome spiritual life, and emphatically reject terrestrial religions due to their connotation of cult involvement, being illogical, against the laws of Creation, fake, and an enslavement of the consciousness. Their philosophy is based on the universal truth of Creation and life in the knowledge of Creation, and it is directed solely toward truth of existence and of being, as well as to the Creative laws and commandments, which in no way can be equated with a god. As the ultimate power, Creation embodies the universal consciousness and the spirit of the spirit, all truth, wisdom, and love, all logic, the laws and commandments and energies of life, of being, and of eternity. Creation, as universal self-awareness, is the source of life of all creations within its domain, which is to say, within its universe. This universe, furthermore, is one of 10 to the 49th power other individual universes, which exist in infinite number, infinite space, and infinite time, as part of the highest form of Creation - the Absolute Absolutum. Religion as the Earth human knows and pursues it, in the form of the adoration of a god, adoration of saints, and as faith in a god, is a horror to the Pleiadians. They consider this form of religion a blind faith based on cult activities, false teachings, lies, and other falsehoods. It is faith that can never be proven as true, and one which contradicts all the truthful and logical foundations of the Creative laws and commandments, and also defies intelligence. Religion embodies a deprivation of the spiritual freedom of the human being. Religion is also a brutal, criminal and exploitative enslavement of the human consciousness, reaching from total dependence, serfdom, and a lack of willpower all the way to uncontrolled fanaticism, mental illness, demonic obsession and utter idiocy. The spiritual life of a human being means, in simple terms, life in the spiritual recognition of, and obedience to, Creation, its laws and commandments. This alone is the guideline that the Pleiadians adhere to regarding a philosophy of life and a lifestyle tuned in to Creation. This must be the final goal for humans on Earth as well. Creation means the same as love, life, spirit, truth, wisdom, logic, and intelligence, built upon the Creative laws and commandments, which are valid and absolutely unchangeable for all time and eternity. Only a life form which recognizes, lives, and obeys the true knowledge of Creation, the spirit which results from it, and related laws and commandments of Creation, can live the true way and in accordance with Creation itself. This means that the life form is living with true knowledge of the truth and with the truth of Creation and spirit, in fulfillment of the Creative, natural laws and commandments which are valid universally, without any weird and false faith in illogical and anti-intelligent forms of belief. With your name, Mr. Meier, one associates, particularly in the USA, the debate concerning your fantastic photos and films. However, only a few people are inquiring into your message. What has gone wrong? The fact that something has gone awry with the dissemination of the Pleiadian messages is only part of the whole problem. At the same time, the actual mission for the dissemination of the truth concerning the Pleiadians, Lyrians, Vegans, humans on Earth and, especially, the spiritual teachings has been pushed far aside. This information became known only on an almost clandestine level. The teachings of Creation, the existence of Creation, the Creative laws, commandments, and guidelines became sidetracked as well, along with the messages and transmissions from higher levels of spiritual consciousness. The actual cause of the suppression of the truth regarding the Pleiadian mission can be placed primarily with the sensationalistic journalists from all branches of the media who, as a rule, did not dare to print the true meaning of the mission because they were themselves afraid of being attacked. Therefore, from the beginning of the mission the journalists have been intent only on creating one-sided UFO sensationalism, without drawing any attention to the actual importance of the mission. With UFO and ET information alone they could sell exciting stories of all types, either positive or negative for that matter. Until now this has not changed, since most branches of the media are still geared to sensationalism instead of reporting information and disseminating the facts of the mission. Of highest priority for the human life form in this mission is the truth of a universal-Creative philosophy, the existence of Creation, its laws and commandments, and the requirement that all forms of life, including humans, be solely responsible for their each and every thought and action. Only through a proper lifestyle can one live and exist to one's fullest potential; when one acknowledges the existence of a universal, all-encompassing Creation as the universal consciousness; through obedience to, and the use of, Creation's laws and commandments. The second explanation for the lack of a large-scale dissemination of the truth, the mission, and the messages can be found in the fact that an American, Lee Elders, had been given a commission to translate the texts of the messages and mission, etc., into English. They were supposed to be published at his publishing house, Genesis III, founded expressly for this purpose. However, Lee Elders failed thoroughly. Just like the journalists of the media, he only dwelled on the facts pertaining to the extraterrestrials and to my ascertainably unique films, slides, metal samples, and photo material, etc. It is indeed true, that he had scientific analyses made on my entire material, the films, slides, and photos which I had been permitted to take, and the metal samples which I had been given by the Pleiadians. Testing proved that all my material was absolutely genuine, was no fraud, and must be considered unique worldwide. The test reports, in turn, created "headaches" - especially for the sectarians and quasi-UFO researchers of all types in Germany, Switzerland, and in America, where the information had no place in their false, anti-truth concept. Lee Elders published two large-format, color, pictorial books with many of my beamship photos and corresponding texts, and disseminated them all over the world. However, he presented information in the books purely from the UFO angle, without mentioning the actual mission, spiritual aims, related texts, books, and messages. Hence, the importance of the mission remained completely neglected because the UFO ballyhoo alone created enough of a stir to make a profit. You have many enemies, also particularly in UFO circles. What do they have against you? The circles of today's so-called ufologists and contact persons consist mostly of people who do not wish to concern themselves with Ufology and truth on a responsible level. Instead, many pursue a bogus study of Ufology, bragging and lying about phony contacts, because they want to feed and satisfy their lust for sensationalism, their sectarianism, petty jealousies, know-it-all attitudes and pompousness, their inferiority complexes, and often enough their ego trips. In addition to these others are the alleged "blessed ones"; the god/saint/Jesus delegates; apostles; god and angel messengers; "chosen few"; channelers, and others with supposed extrasensory talents; enlightened ones; seers, revelators, and healers by their own grace, etc. These people are part of the world's population who manage to charm, exploit, and lie to the gullible and easily-swayed individuals all over the Earth. Truthfully, 99.979% of all of the allegations by these charlatans are based on deliberate fraud, lies, and deceit, including those purportedly contacted by UFOs, ETs, by those on the "other" side, and from other dimensions. These fabrications may also originate from chronic or sporadic schizophrenia or similar mental illnesses. Indeed, of 1 million claims concerning contacts, enlightenment, being the chosen ones, transmission of messages, and so forth, only 203 are communications of truth and reality, while 999,797 of 1 million claims are deceptions and lies of some sort or another. My enemies are jealous of my contacts with the Pleiadians and feel they would have been a far superior contact person in comparison to me. However, generally they are not only poorly informed about me and my contacts, but also they really do not have a clue as to the related mission and the existence and functioning of spiritual levels, energies, laws and commandments, as well as to their truth and mode of action. Not to mention that they do not have the vaguest idea regarding the existence of Creation, its laws and commandments, or the correlation between Creation, the spirit, and the various levels and life forms. These enemies do not consider that my contacts have not only entailed fame (for which they are lusting with all their egos) but also serious problems, e.g., altogether 11 (as of 1998, there have been 13) assassination attempts, which have been led against me. Furthermore, these people do not consider that they would be treated with the same hostility they are now showing me. Most of all, they neglect to even contemplate that I have not only been connected with the mission and its fulfillment for many decades, but for numerous earlier lives; that I have been previously instructed in the elements of strict discipline; that I have had to educate myself in years of toil, with outside help; and that I have had to be able to take over this mission at the designated time, to carry it forward, and to fulfill it. My enemies see only that they cannot play a role in this mission no matter how hard they try. This stirs their envy and hatred on one hand, their frustrations on the other, for they themselves cannot publicize their crazy and wild speculations and sectarian whims on a grand scale. It should be noted, however, that I have no enemies whatsoever in all those many groups of seriously interested people who, with honest and enthusiastic intent, deal with UFO matters and teachings. Furthermore, they envy my UFO photographs of beamships (verified to be the best in the world), films, slides, metal and crystal samples, etc., and call them fakes. This is consistently the case with pseudo-scientists, dishonest critics, and all those who do not want to accept the truth, for sectarian, religious, political, pseudo-scientific, or other reasons. A further cause for animosity toward me is the fact that I uncover frauds, liars, schizophrenics, psychopaths, and cheats when they discuss UFOs, contacts with extraterrestrials, contacts with those on the "other side" and in other dimensions. Animosity also occurs with channelers who are considered "blessed", and other superfreaks, etc. I distance myself from these people, and am not afraid to talk with frankness about my knowledge and experiences with them. Of course, all of the frauds, liars, and cheats now maintain that they are part of those 203 of 1 million who are telling the truth, but they do not realize that they are digging themselves even deeper into their lies. Many famous people came to see you, such as Shirley McLaine, Hermann van Veen, and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, among others. What did they want to know and what did you pass along to them? The reasons why famous people visit me are different from one person to the next. Some people want to see me because they are hoping to reconfirm their personal philosophies, while others come with an honest, personal interest in the mission, the teachings, and contacts. Others visit me hoping they can tie in their sectarian and false assumptions with the truthful spiritual teachings, to gain more importance for themselves in front of others. Shirley McLaine came to the center for a 5-day visit, from October 2-7, 1981. She had with her Solo, a dark skinned man, Lee Elders, and his wife. During this time she really plied me daily, for several hours, with questions concerning my mission, the Creative and spiritual teachings, universal philosophy, the spiritual and Creative laws and commandments, along with their mode of action and reaction, and so forth. She very neatly wrote down everything we discussed, including all my teachings, and recorded them on audiotape at the same time. She published her subsequent book, Out on a Limb apparently stimulated by my teachings and the long, weighty disclosures. However, she did not stick whatsoever to the information, truths, and teachings. Instead, she grossly changed and falsified the teachings and the truth until, ultimately, it had no resemblance to the Creative truth and spiritual teachings anymore. The teaching became pure fantasy, born from sources that are on a collision course with the truth. They are founded on complete ignorance of the truth because they stem from widely-spread sectarian false teachings. After having made many wild claims, it appears, Shirley McLaine had second thoughts and felt uneasy about them, but did not have the courage to tell the truth and to describe her experiences the way they really took place. With a great deal of imagination, she not only changed my name and the location of our conversations and teachings in her book to South America, but gave me a Spanish-sounding, false name. She blew the conversations and proffered teachings out of proportion until they became an untrue, unreal story. It seems she was driven by an urge for fame beyond death. She dreamed up alleged knowledge and information, teachings concerning the spirit lessons, rebirth, and former lives, which have no basis in the Creative-spiritual truth or any truth. I did not give her the slightest hint regarding any of her previous lives, personalities she might have been, or spirit form. Such claims are purely fictional. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a well-known doctor from Switzerland now living in the United States, who visited me for one afternoon with her sister, has a similar attitude as Shirley McLaine. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross came with a preconceived sectarian conviction, like Shirley McLaine, regarding god, reincarnation, life after death, etc., and it appears that she was hoping I would corroborate her faith in the prevailing format. She apparently was trying to amalgamate her false, religion-oriented, untenable conclusions concerning previous lives, life after death, and a spirit guide who is directing her, with the spirit teachings to get a solid foundation for her ghost stories. This attempt failed thoroughly, because the truth is, and remains, the truth for all eternity. Truth cannot be adjusted to some crazy ideas, visions, intrigues or false teachings and cannot be intermingled with them. The only prominent visitor amongst those who contacted me, who obtained all texts and information without later bartering them off or somehow falsifying them, is Hermann van Veen. In the songs he composes one finds an honest and sincere engagement and exposition of spiritual teachings, truth, the Creative laws and commandments, and life. He is one of the few famous people, of the many who contacted me, who cannot be accused of any negative, reprehensible actions regarding the misuse of the teachings, truth, etc. The difference between a well-known personality and another so-called normal person is, that it is much easier for the celebrity to present his/her false or correct opinion to the broad public, and that the public will believe him or her quicker, and to a greater extent, than would be the case with a "regular" mortal. I can only give celebrities of this world the same message which I have offered to all others: it concerns the teachings of the existence of Creation, the spirit, and the Creative laws and commandments which lead towards true humanitarianism through truth, nature, spiritual teachings, peace, freedom, love, wisdom, and knowledge, via the meaning and purpose of life, guiding us towards the goal of all evolution which is the fulfillment of life, the perfection of all teachings, and oneness with the Creative spirit. 10th Question There are now all types of reports concerning extraterrestrial activities and contacts, e.g., with the "Ashtar-Commando", UMMO, or the "Galactic Union". What do the Pleiadians have to say about that? All reports and claims of alleged contacts by humans on Earth with extraterrestrials of the so-called "Galactic Union", a group called UMMO, or with the notorious ASHTAR-Commando, are lies, fraud, deceptions, and schizophrenic delusions, as is the case with any kind of channeling and further countless horror stories of alleged contacts. Of a million allegations on alleged contacts with extraterrestrials and beings from other dimensions, etc., only 203 are consistent with the truth - in other words, there is approximately 1 real contact per 5000 false claims. There is a sure way to distinguish truthfulness in these reports: anything that is based on religious, not to mention sectarian messages, is a lie, deception, schizophrenia, or the fantasy of a sick mind. True love and the spiritual teachings know of no religion (in our cult-religious interpretation), but only of the all-encompassing, all-universal valid truths of Creation and the spirit. Regarding Ashtar Sheran, I would like to say that his name on Earth is a pseudonym for the extraterrestrial rebel and criminal ARUSEAK who, in earlier times, was already operating on Earth with his unlawful, criminal activities. A long time ago, Lyrian, Vegan, and Pleiadian security forces stripped him of any technical and spiritual means of travel in other dimensions, irretrievably distant, and exiled him, so neither he nor his henchmen could get into contact with Earth, Earth humans, or any other life form in our space/time mode, in material or spiritual form. Today Aruseak alias Ashtar Sheran and his followers have tasks which are defined, guided, and monitored by Pleiadians, Lyrians, and Vegans. These tasks, however, do not involve any activities or contacts on Earth. (Aruseak alias Ashtar Sheran was killed in 1983, when he attacked Asket's people in the DAL Universe!) All contradictory claims are lies, fantasies, deception, schizophrenia, etc. If you had to paraphrase the Pleiadian message in a few words what would it be? A turnaround toward a true lifestyle, in harmony with the Creative laws and commandments and guidelines, has to be effected by and for humans on Earth so they can turn their backs on the misguided, false lifestyles and false philosophies which had been given to them by the ancient Lyrians and Vegans. Humans must also halt their degeneration in all areas of evil, their deplorable state of affairs, false religions, and aberrations of all types, etc., which they so willingly, cheerfully, irresponsibly, and carelessly have embraced. The answer to an unasked question What aptitudes and prerequisites must one possess for establishing contact with the Pleiadians, higher spirit forms, and for the fulfillment of the mission? One's pursuit of the noble and difficult task of realizing the Mission consists of a solid base of contacts with the extraterrestrials, with beings of other superior spiritual levels, in comparison to ours and, as well, with even higher spiritual levels. At the same time one must serve as a harbinger, cognizing and disseminating the truth and, additionally, be prepared for the duties of accepting other extremely important tasks. These tasks require that anyone carrying forth the Mission have a very high level of moral rectitude and maturity. Of prime importance is the prerequisite that one has absolute integrity and loyalty to the Mission, Creation, its laws and commandments, and to other human beings. In addition to these two outstanding characteristics one must possess the indispensable traits of trustworthiness, discretion, responsibility, the ability to focus on a particular goal and pursue it, and a sound, upright character. Very important, likewise, are one's faithfulness to Creation, its laws and commandments, and to its spiritual guidelines, duties, and realities. Equally important are the general tasks, pertaining to the evolution of mankind, that have been selected by Creation for the benefit of human beings. It is essential that one possess these traits, along with an unswerving commitment and a total, faithful, daily implementation of all the laws of Creation, its commandments, guidelines, duties, and rights. These tasks must serve as a model for all human beings and must be applicable to the human material-body life form in every imaginable situation. The willingness and determination for one's fulfillment of the required obligations are based upon one's reverence for Creation, the duties and tasks it has designated for human beings, and the universal love toward every Creation and, indeed, all their creations. The willingness and determination then form the indispensable base upon which further characteristics, qualifications, and requirements rest when one takes on the Mission as a prophet and herald. Other essential traits relating to one's fulfillment of the Mission and to the personal realization of the laws and commandments of Creation, include total fearlessness, integrity, steadfastness and patience, compassion and leniency, enormous tactfulness, empathy, extensive inner greatness, and modesty in all areas where one has an interest. Without having these personal and characteristic qualities, it is incomprehensible for anyone to consider, even remotely, an attempt to fulfill the Mission. Should one lack, or not have fully developed, by chance, any of these traits, there is far too great a danger of being incapable of withstanding the hostilities directed against oneself. Not only are the doubts about one's personal loyalty and integrity a part of this persecution, but there are also direct and indirect attacks on one's life and honor as a Mission bearer. There are, too, numerous means and occasions for others to sweet-talk, wheedle, or blackmail secrets and very important knowledge from one, at a time when Earth humans are not yet prepared for this information, nor will they be for a long time to come. Therefore, by inadvertently divulging this knowledge one can actually cause severe harm and, possibly, even induce the complete destruction of the Earth. These extremely distinguished human and personal attributes and strengths are enhanced and magnified through one's never ending desire for greater knowledge, one's quest to explore the unknown, and one's willingness to learn new concepts. These attributes are extremely important as they pertain to the spiritual and universal-creative laws and commandments, to knowledge, and to all life experiences, and to the resulting conclusions one draws from them for further knowledge. One's willingness to learn, and to direct one's intelligence first and foremost to spiritual and creative questions, is infinitely superior to that of learning and studying at the material-intelligence level, such as the levels required of scientists and research technicians in the course of their material-body activities. One's intelligence and zest for learning must have already evolved to an elevated level, wherefrom can spring forth one's ability to assimilate in detail the highest creative and spiritual truths, the various universal-creative and spiritual guidelines, doctrines and commandments, and the laws of nature, wisdom and truths. One must have the fortitude to determine all these things without the help from any other human beings, be that from their knowledge or expertise, or from information gleaned from books. One's quest to learn also encompasses the autodidactic study of all abnormalities of human behavior; the illnesses affecting the consciousness; and possible consequences of delusions, manias, sporadic and chronic changes of the consciousness, including schizophrenia, etc. One must ascertain these problems, and bring them to light without being influenced by corruption or competition, as when they are used to gain unfair advantage. All zeal to learn, however, is useless without one's clear vision of human beings, their motives for taking certain actions, and one's closeness to reality with complete self-control of thought and consciousness. The self-control one possesses must be self-evident and can only be gained through arduous self-scrutiny, where every iota of one's thoughts is kept completely safe and under control, regardless of outside influences. One must not allow even the minutest negative vibration of thought and emotion to radiate or become noticeable to others in any way. A totally neutral, unbiased attitude towards all forms of life at all times must be achieved, which, ultimately, becomes one's second nature. Self-control, accompanied by the complete mastery of primary and mental telepathy, is the foremost requirement one must possess before becoming a suitable contactee for the Pleiadians and other higher spirit forms. Compared to Earth beings, the Pleiadians are advanced in their spiritual development by approximately 30 million years and, therefore, they are far superior in all aspects of human evolution as well. For example, they have mastered primary telepathy, which Earth humans are only now just beginning to discover and learn. The Pleiadians are occupied by, and make use of, the infinite reaches of higher levels of mental telepathy. The Pleiadians' mental vibrations also have a high frequency and intensity mainly due to their superior evolution, their extensive spiritual education, and their faithfulness to the laws of Creation. This often results in their being unable to contact Earth beings, whose development runs parallel to normal terrestrial evolution. When on Earth, the Pleiadians find themselves assaulted by the basic and crude vibrations of Earth humans, which can cause unanticipated consequences to the space travelers' bodies and lives. Moreover, the Pleiadians would be considered irresistible magnets by Earth humans, who, because of the strong attraction, could fall into total servitude and dependency upon them. Pleiadians have an instant intolerance towards the average Earth humans' vibrations. If contacts were to take place with unprepared Earth humans, they would develop a strong dependency upon Pleiadians. Earth humans would adopt a one-sided urge to fulfill the laws and the commandments of Creation, and this would entail going far beyond the capacity of Earth humans' tolerance levels. Unfortunately, Earth humans are not capable of fending off the magnetism that would pull them towards this harmony with Creation, since humans, at this moment in time, are sorely unprepared for it. Earth humans possess few, if any, of the qualities that are indispensable for the bearer of the Mission. Earthlings have not yet developed the appropriate attributes that would provide them with the required strength to counteract complete surrender to the Pleiadians, who enjoy far superior spirit levels. However, by surrendering to the Extraterrestrials in this manner, Earth humans would become complete strangers within their own environment and would be, therefore, unable to survive on Earth. From these facts it becomes evident that a specific and extremely harsh and grueling education is required for those of us on the planet Earth, whose spirit forms have been chosen to carry forth the Mission by the Pleiadians and their advanced advisors. In fact, a few Earth humans have already been selected to function as contactees. This has transpired because of their past spirit-form experience over thousands of years, and through their proven reliability in handling similar Missions while in former lives. As part of the performance of their contactee tasks, the selected Earth humans have the duty of conveying and disseminating truth while, at the same time, carrying out other duties for the fulfillment of the Mission. Only one human being, whose spirit form was called Nokodemjon before returning to the material world from the spirit level of Arahat Athersata, has the prerogative of accepting the duties for the Mission's fulfillment. Interestingly, these duties were bestowed on him in very ancient times, so as to allow him to fulfill them now. In the truest sense of the word he can call himself prophet before all those other Earth humans, who have embarked on similar tasks and missions. FIGU.org Retrieved from "http://www.futureofmankind.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Interview_with_Billy_(1988)&oldid=6935"	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line155
__label__wiki	0.616197	0.616197	MONTACUTE TV RADIO TOY MUSEUM COUNTRY TEAROOMS AND B&B Inspiration for the Museum Opening Times and Prices Step into the Tardis! Superhero & Sci-fi TV & Radio Appearances Mini Film Home Made & Local Produce B & B /Self catering B&B Rooms The Village of Montacute S.G. Hulme Beaman Where is it Published? lHalf term Halloween Spooktacular Half Term Halloween Spooktacular By James Carnac The original manuscript, written in the 1920s, was discovered here and claims to be the memoirs of Jack the Ripper himself. How Was The Original Manuscript Discovered? My name is Alan Hicken and I own and run Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum. Montacute is a charming quintessential English village deep in the heart of rural South Somerset. How on earth then should a manuscript of such historical interest land up here miles away from the gas lit murky alleyways of the East End of London of 1888 where a series of horrendous murders occurred? Back in January 2008 I was contacted by a lady inquiring whether or not I would be interested in purchasing for the museum the memorabilia of her late uncle Sydney, known as S.G. Hulme-Beaman. He was born in 1887 and died in 1932. He became known in the 1920s as a versatile book illustrator; also for producing a daily cartoon strip called Philip & Phido in a national paper and for the creation of ‘Tales of Toytown’, broadcast regularly on the BBC staring his most notable creation Larry the Lamb. In these episodes, he played the part of Dennis the Dachshund, as he was also a talented actor. He wrote a number of children’s booklets about various endearing naughty animals. The lady gave me a list of the items, it comprised some of her late uncles original work and other material. I told her that I would be most interested in purchasing them. After arriving at a price she duly packed them into a cardboard box and sent them to the museum. On the parcels arrival I eagerly opened up the cardboard box and examined the contents against the inventory. I was delighted with the contents that included original paintings of Larry the Lamb and The Tales of Toytown with hand carved bandsmen and soldiers, and various other items. Then right at the bottom of the box was an unpublished manuscript, This had remained hidden away since the 1920s. Later that evening I began reading the manuscript and it immediately made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and goose bumps appeared on my body. For probably the first time in nearly 100 years this manuscript had seen the light of day, now it is here published for you to read.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line158
__label__cc	0.734083	0.265917	mail@marioneaton.com Mysterious Marsh Faraway Lands Here’s a gift Amber Foxx’s Interview with M.L. Eaton: Part 1 by admin \| 25 Mar 2015 \| New Events and Discount Days \| 0 comments Interview with M.L. Eaton: The Mysterious Marsh This entry was posted on March 24, 2015 and tagged conventions in mystery, legal thriller, M.L. Eaton, mystery, mystical mystery, Romney Marsh, When the Clocks Stopped. Bookmark thepermalink. Leave a comment In my post a few weeks ago on the conventions in mystery, I mentioned a fascinating book that breaks many of them, When the Clocks Stopped by M.L. Eaton. This mystical mystery takes place in the village of Rype-on Marsh in the south of England. Lawyer Hazel Dawkins is anticipating some peaceful time off before the birth of her first child. When she agrees to a little part-time work, she finds herself drawn into troubling events in the lives of her clients—and in the past. The distant past. Mysteriously, she encounters Annie, a woman who lived more than two centuries ago when Rype-on Marsh was a violent place, dominated by gangs of smugglers. With multiple layers of both time and crime, it’s an amazing and original tale. I’m happy to have Marion Eaton as my guest today. In late April we’ll be doing a ten-day sale and a three-book give-away together with a third mystical mystery author, the innovative Australian writer Virginia King. We’ve enjoyed each other’s work and are excited to introduce our readers to books we think they’ll also enjoy. Retired from legal practice and semi-retired from holistic therapy—although she still teaches Reiki and other workshops—Marion lives close to the sea in the beautiful East Sussex countryside with a long-suffering husband, a lazy saluki and an urge to write into the small hours. MLE: Thanks so much for your interest in my book and particularly for thinking up all these wonderful questions. I‘m really looking forward to answering them, so I’m going to dive straight in …. AF: Your book is historical at two levels, being set in 1976 and slipping in time to 1747. To what extent is it based on real historical events? MLE: I had to smile when I read this … because I remember many events of 1976 perfectly and it doesn’t seem like a historical period. But, of course it is! I think perhaps it is best for me to come clean from the start. The book was originally going to be a memoir of the first year when I set up in practice on my own account as a country solicitor (attorney). I’m sure you can guess the date? 1976. I had written a few chapters— very badly and in very stilted language, because after all, I was a lawyer— when I suddenly found myself writing something far more exciting and definitely inaccurate. Not a memoir at all. I stopped and thought about it for a minute or two and then decided that I might as well enjoy myself. Who would be interested in the memoir of a country solicitor, anyway? But hidden away in my memory were a lot of interesting stories that I had encountered around that time. It seemed second nature to stitch them into the story. So the short answer is yes, the story is based on real historical events of 1976. Later, when Annie came into the story, she arrived complete with her own personality and history. It was then that I had to do considerable research to check that the background and events surrounding her in 1747 were as accurate as possible. AF: I like the fact that the mysterious phenomena in your book happen to people who have no expectation of them, no belief that such things are possible or that time is anything but a linear march. Have you ever had even a hint of this kind of mystical experience? If not, what’s the origin of this aspect of the story? MLE: When I was a child, my mother used to tell me stories of when she was a little girl. Many of them had to do with her experience of ghosts and other psychic phenomena. I always longed to have similar experiences but I was a sensible, pragmatic child and despite all my efforts nothing similar ever seemed to happen to me. Until, one day I was looking over a house … and the rest is in the story! AF: Did you set out to write a murder-less mystery? There’s crime and deception in your book, but this isn’t the standard whodunit. How conscious were you of breaking some of the conventions of the mystery genre, while keeping others? MLE: To be honest, I didn’t actually give much thought to genre when I was writing the book. As I’ve mentioned, I was writing for the sheer joy of writing and the mystery evolved naturally. I suppose that as a lawyer it was my bread-and-butter work to solve problems and difficulties so that was a good starting point. The book had to be interesting for me, as well as for my readers. But in the end I had little choice: my characters fleshed themselves out and made their own decisions about the story! AF: Tell me about your research concerning the eighteenth century smugglers. Did you do it in the Romney Marsh area? How did you go about reconstructing the speech of the time and place? Is Annie’s role in the Owlers unusual? MLE: I still live near Romney Marsh. This part of Britain (Kent and East Sussex) is wreathed in history and we are fortunate in having great local museums and local history societies, all of which were very helpful both in giving information and pointing me in the direction of contemporary accounts and records of smugglers. I have always been fascinated by local and family history and my forebears have lived in this part of the world for generations, so I was brought up on tales from the past. Being close to the continent of Europe, for hundreds of years smuggling was a way of life for many people in this area. (Indeed, only yesterday, there was an item on the news about the foiling of a smuggling gang at Dover, very close to the Marsh). I have no doubt that, then as now, it was a raw and violent occupation and there were many criminal gangs involved, but over the centuries it has become as romanticized as Robin Hood. Smugglers called themselves ‘Gentlemen Free Traders’ and at one time in the eighteenth century practically the whole local community was involved one way or the other. It was the ‘Preventatives’—Government enforcement officers—who were seen as ‘the baddies’. It was Annie herself who spoke to me of her role in the Owlers, but from the accounts and tales of the rival gangs of smugglers it is clear that women were often involved. Although most acted as signalers, lookouts and scouts, there were others who worked alongside their men in landing smuggled goods from the boats. On a personal note, I remember my own grandfather telling me how his father would sometimes warn him that he might hear unusual sounds in the night and if he did, to stay in his bed and put his head under the pillow. And always, the next morning there would be strange horses in the stable in place of their own horses. But beneath a stack of hay would be found a small barrel of brandy or a bolt of silk cloth. The horses would be returned a day or two later, when the other horses would also be returned to their owners. I was lucky to have contemporary records to help me with reconstructing the speech of the time, and also to recall the local Kentish accent that surrounded me in my childhood. It’s rather sad that such accents are now fast disappearing from common use, but some of the older people in the area still speak in the same way. AF: The village life and scenery is beautifully portrayed, with vivid details of the buildings and gardens. I’ve never been to a small English village but your book made me feels as if I had. The architecture in Rype-on-Marsh is integral to the plot. How did you work this in? I’m curious to know if there are places that served as models, or this was a blend of reality and invention. MLE: I’m thrilled that you were able to identify with the area and town in When the Clocks Stopped. To me, as to many others who live there, Romney Marsh has its own very distinct identity—almost its own character—and there’s no doubt at all in my mind that the town on which I based Rype-in-the-Marsh also has its own personality. Both the Marsh and the town feel to me to be a huge part of the story, as well as the history that surrounds them. I did embroider details onto the fabric of the town, the most significant being the King’s Ditch, but most of the description of the town and its building and streets are accurate enough to be recognizable to local people. There really are dikes crisscrossing the Marsh as well as secret passages centering on the church. AF: Thank you so much for taking time for all these questions. MLE: No, it is I who should thank you, Amber. It’s been lovely to talk to you and very kind of you to give time and space to this interview. I particularly appreciate it because I love your books and can’t wait to finish the Mae Martin series. On the other hand, I don’t want to as I’ve become very fond of her! You’ll just have to keep writing … AF: I will. You won’t run out of my books. And from the length of your to-do list, I can happily predict I won’t run out of your books either. M.L. Eaton’s web site: http://www.marioneaton.com Her books are available in e-book and paperback: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DTV52PK Amber’s post on conventions in mystery: https://amberfoxxmysteries.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/stop-talking-and-shoot-the-guy Three Mystical Mysteries – Book Giveaway and Sale Where Truth and Imagination Impact B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Interview with Author M.L. Eaton © Marion Eaton 2017 Subscribe to my readers’ list to be the first to hear of new books Form action Subscribe Cover Illustrations 1. Paul Pilon: Mysterious Marsh Series 2. David Hobbs: Soliciting from Home Laura Barber www.ellebee.co.uk Images courtesy of: www.freeimages.co.uk www.stockphoto.co.uk www.pixabay.com	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line160
__label__cc	0.617445	0.382555	Lions Tickets Detroit Lions Schedule « Lions at Vikings Friday Injury Report Lions at Vikings Week Three Inactives » Lions vs. Vikings Preview September 24th, 2011 Anthony Kuehn Posted in Features, Game Previews, Opinions The Lions used the end of the 2010 season to exorcise several of their demons. The road losing streak, the divisional opponent losing streak and ending their streak of not winning consecutive games. Coming into 2011, the Lions still have two streaks alive and well that need exorcising too. The Lions haven’t beaten the Packers on the road since 1991 and the Vikings on the road since 1997. The Lions get the opportunity to end their road woes against the Vikings this week, while adding another game to their current win streak. Despite the Packers being the best team in the division over the last several years, the Vikings are the bullies. They have a couple good years and talk trash about everybody and then slink away when they get put in their place. The Lions have taken the brunt of the bullying, especially from Paul Allen, the Vikings play by play announcer. Nobody will ever forget his shot at the Lions in the NFC Championship Game when Favre threw his traditional season ending interception against the Saints. The Lions helped silence Mr. Allen by stuffing his foot in his mouth last December, beating the Vikings 24-17 and sending the Vikings to last place in the division. The Vikings built their team around making a championship run in the short term when they felt they were loaded with talent and just lacking a quarterback. Brett Favre gave them a typical Brett season in 2009 with a dominating regular season and postseason meltdown and the Vikings thought they’d bounce back in 2010 and take the next step. Instead they found they didn’t have nearly as good a team as they thought and Favre fell apart behind a terrible offensive line and lack of talent everywhere but running back. The Vikings are now paying the piper for their short term approach, and the Lions are trying to capitalize on their long term approach to building a team by going to 3-0 for the first time since 1980. The Vikings possessed one of the better defenses in the league the last few years due to their dominating defensive line. The Vikings strength took a hit this offseason when they lost DE Ray Edwards to Atlanta and Pat Williams to suspension/retirement. Brian Robison replaces Edwards and Remi Ayodele replaces Williams. Jared Allen returns as well as Kevin Williams who returns from suspension this week. The Lions are bracing for the return of Williams, but he will not be as big a factor as usual because he is not in football shape yet. The Lions offense has some great matchups with a weak back seven for the Vikings. MLB EJ Henderson is a solid player, but he is much better against the run than the pass. Chad Greenway is a top 10 OLB and has a knack for big plays, he will have his hands full with covering Jahvid Best or the tight ends tomorrow. Antoine Winfield is on the decline, but he’s still the best player in the secondary for the Vikings. He is tough and physical, but he gives up a ton of size and speed to Calvin Johnson and will face a difficult task when CJ lines up across from him. I expect the Lions to do more of what they have been doing so far this season, use the pass game to build a lead and then spread the field and run the ball in the second half to grind the pace of the game down. The Lions are aware of the problems that the noise in the Metrodome can cause, so they definitely want to be aggressive early and take the crowd out of the game early. Kieland Williams got his first action in garbage time last week against the Chiefs and he looked good. With Best and Jerome Harrison struggling to gain the tough yards in obvious running situations look for Williams workload to increase each week. Maurice Morris hasn’t played since Week 1 when he fumbled twice while recovering from a broken hand, if he has gotten the strength back he may replace Williams on the active roster. The Vikings pass rush is nowhere near as fearsome as it was in years past, so don’t expect the Lions to game plan around it as much. The Lions definitely will try to exploit Jared Allen’s aggressiveness with draws and screens, but without Edwards and Williams coming from the other side, offenses can slide protection Allen’s way. The Vikings are tied with the Lions with four sacks, but they haven’t been getting as consistent pressure and forcing turnovers as well as in the past. The Vikings are allowing a staggering 69.6% completion to their opponents, but they actually rank in the middle of the pack in pass defense. They are allowing a lot of completions underneath, but have been tackling well and avoiding the big plays. Nate Burleson’s run after the catch ability and CJ’s immense talent will challenge the tackling of the Vikings secondary. Obviously everything starts with Adrian Peterson, who has been a Lion killer since he was drafted in 2006. Peterson had a huge week against the Bucs last week, and the Vikings rank 3rd in the league in rushing right now. The Lions were plagued with poor linebacker play for several years and look no further than the Adrian Peterson highlights from those games. You frequently see Peterson break through the line and run freely into the secondary where they basically bounce off him or chase him down after he built up a head of steam without being slowed down by the linebackers. The Lions have improved significantly against the run, but they are still allowing 4.6 yards per carry. The Lions gave up a lot of yardage last week on end arounds and rushing plays on the edges, which could pose a problem with Peterson’s speed and Percy Harvin’s versatility. The Lions generally are willing to concede some of that yardage because they want to attack the quarterback and they don’t want to lose that aggressiveness by worrying too much about the run. That strategy may have to be tempered a little when facing one of the best backs in the league. The Vikings want to establish the run and use play action passes off of the focus on the run, but if they are gashing teams on the ground they will stick with it. The Lions match up well against the Vikings passing game, especially Donovan McNabb. McNabb is most comfortable throwing downfield and gets flustered easily by a strong pass rush. This was evident last year when he was with the Redskins and the Lions sacked him several times and he was eventually benched. The Vikings lack any true receiving threat other than Percy Harvin who is more of a threat after the catch rather than a deep threat. The Lions will continue to do what they do on the defensive line and attack the Vikings weak line. The Vikings are 31st in the league in passing, 27th in yards per attempt, 26th in completion percentage and 30th in quarterback rating. It’s no mystery why the Lions want to build an early lead and force the Vikings to pass. Wild Card: The wild card is the Lions linebackers vs Adrian Peterson. The Vikings really need Peterson to set the tone and have a lot of success on the ground to slow the pace of the game down and keep it close. The Lions linebackers are drastically improved over last year, but they had a rough week against the Chiefs. Whoever wins this matchup, should have an edge in establishing the pace of the game and ultimately who is in control of the game. The Vikings held leads going into halftime in both games this season and blew both of them. Their awful passing game allows defenses to focus on Peterson and they become too predictable as a result. The defense does what they can while the offense controls the clock, but eventually the dam bursts and they are just over matched. The Chargers’ offense shredded the secondary and they scored 17 unanswered points in the second half. I imagine this game will be similar with a close first half before the Lions’ offense overwhelms a struggling Vikings defense. Subscribe to Lions Gab via RSS Feed or E-mail and receive daily news updates from us! Tags: calvin johnson, Matthew Stafford, Minnesota Vikings Lions to Chat with Saints Assistant/TE Coach Dan Campbell About Coaching Position Could the Lions Move on From QB Stafford This Offseason? 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__label__wiki	0.689099	0.689099	Home/Talon/Archive/A family tradition This story was named a National Winner in the Sports category of the 2008 American Society of Newspaper Editors, Quill and Scroll International Writing & Photo Contest. admin December 1, 2010 Archive, Talon 197 Views Note: This story was named a National Winner in the Sports category of the 2008 American Society of Newspaper Editors, Quill and Scroll International Writing & Photo Contest. Katie Detlefsen looks to her family for support as her golf success continues by Alana Patrick Two bursts of light glare into the shadows of a black road, as the rumble of an engine curves through the pre-dawn silence. It is a little before 5 a.m., in the summer of 1999. After a 45 minute drive, the car stops at the Links at Northfork golf course and a 10-year-old girl and her older brother scramble out from the back seat. They sling two sets of golf clubs over their shoulders, their father following suit. By the time they have teed off, it is 5:30, and the sun has finally begun to blink over the abandoned stretches of grass. A few hours later, the last putt is made at hole 18. The two kids jump back in the car. As the green fades in the rearview mirror, the 12-year- old boy scrambles with buttons and shoelaces. A green and blue “Wildcats” jersey replaces his polo, and by the time they arrive at the baseball diamond at 9 a.m., he is ready to play. Throughout the daylong tournament, his sister is there to cheer. For Minnehaha Academy senior golfer Katie Detlefsen and her older brother, Erik, this was a Saturday morning routine. Why? The two wanted the chance to golf together before Erik’s weekly baseball game began. Today, Katie is known across Minnesota for her numerous awards and record-breaking matches; this week she has the chance to become the first high- school golfer in Minnesota to win four consecutive state championships. She is grateful for the honors and attention, but they are not what she treasures most. “My favorite moments are the times I get to share golf with other people, especially my family,” Katie said. “[When Erik caddies for me] I am doing something I really like, but I’m also getting to spend time with him.” Golf has always been incorporated into the Detlefsen family’s life. Both of her parents, as well as Erik, now age 20, and her 13-year-old sister, Sara, thrive on the course. Katie first held a golf club at about age three and began competing in tournaments when she was eight. Also involved in dance, basketball and saxophone, golf was not her main focus until middle school. “Around 6th or 7th grade, she really developed a desire, a passion for…playing her sport well,” said Katie’s father, Glenn Detlefsen. “Probably one of the reasons that she’s been real successful is she has an inner drive or inner desire to be successful.” At the time, Katie went to Eastview Middle School in Apple Valley and played golf for the high-school team. “I really liked the competition, and I thought if I can put the work into this I think I’ll be able to get a lot better,” said Katie. “From there I really did invest the extra time and really started trying to improve.” Erik was then a member of Minnehaha’s varsity golf team. When Katie transferred to Minnehaha in 9th grade, her brother and biggest influence was a senior. That year, both siblings competed in the Class A golfstate championships. “I think [Erik] being involved in competitive golf…was part of what got me more interested in it,” Katie said. “I don’t know that I would have done it otherwise.” She went a bit beyond getting “more interested”—she won the state championship with a 36-hole score of 142, breaking the Class A girls record by five strokes. By state level standards, it was an easy win. On the same day, Erik placed 9th, his best finish in three years competing at the state championships. “Erik was a good leader for Katie,” said Glenn Detlefsen. “She needed him when she was younger to get around and get places, but I think she found that he was more than just someone to help her meet her goals. [Erik] was actually someone who could help be a real positive influence in her life. Katie was able to learn from some of Erik’s successes and limitations [about] becoming the best you can be.” Katie went on to repeat as state champion as a sophomore, winning with 143 strokes. As a junior, she shot 140 strokes, breaking the record she had set as a freshman and becoming the third Minnesota girl golfer to win three consecutive titles. Meanwhile, Erik played golf at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Despite the distance, the family managed to stay in touch. “I see [my family in Minnesota] over Christmastime, over Thanksgiving, and over Easter,” said Erik. “But because [they visit] in Florida with me I see them quite a bit compared to most college students who go to school a couple hundred or a couple thousand miles away from their family.” He sees Katie more often—about once a month—when she flies to Orlando to work with top ranked LPGA superstar Annika Sorenstam’s fitness trainer, Kai Susser. When the whole family visits Florida, Katie and her siblings manage to find the time to be together on the golf course. “Whenever we go golfing, we always go together,” said Erik. “We’ll entertain each other when we start getting bored, but generally golf is entertaining enough for us.” Erik also spends time with Katie when he caddies for her, or she for him. Having her role model close and supportive makes her more at ease, Katie said. Although one of a caddie’s jobs is to give advice, when Erik caddies he said he rarely needs to do this. “Katie’s obviously got a pretty good handle on how to play really good golf, and so in a lot of ways I’m mostly there to carry her bags for her,” Erik said. “At the same time, everybody gets nervous, and it’s nice for her because I help her stay comfortable. As Katie has grown from freshman to senior, her fierce work ethic in all areas of her life has driven her success. By waking before school to scrub toilets and wash windows in her dad’s office, she paid part of her tuition at MA. Her drive for academic achievements propelled her into taking college classes through the Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO) and finishing school at MA with a 4.0 GPA. As a golfer, she was one of 12 girls selected nationally for the Hewlett Packard Scholastic Junior All- American Team in 2006, which is chosen based on golf ability, GPA and writing skills. She was also named Minnesota Golf Association Female Junior Golfer of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Katie’s success has given more to her than just awards and titles—it has given her the power to influence others. Her brother still remains her biggest inspiration, but she values the opportunity to be a good leader for others, including her younger sister, Sara, her father said. “She sees [that] sports are sports, and it’s fun… but there’s bigger things in life,” her father said. “I think she sees that if she can be successful at her sport then she could get attention and she has the opportunity to be a great Christian leader. That’s probably one of the things that motivates her the most.” This year, Katie’s leadership is evident as she captains the girls golf team. Coach Ron Monson calls her a “positive leader, assistant coach, encourager [and] good listener.” Sometimes she runs practices solo and instructs her teammates in concepts like swing and posture. “She always helps us out with all the things that we need work on,” said freshman golfer Emilia Kronschnabel. “She works on her stuff outside of practice so she can help us during practice.” Freshman Natalie Rodger, also a golfer, said it was a little intimidating to work with Katie at first. However, with her instruction, Rodger said she has greatly improved her swing and accuracy . “[Katie] gets more excited about when other people are successful,” said Monson. “When a new player scores a record low, gets their first par in a match, she’s most excited.” Next year, Katie is moving to Florida where she received a full scholarship to play golf at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She is fired up to be able to work with experienced coach Emilee Klein but also excited that she will be able to be near family. Erik will be going to law school in Tampa next year, and the rest of her family is planning to visit often. “When I was looking at different schools, I wanted to go somewhere where I could play in nice enough weather to be able to [be] working all year round, but I also didn’t want to be super far away from my family,” Katie said. “Florida might sound really far away , but in a lot of ways, it’s my home away from home.” Although it will be a busy schedule next year for Katie, Erik said they would find the time to be together. “Maybe we’ll go to the beach, go to Disney,” he said. “It’ll be good to have her around.” Katie’s father believes that she will handle the transition to college very well. The family discusses it frequently, and she is always upbeat about it, he said. “Every parent is concerned if their kids go away and hope that some of the values that we all cherish for good responsible behavior, making good decisions and being a good leader are things that your child will take with them to college,” he said. “All the indications are it seems like she’s going to be right on the right track.” And as for her future with golf? “Katie can go wherever she wants to go with golf,” said Erik. “She’s got the level of determination that it takes. You don’t often see that. You know, there’s a level of talent that’s necessary, and she’s got that. Then there’s the level of willingness to put in hours and she’s demonstrated that. I can’t imagine anything stopping her from being the best.” Katie’s hopes are that she will qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open this summer, a prestigious championship with professional competition. For now, she is focused on her fourth state tournament, which begins tomorrow at Izaty’s Resort in Onamia. The two-day match is Katie’s last chance to prove herself in high school. There is an ample amount of pressure, but she has learned how to handle it. “When you’re faced with a situation where you get nervous, I always think…that’s just saying that you’re at the spot where you want to be,” Katie said. “Because if you’re not nervous, there’s nothing on the line. You have to recognize it and you have to say… ‘I do well when it’s a big situation.’ The more you tell yourself those kinds of things, the better you’ll play. If you want it, you got to go out there, and work hard and go get it.” Previous M.A. senior recalls sisters’ survival of I-35W bridge collapse Next What are they thinking? Disordered eating in the ballet community Coronavirus: Life without sports Slideshow: M.A. boys are section champs Slideshow: Girls’ basketball at St. Peter How COVID-19 has sparked a wave of impulse buying and hoarding “Quack!” Said Poppy and …	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line168
__label__cc	0.666129	0.333871	El Imposible National Park El Imposible is the largest national park of El Salvador and is located in the coastal elevations of the Pacific Ocean in Ahuachapán, between the municipalities of San Francisco Menéndez and Tacuba, south-west of the Ruta de las Flores. This protected area is considered the country’s most important natural relic for being an endangered (dry and tropical dry forest) ecosystem, but also for being one of the last refuges for an incredibly diverse community of wildlife, source of water for the area and owner of scenic beauty for sustainable tourism development. It is for this reason, that, every year, El Imposible receives over 8,000 tourists visiting its 4,000 hectares of forest, which are protected by 25 rangers and shown by a team of 20 local tourist guides. In the park, visitors may find: 500 plant species, over 100 mammals, 53 amphibians and reptiles, 285 birds and over 5,000 species of butterflies. But tourists also look for adventure not found anywhere else in the country. The steep topography of El Imposible certainly becomes an opportunity for extreme walking tours and taking breathtaking pictures. The hikes take place between the lower and the steep slopes, watching the suspended rocks from below, next to the cliffs and the rivers, with its water running through flat strips and falling in surprising hollows. This trip’s warm temperature definitely restores health and tests our visitor’s physical condition. E-mail: info@salvanatura.org	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line174
__label__wiki	0.594984	0.594984	Sorry, JavaScript not enabled The Mysearch Website All great truths begin as blasphemies A Matter of Semantics Any scientific description of cause and effect is often subject to a degree of semantic preference of the day, although often predicated on how science has historically defined its fundamental units of measurement, e.g. length [m], time [t], ma ss [m] and charge [C]. Within the confines of its preferred semantics and units, science is then allowed to build mathematical models of space-time in which all physical action might be described. While we have an intuitive sense of length and time, an earlier discussion of various Doppler effects may lead us to inquire further into the fundamental nature of these units, especially within the scope of a WSE model. So while mass is typically described as a property of a single particle and a fundamental unit of measure, a WSE model might seek to reverse the dependency of energy on mass, e.g. In the first highly speculative form shown in [1], potential energy might ultimately be described as resulting from a displacement [A] of space from its ground state quantified in terms of an elastic constant [k]. We might also question whether the idea of mass [m] can ever be directly equated to energy, as a scalar quantity, if it implicitly suggests a required volume [V], i.e. mass infers an energy-density. Note: A WSE model might suggest that all energy is a manifestation of potential energy, where the concept of kinetic energy would result from the potential energy confined within a specified volume [V] of space changing its position [x] with time [t], such that it would have a velocity [v=x/t]. However, it is also recognised that the manifestation of potential energy might also be described differently in terms of larger scaled effects, e.g. gravitation or electric charge. At this point, we should extend the discussion of energy to include two accepted forms of potential energy, while possibly inquiring further into the nature of two constants, e.g. [G,K] required to balance the equations in [2] in terms of basic units of measurement introduced above. Note: While the ratio of K/G suggests a figure in the order of 1020, a more comparative ratio of the electric force [FE] and gravitation [FG] between a proton and electron would be in the order 1040. We might reasonably assume that this huge difference in the electric and gravitational force must be attributable to the potential energy that underpin the manifestation of these forces at a given distance based on the same force inverse square law. Like mass [m], the concept of charge is also often attributed to a single particle, e.g. electron, where the unit of measure is the Coulomb [C] in the SI system. As shown in [2], both potential energy equations are very similar in form and both require a constant, i.e. [G] and [K]. However, the units used to defined [G,K] do not really seem to impart any physical meaning, such that their function appears primarily to resolve the units of the overall equations back into energy, as required by the SI system. Note: In [2], the definition of both [G] and [K] are both dependent on mass [kg], which are assumed subject to relativistic effects dependent on the frame of reference in which the mass is measured. Likewise, given that the last discussion has questioned the division of total energy in terms of potential and kinetic energy, on which it is assumed mass is dependent, we might also have to question how such constants fit into a WSE model. We might also inquire as to whether the idea of gravity or charge is best described as an attribute of a single ‘ particle ’ or rather as a field of potential energy between two concentrations of energy-density in space. Of course, there is also the mechanism of cause and effect by which the potential energy defined in [2] propagates between the distance [r]. For if either of masses [m1,m2] or charges [q1,q2] change in position, i.e. causing the radial distance [r] to change, then there will be a corresponding change in the potential energy. However, this change cannot take place immediately, if the propagation of gravitational or electric potential is also constrained by a finite velocity [c]. What might this tell us about the fundamental nature of cause and effect? If special relativity does not allow any particle with mass [m] to propagate with velocity [c], irrespective of the idea of it carrying charge, we might reasonably assume that some other mechanism is required to propagate the implied change in scalar potential energy between two points in space now separated by distance [r+∆r]. As stated on many occasions, the only known mechanism that might explain this effect is a wave mechanism, which can propagate energy at velocity [c] without any direct reference to mass [m]. Of course, this does not necessarily imply that the energy is propagated through the media of space, as accepted science appears to prefer the semantics of an ‘undulation’ or ‘excitation’ in a gravitational or electric field or possibly the abstracted semantics of some form of quantum field. Note: Beyond the generalisation of classical physics, it might be accepted that the propagation of potential energy, of the forms described in [2], cannot be explained using particles with mass. We might also consider the idea that kinetic energy is simply a localisation of potential energy in some given volume [V], i.e. an energy-density, which can move in space as a function of time with a velocity [v] below [c]. If so, the debate may not be about the idea of the wave mechanism itself, but rather what these waves propagate through and how. In a previous discussion, the idea of a simple harmonic oscillator was used to model a point in space, by which we might explain how energy is propagated. However, this model was then qualified in terms of quantum mechanics, which introduced the issue of the quantization of energy as defined by the Planck constant [h], which is historically linked to the problem of blackbody radiation . However, the oscillator motion was initially based on the mathematical description of a sine wave and the classical interchange of potential and kinetic energy, as described by the following equation. In the subsequent development of the quantum model, the energy of the oscillator was eventually expressed in terms of the Planck energy equation [E=hf], which we might attempt to reconcile in [4], where every expression must be resolved in terms of the fundamental units, i.e. mass [kg], length [m] and time [t]. The form of [4] ignores numeric constants, such that we can focus on how different variables might be used to quantify the potential energy [Ep] in different ways. The first form infers a displacement [A] of the oscillator as a function of an elastic constant [k], while the second form has transposed the value of [k] into a conceptual mass [m] with angular velocity [ ω]. The third form simply converts angular velocity [ω] back into a linear frequency [f] of oscillation, which is finally equated to the Planck energy equation [E=hf]. As such, we might possibly clarify the construct of units that define the Planck constant [h]. Without the breakdown of the detail shown in [4] and [5], it might not be immediately obvious as to why the Planck energy equation [E=hf] makes no reference to the oscillation amplitude [A] or why it is only proportional to frequency [f], not [f2]. However, in the specific case of the oscillator model, [4] and [5] show that the amplitude [A2] and one of the frequency [f] terms has been subsumed into the definition of [h]. Again, like the constants [G,K] in [2], the Planck constant [h] might simply be described as a requirement to resolve the equation, both in terms of the fundamental units and the preferred semantics of the accepted scientific model. OK, but what is the point of this exercise? Well, in the context of a WSE model, it might be highlighted that the wave nature of energy did not necessarily disappear in the formulation of [E=hf], but has simply been masked within the Planck constant [h]. Of course, this is not to say that there is not an important rationale behind the constant [h] linked to blackbody radiation that needs to be taken into consideration. For it was Planck’s work on the blackbody radiation problem in 1900 that led to the idea that energy is quantized and the subsequent development of quantum mechanics. Note: Today, the semantic scope of quantization is now described in many forms, although it might be rationalised in terms of the first and second quantizations. However, the definition of the semantics used in most of these descriptions might be better described as mathematical abstraction, where the idea of physical cause and effect is often difficult to ascertain. Therefore, the next section of the discussion attempts to consider how the quantization of energy might be physically explained by a WSE model. As indicated, the idea of energy quantization is historically linked to the problem of blackbody radiation, which was a ‘hot’ topic at the end of the 19th century. The semantics of a ‘blackbody radiator’ is used to describe a material body that can absorb and emit electromagnetic (EM) energy. While the scope of this discussion will try to avoid too much historic and mathematical details that led Planck to the development of an equation that first introduced the Planck constant [h], it is often considered the foundation stone that underpins quantum mechanics. Therefore, some retelling of the salient details is possibly an important line of inquiry to investigate and starts with the concept that if you heat up a blackbody, it will radiate energy with a total power per unit area proportional to the fourth power of temperature in degrees Kelvin, which had been defined in terms of the Stefan-Boltzmann law established in 1879. However, it was recognised that the EM energy emitted from a blackbody correlated to the wavelength [λ] of the energy. As such, the radiant power [P] was experimentally determined as a function of wavelength, where the total power per unit area might be described as the integrated value over all wavelengths. Based on experimental data, the blackbody spectrum curve was plotted for different temperatures, where each curve has the characteristic shape as shown in the diagram right for different temperatures in degrees Kelvin. However, the diagram also shows that more power [P] is emitted as the temperature [T] of the blackbody increases, while the peak of the spectrum shifts to the left, i.e. shorter wavelengths, higher frequency. However, explaining this diagram has to be initially understood in the timeframe of the late 19th century, when physicists had only acquired a general understanding of the mechanisms involved , i.e. heat was assumed to cause the atoms of a solid to ‘ vibrate ’, although atoms were only vaguely understood as a structure involving electric charge. Note: At this time, Planck’s scientific worldview was anchored in a definition of the second law of thermodynamics that led him to doubt the existence of atoms. However, a new interpretation of the second law had been forwarded by Boltzmann suggesting that the law was only statistically valid. It should also be recognised that J.J.Thompson only discovered the existence of the electron in 1897, while science would have to wait until 1911 for Rutherford to show that an atom must contain a central nucleus. Some of this history context is necessary in order to assess the limitations of Planck’s understanding, especially when connected to the subsequent development of quantum mechanics. Based on earlier experiments, Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic radiation linked to an oscillating charge, e.g. an electron, had been generally established and shown to propagate at the speed of light [c]. As such, it was logical to assume that the observed power spectrum of emitted energy was linked to oscillating charges within the material of the blackbody. Likewise, a similar process would occur in reverse, where EM radiation in the form of heat would be absorbed, which caused the charges to oscillate, which maintained the emission of EM radiation being observed. In 1893, Wilhem Wien had formulated a relationship between the wavelength of the peak of the spectrum and its temperature. By 1896, Wien had also formulated a possible solution to the observed spectrum based on thermodynamic principles with the assumption that the gas molecules obeyed the Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution for atoms in a gas, where the energy in a given wavelength interval [dλ[ was given by: Wien then extended [8] by using the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution law for the speed of atoms in a gas, which he substituted back into [8] At this stage, [A] and [a] were just constants to be determined by experimental evaluation, while the form of [9] might also be transposed in terms of frequency [f] using the non-dispersive relationship [c=fλ], while noting that [dλ] has also to be transposed into [df] as follows: Substituting [10] back into [9] we get: In [11], the revised constants [A’,a’] have subsumed the value of the constant [c]. However, while Wien’s equation was a very close match to the observed blackbody spectrum, it was shown to deviate on the long-wavelength side of the peak of the curve. While we might simply introduce Planck’s equation, as normally presented today, it may be informative to show the original form of Planck’s law published in 1900, which might be more easily compared to Wien’s solution. It is probably fair to say that Planck had essentially worked back from the required solution demanded by observation. For in many respects Planck initially had no explanation as to why his equation worked and possibly more telling there is no appearance of the Planck constant [h] in the initial form of [12]. However, the final revised form of the equations in [12] are now normally presented in terms of the radiance [R] per wavelength interval [dλ] or frequency interval [df], where radiance [R] might be defined as the energy-density associated with wavelength or frequency. So, in the form of [13], we see the introduction of the Planck constant [h], which Planck calculated based on the available experimental data, i.e. the spectrum curves, plus the insertion of Boltzmann’s constant [kB]. OK, so how did Planck eventually explain the revisions in [13]? Now, at this point, many of the explanations appear to be written with a certain degree of deference to Planck’s being cited as the ‘ father of quantum mechanics ’, although this can hardly have been the case in 1900. For, at this time, Planck had only just started to accept the general notion of an atom without any knowledge of its sub-structure consisting of positively charged protons surrounded by negative charged electron orbitals. Note: In 1900, Lord Rayleigh was also looking at the problem of blackbody radiation, but assumed the radiation might be a superposition of standing waves confined within an enclosure, where the electric wave component of the EM wave had to be zero at the walls of the cavity. In this model, only wavelengths that were small enough to fit within the enclosure would be allowed. Although this would still allow an almost infinite number of shorter wavelengths, the idea of ‘equipartition’ required any system in thermal equilibrium to assign equal energy to each degree of freedom, i.e. xyz spatial dimensions. Of course, we might question this idea of the ground that standing wave do not propagate energy. Planck knew, based on classical electromagnetic theory, that an oscillating electron would radiate EM energy, such that when the cavity was in thermal equilibrium, charged electrons in the walls of the cavity would oscillate and become the source of the observed radiation. Planck therefore decided to try to model the electrons as simple harmonic oscillators with different elasticity [k] in order to produce the different frequencies observed in the spectrum. In classical physics, the energy of a harmonic oscillator depends on both the square of the amplitude [A2] and the frequency [f2], where the potential energy of the oscillator might be attributed to the temperature [T]. Once in motion, the oscillator could emit EM radiation into the cavity and absorb it from the cavity. However, at this point, it is stated that Planck could not derive his formula using the assumption of classical physics based on the oscillator having amplitude [A2] and the frequency [f2], but rather a discrete energy defined by the Planck energy equation [E=hf] and in so doing signalled in the era of quantum mechanics without necessarily realising the implications. However, we might want to inquire further into the actual reality of these oscillators. What did the oscillators in Planck’s model actually represent? These oscillators were atoms in the blackbody that we now know have a discrete electron orbital structure, which Planck knew nothing about in 1900. So while Planck’s equation are known to be empirically accurate, his oscillator model might not necessarily provide a physical description of energy quantization. OK, so how else might energy quantization be explained? This question will be left open for now as this section of discussions has only been following various lines of inquiry, primarily anchored in the semantics of classical physics. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, new ideas were starting to emerge that would question the fundamental nature of all physical structure. Wave Energy A WSE model might suggest that all energy is a manifestation of potential energy, where the concept of kinetic energy would result from the potential energy confined within a specified volume of space changing its position with time, such that it would have a kinetic velocity. However, it is recognised that the manifestation of potential energy might also be described differently in terms of larger scaled effects, e.g. gravitation or electric charge. Energy Quantization Is often rationalised in terms of the first and second quantizations. However, the semantics used might be better described as a mathematical abstraction, where the idea of physical cause and effect is often difficult to ascertain. As such, the WSE model might attempt to consider how the quantization of energy might be physically explained.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line181
__label__cc	0.729747	0.270253	‘Hello, I Must Be Going’ is excellent independent filmmaking May 27, 2017 September 17, 2012 by Brian Milinsky Melanie Lynskey in ‘Hello, I Must Be Going’ “Amy” (Melanie Lynskey) is a woman in her mid-thirties who has spent the last three months inside of her parent’s home, not leaving the grounds once. She is in the middle of divorcing her husband, never finished her Master’s degree and basically eats, sleeps and watches old black and white television. Her father “Stan Minsky” (John Rubinstein) is a lawyer who wants to retire and thanks to reverses in the economy, needs to land one more big client for the firm before he can. Then he and his wife “Ruth” (Blythe Danner) can sail off into the sunset on a great around-the-world trip that she is salivating over. It’s also a big deal for her brother “David” (Dan Futterman) who is living for the day he will no longer work for his dad. So the potential client comes to dinner and brings his wife “Gwen” (Julie White) and his son “Jeremy” (Christopher Abbott). Jeremy is only 19 but that doesn’t stop him from becoming extremely enamored with Amy. They hook up and begin a romance that’s as interesting and unlikely as is the notion of a woman in her 30s in 2012 spending hours watching Groucho Marx on television (the title Hello, I Must Be Going is taken from a musical number in the film Animal Crackers, not as many think from the title of a Phil Collins album). But Amy isn’t as into the relationship aspect of her romance with Jeremy and she is also terrified that if his parents find out they are involved, it will kill her father’s chances of landing his new client and ruin her parent’s lives. Ruth and Stan have mentioned that if he doesn’t close this deal, they may even lose their home. Christopher Abbott and Melanie Lynskey in ‘Hello, I Must Be Going’ Amy is living there rent-free and with no source of income because she chose not to take spousal support from her soon to be ex-husband, a wealthy entertainment lawyer in nearby New York City. They make a cute couple and the ups and downs they experience together make for engaging moments. He is an actor and has a new play coming up but he’s neglecting to learn his lines and it becomes clear that he doesn’t really want to act any more. He isn’t sure what he wants, but his mother has pushed him into acting all of his life. How their relationship is resolved, how the situation involving her parents gets resolved (there’s an interesting twist there) and how she finally finds closure with her soon to be ex-husband are all strong plot points that director Todd Louiso and screenwriter Sarah Koskoff make the most of. Lynskey is attractive, charming and delivers an outstanding portrayal of a woman coming to terms with the realization that life is going to happen, whether you sit in the bedroom and just watch television, or get out there and actually start living. Danner’s performance is a bit uneven, but she has some awesome moments and Rubinstein is perfect as the father who adores his daughter and will move heaven and Earth to make her happy if he can. But he can’t. She has to make herself happy and that’s the lesson of Hello, I Must Be Going. Error: No API key provided. Categories FilmsTags Blythe Danner, Brian Milinsky, Christopher Abbott, Dan Futterman, John Rubinstein, Julie White, Melanie Lynskey, Sarah Koskoff, Todd Louiso Post navigation Do you love to write about movies? Tail Slate wants you! ‘RoboCop’ Then & Now: Set photos reveal RoboCop’s new look for remake	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line184
__label__wiki	0.529031	0.529031	technologies.ca (http://www.technologies.ca/france-prepares-to-strike-three-strikes/) France Prepares To Strike Three-Strikes By Paul Sweeting The government of France, which pioneered the “three-strikes” enforcement method against online piracy, all-but abandoned the strategy Monday as part of a proposed sweeping overhaul of French media laws and regulations. The proposal to effectively end the graduated-response system against online file-swappers was contained in a nearly 800 page report issued by a special commission appointed by the French Ministry of Culture to recommend ways to update French media laws for the digital era. The commission was headed by Pierre Lescure, the former head of Canal Plus. The report recommends dismantling Hadopi, the organization created in 2009 to oversee France’s then-new three-strikes law (and known by its French acronym), and transferring its authority to the French television industry regulator. As part of that process, the report recommends doing away with the current penalties for repeat violations, which can include cutting off offenders ‘access to the Internet. Instead, the commission report would replace the most severe penalty with a small fine. If implemented, the proposal would be a stark reversal for a law hailed by copyright owners just four years ago as a model for addressing the problem of online file-sharing. Strongly backed by the previous French government under Nicolas Sarkozy, the three-strikes law was highly controversial from the start and its effectiveness at curbing piracy was a matter of dispute. It was was fiercely opposed at the time by many in the Socialist opposition, and with the Socialists now in power under President Franςois Hollande, the law and Hadopi have seen an erosion of government support and enforcement budgets. The proposal to dismantle Hadopi is just one of 75 recommendations contained in the Lescure Commission report and is not the only one likely to spark controversy. The report also recommends imposing a new tax on all devices capable of connecting to the Internet, from mobile phones and tablets to connected TVs and Blu-ray players, to help support production of French cultural works. The new tax would come on top of an existing levy system in France that imposes a fee on recording devices to compensate copyright owners for private copying. In a shift, the report recommends that both taxes be imposed directly on manufacturers, rather than collected at the point of sale as the private copying level currently is collected. The report also recommends shortening the time between movie release windows, which are set by law in France. Currently, for instance, movies must be released on DVD, Blu-ray and video-on-demand four months after the date of their theatrical release. The Lescure report recommends shortening that to three months. The commission also recommends moving the subscription window up from the current 36 months after theatrical release to 18 months to encourage the development of Netflix-like services in France. The publication of the Lescure report is only the first step in what is likely to be a drawn out process of updating French media laws. If adopted by the Ministry of Culture, the recommendations will be subject to a period of public comment and would then have to be incorporated into legislation and passed by the French parliament, where many of them are likely to face opposition. The process in France, however, is likely to be watched closely throughout the EU, which is currently gearing up to consider changes to the EU-wide Copyright Directive. Several other European countries impose private copying levies, for instance, which are under pressure as a source of revenue as consumers increasing embrace on-demand access to media content over permanent copies. If France is successful in imposing new taxes on connected devices other governments are likely to consider similar moves. The dismantling of Hadopi in France, however, is likely to put an end to any hopes of extending the French three-strikes regime to other parts of the EU, let alone beyond Europe. A French-language summary of the main proposals in the Lescure report can be found (and auto-translated) here. The New Yorker Launches Strongbox, an Open-Source Anonymous Tip Tool Built by Aaron Swartz Concerns Arise on U.S. Effort to Allow Internet ‘Wiretaps’	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line185
__label__wiki	0.54338	0.54338	technologies.ca (http://www.technologies.ca/reference-note-on-russian-communications-surveillance/) Reference Note on Russian Communications Surveillance By James Andrew Lewis Center for Strategic and International Studies Edward Snowden, perhaps under duress, recently participated in a call-in program where selected viewers can pose pre-screened questions directly to Vladimir Putin. Snowden asked President Putin, “Does Russia intercept, store or analyze in any way the communications of millions of individuals?” Putin denied Russian mass surveillance, saying “Thank God, our special services are strictly controlled by the state and society, and their activity is regulated by law.” Three programs, SORM-1, SORM-2, and SORM-3, provide the foundation of Russian mass communications surveillance. Russian law gives Russia’s security service, the FSB, the authority to use SORM (“System for Operative Investigative Activities”) to collect, analyze and store all data that transmitted or received on Russian networks, including calls, email, website visits and credit card transactions. SORM has been in use since 1990 and collects both metadata and content. SORM-1 collects mobile and landline telephone calls. SORM-2 collects internet traffic. SORM-3 collects from all media (including Wi-Fi and social networks) and stores data for three years. Russian law requires all internet service providers to install an FSB monitoring device (called “Punkt Upravlenia”) on their networks that allows the direct collection of traffic without the knowledge or cooperation of the service provider. The providers must pay for the device and the cost of installation. Collection requires a court order, but these are secret and not shown to the service provider. According to the data published by Russia’s Supreme Court, almost 540,000 intercepts of phone and internet traffic were authorized in 2012. While the FSB is the principle agency responsible for communications surveillance, seven other Russian security agencies can have access to SORM data on demand. SORM is routinely used against political opponents and human rights activists to monitor them and to collect information to use against them in “dirty tricks” campaigns. Russian courts have upheld the FSB’s authority to surveil political opponents even if they have committed no crime. Russia used SORM during the Olympics to monitor athletes, coaches, journalists, spectators, and the Olympic Committee, publicly explaining this was necessary to protect against terrorism. The system was an improved version of SORM that can combine video surveillance with communications intercepts. SORM is buttressed by regulations that limit the use of encryption, and restrictive internet laws that allow the Government to shut down websites it finds objectionable. Russia has a national filtering system that can block foreign sites and it has used the threat of blockage to coerce western companies into removing objectionable postings. Russian agencies such as “Roskomnadzor” (Agency for the Supervision of Information Technology, Communications, and Mass Media) provide the name and address of websites to be blocked to internet service providers, who must take action within 24 hours. Russia monitors foreign communications using techniques used by NSA and China. Wireless and landline communications are monitored in major capitals: American officials believe that Russia chose to build an Embassy complex on a hill in Washington D.C., for example, to improve interception of mobile communications. A number of sources provide information on Russian surveillance activities, including Agentura.ru (http://www.agentura.ru/english/), Citizen Lab (https://citizenlab.org/), Reporters Without Borders (http://en.rsf.org/russia.html), Privacy International (https://www.privacyinternational.org/) and (albeit with dated material) the Federation of American Scientists (http://www.fas.org/irp/world/russia/index.html). Australian Government Passes Law Forcing Tech Companies To Break Encryption BY TIM CUSHING TECHDIRT The Australian Parliament has passed a law ordaining compelled access to encrypted devices and communications. The legislation was floated months ago and opened up for comment, but it appears the Australian government has ignored the numerous complaints that such a law would violate civil liberties and otherwise be an all-around bad idea. Canadian Law Enforcement Can Intercept, Decrypt Blackberry Messages NSA to shut down bulk surveillance View all law enforcement Articles → No legal means exist to challenge mass surveillance - Snowden Filtering in the UK: The hinterland of legality, where secrecy trumps court rulings	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line186
__label__wiki	0.726273	0.726273	Jim Charles Retires from Vitro America Jim Charles, director of sales and marketing for Vitro America in Memphis, Tenn., has retired. Charles has served the glass industry since 1971. He began his career in the mirror industry working for Carolina Mirror Co., and joined Binswanger Mirror and ACI Distribution in 1990. When ACI was purchased by Vitro in 1992, Charles gained responsibility for the sale of flat glass east of the Rockies. Prior to his retirement, he was responsible for sales and marketing for Vitro America's subsidiaries and worked to promote The Classic Line, ScarGard Mirror and MPactsafe Glass product offerings. Charles was an active member of the National Association of Mirror Manufacturers (NAMM) from 1990 to 1996, when it joined the Glass Association of North America (GANA) and became the Mirror Division. Charles served as president of NAMM from 1994 to 1996. On behalf of ACI Distribution, he served as a member of GANA, where he worked on the promotions and technical committees of the association's Laminated Division, Tempering Division, Distribution Division and Mirror Division.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line191
__label__wiki	0.743305	0.743305	The Oldest Gothic Building in Prague By Zanna Jezek In Prague’s historic Old Town (Czech: Staré Město), situated on the right bank of the Vltava river, lies the oldest surviving Gothic building in the city of Prague. This building, known as the Convent of Saint Agnes (Czech: Anežský klášter), was founded in 1231 by the youngest daughter of King Ottokar I, Agnes of Bohemia, princess of the Přemyslid dynasty. Agnes of Bohemia. Agnes was a descendant of the famous Czech Saints, Saint Ludmila and Saint Wenceslaus and although she was royalty, she chose to live a life of charity and piety over one of comfort and luxury. The Convent of Saint Agnes, where she served as abbess, was founded after various negotiations about her marriage were all canceled. She refused to take part in a politically arranged marriage and decided instead to dedicate her life to prayer. After her refusal, Emperor Frederick is said to have remarked: “If she had left me for a mortal man, I would have taken vengeance with the sword, but I cannot take offense because in preference to me she has chosen the King of Heaven.” The land on which the convent is constructed was donated by Anges’ brother, King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia. The convent was initially used by the order of Saint Clare, the second Franciscan order founded by Saint Clare and Saint Francis of Assisi in 1212. In fact, one of the oldest sections of the convent, the main sacred area, was named after Saint Francis. Along with the main church of Saint Francis, a vast and spacious east wing was also constructed and, in 1234, the convent was consecrated. After this, multiple sections were added over the years, including a monastery, various chapels, and the cloister of Poor Clares. The convent was also later granted many significant privileges by Pope Gregory IX. During this time, the convent served as a spiritual center in Prague. The convent was also used as the burial area for various members of the Přemyslid dynasty, including Agnes herself, although her tomb was never found. Agnes lived out her life in the cloister, acting as the abbess until her death on March 2, 1282. After her death, the convent was no longer the main focus of the royal family. As time passed and Charles IV came into power, parts of the convent were rebuilt. It underwent several changes, the original windows were lowered, the chapel of Saint Salvator was newly decorated, the dormitory was re-vaulted, and the chapel of Saint Barbara was rebuilt. During the Hussite wars, the convent was used as both a mint and an armory. In the 16th century, the Dominicans took over and remained there for seventy years. After this, the building was sold to new owners who used it for workshops, storage, and as housing for the poor. The splendid gothic structure managed to escape demolition in the 19th century when historic synagogues and homes were being destroyed in the Old Town district of Prague. The convent was finally renovated in 1963 by the National Gallery and the first floor now holds the National Gallery’s permanent collection of medieval and early renaissance art, dating between 1200 to 1550, from Bohemia and other Central European countries. The cloister is used for temporary exhibitions. The Fabulous Lost and Found and the Little Czech Mouse Czech Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake Recipe A Death to Remember Sister Kenny and Polio in Czechoslovakia New Year’s Eve and Lentils	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line194
__label__cc	0.667285	0.332715	Retreat in Singapore: The Eight Big Problems of Life By Deborah Peterson On the last weekend of November, close to 600 people gathered at the Catholic Junior College Performing Arts Centre for a retreat led by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, organised by The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) Singapore. The topic was the 8 big problems of life and how we can manage these problems, transcend them, and free ourselves to live more fully and joyfully. When Father asked the first question as he opened the sessions, I knew that we were about to experience something transformative. “What are you most seeking in Life?” he asked. “The answer,” he said, “is that we are all seeking Meaning, Love, Truth, Beauty. All these are to be found within us...not further than a step away. They are to be found in a deeper dimension within us, in the space within our heart.” And yet from the dawn of time, humanity has wrestled with Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Acedia, Lust, Sadness, Vanity and Pride. So how does one free oneself from their grip to get to that Truth, Love and Meaning, and to be more fully alive and at peace? Fr Laurence set the background explaining that these problems were first formulated by the Desert Fathers of the 4th be known as the 7 Deadly Sins. The Desert Fathers, however did not view these faults in a moralistic way but saw them as negative states of mind. Seeing these 8 problems as “faults” and inherent “states of mind” which affect every human being regardless of culture, race, age, religion, allows us to move beyond the crippling guilt and shame associated with sin into decisive action and freedom. In 4 talks covering the problems in pairs - Gluttony and Greed, Lust and Sadness, Acedia and Anger, Vanity and Pride – Fr Laurence patiently took us through an in-depth analysis of each of the faults. As he aptly put it “It is important to know your enemy better than your enemy knows you”. Understanding them and recognizing them clearly for what they are, will prevent us from falling into their traps. He explained that these faults were all interconnected and they all originated in our desire for truth, for love, for God. Not knowing where to find this, we imagine ways to meet these desires and then act on them. We were led to see how all these states of mind could be overcome through the ascesis (spiritual self-discipline and exercise) of a deep and faithful spiritual practice. Fr Laurence taught meditation or pure prayer, the prayer of the heart, as a way of transcending these states of mind. The simple discipline takes us from the mind to the heart where we experience the transforming love of God. As one of the participants put it later, “Fr Laurence had such wisdom and imparted it with such clarity and meaningfulness that words are not enough to say it all”. Illuminating as the talks, videos and Q&A segments were on those 2 days, my greatest personal take-away was being immersed in the 6 meditation sessions interspaced through the 2 days. As Fr Laurence shared with us, Meditation is not just a process but a relationship where we cultivate attentiveness to the presence of God. The meditation practice runs counter to the culture of narcissism and distraction, where we are excessively focused on , and this is why it is such a powerful force against the 8 Big Problems of Life. Meditation doesn’t claim to solve our problems. Rather, it transforms the way we look at them and is therefore, oftentimes, the starting point of our journey towards becoming free and living more fully and joyfully. But how do we meditate or pray purely? Father taught that it was as simple as going back to God’s Words in the Bible: “Be Still and Know that I am God.” To meditate, all we have to do is to sit still and upright, close our eyes lightly, sit relaxed but alert. Silently, interiorly, begin to say a single word. The prayer phrase he recommended was “Maranatha”. It is in Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. And it means “Come Lord.” Recite it as four syllables of equal length. Do not think of anything. And if thoughts or images come, let them fall away and keep returning to simply saying the word. Incredibly simplistic as it sounded, it was obvious that people were touched by this deep, heart-centered prayer. As one of the participants later shared: “This seminar is so different. Upon the sacred word of God "Maranatha" my soul is gone with the Holy Spirit and I enjoyed the meditation calmly and joyfully throughout these 2 days”. Another said “We are convinced of the benefits that meditation can reap and be life transforming on an individual and global level.” Throughout the sessions, I found myself wishing that my family members and close friends who were not there could have come too. I was therefore delighted to learn that the talks were being recorded and would be available later through Medio Media (enquiries@mediomedia.com). The weekend reminded me of Fr Laurence’s words on another occasion: A retreat is not where one goes to run away from problems, stresses, difficulties in one’s life. A retreat is about “coming home”, coming back to where you belong, to who you truly are. In many ways, the weekend proved to be a home coming for many of us. The retreat closed with a beautiful contemplative mass with meditation built in after communion. What better way to soak in the love of Christ than to sit with him in silence. It was no coincidence that the retreat closed on the first Sunday of Advent – the celebration of Hope. See a photo gallery HERE Place: Singapore Date: November 2014	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line198
__label__cc	0.653255	0.346745	Chrono Project Tag: Justice League The Comics: Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Oh My! 12 November 26, 2011 November 26, 2011 Books and Reading Almost got it down to doing this weekly! There’s two weeks included in this update, maybe I’ll get it done every week going forward. Fingers crossed. A lot of good ones this week, with a few more third issues upping the ante from the second. Still a few relative disappointments, though. I didn’t flip through any this week, though, so kind of a smaller grouping than I’ve had before on here – only the ones I actually bought in print. I’ve really been enjoying noticing all the different at styles on display here – everything from the straightforward and cocky Birds of Prey to the bold lines of All-Star Western and Wonder Woman to the painterly looks of Supergirl and parts of The Flash. Obviously the quality of a book depends on both the art and writing, but it’s great to see so much variety just in the look. Makes it more interesting to pick up the next book and check it out. Batman continues the trend of my being super-impressed with third issues after being slightly underwhelmed by the second issues. That’s not true in the case of all books, but there have been several so far. Last month, I enjoyed the book well enough, but the whole thing with the Council of Owls came out of nowhere really abruptly, which turned me off. This book explores that more fully, in a way that’s really engaging and worked for me really well. It also seems like it’s going to tie into the mysterious town council in All-Star Western. I STILL can’t tell Bruce apart from the politician guy, but the writing is so strong in this series and this issue especially that I’m fine with the somewhat generic square-jawed male face that everyone seems to have. All-Star Western #3 They must’ve gotten the memo loud and clear that there was too much damn narration in the first issue of this, because this one pares it down to almost nothing again, relying on really eye-catching bold-lined drawing to move the action forward rather than narration or dialogue. There’s a little of that, mostly dealing with Jonah Hex’s outlier status, and his unwillingness to stay in Gotham City no matter how much he may be needed. At the beginning, he and Dr. Arkham take down the Religion of Crime members who had captured the guy at the end of issue #2 (possible tie-in with Batwoman and/or Batman?), but it does get a little confusing when two other groups of bad guys turn up – not sure how or if they’re connected to the others, or if they’re just part of Hex’s rock-em-sock-em lifestyle. In any case, this book is a blast to look at, lots of action, and I love the bold look of it. Justice League Dark #3 The plot thickens in this issue, as we get the first real glimpse of what Sorceress is all about – apparently the Justice League Dark’s protection of June Moone is what’s bugging her, because she needs her for some reason. More good character interactions here, with Constantine and Zatanna, Deadman and June Moone, and Shade and his illusion girlfriend (here rendered with wonderful hideousness) all getting time. Straight-forward but often lovely art here, and the story and situations are definitely living up to the “dark” part of the comic’s title. This is one of the more thematically adult titles of the New 52, and I’m really glad I started picking it up. Supergirl #3 The art style in this issue is VASTLY different than in the previous ones – a little more finished-looking and painterly, a little less quick and kinetic. That’s effective both because this issue is much less fighting and much more plot and character stuff, and also because frankly, it looks way better. The previous issues I was having fun with the action, but this one, I wanted to slow down and actually drink in the look. Storywise, we get a bit of Superman explaining his mission on Earth to Kara, but she leaves him despite his protests and promptly gets captured by a gazillionaire who works outside all governments to investigate extraterrestrial stuff, and hence wants to test Kara’s physical limits. Some echo here of Action Comics #2, but a little less mean-spirited on the captor’s part – he’s not sympathetic, but he just seems more clinical than anything else. He definitely has an agenda, though, and I’m curious to see what it is. And I hope they stick with this art style. Superman #3 I may be fully turned around on the Superman title – I really disliked the first issue, but grabbed issues #2 and #3 just to see, and wow have they been a lot better. Less whiny monologue, more actual action and depth. This one really starts delving into the question of how many bad things happen in Metropolis simply because Superman is there – obviously something brought up by the anti-Superman journalist McCoy, but it’s definitely weighing on Superman’s mind as well. The ice monster part is fine, but honestly not as good as the first half of the comic (which also includes some nice shout-outs to Action Comics #1). There are some dialogue-heavy parts, but they’re much better written than the first issue was – even if this one does have still have a couple of cringe-worthy lines (“you’re heading for a meltdown!”…really?). I’m glad I didn’t give up on this one initially. I’m continuing to enjoy this series at a relatively low octane level. It’s solid, and there are always certain parts, certain panels that really grab me, but I’m still not totally into the military/clone/whatever storyline. This one does have an intriguing flashback that may explain some of the backstory to Manuel’s situation, but mostly I liked it because the painterly art style is really pretty. Meanwhile, an electromagnetic pulse has hit the city and Flash is trying to do what he can while also looking for Manuel…the biggest problem with this issue is this disjointedness. Is he saving people as Flash? Is he looking for Manuel as Barry? Did the guys who have Manuel sent the electromagnetic pulse? There’s a lot of stuff happening this issue, so it’s fun to read, but I’m having real trouble connecting it all together, which lowered my overall enjoyment. Justice League #3 Justice League adds Wonder Woman this week, who has apparently been working with the Pentagon, who has also been trying to keep her out of trouble and off the streets, unsuccessfully as it turns out. So I guess there’s no connection between this and the individual Wonder Woman comic – I mean, none of the others really seem to have a connection with their individual comics either, but at least they feel like they inhabit the same world here as in their own titles. We’ll see how the integration works over time. I didn’t love this entry as much as the first two, as it gives a bit more time to large-scale action scenes against hordes of the demon creatures instead of the fun character interactions of the first two issues. Looks like the origin story for Victor/Cyborg is coming along, though, and I hope that connects to our main story more soon, because jumping between them is a little jarring. One by one the team is being assembled (one more gets teased by the end), and I hope the focus stays on the characters and not on the faceless action. Three issues in, and I STILL don’t totally know how I feel about this book. This one is mostly taken up with Diana learning her true parentage and the circumstances that led to her birth, which result in her severing ties with Paradise Island. Still, she’s unlikely to join Strife, which is what Strife seems to want – although, her name being Strife, maybe she just wants to sow discord among the Amazona? In which case, mission accomplished. I’m not sure what her end goal is, and this issue has almost NOTHING to do with the current Zeus progeny problem (the girl who caused all the hullabaloo in the first issue is barely in this one at all), but I’m assuming that will take center stage now. This issue I noticed particularly how much of the story is told strictly through images instead of by dialogue, and I really like that aspect – especially since there are a few dialogue sections that hardly make any sense. Birds of Prey #3 Big thing here is Poison Ivy joins the group. That’s…interesting. And not without its hurdles, as the first altercation is between her, Ev, and Katana. But there are bigger bads afoot, apparently, and after a captured stealth soldier explodes, they all go after some prominent politicians that are probably the next targets. But the next head-bomb victim may be someone even closer to them. This continues to be fun but not very deep, and the art is pretty plain, take it or leave it. The writing is decent, though, if a bit throwaway. Aquaman #3 The fight from the previous issue continues, focused on Aquaman vs. the one really big Trench monster. There’s some good action here, but nothing as kinetic as some of the other books. After they deal with that, Aquaman and Mera go to find out what the things are from a guy he knew as a kid – they had a falling out when Aquaman wouldn’t show him Atlantis. I’m kinda anxious to see Atlantis myself at this point, since they won’t shut up about it. But instead they head for the Trench. I wasn’t too enamored of this issue; it was just all right. All-Star Western Aquaman Batman Birds of Prey Justice League Justice League Dark Supergirl Superman The Flash Wonder Woman The Comics: Massive Catch-up Post 0 November 16, 2011 November 16, 2011 Books and Reading Yeah, I know this post is weeks late, and yeah, I know new comics are coming out today for several of these series I’m talking about here. I’ve been busy with other stuff and this fell by the wayside, but I don’t want to let it get too far behind, so this is a catch-up and reset post. Hopefully after this week I can get these done weekly and not fall behind. I flipped through a bunch of ones over the past few weeks just to see how they were, found some I like more than expected and had some fall down a bit in my estimation. The best remain the best, though, and looks like that’s not going to change as we’re solidly into the third issues of each series. One thing I’ve noticed as I’m gone through to write these up is that I find myself almost never caring about the big bad or the major plotline of the arc. The parts that draw me in and keep me interested are the character interactions, the bits of dialogue between people, or the insights into the characters from their own or others points of view. I guess this means I’m not bothered by issues that other people are calling “slow” or “not enough forward action,” because usually they’re filled with the things I like. Instead, I find myself getting bored when the alien/mech big bad shows up in Action Comics or they talk about Darkseid in Justice League, or the suited men terrorize clone guy in The Flash, and I have to reread the book to remind myself what’s even going on with that. But I remember Clark chatting with his landlady or Green Lantern snarking at Batman or Barry realizing his mental potential. It’s not true across the board – Swamp Thing, Animal Man, All-Star Western, and Batwoman all have me intrigued by the big bad plot as well as the character stuff. I don’t know what that means in terms of my relationship with comics. Anyway. On the individual books. Clicking the thumbnails will bring up bigger images in lightboxes. Justice League #1-2 I initially avoided the Justice League flagship series because I didn’t think seeing a whole bunch of established superheroes working together would be all that interesting to me, but after a few people mentioned how fun it was, I figured I’d take a peek, and gorram, were they right. What I didn’t realize is that this book starts right at the formation of the Justice League, so most of the characters are meeting each other for the first time, and those “who the heck is this guy” interactions are a whole lot of fun. First off we get Green Lantern swooping into a fight Batman’s having with a raggedy villain (while the cops chase both vigilante and villain) – “Batman? You’re REAL?” Green Lantern is pretty much an arrogant jackass, but in the most entertaining way as he mocks Batman’s lack of supernatural powers. Wait until he gets a load of Superman, though, who’s none-too-impressed with Lantern’s theatrics. The Flash shows up in #2 and has a great evading fight with Superman that lets both characters display their strengths. There’s not a lot of story so far beyond setting up these relationships (the villainous creatures are leaving mysterious boxes everywhere that explode and seem to lead to Darkseid), but it’s written with so much vigor and humor that I don’t care. Wonder Woman gets added to the mix next month, and I can’t wait to see how she’ll fit in with this testosterone-laden group. Swamp Thing #3 Wow, I was already loving this book, and if anything, the third issue has upped the ante. We start off with a young boy in a hospital, carefully sequestered in a bubble because he’s allergic to chlorophyll – allergic to plant life itself. Meanwhile, Alec is trying to figure out what Abigail Arcane’s agenda is, and it turns out her family has close ties to the black, to the rot that would destroy the earth, a connection the boy in the hospital also has. Alec’s connection to the green (and over in Animal Man, Bud’s connection to the red, that is, animal life) are going to be needed to stop the rot from taking over. Things are building up so nicely in both these books that I don’t even care that they’re about to crossover, even though I initially said I didn’t want any crossovers. In this case, it totally makes sense. This time out art duties have been split between Yanick Paquette (who’s done the previous Swamp Thing issues in the New 52) and Victor Ibañez, with Ibañez taking care of all the parts with the boy in the hospital – drawing in bold, simple but effective lines – and Paquette continuing the dark and twisty vine-laden panels in the swamps. It works out well, and I can’t wait to see what issue #4 has in store. Action Comics #3 This continues to be a great story, extremely well-written and balanced by Grant Morrison. The world is starting to turn on Superman as the news outlets led by Glenmorgan (the guy Supes held off a balcony in the first issue) brand him as a dangerous alien, while Clark continues to delve into tough stories. I love that Morrison is giving so much time to Clark and his struggles to be a great reporter…it’s clearly more than a cover for him – uncovering corruption and trying to alleviate suffering through his journalistic endeavors is just as important to him as the more obvious stuff he does as Superman. Here he can’t catch any breaks, though, as the police investigate his apartment for basically no provocation, Lois is right on his tail for all the good stories, and, oh, yeah, he’s having dreams about the destruction of Krypton by an entity that has Earth in its sights next. The art is suffering a little now; different panels of Clark don’t even look like the same person at times, but the writing is so solid I’ll forgive the rushed look of some of the art. I picked on the first issue of All-Star Western for the interminable psychoanalytic voiceover by Dr. Arkham, and that’s thankfully gone this issue, leaving just wonderfully bold-lined action scenes with Jonah Hex taking no prisoners from the cowled assailants who threaten, and more staid but still great depictions of Gotham’s secret controllers. I don’t know how much the story was actually advanced this issue, but I love the way it looks so much, and Hex’s scowl is the perfect fit for this art style and setting, that I greatly enjoyed it. I’m hoping we’ll get more details on the secret society and their plans soon to give this gorgeous comic a bit more weight. Animal Man #3 It took me a few issues, but I am totally on the Animal Man train now. With Bud and Maxine full enclosed in the Red, the drawing takes on almost Plympton-esque level of surrealism, which spills over into the now-staid-looking normal life panels with Ellen and Cliff as three hunters (bad guys) go after them with increasing levels of distortion. They can take human form by eating people, but can’t hold it for long, and soon they’re spreading their bizarre shapes all over. The family scenes continue to work great, with a nice page of Cliff trying futilely to get Maxine’s zombie animals to stop bugging him and Ellen joins him to play his “disgusting” video game. It’s a great dynamic, and the intrusion of the hunters is a wonderful juxtaposition. Meanwhile, in the Red we learn that Bud isn’t fully an avatar of the animal, but that Maxine will be, and she’s got to step up soon despite her youth because a rot is threatening both the Red (animal) and the Green (plant) – presumably setting up a crossover with Swamp Thing. The story is coming together nicely, and the art has now managed to win me over as well. Great stuff. Batwoman #2-3 I didn’t totally love Batwoman #2, which picks up with Kate and Bette beating up some guys in an apparently random encounter – not sure what it has to do with the kidnapping ghost, who shows up for one panel, a lovely spread (once again, the book is almost completely gorgeous spreads, which I liked, but your mileage may vary), and then disappears again. One truly brilliant use of the spread style is when Sawyer deconstructs a crime scene; Williams presents lots of information density in a very concise and attractive way. Of course, Batwoman was involved in the crime scene, but it’s kind of nice to see Sawyer’s perspective on what Batwoman is doing/has done. Batman is also continuing to pursue Batwoman for membership in his worldwide league of Bat-people (something I didn’t know existed, but at least it’s introduced a little better than everything in Batwoman #1), but she’s wary. But issue #3 picked up really nicely, starting off with Batwoman held underwater by the watery ghost, plagued with visions of her sister’s death (and implying her own guilt-impelled death wish) before she escapes and returns home, insistent that cousin Bette stop being a costumed crimefighter out of concern for her safety. The art in these parts is great, with the very different styles clashing as a costumed but unmasked Kate walks into the Bette’s room. Fight scenes are done beautifully, with Williams capturing the movement like a strobe light, jagged lines using space to indicate time. The art has been privileged over the story a bit in the first two issues, but with the third, the storytelling THROUGH the art is really starting to coalesce. Supergirl #1-2 This one I didn’t pick up the first month either, though it was in my second-tier of “interested if something else goes south” books, and hence I picked it up in month 2, and really enjoyed it. The first issue is basically Supergirl landing on earth in a meteor but not knowing where she is or what’s going on – she thinks it’s a dream, even as a bunch of mechanized soldiers try to capture her and she fights them off with strength she didn’t know she had. There’s a lot of great moments as she starts gaining powers, especially the panel where she starts overhearing everything, including snippets of dialogue from other DC #1s (Nightwing, Birds of Prey, Aquaman). That’s a nice touch. The second issue has Superman show up and the two basically beat each other up for the whole issue. Yeah, not a lot of plot development there, but it is FUN. The art’s a little slapdash, but I like it. Chew #1 The only non-DC book this time around (though I’m still working my way through the American Vampire trade – hopefully will have that finished before I do the next one of these). This series by John Layman and Rob Guillory and published by Image Comics is up to issue #27 or so, which came out a couple of weeks ago and the preview on Comixology intrigued me. A lot of times they have the first issue of a series for free or severely discounted, so I got #1 to check it out. Tony Chu is a police detective with a special psychic ability – he get psychic impressions from whatever he eats. So he’s mostly vegetarian to avoid seeing, like, the slaughter of the cow in the cheeseburger he’s eating. Anyway, on a routine case (in a non-routine place – apparently chicken is outlawed here and there are chicken speakeasies), he eats some soup and realizes the cook, who sliced a sliver of finger into the soup, is a serial killer. The book is quite macabre, but also really funny thanks to Chu’s smartass character. I liked it a lot, and if I get a chance at some cheap collected editions or something, I’ll definitely check out more. Demon Knights #3 This continues to just be flat-out medieval fun. Less battle action in this one, more preparation for a coming attack, with Xanadu (who I just realized is the same character as in Justice League Dark) giving all her strength and many years of her life to create a magical shield over the village, and all the other disparate characters trying to figure out how to work together to get ready for the coming of the hordes. Lots of individual character moments here, two-on-two or two-on-three interactions that are mostly well-written, and drawn with a great level of detail. I love the varied color work here, as a lot of panels have slighlty different tints depending on where they are and which characters are foremost. There’s not a lot of depth, but it’s fast-paced and exciting to read, and sometimes that’s all I need. I was a little hard on The Flash #1 because I thought the writing was a little weak, especially toward the end, and it just didn’t hit me anything very special. This issue was a big step up for me, though. I’m still not totally on board with the cloning plot or whatever is going on there, which I assume actually going to become the big bad, but the part of the story that focused on Barry increasing his mental abilities to catch up with his physical speed was tremendous. Loved every second, every panel of it. And I also liked the flashback panels more this time around, with their watercolor-looking evocation of Barry’s past with Manuel, which should also tie into the main villain story before long. There’s a lot of promise here, and this issue realized it a lot more than the first one did as far as I’m concerned. Justice League Dark #1-2 I skipped over this one initially for the same reason I skipped over the main Justice League title, but I figured I’d check it out this time, and it’s pretty solid. There’s a pretty great fight with big bad Sorceress overcoming the main Justice League heroes with her otherworldly magic – a step beyond the supernatural powers they have – hence requiring the formation of Justice League Dark, made up of more esoteric characters whose powers are a little more, well, weird. Deadman is here, with his ability to possess other people, and John Constantine with his demon summoning, and Shade with his reality-warping powers, plus magician Xatanna and fortune teller Madame Xanadu (though I’m not entirely sure whose side she’s on, even if she is doing most of the narrating). Interestingly, the second issue drops a lot of the mysterious tone of the first one and focuses on Deadman’s relationship with Dove (of Hawk and Dove, yeah, another crossover/backstory thing I’m not gonna get) – I actually quite liked the domestic break, though I’m sure things will get crazy again in the next issue. I just wish I knew a little bit more about what Sorceress is up to. I’m still not sure how I feel about Wonder Woman, to be honest. I know people who love it, and there are certainly elements I like a lot – I like the bold drawing on the fight scenes, but the looser style on the more relaxed panels isn’t grabbing me. It looks a little unfinished/unpolished to me, and I haven’t decided whether I like that yet or not. The mythology continues to intrigue me, even as I have to readjust some of the things I know about Greek mythology to fit into DC Greek mythology. :) The modern girl thrown into the mix gets some of the best dialogue, but I also liked Wonder Woman’s clear intention to protect her rather than side with either Zeus or Hera in the feud they’re about to have over her. Little things like that are starting to reveal Diana’s character to me, and I like it. The whole thing just feels a little…light-weight to me somehow, and I’m not sure if that’s due to the art or the writing. I’m obviously still enjoying it, but we’ll see if it starts coming together for me a little more cohesively in upcoming months. This issue kind of has three movements – one in which Batgirl tries to stop Mirror from blowing up a train with a bravado play that doesn’t quite work, one with police activity and Barbara talking with her father, and one where Batgirl and Nightwing alternately talk and beat each other up. I still really like Barbara Gordon’s narration, the most self-aware and jokey of the New 52 without ever losing sight of her very real trauma, but it starts to go off the rails a bit toward the end. The whole sequence with Nightwing doesn’t do much except establish back story that I’m not sure really matters and provide an opportunity for Barbara to have mood swings that will induce whiplash. But there are panels earlier where her self-doubting persona works really well, especially when she’s talking with her father and gives two versions of how the conversation could go. I love that stuff. More of that, please, and less of other superheroes popping in for no good reason. I won’t say I was necessarily disappointed in the second issue of Batman, though it’s going to seem that way since it’s so much lower on my list than the first issue was – I still quite liked it, and Scott Snyder is quickly becoming one of my favorite comic writers. But I’m kind of getting distracted by the samey drawing, especially in the Bruce Wayne parts where all the male characters look the exact same. And some of the panels didn’t make sense to me spatially (especially when he was falling in the middle section). I do very much like the continued VO probing of Gotham itself and its nature, and the holographic link Batman has to the autopsy room is pretty cool. The end seemed really abrupt to me, though, and didn’t so much leave me wanting more as going “huh, where did that come from?” Hopefully we’ll find out next issue. Birds of Prey #1-2 I’d heard conflicting reports on this one – both that it was breezy fun and really boring. I vote “breezy fun.” My only exposure to Birds of Prey is the short-lived TV series WB mounted in the early 2000s, which I remember enjoying and my comic-book-nerd friends hating. Heh. Anyway, in this take, Barbara Gordon is on the periphery but not really involved (she’s shown wheelchair-less and Dinah mentions her being Batgirl again, so there’s consistency with the New 52 Batgirl); the main characters are Dinah/Canary and Ev/Starling, and they add a third, Katana, in the second issue. Yeah, this is just fun. Not overwhelmingly good writing or art, but it’s fast-paced and the dynamic between the girls is enjoyable and mostly witty. Nightwing #1-2 I hadn’t intended to pick up another Batman subsidiary, but I kind of went crazy checking out random stuff this week, and it turns out Dick Grayson’s post-Robin character intrigued me the most out of the Bat-books I looked at. I know next to nothing about this character except the old Batman TV show, which doesn’t go into any of Grayson’s back story at all in the episodes I’ve seen. Like the fact that he grew up in a circus as a trapeze artist. Circus stuff is cool. The art in this comic is cool. Grayson’s pretty cool. So I might keep reading this one full-time, even if the “Seiko Killer” pun on the cover of #2 was pretty painful. That’s pretty much the worst thing in these first two issues, so I think I can overlook it. Oh, also, I didn’t know that Grayson took over from Wayne as Batman for a time, which is mentioned early in the first issue. Someone should catch me up on that sometime. I know, I said I wan’t going to keep reading this one. And I still may not, but I figured I’d check out the second issue just to see, and you know what, I liked it a good bit better. Still not as much as Action Comics, I think, but at least it didn’t alternately bore me and piss me off like the first issue did. Here Superman/Clark is a bit down in the dumps thanks to his perceived failures in the first issue, both in terms of public acceptance of his superhero help and Lois’s romantic interest. Then he gets attacked by something he can’t see, but it turns out everyone else can, and that fight scene, with Superman at first unable to see his assailant and then helped thanks to Lois’s crew’s video coverage, is pretty awesome. I also liked seeing a bit more of Clark and Lois’s relationship. I didn’t care for this month’s Aquaman quite as much as last month’s, even though it definitely has its moments. Most of it is a big, not particularly coherent or visually interesting fight scene with the Trench monsters (who are still pretty scary-looking). What I did find interesting is that Aquaman apparently doesn’t bother keeping his identity a secret – when the police guy looks for him, he just answers the door in his state of undress and seems utterly unconcerned about admitting his identity, and he and his girlfriend call each other by name during the fight. I also quite enjoyed their dynamic, of a committed but unusual couple that avoids the awkward flirtiness or outright sexuality of some of the other titles. Batman & Robin #1-3 Yes, another Batman title. Don’t blame me, it’s DC going for maximum overload on their hottest superhero. This one has an intriguing dynamic between Batman and the current Robin, who happens to be Batman’s son Damien. I didn’t know Batman had a son until I started reading the New 52, but apparently he does, and he’s an amoral killing machine. It’s actually getting better as the series goes on, I think, with issue #3 having some really nice moments with Damien and Alfred and some great fighting panels with Damien doing his worst. I might actually add this one to my normal rotation. Detective Comics #1-3 I chose Batman over this of the straight Bat-books, and I still think that was the right decision, but I gotta say after checking this one out, there’s some pretty gruesome and macabre stuff in here, in a good way. The Dollmaker character is f-ed up, and I’m actually pretty curious to see where that plot goes (one of the few villains that really intrigues me out of the whole New 52, to be honest). I actually wish it were just him and not Joker…just about every Bat-thing I’ve seen as a casual fan has had Joker, and even though he’s extra psychotic here, I don’t care that much. I was pretty back and forth on issue #3, as well – the Dollmaker is still scary, but some of the dialogue is really bad, and Batman just running around being ineffective only goes so far. A few of the plot elements are still intriguing, but a lot of is just “gotcha” shocks. Resurrection Man #3 Picking up right from the end of the previous issue, our hitwomen wonder why Resurrection Man isn’t resurrecting immediately, but it turns out he’s chatting with a shadowy demon thing in an empty void of eternity, who reveals there’s some kind of battle over his soul going on between heaven and hell – his constant resurrecting is throwing off their rhythm. He fights off the demon and resurrects, only to have to fight the hit girls again, showing off various new powers as he dies and resurrects yet again. There are still elements of this book I like, mostly the basic idea, though. In execution, it’s getting a little old, and this issue ends with a WTF panel that pretty much makes me ready to give up on it. Might give it one more issue, we’ll see. DC Universe Presents: Deadman #1-2 DC Universe Presents is going to be a catch-all title for lesser DC characters to cycle through instead of getting their own books. The first miniseries is Deadman, an arrogant trapeze artist who dies but ends up cursed to jump from body to body until he can redeem himself from the bad things he did in this life. The “bad things” seem to be stuff like “behaved arrogantly” and “looked down on others”, but whatever. This purgatory is run by a blue alien goddess person, but what exactly her agenda is and how long Deadman is going to have to go before escaping her realm is unclear, which is not a good thing about the book. Some of the individual scenes are fun, like when he works his way from person to person in a crowded nightclub, trying not be detected by paranormal-aware bouncers. Aside from that, I prefer Deadman’s more mature portrayal (as in, not an angsty origin story) in Justice League Dark. Voodoo #2 Flipped through the second issue of this just out of curiosity, and still probably won’t be reading it for real. At the end of the last issue, Voodoo had killed the male cop and taken his form – she goes straight from there to sleeping with the cop’s partner, which is awkward. There’s a nice fight scene with the partner figures it out and goes in after Voodoo all angry, but the art continues to be bland, and the ending is essentially the same as the end of the first book. Not terrible, but not great. I, Vampire #2 Another “can it possibly be as bad as the first issue” flip-through, and the answer is no, it isn’t as bad, but that’s still not enough. This one is from Mary’s point of view, and has a bit more of the vampire rebellion in it, which cuts down on some of the emo-ness, and the art is still quite lovely, but this book is just…boring. Possibly the worst of all sins in a line-up of 52 competitors. Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1-2 I’d heard some good things about this other book by Jeff Lemire (who also writes Animal Man), but I just don’t see it. Frankenstein’s monster is the head of a secret organization of superheroes made up of old monster movie characters like The Mummy and others that are made-up but in a similar vein, and they go to stop an invasion by thousands of giant monsters from another dimension. A flashback story to one character’s human life before transforming herself into a black lagoon-like creature is well-done, but most everything else just seems really messy, in both storytelling and art style. Could just be me – after all, the Animal Man art style is taking me some time to get used to, also, but I don’t like the story or character set-up here nearly enough to put up with it. The Savage Hawkman #1-2 I had high hopes for a story about a superhero whose alter ego is a forensic archaeologist. How cool does that sound!? It’s not actually cool at all, the book I mean, which is probably the worst written of all the ones I’ve read. After a good opening when Hawkman drives out into the country to burn his costume and try to eschew his superhero identity, it just devolves into silliness and repetitiveness and…horrible writing. I gave it the second issue chance, and it’s just as bad. It’s a double shame because there’s some nice art in here, a painterly style that I haven’t seen in the other books. Action Comics All-Star Western Animal Man Aquaman Batgirl Batman Batman & Robin Batwoman Birds of Prey Chew DC New 52 DC Universe Presents Demon Knights Detective Comics Frankenstein Agent of SHADE I Vampire Justice League Justice League Dark Nightwing Resurrection Man Supergirl Superman Swamp Thing The Flash The Savage Hawkman Voodoo Wonder Woman A Genealogy of Love: Alan Jacobs’ Breaking Bread with the Dead Chrono Project: Catching Up (1900-1908) Dorothy Sayers on originality Chrono Watch: Catching Up (1888-1899) Wow, it’s dusty in here! Which film interrupted the shooting of “No Country for Old Men” (2007) with a smoke cloud? “Tropic Thunder” “I Am Legend” “Hurt Locker” “There Will Be Blood” – The Millennial Mirror on Films I’ve Seen Scorecard: August 2011 \| The Frame on Films to Watch What Makes a Film Noir? \| The Frame on TCM’s Summer of Darkness and FREE Film Noir Course! Luis Fernando Imperator on To Ponder – The New Wave, Modern or Postmodern? Gilly on The Great St Louis to Los Angeles Road Trip Categories Select Category Books and Reading Christianity Commonplace Film 2016 Movie Challenge American Movie Critics Chrono Project Chronological Looney Tunes Cinema 101 He Says She Says Scorecard TCM Film Festival Things I Liked Watching with Kiddos Gaming Music Personal Random Reviews School Television Writing The Past Select Month January 2021 (1) July 2019 (2) June 2019 (1) May 2019 (1) June 2017 (1) March 2017 (1) February 2017 (2) January 2017 (2) December 2016 (10) November 2016 (12) October 2016 (7) September 2016 (7) August 2016 (5) July 2016 (8) June 2016 (7) May 2016 (10) April 2016 (9) March 2016 (9) February 2016 (7) January 2016 (10) November 2015 (2) October 2015 (5) September 2015 (2) August 2015 (2) July 2015 (2) May 2015 (3) April 2015 (4) March 2015 (3) February 2015 (5) January 2015 (2) December 2014 (1) November 2014 (4) October 2014 (5) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (2) July 2014 (2) June 2014 (2) May 2014 (6) April 2014 (4) March 2014 (4) February 2014 (5) January 2014 (3) December 2013 (1) November 2013 (7) October 2013 (7) September 2013 (4) August 2013 (2) July 2013 (4) June 2013 (3) May 2013 (1) April 2013 (1) March 2013 (2) February 2013 (2) January 2013 (3) December 2012 (2) November 2012 (2) July 2012 (6) June 2012 (3) May 2012 (5) April 2012 (3) March 2012 (6) February 2012 (2) January 2012 (10) December 2011 (4) November 2011 (10) October 2011 (11) September 2011 (7) August 2011 (8) July 2011 (22) June 2011 (17) May 2011 (2) April 2011 (2) March 2011 (2) February 2011 (5) January 2011 (6) December 2010 (19) November 2010 (3) October 2010 (11) September 2010 (10) August 2010 (4) April 2010 (1) March 2010 (6) January 2010 (3) December 2009 (1) November 2009 (2) October 2009 (3) September 2009 (4) August 2009 (2) May 2009 (3) April 2009 (2) March 2009 (2) February 2009 (1) January 2009 (5) December 2008 (2) November 2008 (8) October 2008 (8) September 2008 (7) August 2008 (3) July 2008 (2) June 2008 (3) May 2008 (7) April 2008 (5) March 2008 (7) February 2008 (14) January 2008 (14) December 2007 (6) November 2007 (11) October 2007 (9) September 2007 (9) August 2007 (5) July 2007 (8) June 2007 (13) May 2007 (5) April 2007 (11) March 2007 (14) February 2007 (16) January 2007 (13) December 2006 (6) November 2006 (11) October 2006 (11) September 2006 (11) August 2006 (15) July 2006 (7) June 2006 (6) May 2006 (8) April 2006 (3) March 2006 (4) February 2006 (3) Films I’ve Seen My Top Tens: 2010s Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out. - Martin Scorsese	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line202
__label__wiki	0.921178	0.921178	LAWMA gets new MD/CEO Odumboni Home breakingnews in breakingnews, News, Politics, slideshow Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). In a statement, the Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the appointment, which takes immediate effect, was consequent upon the resignation of the erstwhile Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, from August 19, for personal reasons. The HoS said before his appointment, Odumboni was the executive director (Business Development) in LAWMA, in which capacity he had been deeply involved in the rebirth of the waste management conglomerate. He said Odumboni’s appointment showed the governor’s confidence in his capabilities and demonstrated the administration’s commitment to quality service delivery, considering, particularly, Odumboni’s contributions to the growth of LAWMA as part of its management in his previous position. While noting that the outgoing managing director had built a strong and highly motivated team in LAWMA and laid an enduring foundation for reforms in the organization, Muri-Okunola thanked Gbadegesin for his visionary leadership during his tenure. The HoS congratulated the new managing director and urged him to focus on improving service quality, saying the waste management and environmental sustainability are critical to other aspects of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. Maina extradite back to Nigeria to face charges Tottenham back to top spot as Arsenal suffers 2-0 away defeat The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday expressed alarm over what is observed as the manifest lack of commitment and... The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 1,398 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections... The National Identity Management Commission has announced that the NIN generated by the BVN can only be used after it... Results of the National Examinations Council (NECO) 2020 were released on Wednesday. NECO released the internal Senior Secondary School Examination... eight + twenty =	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line207
__label__cc	0.714948	0.285052	Paris All Destinations Things to do in Île-de-France All Paris Tours Viator VIP Tours Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris) Bateaux Seine River Cruises in Paris Skip the Line at the Notre Dame Cathedral How to Experience French Culture in Paris Cheese and Wine Tastings in Paris Versailles and Giverny Tours from Paris Where to Find Impressionist Art in Paris Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge Combo Tours Deauville City Palais du Luxembourg Tours A highlight of the sixth arrondissement, the Palais du Luxembourg was built as a residence for former Queen of France Marie de’ Medici in 1625. Though the palace has lost none of its luster in the ensuing centuries, its purpose has changed: the once-regal address now houses the Senate, the upper house of the French parliament. The Palais du Luxembourg has taken on numerous guises throughout its history. Originally created as a royal palace, it served as a prison during the French Revolution, housed senators appointed by Napoleon, and was occupied during World War II. Today, it houses the French Senate; as a result, you’ll often hear the building referred as “the Sénat.” Built in the Italianate style, and inspired by Florence’s Pitti Palace, the Palais du Luxembourg is also flanked by the Jardin du Luxembourg, a manicured public park that’s among the most popular in the city. Generally, visiting hours are limited to days when the Senate is not in session (typically Mondays and Fridays) and group tours must receive advanced approval to visit. Otherwise, walking tours through the Jardin du Luxembourg are an excellent way to get acquainted with the site and admire the palace’s impressive exterior. For organized group tours of the palace, the Senate recommends requesting a reservation roughly three months in advance. The Senate’s debates, typically held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, are open to the public, but visitors must obtain an invitation from a senator. The Jardin du Luxembourg, modeled on Florence’s Boboli Gardens, contains numerous fountains, statues, greenhouses, and other attractions. Take Métro lines 4 or 10 to the Odéon, Mabillon, or Saint-Sulpice stations, which are all located just a short stroll away. The RER B additionally stops at the Luxembourg station. Alternatively, buses 58, 84, 89, and 96 stop nearby. The site can also be accessed on foot, by Velib’, or by car. During the third weekend of September, the Senate opens its doors to visitors during European Heritage Days. Otherwise, while the Palais du Luxembourg can be tricky for visitors to access, the Jardin du Luxembourg appeals to flâneurs year round. The Musée du Luxembourg Located just steps from the Palais du Luxembourg, the eponymous museum is also a worthy stop. Originally located within the palace walls, it moved to its current location (in the palace’s orangery) in the 19th century. Today, it hosts a changing roster of temporary exhibitions. Address: 15 rue de Vaugirard, Paris 75291, France 7 Tours and Activities to Experience Palais du Luxembourg Gourmet Saint Germain: 10 Tastings Private Food Tour with a Local Want to try some of the best local food in Paris? Head over to the Saint Germain district and try the food that the locals eat day to day - plus some treats that they save for special occasions. With a Parisian foodie at your side try 10 delicious tastings chosen by a local food expert. Explore a lively neighborhood where the Parisian upper class and students both live. The area is full of classic little epiceries, luxury shops, traditional bakeries and of course the local market. From traditional foie gras products to wine, cheese, and meat, this area is a foodie's paradise and is the perfect place to try traditional French food. Peek into the life of the Parisians at an epicerie. These local grocery stores are where the locals pick up their favorite local products and it is the perfect chance for you to get your favorite treats to take home with you. Paris Private Tour in a classic French Peugeot 404 Discover Paris in a 1963 classic Peugeot 404, a vintage French car from the '60s. A unique way to explore the city with a local private guide. Cruise in style past famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Opéra Garnier, and the Musée d’Orsay while a private driver and guide shares local history and legends. When booking, you can select from a 1 to 3 hours duration tour. per group America's Founding Fathers in Paris Guided Historic Walk During the years leading up to the French Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson lived in Paris. These great men made history in the United States but also impacted France’s. Why did the American colonies send such high profile Ambassadors to Paris as early as 1776? Let’s walk on their footsteps, along other figures who took part of the American War of Independence: Lafayette, Rochambeau, Thomas Paine, John Paul Jones and more. Find out which one of these men was delighted to mingle with ladies at Versailles ; which one became a deputee at the National Assembly ; which one fought against his own nation to help the American cause ; and which men were imprisoned. You’ll see where they lived or died. We’ll explore decisive events such as the Treaty of Independence or the Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon! Join me on a journey back in time with the U.S. Founding Fathers! DETAILS: Adapted to all ages. Approx. 2hrs & 3,5Km/2Mi. Walk runs rain or shine. Paris Sights and Bites Awaken all your senses while you eat your way around the most charming and sophisticated neighbourhood of Paris. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is considered as the soul of the City of Lights. It is home to the very best chocolatiers in the world and has a stunning mix of history, prestigious art galleries, charming little streets and small squares full of cafes and restaurants. It is a must see for foodies visiting from all over the world. We will lead you to some of the most respected and passionate artisans to taste at least 7 delicious sweet and savoury bites. You will discover an award-winning food market, meet an "un-brie-leavable" cheesemonger and stroll through one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, find out about its secrets and this tour woudn’t be complete without the nation’s favourite drink: Un verre de vin :) - glass of wine Meet the people behind the food! Private Tour: Paris Sights and Bites In a Private group, Awaken all your senses while you eat your way around the most charming and sophisticated neighbourhood of Paris. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is considered as the soul of the City of Lights. It is home to the very best chocolatiers in the world and has a stunning mix of history, prestigious art galleries, charming little streets and small squares full of cafes and restaurants. It is a must see for foodies visiting from all over the world. We will lead you to some of the most respected and passionate artisans to taste at least 7 delicious sweet and savoury bites. You will discover an award-winning food market, meet an "un-brie-leavable" cheesemonger and stroll through one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, find out about its secrets and this tour woudn’t be complete without the nation’s favourite drink: Un verre de vin :) - glass of wine Meet the people behind the food! Paris Sweet Stops This is the capital of Mr. Eclair and Madame Macaron! So, no trip to Paris would be complete without a copious amount of dessert and a fun, delicious sugar rush while discovering the charming neighbourhood of St Germain des Prés which is known to house some of the best Chocolatiers in the world with the daily fresh aroma of pastries, luxury chocolates and other deliciously prepared foods by artisans and chefs filling the air. Our local fun and friendly guide will lead you to a stunning neighbourhood full of history, prestigious art galleries, charming little streets and small squares full of cafes and restaurants. It is a must see for foodies visiting from all over the world. 8 to 10 Stops Chocolate and pastries Tasting Crisp and buttery fresh croissants from an award winner boulanger A Chocolat Chaud à l'ancienne (hot chocolate) to die for. Some of Frances finest chocolates Private Tour: Paris Sweet Spots In a Private group you will eat your way around St Germain des Prés. This is the capital of Mr. Eclair and Madame Macaron! So, no trip to Paris would be complete without a copious amount of dessert and a fun, delicious sugar rush while discovering the charming neighbourhood of St Germain des Prés which is known to house some of the best Chocolatiers in the world with the daily fresh aroma of pastries, luxury chocolates and other deliciously prepared foods by artisans and chefs filling the air. Our local fun and friendly guide will lead you to a stunning neighbourhood full of history, prestigious art galleries, charming little streets and small squares full of cafes and restaurants. It is a must see for foodies visiting from all over the world. 8 Stops Chocolate and pastries Tasting Crisp and buttery fresh croissants from an award winner boulanger A Chocolat Chaud à l'ancienne (hot chocolate) to die for. Some of Frances finest chocolates What's the best way to experience Palais du Luxembourg? The best ways to experience Palais du Luxembourg are: See all Palais du Luxembourg experiences on Viator. More Tours in Paris Things to do near Paris Things to do in Marne-la-Vallée Things to do in Reims Things to do in Blois Things to do in Deauville City Things to do in Le Havre Things to do in Lille Things to do in Dijon Things to do in Ghent Things to do in Dover Things to do in Brussels Things to do in Zaventem Things to do in Luxembourg City Things to do in Champagne Things to do in Normandy Recommended for Paris	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line210
__label__wiki	0.830374	0.830374	Home Guides What frequency bands does Three's network use? What frequency bands does Three's network use? 23 Sep 2020 by James Rogerson Three doesn’t rely on just one frequency band for its mobile network. In fact, it uses quite a few of them, namely the 800MHz, 1400MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 3400MHz, and 3600-4000MHz frequencies. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? And what does that mean for you? Read on below for answers to all that and more. But first, we’ll explain what we actually mean by a frequency in the first place. What do we mean by frequencies? Frequencies are what mobile networks use for the transmission and reception of their network signals. So without access to frequency there would be no network. But a number of different frequencies are used. In the UK there were 6 main ones used by mobile networks for 4G, namely 800MHz, 900MHz, 1400MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz, with more coming into play to power 5G. And ever more bands may yet be used over time, as there’s a limited amount of capacity offered by each. What frequencies does Three use? Three currently uses the following frequencies for mobile: Three Network Frequency Bands Frequency Band Class 800MHz 20 4G (LTE) 1400MHz 32 4G (LTE) 1800MHz 3 4G (LTE) 2100MHz 1 3G and 4G (LTE) 3400MHz n78 5G 3600-4000MHz n77 5G Check if your device is compatible with Three You’ll find full details of these and what Three uses them for below. The 800MHz band is the lowest frequency of the bands used by UK mobile networks, and being that low frequency comes with some key advantages, as the lower the frequency the further a signal can travel on the band. That means masts can be more spread out, so less infrastructure is potentially required and rural locations (where masts tend to be few and far between) can still get a signal. Low frequencies are also better than high frequencies at penetrating walls and other solid objects, so you’re more likely to get a signal in your home or office if the 800MHz band is in use. More generally this also makes the 800MHz band good for built up urban areas like cities. It’s a good all-rounder then, but it’s also in relatively short supply. Mobile networks were only able to acquire small 5MHz and 10MHz blocks of it, which means it won’t necessarily cope with heavy data traffic as well as some other bands. In that sense it’s less suited to cities, where a lot of people will be using mobile data at the same time. That’s one of the reasons it’s not alone. Three uses the 800MHz band for 4G, but it also uses others, which we’ll get to below. Three acquired two lots of 5MHz blocks of this band in Ofcom’s 2013 spectrum auction after the band was freed up by the death of analogue TV. The 1400MHz (aka 1.4GHz) band has only relatively recently been employed by Three, and it’s going to be used at 6,000 of Three’s busiest sites to improve 4G speeds by up to 150%. You’ll only get those speeds if you have a compatible handset (which includes many high-end and mid-range ones), but even without such a handset, speeds should still be boosted by around 50%. At the time of writing this upgrade work hasn’t yet finished. It’s set to run until 2023. Three purchased 20MHz of this spectrum (also known as L-Band spectrum) in the 1452-1492MHz range all the way back in 2015, but is only now using it. Being higher frequency than the 800MHz band means that it’s available in greater capacity, so it can deal with more simultaneous connections. On the other hand, the 1400MHz band isn’t as long range as 800MHz and nor can it penetrate walls as well, so masts need to be closer together for it to work effectively, and it’s better outside than inside. The 1800MHz (aka 1.8GHz) band is also used by Three for 4G and is the highest frequency band that Three uses for 4G. As such, it emphasises both the strengths and weaknesses of the 1400MHz band – being available in high capacities but being shorter range and worse at passing through objects. Individually all of these bands are flawed then, but they work well together, and even the 1800MHz band isn’t as high frequency as some bands used by other networks for 4G, or as the bands Three uses for 5G and 3G. Three acquired its 1800MHz holdings from EE, which was required to sell some of its spectrum back in 2012 to ensure fair competition. However, Three wasn’t allowed to access any of this until late 2013, with more becoming available for use in mid-2015. As you can probably imagine, the 2100MHz (aka 2.1GHz) band emphasises the strengths of the 1800MHz band (namely capacity) but also suffers from the same weaknesses to a greater extent, as it’s shorter range still and not good at passing through walls and other solid objects. However, it’s worth noting that Three doesn’t use this frequency for 4G, just for 3G, so when it comes to 4G data the 2100MHz band’s strengths and weaknesses won’t be a consideration. It’s useful for Three to have though, since the more frequency the network has in total the more reliable and widespread its network can be. Three’s 5G frequencies For 5G use Three holds 60Mhz of spectrum in the 3.4GHz band covering the 3460 – 3500MHz and 3580 – 3600MHz ranges, along with 164MHz in the 3.6GHz - 4GHz range, covering 3600-3680MHz and 3925-4009MHz. You might have noticed that the 3580 – 3600MHz and 3600 – 3680Mhz blocks line up, which is no accident. Three arranged this with Ofcom, as it gives the network 100MHz of contiguous spectrum ideal for 5G, which could put it at an advantage over rivals. All of these bands are short range and poor at passing through obstacles, but large blocks of them are available, giving them the capacity 5G is sure to need. This spectrum was acquired in part at Ofcom’s first 5G spectrum auction, held in 2018, and in part through Three’s purchase of UK Broadband. It's worth noting that there's set to be at least one more 5G spectrum auction, during which Three will likely acquire more spectrum. The information contained on this website has been written to assist our readers. We do not represent Three or speak on its behalf and are entirely independent of Three. Best camera phones on the market in 2021 What is Mobile HDR and which phones support HDR?	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line214
__label__wiki	0.960976	0.960976	Exclusive: New technology in Florida school could be lifesaving in active shooter incidents, police say "GMA" got a look at ALERT in action. ByStephanie Wash • 16 min read Exclusive: New life-saving technology for active school shootings A new surveillance system, ALERT: Active Law Enforcement Response Technology, could potentially save lives by connecting schools and police to cut down on response times. When Florida students return to school next year, there will be a new safety measure in place thanks to a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last June. Alyssa's Law, named after 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, requires all Florida public and charter schools to implement a mobile system that silently alerts law enforcement and first responders of potentially life-threatening situations -- from shootings to medical emergencies. But one Florida school is ahead of the pack. Coral Springs Charter School installed and began testing a panic alert system in February before the spread of the novel coronavirus. ABC News saw the system in action before the pandemic with assistance from Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow, 18, was also killed in the Parkland shooting. MORE: Why it Matters: Parkland shooting survivors on what's driving them to vote It's been more than two years since a grieving and angry Pollack told President Donald Trump at a White House meeting, "There should've been one school shooting and we should've fixed it." Now, Pollack said he hopes the launch of his new program, School Safety Grant, and the implementation of ALERT, or Active Law Enforcement Response Technology, will be one fix when gun laws fail. ABC News saw the system in action before the coronavirus pandemic with assistance from Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow, 18, was also killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The “School Safety Grant,” Pollack says, will help fund school safety enhancement nationwide by distributing grants. Police departments will be awarded up to $40,000 and $20,000 per campus for school districts. But it’s not just schools, says Lee Mandel, CEO of IntraLogic Solutions. Hospitals, movie theaters, houses of worship and other mass-gathering locations will be eligible. The grants will cover the “full implementation, full deployment and all the software for life,” says Mandel. IntraLogic Solutions, along with the other School Safety Grant partners, Actuate and SaferWatch, are initially donating up to $20 million worth of software licenses and deployment services that will allow grant recipients to use their existing infrastructure to connect them to their local police departments. ALERT gives police access to real-time surveillance cameras within a building once a panic button is hit during an active incident or a button is hit on a phone application. Dispatchers can then identify and track a suspect's location, and relay crucial information to officers as they respond. ALERT, which stands for Active Law Enforcement Response Technology, is a system that gives police access to surveillance cameras within buildings such as schools. "When they arrive on the scene, they know exactly where to go, how to get in, where the shooter is," Mandel told ABC News. Mandel began developing the ALERT software after 26 people, including 20 children, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. "It really hit home," Mandel said. "And we said, 'How can we make a difference?'" Mandel said he met Pollack shortly after the Parkland shooting that killed 17 and injured 17 others. Since his daughter's death, Pollack has been involved in legislative efforts, including the signing of the School Safety Bill in Florida, that in part raised the minimum age to buy a firearm from 18 to 21, banned bump stocks and imposed a three-day waiting period to purchase a gun. "For me, it's always been about school safety," Pollack said. "I don't want to debate about anything else." MORE: COLUMN: There's no undoing the pain of the Parkland massacre, but it won't define me or my school "If this type of software was in place ... she'd be alive today," Pollack said. "There were so many miscommunications, human errors, people not trained properly," he continued. "This makes police departments efficient. It takes them into the 21st century of response." Identifying and solving the problems Coral Springs police were the first to enter Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School the day of the shooting. The department is the first in the nation to receive ALERT. Joe Raedle/Getty Images People look on at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 18, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. "[Marjory Stoneman Douglas] had a good camera system, but the department didn't have access," Coral Springs Police Chief Clyde Parry told ABC News. "Without us being able to tie in and look at the cameras, it obviously hampered our response in that situation." He noted that at one point information was delayed by as much as 20 minutes and officers believed the shooter was on the third floor when in reality he had left the building. Another problem, Parry said, was the fire alarm. "It was hard for some of the students to hear ... any announcements over the intercom," he said. "We're going to look at being able to disable the fire alarm remotely so that now we can give clear directions, 'A code red has been called -- enter your classroom, lock yourself down,' you know, so that those things, you know, can't happen again." "We looked under every rock, we turned every leaf over," Parry said. "It's important to go through them thoroughly, vet them and find out what did I do good. What did I do bad? What can I fix for the next time?" Coral Springs police has begun working toward interoperability between fire departments and the sheriff's office. They have also established mutual aid agreements with the jurisdictions around them so that they are able to respond to events if they are within striking distance. As for the ALERT technology, "It's life changing," Parry said. "It's taking us from being in a rowboat to being in a starship." MORE: 2 Parkland teens, Sandy Hook dad die from apparent suicides: How to help with suicide prevention Parry told ABC News that information given during 911 calls can often be unhelpful if the caller is under stress and shock. "With this technology, it allows us to be able to have well-trained people give defined answers and directions of where to travel, exactly where the problem is," he said. "If you have a camera and I'm looking for somebody who's wearing black pants in a maroon shirt ... you can do that. You can give a direction of travel. You can tell them which area to enter the school. More importantly, which area not to enter the school, [like] if we see that somebody is maybe set up in a sniper situation." "In some instances I imagine it will go faster than even receiving our first 911 call," Parry said. "In any emergency, where seconds matter ... this is technology that is going to trim off as many seconds as you can." Although this technology is a step forward, those on the receiving end are confident it is not an end-all, be-all solution. "Shooters are constantly evolving and are constantly learning," Parry said. "You can never rest on your laurels.'" "But it will bring school safety to a different level than what we have right now. And I am excited about it. I look forward to it. And I'm embracing it," Parry added. Coral Springs Charter School, located just two miles from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, is also a grant recipient. Police keep the campus secure as students arrive at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the first day of school on Aug. 15, 2018, in Parkland, Fla. "When it's literally down the street from you, I think that has much more of a significant emotional impact," Principal Gary Springer told ABC News. "Parkland is not just our neighbor. They're literally a family member." Springer's school sits on a 200,000-square-foot campus, and houses 1,700 students from grades 6 to 12 and 150 faculty members. MORE: 'Sobering' photos show what kids think about dying in a school shooting "I think it's really crucial that we're able to have the latest and greatest technology ... at our fingertips," Springer told ABC News. "For our first responders to have instant access into our building and a bird's-eye view ... into what's going on at our school at any time during the day, I welcome that." The school has upward of 100 cameras throughout the building. "This provides immediate response in order for the situation to be controlled at a greater rate," he said. "The school now has the ability to automatically set off the panic alert and that'll shut down the school. And what that'll do is immediately alert first responders upon arriving on the scene. They will already have access to a full picture of the school, which includes an overlay of the entire footprint of the school that allow someone to communicate with first responders and automatically unlock the doors that are on lockdown." ALERT demonstration ABC News was there in February as Coral Springs police used ALERT for the first time at Coral Springs Charter School. Officers were prepped beforehand by Coral Springs Director of Emergency Management Alex Falcone. The drill began when Coral Springs Police Department communication center manager Kathy Liriano received an alert that a panic button was hit at the school. Liriano immediately alerted police, then took over the school's PA system to address the shooter. "Police are on scene. Shooter, drop your weapon," Liriano said. "Once they start talking over the intercom, the shooter may realize, 'All right, the police are here,' and they may abandon what they're doing and try and escape or ... shoot themselves. We know that a lot of these active killers have [died by] suicide once the police show up," Parry said. Liriano then relays crucial information to officers, including the race of the suspect and their clothing. With the school on lockdown, she is able to unlock the door for police. And as officers rush to the scene, the dispatcher continues to track the shooter in order to give police step-by-step directions to locate and apprehend the shooter upon their arrival. MORE: How to talk to kids about the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton On the first drill, Coral Springs police apprehended the shooter in less than four minutes. The officers then conducted a second drill in which the shooter entered the school and moved at random. "What we're really going to try to test with this is how quickly we can guide officers through the hallways. We're going to test using a lot of different cameras. We're gonna test using all of the features that the system has to offer," Falcone told ABC News correspondent Victor Oquendo. "They're going to have to search the school and they're gonna have to rely on the information provided to us from the software in order for them to find them." But a few minutes into the drill, Liriano selected a button that opened up nearly 300 camera views at once. "We'll disable that button so you can't accidentally click 10 cameras at the same time, because otherwise you're going to have too much on the screen," Mandel told Liriano. "This is an excellent opportunity for us, so we want to make sure that we drill and we drill hard because if we can identify issues now on a safe day in a controlled environment, we can fix that," Falcone said. They then elected to restart with a new drill. This time officers apprehended the shooter just one minute after entering the building. Mandel says the purpose of the drill was to locate additional features and challenges of the software to make it efficient and effective for users. Following the drill, the company removed the feature. Members of the Coral Springs Police force enter Coral Springs Charter School during a demonstration of the ALERT panic alert system. After the drill, 15-year veteran Coral Springs Officer Robert Cherry is impressed, calling ALERT an incredible tool. "It gives us a huge advantage to know exactly where the suspect is at any given moment and a school of this size, you never know where they can be," Cherry said. MORE: Are bulletproof doors the future of school safety? This school district is testing them out Cherry was a first responder to the Parkland shooting. "It's invaluable to have if, God forbid, there's another incident like that," Cherry said about the software. For that reason, Pollack said he hopes this technology expands nationwide and is the future of responding. "In my head," he said, "my daughter will be saying, 'Well, look what we did now, Daddy.'"	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line215
__label__wiki	0.667961	0.667961	Effects of weather, time of day, and survey effort on estimates of species richness in temperate woodlands Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer. (2018) Effects of weather, time of day, and survey effort on estimates of species richness in temperate woodlands. Emu: austral ornithology. 118(2), pp. 183 - 192. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2017.1396188 Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer We used clearly defined measures of weather and time of day to determine their impacts on the number of bird species recorded in 5439 area-search surveys of 142 one-hectare sites in open temperate woodlands. Surveys recording the highest number of species spanned the full range of times of day and weather conditions. For our full dataset, the number of species recorded dropped by 16% at higher wind speeds (>20 km/h), 0.8%/h after sunrise (or 7.4% in the afternoon compared to morning), and 0.5% per degree temperature increase, but was unrelated to cloud cover. Resampling our full dataset, we separated impacts of effort from weather and analysed scenarios which might arise with time or budget constraints. Dawn surveys were less affected by time and weather, and recorded more species than other scenarios per unit of effort, especially at species-rich sites. We demonstrate that setting thresholds for these variables is not warranted if this reduces sample size in a study. Conversely, if researchers are restricted to a fixed number of surveys, then our data highlight that thresholds may be used to optimise results by avoiding periods when less productive conditions, particularly winds >20 km/h, prevail. Temperature; wind; box woodland; temperate eucalypt woodland; survey effort Emu: austral ornithology School of Behavioural and Health Sciences https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8778x/effects-of-weather-time-of-day-and-survey-effort-on-estimates-of-species-richness-in-temperate-woodlands Growth characteristics of eucalyptus camaldulensis trees differ between adjacent regulated and unregulated rivers in semi-arid temperate woodlands Ellis, Murray, Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth and Rayner, Laura. (2017) Growth characteristics of eucalyptus camaldulensis trees differ between adjacent regulated and unregulated rivers in semi-arid temperate woodlands. Forest Ecology and Management. 398, pp. 1 - 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.05.004 Variability in allometric relationships for temperate woodland eucalyptus trees Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth, Ellis, Murray V., Rayner, Laura and Ross, Karen A.. (2016) Variability in allometric relationships for temperate woodland eucalyptus trees. Forest Ecology and Management. 360, pp. 122 - 132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.10.031 Reporting rates of bird species in remnant woodland vegetation plateau three years after drought breaks Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer. (2014) Reporting rates of bird species in remnant woodland vegetation plateau three years after drought breaks. Australian Zoologist. 37(2), pp. 201 - 205. https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2014.025 After the 2010 rains: Changes in reporting rates of birds in remnant woodland vegetation in the central wheatbelt of New South Wales, Australia , from drought to post-drought Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer. (2014) After the 2010 rains: Changes in reporting rates of birds in remnant woodland vegetation in the central wheatbelt of New South Wales, Australia , from drought to post-drought. Australian Zoologist. 37(1), pp. 29 - 39. https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2014.007 Hollow occurrence and abundance varies with tree characteristics and among species in temperate woodland Eucalyptus Rayner, Laura, Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth. (2014) Hollow occurrence and abundance varies with tree characteristics and among species in temperate woodland Eucalyptus. Austral Ecology. 39(2), pp. 145 - 157. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12052 Growth, recruitment and attrition of Eucalyptus tree species in semi-arid temperate woodland Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth, Ellis, Murray and Rayner, Laura. (2014) Growth, recruitment and attrition of Eucalyptus tree species in semi-arid temperate woodland. Forest Ecology and Management. 331, pp. 25 - 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.07.023 Bassian bats in the Eyrean sub-region? : Preliminary acoustic data from the Bogan and Macquarie Rivers in semi-arid NSW Monamy, Vaughan, Taylor, Jennifer, Gonsalves, Leroy and Ellis, Murray. (2013) Bassian bats in the Eyrean sub-region? : Preliminary acoustic data from the Bogan and Macquarie Rivers in semi-arid NSW. Australian Zoologist. https://doi.org/10.7882/az.2013.016 Birds in remnant woodland vegetation in the central wheatbelt of New South Wales during the drought declared years 2005 to 2009 Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer. (2013) Birds in remnant woodland vegetation in the central wheatbelt of New South Wales during the drought declared years 2005 to 2009. Australian Zoologist. https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2011.019 What are they fighting about? Research into disputes in Victorian owners corporations Leshinsky, Rebecca, Condliffe, Peter, Taylor, Elizabeth and Goodman, Robin. (2012) What are they fighting about? Research into disputes in Victorian owners corporations. Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal. 23(2), pp. 112 - 119. Double sampling to assess the accuracy of ground-based surveys of tree hollows in eucalypt woodlands Rayner, Laura, Ellis, Murray and Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth. (2011) Double sampling to assess the accuracy of ground-based surveys of tree hollows in eucalypt woodlands. Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere (print version). 36(3), pp. 252 - 260. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2010.02145.x Post-fire seed predation: Does distance to unburnt vegetation matter? Taylor, Jennifer Elizabeth, Tasker, E. M., Denham, A. J. and Strevens, T. C.. (2011) Post-fire seed predation: Does distance to unburnt vegetation matter? Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere (print version). 36(7), pp. 755 - 766. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2010.02214.x Distributions of lizard species across edges delimiting open-forest and sand-mined areas Bragg, Jason, Taylor, Jennifer and Fox, Barry. (2005) Distributions of lizard species across edges delimiting open-forest and sand-mined areas. Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. 30(2), pp. 188 - 200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2005.01436.x Interaction of multiple disturbances: Importance of disturbance interval in the effects of fire on rehabilitating mined areas Ross, Karen, Taylor, Jennifer, Fox, Marilyn and Fox, Barry. (2004) Interaction of multiple disturbances: Importance of disturbance interval in the effects of fire on rehabilitating mined areas. Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. 29(5), pp. 508 - 529. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2004.01405.x Reproduction in sympatric lizards: Comparison of two species of Ctenotus (Scincidae) in south-eastern Australia Taylor, Jennifer. (2004) Reproduction in sympatric lizards: Comparison of two species of Ctenotus (Scincidae) in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology. 52(6), pp. 649 - 666. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO04017 Experimental manipulation of habitat structure: A retrogression of the small mammal succession Fox, Barry, Taylor, Jennifer and Thompson, Peter. (2003) Experimental manipulation of habitat structure: A retrogression of the small mammal succession. Journal of Animal Ecology. 72(6), pp. 927 - 940. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2656.2003.00765.x	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line218
__label__cc	0.602279	0.397721	Swain, Shurlee The issue of premiums has always proved problematic for advocates of benevolent adoption for whom the involvement of money tainted an exchange that was meant to be grounded in love. This paper argues that the shifting relationship between supply and demand has meant that there has always been a market in children and that adoption was one of the more prominent mechanisms used to regulate that exchange. Drawing on a database of 25000 advertisements placed in Australian newspapers during the so-called century of the child, it analyses the ways in which children were rendered desirable in a competitive market. Analysing the more than 3000 advertisements in which it was made clear that money, known at the time as a premium, was to change hands, it casts new light on the commodification process involved in adoption, identifying a mismatch between the preferences of those seeking and those needing to dispose of children. It identifies a market that was highly responsive to the environment in which it was operating and proved remarkably resilient in the face of the increasing regulation of adoption. By viewing adoption through the lens of the market, it questions the notion that the ‘best interests of the child’ have always necessarily prevailed. history of adoption; adoption advertisements; commodification of children; baby farming; adoption premiums The History of the Family 23 (1), pp. 1 - 19 https://doi.org/10.1080/1081602X.2016.1186558 Author's accepted manuscript auto_convert.pdf Supplemental file OA_Swain_2018_What_price_a_child_commodification_and.docx Authors accepted manuscript. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in The History of the Family on 20 Jun 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1081602X.2016.1186558. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8q81q/what-price-a-child-commodification-and-australian-adoption-practice-1850-1950	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line219
__label__cc	0.535676	0.464324	One Man’s Treasure: How Dockside Pet Products is Repurposing Unsold Food There are a number of companies focusing on ways to recapture produce seconds—the blemished, misshapen, and unsightly fruits and vegetables that don’t make it to supermarket shelves based solely on these aesthetic flaws. Souper Seconds is helping Bay Area chefs find produce seconds, which they plan to chop, dice, and cook to perfection, at a discount. And Imperfect Produce sources produce seconds from farms, packages them for consumers, and delivers them at a reduced price straight to your doorstep. As we’ve recently reported, food waste is a billion-dollar market and making sure this ugly food is eaten is just one way to address the $200 billion-a-year food waste problem. But so far, investors have been hesitant to back food waste-focused technologies, with only $93 million in investment reported in 2015—less than 2% of total agtech investment that year, according to AgFunder. Fortunately, the low investment dollars don’t seem to be stifling innovation in food waste. Now, a Nova Scotia-based company is finding a new use for those perfectly edible and equally nutritious produce seconds: feeding fido. Dane Creek Capital, an investment firm focused on the pet market, recently launched Dockside Pet Products, a new pet food company targeting North America. Unlike some pet food brands, however, the company is taking a unique approach. Working directly with farmers and fisheries, Dockside will use perfectly fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits that don’t make it to the retail market and are otherwise wasted for cosmetic or other reasons that don’t negatively impact their nutritional value. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first business in the pet food, treats, and meal mixer space that is using 100% rescued fresh food and/or sustainable products,” Mark Warren, CEO and chairman of Dane Creek Capital told AgFunderNews. “It’s not only about food waste, but it’s also about water waste, too. Sixty thousand gallons of water per acre is used in growing cauliflower, for example.” Considering that 40% of food produced in Canada and the United States is wasted each year, according to the National Resource Defense Council, using it to create locally sourced and nutritionally-rich pet food products makes sense. Sourcing produce and seafood seconds allows the company to keep input costs low. Its location in Nova Scotia’s fertile Annapolis Valley also gives it plenty of options for finding a consistent supply of produce and seafood seconds. In addition to recapturing this would-be food waste, the company is also incorporating a relatively new type of protein; insects. Dane Creek Capital recently acquired a 48 percent interest in Midgard Insect Farm, a Halifax producer of insect-based powder for the pet food industry. The farm was founded by Joy Hillier, a registered veterinary technician who became interested in insects as food for pets through her own food security and sustainability research. As part of the new partnership with Dockside, the duo will create a 1,500 square foot research facility where Midgard can work on improving insect-based protein for pets. Perennia, a non-profit corporation in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, which focuses on assisting the province’s farmers, fishers, and food processors, will also take part in the venture. Dockside’s premium products are mostly developed for dogs at this point, with a few treat options for cats and a long-term plan to provide more for felines. Crickets can be gut-loaded 48 hours before harvesting, a process which involves feeding the crickets with something specific to modify their ultimate flavor profile. If you feed crickets nothing but lobster meal during that two-day period, they will end up taking on a lobster-like flavor, says Warren. This may help launch new products for cats, which are pure carnivores. For now, the brand is targeting Canada with plans to expand into the US. They’re also considering India due to its large population—1.5 billion—and a growing middle class that’s increasingly owning dogs as pets, says Warren. None of Dockside’s products include beef, which is a big deal to many Indians who eschew bovine-based food for cultural and religious reasons. With some consumers are having a hard time contemplating noshing down pulverized bugs themselves, there may be a similar gut-wrenching reaction to feeding crickets to our beloved pets. Warren doesn’t see this as a major issue. “I think a lot of it will come down to marketing and nomenclature. We don’t call it food waste,” explains Warren. “Secondly, we will be hitting fairly heavily on social media. It gives us a chance to explain that some of these produce and seafood seconds are actually nutritionally superior.” Cauliflower provides a good example. If a head of cauliflower has too much anthocyanin pigment, it can bear a purplish hue which supermarkets and consumers find unsightly. This compound has been associated with multiple health benefits, however, including preventing eye disorders and improving brain function. “The more anthocyanin it has, the better it actually is for the pet nutritionally,” says Warren. “That hue actually disqualifies it from making it onto store shelves because we are conditioned to buy white cauliflower. Social media will allow us to point out the silliness of the purchasing habits of consumers and how we are manipulated into doing stupid things when we buy food.” This is relatively easy compared to marketing in the past, he notes, with social media’s ability to instantly send a message on a more widespread basis and a much lower price. In addition to a sound social media marketing strategy, forming strategic partnerships is an important goal for Dockside. The new venture with Midgard and Perennia is just a sampling of the partnerships to come, says Warren. “You’ll see us doing deals with very big names,” forecasts Warren. “The plan is to make Nova Scotia the center of research regarding how to use rescued fresh food and sustainable products in the pet industry. We intend to bring in significant partners to assist in that.” In a recent statement, Dane Creek Capital announced that it was looking to partner with new pet industry companies seeking fresh sources of funding and management support. It anticipates closing up to three investments by the end of 2016. As for scaling Dockside, Warren is optimistic. They’re experimenting with apples, carrots, cranberries, and Pollock, a meaty white fish, for future product lines. Mealworms are also on their radar, and the company is already experimenting with using mealworm oil as a binding agent. There are a few challenges, including navigating the rapidly shifting food safety regulations in the US. The FDA has made substantial strides implementing the new Food Safety Modernization Act, which applies to both human food and pet food. Not every state recognizes insects as a protein, either. “Our plan and expectation is that more states will start recognizing cricket protein for pet food and meal mix,” he says. “It’s just a matter of time.” Warren seems like the right person to man Dockside’s helm. He is the founder and former president and CEO of Pethealth, which he formed in 1998. Pethealth became the world’s largest provider of companion animal microchip technology, and a leading provider of pet insurance, cloud-based software, and online pet specialty retail to pet owners, veterinarians and animal welfare organizations throughout North America and the UK. Combined with the company’s equally experienced CFO, Gary Tennison, the duo has over 30 years of experience in the pet food industry. PrevPreviousAg Industry Brief: Pessl Partners with Huawei on IoT for Ag, Olam Deploys Phytech, IntelinAir Adds New CoFounder, more NextSmallholder Farmers Have the Ability to Save and myAgro is Helping Them Do ItNext Phood raises $2m seed funding to help kitchens monitor food waste Food waste to indoor farming input: Re-Nuble raises $1.1m seed funding Kaffe Bueno brews up $1.3m funding to upcycle coffee grounds into functional ingredients No more rotten tomatoes: Improving agricultural logistics through technology	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line224
__label__wiki	0.801612	0.801612	The Great Drama of Great Park February 9, 2016 /in News /by administrator The Orange County Great Park, with a history of generating more controversy than recreation, continues to take shape at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Irvine, California. Since its inception in 2002, the project has served as somewhat of a political football, as accusations of mismanagement of personnel and funds hampered development. The Great Recession of 2008 further complicated matters, and only in the past few years have city leaders and developers reached what all hope is a viable plan to finish the largest new metropolitan park in the state. Great Park Then That almost 700 acres of Great Park is finally under construction and on target for public use is a welcome contrast to the park’s tumultuous past. The genesis of Great Park came in 2002, when Orange County voters approved a ballot measure halting plans for conversion of the former Marine base into an international airport, replacing it with a broadly defined regional park. The base was annexed by the city of Irvine a year later. In the meantime, federal officials decided to auction off the closed property. Homebuilding giant Lennar acquired the 4,682-acre property for $649.5 million in July 2005. Lennar agreed to deed 1,347 acres to the city for Great Park, as well as a payment of $200 million toward park planning and development. The first years of Great Park’s existence were full of high expectations. A nine-member board of directors (five city council members and four independent individuals) commissioned the park design that won national planning awards, engineers drafted infrastructure schematics and derelict buildings on the property were demolished. Dozens of organizations and individuals approached park leaders and staff proposing partnerships that might result in museums, community centers or specialty sports facilities. A major entertainment conglomerate organized a rock concert on site, and Cirque de Soleil staged its unique performances at the park. Initial development of Great Park was modest — a play area and four soccer fields were built. A historical timeline was painted on a preserved portion of a runway, a small hangar was repurposed for events and a permanent base for balloon operations was constructed (Lennar donated a helium balloon to the park, which soon became its signature symbol). Balloon rides were free and thousands of local residents made the 400-foot ascent. After taking control of Great Park by rewriting its legal charter (relegating the nine-member board to an advisory capacity), the Irvine City Council decided to “activate” the park with concerts, art shows, pumpkin festivals and similar public events. But, the growing contrast between lofty assurances of big things to come and the dearth of significant construction began to generate criticism in the press and from other elected leaders. The park’s many sole-source contracts also raised eyebrows. Eventually, the Orange County Grand Jury launched an investigation into the Great Park project. Great Park became entwined with city politics, at once embraced by the majority faction that had controlled the city council for more than a decade and targeted by opposition candidates who focused on the continued spending and unfulfilled promises. In 2008, Great Park was caught up in the national financial chaos — Lennar’s key lender was Lehman Brothers, which went bankrupt during the Great Recession. Lennar cut staff and slowed operations, later positioning development of Great Park under the auspices of Five Point Communities. The potential for funding to build out Great Park — estimated at more than $1 billion — initially looked positive because the city had placed the entire project in its redevelopment zone. Over a 40-year lifetime, redevelopment would generate hundreds of millions of dollars if all the residential and commercial development was built. But, that bubble burst in early 2011 when redevelopment agencies were disbanded by California Governor Jerry Brown. As the prospect of significant funding evaporated, the long-term viability of Great Park became a hot topic of debate in the city and county (eventually, Irvine settled a lawsuit it filed against the state that challenged the demise of redevelopment, accepting $227 million paid out over a decade). City elections in 2012 brought in a new majority of councilmembers who demanded answers about Great Park spending. They commissioned two forensic audits, supplementing an accounting firm with a law firm. The city posted on its webpage the depositions of 23 former staff, consultants and others connected to the project, that were conducted for the audit. Testimony in the depositions pulled back the curtains of Great Park activities, detailing accusations of political favoritism, power struggles between consultants and staff and an atmosphere of apprehension and uncertainty. The 2014 elections seated a new council that extended the scope of the audit, raising the possibility that legal action against some Great Park consultants might follow. In March 2015, the city released the results of an audit of past Great Park spending and management that took more than two years to complete. The audit testimony painted a picture of dysfunction, political intrigue and alleged cronyism, including multiple accusations that a political consultant with no engineering or planning expertise became the unofficial, self-appointed project manager of Great Park. Especially remarkable was a 27-page statement from former Great Park CEO Mike Ellzey that claimed his authority was undercut by consultants and elected officials. Ellzey, whose six-year tenure as Great Park CEO was a record (the first CEO lasted a little more than two years, the second just four months, the third about 14 months), left the city in early 2015 for a new job as director of the nearby Nixon Library. With so much testimony already public, the release of the audit was anticlimactic. More than 150 pages long, it concluded that “hubris” and an inability of Great Park leaders to deal with financial and management issues in a straightforward manner allowed the project to drift far from its original path. Some of the consultants who were criticized in the audit have fought back with lengthy rebuttals and a website detailing their version of events. They also convinced a committee in the State Assembly in late summer to order the California State Auditor to audit the Great Park audit. Results of the state investigation are not expected until well into 2016. Irvine Assistant City Manager Eric Tolles now leads the Great Park project. According to city estimates, there is about $327 million available (not counting the money Five Point Communities is now spending on development of the park) for construction, operation and management during the next 10 years. Continue reading at Parks and Recreation… http://agranaudit.com/wp-content/uploads/logotext_agran_small.png 0 0 administrator http://agranaudit.com/wp-content/uploads/logotext_agran_small.png administrator2016-02-09 00:04:492016-02-09 00:04:49The Great Drama of Great Park	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line225
__label__wiki	0.851575	0.851575	AnswersDrive What are the three economic questions that must be answered? Upvote6Downvote0 Answer it The three basic economic questions that every society must answer include "What goods and services should be produced?", "How should these goods and services be produced?", and "Who consumes these goods and services?" Similarly, you may ask, what are the three basic economic questions? Given that we have relative scarcity it gives rise to three basic economic questions faced by every economy. What to produce? This is concerned with how we allocate our scarce resources. How to produce? For whom to produce? What are three basic economic questions that every country must answer? What are the three key economic questions every society must answer? What goods and services should be produced? How should these goods and services be produced? Who consumes these goods and services? What are the four basic questions of economics? The four basic economic questions are (1) what goods and services and how much of each to produce, (2) how to produce, (3) for whom to produce, and (4) who owns and controls the factors of production. In a capitalist economy, the first question is answered by consumers as they spend their money. What are the four key elements of the study of economics? Economics Questions Ch.1&2 scarcity. the basic economic problem facing all societies. There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. TINSTAAFL. What to produce, How to produce, For whom to produce. Land, Capital, Labor, Production. Description, analysis, explanation, prediction. haircuts, home repairs, concerts. scarce and utility. What is the fundamental problem of economics? The fundamental economic problem. The fundamental economic problem is related to the issue of scarcity. Because of limited resources and infinite demands, society needs to determine how to produce and distribute these relatively scarce resources. How does a traditional economy decide what to produce? The work in rural areas is often subsistence farming, herding animals, or in simple crafts and trade. system of trading in goods and services, replaces currency in a traditional economy. No country today has a primarily traditional economy. produced in a traditional economy is the tribe or family group. What are the three main types of economic systems? Economists generally recognize three distinct types of economic system. These are 1) command economies; 2) market economies and 3) traditional economies. Each of these kinds of economies answers the three basic economic questions (What to produce, how to produce it, for whom to produce it) in different ways. What should be produced in a command economy? In a command economy, the government controls major aspects of economic production. The government decides the means of production and owns the industries that produce goods and services for the public. The government prices and produces goods and services that it thinks benefits the people. Why economics is considered as a part of social science? Economics is considered a social science because it seeks to explain how society deals with the scarcity problem. Economics is one of several disciplines that apply the scientific method to the study of human behavior, a social science. Why do we need to study economics? Economics is the study of how societies use scarce resources to produce valuable commodities and distribute them among different people. Indeed, economics is an important subject because of the fact of scarcity and the desire for efficiency. What is the basic fundamental economic problem facing society? The Basic Problem - Scarcity. Scarcity, or limited resources, is one of the most basic economic problems we face. We run into scarcity because while resources are limited, we are a society with unlimited wants. Therefore, we have to choose. What are the four major kinds of resources? Economists divide the factors of production into four categories: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. The first factor of production is land, but this includes any natural resource used to produce goods and services. Where are most traditional economies found? Most traditional economies operate in emerging markets and developing countries. They are often in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. But you can find pockets of traditional economies scattered throughout the world. What is a closed economy? A closed economy is self-sufficient meaning that no imports are brought into the country, and no exports are sent out of the country. A closed economy is the opposite of an open economy, in which a country conducts trade with other nations. What does an economic system determine? An economic system is a system of production, resource allocation and distribution of goods and services within a society or a given geographic area. What are the four types of productive resources? These resources, called productive resources, are often classified into three groups: natural resources, human resources, and capital resources. Natural resources (often called land) refer to resources such as coal, water, trees, and land itself. What are the types of economic systems? There are four primary types of economic systems in the world: traditional, command, market and mixed. Each economy has its strengths and weaknesses, its sub-economies and tendencies, and, of course, a troubled history. What are the main characteristics of a capitalist economy? Main Characteristics of Capitalist Economies. There are several different types of economic systems employed by nations. Two such types, socialism and capitalism are the most common. Capitalism is often referred to as a free market economy in its purest form; a common type of socialism is communism. What should be produced in a market economy? Producers decide what to produce given the demand they see in the marketplace in terms of their sales and the prices they get for their goods and services. In a pure market economy, also known as a laissez-faire economy (from the French “allow to do”), the government plays a very limited role in what is produced. What is the law of increasing costs? In economics, the law of increasing costs is a principle that states that once all factors of production (land, labor, capital) are at maximum output and efficiency, producing more will cost more than average. As production increases, the opportunity cost does as well. How can an entrepreneur make a profit? An entrepreneur is a person that creates, organizes and manages a business while trying to make a profit. The first thing an entrepreneur needs to do is to think of an idea. They have to be inquirers so they can gather as much information as possible. They need to constantly reflect on their decisions. Write Your Answer 100% people found this answer useful, click to cast your vote. what-are-the-three-economic-questions-that-must-be-answered-50095325 / 5 based on 1 vote. Similar Asks How do you answer a research question? What do you call a yes or no answer? What is a known answer question? What is the name of a question that has no answer? What are three basic economic questions that must be answered? How do you know the answer? What is the answer to sup? Where does the answer lie? Do you copy answer? Press Ctrl + D to add this site to your favorites! © 2021 answersdrive.com About Us Contact Us Popular Trending Privacy Policy	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line226
__label__cc	0.728575	0.271425	Become a Leader of the New Pacific Century At APIS, our people and place allow us to offer an exceptional high school education. We combine rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with a project-based learning philosophy, exploring the rich resources of our islands and those available in our global classroom, which includes international experts, our South Korea campus, and local and global experiences. In high school, students employ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship skills in each of their core and elective classes, asking questions, devising solutions, and applying content lessons to serve throughout the world. American Literature, World Literature, Creative Writing, Journalism, Literature of Youth, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC Chinese I-IV, Japanese I-IV, Korean I-IV, English as a Language (EAL) Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Astronomy, Agriculture U.S. History, World History, East Asian Studies, World Geography, U.S. Government, Hawaiian History, Global Issues in Action, Sustainable Development, Economics and Investing Topics in Computer Science, Game Design, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Digital Marketing, Digital Imaging and Video, Audio Technology Performing and Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Printmaking, Band, Guitar, Chorus, Theatre, Dance College courses at the University of Hawai‘i, Windward Community College Internships with industry experts Independent Study with faculty mentors ACT/SAT Prep and College Counseling English as an Additional Language (EAL) Economics and Investing Global Issues Network University of Hawai‘i Courses (Juniors and Seniors) (Juniors and Seniors) Washington D.C. Trip From Kindergarten to Grade 12, APIS students study Chinese, Japanese and Korean, immersing in the language and culture to become true global citizens. APIS offers a fully-articulated language continuum, building students’ language skills within our personalized, project-based learning environment. In the middle and high school, students learn guitar, sing in the chorus, and can select an instrument to play in the band, which performs for the community. Visual art across grade levels includes drawing, painting, printmaking, and ceramics, while digital imaging and video classes focus on storytelling through media manipulation. Students showcase their performance abilities in regular theatre productions and dance recitals. The APIS English as a Language (EAL) program provides multilingual students with individualized instructional and social support, enabling and empowering each student to participate fully in APIS’s academic and social activities as well as in local and global English-speaking communities. We offer a comprehensive approach to English proficiency screening, placement, program delivery, and assessment, focusing on targeted skill development in a student’s areas of need. APIS has a fully-articulated computer science program, which begins with coding and robotics in elementary, advances to app building in middle school, and masters coding languages like Java, C++, and Python in high school. Math students have the opportunity to compete against other island schools in the MathCounts competition. Additional science, technology, and engineering projects include construction, digital and video imaging, and architecture exploration. Our STEM program is supported by one-to-one computer access, a maker space, and IT infrastructure. Beyond being an integral part of planning, planting, and sustaining a working farm, students experience the systems involved in producing healthy food while encouraging respect for the ʻāina (land), collaboration, and creativity. Living on an island rich in culture and history provides a unique opportunity to develop an appreciation for traditional Hawaiian farming methods and to raise awareness about each students’ ecological footprint. Through service trips to the taro patch or fish pond, integration of Hawai‘i-focused texts into language arts courses, or exhibitions of hula or oli (chants), students explore the rich historical and cultural context of our campus. APIS’ outdoor education program explores our rich resources within our 97-acre campus and in our neighboring and global community. Through camping trips on O‘ahu and the neighbor islands, hiking, survival training, and team-building activities, students gain leadership skills and take steps to become sustainable stewards of resources. Through the application of physical and life science concepts, our Hawai‘i environment becomes the ultimate laboratory for exploring living and nonliving environments of the Pacific ocean as well as local rivers and lakes. Students apply critical thinking and citizenship skills to address ethical and social issues, including coral depletion, fishing practices, and the global climate. Throughout this course, students compete in The Stock Market Game, investing $100K and competing against other schools to have the greatest returns. With this Wall Street-based curriculum, students build a fundamental understanding of investing through real-world skills practice in math, English language arts, economics, social studies, and other subjects. The Global Issues Network (GIN) is an internationally-recognized group that allows students to tackle the twenty most pressing challenges to create a better future. With an interdisciplinary lens, students investigate real-world issues affecting our communities, nations, and world and are then challenged to examine, propose, develop, and act on solutions. Advanced high school students have the opportunity to take actual college courses offered in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i, Windward Campus. These courses count for dual credit, meaning APIS credit and college-level credit,which may be transferred to other universities. All juniors do a month-long internship in a local business, gaining real-world lessons in fields of interest and creating relationships with industry experts. The final exhibition of the internship includes students sharing a project they completed and reflecting on lessons learned. What are you passionate about? This question has led our students to pursue studies in social media marketing, kinesthesiology, English language teaching, advanced digital imaging, Native Hawaiian plant conservation, and more. Students design their course description and then are matched with a teacher or mentor to guide their learning, including exhibitions and internships. History lessons come to life as students explore the United States’ capital, visiting museums, the Capitol, and more. Students also tour universities in the area, including George Washington, Georgetown, and the University of Maryland.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line229
__label__wiki	0.838499	0.838499	Ships that Served Grenada 2018-07-22 philatelygrenada, philately, ships, stamps, topical Originally published October 23, 2010. Issued on November 3, 1976, Grenada commemorated ships that were connected to the development of the island nation. The seven stamps were printed by lithography and perforated 14½. Depicted on a green sea with a light blue background, each design is framed by rope work with a bowline on the right and an anchor on the left. The S.S. Geestland was built by Scott’s Shipbuilding and Engineering of Greenock. Launched in February of 1972, she was delivered to her owners Geest Industries in June 1972. Used as a liner the Geestland travelled mainly between the Caribbean and UK. Laden with general cargo outbound from the UK, she returned with Bananas and other tropical fruit. Gross Tonnage: 5,871; Length: 489’ 7”; Breadth: 63’ 2”; 6 Cylinder Sulzer oil engine delivering 12,00 BHP for a speed of 21 knots. The M.V. Federal Palm was built by Port Weller Dry Docks of St. Catherines Ontario in 1961. She was delivered to her owners near the end of that year. Built with accommodation berths for 50 passengers and 200 on deck, the Federal Palm was also equipped with Cranes and derricks to offload herself. She was also equipped with whaleboats to shuttle cargo ashore where needed. Gross Tonnage: 3,171; Length: 298’; Breadth: 51’ 8”; 2 Fairbanks-Morse locomotive engines delivering 3,400 BHP for a speed of 15 knots. HMS Blake a Royal Navy Tiger Class Cruiser was completed in 1961 at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd. She was the last cruiser built for the Royal Navy. Converted to a command and helicopter cruiser, the Blake was equipped with modern command, control and communications equipment and was used as a flagship. Displacement: 12,080 tons; Length: 555 & ½’; Breadth: 64’; Four Admiralty-type 3 drum boilers and 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines delivering 80,000 SHP for a speed of 31½ knots. Built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson at Wallsend in 1973 the MV Vistafjordwas built for the Norwegian America Line. She was delivered to her owners in May of 1973. With accommodation for 830 passengers, the Vistafjord left on her maiden voyage for New York City from Oslo on May 23, 1973. After her arrival in New York, she was used for world cruises. She appeared in a German television series as the ‘Traumschiff’ (Dreams). Gross Tonnage: 24,292 tons; Length: 626’ 11”; Breadth: 82’; 2 Sulzer diesels delivering 17, 650 KW of power for a speed of 20 knots. The SS Canberra is known as one of the most beautiful ships in the world. Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast. Operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company., she was named after the Capital of Australia. Launched March 16, 1960, the Canberra sailed the world’s oceans for many years. Nicknamed the Great White Whale, the Canberra served with the Royal Navy during the Falklands War in 1982 as a troopship. She survived the Falklands War but was sent to the scrappers in 1997. Gross Tonnage: 45,270 tons; Length: 818’; Breadth: 102’; 2 Steam turbines powering 2 electric engines producing 85,000 hp for a speed of 27½ knots. The SS Regina was built as the Panama in 1939, she was acquired by the US Army in 1941 to serve as a troopship and renamed the USAT James Parker. After the war, she returned to service as the Panama. In 1957 she was sold to the President Lines and renamed President Hoover. She sailed under this name until 1964 when she was purchased by the Chandris Line and renamed Regina. The Regina sailed the Caribbean in the winter season making Nassau her home port. Gross Tonnage: 10, 021 tons; Length: 493’ 7”; Breadth: 64’ 3”; 4 Steam turbines producing 9,150 SHP for a speed of 17 knots. The Arandora Star was built by Camel and Laird at Birkenhead and completed in 1927. In 1929 she was converted to a cruise liner. She sailed to many destinations. She was nicknamed the ‘Wedding Cake’ or the ‘Chocolate Box’. At the outset of World War II, she was used a transport ship and carried evacuees from Norway and France. On her last voyage, she was destined for Canada carrying Axis nationals and prisoners of war when she was torpedoed and sank off the North West coast of Ireland. Gross Tonnage: 12,847 tons; Length: 512’; Breadth: 68’; 4 Steam turbines driving 2 screws for 16 knots. Shipstamps.co.uk ← The 4 Indian Kings Love and Sweethearts →	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line234
__label__cc	0.596256	0.403744	Bag, Weigh, Teflon Film Usage Conditions May Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Teflon bag; metal frame top and bottom. Display Status: This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage. Collection Item Summary: Weigh bags made of Teflon plastic film were used during the Apollo 12 mission. Designed to hold rock and soil samples as they were collected, the bags were attached to the waist of the astronaut’s spacesuit or by tether to the lunar module. Rectangular metal frames supported the bag allowing for a large opening in the top. When filled the bags were designed to fit snugly into an Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (rock box). This unit was used for training and transferred to the Museum in 1974. National Air and Space Museum Collection Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Union Carbide, Nuclear Division 3-D: 22.2 × 3.1 × 35.6cm (8 3/4 in. × 1 1/4 in. × 1 ft. 2 in.) Restrictions & Rights For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. EQUIPMENT-Lunar	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line237
__label__wiki	0.630524	0.630524	Home > Journals > AIS Journals > MISQE > Vol. 15 (2016) > Iss. 3 How a Latecomer Company Used IT to Redeploy Slack Resources Wenyu Du, School of Business, Renmin University of ChinaFollow Shan L. Pan, Australian School of Business, University of New South WalesFollow Jinsong Huang, Kennesaw State UniversityFollow Many companies slow in adopting modern enterprise systems are catching up. An important agenda of CIOs of these latecomer companies is to redeploy slack resources into productive use. IS research, however, has not previously studied how to use IT to redeploy slack resources. Based on an in-depth case study of the digital transformation completed by a latecomer - XCMG, the largest construction machinery manufacturer in China - we derive a four-phase process model of IT-enabled slack redeployment and provide six recommendations for CIOs. These findings and recommendations are timely because, as the economy slows, slack resources are becoming commonplace in many companies.Click here for podcast summary (mp3)Click here for free 2-page executive summary (pdf)Click here for free presentation slides (pptx) Du, Wenyu; Pan, Shan L.; and Huang, Jinsong (2016) "How a Latecomer Company Used IT to Redeploy Slack Resources," MIS Quarterly Executive: Vol. 15 : Iss. 3 , Article 3. Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/misqe/vol15/iss3/3 V15I3_Du_etal.pptx (2105 kB) Submit an Author-Video Here All Issues Vol. 19, Iss. 4 Vol. 19, Iss. 3 Vol. 19, Iss. 2 Vol. 19, Iss. 1 Vol. 18, Iss. 4 Vol. 18, Iss. 3 Vol. 18, Iss. 2 Vol. 18, Iss. 1 Vol. 17, Iss. 4 Vol. 17, Iss. 3 Vol. 17, Iss. 2 Vol. 17, Iss. 1 Vol. 16, Iss. 4 Vol. 16, Iss. 3 Vol. 16, Iss. 2 Vol. 16, Iss. 1 Vol. 15, Iss. 4 Vol. 15, Iss. 3 Vol. 15, Iss. 2 Vol. 15, Iss. 1 Vol. 14, Iss. 4 Vol. 14, Iss. 3 Vol. 14, Iss. 2 Vol. 14, Iss. 1 Vol. 13, Iss. 4 Vol. 13, Iss. 3 Vol. 13, Iss. 2 Vol. 13, Iss. 1 Vol. 12, Iss. 4 Vol. 12, Iss. 3 Vol. 12, Iss. 2 Vol. 12, Iss. 1 Vol. 11, Iss. 4 Vol. 11, Iss. 3 Vol. 11, Iss. 2 Vol. 11, Iss. 1 Vol. 10, Iss. 4 Vol. 10, Iss. 3 Vol. 10, Iss. 2 Vol. 10, Iss. 1 Vol. 9, Iss. 4 Vol. 9, Iss. 3 Vol. 9, Iss. 2 Vol. 9, Iss. 1 Vol. 8, Iss. 4 Vol. 8, Iss. 3 Vol. 8, Iss. 2 Vol. 8, Iss. 1 Vol. 7, Iss. 4 Vol. 7, Iss. 3 Vol. 7, Iss. 2 Vol. 7, Iss. 1 Vol. 6, Iss. 4 Vol. 6, Iss. 3 Vol. 6, Iss. 2 Vol. 6, Iss. 1 Vol. 5, Iss. 4 Vol. 5, Iss. 3 Vol. 5, Iss. 2 Vol. 5, Iss. 1 Vol. 4, Iss. 4 Vol. 4, Iss. 3 Vol. 4, Iss. 2 Vol. 4, Iss. 1 Vol. 3, Iss. 4 Vol. 3, Iss. 3 Vol. 3, Iss. 2 Vol. 3, Iss. 1 Vol. 2, Iss. 2 Vol. 2, Iss. 1 Vol. 1, Iss. 2 Vol. 1, Iss. 1	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line238
__label__wiki	0.819044	0.819044	Marcus Montgomery I. Congress 1) Legislation SECURE F-35 Exports Act. On October 20, Senators Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) and Dianne Feinstein (D-California) introduced S. 4814 (see text here) in an effort to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME) by limiting states in the region that can secure the vaunted F-35 fighter jet. The legislation lays out a host of reporting requirements a president must certify to approve a sale of F-35s to countries in the region, including verifying to Congress that the sale would not jeopardize Israel’s QME and undermine or threaten US national security interests. In addition, the recipient country must also agree that it will not use the planes to conduct operations “inimical to the security of Israel.” Interestingly, the bill also dictates that for any certification to be issued, this and all future administrations must determine that the recipient country has not furnished US-made weapons—or those of any origin—to designated terrorist organizations or armed militias fighting US or Israeli partners or allies. This phrasing is very particular and is perhaps intended to signal dissatisfaction with potential F-35 sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been accused of providing arms—including US-made weapons—to militias and terrorist groups in Yemen, Libya, and elsewhere. Condemning Turkey’s Attacks on US Forces and Allies. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) introduced H. Res. 1195 criticizing Turkey for, among other things, its ongoing involvement in conflicts in Libya and Syria. Gabbard’s resolution goes on to condemn Ankara for allegedly supporting terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State and for its continued aggressive posture toward US partners in the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) introduced H.R. 8641 (see text here), named after the late Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in an effort to broaden US support for journalists against gross abuse of human rights. The legislation expands US government reporting requirements on violations of human rights to ensure that annual reports also include abuses perpetrated specifically against journalists. In addition, the bill requires that a president levy sanctions against individuals responsible for ordering abuses of human rights against journalists, including blocking property in US jurisdictions and revoking and prohibiting the issuance of travel visas to the United States. Lastly, Schiff’s bill prohibits the United States from providing foreign or military assistance to state institutions that are led by individuals found to have commissioned human rights abuses against journalists. 2) Personnel and Correspondence Fifty-six Members of Congress Write to Sisi on Political Prisoners. Fifty-five congressional Democrats and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont), according to a press release, sent a letter to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi this week calling on Cairo to unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience held in jails around the country. In the letter, lawmakers expressed their concerns about the Sisi regime’s practice of jailing journalists, political activists, and human rights defenders and urged the government to release these prisoners “before their wrongful imprisonment becomes a death sentence due to the coronavirus pandemic.” House Democrats Call on US to Pull out of Saudi-led G20 Meeting. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) and her House colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the administration to withdraw from participating in the next G20 summit, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia. The members told the secretary that the kingdom is unfit to hold the meeting and that, if the United States were to attend the summit, Riyadh must first tell the truth about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, release political prisoners and rights activists, loosen restrictions on the press, embrace religious freedom, end the war in Yemen, stop intervening against democracy movements in the region, reduce its impact on climate change, and reform its kafala labor practices. Lawmakers Unleash Criticism on Turkey. Multiple House lawmakers are raising the alarm about ongoing Turkish activity that they say undermines security and stability in the Middle East and among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. First, Reps. Eliot Engel (D-New York) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) released a statement criticizing Ankara for its recent decision to test the S-400 missile defense system it acquired from Russia. According to US law, Turkey is supposed to be subject to sanctions for purchasing and testing equipment that NATO, to which Turkey belongs, views as a security threat. Turkey’s use of the S-400 system, combined with its ongoing destabilizing activities in places like Libya and Syria, prompted Engel and Rep. Bill Keating (D-Massachusetts) to write to Secretary Pompeo and urge him to take greater actions—including implementing mandated sanctions—to spur a change in Ankara’s behavior. The Cost of Trump’s Foreign Policy: Damage and Consequences for US and Global Security. Senator Bob Menendez commissioned a report to examine the position the United States is in after nearly four years of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Completed by the staff representing the Democratic minority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the report outlines the numerous ways these officials believe the Trump Administration has hampered US relations and US policy abroad. On US Middle East policy, it states that President Trump’s decision to leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, his unwillingness to push for greater democracy and human rights protections in the region, and his cozy relationships with illiberal and autocratic leaders of countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia have hurt the United States and its influence in the region and left it isolated at a time when it needs partners to confront larger problems. The study also offers a host of policy recommendations that one can expect the Democratic Party to embrace should it win control of the White House and/or the US Senate after the November elections. This will have serious consequences for the countries named in the report, particularly Saudi Arabia. II. Executive Branch 1) White House NSA O’Brien Brokers Sit-Down with Lebanon Spy Chief. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien was busy this week marketing President Trump’s foreign policy as successful while also trying to enlist Lebanon in US efforts to secure the release of US prisoners in Syria. O’Brien and other administration officials—including Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel—hosted Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon’s General Security, reportedly at O’Brien’s invitation. Because of his extensive personal ties with leaders of Hezbollah in Lebanon and to power brokers in Syria, Iraq, and Iran, Ibrahim is viewed by many in Washington as a problematic actor; at the same time, others consider him as a crucial interlocutor on issues related to hostage negotiations. Indeed, it appears O’Brien’s intention was to enlist Ibrahim’s help in securing the release of Americans held in Syria, particularly the Marine veteran and journalist Austin Tice. This comes after Kash Patel, a deputy assistant at the White House, reportedly traveled to Syria to seek information about Tice’s whereabouts. Unfortunately, Abbas Ibrahim tested positive for COVID-19 after his visit with US officials, forcing O’Brien and others to go into quarantine because of their exposure. 2) Department of State United States Set to Delist Sudan as State Sponsor of Terrorism. The Trump Administration is moving forward with plans to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The announcement comes after Khartoum agreed to pay $335 million in compensation to the victims of terrorist attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, as well as the bombing of the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen. Once no longer blacklisted, Sudan will be eligible for international financial assistance and the Trump Administration vowed to provide millions in aid when Sudan pays the settlement. However, this payment could be complicated by Congress. Lawmakers would have to use the appropriations process to pass substantial amounts of aid to Khartoum; in addition, a majority is required of both chambers to pass a law shielding Sudan from future terrorist-related lawsuits, as the country is seeking. Some, like Senator Bob Menendez, are putting the breaks on that plan, signaling there is resistance to passing any such bill unless Sudan also compensates victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (in which Sudan has been deemed complicit). The US decision also appears to be timed to ensure that Sudan normalizes relations with Israel, a move that, despite some congressional resistance to providing immediate aid, would see Khartoum securing millions in assistance from the UAE. Secretary Pompeo Holds Talks for Bilateral Relations with UAE, Lebanese Officials. Secretary Pompeo and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a virtual launch of the US-UAE Joint Strategic Dialogue this week, where multiple US and Emirati officials held meetings to further strengthen relations between the two countries. In addition to Pompeo’s meeting with the foreign minister, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross had a virtual conversation with Emirati officials on expanding commercial ties between the two countries. The launch of the US-UAE Joint Strategic Dialogue comes on the heels of the recent US-Saudi dialogue, which resulted in the issuing of a joint statement of agreement to continue bilateral cooperation in the fields of intelligence, economics, defense, and cybersecurity. Secretary Pompeo later phoned Lebanese President Michel Aoun to discuss developments in Lebanon and to show his support for the start of Lebanese-Israeli maritime border negotiations. State Department Announces New Sanctions, Warns of More for Iran Arms Sales. This week, the State Department announced a new round of sanctions, this time targeting China and Hong Kong-based companies and an al-Qaeda financier. The Chinese entities are accused of supporting Iranian shipping lines, which the department says are responsible for transporting items critical to Iran’s ballistic missile program. As for the latter set of sanctions, the State Department announced it designated Ahmed Luqman Talib and his Australia-based company for sanctions due to his role in providing financial support to al-Qaeda. While these sanctions are definite, Secretary Pompeo also took time to threaten the entire international community with sanctions, now that the UN arms embargo on Iran has expired. Pompeo told companies around the globe that despite the expiration—and the international communities’ unwillingness to engage with Washington’s unilateral sanctions regime—the United States would continue its policy and will sanction any company that facilitates the sale of arms to Tehran. 3) Department of the Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Leads Delegation to Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and the White House’s Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz led a delegation of officials to Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE this week to continue building on the agreements known as the Abraham Accords. The United States, the UAE, and Israel agreed to create a joint investment fund to encourage even greater regional cooperation. 4) Department of Justice DOJ Commandeers Iraqi Militia Website, Warns of Iran Election Interference. The Department of Justice and the broader intelligence community took cyber action this week against an Iran-backed Iraqi militia at the same time that this militia and the US intelligence chief warned of Iranian efforts to sow chaos in US elections. The department, which had originally seized domain names in August, announced the seizure of two additional web domains for Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia designated as a terrorist group. Concurrently, the Department of Justice’s investigatory arm—the FBI—announced alongside the Director of National Intelligence that the United States had reason to believe Iran had gathered voter files—publicly available collections of US voter registrations held by individual states—and was using the information to spam voters. The effort, according to the administration, is intended to harm President Trump’s reelection chances and generally undermine US voters’ faith in the electoral process. III. Judicial Branch Hatice Cengiz, Fiancée of Jamal Khashoggi, Sues MbS in US Court. The fiancée of the late Jamal Khashoggi filed a lawsuit in Washington, DC this week, in conjunction with Khashoggi’s rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now. The suit seeks to hold responsible Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and over 20 others for Khashoggi’s murder. There are a host of legal questions about the viability of such a lawsuit, but the plaintiffs made it clear that they want the court to help hold MbS responsible for personally ordering Khashoggi’s murder. Marcus Montgomery is a Congressional Resident Fellow at Arab Center Washington DC. To learn more about Marcus and read his previous publications click here China’s Belt and Road Initiative and US Middle East Policy Kurdish Dilemmas in Syria The arrogance of invoking ‘Syria’ or ‘Bogota’ as political violence in the U.S. unfolds Al-Ula GCC Summit Ends the Blockade of Qatar The GCC Reconciliation: An Assessment As 2021 Begins, Rival Populisms Menace Tunisia’s Democracy Biden and the Middle East: A Challenging Road Ahead	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line242
__label__wiki	0.853623	0.853623	Europe > United Kingdom Lost portrait of King James’s gay lover resurfaces after 400 years Richard Ammon \| September 26, 2017 \| United Kingdom \| GlobalGayz A lost portrait of King James’s rumoured gay lover has been found after more than 400 years. The portrait, by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, was rediscovered hanging in a property in Glasgow, where it had been assumed it was a copy. However the painting, was verified to be real by antiquities expert Dr Bendor Grosvenor during BBC Four show Britain’s Lost Masterpieces. The painting shows George Villiers, widely believed to have been one of the male lovers of King James VI and I, who ruled from 1567 to 1625 and is best known for commissioning the King James Bible. After winning the affection of the King as a young man, Villiers was handed a rapid succession of honours – becoming a Knight, an Earl, and later Duke of Buckingham. Though plenty of evidence exists to support a relationship between the King and Villiers, it was long airbrushed from public view. Dr Grosvenor said: “The chance to discover a portrait of such a pivotal figure in British history by one of the greatest artists who ever lived has been thrillingly exciting.” During the restoration of James’ favourite royal residence Apethorpe Palace in 2008, a secret passage was even discovered that linked the King’s bedchamber to George’s Meanwhile there are many textual records of the pair’s affections for one another. King James told his Privy Council of the Duke: “You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else, and more than you who are here assembled. “I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. “Christ had his John, and I have my George.” In his letters to the King, George wrote: “I naturally so love your person, and adore all your other parts, which are more than ever one man had.” Though the pair’s relationship has not commonly been addressed in public before, it is far from new information. Writing in 1785, philosopher Jeremy Bentham suggested that King James was a hypocrite for leading a crackdown on sodomy. Bentham wrote: “[James I], if he be the author of that first article of the works which bear his name, and which indeed were owned by him, reckons this practise among the few offences which no Sovereign ever ought to pardon. “This must seem rather extraordinary to those who have a notion that a pardon in this case is what he himself, had he been a subject, might have stood in need of.” The new painting of Villiers was uncovered in Pollok House, a National Trust property in Glasgow. It will now go on display at Glasgow Museums’ Kelvingrove gallery, after the BBC Four programme based on its discovery airs. David McDonald, who heads the museums service, told the Scotsman: “Unsurprisingly, we are beyond delighted to discover the painting is by Rubens, an artist renowned globally as one of the most important painters in history. “Glasgow is proud of its extensive art collection, considered by many to be amongst the finest in Europe. “Glasgow Museums strive to learn more about the artwork in our care and it has been a joy to work with Britain’s Lost Masterpieces to understand much more about this remarkable painting. “We are excited to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see Rubens’ masterpiece in person. “George Villiers, First Duke of Buckingham is sure to become one of the undoubted highlights of any visit to Kelvingrove.” by Nick Duffy Source – PinkNews Tags: uk gay rights	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line247
__label__cc	0.679604	0.320396	Reading the Middle East Cairo’s Ultras A Shimmering Red Fish Swims with Me A History of Egypt Tahrir’s Youth Missions Impossible Advanced Arabic through Discussion Arabic Language Learning Archaeology and Ancient Egypt Business, Economics, and Environmental Studies Coptic and Islamic Studies Egypt Guidebooks AUC Political Economy & IR Series Middle East Urban Studies Series Arabic Language Learning Resources The Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature Naguib Mahfouz Fund for Translations of Arabic Literature Publishing Programs Home / Archaeology and Ancient Egypt / The Great Book of Ancient Egypt Customer matched zone "Egypt" View cart “Annales du Service des Antiquités de l’Egypte” has been added to your cart. Look Inside The Great Book of Ancient Egypt The Great Book of Ancient Egypt In the Realm of the Pharaohs In this superbly illustrated volume, distinguished Egyptologist Zahi Hawass guides readers through the architectural landscape of pharaonic Egypt, fro 510 color photographs For sale only in the Middle East The Great Book of Ancient Egypt quantity Description & Table of contents In this superbly illustrated volume, distinguished Egyptologist Zahi Hawass guides readers through the architectural landscape of pharaonic Egypt, from the houses and palaces of the living to the temples of the gods to the tombs of the dead. Hundreds of color photographs and a compelling text unveil the mysteries of ancient Egypt as unearthed through major excavations, revealing fresh insight into how the ancient Egyptians lived, how they prepared for death, and how they perceived their own place within the universe. The Great Book of Ancient Egypt takes readers on a tour of the most important sites of ancient Egypt from the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings to Abu Simbel. It recounts the history of the most famous kings and queens and sheds light on the everyday lives of the people. Hawass shares details of his personal archaeological adventures and reveals his own sense of awe of the magic and mystery of the pharaohs. Through his narrative, accompanied by a wealth of outstanding photographs, readers will learn little-known facts about the lives of the people and royalty of ancient Egypt. Also available in French, German, Italian, and Spanish Dr. Zahi Hawass is the former secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the author of many books on ancient Egypt. Also read it in Also available by this author Wonders of Abu Simbel The Sound and Light of Nubia Introduced by Zahi Hawass Wonders of Karnak The Sound and Light of Thebes Wonders of the Horus Temple The Sound and Light of Edfu Photographs by Sherif Sonbol Wonders of the Pyramids The Sound and Light of Giza Old Kingdom Pottery from Giza Ashraf Senussi The Secrets of the Sphinx Restoration Past and Present Foreword by H.E. Farouk Hosni Introduction by Gaballa Ali Gaballa Foreword byH.E. Farouk Hosni Introduction byGaballa Ali Gaballa Annales du Service des Antiquités de l’Egypte Supreme Council of Antiquities Amarna Sunrise Egypt from Golden Age to Age of Heresy Aidan Dodson Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris An Ancient Egyptian Herbal Copyright © 2021 AUC Press, All Rights Reserved.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line248
__label__cc	0.706363	0.293637	Useful Concepts Just my Regular Writing Practice What Does Studying Classics at Oxford Teach You about Running a Country? On Tim Ferriss' Porch Did We Spend Too Much Time Talking About Leadership And Not Enough Doing Management? Parmenides' Stunning Inspiration Useful Concepts - #5 - Adaptive vs. Technical Challenges Want to Share Thoughts on Anything Here? We’d Do Better If We Thought of “Free Will” as a Concept More Like “Physical Fitness” German Language in English Literature – A Rant You Don’t Have to Be a Robot if You Don’t Want to Homo Sapiens – the Pathetic Species? Unfree Will Tag: contemplative practice Parmenides’ Stunning Inspiration The pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides would appear to be a crown witness for the emergence of philosophy out of contemplative practices (which I described as an important feature of philosophy in this previous post). He opens his philosophical work with a description of a chariot ride – guided by goddesses – to the abode of the goddess Justice. She teaches him “both the steady heart of well-rounded truth, and the beliefs of mortals in which there is no trust.” Some see this as a genuine description of Parmenides’ approach to gaining insight. A shamanic journey to the underworld where he is instructed by divine inspiration. Others see it as merely a standard literary device: the invocation of muses and gods that is standard in poetic works of his time. (And why should a philosopher write in a poetic format? Possibly just because didactic works were written in that way.) Here is some of what the goddess teaches Parmenides: “There is the way ‘that it is and it cannot not be:’ This is the path of Trust, for Truth attends it. Then there is the way ‘that it is not and that it must not be:’ This, as I show you, is an altogether misguided route.” So again, as with Heraclitus’ journey into the soul, the philosophical teaching is presented as a journey. There is a fork in the road, a choice of two directions. The two paths have ontological names, but as the image of the crossroads often suggests, the choice is also an ethical one: to go down the path of what is, or to chose the path of what isn’t. The (shamanic-)philosophical project of finding the truth is also the project of choosing to live in accordance with truth, of leading a good righteous life. Those who go down the path of “what is not:” “stray two-headed; for confusion in their breasts leads astray their thinking. On this way they journey deaf and blind, bewildered indecisive herds, in whose thinking being and not being are the same and yet not the same. For all of them the path turns back on itself.” The right path, the path of “what is,” leads Parmenides to the kind of non-dualism which we have also seen in Heraclitus: He rejects opposites such as dark and light, hot and cold, heavy and light: “Mortal beliefs, listening to words which, though composed, will be lies. For they proposed in their minds to name two forms, one of which should not be named; this is where they went wrong. They selected things oppositely configured and attributed to them features distinct from one another—to the one form the bright fire of flame, Which is gentle, very light, and in every way the same as itself, But not the same as the other. This too is self-consistent in the opposite manner, as impenetrable night, a dense and heavy body.” And it is the exclusive existence of “what is,” uninterrupted, unvaried and unchanging, that leads to this rejection of dualism and the view of a single coherent and sphere-like reality: “For apart from ‘what is’ nothing else either is or will be, since ‘what is’ is what Fate bound to be entire and changeless. Therefore all those things which mortal men, trusting in their true reality, have proposed, are no more than names – both birth and perishing, both being and not being, change of place, and alteration of bright colouring. Now, since there is a last limit, ‘what is’ is complete, from every side like the body of a well-rounded sphere, everywhere of equal intensity from the centre. For it must not be somewhat greater in one part and somewhat smaller in another. For, first, there is no such thing as ‘what is not,’ to stop ‘what is’ from joining up with itself; and, second, it is impossible for ‘what is’ to be more here and less there than ‘what is’, since it all inviolably is. For from every direction it is equal to itself, and meets with limits.” Parmenides argues for these conclusions about “what is” based on insights into the completeness and uninterrupted nature of existence. He argues that things must be different from the way the appear to the eye based on reasoning. Given the strength of the vision though, it is possible that Parmenides’ well-rounded sphere of being is something seen, or experienced, more through contemplative practice than through logical reasoning alone. How can Parmenides so categorically deny the realities of growth and perishing, of change in the world all around us? That denial rests on the idea that there is a different way of perceiving what is: One based not just on sense perceptions but on contemplation of truths. And this way allows us to live more in accordance with truth. That was surely a key moment in the history of human thought, when someone or a small number of people first had the insight that things could be different from the way they appear to us and that we should engage the mind and thought to work out a better view of reality. I can’t help wondering what kind of mental process first led them to this kind of insight, how they would have been received by their contemporaries. We know some of these early philosophers had difficult relationships with the communities they were in. They were thought to be obscure, arrogant, impractical. Parmenides’ suggestion reminds me of a thought experiment I once read in a book about the geometry and mathematics of the dimensions: Imagine creatures of two dimensions who live on a plane and perceive objects in two dimensions. Now imagine what a sphere looks like that moves through their plane. It will be a dot, then a growing circle, then a shrinking circle, then a dot, then nothing. The 2D creatures would therefore see it as a circle that comes into being, grows, the at some point starts to shrink again and finally perishes. Now imagine though one slightly special 2D creature, call it Parmenides, who works out a whole new way of “seeing.” It is based on some idea that what is cannot just not be, and vice versa. Through an astonishing mental effort he combines the two-dimensional slices of growing and shrinking circles and suggests that instead of concepts like the birth and perishing, growth and shrinking of a circle, there is merely a sphere that stays the same as it travels through the experience world of 2D creatures, despite appearances. How would other 2D creatures react? First of all it might still require a huge mental effort for 2D creatures to “see” what Parmenides “saw.” Some might react against it and argue that there’s no point in assuming anything that is not part of the world as it’s experienced. Some might just ignore Parmenides. They might tolerate what he says but simply think that it doesn’t affect them. They want to navigate the “real world” of growing and shrinking circles. Some might “get it.” and feel enriched by the insight. Some of them might develop new theories about the eternal life of shapes against the background of the appearance of birth, growth, shrinking and death. Who knows. The existence of a “sphere” in real Parmenides’ philosophy and his 2D namesake is coincidental. I don’t mean to suggest that this exact thought experiment was what Parmenides had in mind. But what is relevant, is the radical nature of the insight based on mental process other than pure sense perception. The sheer mental effort of gaining such and insight. And the difficulty of communicating it, let alone persuading others that there is truth and relevance in it. How do human beings do that kind of thing? That is the job of contemplation and philosophy. Posted on November 28, 2017 Categories Mindfulness, PhilosophersTags contemplation, contemplative practice, contemplative tradition, parmenides, philosophy, pre-socratics, sphere, thinkingLeave a comment on Parmenides’ Stunning Inspiration Heraclitus’ Journey Into the Soul In a previous post I argued that Western philosophy is related to contemplative practices and traditions. I now want to look at traces of this relationship in the early history of Western philosophy, starting with Heraclitus. We have only fragments of his philosophy. And yet we have enough to trace a number of his trains of thought. There is much in the fragments – not just his most famous view that all is flux – that would be in line with the insights of many a contemplative tradition and practice: Everything is one: “Not having listened to me but to the principle (the logos) it is wise to agree that all is one.” Flux: “On those who step into the same rivers ever different waters are flowing.” “It is impossible to step into the same river. It scatters and regathers, comes together and dissolves, approaches and departs.” Distrust of the senses and a desire to find the truth behind sense perception: “Eyes and ears are bad witnesses for men if they have barbaric souls.” “The true nature of things tends to hide itself.” Non-duality / Unity in opposites: “The divine is day night, winter summer, war peace, satiety hunger. But it takes different appearances like fire which, when mixed with incense, is named according to the savour of each.” “The way up is also the way down.” “Sea: water most pure and most tainted, drinkable and wholesome for fish, but undrinkable and poisonous for people.” Awakening: “But the general run of people are as unaware of their action while awake as they are of what they do while asleep.” “The universe for those who are awake is single and common, while in sleep each person turns aside into a private universe.” There are also hints in Heraclitus’ fragments regarding his method for achieving insights. One fragment simply says: I searched for myself. In itself it may not amount to much. But the work described here is an intentional effort. The verb that Heraclitus uses for “searching”, is one he also uses in a different fragment where he says that those digging or mining for gold find a lot of earth and not much else. So the journey inside oneself is not casual introspection but it is about digging deep to find valuable nuggets. And there are other hints that Heraclitus believed that a systematic inward focus is central to the philosophical enterprise. Elsewhere he says: It is possible for all human beings to know themselves and to think reasonably. And then there this further exploration of this theme in a fragment that says: The limits of the soul you will not find walking, even if you wander down every road. Such a deep principle (logos) it contains. This explains the point of Heraclitus’ inward journey. The soul itself contains the logos, the principle, or correct account which according to Heraclitus explains the truth about everything. Elsewhere in Heraclitus’ fragments we see examples of why the inward search is necessary and how the soul contains the principle that also explains everything. By looking inward we can see how we reflect the way things are in the wider universe: And the one and same: living and dead, awake and sleeping, young and old. For this is changing into that, and that changing back into this again. That is to say within ourselves we can experience the non-dualism and the one-ness that Heraclitus also sees in the external world. And there is a further physical reason, why the journey into the soul can teach us truths about the universe. Heraclitus believes that fire is an important element in the universe. He says that the universe is an eternal fire. Elsewhere he says that thunderbolt rules the universe. (An ancient commentator took thunderbolt to be the same as the universal fire though ancient Greeks would also have associated the thunderbolt with Zeus.) Heraclitus also thought the soul had attributes of fire. But only if it was maintained in such a way to be dry and hot. Moisture and water, he thought, were the death of the soul. There are also fragments that suggest that the soul maintained its fieriness through righteous conduct. In other words the ability to find the fire that reflects the matter of the universe and to find the logos of the soul which is the same as the wider principle, the right account of everything, depends on the righteous conduct of the searcher. That also explains the fragment that says eyes and ears are bad witnesses for the people with barbaric souls. (The word barbaric doesn’t necessarily imply badly behaved, it may merely be a reference to speaking in an unintelligible language.) The corrupted soul simply doesn’t reflect things right, giving a scrambled account of what people see. So one of the earliest philosophers in Western philosophy has a method of journeying into the soul to explore wider truths. There he finds one-ness in seeming dualism. In the soul he also finds the guiding principle of everything, the logos. This leads to an ethical argument about maintaining the soul in a fit state so that it properly reflects the truth about things. And from there all flows. Posted on October 30, 2017 Categories Mindfulness, PhilosophersTags contemplative practice, contemplative tradition, ethics, heraclitus, meditation, philosophy, pre-socratics, Spirituality, thinkingLeave a comment on Heraclitus’ Journey Into the Soul The Birth of Philosophy from the Spirit of Contemplative Practice There’s a lot of interest in contemplative practices and traditions at the moment. Their steady but circuitous route to their current position in public consciousness went something like this: a number of contemplative practices were reduced to the non-religious and non-metaphysical core practice of mindfulness meditation. Its positive impacts on things like general health and wellbeing, chronic pain reduction and stress management, job performance and effectiveness has been shown in study after study. Neuroscience proved that mindfulness meditation could lastingly alter the structure and activities of human brains. Then interest grew again in the spiritual hinterland of mindfulness meditation. Buddhism provided much of that background. And from there, interest grew again in the contemplative practices of other traditions. As it turns out there is a “contemplative core” present in a variety of cultures and traditions which is highly meaningful for humanity. So, for example, the meditation teacher Shinzen Young writes about his own research into the contemplative traditions of various cultures and religions: It was quite astonishing for me to discover that all over the world and in every historical period there had been people who lived their lives in the state of high concentration that I was just beginning to explore. I began to feel a link to them all. It was fascinating to feel that I shared something deep and important with people living centuries ago and having customs and beliefs completely different from mine. I realised that when we practice meditation, we are engaging in a quintessentially human endeavour. The science of enlightenment doesn’t belong to any particular religion or culture or period, rather it belongs to humanity as a whole and helps us to connect to our basic humanness. But What is a Contemplative Tradition? There are a number of interrelated elements that belong to a working definition of a contemplative tradition: We could say it requires a system of insights or teachings (most likely about the place of human beings in the universe). Specific techniques or practices to experience, deepen and reap the benefits of those insights. More specifically, the techniques and practices of contemplative traditions involve the temporary narrowing of mental focus onto single items or concepts. A key aspect of contemplative traditions is that they promise that the practice of their techniques are a route to a better, more fulfilled, in some senses, happier life and a liberation from the struggle, dissatisfaction and drudgery of non-contemplative day-to-day life. There is something important about how the practice and techniques of the contemplative practice lead to a better life. The practices themselves may generate feelings of fulfilment and happiness while they are being practiced and in the immediate aftermath. But the important thing is that a brief but regularly repeated period of practice carries over into the rest of life. So, for example, mindfulness meditation is practiced at best for a small proportion of a day, but imbues daily life with greater awareness. These are basic central formal elements of contemplative traditions, even if the nature of the insights and practices differ. As Shinzen Young writes: One way to trace the theme of meditation in world spirituality is through vocabulary. Most of the world’s contemplative traditions have a generic technical term that designates any concentrated state. In addition, there are often specific technical terms used to describe different depths or levels of concentration. When we take the systems and put them side by side, we notice some broad parallels between the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Taoist, Buddhist, and Hindu systems of contemplation. Similarly, the Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Bhante Henepola Gunaratana writes about the “overlapping practices called prayer and contemplation” that are present in many different religions and cultures: Prayer is a direct address to a spiritual entity. Contemplation is a prolonged period of conscious thought about a specific topic, usually a religious ideal or scriptural passage. From the standpoint of mental cultivation, both of these activities are exercises in concentration. The normal deluge of conscious thought is restricted, and the mind is brought to one conscious area of operation. The results are those you find in any concentrative practice: deep calm, a physiological slowing of the metabolism, and a sense of peace and well-being. While the practice of restricting the breadth and increasing the depth of concentration and focus is something that takes place as a conscious practice for designated periods of time in a day, the results of such practices are changes in the overall life of the practitioner. There are a many mechanisms by which this might happen, such as a) that the insights gained during the practice allow for a better understanding of the practitioner’s place in this universe and therefore better navigation in life, b) that the overall better control of the own mind and the ability to concentrate leads to greater effectiveness in addressing any opportunities or challenges that life might offer, c) that greater feelings of connectedness to the world and other human beings (e. g. through a practised focus on compassion, loving-kindness or charity) evoke and strengthen such feelings outside of the contemplative practice, d) that brain activity during contemplative practice changes the structure of the brain long term in a way that increases contentment and decreases feelings of craving and dissatisfaction. This last point is a more recent focus of neuroscience and again one that is true for contemplative practices with differing forms and content. Shinzen Young, for example, writes: First, the research seemed to show that while the conceptual systems of the various religions (and specifically those of Buddhism versus Christianity) are very different, the underlying neurological correlates of contemplative adepts in those traditions are often rather similar. This lent credibility to the notion that the world’s contemplative traditions can be viewed as a unity. So Where Does Philosophy Come Into It? Is philosophy a contemplative practice? Is Western philosophy one kind of contemplative tradition? We can certainly trace aspects of contemplative traditions through the history of western philosophy. I would argue that philosophy is at its best when it connects to its status as a contemplative practice and weakened when it moves away from it. Let’s run through the five aspects of contemplative traditions set out above: A System of Insights or Teachings and Specific Techniques or Practices It could be argued that Western philosophy can’t possibly be a system of insights or teachings, as there are too many differing strands that are in conflict with each other. But if we gain enough distance from it, we may be able to detect a system of key insights that are in some form or other relevant to the whole tradition. That would be equivalent, for example, to seeing fundamental philosophical tenets of Buddhism as the theoretical backdrop for the practice of mindfulness meditation without worrying too much about the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism and the many arguments and differing theories between or within those schools. It might be possible to extract certain insights as key to the contemplative tradition of Western philosophy. Just a few of these might be: We cannot rely on appearances. There is a truth that is somehow behind or beyond the things of our world. This is a key point from the attempts of pre-socratic philosophers to identify the original substance from which everything is made, be it water, fire or an ever-changing mix of source elements. This is behind the Platonic idea that the objects we perceive through our senses and handle in every day life are instances of more abstract ideas and forms. This is behind the idea that there is a nature of things beyond their appearance as phenomena. This idea is alive and well in the pop-philosophical question about whether our lives could be taking place in a simulated virtual reality. A special case of this insight is the Heraclitean idea (also flowing through Stoicism) that everything is in flux, or the insight that the things we regard as hard and fast are in fact ephemeral. Corresponding contemplative practices are: radical doubt, whereby we apply discipline in order to second guess everything that seems reliable until we get to a core of certainty (perhaps most obviously associated with Descartes). Aiming to see the abstract and eternal beyond the practical and fleeting. The practice of really de-valuing things that are part of the unreliable and fleeting world of appearance and looking for things that are eternal (including the devaluation of the body in favour of the soul). It is important to understand the real reasons for things and events. Philosophy (and from it science) started when people stopped seeing certain events as acts of gods and started looking for other (better) reasons. From that the practice of looking for and providing reasons became important in being able to say what is true and what is good. This capacity for perceiving, critiquing, providing and acting on reasons – rationality – became seen as a distinctly human capacity, or more lately as a capacity available to a distinctly larger extent in human beings. Rationality here is not meant as a contrast to being emotional but as an ability to deal with reasons. Corresponding contemplative practices are: looking for reasons, critiquing reasons, refining our ability to perceive and act on (right) reasons. There are ideals that we can somehow aim to get at. The True, The Good and The Beautiful to name but a few. Freedom, Right Action, the Good Life. These things are out there and it is our job to somehow get closer to them, unveil them, get them to reveal themselves, define them. Philosophy is a journey towards such ideals (out of the cave). Corresponding contemplative practices are: the contemplation of ideals. The temporary narrowing of mental focus onto single items or concepts Contemplation and Deep Thought: The practice of Western philosophy may not have the same specificity of practices as other contemplative traditions – it doesn’t have particular cushions, mats or stools for sitting on during practice, it doesn’t have the sounds of gongs or chimes – but it has its own forms of temporary narrowing focus. What does a philosopher do? In the first instance he or she narrows his or her thinking onto a single concept or proposition in order to develop and illuminate it. Dialogue: Not too long ago, a newspaper published a letter-to-the-editor from Professor Simon Blackburn, that described the following course of events: Sir, I was a member of the then sub-faculty of philosophy in Oxford some 30 years ago when the chairman received a letter from the administration asking us to detail innovations in teaching methods we had recently made. His reply was that the right method of teaching philosophy was discovered by Socrates some 2,500 years ago, and we had no intention of changing it. We heard no more about it. That method which has run through Western philosophy for more than two millennia is the practice whereby two or more people are engaged in the practice of talking to each other, more specifically asking and answering questions, in order to establish the truth about certain concepts. Whether this takes place in the agora, the Ancient Greek market-place, where one might have found Socrates, the particular stoa, or portico, where the (therefore) Stoic philosopher Zeno taught, the seminar rooms of universities, or elsewhere doesn’t particularly matter. Reading and writing: These are key practices of the contemplative tradition that is Western philosophy. Of course we are not talking about any kind of reading or writing. It is much more a case of extending the practice of dialogue to a situation where people aren’t necessarily in each other’s presence. So the writer in this practice writes in a way that allows the reader to understand his or her insights. The writer also anticipates objections the reader might advance and answers them. The reader not only aims to take them in, but reads critically, i. e. thinks about what his or her objections would be, what he or she agrees with, and what could be said in response. The reader aims for a charitable reading whereby he or she reads the arguments of the writer in a way that gives them as much sense as possible, before opening the text up to critique. The practice of teaching or learning philosophy by working with classic texts comes close to the idea of contemplating certain bits of scripture as a way of narrowing the focus of concentration. A better, happier life through brief but repeated periods of practice Does the practice of philosophy make life better? And do occasional periods of practising philosophy have a positive effect on life as a whole? Philosophers have long argued that the answer to both questions is yes. In Plato’s famous allegory of the cave, he talks about people who are constrained to life in a cave where they can only observe shadow images on the walls and guess at what objects they represent. Some lucky cave dwellers manage to escape. On leaving the cave these people start seeing real objects, reflections of the sun in water and finally the sun whose light makes everything visible. These people are the philosophers who move from merely dealing with the objects and concepts of the practical world to being able to contemplate the forms, the essences of things, and eventually the form of the good – the ultimate source of truth. In the ideal society, Plato argues, these people who have seen the light, must not be allowed to stay out there basking in the sunlight – even though they will “think that they’ve been transported to the Isles of the Blessed.” The philosophers will have to go back down to the cave to use their advanced understanding gained from contemplation of the sun to lead the community in the cave and share their understanding with them. In other words: although philosophical contemplation is a pleasant and liberating experience in itself, those practicing it, must return to “real life,” better able to act there because of the insights gained in contemplation and with a responsibility to enlighten their non-contemplative fellow citizens insofar as they can. There is also a famous paradox in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics which may benefit from applying to it the idea that philosophy is meant to be a contemplative practice. The paradox is in the fact that in book 10 of the Ethics, Aristotle says that happiness consists in contemplation, that contemplation is the highest form of virtue and that it is divine. Whereas elsewhere he gives the impression that all the virtues are equally valuable and that human life is at its bests when it contains activity and social interactions. This is a bit of a paradox that comes about from the fact that engaging in contemplative practice provides a different mindset and perspective in which contemplation is a superior activity. But its value consists in when it carries over to the activities of “normal life.” Then we have the Stoic philosopher Seneca who, in his essay on the Shortness of Life, proposes that practising philosophy is really the only worthwhile, happy-making and life-prolonging activity. He recommends an ongoing dialogue with the philosophers, as: “No one of these will force you to die, but all will teach you how to die; no one of these will wear out your years, but each will add his own years to yours; conversations with no one of these will bring you peril, the friendship of none will endanger your life, the courting of none will tax your purse. From them you will take whatever you wish; it will be no fault of theirs if you do not draw the utmost that you can desire. What happiness, what a fair old age awaits him who has offered himself as a client to these! He will have friends from whom he may seek counsel on matters great and small, whom he may consult every day about himself, from whom he may hear truth without insult, praise without flattery, and after whose likeness he may fashion himself.” So what if philosophy once was, or in some places still is a contemplative practice? It certainly has moved on now. It is now taught as an academic discipline, rather than a contemplative practice. Isn’t that better? It depends. There are those who regret that philosophy is becoming increasingly invisible in the public space. (I have written about that in this post.) Philosophy could re-connect with its roots as a contemplative practice. It could be a discipline that aims to benefit its practitioners and through them the wider world. Or it could become ever narrower, thinner, specialised and removed from the circumstances of the lives human beings lead. Then it shouldn’t be surprised if people turn either to the ancient philosophers who took their task seriously (has anyone noticed the resurgence of Stoicism) or the teachers of other contemplative practices when they need some insight into what is going on in their lives and the world. Posted on October 23, 2017 October 23, 2017 Categories Happiness, Mindfulness, Philosophers, Useful ConceptsTags aristotle, buddhism, contemplation, contemplative practice, happiness, philosophy, plato, seneca, shinzen young, Spirituality, thinking, Useful Concepts3 Comments on The Birth of Philosophy from the Spirit of Contemplative Practice	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line257
__label__cc	0.553529	0.446471	Mormonism Dies With the Credibility of its One and Only Source Posted: April 12, 2020 in Book of Mormon, Brian Horner, Mormon Studies by Brian Horner We Learn by Contrast The Bible is not a Book; the Bible is a library. It contains 66 different books written by 40 authors spread out over four empires (Israelite, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Roman) over a period of somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years. It was written in three different languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) on three different continents (Africa, Southwest Asia, and Europe). The evidence of the multi-sourced nature of the Bible is indisputable. No serious scholar, believer or critic, doubts these basic facts. By contrast the entire Book of Mormon (BoM), in fact, every single distinguishing aspect of the Mormon religion, is conclusively traceable in its origin to only ONE source, one man – Joseph Smith, writing in the 1820s in the Western New York frontier. Mormons will argue that the Book of Mormon is like the Bible – a collection of books, written by different authors. But that claim is unsupportable. There is no evidence that any of the BoM’s alleged authors or even their whole civilizations ever even existed. On this point, the contrast with the Bible is as clear as it is important. There is no dispute anywhere in proper scholarship (i.e. anything more substantive than rants by virtually anonymous, self-appointed, never-published, non-peer-reviewed internet “experts”) about the fact that the history of the human civilizations described in the Bible follow the basic trajectory of the historical trajectory of the Bible. The Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Roman empires really did exist right where and when the Bible describes them. Israel actually existed precisely where and when the Bible says it did. The existence of dozens upon dozens of individual characters on the Bible’s pages has been confirmed along with countless numbers of details about their lives. These facts are established as objective truth with or without the Bible. In other words, we have what historians call “multiple, independent attestation” backing up much of what the Bible says are actual people living in real locations and experiencing true events. If we did not have the Bible –if the Bible never even existed– we would still have multiple, independent accounts of many of its events, even up to and including the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Christian Church. Now, By Contrast… No one has ever positively identified where or exactly when anything recorded in the Book of Mormon supposedly happened. Mormons cannot even conclusively identify or even agree on which of the American continents (North or South) to look for any such evidence. There is precisely zero evidence that any person in the BoM’s New World narrative ever even existed. We have exactly no evidence of any of the BoM’s 100 named western hemisphere cities. There is no evidence of the BoM’s massive wars of extinction ever actually occurring. And while the Bible’s original languages are massively well attested and nowhere ever even disputed, the simple fact is, we have no evidence or any reason whatsoever to think that Joseph Smith’s “Reformed Egyptian” ever even existed. As with ALL things Mormon, there is but one, single sole source for the original claims for its existence: one man. Joseph Smith. The single-source nature of the Book of Mormon and for the entire Mormon religion is entirely consistent with the explanation that Joseph Smith, alone or with conspirators, faked the whole thing. If Smith lied about the Book of Mormon, we rightly expect that there would be no evidence for the simple existence of the BoMs various human civilizations. There is no such evidence. If Smith lied, we rightly expect that there would be no evidence that any of the named “Jaredites”, “Nephites”, “Mulekites”, or, in the goofy words of Smith himself, “all manner of ‘ites'” named in the BoM. There is no such evidence. If Smith lied we should find precisely zero evidence of any of the historically significant events described in the BoM, such as the extermination of the massive “Nephite” civilization. No one has ever found any such evidence. If Smith lied, we should never find any evidence of Joseph Smith’s “Reformed Egyptian” language. There is no evidence of any kind to suggest such a text type ever existed. If Smith lied, we should expect to see a pattern of similar lies throughout his life, beginning before his self-appointment as a supposed, “prophet”. There is plenty of evidence of this, from the testimony of his own mother to his wild imagination to the affidavits of his neighbors and the victims of his scams to his conviction for crimes generally lumped today under the legal heading of fraud. If Smith lied, we should be able to find similar kinds of speculations about the history of Native America that preceded Smith and from which he could have “borrowed” to create the BoM. We do. Spaulding, Adair, Ethan Smith and many others had been writing similar stories beginning over 100 years before Smith was even born. And the King James translation of the Bible actually appears, quoted verbatim, and anachronistically in many places throughout the BoM. In other words, the state of the evidence has always been and continues to be entirely consistent with the explanation that Joseph Smith was a lying fraud who faked his alleged, “revelations from God” or that he was delusional and actually believed his own psychotic episodes. The one explanation that none of the evidence supports is the notion that Smith was telling the truth. Facts Not Feelings It matters not a wit whether you believe it or how you may feel about it. Truth is based on facts and the fact is, the BoM and therefore the Mormon religion of which it is, in the words of Joseph Smith, the “keystone” has only one positively identified source in all of known human history. And the only solid evidence we do have shows that Mr. Smith copied parts of the King James Bible and the fictional works and speculations of other men (Spaulding, Adair, et al) and mixed them together with the figments of his own fevered and legendary imagination to produce one of the greatest hoaxes in human history. With the failure of the one and only, single sole source for the Book of Mormon (and all of Mormonism, for that matter) the religion of Mormonism itself dies a merciless death – splattered asunder on the harsh rocks of observable reality, the very rocks upon which Mormonism hurls itself when it requests your investment in its credibility. “The Bible and the Book of Mormon Testify That Jesus Christ Is the Savior of the World” by Greg Olsen (1959– ). Only one of these two books is attested to by verifiable facts. I really enjoyed this article. It was clear and right on the money. Jared Frei says: Your critique of the BOM is spot on, but unfortunately the Bible suffers from many of the same problems as the BOM. Yes, the Bible has a concrete, historical setting, but many of the events are unsupported or contradicted by science (Garden of Eden, Jewish captivity in Egypt and the exodus, universal flood, tower of babel, etc.), and many of the books were written pseudonymously, just like the BOM. The New Testament books were written 30-60 years after Christ, by not a single person that ever knew Christ, hence the numerous factual and theological contradictions in the Bible. I’m disheartened that there is not a robust source for Christian doctrine. Fred W. Anson says: @Jared Frei wrote, “Your critique of the BOM is spot on, but unfortunately the Bible suffers from many of the same problems as the BOM. Yes, the Bible has a concrete, historical setting, but many of the events are unsupported or contradicted by science (Garden of Eden…” And yet DNA evidence has human migration from a single source: The Middle East. Further, the geology of the region shows dramatic climate change over time that doesn’t preclude the possibility of a Garden of Eden type condition in the Middle East. It’s an interesting topic and one where the evidence is still unfolding and deepening. “Jewish captivity in Egypt and the exodus…” If you accept the opinions of Biblical minimalists in Science, World History, and Archaeology, yes. If you accept the opinions of Biblical maximalists, no. I would you encourage you to consider, for example, the evidence that Dave Rohr, an Athiest, and others present in this documentary: https://patternsofevidence.com/exodus-film/ The jury is hardly in here. Healthy and rigorous debate and discussion continues. “… universal flood…” Not all Bible-believing Jews and Christians believe in a universal or global flood of Noah. There is no requirement to do so and the language of the text allows for a regional flood interpretation of the text as well. Universal? Regional? Meh! Who cares? Not a show stopper either way. People can and will disagree on the flood of Noah and that’s OK. That is unless you’re coming from the Mormon worldview where a universal flood is required to support Mormon baptism by immersion dogma – baptism by immersion, by the way, is NOT an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. People can and will legitimately disagree. “…tower of babel, etc.)…” Again, not all Bible-believing Jews and Christian interpret the Tower of Babel literally neither the text or the story of redemption in the Bible requires a literal reading. Again, I know that a literal reading is Mormon dogma, however, outside of Mormonism, it’s not. “…and many of the books were written pseudonymously, just like the BOM…” Maybe, maybe not. Again, healthy and rigorous debate and discussion on this issue continues as well. “The New Testament books were written 30-60 years after Christ…” See above. Again, this is NOT a fait accompli, there is a range of opinion and debate on the dating of the biblical books. “…by not a single person that ever knew Christ…” This claim has pretty much been discredited by Richard Baucham’s research which was published in his watershed book, “Jesus and the Eyewitnesses” a few years ago. I encourage you to read it: https://smile.amazon.com/Jesus-Eyewitnesses-Gospels-Eyewitness-Testimony-ebook/dp/B00EP9MRK8 This video interview with Mr. Baucham will also give you a good overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL01T4mVBf8 “… hence the numerous factual and theological contradictions in the Bible.” And see above. If you accept the minimalist perspective, yes. If you don’t, no. The debate on this point is extremely rich and I encourage you to consider both sides, not just one. “I’m disheartened that there is not a robust source for Christian doctrine.” And I’m disheartened when I hear arguments like these – which, BTW, I used when I was an Atheist too – that are unnuanced and appear to have only considered one side of the debate. Again, I encourage you to consider ALL sides before throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Thank you for your thoughts, I hope that you will find at least some of mine of some value as well. Barnard Dalton says: >Your critique of the BOM is spot on, but unfortunately the Bible suffers from many of the same problems as the BOM. Yes, the Bible has a concrete, historical setting, but many of the events are unsupported or contradicted by science (Garden of Eden, Jewish captivity in Egypt and the exodus, universal flood, tower of babel, etc.),and many of the books were written pseudonymously, just like the BOM.The New Testament books were written 30-60 years after Christ,by not a single person that ever knew Christ, hence the numerous factual and theological contradictions in the Bible. I’m disheartened that there is not a robust source for Christian doctrine.< First, you are simply wrong. The Apostle John knew Jesus personally. The other gospels were written under the guidance of other apostles (Mark, for example wrote under Peter's guidance, Luke under Paul). Finally, the "theological contradictions" you mention are invariably a matter of interpretation, not "fact". But …returning to the actual subject at hand, EVEN IF, the entire Bible was a total hoax invented by Christopher Columbus in 1492 when he sailed the ocean blue …that STILL would provide exactly ZERO reason to think that the Mormon religion is any less of a hoax than the Bible. In fact, it would take the BoM from zero to sub-zero, since so much of Mormonism was clearly copied from the Bible. 15 Things Christians are Tired of Hearing from Ex-Mormon Atheists (Part Two) 15 Things Christians are Tired of Hearing from Ex-Mormon Atheists (Part Three)	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line262
__label__wiki	0.506179	0.506179	May 30, 2011 June 8, 2015 Erika Shaker6 Comments Erika Shaker When Politics is Personal Lately I wonder if there hasn’t been a modification to the feminist adage “the personal is political”. In the aftermath of the recent federal election — a decision that left so many of us cringing in anticipation of the onslaught we know will follow — it became clear that for some, politics is personal. And by “personal” I don’t mean “private” as in “it’s none of your business who I vote for”. I mean personal. There’s a defensiveness underlying the bravado expressed by many I’ve spoken with who voted for this government. It results in almost knee-jerk resistance to thoughtful discussion about what their choice of government means for the policies and institutions we all — whether we choose to realize it or not — benefit from, and how this administration’s priorities will impact everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This defensiveness suggests a level of personal investment that is increasingly difficult to explore in a thoughtful — even a respectful — way. And I suspect it has a great deal to do with how the Conservative version of “tapping into values” is altering how people engage with the political process. I understand that speaking to values is an effective way of getting messages across. But I worry that the version we’re seeing played so calculatedly is resulting in an electorate that’s not so much engaged in the political process as it is looking for validation from it. Teams win; policies don’t — and neither does the populace. It’s evident the right is winning at framing political messages into neat, emotionally-loaded packages, while avoiding political discussions that go beyond talking points (or talking point — singular — since most of what passes for neo-con analysis these days is a mile wide but an inch deep). On the left there still exists the mindset that solid research — presented engagingly and accessibly — will convince the electorate, win elections and result in good policy. It’s not as tidy a package or as pithy a soundbite, but it’s certainly a more substantive, though less emotional approach (because it’s hard to take statistics personally…unless you’re really trying). But election results are difficult to ignore. And the sad truth is, if solid research were enough, authentically progressive policies would have won by now. So, to “win” must we also engage in messaging that reinforces the “politics is personal” approach? Given what “politics is personal” has wrought, I hope not. To foster authentic political engagement, I don’t think politics can be personal. But it does have to be about people. In other words, a rejection of the self-validation (“Who would you most want to have a beer with?”) agenda in favour of the acknowledgement of interconnectedness (“what will this decision mean for my neighbours who are living in poverty?”) that should be at the root of political decision-making at all levels: from the ballot box to federal budgets. Rather than looking for personal validation from politicians and political rhetoric, we need to focus on making and demanding decisions that reflect what’s best for everyone in the long-term; decisions based on research and experience, not what we — all evidence to the contrary — feel is true (the foundations of the “law and order” agenda). The move from “politics is personal” to “politics is about people” positions us as better able to build on connections between constituencies, communities and citizens to ensure political decisions inherently respond to all of us — mirroring how we are responsible for each other. It also allows us to build on an intergenerational foundation of support at a time when this government seems singularly focused on erasing what we have accomplished and learned through experience — while plundering older generations for the votes they represent. This past election I found myself thinking of two people in particular — my father and a work colleague. Both lived through the Depression, and came of age when awareness of the need for a national vision was beginning to germinate. Both saw and in certain cases fought for the creation of our modern welfare state. Both know what life is like without a national commitment to providing a basic standard of living, employment insurance, health care, equality, family leave, pensions — and how life for so many has been improved by these programs. And, at this point in their lives and careers, both are watching these programs being chipped away and downgraded, maligned and vilified as evidence of “nanny state” waste and government interference. Finally, adding insult to injury, both of them are watching a percentage of the electorate (and those who represent it) sprinting towards that end game as if this is progress; this is freedom. Their life’s work and experience is the history the current government is busily erasing. And while wooing this same generation of voters by raising the spectre of an increasingly unsafe, unstable society from which they need protection, this government deliberately obscures how insecurity and inequality is increasing as a direct result of dismantling and defunding those very programs. It’s a political strategy that fosters and is dependent on collective amnesia and political myopia. (For the record, my dad and my colleague are afflicted with neither.) We all bear some responsibility here. The task of reminding people about our history (good and bad), and listening to those who made those sacrifices, must become part of our daily political and social awareness. We need to understand what it means to do without by talking with and listening to those who did without — and who worked to ensure their children and grandchildren wouldn’t have to. But that’s only the first part. The children and grandchildren of that generation must prove, and in many cases are already proving, that the sacrifices of the past were not in vain. Those tremendous gains were a starting point, not a high water mark; many people and communities continue to be marginalized, and a great deal of work still needs to be done to achieve equality and justice. This work is as vital now as it was then — and we still have much to do to ensure that those programs and priorities represent and respond to all of us. And we need to acknowledge a new generation of leaders who will move us forward, challenging what we know and building on what has been accomplished. So when I say that — rather than being personal — politics must be about people, this is part of what I mean. We need to listen to those who remember what came before; learn how victories were achieved; recognize how social progress can never be taken for granted; understand how past sacrifices to create a better future must serve as a lesson to all of us when tempted by the “looking out for myself” approach; and welcome what a new generation of leaders can teach us and how they can refine and expand a progressive vision that includes us all. This is a critical moment. If we do not find way to resist collective amnesia and political myopia, our legacy will be a society that’s more unequal, more unstable, less just and less compassionate. It’s a legacy none of us can afford — even with all the tax credits in the world. Because eventually, as we start to notice the collateral damage of our ballot-box decisions, we will realize that, in spite of the election rhetoric directed to us “normal, everyday folks,” the self-validation side of “value tapping” that we’ve allowed ourselves to be convinced by is simply a means to an ideological end. But when we find ourselves paying the very real price of the society we somehow didn’t realize we were voting for, we’ll have no right to feel betrayed or misled. After all, it’s not personal. It’s just politics. CATEGORIES: Democracy, Federal Election • Personal Choice, Public Consequence: Accounting for Ballot Box Decisions • Cynical Fears of a ‘Hidden Agenda’ Have Replaced Facts in Our Politics • From “Meh” to We Patricia Duguay says: Bravo…I still cannot bring myself to watch the political news of the day. My heart is broken still from election day. I’m 47 and have never felt as emotionally vested in an election as I did this past one, nor have I ever felt as ‘proudly liberal’. I fear for our future and for our international presence. I just don’t want Harper representing me…I just don’t! My view of Canada – apparently isn’t one that most voters identify with. As a result, I feel like a lost Canadian. Andrea Cordonier says: Erika – Excellent piece. It seems Canada has slid into American-style, cult-of-personality, fear driven politics, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when we look at the shift in culture everywhere around us. With this shift and the propensity to muckrake, I see fewer and fewer “quality” people (meaning engaged, bright, bigger picture, collaborative, human-centred thinkers) willing to come forward as candidates. What incentive is there, really, in this type of climate to do so? Getting personally ripped to shreds? And woe to all Canadians who, as you point out, benefit from the variety of social programs regardless of how they voted. It’s not a big leap across the 49th to understand the impact of cuts to social programs or widespread Libertarianism. Or to a so-called third world country with little or no middle class, great disparities of wealth, and no social supports to see the misery and, more frequently these days, the cost of widespread social unrest. Chaos, disinformation, confusion, apathy, hostility and fear all serve a purpose. It’s just not a purpose that I want to be a part of. Gord Mackie says: Nicely put. The emotional appeal of the law and order message surely expanded the Conservative base in key areas, but not everywhere. The countryside, where I live, has a higher rate of violent crime than urban Canada, but my neighbours didn’t seem much moved by harsher sentences and new prisons. They seemed more influenced by targeted tax expenditures, first in the budget, then in the campaign. Next we will be told that the deficit is too high (too high for what?) so the supply of public goods will have to be reduced to finance tax cuts ! Or has that started already? Very will written – what I’m interested though, is how to best go about achieving “person-centered politics”. You mention early on that the liberal approach of providing the population with information is not nearly as effective as emotionally-driven messages, then continue to write that “we need to focus on making and demanding decisions that reflect what’s best for everyone in the long-term; decisions based on research and experience, not what we — all evidence to the contrary — feel is true”, and that we all need to take personal responsibility to better educate ourselves and learn from others. I can’t help but agree that these things would greatly improve our democracy. I can’t say I see it ever happening though. There’s a reason the Conservative method of electioneering works so well, even if it is dirty politics: it caters to what people are, not what they should be. It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality we will always live with. This is probably beyond the scope of the blog, but what would be really interesting would be a discussion on the means by which electioneering could foster evidence-based decision making, and how this type of strategy could realistically win a party an election. Otherwise, our elections will continue to be won by the party who bests implements the “politics is personal” strategy. Erika Shaker says: hi, melissa, and thanks for your comments. i should clarify one thing–i was not trying to imply that we need to turn away from research and information entirely. i meant that we need to resist the temptation to play the “politics is personal” game and instead identify how to frame our research in such a way that, armed with the evidence, we can’t help but think of how people are impacted by political decisions. it seems like a daunting task, especially given the success of how “politics is personal” has infiltrated current electioneering–but i also believe that people want to be inspired, and that big ideas presented thoughtfully and unapologetically still resonate (witness the obama effect….though that initial outpouring has certainly been downgraded). i couldn’t agree with you more on this point: “but what would be really interesting would be a discussion on the means by which electioneering could foster evidence-based decision making, and how this type of strategy could realistically win a party an election. Otherwise, our elections will continue to be won by the party who bests implements the “politics is personal” strategy. ” Georges Haligua says: Hi Erika, a great post!For politics to be about the people; personal and political myopic perceptions have to fade away to give rise to broader perspectives of how people should look at themselves and the world. More Posts By: Erika Shaker Living principles: In memory of Ed Finn Congratulations to an Editor for the ages Long division: Inequity and Ontario’s back-to-school plan	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line263
__label__wiki	0.717459	0.717459	AfricaWorld Boko Haram Claims It Is Behind Last Week’s Kidnapping of Hundreds of Nigerian Schoolboys Posted byBy Niara Savage \| December 16, 2020 CommentsComments (0) Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has taken responsibility for last week’s kidnapping of hundreds of schoolboys from a school in north-western Nigeria. Gunmen descended upon the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara on Friday, Dec. 11, and carried out a mass kidnapping. About 330 of the school’s 800 students remain missing, although some were able to escape. One 17-year-old boy told BBC Hausa he crawled through the forest for miles to escape the abductors. The Daily Nigerian said it received an audio message from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, claiming the group was behind the kidnapping. Shekau said the group abducted the boys because Western education conflicts with the tenants of Islam. Authorities originally thought bandits sometimes associated with Boko Haram were responsible for the attack. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaking in front of armed guards in Nigeria in 2018 Photo: ABC Screenshot/YouTube Boko Haram has carried out several school kidnappings over the past 10 years, although most of the abductions took place in the north-east. The recent attack has sparked fears of a growing wave of violence in the area. On Friday, many boys were able to escape as gunfire was exchanged between the attackers and police. Students told local news agencies that some pupils were able to flee after abductors ordered the boys to walk through the forest. The government and the kidnappers are currently negotiating the fate of the boys, said Garba Shehu, a spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. “The kidnappers had made contact and discussions were already on, pertaining to the safety and return” of the children to their homes,” Shehu said on Twitter. Authorities also said they had located the boys’ position. A rescue operation was launched on Saturday after their position was located. Boko Haram’s most serious mass abduction took place in 2014, when the group abducted 270 schoolgirls from the Government Secondary School in Chibok. About 100 of the girls are still missing. Since the group waged an insurgency in 2009, tens of-thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions have been forced out of their homes. Friday’s kidnaping heightened parents’ fears about the safety of their children in local schools, which had been starting to reopen amid the pandemic. President Muhammadu Buhari has been criticized for not showing empathy to the victims of the abduction, and has been accused of mishandling security operations against the attackers. “It’s absolute incompetence and an uncaring, indifferent ruling class that does not understand what it means to govern,” former Nigerian Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili told the BBC. “Here we are as a country just completely showing ourselves as completely unserious when it comes to the matter of human life, especially that of our children.” Black Brazilian Woman Rescued After Spending 38 Years In Slave Labor for a University Professor’s Family Marcus Garvey Jr., Son of Famed Pan-Africanist Leader, Dies at 90 After Long Battle with Alzheimer’s Disease	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line268
__label__wiki	0.896631	0.896631	News: 'Europe's oldest city' found in Cadiz http://mathaba.net/rss/?x=566660 AN INTERVIEW WITH HUDSON LEICK Exclusive to Whoosh! Atlantis Online > Forum > Media & Film > Actresses & Models > AN INTERVIEW WITH HUDSON LEICK Exclusive to Whoosh! Author Topic: AN INTERVIEW WITH HUDSON LEICK Exclusive to Whoosh! (Read 97 times) Final Dread, the Unquiet Earth, Ghostland, Armageddon AN INTERVIEW WITH HUDSON LEICK Exclusive to Whoosh! By Bret Ryan Rudnick Copyright © 1997 held by author If you think the Callisto outfit is bad, try walking in5-inch heels! Hudson Leick, looking good in whatever she's in. Author's Note: To say that Hudson Leick is "intense" would be like calling the ocean "wet" or a nighttime desert sky "starry". The word may be accurate, but it fails to do justice to the subject. Similarly, this interview will also fail to do the same. Hudson Leick is a very complex person, and I come to this conclusion not only from reading several other interviews in preparation for this one, but also from talking to those who know her. During the month of August 1997, I had the great good fortune to speak with Hudson Leick in a "mini-series" of telephone conversations, and I also had the singular pleasure of following up on those conversations in person at the Valley Forge Xena Convention on 4 October 1997. The pictures of Hudson Leick (non-Callisto) were taken by me at the convention. Details of that appearance (and more pictures) can be found in the "On the Road" section. But for this interview, I tried to concentrate on areas that I had not seen in other interviews to date, as well as attempt to obtain some information that Whoosh! readers in particular might find illuminating. You will have to judge for yourself whether or not that was successful. For my part, I am merely grateful to finally be able to speak with an actress whose work in general I admire, and who in particular plays one of the most fascinating characters on television I have ever seen. Detroit Convention (01-08) Stage Work (09-14) Adjusting to Filming Down Under (15-26) After The Game (27-32) Influences (33-36) Acting Experiences (37-42) Callisto (43-48) Upcoming Projects (49-50) Typecasting (51-52) Directors and Callisto (53-56) Getting the Role of Callisto (57-70) Revisiting the Character (70-88) New Zealand Weather (89-98) INTIMATE STRANGER (99-107) TEN LITTLE WARLORDS (108-116) SURPRISE (117-130) A NECESSARY EVIL (131-134) MATERNAL INSTINCTS (135-136) BITTER SUITE (137-142) Detroit Convention BRET RUDNICK: [01] You must still be rather jet-lagged. Didn't you just get back from a convention [Detroit Xena Convention, August 17, 1997]? HUDSON LEICK: [02] I did indeed! [sighs] Saturday was terrible! The convention was Sunday but on Saturday our plane was delayed five hours because of the bad weather. When we got to Detroit the rental car agencies were closed so we had to wait another hour and half and I didn't get to bed until five in the morning. It was an amazing day. RUDNICK: [03] I'll bet! LEICK: [04] You didn't need to hear all that, I'm sure. [05] [laughs] As someone who has to fly much more often than I would like, I am deeply sympathetic, believe me! [Explains what Whoosh! is and what we do here.] [06] I've heard of Whoosh! It's very popular, isn't it? [07] I think we have been. We've been getting between 15,000 and 20,000 readers a month and the trend is upward. Those of us who work on the webzine really like the show and many who also like the show seem to like us as well. [08] Great! I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts... Each convention appearance is very much like a stage performance. [09] I've noticed in following your career that from about 1994 onwards you have worked pretty much exclusively in film and television, but prior to that you did work on the stage. [10] Oh, yes! [11] Do you miss the stagework and the "immediacy" of reaction you might get from the audience or do convention appearances help with that? [12] I have not done live stage for so long I have a definite fear of doing it. But I am definitely going to put myself back in class which gives you a similar feeling. Actually, classwork is a more intense feeling because other people are watching you more critically. You learn so much more when you are able to do that [live work]. You don't stop and start. In film and television, you have scenes. That is all you have, little bits of scene that rarely follow each other. In Xena they pretty much follow each other. [13] Do they? [14] Pretty much. Except we do the big fights at the very end. That way they don't wear us out or if we get hurt they can send us home after we're done. [both laugh] Adjusting to Filming Down Under Editors are just so darn cute! Makes me almost sorry whenI gut 'em! Same costume, but adjustments must always be made. [15] From what I have heard, in talking to different people so far, it seems like everything is very well planned out and as soon as you get there they put you right to work. [16] They do. They give you about a day's rest. You arrive in the morning. I have a fitting, always, the same dmn outfit, that I am so bored with. [17] [laughs] I take it in your new appearances they did not give you a costume change. [18] [emphatically] No! [both laugh] Not yet. It's a great costume -- it's stylish and beautiful and N'gila [Dickerson, Costumer for XWP] is very talented. She knows that I'm just bored with wearing the same thing all the time. But my body changes, and they always have to adjust for that with the fitting. After the fitting I can rest for the remainder of the day. Around seven o'clock that night we have a read-through. God knows what time that is in L.A. because by then I am ready to crash. Really hard. [19] By the end of your stay there you are probably just getting used to the time change and then you have to do it all over again. [20] No, it's usually just those first two days. It wrecks you for a little while. That first day that you arrive is a killer. We were having a read-through at seven o'clock at night local time and it is three or four in the morning where you came from and you just want to be out heavy. But the next day is mine. So I can do anything or nothing. [21] Do you find when you go down there [New Zealand] that you take any time to "play tourist" or do you just want to rest and get ready to do the work you have to do? [22] It depends. Before my job, no, I just want to rest, especially those first two days. But on the weekends, after that, much of the time I'll bring my best friend, her name is Artemis. Or I'll bring my boyfriend, Adam, with me. We'll take weekends off and we'll go driving. [23] So they don't work you through the weekend? [24] No, no. Sometimes we work Saturdays, but Sundays we don't. Adam and I traveled all throughout the North Island last time. This was after we were done shooting actually. Next time we're going to go to the South Island. [25] [thinking of the last Callisto appearance and the lava] Stay away from the volcano! [26] [laughs] After the Game [27] Did you make a film in Brazil awhile back? Or am I just confused. [28] [thinks] You're confused. [29] The only other film I know of that you made was After the Game (1997) which was going to be released one of these days. [30] I don't know when that will ever be released. No, wait, I know what you mean. After the Game was released in Brazil. You are correct in some of your -- [31] Well, some of the research has worked out anyway. [both laugh] So the film was released there, but not made there. [32] It was made here and they sold it at Cannes, the film festival, to some people in Brazil. That's what happened. For my next number, here's something I call 'Scream AlongWith Me!' Hudson's artistic tastes are varied and eclectic. [33] Who were some of your influences and people you admire, who you liked growing up and learning your craft, and who were people you would like to work with but haven't had a chance to yet. [34] There are so many people that I'd like to work with that I haven't had a chance to. I was just talking about this with my friend. The person I really admire, and I don't know as much about her as I'd like to, is not even an actress. It's Sinead O'Connor. [35] She is amazing. She's a phenomenal woman, just by her music. If you listen to her early music she's very angry but if you listen to her music now you can hear she's taken all her power and her anger and turned it around. What I get from her music now is that she's very nurturing, yet she's a very strong and fierce woman still. That is amazing. [36] You mentioned that there were a number of people that you'd like to work with that you haven't had a chance to yet... Acting Experiences [37] I had an audition with John Voigt. I didn't get the job. It was one of the best acting experiences I have ever had, without a doubt. It didn't even hurt that I didn't get the job, because that was a person I wanted to work with so badly. He and Brian James are just two of the most incredible actors I have ever got the chance to even dabble with. When you can work with an actor like that it's really almost spiritual. They're so open with you -- you can play or do anything you want. [with a smile in her voice] [38] I cannot explain it, this audition with John Voigt. I was like a little kid, I was gushing. I could not stop gushing. It was just incredible. I didn't get the part because I was too young -- I was supposed to play his girlfriend. [39] So this was like some sort of ethereal or out-of-body experience? [40] Absolutely. Well, not out of body because you're still in your body, but with more presence. [41] Things just seem sharper and clearer? [42] I'd say that. And there's somebody else giving you energy, and playing with you, and really open as a creative being, with you. Which is hard to do. It's hard to open yourself up because life is scary. But when you can, it's incredible to be around. [43] Along that theme of life being scary, or certainly sometimes unpleasant, I was reading some things about your early years and found myself feeling badly when I read about how people gave you a hard time in your high school years and such. Yet your strong personality carried you through. Do you find yourself reaching inside to those earlier years and experiences when you're playing such an intense part like Callisto? [44] Yes, but I don't think it's really conscious. I don't think "OK, I'm in high school and they're calling me 'Junk', bring up the emotions." It's more internal. If you've been through something very difficult, and I went through that for three years, it stays with you. It becomes a part of your defenses. I think Callisto has a lot to do with that. Callisto is probably like a 14-year-old, a really angry young woman. That's what she reminds me of. Not an adult. Not mature. But it definitely plays into it. It's not a constant thing where I think about it but I know it's there and I know where the anger is coming from. [45] Callisto is certainly a popular character. The episodes of Xena that Callisto is in consistently rate the highest in terms of Nielsen measurements. Worldwide Callisto is certainly popular too. I got a note just the other day from someone in the United Kingdom who wanted me to specially mention that Callisto is a favourite character there. [46] That's amazing. That's really flattering. If the show [Xena] is on and I happen to be watching television I'll see it, but I'm not a big television watcher. [47] I've gotten that comment from many other people that I've spoken with. [48] It's strange, because it's my business, and I probably should know my business better and watch it. I love Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-). I don't seek it out, but again, if it's on when I'm watching, I'll watch it. I really do love watching Xena, and it has nothing to do with me being on it. I would watch it. It's gotten better and better with time. It's darker and juicier -- it's good! [49] What has your work schedule been like lately? I know you've been able to appear at some conventions, which fans really appreciate. Do you have any other projects going at the moment? [50] I just auditioned for a really big movie. I don't know how it went. I'm in the process of changing agencies. Since I've changed and I have a manager now, things are happening so fast. Even when they weren't happening -- I didn't go on many auditions, which was really odd, because I can act. I have heat right now because of Callisto. If I get sent out and get callbacks, I'll get the job. But my agents weren't sending me out. I had talked to them, but I don't know what exactly happened. It just wasn't working out. Now that I'm with a manager, I'm getting sent out much more. So I think I'll be working more soon. Typecasting Charging extra for the 'Discovery' channel, eh? Takethat! Could anyone else* be Callisto? [51] Do you worry about being typecast? [52] No. Usually I play bad people anyway. I have for awhile. I don't think I'll be typecast as a psychotic. I'm not really worried about it. I think that the dark roles are easier for me to play. They're easier to access. They're less vulnerable. There's vulnerability in it, I think that's what makes it interesting. I feel safer, playing roles that are really defensive and angry. There's safety in it for me. Or crazy. Especially crazy. Directors and Callisto [53] Do you find that you're minutely directed or are you allowed to find the character more or less on your own? [54] [laughs slowly] I love your questions. They're so well put. For Callisto, I'm not really directed very much at all. Neither is Lucy. She knows her role. Same with Renee. We know the roles so well because after the characters were written, we made them into flesh. In the read-through, which is such a beautiful thing when Rob Tapert is there and the director is there, or if R.J. is there, if we don't feel our character would say something the way it's been written down, we can change it. You might have to fight for your point, but we can say "I don't think my character would say that." If it's not something that could roll off my tongue we all can work with it and try to figure out something else we could say. On the set, I can add things occasionally and make it more interesting, make it more mine. Especially when I'm taunting Xena. [55] Is this something that varies from director to director? [56] If I go to the director and say "I don't want to say this," he'll say "OK, what do you want to say, let's get someone on the horn. Let's talk to someone and see if it's OK for you to change it." They'll cover themselves too. But I've never been told "No, you can't say that," unless it's really drastic. T.J. [Scott] is amazing. He helps a lot. Getting the Role of Callisto It's my long killing thing. Maybe it's best she didn't have a sword at the audition. [57] T.J. Scott directed the first two Callisto episodes, so there was some consistency there. But even going back a little farther, I remember talking to R.J. Stewart regarding your audition for the part and he said there was just no doubt about it, that you were the one for that role. [59] He said that it was a particularly good day for casting, but when you read for the part there was just no doubt about it. There was no question -- that was your part. [60] [laughs] I love that. Did I tell you this story? I have told this story before. [61] Please do, I'd appreciate hearing that. [62] This is my version of what happened. [laughs] [63] I was going though a really hard time then, and I was in a bad mood, a foul mood, when I was auditioning. We were sitting in this cramped, tiny little office. I definitely get holier-than-thou sometimes. It's true -- it's unfortunate and it's ugly but it's true. [both laugh] I didn't like it. [64] There was a whole bunch of actresses in there and I didn't feel that we were respected enough, waiting in this little office. Everyone was talking really loud. We all had to go in and audition, and we needed to prepare but it wasn't quiet. All the production people were talking and it was noisy. That's annoying, when you've got to bring something in and try to center yourself in a roomful of other people. I remember really not liking that, sitting still and just emanating that. I didn't say anything, but all my energy was going in that direction. [65] By the time I got in, I was pssd. I came in and there was a group of people. So many people. And they were like, "OK, let's go!" That's intimidating, when you walk into a group and you're going to audition and give something. I wanted to know who everyone was. There were about seventeen people there. Or maybe not, maybe it just seemed that way. Perhaps there were eleven. But there were a lot of people, and I went up to every single one of them and shook their hand and asked their name. All of them. And I think that impressed them and made them a little wary of me. [both laugh] [66] It wasn't very friendly, either. I said [abruptly] "Hello. What's your name." Then I auditioned. I had seen Hercules and how scantily clad the women were. I was not going in that direction. I wore a skirt down to my ankles and covered up every part of my body. I didn't do any action stuff. A lot of the women in the waiting room had little outfits on and they were supposed to do kicks or something. I didn't understand how you could possibly add kicks and flips and things during the audition. I mean, she's a psychopath, she's a psychopath, she's discussing something. She's not going to go into a rage and start kicking the air. It didn't seem appropriate. So I didn't, I just stayed still. [67] You were in a cramped space for this? [68] That was the waiting room. But it wasn't the space that annoyed me as much as it was what I thought was a lack of respect for the actresses as human beings. It was a "Yeah, yeah, yeah" kind of thing. [69] "Next!" [70] I'm sure they had their own things going on and were busy and frantic, and I understand that, but at the time I didn't like it. [laughs slowly while drawing breath] I didn't feel "honored". So I read the script, I read with the casting agent. They all kind of stared at me after I was done. It was very quiet. The way I read was very quiet and very low and very twisted. They said "Can you...do anything?" I had a long skirt on, and I said "What do you mean?" They said "Can you kick or do anything like that?" I said "Yeah!" I did a high kick and I threw a prop chakram and I left and said goodbye to everyone. I heard R.J. say "She is so scary! That is such a weirdo. She is so, so scary." Then Rob said "Then she should get it!" [both laugh] They loved that! It felt so great. That's courageous [of them] because I could have been, literally, a big weirdo. And that would not be fun to work with. Revisiting the Character There'll be a new vacancy on my staff. Soon. Theodorus lasted almost three episodes, which considering Callisto's record, isn't all that bad. [71] At the time, when you did that episode, which was near the end of the first season, did you have any idea you'd be coming back? [72] I knew that it had options to be more, but the truth of it is I had never seen Xena, and I knew it was a spinoff of Hercules , but I really wanted to go to New Zealand. That's what drew me there. I wanted to travel. I love traveling. When my agent called and told me about the job he also said it was a bad character, which I liked, and that it might be recurring. All of that seemed appealing. But then he said "It's in New Zealand," and went "I'm there!" I remember walking the dogs that morning and saying "Please can I have this role? Please, please, please, please can I have it?" [73] There's no question that after that episode [CALLISTO (#22)] first aired, it generated more discussion about a "new" character [besides Xena and Gabrielle] than any other single character before or since. People can get into some really intense discussions about the character. [74] How? I'm not aware of that, actually. Where are they at? [75] [thinks] How can I put this... [76] No, say it! [77] [thinks again] There are some people who think that Callisto may be "right" in doing what she does. Some people would side with Callisto against Xena in thinking that Callisto was correct in doing what she does. As opposed to R.J. Stewart's interpretation -- and we had an interesting chat about this -- he said he wouldn't go that far, that Callisto was certainly evil and has a reason for being the way she is, but that she is not good. She's definitely not good. [78] [laughs] Not someone to emulate. [79] Not someone you want to take home to dinner-- [80] No. [81] --at least not with any hope of anyone leaving the table alive. [83] But some people just don't make that connection. Not in many cases, but in some cases. [84] They feel sorry for her. They think she's righteous, [85] It's not that she doesn't have motivation-- [86] Which makes it wonderful for me! She's not a boring bad guy. Callisto! If you kill Perdicas, um, many people will be,sorta upset, a little... Gabrielle comes up one husband short in RETURN OF CALLISTO. [87] When you came back to do RETURN OF CALLISTO (#29) that looked like a pretty intense episode for you. It was, even more than CALLISTO (#22) perhaps, pretty much non-stop action, especially during the last segment. [88] I was really sick during that. I was not well. I was very ill, and I lost a lot of weight. That was a very hard time. Yes, there was a lot going on. There was a lot of physicality. But I love physicality. The thing I don't like is being cold. I love being physical. [89] I've heard that comment from a number of people, that sometimes it just doesn't get very warm. I hear it can get pretty steamy in the summertime. [90] Oh, it does! Especially in February, it bakes you. It's like nothing I've ever experienced. You feel like you're in a microwave, or what I could imagine being in a microwave is like. [91] Is it a very humid kind of heat? [92] No, they say the ozone hole is right above New Zealand. So it's a burning feeling. You can feel yourself cooking, that's what it feels like. In the winter time, because there's not much to my outfit, it's freezing. [93] I've heard Lucy Lawless make the comment that sometimes even when it's cold they'll have her go underwater and such. [94] I haven't done that yet! Lucy is so much braver than I am with cold, she really is. I'm kind of chicken-boned in that I don't have a lot of flesh on me. [95] You feel it a lot more readily then. [96] [a smile in her voice] Yes, it goes right through me. They have pictures of me with robes and robes wrapped around me, and "hotties", hot water bottles. They know. Everybody there knows "Hudson's here, get the hottie!" [98] Which is lovely, I love that. They're so good to me. INTIMATE STRANGER Stay, Joxer! Good boy! Hudson Leick is imitating Xena in Callisto's body in INTIMATE STRANGER (#31). [99] And after that intense RETURN OF CALLISTO (#29) episode, Lucy had her accident and production was put into some turmoil, let alone concern for Lucy herself. Did they call you back right away? [100] No, that's where most people get confused. I did that right after, I didn't even leave. [101] So you filmed INTIMATE STRANGER (#31) right after RETURN OF CALLISTO (#29). [102] That's true. [103] Gary Jones took over and directed that one. [104] Yes. [105] Was that a smooth transition, going from two episodes directed by T.J. Scott? Was there a noticeable difference in direction? [106] There was a difference. T.J. is an ex-stuntie himself. He gets physically involved. He will run around the set and do everybody's part. It is fascinating to watch, he has so much energy. I can't remember Gary all that well. He liked barbecued chicken, that seems to be what I remember most. I think he had a harder time directing than T.J. Scott did. I don't know why, I don't remember. [107] Sometimes it's difficult, and I don't think it has to do with the directors necessarily. It's difficult with a transition sometimes to other people as well. Everyone down there is used to working with each other. A director coming in is basically like getting a new boss every week, and I think sometimes that's difficult to get used to, because they're so different. Everybody works so differently. TEN LITTLE WARLORDS A 'natural' blonde? What does thatmean? Gabrielle has to be convinced it's Xena, not Callisto in the opening scene of TEN LITTLE WARLORDS (#32). [108] Next you did, TEN LITTLE WARLORDS (#32). I've read elsewhere how you really hated playing Xena as opposed to Callisto, but I have to tell you that you did an absolutely fabulous job. [109] Oh, thank you so much! [110] It's amazing. In TEN LITTLE WARLORDS (#32) especially, there's this one scene that lasts only a second, but you put your hand on Gabrielle when she asks if it's really you and you say "Yeah!" [111] [laughs] [112] It was just as if Lucy Lawless would do it, and it was wonderful to see. [113] Thank you! Renee helped me a lot with that. I would go, "How would she do it?" And Renee would do that with me. She'd put her hand on me and press down and say "This is how she would do it. She would react like this." So I got a lot of help from other people. [114] Was that a call you got in the middle of the night that said "Come down, we need your help?" [115] Basically. They said "You need to come down in seven days. Lucy's been in an accident. You need to play her. Would you do it?" [116] My first reaction was "Noooo!! No, please don't make me do it!" Because it's Lucy! It's her role! Everyone watches the show to watch Lucy! Not Hudson playing Xena! I was aware of that too, but it was good to be of service. I knew they were in a tough spot. When I say I don't like playing that role -- and I want to make this very clear -- it has nothing to do with anybody. And another thing! Your Kull moviesucked! Callisto gives Herc a piece of her mind in SURPRISE (#H49/312). [117] When you did the Hercules crossover SURPRISE (#H49), that was a "surprise" for many fans who were glad to see Callisto again. That certainly looked like "Classic Callisto" when you did that episode, and the way you played off Kevin Sorbo was great. [118] Thank you! I had a hard time with that. [119] Did you? [120] Yes, it was interesting to play against a man instead of a woman. [121] I have heard stories, too, that the look and feel on the set of Xena is different from that of Hercules . [122] Yep! [123] What's really funny is that women who work on both sets say they're very different, but when I ask the same question of the men, they say "I don't notice any difference." [124] [laughs] That's 'cause they're men and they're not wearing some skimpy little outfit! [both laugh] It's definitely more of a boys' club on Hercules , in spite of my yelling "I don't like this! I don't approve!" Kevin is lovely though. The chemistry I have with Lucy is actually sexier. I work off of Lucy very easily, it's like we're dancing. With Kevin, I felt like I didn't know what I could do to get his attention. Everything I did, as Callisto, I wanted a reaction from him. It was really frustrating, because he didn't give me that. It's funny, because when I watch the show, I'm really "out there". I yell a lot and hiss. [125] But I think that's really "Classic Callisto". I've had a number of people tell me they enjoyed that episode precisely because of the way you played it. And it's a very interesting comment you make about getting the actor's attention. I mean, here's Hercules, this big demigod, and he's a friend of Xena's too, which doesn't help him in her eyes. [126] Right. [127] There's Callisto, wanting to make her mark. [128] Not only that, but he tried to save her, so it was kind of like the little brat going "Hey! C'mon! What's wrong with me, aren't I bad enough?" [both laugh] He changed lines, too. [129] Really? How so? [130] My character was written so sassy that I think Kevin felt it took away from the hero. There's a point where I'm supposed to whack him, and he wouldn't let me do it. He said "Oh, come on, I'd catch her." Which is -- I don't know, I think it would be far more interesting if he had let that go. There would be more interaction. Not that I don't think Hercules could stop her from bapping him, but just for the drama. I don't think Kevin wanted an opponent too equal to him. But that's true, and it's also quite gentle the way I said it. [smile in her voice] A NECESSARY EVIL Think it'll leave a mark? Callisto tortures Gabrielle (psychologically) in A NECESSARY EVIL (#38). [131] In the last episode people have seen you in, A NECESSARY EVIL (#38), Mark Beasely was the director, coincidentally enough is the director for the episode you recently shot, MATERNAL INSTINCTS. But in NECESSARY EVIL, there is that one scene at the campfire, where you and Renee have a dialogue that goes back and forth. Robert Field told me he cut that quite deliberately, and you made the comment that you felt it was like "the ticking of a clock". [132] It was a great scene. Renee worked that scene so well, too. [133] I found myself, the first time I watched that, literally holding my breath as the dialogue was going back and forth between you and Renee. [134] Rob Field is amazing. He is so good at what he does. [135] I know you're pressed for time at the moment. Do you have anything you want to say quickly about MATERNAL INSTINCTS coming up, and/or how you feel the character of Callisto is evolving? [136] I found MATERNAL INSTINCTS difficult to do. I think the episode is phenomenal. It's really good. It's not my episode, I'm like a sidebar. But that's not why I found it difficult. I have to bow down a little bit, and that was hard to do as Callisto. It's not something you can change with a word change. I did bring it up, though. Callisto is a god, and she doesn't really have much reverence for anything. She doesn't care, and she's not afraid to die. It was hard for me to find that connection and make it believable. But the episode as a whole is spectacular. BITTER SUITE [137] You also get to sing in a new episode, BITTER SUITE. [138] Very, very scary. [139] But something definitely to look forward to. Again, I know you're pressed for time, so let me say thank you very, very much for your time. I hope we can follow up again later in the season. [140] You're very welcome. [141] Best of luck! [142] You too! Duhya, duhya, that's all folks! Hudson Leick waving good-bye to her fans at the Valley Forge XENA Convention, October 4, 1997 Bret Bret Ryan Rudnick WHOOSH! Token Guy Who Lifts the Heavy Stuff IAXS Executive Committee "You can't be too rich or have too many Amazons." When he's not working for a big Science/Engineering company that (amongst other things) designs, builds, launches, and operates exploratory spacecraft, Bret writes fantasy novels and short stories. Bret is a man of many skills, having also previously been an Olympic-qualified archer, a drummer in the Butch Grinder Band, a news reader for Public Television Station KVCR, and a Deputy Sheriff for the County of San Bernardino, California. He also collects Japanese swords, armour , and art. He and his dog hunt down stray Bacchae in New England. Favorite XWP episode: HOOVES AND HARLOTS (#10), WARRIOR... PRINCESS... TRAMP (#30), and THE QUEST (#37) Favorite XWP line: Xena: "What's this?" Gabrielle: "I'm... an amazon princess?" Xena (rolls eyes): "Great." HOOVES AND HARLOTS (#10); Xena after being goosed by Joxer : "Are you suicidal?" WARRIOR...PRINCESS...TRAMP (#30); Joxer: "Ha. Ha." A COMEDY OF EROS (#46); Autolycus: "I'm not just leering at scantily clad women, you know, I'm working!" THE QUEST (#37) First episode seen: CRADLE OF HOPE (#04) Least favorite episode: GIANT KILLER (#27) http://www.whoosh.org/issue14/ileick2.html#callisto Re: AN INTERVIEW WITH HUDSON LEICK Exclusive to Whoosh! Mad, Mad Love by Michelle Erica Green Hudson Leick sounds just enough like Callisto, Xena's immortal nemesis, to give one chills, even over the telephone. "I love being a villain," she cackles. "It's like a little kid's dream. All of my demons balled up, screaming...I am a three-year-old throwing a fit, and everyone's saying, 'Yeah!'" Callisto, the cunning, ruthless neophyte goddess who was last seen trapped in a lava pit, will be back on Xena: Warrior Princess during the new season. Leick, who says the part is her favorite ever, couldn't be happier than being the bad girl. "It's not the power, it's the safety," explains the 28-year-old actress. "If you're bad, you expect everyone to think you are bad, and that's safe. You also have more range of doing whatever you want. I think I have a lot of rage that I can access. It feels real good to get it out, and it is safe--the swords aren't real, I am not going to hurt anyone but myself." "But if feels absolutely delicious, to run around and play a freak and to be paid for it!" laughs Leick (pronounced like "like"). A former model who studied acting in New York, Leick shares Callisto's gleeful sense of humor, but not her ego. Unpretentious and self-depracating, the actress sounds grateful to be on Xena and has no designs on stealing the spotlight from the main characters - at least, not on a regular basis. "Having Callisto there all the time would be so boring," she points out. "It would be, like, 'Just kill her.' I think Callisto is wonderful when she just comes in now and then." Callisto is a bit of an enigma. The victim of tragedy at the hands of Xena before the warrior princess became a force for good, Callisto has spent her life in pursuit of revenge. She's violent and unstable, claiming to have no feelings beyond the desire for power and vengeance, but Callisto has shown hints of a vulnerable side, especially when Xena confessed her crimes. "The death of her family [at Xena's hands, years earlier] has split her, and it is something, like a trigger split in her, and so she must live out carnage to be safe," she explains. But Leick is not interested in seeing Callisto turn to good, as Xena did. "Maybe she could reform and still be manic, really manic. And nobody's perfect, so maybe she could reform and still kill people a little bit on the side!" the actress laughs. "I think she has been in the past such a powerful nemesis for Xena, and [the writers] want that, because that gives Xena a purpose as well, that it wouldn't make much sense if they reformed her, for the show." One of the hardest challenges for the actress came when Xena and Callisto switched bodies, and Leick played Xena, while Lucy Lawless, whom millions recognize as Xena, played Callisto. "That was a lot of pressure because it is her show - she is the lead. The audience wants to see Lucy Lawless, not Hudson Leick, as Xena, and I was aware of that," Leick notes. "It's not my character, not even my idea of what the character would be like - it's somebody else's portrayal of the character, so I have to copy that and stay true to that." Lawless and Leick studied one another so that they could play one another's characters convincingly. "We followed each other around, we listened to each other. We would both say lines like how I would say it, like, "Xeeennna," and she would go, "Xeeennna." Discovering each other and trying to copy each other was a lot of fun." Doing it before the cameras, however, "was a completely different matter." Leick found it much easier to play Xena when her co-star was on the set than when Lawless fractured her hip and had to miss shooting. "There is not a lot of creativity," Leick says of her attempts to imitate Lawless' Xena. "I didn't have the freedom to do the things that I wanted to do; everything I was doing was very planned." Leick says she has the more fun sparring with Xena than emulating her, anyway. She thinks Callisto has a playful side which Xena brings out. "They are playing together," she points out, noting that Callisto wants attention from Xena more than anything: "[Then] she feels cared about." Callisto finds Xena's sidekick Gabrielle humorous, no more than a minor annoyance - though "of course, she would kill Gabrielle!" Surprised by the question of whether her character is a pathological liar, despite Callisto's many broken promises and betrayed allegiances, the actress says she thinks Callisto is pretty honest about herself. "Of course I'm going to change allegiance, that doesn't seem like such a lie," she giggles. Then she adds, more seriously, "She assumes that Xena knows her character, and if she can screw Xena, then she is going to." Asked how she feels about the character's power, Leick says, "I see her as very strong and very weak. And I see her as very fragile...I think that is why she is so fierce, and angry, and harsh, because she is so fragile." Leick keeps herself much more grounded than Callisto, whom she labels "a madwoman...I think that she is very unstable, putting is gently!" The Ohio native says that she craves structure in her own life. "I've been a shut-in for the last three years. I mean, I go to yoga, I go to therapy, I hang out with my friends and my boyfriend," she reports, claiming that her days "are packed." Having completed a couple of yet-to-be-released movies and several televised episodes of Touched By An Angel, on which she played a sweet angel named Celeste, she is currently auditioning for new projects. "They pulled me back on the second [episode]", she complains of Touched By An Angel. Though she doubts she will be returning to that series, she enjoyed playing "ditzy." "It just seems boring without the character to it...I think it would get better and better the more I did it, it was so drastic from anything I've ever done. And it was fun, because it was different." The sister of an ardent Star Trek fan, Leick auditioned for the coveted role of Seven of Nine, the new Borg character on Voyager. "I didn't have my heart in it," she confesses of the audition, which she says she went to mostly for her sister. She would prefer to play a Q on Star Trek - "they're not gods, but they are omnipotent." Callisto has been a god since she consumed ambrosia during her last televised appearance, and Leick has found herself treated as something like a demigod by ardent Xena followers. She sounds both awed and intimidated by the show's popularity. "It is very surreal. I don't think that I grasp it...it just seems very outside myself." While she finds it "juicy and delicious" that people are interested in her and like the character so much, she doesn't want to "start buying into it too much--then when they decide they don't like the character, I am going to go just as far down." Concerned that fans can be fickle because "we're all fickle," the performer frets that she has no control over whether or not people will gravitate toward the character. "Like Joxer - I think there were some problems. People didn't like his character for a while," she recalls. "And Ted Raimi is an amazing actor. You know, you don't know what people are going to take to or take offense to." Asked whether she thinks the unpopularity of Joxer might have to do with a sense that his very presence might be a heterosexist network ploy - a response to growing awareness of the show's lesbian subtext, and the desire to have a male regular to balance that - Leick is quick to jump to the producers' defense. "I don't think that Joxer was thrown in there to prove that Xena is not gay, because that has nothing to do with her relationship with Gabrielle. Nothing...Joxer is like a moron on the side," she insists. "I know Rob Packard, and I don't think he is homophobic at all - and I love the fact that there are so many innuendoes!" Does Leick play up the sexual tension between Callisto and Xena? "Oh, yeah!" she exclaims enthusiastically. "I love that - it makes it so much more exciting for me. Lucy will say, okay, let's flirt. That's what we do. It is just a big flirt. It's seduction, except it is life or death. It's exciting, it's fun." Leick does not, however, spend much time reading the newsgroups or web pages about the show. "I don't use a computer - I don't even know how to turn the damn thing on," she admits, confessing that when she got depressed a few months ago, she asked her boyfriend to find some internet feedback to bolster her ego. "I would read and read--and it doesn't do anything for you when you are depressed, because no one is saying anything that will fill you up. It can't make you feel better--well, other people can't do that even if they know you, which even makes it more sad." Conventions are also a mixed blessing. "It is delightful but very draining [to attend a convention]. I keep giving myself away." While she enjoys the interaction with the audience, she finds herself exhausted afterwards - "I don't get out of bed the next day after a convention." It's hard, Leick says, to find a balance between being herself and performing for an audience. "They want to see Callisto, but they want her accessible, they don't want Hudson Leick," she worries. " Which is funny because the people are so warm to me. They are amazingly warm, and the character is, well... you would think that people would not be warm to the character. Little girls are afraid of me when they come up on stage." Does Leick like that power? Is fame something she actively seeks? "I would like to break into features," she agrees. "But I am really afraid of it as well, and TV seems safer to me. When I think about being a giant movie star, because sometimes I will go in that direction, I want to be Sharon Stone, I want to be huge, not as an actress but as an icon, it is totally my ego--I think that scares the **** out of me. I don't know if I want that. I can't imagine doing that." What drew her to performing? "When I was little I wanted to be Cher," Leick laughs, warning that she can't sing, but she loves Cher's long hair and fancy clothes. Leick's long-time interest in psychology and meditation led her to take college philosophy courses, but they didn't hold her interest. Acting class did. "And even before that, I think I knew I would be an actress. I don't know why," she notes. Though she has been an actress for almost ten years, Leick says that she doesn't know nearly enough about her craft - "I have so much to learn." When she studied at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse, the training lasted all day, from nine to six, for two years. Yet Leick learned as much from watching movies consistently. "I would study and study them, I thrived on it," she says. Is she bothered by the limited roles for women in mainstream Hollywood films? The actress says that the issue is only now beginning to affect her personally, since Xena is just beginning to open doors for her. She has a new agent and manager, and hopes to start working on bigger projects. "They have a lot of sexism in Hollywood," she agrees. "You'll see an action-adventure movie and they don't know what to do with the woman. The woman has no direction, I don't even know why she is there. What is her point? I don't mean like Sandra Bullock on the bus [in Speed], where it's about her. I mean the babe that sleeps with him," whichever "him" is the hero of a film. Though she worked in Europe as a model, Leick groans that she was "terrible." Informed that she does not look particularly diminutive on Xena next to Lucy Lawless, she laughs, "I don't have a little spirit - I think when people see me in real life, they realize how little I am. Because I don't come across as little if you know me. I am not little!" All in all, Leick sounds very happy with where she is in life and where Callisto is going. "I really have a love for the people I work with," she says over and over. " I really like the whole experience. No one has an attitude. Everyone gets along, very professional and kind. It's the best crew I've ever worked with." Her only complaint? Having her stomach bared on days when it's cold. But Callisto's costumes seem to be the only drawback in a diabolically fun character played by a woman who seems much the same. Get Critical http://www.littlereview.com/getcritical/interviews/leick.htm	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line270
__label__cc	0.602558	0.397442	LSE BPP Local democracy with attitude: the Preston model and how it can reduce inequality Could a grassroots development approach help address inequality? Julian Manley explains the concept behind the Preston model, and how worker-owned co-operatives supported by major local players could help empower communities. The Preston Model has attracted the interest of Labour Party policy developers as a potential model for a future society. Both the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, and Ed Miliband have visited Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire to find out more. Preston has been cited by Jeremy Corbyn as an example to look out for. The collapse of the 700 million pound Tithebarn regeneration scheme for Preston in 2011 due largely to the sharp economic decline following the 2007/8 crash left the city with no choice: do or die. As is often the case, this collapse was not an individual failure. It was instead a symptom of a greater sea change rushing through the veins of our social and economic structures, forced through the blinkers of an establishment that believed itself immune from criticism – the ‘no choicers’ of the neo-liberal classes who woke up to the shock of the choice made by the hitherto ignored and powerless majority on the day of the EU referendum. The bland and crude referendum campaign around the EU was about everything but Europe and can be summarised in the battle cry ‘Take back control’. Control over what? Although many might immediately claim this as being ‘control of our borders’, our experience in Preston suggests that it is more about being in charge of our own destiny; being self-empowered. The north-west of England, disempowered and ignored forever by London could hope for little from a ‘central’ government in the south. Inspired by the Mondragón model in the Basque Country and the Cleveland model in the US, Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire began to work together in 2013 to create a new social and economic vision for Preston. Working with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and following the Cleveland example, the progressive Labour Council, guided by the enthusiasm of councillor Matthew Brown, began by mapping out the local procurement of ‘Anchor Institutions’, i.e. major players in the local area with money to spend and ‘anchored’ to the site, such as, for example, the hospital, the university, and Lancashire County Council, among others. Wherever possible, Anchor Institutions were encouraged to shift external spending towards local procurement. More local wealth is generated and retained in Preston now than 5 years ago. The figures are impressive. In 2012/13, out of £750m spent on goods and services by six Anchor Institutions, 5% was spent in Preston and 39% in Lancashire as a whole. By 2016/17, out of £620m spent on goods and services by the same Anchor Institutions, 19% was spent in Preston and 81% in Lancashire as a whole. Despite the total spend decreasing due to the current economic climate of cuts and austerity, the percentage of local spend has increased dramatically. But it doesn’t stop there. What does it mean to think local? For the centre-right of the political spectrum, localism may smack of protectionism, but this is a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” approach that ignores the underlying benefits that come from local economic development. The benefits of a strong sense of community are well documented (the ‘social capital’ identified by Robert Putnam and others). If there are opportunities for making a success of life in Preston, a place where people have a sense of identity and belonging, then social capital is potentially increased; pride of place is enhanced; a sense of citizenship is developed; and democracy becomes relevant and vital. It is not shameful or retrograde to want to belong to community. In fact, if we consider the idea of the emergence of a new way of life – whether you call it ‘post-capitalism’ or ‘post-growth’ – the local is increasingly identified as sustainable and resilient. It is often equated with the kind of robust mental health that we are so sorely lacking in today’s society. Community health is enhanced by success, but not any success at all costs. Studies have indicated that ever increasing wealth is not a source of happiness, whereas working together and sharing a democratic existence is. This is why the Preston Model favours worker-owned co-operatives as a business model to fill the gaps in the local economy. The gaps consist of the local economy being unable to provide the goods and services required by Anchor Institutions. To generate and retain local wealth has obvious advantages for local communities; to increase local procurement with co-operatives also contributes to an increase in wealth, but at the same time leads to job creation and a work ethos that advantages and empowers local people. The Mondragón co-operatives motto ‘Humanity at Work’ neatly sums this up. The University/Council partnership In 2017, the University/Council partnership helped to create the Preston Co-operative Development Network with the aim of providing a framework to support the development of co-operative business in Preston. The creation of this Network was the principal recommendation of the university’s 2016 report ‘Co-operative Activity in Preston’, subsequently disseminated in a series of presentations by myself to Preston City Council, among others. The Network is itself a co-operative and consists of a steering group of experts in the field. It provides a combination of basic hands-on training and development, legal advice, and an overall vision for the city as well as providing a source of pro-active networking for co-operatives who, within the Network, will commit themselves to co-operation before competition. Where will these co-operatives come from? Employee buyouts, strategic planning, and encouragement for start-ups and graduates from the university. The University of Central Lancashire is working hard to enhance its presence and contribution to the community it serves. There are projects for increased undergraduate co-operative education leading to business plans for graduates who will discover new opportunities and reasons to remain in Preston-based worker-owned co-operatives supported by the university and the Network. The future has already begun. Julian Manley is Research Fellow in the School of Social Work, Care and Community at the University of Central Lancashire All articles posted on this blog give the views of the author(s), and not the position of LSE British Politics and Policy, nor of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Featured image credit: Pixabay/Public Domain. Posted In: British and Irish Politics and Policy \| Economy and Society \| Featured \| Local government \| Public Services and the Welfare State Pingback: Joining the Dots: We can do this, we’re doing it now - Shift In response to Barry’s question, it’s quite possible to write tender specifications in such a way as to tilt towards smaller and local suppliers – less onerous procurement frameworks, smaller/more specialist contracts, local employment and training requirements, local sub-contracting incentives, etc. It requires more effort on the part of the the procurers – who might have had an easier life if they’d just bundled everything together and given it to Serco/Carillion/etc. Which is what often happens in the risk-averse public sector. My concerns are: (i) whether the Preston approach is fostering more competitive local suppliers (or just making them dependent on a small number of ‘soft’ local contracts); and (ii) what does this mean for other areas who are now disadvantaged in competing for contracts. This approach doesn’t obviously seem to be ‘growing the cake’ – it’s just refusing to share it with others. Don’t suppliers in (e.g.) the deprived North East deserve a fair crack? Generally, I’m not sure how many places become great by turning in on themselves. I can’t be certain that Preston’s model is doing this but I haven’t read – across many articles on it – about how it’s making it more outwardly competitive. Julian Manley says: Hi Duncan. With regards your concerns, this is the way we see it: (1) Anyone who wins a contract locally is not being awarded this contract as a charitable gesture. In other words, there is nothing ‘soft’ going on here. On the contrary, now that they have an opportunity to truly compete with the huge companies who otherwise monopolise the local market, they have to up their game. (2) In general, it has nothing to do with taking away opportunities from other areas. On the contrary, it gives opportunities to our area, which is, of course, among the most deprived. It is against the big corporate companies that belong everywhere and nowhere that our small businesses are competing with, not with small businesses elsewhere (for example in the north-east). We are competing with the corporate business that takes the pound away from Preston and deposits it elsewhere to the benefit of shareholders who have no intention of returning anything to Preston.We calculate (in terms of growing the cake) that an increase to local vendors of £10m will create about 400 new jobs. And finally, it is not the intention to turn inwards. The intention is to create place and identity, encourage local democracy, participation and citizenship. These will make everyone in Preston more vital and more competitive, inside and outside. Brett Stiebel says: I would like to know how Preston’s think local / buy local strategy fits in with its statutory obligations under public procurement law? The underlying principle of procurement law is that everyone and anyone has a fair crack at providing the advertised service – regardless of where they may be located – and except for the limited grounds on which to lawfully exclude certain bidders, the best bid wins. How does Preston exclude bidders in favour of local suppliers in a lawfully compliant manner? The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 only goes so far… Leave a Reply to Brett Stiebel Cancel reply Central government and core executive functions What is the Cameron-Clegg governance strategy? Zombie ‘new public management’ cannot work in the face of massive public expenditure cutbacks Party politics and elections Politics and pragmatics in managing the prison population Competition between NHS hospitals produces positive incentives. However, introducing private hospital competition can have adverse effects British and Irish Politics and Policy Corporate care home collapse and ‘light touch’ regulation: a repeating cycle of failure	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line276
__label__wiki	0.852842	0.852842	Wreckage of Captain Cook's HMS Endeavour discovered ? "HMS Endeavour off the coast of New Holland," by Samuel Atkins. From CNN by Juliet Perry Researchers believe they have found the wreckage of the HMS Endeavour, vessel of legendary British explorer, James Cook. Cook commanded the ship from 1768 to 1771 on his famous voyage mapping the uncharted waters of the south Pacific Ocean, but for years its whereabouts have remained a mystery. After exploring far-flung lands the boat passed through a number of different hands before it was renamed the Lord Sandwich and used in America's revolutionary war. "Lord Sandwich was the first lord of the admiralty at the time so the name makes sense -- a nod by its private owner," Dr Kathy Abbass, the executive director of Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, a not-for-profit organization set up in 1992 set up to study the area's maritime history, told CNN. "We know from its size, dimension and these records that the Sandwich was the Endeavour." Now the Rhode Island Marine Archeology Project (RIMP) says it has managed to identify the wreckage of the Lord Sandwich in Newport harbor, off the state of Rhode Island. Sent to blockade the city The organization says the ship was scuttled there by British forces in the lead up to the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. "The American army was assembled on the mainland and the French sent a fleet to help," says Abbass. "The British knew they were at great risk so they ordered 13 ships out to be scuttled in a line to blockade the city. They were sunk in fairly shallow waters." They now believe this particular piece of history lies on the seabed alongside the 12 other vessels that made up the fleet. According to RIMP, the wreckages are spread across nine different sites, and "one group of 5 ships includes the Lord Sandwich transport, formerly Captain James Cook's Endeavour." The group now plans a more detailed exploration of the site and "a more intense study of each vessel's structure and its related artifacts." One of the most famous ships in naval history, the HMS Endeavour was the boat on which Captain James Cook achieved the first recorded European contact with the east coast of Australia, Hawaii, and the first circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook also provided the first accurate map of the Pacific and is believed to have shaped the world map more than any other explorer in history. BBC : Endeavour: Has the ship Captain Cook sailed to Australia been found? The Guardian : Captain Cook's Endeavour: from the Great Barrier Reef to Rhode Island? National Geographic : No, Captain Cook's Ship Hasn't Been Found Yet DailyMail : Captain Cook's Endeavour is finally found 230 years after it disappeared: Legendary vessel used to sail to Australia was scuttled off the coast of Rhode Island in 1778 GeoGarage blog : Capt. James Cook raised an ocean of knowledge Posted by geogarage at 1:41 AM Labels: marine geogarage May 13, 2016 at 8:28 PM Panama canal : transits through expanded Panama Canal Gorgeous, weird jellyfish found near Mariana Trench History of free diving A sailing legend goes low-tech for a daring Trans-... Stanford's humanoid diving robot takes on undersea... Transat bakerly : the Transat is back	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line283
__label__cc	0.70467	0.29533	MasterMaq's Blog Mack Male is an Edmonton-based entrepreneurial journalist Tag: demographics Edmonton’s population rises to 899,447 The results of Edmonton’s first ever paperless municipal census were released at City Hall today, revealing that Edmonton’s population has grown by 2.5% since 2014 from 877,926 to 899,447. That is much more modest growth than we saw in the period between 2012 and 2014 when our city’s population grew by 7.4%. From today’s news release: “The impact of the recent economic slowdown and higher unemployment in Alberta and Edmonton is evident in the stable population growth figures recorded over the past two years,” said John Rose, Chief Economist for the City of Edmonton. The slowdown mirrors to some extent what is happening provincially and federally. Estimates put Alberta’s growth rate at 3.9% from 2014 to 2016, down from 6.5% between 2012 to 2014, and Canada’s growth rate at 2.0% from 2014 to 2016, down from 2.3% between 2012 and 2014. The update to the Capital Region Board’s Growth Plan projects that Edmonton’s population will grow to at least 1.3 million people by 2044, which we’ll achieve if we can grow at an average of 1.8% per year. “Although we saw more moderate growth these past two years, Edmonton’s population has increased by 117,000 since 2009. When you add to that the growth of neighbouring municipalities, it highlights the need for us to combine our efforts to ensure effective use of land and smart infrastructure planning.” said Mayor Iveson. “We need to work together and leverage our resources as well as those of the provincial and federal governments to ensure an ongoing strong and growing region, one that continues to attract and retain people and investments.” Regional cooperation is especially important because it looks like Edmonton is getting even more suburban. Ward 6, which includes Downtown, Oliver, and other central neighbourhoods, saw its population decrease 5.0% from 2014 with a loss of 3,769 people. In fact, the centrally-located wards (6, 7, 8, 10, 11) all saw their populations decrease by anywhere from 2.2% to 5.0% while the outer wards (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12) all saw their populations increase by anywhere from 1.1% to 12.1%. This is a big shift from the 2014 Municipal Census in which every ward grew. It’s disappointing to me to see “population loss in a number of core and mature neighbourhoods” while the developing neighbourhoods like Walker, Laurel, Summerside, Chappelle, Windermere, and McConachie all show strong population gains. A decrease of 1,012 people in Oliver and 380 people in Downtown is cause for concern. Inglewood, Central McDougall, and Strathcona were some of the other central neighbourhoods that saw their populations decrease. We are continuing to grow out when we really need to be growing up. You can see a comparison of census results from 2016, 2014, 2012, and 2009 in PDF here. There are 201 datasets related to Edmonton’s municipal census in the Open Data Catalogue with more to come. You can also access the latest results in PDF here. And here’s my post about the 2014 Municipal Census. Mack Male Uncategorized 3 Comments August 31, 2016 2 Minutes Highlights from the 2015 Growth Monitoring Report The City of Edmonton released its annual Growth Monitoring Report recently, known as Our Growing City. At 90 pages it’s full of information. Here are some things I wanted to highlight! Upward, Inward, Outward? The report (and associated infographic) likes to talk about how Edmonton is growing up, in, and out. But is it really? Several key initiatives demonstrate how this vision guides Edmonton’s growth. The Quarters Downtown, West Rossdale, Blatchford, downtown redevelopment, and Transit Oriented Development are helping our central neighbourhoods and areas along Edmonton’s expanding LRT routes grow “upward.” Ongoing efforts to enable infill opportunities in our mature and established neighbourhoods help the city grow “inward,” and the construction of new neighbourhoods in developing areas enables our city to grow “outward.” The truth is that developing neighbourhoods, the “outward” part of growth, account for the majority of residential development. The report states that as in 2013, “developing neighbourhoods accounted for 83% of all residential growth” last year. Our city continues to grow out much more quickly than up or in. You can see the neighbourhood classifications on a map here. Core neighbourhoods accounted for 8% of all growth in 2014 while mature neighbourhoods accounted for just 6%. “This is an increase of 18% from 2013 unit growth (704 units),” the report says. “It is, however, a relatively low proportion of city-wide growth due to strong increases in newer neighbourhoods.” Established neighourhoods accounted for 3% of all new units. Nine of the top ten fastest growing neighbourhoods over the last five years are in the south. The fastest growing are Summerside, The Hamptons, and Windermere. The only potential bright spot here is that recent NSPs tend to plan more dense communities and “contain a more balanced range of dwelling types” than they have in the past. Here’s a look at the density map: You can see that the new areas around the edge may actually be more dense than existing communities in mature and established neighbourhoods. If we don’t do anything to increase the density of those areas, that is. Demographic Shifts As of June 30, 2014 the Edmonton CMA had 1,328,290 residents, up 3.3% over the same time in 2013. We’re the second fastest growing CMA in the country after Calgary. And we’re comparatively young. The Edmonton CMA is comparatively much younger than major Canadian city regions with a median age of 36 years. Most other cities have a media age of 39-40 years. Our city’s largest cohort is 25-39 years of age, followed by the 49-65 age group. You might think with all of those young people that we’d have more families. And maybe we do, but not in established parts of the city. A demographic shift is occurring in mature and established areas of the city. The population is ageing and households are decreasing in size. There will be a significant increase in lone person and two person households. It’s a complicated issue, but ageing in place means that young families are pushed to the developing areas (as shown in the above map), which means we have to build new schools, recreation facilities, etc. It means we continue to grow outward. In 2014, 71% of all housing starts in the Edmonton region occurred within the city, which is better than the 10 year average of 66% (our high was 94% in 1982 and our low was 53% in 1996). But remember, the bulk of our growth is happening in developing areas, and that often means single-detached homes. Our share of regional single-detached housing starts over the last 10 years has averaged 59%. We don’t have much competition when it comes to folks wanting to live in condos or apartments. But for single family homes, there are lots of options just outside Edmonton’s boundaries. And this is a problem because surrounding communities don’t build communities that are as dense as the ones Edmonton is building. Zoning & Annexation The report states that the Edmonton region is expected to grow to just under 2.2 million by 2044, with the city itself reaching 1.4 million people by that time. Looking further to 2064 our city’s population is expected to grow to 2.1 million. All those people are going to have to live somewhere, so “approximately 270,000 new housing units” are required to handle the anticipated growth. This is why the City is pursuing annexation. “The City of Edmonton is quickly running out of room to accommodate anticipated growth. This is especially true for industrial lands but is also true for residential developments.” We’re only “quickly” running out of room because our growth pattern hasn’t changed much. There is room to grow inward: Edmonton’s core, mature and established neighbourhoods share a total of 180 ha of vacant land, with the distribution of this land varying widely amongst them. In total, 1,343 vacant lots have been identified within the central core, mature and established neighbourhoods. That vacant land could house an additional 3,287 dwelling units and potentially 7,725 people, based on existing zoning. If we re-zoned land and consolidated some lots the potential could be even higher. Not enough for all of the anticipated growth, but more than we’re on track to house centrally. For the last decade or so, a 2:1 ratio of residential to industrial/commercial land area has continued in Edmonton. “Without annexation, Edmonton will exhaust its industrial supply of land in 10 years and its residential in 12 to 17 years. The proposed annexation ensures that both industrial and residential land inventories meet the policy target of maintaining a minimum 30-year supply.” The need for more industrial land is what’s really driving the two currently proposed annexations, in Leduc County and Sturgeon County. In Edmonton the current proportion of zoned land uses is roughly 32% residential, 3% commercial, 12% industrial, 7% institutional and 9% parks and open space, special “direct control” zones account for 4% of land uses, Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC) 6% and 27% agriculture. That’s a big drop in agricultural and reserve land, which was at 37% previously. “For the past decade Edmonton has been converting an average of 1,000 hectares of agriculture and reserve zoned land into urban zones.” You can learn much more about Edmonton’s growth at the City’s website. 2015 Growth Monitoring Report PDF There are also some useful data sets in the open data catalogue. Here are a few that are relevant (but there are dozens): 2014 Census – Population by Structure Type (Neighbourhood) Vacant Land Inventory Mature Neighbourhood Reinvestment What else did you find interesting in the report? Mack Male Uncategorized 2 Comments July 25, 2015 4 Minutes Mayor Don Iveson announced the results of the 2014 Municipal Census this morning, revealing that Edmonton’s population has grown by 7.39% since 2012 to a total of 877,926. That means we’ve added a population the size of St. Albert over the last two years, which is incredibly significant growth for a city of our size. Edmonton has grown by nearly 100,000 people over the last five years, and is on track to reach the 1 million mark by the end of the decade. “Edmonton’s population growth indicates that we are a city of opportunity,” says Mayor Don Iveson. “Significant growth in the working-age population puts Edmonton in a good position for the long term. While our economic stability, educational opportunities and quality of life attract newcomers to Edmonton, we face pressure to manage our growth responsibly and effectively.” In the last ten years, Edmonton has grown by more than 175,000 people, and the pace of growth seems to be accelerating. Edmonton is one of the youngest cities in North America, with an average age of about 35, the same as our Mayor. The single largest age group is 20-25, followed closely by 30-34, which account for a combined 17.2% of Edmonton’s population. “This is a population profile that any city would envy,” said John Rose, the City of Edmonton’s Chief Economist. We’re an evenly split city in terms of gender, with 49.5% of the population identified as female and 50.5% identified as male. Unfortunately, the census does not offer any options for transgender individuals. We’re also fairly evenly split between single and married and Edmontonians. Edmonton’s population is growing all across the city, but nine of the top ten fastest growing neighbourhoods over the last five years are in the south. Summerside, The Hamptons, Windermere, Ambleside, and Tamarack are all examples of fast growing neighbourhoods. Sixty mature neighbourhoods and forty-seven established neighbourhoods gained in population. A total of forty-four established neighbourhoods and thirty-nine mature neighbourhoods experienced a population loss over the last five years. Every ward gained in population, with Ward 9 and Ward 12 showing the strongest growth. The population of Downtown now stands at 13,148, an increase of 7.8%. That signals significantly faster growth than the neighbourhood was experiencing previously, as it grew just 5.4% between 2009 and 2012. Edmonton continues to have low unemployment, with 54.2% of Edmontonians employed, 25.0% in some sort of schooling, and 12.2% retired. Just 3% reported being unemployed. A smaller percentage of Edmontonians are driving to work than in 2012, with carpooling and transit use seeing modest increases. The caveat is that groups aged between 12 and 18 and over 65 were included in the 2014 census and were not included in the 2012 census, so the difference is probably smaller than the numbers would suggest. Edmontonians continue to primarily drive to work. We continue to live primarily in single detached houses, with 59.8% of Edmontonians reporting that as their dwelling type. As for the primary language spoken in homes across the city? Overwhelmingly, it’s English. The next most common languages are French, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Punjabi. The City also asked how households access information regarding City services. More than 25% use the City website, with newspapers, radio, and 311 as the next most popular methods. This year, the census was conducted online as well as door-to-door. The City says about a third of respondents used the web-based option. Those individuals had the opportunity to answer one extra question, which was which additional sources or channels they’d like to use to receive information about City services. Overwhelming, email was the most popular response. I’ll be digging into the results further over the next couple of days, and you can too – the City has made 58 datasets available in the Open Data Catalog. You can read my post about the 2012 Municipal Census here. The next municipal census will take place in April 2016. Mack Male Uncategorized 1 Comment August 29, 2014 2 Minutes Edmonton’s 2014 Municipal Census goes online The City of Edmonton is conducting its biennial census this year, and for the first time, you can participate online! The census is an important tool for collecting up-to-date demographic information that is used in decision-making and also for per-capita grants. Completing the census online is optional, so if you do nothing, a census worker will come to your door as in years past. Here’s how it works. Over the next couple days, every household will be receiving a letter with information on how to complete the census online. That letter will include a PIN that you’ll use to access the online questions. The questions being asked online and in person are the same, except for one extra question that only online respondents will get to answer: “In the future, what additional channels or sources would your household like added to receive information regarding City services?” The idea is for the City to get an idea of citizen expectations for getting information out about services. The reason that question is only being asked online is because it requires a written response (presumably it would be too slow for door-to-door collection). If you’re wondering how to answer it, my suggestion would be to write “open data”! The online census is powered by Dominion Voting Systems, a Denver-based company that sells electronic voting machines (it was founded in Toronto in 2002). Their solution for Canadian municipalities is also being used by Lethbridge this year. In an effort to help people complete the census online, the City of Edmonton is hosting a series of outreach events over the next couple of weeks: “The staff will be there offering guidance and support to individuals who wish to complete their census online using computers available at the various venues. Any one who would like information on the online census option, or assistance with completing their census online, are welcome to attend.” The online portion of the census starts tomorrow, April 10 at 8am and will run until 8pm on April 27. Door-to-door collection will begin on May 10, which will enable workers to avoid visiting any household that has already participated online. Census workers present City-issued identification so you can ensure they are legitimate workers before answering any questions. If you’re interested in being a census worker, you can apply here. I was disappointed when Council voted last year against adopting online voting, so I’m quite pleased to see the City taking another step in the online direction with this year’s census. I hope it is a success and builds confidence for future online endeavours! You can see my post on the results of the 2012 Municipal Census here. If you’re curious, here’s Policy C520B, the Municipal Census Policy. Mack Male Uncategorized 3 Comments April 9, 2014 2 Minutes Annexations in Edmonton The City of Edmonton officially announced today its intention to annex a large area south of our current boundaries (you can listen to the press conference here). The plan would see 120 km2 west of the QEII highway annexed, an area which includes the Edmonton International Airport, and about 36 km2 east of the QEII annexed, which would include most of the area between Edmonton and Beaumont. According to Mayor Mandel, the new space would be used for both residential and industrial development. You can read much more about the news here, and be sure to check out the City’s page on the proposed annexation. It is estimated that the annexation could be completed in as little as two years. You won’t be surprised to hear that I’m less than enthusiastic about the news. Edmonton’s Annexations I’ll write more about that specific proposal in the future, but for now I thought it would be useful to take a look at Edmonton’s previous annexations. I have included the proposed annexation in the data below however, to give you a sense of where it fits in (I went with 2015 as the year). There have thus far been 31 annexation events in Edmonton’s history, according to a document prepared by the City’s planning department. That includes the incorporations of both Edmonton and Strathcona, as well as three temporary separations. Most of those annexations were relatively small, with an average annexation area of about 21 km2. Take out the 1982 annexation however, and the average drops to just 10 km2. Here’s what those annexation events look like on a chart: As you can see, the annexation in 1982 was unusually large – it doubled the size of our city. The proposed annexation in the south would handily come in as the second largest annexation in Edmonton’s history. Here’s the list of annexation events: YEAR DESCRIPTION CUMULATIVE AREA (km2) 1892 Incorporation of Town of Edmonton 8.7 1899 Incorporation of Town of Strathcona 10.8 1904 Incorporation of City of Edmonton 23.0 1907 Incorporation of City of Strathcona 37.9 1908 Buena Vista to Westmount, North Inglewood to Eastwood/Virginia Park 57.3 1911 Highlands, Amalgamation of Edmonton & Strathcona 59.9 1912 Belmont Park 62.9 1912 Kennedale 64.0 1913 Dominion Industrial to Quesnell Heights / Brander Gardens to Parkallen, Bonaventure to Belvedere, Forest Heights to Argyll 103.0 1914 Allendale / Duggan to Coronet / Papaschase 105.6 1917 Calder 106.4 1922 Separation of north Brander Gardens 105.8 1922 Separation of Papaschase 105.3 1947 Pleasantview 105.6 1950 Whitemud Creek 105.9 1951 Separation of part of Duggan 105.6 1954 Capilano / Fulton Place 109.0 1954 Coronet 109.6 1956 Gold Bar 112.1 1958 Davies Industrial 114.0 1959 Terrace Heights / Ottewell 116.3 1959 Terwillegar Park / Riverbend to Strathcona Industrial Park, re-annexation of separations 146.2 1960 Ottewell to Girard Industrial 149.3 1961 Beverly / Clareview to Dickinsfield 177.8 1964 Jasper Place and Southeast Industrial 221.6 1967 Clover Bar Power Plant 221.8 1969 Springfield / Callingwood 226.9 1970 Springfield – north 227.5 1971 Castle Downs / Lake District and Mill Woods 288.3 1972 West Jasper Place 314.4 1974 Kaskitayo 317.5 1976 Northwest Industrial 319.7 1980 Pilot Sound and Twin Brooks 331.1 1982 Northeast, Southeast, Southwest Urban Growth Areas 700.6 2015 Proposed South Annexation 856.6 Municipalities annex land for a variety of reasons – sometimes the goal is to acquire industrial land, other times its to start developing future residential neighbourhoods. Here’s what our land and population growth has looked like over the last 120 years: The left axis and blue line shows the growth in Edmonton’s population, while the right axis and red line shows the growth in Edmonton’s land area. While our population has risen steadily, annexations have been much less consistent. Impact on Population Density When the Town of Edmonton was incorporated in 1892 it consisted of 8.7 km2 of land and was home to about 700 people, giving us a population density of about 81/km2. Today, with a population of nearly 818,000 and a total area of about 700 km2, we have a much higher population density of roughly 1,167/km2. That’s not the highest it has ever been, however. Edmonton’s population density peaked in 1958 at about 2,212 people/km2 and has been falling ever since. (For comparison purposes, New York City’s population density is 10,430/km2, London’s is 5,206/km2, Toronto’s is 4,149/km2, Vancouver’s is 5,249/km2, and Calgary’s is 1,329/km2. Yes, even sprawling Calgary has a higher population density than us!) Here’s what our population density looks like on a chart: There are a couple of key events to point out. The amalgamation of Edmonton and Strathcona in 1912 is noticeable thanks to a jump in the population. The annexations in 1959 of Terrace Heights, Ottewell, Terwillegar Park, and Riverbend marked the start of our population density decline. The jump back up in 1964/1965 was due to the annexation of Jasper Place, which brought about 38,000 residents to Edmonton in addition to more space. The large drop in 1982 is extremely apparent, and while the population density has slowly been creeping back up, you can see that the proposed annexation would cause it to decline once again. Looking at the Capital Region I absolutely agree with Mayor Mandel that a strong Edmonton is a strong region, but I don’t necessarily agree that Edmonton needs to acquire more land in order to remain strong. Supporters of annexation may suggest that Edmonton’s declining proportion of the region’s population is proof that buyers are not finding what they’re looking for within the city so they’re going elsewhere. Here’s a look at the percentage of people in the Edmonton CMA who live within the city limits: What’s clear is that there has been a decline in the proportion of people living in Edmonton-proper versus the surrounding areas. What’s less clear is why that has happened. While Edmonton has not annexed any land since 1982, there have been 6 annexations by other municipalities in the region in the last 15 years. Annexation is a big topic. Here are some additional resources that you may find useful: Annexations at the Municipal Government Board website Overview of the Annexation Process (PDF) MGB Annexation Rules (PDF) FAQ on Edmonton’s Proposed South Annexation Regional & Intermunicipal Planning at the City of Edmonton Mack Male Uncategorized 16 Comments March 5, 2013 4 Minutes Edmonton’s new official population is 817,498 This morning the results of the 2012 Municipal Census were released, and Edmonton’s new official population is 817,498. That represents annual average growth of about 12,000 since 2009 when the last census was conducted. Mayor Mandel seized on the numbers related to age – the largest proportion of residents are in the 25-34 demographic (about 14.5%): “The growth in population indicates that Edmonton is a city of opportunity,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “It is gratifying and exciting to know that so many young people are calling Edmonton their home. This reinforces the appeal of Edmonton, and the value of what our City has to offer; opportunity, culture and quality of life.” Here’s what our growth curve looks like: Here’s a look at the population by age group: One of the new questions asked this year was about mode of transportation from home to work. The results are not incredibly surprising – roughly 80% of Edmontonians get to work by automobile: You can see all of the results here, including PDFs for each ward and neighbourhood. Unfortunately I can’t do a detailed comparison by neighbourhood, because the open data catalogue has not been updated and I’m not going to sift through 375 PDFs to get the data I need. A note on the website reads: “2012 results will be added to the Open Data Catalogue in early August.” While I suppose it’s a positive that the data will in fact be uploaded to the catalogue, there’s absolutely no excuse for it not already be in there. I feel like I’m fighting the same fight, three years later. I was most interested in Downtown however, so I did look at the PDF. The population increased far less than I had anticipated, rising to 12,199 from 11,572 (growth of about 5.4%). In other words, just 1.8% of the city-wide population growth occurred in the Downtown neighbourhood. Clearly we still have work to do (perhaps surrounding neighbourhoods grew more, will wait for the open data to analyze that). Last year City Council passed a new Municipal Census Policy which states that a census will be conducted every two years starting in 2012. Throughout the month of April, census workers knocked on doors asking Edmontonians a variety of demographic questions. The results are important because many grants from other orders of government are calculated on a per capita basis. Additionally, the City needs updated numbers to effectively plan services, and to ensure ward boundaries result in fair representation by population. The next Municipal Census will be held in April 2014. Edmonton’s population is up 12.1% according to the 2011 Federal Census Statistics Canada today released the first set of information for the 2011 Federal Census, focused on population and dwelling counts. The population of Canada has increased 5.9% since the 2006 census, compared with 5.4% for the previous five-year period. Canada’s population increased at a faster rate than the population of any other member of the G8 group of industrialized nations between 2006 and 2011. This was also the case between 2001 and 2006. Canada’s population now sits at 33,476,688. Looking at the provinces, Alberta leads the country in growth with an increase of 10.8%, taking our population up to 3,645,257, which is about 11% of the country. Increasingly we are an urban country. A total of 69.1% of the population lives in one of Canada’s 33 census metropolitan areas (CMAs), and that number is going up: The rate of growth between 2006 and 2011 was 7.4% in CMAs as a group, above the national average of 5.9%. The two fastest growing CMAs were both in Alberta: Calgary, where the population rose 12.6%, and Edmonton, where it increased 12.1%. Here’s a look at the fastest growing CMAs in the country: Looking at federal electoral districts in the Edmonton region, Edmonton-Leduc was the fastest growing with 28% growth since 2006 census, followed by Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont at 22%. Looking at Edmonton more generally, the population of the city now sits at 812,201 while the population of the CMA is now 1,159,869. Here’s the population for the City and the CMA over the last fifteen years: And here’s the percentage increase over that same time period: Edmonton is now the sixth largest CMA in the country, and we’re growing more quickly than anticipated. We’ll have to wait until May 29 to learn more about the age and gender breakdown, September 19 to learn more about households, marital status, and structure types, and October 24 to learn more about language. The City of Edmonton is conducting another municipal census in April this year, and is looking for 1400 people to act as census workers. You can apply in person at City Hall. You can learn more about the municipal census here. You can learn more about the 2011 Federal Census here, and also check out The Daily for today. Mack Male Uncategorized 7 Comments February 8, 2012 1 Minute What’s the population of Edmonton’s downtown? Depends on the time of day. Revitalizing our downtown is constantly in the news lately thanks to the proposed arena project. I’m glad that the issue is top-of-mind for so many people at the moment, and I hope we can keep that interest going. I think everyone agrees that Edmonton’s downtown does not currently represent our city as well as it should. There are lots of factors that go into revitalizing an area. Probably even more that go into revitalizing a downtown. But there’s one factor in particular that for me stands out above all others. Residents. I think if you really want to revitalize an area, you need to get more people living there. We’ve already seen this play out in Edmonton to a certain extent. Here’s what our downtown population growth has looked like since 1986: Keep in mind the population has really only slightly more than doubled in that time. Not what you would call really significant growth. And yet look at all of the positive changes we have seen downtown in that time! This article by Lawrence Herzog from 2003 covers some of the changes up to that point quite nicely. People regularly point to 104 Street as a positive example of change downtown. It’s why Sharon and I bought here. The factor that most often comes up as vital to revitalization however, is the number of people working downtown. Sometimes the argument made is quite compelling too. Whenever I hear that argument, I think of this graph: It’s incredible how widely the population varies from the weekend to a weekday. And this doesn’t even take into account students and all of the other groups of people that might be downtown on a weekday. Is our downtown population 12,000 or 68,000? It absolutely depends on the time of day! Why does nearly everything downtown close so early on weekdays? Why is almost nothing open downtown on Sundays? Why isn’t downtown changing as fast as we’d like it to? I think that graph tells a very significant part of the story (see below for an explanation and sources). The numbers are certainly not encouraging: As of 2009, downtown Edmonton’s population was 11,572. That’s just 1.5% of our total population. As of 2010, downtown Edmonton’s workforce was roughly 67,700. That’s just over 10% of our total labour force. Current plans call for the addition of just 12,200 new residents residential units over the next 35 years, and an increase in residents to 24,000 by 2030. We more than doubled the population in 23 years, why are we slowing down for the next 35 years? That’s about the same pace as we have seen over the last 20 years. According to the Downtown Business Association’s most recent employee survey (PDF), just 6% of people who work downtown also live downtown. This despite downtown being one of our two biggest employment centres (the other being the University of Alberta, which is just a short LRT ride away). So I don’t buy the argument that we need more people working downtown. If anything, we need more of the people who work downtown to choose to live there also. We need to want to make the changes downtown needs, and we need to make decisions that support that. If we want to meaningfully revitalize downtown, this picture has to change! There’s a lot more to this discussion of course, but I find this to be a useful way to remind myself of the importance of residents. What do you think? Sources: Municipal Census 2009, 2010 Downtown Resident Survey (PDF), 2010 Downtown Employee Survey (PDF), 2010 Business Recruitment Resource (PDF). The surveys come from the Downtown Business Association, and I used them to calculate the numbers in the graph. The times, 6am to 7pm, come from the Employee Survey. On weekdays, the green portion is essentially the number of people who both live and work downtown, which is an average of the 6% of employees who say they live downtown and the 29% of residents who say they work downtown. There are a bunch of assumptions made, of course, such as the assumption that if you’re a downtown resident and you don’t work downtown, you work and are somewhere else between 6am and 7pm. Mack Male Uncategorized 15 Comments March 10, 2011 3 Minutes Shopping Malls: Canada vs. China Quick – which shopping mall is the world’s largest? If you said Edmonton’s own West Edmonton Mall, you’d be wrong. Despite holding the title for two decades, WEM is now number six on the list. A building boom in Asia has landed that continent nine of the world’s ten largest malls (the article says eight, but Wikipedia says nine): Just three years ago, the top 10 list would have included a pair of popular California destinations—South Coast Plaza in Cost Mesa and Del Amo Fashion Center in Los Angeles—along with the famed Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Here in North America the shopping mall is kind of passé, replaced by big box shopping centres like South Edmonton Common. A logical question to ask, then, is if the shopping malls in Asia will one day be seen as passé? I think probably not. It seems to me there are two main differences between North America and Asia (when it comes to the importance of shopping malls). The first is population density – in Canada it is a mere 3.2 people per square kilometer, and in China it is 137 people per square kilometer (and these numbers are probably even more different if you look at just urban areas). There is clearly more space in Canada to build big box stores. In China, perhaps the shopping mall makes more sense because it is a more efficient use of space. The second difference is in transportation. More families in North America own a vehicle (or two) than families in Asia do. This is changing, to be sure, as the income levels of countries like China and Thailand continue to rise. If you have lots of cars, it’s easier to drive to big box stores. The large number of vehicles in North America has probably helped the switch from malls to big box stores. The first difference (population density) is more important than the second (transportation), in my opinion. Even though more Asian families will have vehicles in the future, the problem of population density will probably only worsen. For that reason, I would guess that shopping malls will continue to be important in Asia for a very long time. As for the future of malls like West Ed, I am not sure. They seem to be doing okay for now, even if growth isn’t what it used to be, but that may change in the future. I think shopping malls in North America will probably have to reinvent themselves one day to stay competitive. Read: USA Today Mack Male Uncategorized 1 Comment January 12, 2007 2 Minutes Copyright © 2019 Mack Male / MasterMaq.ca	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line287
__label__cc	0.506695	0.493305	Posts in: April, 2017 Inspiring breakthroughs in librarianship worldwide Managing the IFLA/OCLC Fellowship program, which began in 2001, is one of the most professionally rewarding experiences of my career. The Program provides advanced continuing education and exposure to a broad range of issues in information technologies, library operations and global cooperative librarianship. With the five Fellows from the 2017 class, the Program has welcomed 85 librarians and information science professionals from 38 countries. Each year a new class of Fellows brings a new wave of enthusiasm and energy to the program, which we sponsor with IFLA. This class was no exception. The legendary “apple cake” record story You can find links to thousands (maybe millions) of recipes using the WorldCat Cookbook Finder. And it’s the work of many, many catalogers over 50 years that makes that possible, of course. The metadata entered into WorldCat is what powers the Cookbook Finder and many other library services. But can you find an actual recipe within those 394 million bibliographic records? For one (or more?) brief times during OCLC’s history, yes you could. And today? Well … read on to find out! Get inspired for National Library Week with these five quick stories April 9 through 15 is National Library Week in the United States, an annual observance that has been sponsored by the American Library Association since 1958. Because we’re a global organization, we’d like to take an opportunity to celebrate libraries all around the world. Whether it’s through access to technology, information literacy, diverse collections or opportunities for community engagement, libraries connect people to knowledge and make breakthroughs happen. We could have written volumes about the great work being done by libraries around the globe. We’ve highlighted a few breakthroughs our members have shared with us and we encourage you to join your colleagues around the world to share your library breakthrough with the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek. OCLC at fifty—your memories, our history, our shared future For me, one of the best things about managing the OCLC Library, Archive and Museum is that the history of our organization is tied so closely to the history of libraries and librarianship. Being a corporate archivist is fun for almost any history geek, of course. But it’s special and meaningful for me to play a part in collecting and preserving works that reflect on the people, events and achievements of our profession. Because OCLC is a cooperative, our collection isn’t just a list of items and materials about what happens inside these walls, but it’s a glimpse into half-a-century of changes and innovations that librarians have lived through and, in many cases, originated. And, as we archivists all know, a look back from time to time can be a valuable tool as we identify paths for the future. That’s why I think it’s incredibly important that we ask you—the world’s librarians—for your memories as we celebrate OCLC’s 50th anniversary. In support of library funding OCLC is a global library cooperative, composed of more than 16,000 library members from around the world. Our members span library types from public libraries serving the smallest rural towns to the largest research libraries in the world. The knowledge transfer and exchange fueled by libraries enables many notable experiences: the child learning to read; the scientist expanding an avenue of medical research; an entrepreneur building a viable business plan. The individuals in these examples often gain their initial foothold, inspiration and roadmap in a library. We celebrate the accomplishments and the end result of the knowledge, but the journey to these breakthroughs is often not as visible. Libraries play a key role in these life-altering journeys and ground-breaking discoveries. The role that libraries play continues to grow, based on the evolving needs of their respective communities. Libraries provide internet services, vital not only to learning but also to finding a job and to accessing social services. Libraries directly impact student outcomes, from pre-K and K–12 to community colleges to large research universities. Libraries maintain important collections, preserving the history of our communities, regions, countries and people.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line288
__label__wiki	0.551978	0.551978	>> City Government City to review noise issue again at Tuesday’s council meeting By Juan Diego Pergentili Boulder City Review The City Council will once again visit the issue of noise in the community when it reviews an ordinance during its meeting Tuesday night. The ordinance, which has not been discussed since April 2015, aims to rewrite the existing limits on noise levels, which were put in place in the 1960s when the city was first incorporated, according to City Manager David Fraser. “We are trying to update it now and bring better definition to what and when is a violation and how loud people can go,” Fraser said. “The one we have now is super ambiguous.” If passed on Tuesday, the new noise mandate will effect everyone, including business owners. “Do you want us to be a sleepy town where people aren’t going to go out of their way to visit for nightlife, or do you maybe want to compromise a little bit and be more of a destination for those cars that are no longer going to be passing by?” Grant Turner, owner of the Dillinger Food and Drinkery and Forge Social House, said when the issue was originally raised. “With the bypass coming through, it’s more important than ever that we get Boulder City as a destination.” According to Fraser, during the past year there have been more noise complaints throughout the city. If police want to enforce it, there will be a more objective standard to apply. In the past, City Council members have reviewed proposals for a new ordinance, but turned them down stating that ambiguity and several unanswered questions within the law’s context forced them to hold off on a vote. The last ordinance presented to the council in December 2014 would have prohibited “unreasonable noise” from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. It also would have prohibited the use of any sound amplification device from a residential or public property that could be heard at least 75 feet away from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. “If passed this is going to be for the people having parties in their house, or a restaurant having a band playing. Everyone will know the parameters to stay in,” Fraser said. Details of the ordinance to be presented Tuesday have not yet been released. Contact reporter Juan Diego Pergentili at jpergentili@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @jdpbcreview. Posted on: City Government, News Salary range, guidelines set for new city attorney, manager The search for the next city manager and city attorney is a little more defined as City Council recently approved the salary range and compensation package for each position. Purpose of proposed ballot question contested City Council is divided on whether safety or growth is the purpose of a proposed ballot question about airport capital improvement projects and have yet to decide about moving forward with it. Candidate filing for Boulder City’s 2021 municipal election starts in less than two weeks and three residents have already announced their intention to run for city office. The 2021 municipal election will see residents voting to fill two seats on City Council as well as offer guidance on some community issues. Lelles named city’s employee of year Carol Lelles, who found thousands of dollars for the city last year and has been instrumental in bringing the capital improvement plan to the public, was recently chosen as Boulder City’s employee of the year by her co-workers. Ideas for parcel use sought December 9, 2020 - 4:08 pm December 9, 2020 - 4:08 pm City Council is moving forward with soliciting ideas on how to develop more than 40 acres of land near the Boulder Creek Golf Club. Utility fee question heads to ballot Boulder City voters will have at least one ballot question to answer at the general election in June. Control tower’s impact debated A proposed air traffic control tower could increase public safety at the Boulder City Municipal Airport, according to city staff, but Mayor Kiernan McManus said he is afraid it will open up the facility for expansion. Court to consider severance packages The newest complaint filed in Nevada’s Eighth District Court by two former employees accuses the city of violating their contracts and state law by not yet paying them their severance packages. Road planned for train museum expansion advances November 25, 2020 - 3:57 pm November 25, 2020 - 3:57 pm Boulder City is moving forward with a new road for the proposed expansion of the Nevada State Railroad Museum.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line291
__label__cc	0.635993	0.364007	local show CakeInTheRain206 Having Fun in the Seattle Music Scene “Only one of these songs is NOT a Disney song” Mini Challenge July 28, 2020 — Leave a comment 9 of these songs are Disney songs and 1 of them is not. Have a listen to this selection and see if you could spot the non Disney song without looking at the album covers (Spotify playlist provided below). Even when you figure out which song is the non Disney song, it’s still pretty unbelievable that some of these songs are Disney songs. “Only one of these songs is NOT a Disney song” Playlist 1.) “Derezzed” – Daft Punk 2.) “Destiny” – Louise Warren 3.) “Sanctuary (Opening)” – Utada 4.) “In a World of My Own/Very Good Afternoon” – Jhene Aiko 5.) “Down to Earth” – Peter Gabriel 6.) “Pretend” – Scott Porter and the Glory Dogs 7.) “So Close” – Jon McLaughlin 8.) “Never Knew I Needed” – Ne-Yo 9.) “A Whole New World” – Yuna 10.) “How Does a Moment Last Forever” – Celine Dion Answer (highlight): Number 6 is from the film Bandslam which is not a Disney film 1.) “Derezzed” – Daft Punk – from the film TRON: Legacy 2.) “Destiny” – Louise Warren – the musical theme for Mission Space (EPCOT ride) 3.) “Sanctuary (Opening)” – Utada – the theme song for Kingdom Hearts II (the video game) 4.) “In a World of My Own/Very Good Afternoon” – Jhene Aiko – Cover of the Alice in Wonderland songs 5.) “Down to Earth” – Peter Gabriel – from the film Wall E. 6.) “Pretend” – Scott Porter and the Glory Dogs – from the film Bandslam 7.) “So Close” – Jon McLaughlin – from the film Enchanted 8.) “Never Knew I Needed” – Ne-Yo – from the film Princess and the Frog 9.) “A Whole New World” – Yuna – Cover of the song from Aladdin 10.) “How Does a Moment Last Forever” – Celine Dion – from the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast This entry was posted in Discover at your Desk Playlist and tagged discoveratyourdeskplaylist, disney, disneyplaylist, music, playlist, seattle, seattle blogger. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Shows and Movies on My Disney+ Watchlist “Disney+” launched today. For as long as I can remember the Disney company has been a presence in my life. Be it through film or Disneyland, I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t Disney in my world. When I heard there was going to be a streaming service that would have the largest collection of streamable Disney owned content all on one source, I was elated. The list of initial shows and movies had numerous offerings for every type of fan. After running through the service at launch, 12:01 AM November 12, 2019, here are 5 programs that I immediately added to My Disney+ Watchlist: 1.) The Imagineering Story (2019) – Disneyland has always been a passion of mine. I’ve always had an eagerness to learn about the park’s history and hear stories from the people who developed it’s attractions. Admittedly, one of the small letdowns I had about Disney+ was that we wouldn’t get any of the original “Walt Disney Presents…” programs (either “World of Color” or “Disneyland” (the TV program)). Disney+ does offer recut shortened episodes of “Walt Disney Presents…” namely “Disneyland Around the Seasons”, and “The Plausible Impossible”. Those old archived “Walt Disney Presents” shows are treasures and if we can’t get the full uncut episodes, “The Imagineering Story” more than makes up for these recut episodes. You get the story of Disneyland right from the source. 2.) Heavyweights (1995) – I have 20 first cousins on my mom’s side of the family. When we all get together there are 3 films we can all agree to watch as a group. Those films are “Elf”, “Mean Girls”, and “Heavyweights”. This film is quintessential mid 90’s live action Disney. “Heavyweights” comes from that era of Disney film where the 2nd Disney Animation Renaissance was happening, the company was expanding their collection of direct to Disney Channel films, and through this period the company was still releasing a number of theatrical live action films like “Jungle 2 Jungle” and “Cool Runnings”. “Heavyweights” always stood out as a great subtle comedy with a plot that was instantly quotable. 3.) The Legend of the Three Caballeros (2018) – In 2016, I remember seeing posts on Tumblr of a rumored new Three Caballeros project in development at Disney Animation. The posts normally had leaked art, episode names and descriptions, but no solid dates for when they would be released. There were rumors that Disney was planning on releasing a new show in the Summer of 2017. Then mid 2017, it was announced “The Legend of the Three Caballeros” would be an exclusive release for the “Disney Life App”, which was only available for download in the Philippines, beginning June 2018. The series that did end up debuting in the Summer of 2017 was the “Ducktales” reboot (August 2017). After the “Ducktales” reboot was met with a great critical reception, it became clear that outside of the “Disney Life App” we might never be able to see episodes of “The Legend of the Three Caballeros”. The fact that we have the opportunity to see it on Disney+ is a very pleasant surprise. 4.) Recess (1997 – 2001) – Up until recent years, Saturday morning cartoons was an American standard. Saturday mornings were designated cartoon/kid programming times on most major networks. My favorite go-to Saturday morning cartoon was “Recess”. As a kid, I loved the adventures of the 3rd street crew and amount of imagination put into each storyline shaped how I viewed my world. As an adult, I admire the amount of character diversity and also how certain characters differences which would be brought to the forefront in other programs were pretty much secondary in this show. The show stressed a celebration of our differences and that’s why I loved it so much. 5.) The Reluctant Dragon (1941) – Another rarity from the Disney vault. In short, “The Reluctant Dragon” is a stylized, exaggerated journey of an idea pitch brought to the old Walt Disney animation studio. The full length feature was released in 1941 amidst a major artists strike at the Disney studio. Upon initial release, the film was met with a low audience response. Audiences had expected another full length animated feature in the same vein of “Pinocchio” or “Dumbo”, but instead were met with a film that combined live action sequences with animated sequences. The film would only be released in it’s entirety 3 other times as a DVD special feature accompanying more mainstream releases. What makes this Disney+ release special, aside from being an uncut feature, if you look closely you can see a number of now classic Disney films in their earliest stages of development (for example, in the sequence where the characters are reviewing concept figurines, you can see models for Peter Pan which wouldn’t be released for another 12 years). – The Simpsons – Seasons 2 through 12 – Of the show’s 31 seasons, 2 through 12 are the best. – Ducktales (2017) – I can’t recommend the Ducktales reboot enough. – The Mandalorian (2019) – This was probably the main selling point for a lot of early adaptors. – John Carter (2012) – Probably my favorite Disney flop, that was a crazy exciting movie, more than likely killed by a boring name. – Frank and Ollie (1995), The Pixar Story (2007), Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009), and The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story (2009) – Essential Imagineering documentaries Have Fun Streaming! This entry was posted in Who am I and tagged disney, disneyplus, disneyplus picks, disneystreamingservice, seattle, seattleblogger. Bookmark the permalink.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line296
__label__wiki	0.875547	0.875547	Autry v. State Perkins v. State The relevant factors to be considered include the temporal proximity of the illegal activity and the… Turro v. State The applicable standard for cases tried before November 16, 1991, is that we cannot sustain a conviction… 82 Citing Cases Full title:James David AUTRY, Appellant, v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee Court:Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, En Banc 626 S.W.2d 758 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, En Banc holding that defendant's statement that he had entered store to rob it, even though he did not actually demand money before shooting victim nor take any money upon leaving store, was sufficient to establish that he was guilty of murder during attempted robbery Summary of this case from Ruiz v. State See 8 Summaries No. 68899. January 20, 1982. Rehearing Denied February 10, 1982. Appeal from the 252nd Judicial District Court, Jefferson County, Leonard J. Giblin, J. Charles D. Carver, Michael D. Murphy, Port Arthur, for appellant. James S. McGrath, Dist. Atty. and John R. DeWitt, Asst. Dist. Atty., Beaumont, Robert Huttash, State's Atty., Austin, for the State. Before the court en banc. TOM G. DAVIS, Judge. Appeal is taken from a conviction for capital murder. After finding appellant guilty, the jury answered "yes" to the first two special issues under Art. 37.071(b), V.A.C.C.P. Punishment was assessed at death. In his second ground of error, appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction. The court charged the jury on the law of circumstantial evidence. The indictment in the instant cause alleges in pertinent part that on or about April 20, 1980, appellant: "did then and there while in the course of committing and attempting to commit robbery upon and of Shirley Drouet intentionally cause the death of Shirley Drouet, hereinafter styled the complainant by shooting her with a gun." Officer James Hartley, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that at 9:00 p. m. on April 20, 1980, he responded to a dispatch concerning a shooting at a convenience store in Port Arthur. Hartley proceeded to the Sak-N-Pak located at Lewis Drive and 9th Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, the officer found a man lying on the ground in front of the store. Hartley related that this individual was bleeding from the head as an apparent result of a gunshot wound. Upon entering the store, Hartley observed a second individual lying on the floor behind the counter. The second individual, later identified as Joseph Broussard, was dead. Hartley testified that he then observed a woman "in a sitting position" next to a display case in the store. The woman was gagging and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. The woman, who had been a clerk in the store, was identified as Shirley Drouet. Ethel Gobert testified that on the night of April 20, 1980, she was in an automobile near the Sak-N-Pak. Gobert related that she heard three gunshots which came from the direction of the store. She then observed an individual running from the store who was "right across the sidewalk" from her. She related that the area was well lit and that she was able to get a good look at the individual's face for a few seconds. After observing the individual, Gobert and her companion returned to the Sak-N-Pak and observed the three gunshot victims. Gobert identified appellant as the individual she had seen running from the Sak-N-Pak at the time she heard the gunshots. Finally, Gobert stated that at the time she observed appellant running from the store, she did not see a weapon in his hand. Mark Sandifer testified that at 1:00 p. m. on April 20, 1980, he loaned one of his automobiles to his brother, John Alton Sandifer. Approximately eight hours later, Sandifer saw the automobile he had loaned to his brother in the parking lot of the Sak-N-Pak. Sandifer drove into the parking lot and saw appellant standing outside the store. Appellant told Sandifer that his brother was inside the store. Sandifer's brother then came out of the store and drove away in the automobile which he had borrowed earlier that day. Appellant then entered the automobile which was driven by Mark Sandifer. Sandifer related that he followed his brother for a short distance and appellant then asked him to stop the car. Appellant then jumped out of the car and pulled a handgun out of his shirt. Sandifer described the handgun as a "chrome-plated stainless steel gun." After appellant left the car, Sandifer saw him running back toward the Sak-N-Pak. Sandifer then continued to follow his brother to a trailer in which his brother and appellant lived. Sandifer testified that when appellant entered his automobile in the parking lot of the Sak-N-Pak, he did not see a gunshot victim lying in the parking lot. Later that evening, Sandifer returned to his brother's trailer with his father, John Sandifer. While his father waited outside, Sandifer entered the trailer which was occupied by appellant and his brother. Sandifer testified that appellant pulled two handguns out of his pockets. Sandifer testified that appellant then refused to release the guns because "he told me that because he knew that I knew-he knew that I knew that he killed some people." One of the weapons which appellant pulled out of his pocket was similar in appearance to the weapon which he had produced at the time he left Sandifer's automobile and headed back toward the Sak-N-Pak. Sandifer then obtained the two weapons from appellant and returned them to his father who was waiting outside the trailer. Sandifer, his father and his brother then took the two handguns to the police. John Sandifer testified that he is the father of John Alton Sandifer and Mark Sandifer. The witness related that he waited outside his son's trailer while his other son, Mark Sandifer, went inside. He stated that both of his sons then came out of the trailer with two handguns. He testified that one of the handguns is a .32 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol which belongs to his wife. He related that the second handgun is a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson which belongs to him. Sandifer did not know that these weapons had been taken from his home. Officer David Davis, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that he conducted an investigation at the scene of the offense. Davis related that the cash register in the store had been turned to the "off" position. The officer found two copper bullet jackets in the store. An inspection of Broussard's wallet revealed that the wallet still contained currency and that the victim's car keys were in his pocket. Likewise, Davis inspected Drouet's purse and found that it contained currency. Dr. Standley LeBer testified that he performed an autopsy on Drouet's body. LeBer related that he found a single gunshot wound to the center of Drouet's forehead. From the "stippling" on the victim's face, it appeared as though the weapon was three to five feet from her head at the time it was fired. LeBer related that Drouet had died as a result of massive brain destruction from the gunshot wound. During the autopsy, LeBer removed a bullet from Drouet's head. He gave this bullet to the authorities. Officer Steve Conroy, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that he was present when LeBer performed the autopsy upon Drouet. The officer related that LeBer gave him the bullet which was removed from Drouet's head. Conroy then placed this bullet in the evidence locker of the Port Arthur Police Department. Officer Gary Martin, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that he transported several items of evidence connected with the instant offense to the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Houston. Among the items of evidence turned over to the laboratory were the copper bullet jackets recovered at the store, the two weapons turned over to the authorities by Sandifer and the bullet which had been removed from Drouet's head. John Beene testified that he is a chemist and firearms examiner for the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Houston. On April 28, 1980, Beene received various items of evidence from Officer Martin. Beene related that he compared the bullet removed from Drouet's head with the handguns which had been turned over to the authorities by Sandifer. Beene testified that in his opinion, the bullet which had killed Drouet had been fired from the .38 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun which appellant gave to Mark Sandifer. Officer Martin testified that he and fellow officers arrested appellant at 1:45 a.m. on April 21, 1980. At the time of his arrest, appellant was informed that he was being arrested for the two murders which had been committed at the Sak-N-Pak. The gunshot victim found lying in the parking lot did not testify at appellant's trial. The record does not reveal the severity of his bodily injury. Trial was held four months after the offense. Officer John Anderson, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that at 1:00 p. m. on April 21, 1980, he was in the booking room of the police station. Anderson related that he had not been involved in the investigation of the instant offense. The officer saw appellant enter the booking room and heard him ask to use the telephone in order to call his mother. Anderson testified that he did not intentionally "listen in" on the telephone call, however, in describing the statements he heard appellant make, Anderson testified as follows: "Q. What did you hear the defendant say? "A. Whoever he was talking to on the other end he told them that he was in Port Arthur Jail. And that he was charged with two counts of murder. "Q. What happened then? "A. Okay. There was kind of a pause. And I assume whoever was on the other end was saying something. "And he said that he had gone into this store and he was going to rob it but it just gone bad. "Q. What did he say then? "A. He said that he started shooting but once he started he just couldn't stop. "Q. Okay. Did he say anything else? "A. If I remember right towards the end of the conversation he stated that whoever was on the other end should not worry because he was going to get out of it. Officer Paul Noyola, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that he was involved in the investigation of the instant offense. Noyola related that he had found no other "double killings" at a convenience store in Port Arthur on or about April 20, 1980. Appellant now urges that the circumstantial evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. He maintains that the circumstances proven do not exclude every reasonable hypothesis because "it is entirely reasonable and probably (sic) that John Alton Sandifer shot and killed Shirley Drouet and subsequently ran from the store and made his flight." A conviction based on circumstantial evidence cannot be sustained if the circumstances do not exclude every other reasonable hypothesis except that of guilt of the defendant. Schershel v. State, 575 S.W.2d 548, Tex.Cr.App.; Bryant v. State, 574 S.W.2d 109, Tex.Cr.App. Therefore, proof which amounts only to a strong suspicion or mere probability is insufficient. Ford v. State, 571 S.W.2d 924, Tex.Cr.App. However, every circumstantial evidence case must necessarily be tested by its own facts to determine the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction. Earnhart v. State, 575 S.W.2d 551, Tex.Cr.App. Finally, the rules of circumstantial evidence do not require that circumstances should to a moral certainty actually exclude every hypothesis that the act may have been committed by another person, but that the hypothesis intended is a reasonable one consistent with the facts proved and the circumstances, and the supposition that the act may have been committed by another person must not be out of harmony with the evidence. Swink v. State, 617 S.W.2d 203, Tex.Cr.App.; Sullivan v. State, 564 S.W.2d 698, Tex.Cr.App. The evidence in the instant case reveals that appellant and John Alton Sandifer were present at the scene of the offense. When appellant, John Alton Sandifer and Mark Sandifer left the Sak-N-Pak, there was not a body in the parking lot. While riding in Mark Sandifer's automobile, appellant jumped out of the automobile and ran toward the Sak-N-Pak with a pistol in his hand. Appellant was seen running from the store after a witness heard three gunshots. Following the offense, appellant was in possession of the weapon used to kill Drouet. When appellant gave the murder weapon to Mark Sandifer, he stated that he "had just killed some people." Finally, some 16 hours after the offense, appellant stated that he had gone into a store "he was going to rob" and that "he started shooting" when things had "gone bad." We find the evidence sufficient to exclude every reasonable hypothesis except for that of appellant's guilt in killing Shirley Drouet. Appellant's second ground of error is overruled. In his first ground of error, appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. He maintains the evidence is insufficient to prove that the victim was killed during the course of a robbery or attempted robbery. He urges that the evidence raises the reasonable hypothesis that appellant could have killed Drouet "out of revenge" or because he became "irritated toward" her "because she would not cash a check for him, or would not let him purchase beer because of his state of intoxication." Appellant was indicted for capital murder pursuant to the provisions of V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Sec. 19.03(a)(2) which provide that a person commits the offense of capital murder if he intentionally commits murder in the course of committing or attempting to commit robbery. In Riles v. State, 595 S.W.2d 858, Tex.Cr.App., the Court stated as follows with regard to construction of the statutory language contained within Sec. 19.03(a)(2), supra: "The phrase `in the course of committing or attempting to commit . . .' as used in Sec. 19.03(a)(2), supra, is not defined in the Penal Code. Section 29.01(1) of the code, however, does define `In the course of committing theft.' That phrase is given the definition of `conduct that occurs in an attempt to commit, during the commission, or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission of theft.' We similarly construe the phrase of Sec. 19.03(a)(2) to mean conduct occurring in an attempt to commit, during the commission, or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission of the offense, i.e., in this case, of robbery. . . ." Id. at 862. Appellant urges that the evidence does not show murder in the course of committing robbery because there is no showing that any property was taken from the store. As noted above, Officer Davis testified that an inspection of Broussard's wallet revealed that the wallet still contained currency. Likewise, Drouet's purse contained currency when it was found at the scene of the offense. Lillian Young testified that she is the district manager for Sak-N-Pak. Young went to the scene of the offense and found that the cash register had been turned to the off position. She related that the cash register is usually turned off whenever a clerk is stocking the cooler or goes to the restroom. A comparison of the cash register tape with the currency contained within the cash register, revealed that no money had been taken from the register. V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Sec. 29.02(a)(1) and (2) proscribes the offense of robbery in the following manner: "(a) A person commits an offense if, in the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 of this code and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property he: "(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or "(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death." In Watson v. State, 605 S.W.2d 877, Tex.Cr.App., it was held that the phrase "in the course of committing theft" within the robbery statute, means conduct which occurs in an attempt to commit, during commission, or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission of theft. See V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Sec. 29.01(1). The actual commission of the offense of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of the offense of robbery. Robinson v. State, 596 S.W.2d 130, Tex.Cr.App.; Earl v. State, 514 S.W.2d 273, Tex.Cr.App. The State's failure to prove that any property was taken from the Sak-N-Pak did not render the evidence insufficient to prove that Drouet was murdered while appellant was in the course of committing and attempting to commit the offense of robbery. Appellant further urges that the evidence is insufficient to show that the murder occurred while in the course of committing or attempting to commit robbery. He maintains that there is no showing that the admissions he made and which were overheard by Officer Anderson, related to the instant offense. The admissions which were made by appellant and overheard by Officer Anderson were made some 12 hours after appellant's arrest. At the time of his arrest, appellant was informed that he was being arrested for the murders which had been committed at the Sak-N-Pak. In those admissions, appellant stated that he had gone into a store which "he was going to rob." He further stated that "he started shooting" when it "just gone bad." The State further presented evidence at trial which revealed that there had been no other "double killings" at a convenience store in Port Arthur on or about April 20, 1980. We find that the admissions which appellant made in Anderson's presence were shown to relate to the instant offense. The evidence in the instant cause reveals that appellant while armed with a handgun entered the Sak-N-Pak with the intent to commit a robbery. Following such entry, Drouet was murdered as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Shortly after the offense, appellant was shown to have been in possession of the weapon used to kill Drouet. Appellant's contention that the murder was committed "out of revenge" or because "appellant became irritated" is simply not supported by the record. These matters were not developed at trial and do not present a reasonable hypothesis based upon the record which has been presented to this Court. We find the evidence sufficient to prove that Drouet's murder occurred while appellant was in the course of committing and attempting to commit the offense of robbery. Appellant's first ground of error is overruled. In his third ground of error, appellant contends the court erred in overruling his objection to Officer Anderson's testimony concerning the admissions he overheard appellant make while speaking on the telephone. Appellant maintains that the admissions were "the fruit of his illegal written statement" and that the admissions would not have been made "but for the illegal acts of law enforcement officers." Following his arrest, appellant signed a written statement concerning the instant offense. Prior to trial, appellant filed a motion to suppress the statement and the court held a hearing thereon in compliance with Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 84 S.Ct. 1774, 12 L.Ed.2d 908 (1964) and Art. 38.22, V.A.C.C.P. At the conclusion of that hearing, the court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law and ruled that the written statement would not be admissible at trial due to the fact that officers had failed to honor appellant's request to remain silent. At the pretrial hearing, Officer Martin testified that he arrested appellant at approximately 1:50 a. m. on April 21, 1980. Appellant was given his warnings at the time of his arrest. Appellant signed a consent to search form and officers conducted a search of his trailer. Martin related that appellant arrived at the police station at approximately 3:00 a. m. and was taken before a magistrate who administered warnings to appellant pursuant to Art. 15.17, V.A.C.C.P. From 3:00 a. m. until 5:30 a. m., appellant was interrogated by several different police officers. Martin testified that he did not participate in the interrogation which lasted approximately two and one-half hours. At 5:30 a. m., Martin began to interrogate appellant concerning the instant offense. He related that appellant indicated his willingness to discuss the offense and eventually signed a written statement at 6:30 a. m. After appellant signed the statement, the interrogation ceased and he was placed in a cell. Martin related that at no point during his interrogation of appellant, did appellant invoke his right to remain silent. The officer further stated that he was unaware that appellant had at any time, either in writing or orally, requested that officers cease in the interrogation. Officer Waylon Hughes, of the Port Arthur Police Department, testified that he assisted in the interrogation of appellant from approximately 3:00 a. m. until 5:30 a. m. Hughes related that at no point did appellant orally ask for the interrogation to cease. Hughes testified that during the two and one-half hour period, he was unable to obtain a written statement from appellant. Appellant indicated his willingness to cooperate with the authorities, however, he insisted that he be allowed to personally write the statement in longhand before it was typed. Appellant went to Hughes' office in order to write the statement. Hughes testified that while appellant was in his office, he left the police station in order to go eat breakfast. The record reveals that it was during Hughes' absence that Martin began his interrogation of appellant. Evidence at the suppression hearing revealed that in appellant's handwritten statement, he had invoked his right to remain silent. Such statement, although not incriminating in nature, concluded with appellant writing ". . . I have nothing else to say. . . ." Martin testified that he was unaware of such request at the time he interrogated appellant. Hughes related that he did not learn of the request until after Martin had obtained a different written statement from appellant. The court ruled that appellant's written statement would be inadmissible at trial because Martin had failed to honor appellant's written request to remain silent. Officer Anderson testified that he was in the booking office of the Port Arthur Police Station at 1:00 p. m. on April 21, 1980. He related that he was present in the office in order to transfer a prisoner. Anderson testified that he was not connected with the investigation of the instant offense. The officer saw appellant escorted into the booking office and overheard him ask to use the telephone. While appellant was speaking on the telephone, Anderson overheard a portion of the conversation. The admissions made by appellant while speaking on the telephone were subsequently admitted at trial over appellant's objection. It is therefore appellant's contention that "but for the illegal acts of law enforcement officers" he would not have made the admissions which were overheard by Anderson. The fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine is not applicable when knowledge or possession of the evidence in question is obtained from a source independent of the government's wrongful act. Costello v. United States, 365 U.S. 265, 81 S.Ct. 534, 5 L.Ed.2d 551 (1961); Nardone v. United States, 308 U.S. 338, 60 S.Ct. 266, 84 L.Ed. 307 (1939); Silverthorne Lumber Co. v. United States, 251 U.S. 385, 40 S.Ct. 182, 64 L.Ed. 319 (1920). The standard for determining whether the source of evidence is sufficiently independent of the illegality so as to avoid its taint was set forth in Wong Sun v. United States, 371 U.S. 471, 83 S.Ct. 407, 9 L.Ed.2d 441 (1963): "We need not hold that all evidence is `fruit of the poisonous tree' simply because it would not have come to light but for the illegal action of the police. Rather, the more apt question in such a case is `whether, granting establishment of the primary illegality, the evidence to which instant objection is made has been come at by exploitation of that illegality or instead by means sufficiently distinguishable to be purged of the primary taint.'" Id. at 487-88, 83 S.Ct. at 417. Therefore, in the case of statements made by an accused, Wong Sun requires that they be sufficiently an act of free will so as to purge the primary taint. Whether the taint has been purged must be determined on the facts of each case after considering such matters as the temporal proximity of the arrest and the confession, the presence of intervening circumstances and the purpose and flagrancy of the official misconduct. Brown v. Illinois, 422 U.S. 590, 95 S.Ct. 2254, 45 L.Ed.2d 416 (1975). In the present case, six and one-half hours elapsed from the time appellant signed the written statement until he called his mother. In describing that period, appellant testified at the suppression hearing that officers "didn't harass" him any further and that he went to his cell and went to sleep. Anderson testified that he overheard appellant ask to use the telephone in order to place a call to his mother. The admissions which were made by appellant while speaking on the telephone were not the result of interrogation. Appellant argues that "the cat was out of the bag at the time appellant made his telephone conversation" and that "it got out of the bag through the illegal activities of law enforcement" officers. Under Wong Sun, contested evidence need not be excluded simply because there is a but for relationship between it and the primary illegality. United States v. Kennedy, 457 F.2d 63 (10th Cir. 1972). In United States v. Bayer, 331 U.S. 532, 67 S.Ct. 1394, 91 L.Ed. 1654 (1947), the Supreme Court rejected the defendant's argument that his second confession was the fruit of an earlier coerced confession. There, the court stated: "Of course, after an accused has once let the cat out of the bag by confessing, no matter what the inducement, he is never thereafter free of the psychological and practical disadvantages of having confessed. He can never get the cat back in the bag. The secret is out for good. In such a sense, a later confession always may be looked upon as a fruit of the first. But this Court has never gone so far as to hold that making a confession under circumstances which preclude its use, perpetually disables the confessor from making a usable one after those conditions have been removed." Id. at 540-41, 67 S.Ct. at 1398. In the instant cause, appellant's telephone call to his mother was shown to be an act of free will. The call was placed after appellant had been allowed to sleep and had not been interrogated for six and one-half hours. The admissions which were made were not the result of interrogation. There was no exploitation of the excluded statement by officers connecting the signing of the statement and the placing of the telephone call. We find no causal relationship between the admission and the written statement excluded by the court. Those admissions were in no way induced or tainted by the written statement which the court found to have been obtained in violation of appellant's right to remain silent. We find no error in the court admitting the admissions which were made by appellant and overheard by Anderson. Appellant's third ground of error is overruled. The judgment is affirmed. TEAGUE, J., concurs in result. CLINTON, Judge, concurring. I concur in the judgment of the Court, but am not satisfied with its treatment of the third ground of error. It seems to me that the Court has been led into a maze of disjointed principles of Fourth and Fifth Amendment law. There is a straighter way out. The core of appellant's contention is that statements made by him in his telephone conversation with his mother are fruits of his earlier written statement wrongly taken from him by peace officers. But he relies on the "poisoned tree" doctrine of Silverthorne Lumber Company v. United States, 251 U.S. 385, 40 S.Ct. 182, 64 L.Ed. 319 (1920) and its followings, e.g., Nardone v. United States, 308 U.S. 338, 60 S.Ct. 266, 84 L.Ed. 307 (1939) and especially Wong Sun v. United States, 371 U.S. 471, 83 S.Ct. 407, 9 L.Ed.2d 441 (1963). The doctrine is founded in the Fourth Amendment, and as the Supreme Court explained in Wong Sun : The policy behind the exclusionary rule is that evidence acquired contrary to a provision forbidding acquisition in a certain way is "that not merely evidence so acquired shall not be used before the Court but that it shall not be used at all," yet facts illegally obtained are not "sacred and inaccessible" for if knowledge of them is "gained from an independent source" the facts are admissible; still, the knowledge of facts "gained by the Government's own wrong cannot be used by it. . .," Silverthorne, supra, 251 U.S. at 392, 40 S.Ct. at 183. "The exclusionary rule has traditionally barred from trial physical, tangible materials obtained either during or as a direct result of unlawful invasion. It follows from our holding in Silverman v. United States, 365 U.S. 505, that the Fourth Amendment may protect against the overhearing of verbal statements as well as against the more traditional seizure of `papers and effects.' Similarly, testimony as to matters observed during an unlawful invasion has been excluded in order to enforce the basic constitutional policies. McGinnis v. United States, 227 F.2d 598 ((1st Cir.)). Thus, verbal evidence which derives so immediately from an unlawful entry and an unauthorized arrest as the officers' action in the present case is no less the `fruit' of official illegality than the more common tangible fruits of the unwarranted intrusion." All emphasis is mine unless otherwise indicated. Though appellant cites Fourth Amendment cases, he makes no claim that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated. Thus, legality of the arrest is not challenged, as in Brown v. Illinois, 422 U.S. 590, 95 S.Ct. 2254, 45 L.Ed.2d 416 (1975) and Green v. State, 615 S.W.2d 700 (Tex.Cr.App. 1980); nor is the resultant detention assailed as illegal, see Dunaway v. New York, 442 U.S. 200, 99 S.Ct. 2248, 60 L.Ed.2d 824 (1979). Indeed, he does not assert the only colorable Fourth Amendment violation available under the circumstances: invasion of his right to privacy under the rationale of Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347, 88 S.Ct. 507, 19 L.Ed.2d 576 (1967). Accordingly, there is not presented here any proper claim of "primary illegality" under the Fourth Amendment; so, the Court is not called on to make an analysis of Fourth Amendment law with respect to the claim that appellant does assert. What appellant contends is that he would not have made the incriminating statements in his conversation with his mother "but for the illegal acts of law enforcement officers" in obtaining his written confession in violation of his constitutional rights. The officer who finally took his confession had not "scrupulously honored" appellant's request to remain silent, Faulder v. State, 611 S.W.2d 630 (Tex.Cr.App. 1979). Thus asserted is a claim under the Fifth Amendment. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). The Court draws from its excerpted portion of Wong Sun, supra, the following proposition: "Therefore, in the case of statements made by an accused, Wong Sun requires that they be sufficiently an act of free will so as to purge the primary taint." But the very case later cited and quoted by the Court, United States v. Bayer, 331 U.S. 532, 67 S.Ct. 1394, 91 L.Ed. 1654 (1947), points out just after the part quoted: ". . . The Silverthorne and Nardone cases, relied on by the Court of Appeals, did not deal with confessions but with evidence of a quite different category and do not control this question." Id., at 541, 67 S.Ct. at 1398. Of course, Wong Sun is a progeny of Silverthorne and Nardone but had not yet been decided when Bayer was written. Moreover, the measure of admissibility of a confession or ncriminating statement is its voluntariness. Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 376-377, 84 S.Ct. 1774, 1780-81, 12 L.Ed.2d 908 (1964); Townsend v. Sain, 372 U.S. 293, 307-309, 83 S.Ct. 745, 754-55, 9 L.Ed.2d 770 (1963). So, the proposition stated by the Court should read: "In the case of statements made by an accused the Fifth Amendment requires that they be sufficiently an act of free will." In my judgment, the short answer to appellant's contention is contained in the opinion of the Court, but is obfuscated by a revealed concern to "purge the primary taint" of something that is really not in the case. That answer is that appellant placed the telephone call and made incriminating statements in the conversation with his mother of his own free will. Whatever "psychological and practical disadvantages of having confessed" earlier lingered on as he talked with his mother, the conditions under which the confession was made no longer obtained. While in the sense alluded to in United States v. Bayer, supra, "a later confession may be looked upon as a fruit of the first," id., at 540, 67 S.Ct. at 1398, though in custody, appellant was not then being interrogated by officers. Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291, 100 S.Ct. 1682, 64 L.Ed.2d 297 (1980); cf. Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 97 S.Ct. 1232, 51 L.Ed.2d 424 (1977). "(A) voluntary oral statement is admissible if it is not the `result of' or does not `stem from custodial interrogation'," May v. State, 618 S.W.2d 333, 348 (Tex.Cr.App. 1981). Thus, I would not be so quick to say, as the opinion of the Court does, "We find no causal relationship between the admissions and the written statement excluded by the court." It is on Fifth Amendment law, then, that the third ground of error should be overruled. ROBERTS and McCORMICK, JJ., join. holding actual commission of theft is not prerequisite to commission of robbery Summary of this case from Douglas v. State applying "fruits" test to Mosley violation Summary of this case from State v. Bey stating that "actual commission of offense of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of the offense of robbery" Summary of this case from Garcia v. State stating that "actual commission of the offense of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of the offense of robbery" stating that "[t]he actual commission of the offense of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of the offense of robbery." Summary of this case from Sorrells v. State In Autry, 626 S.W.2d at 762, Johnson v. State, 541 S.W.2d 185, 186-87 (Tex.Crim.App. 1976), and Chastain, 667 S.W.2d at 795, the courts considered sufficiency challenges in cases with fact patterns similar to this case: robbery or attempted robbery without evidence of specific demand for or removal of money or property. Summary of this case from King v. State In Autry, however, the defendant had clearly exercised his right to cut off questioning by writing "I have nothing else to say" in a handwritten statement and the police failed to scrupulously honor this right by continuing their interrogation immediately after this written statement was made. Summary of this case from Watson v. State	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line297
__label__wiki	0.650535	0.650535	Chaali chaali.com Home/africa/Slow and steady or big spurt? How to breed a cruel dinosaur Slow and steady or big spurt? How to breed a cruel dinosaur africa November 28, 2020 africa According to scientists who analyzed fossilized bone fragments, large meat-eating dinosaurs reached their great size thanks to very different growth strategies, with some following a slow and stable path, and others experiencing rapid growth during adolescence. Scientists examined the annual rings – similar to those found in tree trunks – in the bones of 11 theropod species, a wide group that includes all large carnivorous dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex and even birds. The study provides an insight into the lives of some of the most terrifying predators to ever walk the Earth. Elon Musk defeats Bill Gates and becomes the second richest person in the world The team looked at samples from museums in the United States, Canada, China and Argentina, and even received permission to bone one of the world’s most famous T. rex fossils, known as the Sue, located at the Field Museum in Chicago. with a diamond saw and drill. Sue’s leg bones – a huge femur and fibula – helped illustrate that T. rex and its relatives – known as tyrannosaurs – experienced a period of extreme growth during adolescence and reached their full adult size at around 20 years of age. Sue, about 13 meters tall, lived about 33 years. Sue lived in South Dakota about a million years before the destruction of dinosaurs and many other species by an asteroid 66 million years ago. Other groups of large theropods had more stable growth rates over an extended period of time. This growth strategy was detected in lines that appeared around the world earlier in the dinosaur age and were later concentrated in the southern continents. Examples included the North American Allosaurus and Acrocanthosaurus, Antarctic Cryolophosaurus, and a recently discovered as yet unnamed species from Argentina that rivaled T. rex in size. The Argentine dinosaur, from a group known as the carcharodontosaurs, did not reach its full size until the age of 40 and lived to be around 50. Fawad Chaudhry announces a program for lovers of animation and video games Large theropods have the same overall body appearance, walk on two legs, and have large skulls, strong jaws, and fierce “Before our research, it was known that T. rex grows very quickly, but it was not clear whether all theropods grew gigantic in the same way, or if there were multiple ways to do so,” said palaeontologist and scientist lead author Tom Cullen of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina State University, also affiliated with the Field Museum. The research was published this week in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. “Theropod dinosaurs represent the largest bipedal animals that have ever lived, and have also been the dominant predators in terrestrial ecosystems for over 150 million years – more than twice as long as mammals,” added University of Minnesota palaeontologist and study co-author Peter Makovicky. The wife of eThekwini city manager has 3 cars, 2 houses and a multi-million dollar Rand farm The messy love triangle of Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence Victims of Former Boss Kay FM: “People Deserve to Know What kind of Man Greg is” Liverpool take a serious injury ahead of clash as Nuno disagrees with Jurgen Klopp A Japanese space probe carrying asteroid rocks lands on the Australian outback Best Gadgets of 2020: Apple’s Airpods Pro Called Which? Product of the year \| Scientific and technical news Powered by https://chaali.com \| Designed by Chaali	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line302
__label__wiki	0.813852	0.813852	Tag: Wes Anderson Review: The Darjeeling Limted (2007) Director Wes Anderson’s body of work presents something of an enigma. Rushmore (1998) and The Royal Tenebaums (2001) are critical delights, with Tenebaums even earning Anderson an Academy Award nomination. Following the success of Rushmore and The Royal Tenebaums, his first feature film, Bottle Rocket (1996), has since become a cult classic. Yet, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) was poorly received by audiences and critics alike. (Richard Roeper called it “one of the most irritating, self-conscious and smug films of the year, working neither as a dark comedy nor a character study.” Following many successes and one small disappointment (and people only seem to remember failures), Anderson’s next film needed to remind critics and audiences alike why he has been a celebrated auteur. The Darjeeling Limited does just that. Once again Anderson uses his unique filmmaking style to tell an unconventional story about family, love, and life’s many oddities. The Whitman brothers, Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrian Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman), estranged since their fathers death the previous year, reunite for a six week train trip throughout India. Each brother has their own problems: Francis recently attempted to commit suicide, Peter is trapped by the image of their dead father, and Jack cannot forget a woman he last saw in Paris. Francis sees this trip as an opportunity for the brothers to reconnect with each other, their mother (played by Anjelica Huston) and themselves. Bill Murray, Kumar Pallana and Natalie Portman all make cameo appearances in the film. Anderson’s distinctive style is frequently influenced by great filmmakers, artists, and writers; he incorporates the slightest elements from their works to help create his own unique brand of filmmaking. Jean Renoir, Francois Truffaut, Louis Malle, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and J.D. Salinger are just some of the artists Anderson has stated as his major influences. The films of legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray inspired Anderson to choose India as the location for The Darjeeling Limited. Anderson sets important scenes (such as when Francis declares “We have yet to locate us!”, after the train gets off-course) in the same locations Ray used in The Golden Fortress (1974) and he uses Ray’s original score to structure key scenes in The Darjeeling Limited. The aesthetics expected from a Wes Anderson production: eccentric but flawed characters, dark humor, unusual costuming, exceptional music, and quirky stories, are ever present. Yet by setting the film in India, one of the most gorgeous and profound locations in the world, adds a new aesthetic element to a Wes Anderson production. Through the brothers’ unusual journey and use of Indian culture to rediscover life, The Darjeeling Limited becomes a metaphor for a way to figuratively and literally leave your baggage behind. With this film Anderson broadens his usual interpretation of reality, making The Darjeeling Limited his most mature and interesting film to date. While not a perfect film, The Darjeeling Limited indicates that Wes Anderson’s next production could be his best yet. And I’m looking forward to it. Published: Mount Holyoke News Author JoannaPosted on November 1, 2007 March 7, 2011 Categories 2000s, Mount Holyoke News, ReviewsTags Mount Holyoke News, Reviews, The Darjeeling Limited, Wes AndersonLeave a comment on Review: The Darjeeling Limted (2007) @Cinefille Blog at WordPress.com.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line309
__label__wiki	0.92751	0.92751	Alabama A&M History: Then and now Photo courtesy of Alabama A&M University The story of Alabama A&M can be told from structures all across campus, from the stately brick buildings from the 1900s to the stone shell of what used to be the school’s football stadium. However, as with any college, there is the need to modernize, to attract and serve students interested in 21st Century life, endangering a variety of aging buildings. The City of Huntsville’s Historic Preservation Commission is working with Alabama A&M to not only achieve its future goals but to maintain its past. As Black History Month is celebrated in February, a survey and data collection is taking place to evaluate and document conditions of existing buildings, with an ultimate goal of receiving grant funding for a Heritage Development Plan. “The purpose is to identify important historic resources, identify the state of those buildings, what needs to be done to repair them, to use them, to sustain long term,” says Jessica White, historic preservation consultant to the Commission. “(The plan) would look for funding resources so they can fuel preservation or redevelopment work in those historic structures.” Says Joseph Lee, secretary of the Normal Historic District Preservation Association. “Having the Historic Preservation Commission as an ally is extremely important to us.” Alabama A&M is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a locally designated historic district. A&M boasts some 46 sites – buildings, farms, cemeteries, etc. – that qualify as designated resources. But a master plan listed 17 buildings for potential demolition, which would likely cost A&M its national listing. “It’s one of those local gems that has so much rich history there and people just don’t know about it.” So, says White, “We had discussions to preserve rather than to demolish.” “It’s important to do this because the young people of today and most of the citizens of Huntsville know little about the history of Alabama A&M University,” Lee says. “It’s important to preserve the heritage of the campus but it’s also important to do it because of the significance of the events and things that occurred over the 140-year history of the school.” The plan focuses on a total of 12 structures, including Hillcrest, the president’s home, and the Wilson Building, which houses the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum. “As a preservationist, you cannot preserve something for preservation’s sake. You pour a lot of money in a building and it’ll go to ruin,” White says. “You have to make it relevant. You have to make it functional and sustainable for the people that are going to use the space. There’s nothing out there that says you cannot reuse the shells of those buildings for modern purposes. You can make them still be cutting edge.” She notes that the University of Alabama and Auburn University – who join Alabama A&M as the state’s only three land-grant colleges – have “several historic buildings they use for modern purposes. The potential is there.” Alabama A&M has been in existence since 1875 and has been on its current site since 1890. As Lee says, “the University has provided the intellectual capital from the African-American community for Huntsville and Madison County for years.” “It’s one of those local gems that has so much rich history there and people just don’t know about it,” White says. The campus was laid out by Frederick Law Olmstead Sr., of New York City, the same person who designed Manhattan’s Central Park. The school was founded by William Hooper Councill on a site in downtown Huntsville, where the Von Braun Center now sits. Councill had been sold into slavery at age 5 at a spot on The Hill. After his emancipation, he returned to Huntsville to start the college, then relocated it on the very spot where he was sold. Alabama A&M has the first African-American infirmary in the county and is the site of the first African-American primary school, both in buildings that are still standing. “When you look up on The Hill, you see a continuity of the buildings. You see the red brick, you see the white limestone or white lentels, you see the four pilasters on most of the buildings. They’re built in a neo-Classical greek revival style. They did that to create a solid permanence on The Hill,” White says. “There are so many amazing buildings and sites on that campus.” Through Alabama A&M’s partnership with the City of Huntsville’s Historic Preservation Commission, those buildings and sites can long be protected and cherished. Join the Preservation Commission and Alabama A&M for a Facebook Live session Friday, February 24, 2017. Riptide Rescue: Quick actions by off-duty Huntsville firefighter praised as heroic Mazda Toyota Manufacturing not losing momentum for hiring during COVID-19 Calling City Hall: Listen in on our most asked questions Severe Weather: Storm preparation is serious business Ricky Wilkinson building on strong foundation in City’s General Services Department	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line311
__label__wiki	0.519451	0.519451	House of Cards and cynical Democrats Tags: Big Government, Billions, Democratic Party, Henry A. Murray, Herman Melville's PIERRE, House of Cards, Kevin Spacey, laissez-faire capitalism, lying in government, nihilism, Progressive optimism, punk protest, Robin Wright, the dark side Claire and Frank go to Moscow, season 3 House of Cards, Netflix I have just binge-watched House of Cards seasons three and four, set during the presidency of upwardly mobile, cynical and manipulative poor white trash Frank Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey co-starring with Robin Wright as his teammate Claire—- a former “Dallas debutante” with a preternatural understanding of how “the system” really works. Both Spacey and Wright are actually from humble backgrounds, and perhaps retain much of their repressed rage/nihilism). I also saw the much-preferred UK original on PBS, so long ago that I remember most of it only vaguely, but who could forget the shocking murder of the young journalist? (At least my polled Facebook friends liked that version, nearly all finding the US adaptation boring at best; I disagree, all long series are uneven, but the writing is often compelling). Ian Richardson as PBS villain (1990) So I am in the uncomfortable position of questioning my own taste for television series, which turn out to be relatively highbrow compared to the “lowbrow” network offerings. (http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/02/is-i-house-of-cards-i-really-a-hit/284035/) What frightens me most about House of Cards (I have now seen all versions, entirely), is my own naiveté as a historian and reader of texts. I have often called attention to our limited access to relevant documents as we attempt to interpret and present the past and present, but I didn’t factor in silent, underhanded deeds and interactions that confront the reader/viewer with unmitigated evil. There is enough nastiness in my own life history to temper my disbelief that such behavior could exist. Frankly, I don’t know how the writers got so much of our political situation down with conviction, for in spite of my “realism” about what to expect from other people, I could never imagine such degrees of immorality, even from “Big Government.” What is most surprising is that the actors and writers are associated with the Democratic Party (presented as rife with corruption, including mayhem), or perhaps they lean left, like many artists confronting the philistine bourgeoisie/modernity in either political party. There is a punkish, oppositional sensibility at play in the writing and acting, though one wonders if life offers more than an Artaudian scream or Brechtian ruthlessness. Although the plot line is said to be “implausible” I find the series, like Billions (a Showtime offering that has completed its first season), to have ripped the mask off our elites, with enough ambiguity to satisfy any educated, fearless student of human nature. No wonder I am attracted to the writing of Herman Melville, who ventured on the dark side more than most of his nineteenth century “optimistic” contemporaries, with attention to his life and art only made possible after the horrors of World War Two. And no wonder that the trashing of his masterpiece Pierre, or the Ambiguities (1852) had to be denounced in 1947 by FDR-allied psychologist Henry A. Murray, whose lies I have reluctantly exposed on this website. (https://clarespark.com/2011/06/12/call-me-isabel-a-reflection-on-lying/). Call me Isabel.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line312
__label__wiki	0.948985	0.948985	For Immediate Release February 9, 1996 PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES JOAQUIN (JACK) F. OTERO TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL LABOR AFFAIRS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR President Clinton announced today his intent to nominate Joaquin (Jack) F. Otero to serve as the Assistant Secretary for International Labor Affairs at the Department of Labor. Joaquin (Jack) F. Otero of Virginia is an international labor leader and has served as the Deputy Under Secretary of the Bureau of International Labor Affairs at the Department of Labor since the beginning of this Administration. Mr. Otero has worked for the last thirty years to improve the economic, social and political standing of workers in over one hundred countries. Prior to his current position, he was a vice president and member of the executive council of the AFL-CIO and the international vice president and member of the executive council of the Transportation Communications International Union. He served as the director for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs for the International Transport Worker's Federation (ITF) in Lima, Peru and as the assistant director for Latin American Affairs for the ITF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mr. Otero has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards and has lectured on labor and foreign affairs at many institutions. The Assistant Secretary for International Labor Affairs assists the Secretary in formulating international economic and trade policies affecting American workers and represents the U.S. in trade negotiations affecting labor. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary develops, directs and plans programs and policies within the Department which further U.S. international objectives and advance the welfare of the U.S. worker.	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line315
__label__wiki	0.593301	0.593301	ADJUSTMENTS OF CERTAIN RATES OF PAY By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the laws cited herein, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Statutory Pay Systems. The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b), are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof: (a) The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1; (b) The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; (c) The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102-40) at Schedule 3. Sec. 2. Senior Executive Service. The rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof. Sec. 3. Executive Salaries. The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof: (a) The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5312-5318) at Schedule 5; (b) The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 31) at Schedule 6; and (c) Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a)) at Schedule 7. Sec. 4. Uniformed Services. Pursuant to sections 601 and 604 of Public Law 105-85, the rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for members of the uniformed services and the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached hereto and made a part hereof. Sec. 5. Locality-Based Comparability Payments. (a) Pursuant to sections 5304 and 5304a of title 5, United States Code, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof. (b) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Sec. 6. Effective Dates. Schedule 8 is effective on January 1, 1998. The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 1998. Sec. 7. Prior Order Superseded. Executive Order 13033 of December 27, 1996, is superseded. THE WHITE HOUSE,	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line316
__label__cc	0.707026	0.292974	Bitcoin & Blockchain Tech Alternative Coins & Systems Blog > Economics Strategic Advantage and Finding Opportunities By Craig Wright \| 11 Jan 2021 \| Alternative Coins & Systems Size creates its own form of advantage. Walmart leveraged the long-tail effect in the same way that Amazon has done using the Internet. In the case of Walmart, the rural population, out of a total population of just under 179.5 million people, consisted of just under 58 million people (United States Census Bureau, 2020), which statistically formed a Pareto or long-tail distribution. As was noted in preliminary research by Brynjolfsson, Hu, & Smith (2006), such a strategy has frequently been adopted. Current research focuses on the effects of the Internet, and how it can bring access to long-tail distributions and create markets. But, Walmart successfully discovered a long-tail opportunity when it accessed markets that other providers such as Kmart rejected (Dyer, Godfrey, Jensen, & Bryce, 2020). The use of the Internet to sell niche products allowed Amazon to undercut Walmart. In selling to underrepresented markets, the strategy used mirrored the one of the late Walmart founder. In taking the conservative approach following the death of its founder, Walmart abandoned the strategy that had made them successful. Many people argue that it is about a strategy of high-margin, low-cost sales (Jindal, Gauri, Li, & Ma, 2020). Although it is a simple argument to make, it is not accurate. Many other competitive organisations have followed similar strategies and failed. The primary strategy pursued in creating the market now held by Walmart came with reliability—combined with the access to a broader range of individuals that were not being serviced. With Kmart rejecting investment in towns with less than 50,000 individuals, Walmart was able to capture one third of the American population without competition. The ability to service a large population brings outsized returns. If Walmart had targeted larger communities, it would have placed them in direct competition with five other major organisations. Even if Walmart had captured 30% of such markets, they would have captured 30% of 120 million people, or 36 million consumers—rather than the 60 million consumer base that they ended up being able to capture through a long-tail strategy. With the ability to target double the number of consumers the competition was able to capture, Walmart was able to leverage the higher value and larger investments and to grow faster. The capture of a broader overall market through the provision of long-tail-based sales then allowed Walmart to capture more of the market within the other communities that they had not focused on. And so they grew further. So, the promoted strategy seems to be a good alignment to what was implemented by Walmart. But, when you analyse the subsequent changes in strategy, and how they have allowed competitors such as Amazon to grow, it becomes possible to see that the underlying strategy of Walmart that made it successful is different to what is reported in most management journals. Compound growth matters. With size comes the ability to grow faster and invest more. Organisations can leverage money for research and development more effectively. Walmart’s benefit came from its size, and its size came from its capture of a market that had not been targeted. Walmart did not enter a crowded industry. Walmart entered an underserved industry, that was undeveloped. It leveraged the growth in regional and rural centres so that it could take other low-cost opportunities. Amazon applied the same strategy in creating a long-tail effect that captured sales of unique products that would generally not be worth stocking in supermarket stores. The key being demonstrated here is to offer high value to the widest variety of consumers possible. It is also where Bitcoin excels. The ability to offer digital cash at a meagre transfer fee, such that online merchants and others can accept non-reversible transactions and small casual transactions, opens up opportunities that have not been imagined before. Bitcoin’s ability to operate without the possibility of transaction reversibility creates a new market. Even though there are many markets associated with transactions on Bitcoin, and on the blockchain, the level of transactional costs on a network such as facilitated by PayPal or the traditional banking industry, because of the requirement to mediate disputes, is excessively high. For low-value transactions, using Bitcoin, such costs can be mitigated entirely. Here lies the strength of the non-trust-based model deployed through Bitcoin. Right now, people consider micropayments to consist of exchanges in the range between fifty cents and 5 dollars. For the same reason, people are thinking about the previous business methodologies, like how Walmart was considering its own entrenched position—before it was facing competition from Amazon and other Internet-based providers. The difficulty people have is to understand what models will be created. With the ability to facilitate micropayments as low as a fraction of a cent and, in the future, likely as low as a hundredth of a cent, per transaction, Bitcoin offers entirely new transactional models, ones that, in practice, have never existed before. Coase talked about transactional costs and externalities (Farrell, 1987). The creation of new markets always occurs when transactional friction or, rather, the cost between exchanges is lowered. It increases the ability to reach stable equilibria, and arbitrage across providers that can offer value. As Farrell (1987) noted, the introduction of low-cost transactions increases the ability to distribute and widen the transacting base, which lies at the heart of the argument concerning decentralisation. Whether we are talking about the ideas of Adam Smith or Friedrich Hayek, distributed markets where individuals can negotiate safely and securely, with knowledge that they do not need to be concerned about fraud, lower transaction costs. When such markets are coupled with the ability to offer low-cost transactions at high speeds, that are finalised whilst simultaneously costing a fraction of a cent, we start to understand that the fundamental nature of the Internet can change. Doing so allows us to move away from an advertising-based model and towards the provision of goods and services, and especially information, in a manner that provides consumers with both what they want and what they need. Google uses the existing Internet infrastructure with its ad-based model; for such reason, Google, Twitter, and Facebook are broken. Micropayments on Bitcoin solve the problem. Brynjolfsson, E., Hu, Y. J., & Smith, M. D. (2006). From Niches to Riches: Anatomy of the Long Tail. Sloan Management Review, 47(4), 67–71. SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=918142 United States Census Bureau. (1961, June). 1960 Census: Supplementary Reports: Urban and Rural Population of the United States, by States: 1960 and 1950. U.S. Federal Statistical System, Bureau of the Census. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1961/dec/pc-s1-4.html Dyer, J. H., Godfrey, P., Jensen, R., & Bryce, D. (2020). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases (3rd ed.). Wiley Publications. Farrell, J. (1987). Information and the Coase Theorem. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1(2), 113–129. https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.1.2.113 Jindal, R. P., Gauri, D. K., Li, W., & Ma, Y. (2020). Omnichannel battle between Amazon and Walmart: Is the focus on delivery the best strategy?. Journal of Business Research, 122, 270–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.053	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line319
__label__cc	0.512762	0.487238	Three Ideas for Kobe’s Next Move Jaime Alayon Whenever an athlete of note announces his retirement, the conversation flows to the next phase of his life. Some recently retired NBA stars, like Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Kidd, have followed in the footsteps of greats before them, going directly into the broadcasting or coaching ranks. Kobe Bryant is now in the process of choosing what form his transition into street clothes will take. You probably already know that Kobe isn’t like most athletes, from his musical collaboration with Tyra Banks, to his highly publicized love affair with Nutella, and his refusal to accept a secondary role on a Lakers team with key pieces around half his age. He’s different, which means his life after basketball may also be different from that of his retired peers. Here are just a few of the many different directions he might choose: Over-35 Rec League Superstar Instead of quitting the game altogether, Kobe can just alter the level of his competition to ensure his continued on-court success. Paying an $80 fee to compete in an over-35 rec league is a far cry from the $30 million he made in the 2013-14 season for the Lakers, Kobe would have the privilege to play against his area’s best basketball-playing systems analysts and plumbers. Although his opposition would be far from NBA quality (Sixers notwithstanding), Kobe would be able to play his game, taking every shot and gunning to shatter his single-game record of 81 points every time he took the court. He could also take advantage of several other programs available at the local community center, such as water aerobics, town hall meetings, and fundraisers for the Children’s Playhouse’s rousing interpretation of Our Town. Star of “Black Mamba,” his own animated children’s program Kobe, to the naked eye, does not have many kid-friendly qualities. He’s been known to make the lives of his teammates nightmarish with his mean-spirited badgering during games and practices, if the stories are to be believed. One could chalk this up to his hyper-competitiveness and desire to implant that same competitiveness into the skulls of his teammates, at any cost. Not a trait you want your child learning, to be sure. However, another example of an NBA superstar who was impossible to be around is none other than Michael Jordan. Children’s movie star and savior of Bugs Bunny, Michael Jordan. Children’s media would provide the perfect palliative counterpoint to Kobe’s harsh public image. He already has a built-in angle to create a successful kids TV series: he was known to hiss at opponents on the court, to match his self-given “Black Mamba” nickname. The premise: Black Mamba (voiced by Kobe, with his trademark hiss peppered in liberally) uses teamwork and optimism to fight off the advances of Aristotle the Bear (voiced by a Shaq soundalike), who wishes to steal a vial of Mamba’s potent venom to hatch any number of evil but ill-conceived plots. Maybe Kobe has already given us a taste of his second calling. When he decided to disclose his retirement to the public, he did so in poetic fashion. Maybe he can take this and run with it: If Kobe decided to embrace literary life, he would immediately be America’s best-known living poet. Seriously, as it is, can you name one poem written in the last 50 years? I can name exactly one, and it’s called “Dear Basketball” by Kobe Bryant. Although an English professor would be able to dissect Kobe’s use of the poetic form and provide criticism, I can only say it’s perfect for the milquetoast artistic sensibilities of today’s audiences. Plus, I’d love to see Anne Bradstreet guard Kobe on a post-up. “Verses Upon the Breaking of my Ankles,” more like. Jaime Alayon may or may not have ghostwritten “Dear Basketball.” You should follow him on Twitter. Tags: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal Like Us • Follow Us • Watch Us Mike Piazza, the Dodgers, and the Crippling Realities of Fandom The WNBA's Weird and Wonderful (but Mostly Weird) Mascots NFL Quick Snaps 2016: Week 8 All of Kevin Costner's Sports Movies: A Beginner's Guide A Conversation on Gun Safety with Thomas Brady Donations Appreciated! Share address for a sticker, and leave us special instructions if you want to connect or have suggestions! © 2014- Crooked Scoreboard	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line320
__label__wiki	0.831905	0.831905	Trump says coronavirus will ‘go away without a vaccine’ May 8, 2020 by Coronavirus New Updater President Trump on Friday broke with health experts, telling reporters that the coronavirus will “go away without a vaccine.” “This is going to go away without a vaccine, it’s gonna go away, and we’re not going to see it again, hopefully, after a period of time,” Trump said at the White House. “You may have some flare-ups and I guess I would expect that.” Just days ago, the Trump administration launched “Operation Warp Speed,” a project to accelerate the production of a vaccine for the coronavirus, which, as of Friday had infected at least 1.2 million Americans and killed more than 76,000 here. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading expert on infectious diseases on the coronavirus task force, has repeatedly cautioned that a vaccine was still at least a year to 18 months from being made available to the public. Asked what led him to believe that the virus would disappear without a vaccine, Trump claimed that he had received that information from medical professionals. “I just rely on what doctors say. They say it’s going to go. That doesn’t mean this year. It doesn’t mean, frankly, it’s going to be gone before the fall or after the fall, but eventually it’s going to go away. The question is whether we will need a vaccine. At some point it will probably go away by itself.” Asked how often he met with Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, who also serves on the coronavirus task force, Trump replied, “A lot. A lot.” President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican lawmakers, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Birx said last week that it was possible that the intensified government focus on developing a vaccine could help produce one as early as January. “The way that it’s possible is if you bring forward five or six different classes of candidates, which Operation Warp Speed has done,” Birx said in an interview with Fox News. “And so it’s not relying on a single vaccine platform. it’s relying on several different candidates that are made differently and act differently.” A Yahoo News/YouGov poll released Friday showed that just 55 percent of Americans planned to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when it became available. Nineteen percent surveyed said they would not take a vaccine for the virus while 26 percent said they were not sure. On Tuesday, Trump was asked whether he would personally receive a vaccine shot for the coronavirus if one was developed. “If they would like me to, I’d go the first one or I’d go the last one. I don’t want to waste it,” Trump responded. Reminded of that answer, in which he added that he would “absolutely” take a vaccine depending on his doctor’s advice, Trump seemed more hesitant Friday. “I didn’t say I wanted to, that’s not a correct statement,” Trump said Friday. “You said, ‘Would you be,’ and I said if it was good for the country, I’d be, and if it was bad for the country, I’ll wait to be the last one or I wouldn’t do it at all.” Click here for the latest coronavirus news and updates. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please refer to the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides. Moderna needs at least 3,000 adolescent volunteers for its COVID-19 vaccine trial. They’re struggling to find them. Not enough adolescents are signing up for Moderna's	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line327
__label__wiki	0.688381	0.688381	#78 Pause before you post – why athletes must be intentional on social media, with 2x All-American and USA Basketball Assistant Coach Scott Fitch by John O'Sullivan / Sunday, 09 September 2018 / Published in Podcast One post. One moment of poor judgment frozen in time on social media. That is all it takes to alter your future trajectory as a youth athlete. In this episode Scott Fitch shares stories of athletes who should have “paused before they posted” and much more. 1:15 Scott’s development journey as a late bloomer and finding the right fit for you 7:30 Balancing coaching public high school and a national team 12:00 How coaches must adapt and evolve as players and environments change 19:00 Coaches need to connect with players in their realm and must be smart with social media 27:00 How Scott got into USA Basketball coaching 40:00 The qualities of USA Basketball players 46:30 Pause before you post – the importance of using social media the right way 56:15 Scott’s parting thoughts for parents 58:15 Finding Scott Website: www.FitchTalks.com Scott Fitch is the Boys Basketball coach at Fairport High School in New York and assistant coach for the 2018 USA Basketball Men’s U17 World Cup Team. Previously, he was an assistant coach for the 2017 USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team, which earned a 5-0 record, a gold medal and, by virtue of its top-four finish, a berth into the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup. Fitch has been the head boys basketball coach at Fairport for 17 seasons (2001-02 to present), where he had compiled a 277-78 overall record (.780 winning percentage) through 2017-18. In 2017-18, Fitch and his Fairport team finished 16-6 and reached the Section V Class AA semifinals. In 2016-17, Fitch led Fairport to a 22-2 record, a section title and the state championship game. Five times he has been honored as the Monroe County Coach of the Year, twice as the Section V Coach of the Year and as the 2007 All Greater Rochester Coach of the Year. He led his team to back-to-back Section V Championships in 2006 and 2007, and to the state final four in 2007. As a player at State University of New York at Geneseo, he earned 1994 NCAA Division III National Player of the Year honors, was a 1993 and 1994 DIII All-American first-team selection, a four-time All-Eastern College Athletic Conference first-team member and the ECAC Player of the Year in 1993 and 1994. He scored 2,661 points in his career (23.9 ppg.), ranking him first all-time in school history for career points and career points averaged. He also ranks first in 11 additional categories, including career wins (83), career field goals made (834) and attempted (1,745), career free throws made (658) and attempted (809), career 3-pointers made (335), single-season points totaled (752) and averaged (27.9), single-season free throws made (202), single-season 3s made (102), single-game points (44); second for career steals (253), single-season field goals made (224), single-season free throws attempted (240); tied for second in single-game 3s made (8); and fourth for assists (431). He is the only player to be inducted into the Section V, Geneseo and Chase Lincoln Hall of Fames and the only athlete to have a jersey retired at Geneseo. He was inducted into the Frontier Walk of Fame in 2006 and the Fairport High School Hall of Fame. He played professional basketball for a brief time and currently works at Jostens where he specializes in class rings. He also speaks to students about leadership and social media. CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE COURSES: Warriors, Not Winners –Want to create gritty, resilient athletes who succeed beyond the game? Purchase Warriors, Not Winners now! Transformational Coaching –Take your Coaching to the Next Level with Transformational Coaching. Tagged under: coaching, core values, problems in youth sports #107 “If you love the process, the process will eventually love you back” a conversation with Super Bowl Champion Strength Coach Jon Torine WOC #65 The Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance with Alex Hutchinson, former elite runner and author of the bestselling book Endure #51 No One Gets There Alone with Sports Psychologist Rob Bell	cc/2021-04/en_head_0046.json.gz/line328

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